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Use of Melastomataceae and pteridophytes for revealing phytogeographical patterns in Amazonian rain forests

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Kalle Ruokolainen ,
Ari Linna  and
Hanna Tuomisto
Kalle Ruokolainen
Affiliation:
Departments of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
Ari Linna
Affiliation:
Departments of Geology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
Hanna Tuomisto
Affiliation:
Departments of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
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Abstract

Similarities and differences among eight upland rain forest sites in Peruvian Amazonia were measured separately by using Melastomataceae, pteridophyte and tree species compositions and edaphic characteristics of the sites. All three plant groups showed a similar pattern among the sites, and this pattern could be explained by edaphic differences but not by geographical distances among the sites. The explicability of site-specific edaphic characteristics on the basis of geological history is discussed. The results suggest that both pteridophytes and Melastomataceae can be used as indicators of floristically different rain forest types that are edaphically defined. Distribution patterns of these plant groups can be studied much more rapidly than the patterns of trees and therefore both Melastomataceae and pteridophytes may be used in large scale phytogeographical studies that are urgently needed in the face of rapidly advancing deforestation.

Resumen

Las similitudes y diferencias entre ocho sitios en bosques de tierra firme de la Amazonia peruana fueron medidas utilizando separadamente la composición florística de las Melastomataceae, pteridophitas y especies arboreas, y las características edáficas de estos sitios. Los tres grupos de plantas mostraron un patrón semejante entre los sitios, y este patrón se puede relacionar con las diferencias edáficas, pero no por las distancias geografícas entre los sitios. Se considera la posibilidad de explicar las características edáficas particulares de cada lugar basándose en la historia geológica. Los resultados sugieren que tanto las pteridophitas como las Melastomataceae se pueden utilizar como indicadores de diferentes tipos de bosques húmedos con características edáficas definidas. Los pat rones de distribución de estos grupos de plantas se pueden estudiar mucho más rápido que los patrones de distributión de los árboles. Por ello, las Melastomataceae y pteridophitas pueden utilizarse en estudios fitogeográficos de gran escala requeridos con urgencia ante el rápido avance de la deforestación en la selva Amazónica.

Keywords

AmazoniafernsMelastomataceaenutrientsphytogeographyplant community structurespecies diversitytropical rain forestsoil propertiestrees
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , March 1997 , pp. 243 - 256
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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