Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
DOI https://doi.org/10.31876/er.v6i44.833
Population status of two species of Ericaceae in the High
Montane Forest
Estado poblacional de dos especies de Ericaceae, en el Bosque Montano Alto
Jorge Marcelo Caranqui Aldaz*
Jenny Elizabeth Núñez Ramos*
Edmundo Danilo Guilcapi Pacheco*
Ana Gabriela Alulema Aucapiña*
Received: December 12, 2022
Approved: February 09, 2023
* Master's Degree in Biodiversity in Tropical Areas and its
Conservation, Teaching Technician of the Herbarium,
Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba,
Ecuador.jcaranqui@espoch.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7555-1294
* PhD in Sustainable Agriculture, Teaching Technician,
Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba,
Ecuador.jenunez@espoch.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5244-9342
* Master in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Professor
and Researcher, Faculty of Natural Resources, Escuela
Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador.
eguilcapi@espoch.edu.ec https://orcid.org/0000-0001-
5072-1437
* Associate Researcher, Escuela Superior Politécnica de
Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador.
ana.alulema@espoch.edu.ec https://orcid.org/0000-0002-
4978-0162
Abstract
In this work, a demographic study of Gaultheria glomerata and
Disterigma empetrifolium was carried out in the Indiviso sector of the
Baquerizo Moreno parish, Píllaro canton, Tungurahua province. The
vegetation was analogous between montane forest and shrubby
moorland, located at coordinates 01°18'S; 78°30'W, altitude 3400
m.a.s.l., where the Braun-Blanquet methodology for vegetation cover
was adapted by means of plots, which were established randomly,
the minimum distance between plot and plot was considered to be
100 meters. In the field work, the existing vegetation cover was
quantified by percentages within 10 plots of 10x10m, in each of them
were evaluated its subquadrants in the form of L, at each meter. The
species were identified in the Herbarium of the ESPOCH, and the
calculated data were 35.69% of vegetation cover for Disterigma
empetrifolium and 13.19% for Gaultheria glomerata, which are in an
abundance index of 2-3 on the Blanquet scale that tells us that it
belongs to a medium abundant and abundant cover, Therefore, it
was determined that Disterigma empetrifolium has a cover between
25-50%, thus concluding that it is in index 3 on Blanquet's scale, and
Gaultheria glomerata was found in a percentage of 5-25%,
concluding that this species is in index 2 on Blanquet's scale.
Key words:
Analogous vegetation, montane forest, shrub páramo,
vegetation cover, demographic characterization.
Cite this:
Caranqui, J., Núñez, J., Guilcapi, E.,
Alulema, A. (2023). Population
status of two species of Ericaceae, in
the Montano Alto Forest. Espirales.
Revista Multidisciplinaria de
investigación científica, 7 (45), 38-
48.
Population status of two species of Ericaceae, in the Montano Alto Forest
Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
40
Introduction
Ecuador is considered one of the most diverse countries in the world according to
records deposited in the main herbaria of the world, at least 4,868 species of vascular
plants with seeds, of which 1,566 are shrubs and trees, grow above 2,400 m.a.s.l.
(Jørgensen and Ulloa 1995). Many of these species are endemic and are considered
endangered (Henninger, 1998).
The montane forest has a very diverse vegetation due to the biogeographic barriers
common in the mountains such as the presence of horizontal rainfall, thus the humidity
remains on site; a unique characteristic of these forests is that the higher the altitude,
the greater the diversity of flora (Araujo-Murukami, 2005). However, today they are
considered one of the most vulnerable systems to human intervention due to overuse
and conversion to agricultural systems and pastures (Brown & Kapelle, 2005). The shrub
páramo is of the páramo ecosystems categorized as one of the most biodiverse sites
(Pauli et al., 2015). Ecuador has an altitudinal range between 3000 and 4500 m.a.s.l.
and contains 30% of vascular plants. At 3100 m.a.s.l., shrubs, herbs of various types,
rosette plants and cushion plants (Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Ericaceae, Geraniaceae,
Plantaginaceae, Brassicaceae and Juncacea) begin to appear (Sierra, 1999).
The Ericaceae family is one of the most representative, they coexist mainly in mountain
forests, in addition, the Ericaceae, ecologically have an important role as a food source
Abstract
En este trabajo se realizó un estudio demográfico de Gaultheria
glomerata y Disterigma empetrifolium, en el sector del Indiviso, de la
parroquia Baquerizo Moreno, cantón Píllaro, provincia de
Tungurahua. El cual presentaba una vegetación análoga entre
bosque montano y páramos arbustivo, ubicado en las coordenadas
01°18´S; 78°30´W, altitud 3400 m.s.n.m., en donde se adaptó la
metodología de Braun-Blanquet para cobertura vegetal por medio
de parcelas, las cuales fueron establecidas al azar, la distancia mínima
entre parcela y parcela se consideró 100 metros. En el trabajo de
campo se cuantificó mediante porcentajes, la cobertura vegetal
existente dentro de 10 parcelas de 10x10m, en cada una de ellas se
evaluó sus subcuadrantes en forma de L, a cada metro. Las especies
se identificó en el Herbario de la ESPOCH, y los datos calculados
fueron 35,69% de cobertura vegetal para Disterigma empetrifolium y
13,19% para Gaultheria glomerata, que se encuentran en un índice
de abundancia del 2-3 en la escala de Blanquet que nos dice que
pertenece a una cobertura medianamente abundante y abundante,
por lo cual se determinó que Disterigma empetrifolium, posee una
cobertura que se encuentra entre los 25-50%, concluyendo de esta
manera que se encuentra en un índice 3 de la escala de Blanquet, y
Gaultheria glomerata se encontró en un porcentaje de 5 - 25%
concluyendo que dicha especie se encuentra en un índice 2 de la
escala de Blanquet.
Palabras clave:
Vegetación análoga, bosque montano, páramo
arbustivo, cobertura vegetal, caracterización demográfica.
Jorge Marcelo Caranqui Aldaz, Jenny Elizabeth Núñez Ramos, Edmundo Danilo Guilcapi Pacheco, Ana Gabriela
Alulema Aucapiña
Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
41
(nectar, fruits and corollas) for species of large mammals such as the spectacled bear
and smaller mammals, also for birds such as hummingbirds, among others (Huamantupa
et al., 2018). The objective of this work is to contribute to the knowledge on the
phenological state and percentage of vegetation cover of the two species Gaultheria
glomerata (Cav.) Sleumer and Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude.
In addition, Baquerizo Moreno is considered a conservation area and the efforts made
by its authorities and the Big Mammals Conservation Foundation (which supports the
conservation of the Andean bear or spectacled bear), have been of great importance to
raise awareness among the inhabitants so that there is a responsibility to protect and
conserve the biodiversity of these ecosystems.
Human activity in agricultural and livestock expansion has caused the continuous loss of
biodiversity; Ecuador is considered a megadiverse country in flora and fauna as it is
crossed by the Andes Mountains. Over the decades, native species have had to adapt
to the drastic changes brought about by human activity. By increasing the livestock
frontiers causes the disappearance of many native species so the objective of this study
is to conduct a demographic study of Gaultheria glomerata and Disterigma
empetrifolium, in the analogous vegetation of undivided, in the Parish Baquerizo
Moreno, Píllaro Canton, Province of Tungurahua; to benefit the Parish Baquerizo
Moreno in the future can restore the montane forest with the species Gaultheria
glomerata (Cav.) Sleumer and Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude.
Materials and methods
The work was carried out in the buffer zone of the high montane forest (Sierra, 1999;
Caranqui and Ortiz 2021; MAE, 2013) located in the Indiviso Sector, at coordinates
01018'S; 78030'W, with an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level in the Baquerizo
Moreno Parish, Píllaro canton, Tungurahua province.
Population status of two species of Ericaceae, in the Montano Alto Forest
Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
42
Figure 1.
Study area
Source: Caranqui, (2019)
We began by identifying the species with the greatest potential in the area and
conducted a descriptive analysis that allowed us to calculate basic parameters on the
data set obtained in the field (Caranqui, 2011; Caranqui & Romero, 2014; Cerón, 2003;
Phillips & Miller, 2002; Jorgensen & León-Yanez, 1999; Trópicos.org, 2022).
For the population study, the Braun-Blanquet methodology of 1979 was used, which is
based on the arrangement of floristic data by hand and on fundamental concepts and
assumptions. In which data is taken from the survey (relevé), it is a sample of vegetation
or stand equivalent to the quadrat. The percentage of vegetation cover is estimated
using the Braun-Blanquet scale, in which abundance and dominance are combined; the
two lower indices (+, r) record abundance while the remaining ones (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) take
into account cover or dominance (Table 1) (Westhoff and Van der Maarel, 1978;
Ducuara, 2013).
Jorge Marcelo Caranqui Aldaz, Jenny Elizabeth Núñez Ramos, Edmundo Danilo Guilcapi Pacheco, Ana Gabriela
Alulema Aucapiña
Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
43
Table 1.
Braun - Blanquet abundance and dominance scale.
MEANING
A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL
MORE INDIVIDUALS, VERY LOW COVERAGE
COVERAGE LESS THAN 5%.
COVERAGE FROM 5 TO 25%.
COVERAGE FROM 25 TO 50%.
50 TO 75% COVERAGE
COVERAGE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 75%.
Source: Ducuara, 2013
Sampling was carried out in the buffer zone of the high montane forest, for which the
methodology of random plots was adapted, points were taken at each vertex to identify
where each plot was located, in addition stakes were placed at each point to delimit
each plot, each stake had a height of 60 cm and was tied with a yellow citation for quick
identification. Ten 10 x 10 meter plots were made with a minimum distance of 100 m
between plots, thus obtaining a sample area of 1000 square meters. In each plot, data
were collected on the percentage of vegetation cover, height and phenological state
of the plants. To spatially locate and determine the vegetation cover and phenological
state, the plots and their subquadrants were delimited in an L shape and each point was
directed in a northerly direction, the subquadrants were located every meter, and were
delimited by ropes. Data was taken at each meter, forming quadrants of 1 x 1 m and a
scale of coverage was determined, where if the vegetation cover in each meter
occupied the entire site of the quadrant, it was considered as 100%, if it occupied half,
50% and if it was a quarter, 25% subjectively, and the percentage of vegetation cover,
phenological state, and height were determined in the 10 plots that were established.
Figure 2.
Sample collection in the parish of Baquerizo Moreno, province of Tungurahua.
Population status of two species of Ericaceae, in the Montano Alto Forest
Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
44
Results
The methodology of plots adapted to Braun - Blanquet, allowed the establishment of
subjectively random plots in the Indiviso sector, which is a transition zone between
montane forest and shrubby moorland and the total percentage of vegetation cover
determined the presence of Disterigma empetrifolium in 35,69% on the abundance
scale, according to Table 1, it is located in index 3 which belongs to the 25-50% range,
determining a moderately uniform coverage, according to Caranqui and Ortíz (2021 ),
in their study cites that D. empetrifolium is a shrubby moorland species and the
presence of rainfall and abundance of water resources form a viable ecosystem for this
species to adapt to this transition zone and Gaultheria glomerata with a percentage of
13, 19% on the abundance scale is located in index 2, which belongs to the range of 5
- 25% determining a non-uniform coverage, being a montane forest species they form
small shrubs that were found scattered in the plots. According to what is indicated in
Table 1 and 2 that speaks of the scale of abundance and the percentage of vegetation
cover respectively. Regarding the phenological state of the two species, qualitative data
were collected and represented as follows: F (fertile) plants that were in bloom and I
(infertile) plants without flower or juveniles, D. empetrifolium by forming a compact or
grouped vegetation cover could be observed in each plot if it was in bloom, on the
other hand in G. glomerata being a small shrub and being dispersed the observation
was done more carefully. The phenological state of the plots D. empetrifolium was in
a fertile period, while G. glomerata was in an infertile state.
Table 2.
Percentage of vegetation cover, phenological stage and height in (cm).
PLOT 1
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
0
I
0
Disterigma
empetrifolium
25,7
F
2,25
PLOT 2
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
0,6
F
0,8
Disterigma
empetrifolium
1,6
F
0,6
PLOT 3
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
16,8
I
6,14
Disterigma
empetrifolium
41
F
3,05
PLOT 4
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
1,5
F
2,05
Disterigma
empetrifolium
60,6
I
4,2
PLOT 5
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
29,4
I
5,3
Disterigma
empetrifolium
32,9
F
2,45
PLOT 6
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
24,4
F
5,94
Disterigma
empetrifolium
29,8
F
3,33
Jorge Marcelo Caranqui Aldaz, Jenny Elizabeth Núñez Ramos, Edmundo Danilo Guilcapi Pacheco, Ana Gabriela
Alulema Aucapiña
Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
45
PLOT 7
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
4,4
I
3,18
Disterigma
empetrifolium
49,5
F
3,16
PLOT 8
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
6,4
F
3,07
Disterigma
empetrifolium
49,5
I
1,9
PLOT 9
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
6,4
I
2,11
Disterigma
empetrifolium
33,5
I
32,25
PLOT 10
TOTAL AVERAGE
Percentage
Phenological stage (fertile (F); infertile
(I))
Height
CM
Gaultheria glomerata
42
I
10,05
Disterigma
empetrifolium
29,6
F
3,12
%TOTAL
Disterigma empetrifolium
35,69
Gaultheria glomerata
13,19
Figure 3.
Representative curve of the percentage of vegetation cover of Gaultheria
glomerata.
Population status of two species of Ericaceae, in the Montano Alto Forest
Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
46
Figure 4.
Representative curve of the percentage of vegetation cover of Disterigma
empetrifolium.
The Indiviso sector has a high diversity of montane forest and shrub páramo vegetation
and is considered an analogous ecosystem because it is not possible to delimit whether
it is forest or páramo, according to the study of Floristic Diversity and Composition
(Caranqui, Ortiz, 2021 p. 1122).
According to (Caranqui et al., 2021: Caranqui & Suarez, 2016); in their study of
Regeneration Analysis it can be said that being in an area that was altered, in this case
by cattle ranching; the Indiviso sector regenerated naturally, and not necessarily
homogeneously. The dominance of the species is going to be heterogeneous, as it was
with D. empetrifolium that presented high percentages and G. glomerata that had low
percentages in vegetation cover, the Indiviso sector having regenerated naturally, and
having abundant water resources, its vegetation becomes very abundant and comes to
present two types of ecosystems such as the montane forest and the shrubby moor.
Conclusions
Taking into account the Braun-Blanquet table (Table 1 and 2), it indicates the scale in
which a species can be found by its abundance and dominance respectively, for which
we determined that Disterigma empetrifolium (Kunth) Drude, The demographic study
of these species determined that the vegetation cover has an abundance index of 3-2,
which are medium levels in the Blanquet table, because the plots were strategically
located at random and trying to have the greatest amount of vegetation.
..........................................................................................................
Jorge Marcelo Caranqui Aldaz, Jenny Elizabeth Núñez Ramos, Edmundo Danilo Guilcapi Pacheco, Ana Gabriela
Alulema Aucapiña
Espirales. Revista multidisciplinaria de investigación científica, Vol. 7, No. 45
March – July 2023. e-ISSN 2550-6862. pp 38-49
47
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