Patrones de distribución espacial de Parodia maassii (Heese) A. Berger (Cactaceae) en un semidesierto de los Andes subtropicales, la prepuna
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Ecología en Bolivia
Abstract
El propósito del estudio fue examinar la relación entre el patrón espacial de Parodia maassii, una cactácea globular, y los estratos leñosos dominantes de la localidad donde se realizó el estudio. Nuestros datos muestran un acentuado patrón agregado de la especie en parches de 1-11 m, lo que sugiere que la facilitación (síndrome de la planta nodriza) podría estar operando en la zona e influyendo en las etapas tempranas del establecimiento de P. maassii. No obstante, evidenciamos atracción de los individuos de la especie hacia arbustos a escalas pequeñas (<2 m) y repulsión a escalas intermedias (9-13 m). Una posible interpretación apuntaría a que la especie necesita la sombra no muy intensa de arbustos de tamaño intermedio (< 1 m) para establecerse, pero que una vez que lo logra, prefiere los espacios abiertos, donde posiblemente crece mejor. Se necesitarán estudios de campo experimentales que demuestren esta aseveración.
In this study, we analyzed the spatial pattern of Parodia maassii, a globose cactus of the subtropical Andes. Specifically, we evaluated the relation between the spatial pattern of this cactus species and dominant woody strata of the locality where the study took place. Our data showed a marked clustered pattern of P. maassii in 1-10 m patches, suggesting that facilitation (nurse plant syndrome) could be functioning in this Andean drought-stressful habitat, affecting the early stages of the establishment of the species. We recorded, however, a positive attraction of their individuals with perennial bushes at small scales (<2 m) and repulsion at intermediate scales (9-13 m). A possible explanation indicates that the cactus species needs the shade of the shrubs in order to get established, but that later it prefers open areas where it grows better. Field tests in which seedlings are placed below shrubs and open areas are required to support this possibility.
In this study, we analyzed the spatial pattern of Parodia maassii, a globose cactus of the subtropical Andes. Specifically, we evaluated the relation between the spatial pattern of this cactus species and dominant woody strata of the locality where the study took place. Our data showed a marked clustered pattern of P. maassii in 1-10 m patches, suggesting that facilitation (nurse plant syndrome) could be functioning in this Andean drought-stressful habitat, affecting the early stages of the establishment of the species. We recorded, however, a positive attraction of their individuals with perennial bushes at small scales (<2 m) and repulsion at intermediate scales (9-13 m). A possible explanation indicates that the cactus species needs the shade of the shrubs in order to get established, but that later it prefers open areas where it grows better. Field tests in which seedlings are placed below shrubs and open areas are required to support this possibility.
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Vol. 44, No. 2