Resumen

RAMIREZ COLLANTES, David A. Los objetos nodriza como refugio y fuente de nutrientes: reflexiones sobre el establecimiento y restauración de cactáceas en zonas áridas de la vertiente occidental de los andes. Ecol. apl., ago./dic. 2011, vol.10, no.2, p.83-86. ISSN 1726-2216.

In this scientific note I analyze two new paradigms in the Cactaceae recruitment and establishment. The first one is related to the facilitation effect given by "nurse objects" (rocks) compared with "nurse plants", which could be enhanced in places where fog deposition and dew formation are highly frequent phenomena. The trophic biology of the rock-colonizing cactus is the second paradigm. Recent studies have discovered and isolated bacteria living into (endophytic) and outside (in the rhizoplane) cactus roots which are responsible for rock weathering and nutrients release. Research on the "hidden" water gains driven by rocks and bacteria isolation and inoculation to cactus seedlings are very important topics in the endemic cactus populations’ restoration and recovering plans in arid environments of the Andean western slopes.

Palabras llave: Cactaceae; dew; fog; nurse plants; nurse objects; plant growth promoting bacteria; rock weathering.