Abstract

APONTE, Héctor  and  FLORES, John. Density and spatial distribution of Tillandsia latifolia on the Tillandsial Lomas of Piedra Campana (Lima, Perú). Ecol. apl. [online]. 2013, vol.12, n.1, pp.35-43. ISSN 1726-2216.

Tillandsial lomas (vegetal communities dominated by plants of the genera Tillandsia) are ecosystems distributed in the coast of Peru and Chile. In order to study the density and spatial distribution of Tillandsia latifolia in Cerro Piedra Campana (Lima, Perú) and its relation to the topography and substrate, 72 plots of 100m2 were placed in the area. The number of ramets (and its phenological stage) and genets were counted in each plot. The mean density of genets, ramets and the mean coverage was 60.58 genets/plot, 235.03 ramets/plot and 9.60% respectively; these values were the highest in plots facing the sea, in streams, and in sandy areas compared to those with northwest and northeast orientation, that were on hillsides and in rocky areas (p <0.05 in all cases). The proportion ramets/genet was 3.71 with the highest mean values obtained in plots facing southwest and northeast. The proportion of ramets in stage of inflorescence was the highest in the plots facing the sea, the highest proportion of flowering individuals were found in the west side of the study area (specially in sandy areas); fruiting individuals were more abundant in the east side (p<0.05 in all cases) revealing demographic asynchrony in the population. The role of topography and substrate on the spatial distribution of this species in the area are discussed.

Keywords : Tillandsial lomas; population density; desert; demographic asyncrony; spatial distribution; Tillandsia latifolia.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )