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The lack of technical criteria for tree selection in urban areas generates difficulties for infrastructure development and reduces the benefits obtained from this resource. In the present study the functional diversity approach was used to plan such tree planting. Based on an urban tree census of Ibague city, nine functional traits were characterized in 202 species that responded to different spatial and environmental conditions. Three specific functional indices were determined, and hierarchical clusters were applied. A total of 18 functional types of plants were obtained, which were assigned to 29 subtypes of found places, filtering by average value and coefficient of variation. The analyzed species had functional diversities that adequately satisfied the conditions of tree planting, 64.36% were ideal for planting on platforms and median strips, 45.04% in parks and along the shores of urban streams, and 11.88% in front yards. These results are recommended for application in tree management in other Andean cities having similar conditions and testing the proposed methodology in other tropical regions is also recommended.

Resumen En el desierto de La Tatacoa, la degradación del suelo y la pérdida de productividad son atribuidas a factores ambientales y antrópicos. En este artículo se evalúa la dinámica espaciotemporal de coberturas en un periodo no continuo de 23 años (1987-2001-2010) identificando áreas de pérdida y de recuperación de vegetación. Se aplicaron correcciones geométricas y radiométricas, además, se realizó un análisis cuantitativo aplicando clasificación supervisada a las imágenes Landsat. Las dinámicas espaciotemporales se identificaron a través de matrices de cambio y el índice Kappa. El análisis multitemporal mostró disminución de las áreas de suelos degradados (16,7%) y aumento de la cobertura vegetal (13,4%), lo que evidencia un proceso de recuperación a una tasa de 124 ha/año. Las áreas de vegetación natural estables y de mayor variación positiva de vegetación natural están localizadas en el norte, nororiente y oriente; la variación negativa se observa en la región adyacente al río Magdalena. Estos resultados son la base para nuevas investigaciones sobre los factores bióticos, abióticos y socioeconómicos que han generado la recuperación de áreas de vegetación natural en algunos sectores y la desertificación en otros, y se encaminan a plantear medidas sectorizadas como la restauración ecológica, los sistemas silvopastoriles y agroforestales acordes con la problemática social y ambiental en un contexto de cambio climático. Abstract Soil degradation and diminished production in the desert of La Tatacoa are attributed to both environmental and anthropic factors. This article assesses the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil coverage in a discontinuous period of 23 years (1987-2001-2010), identifying areas of loss and recovery of vegetation. Geometric and radiometric corrections were applied, in addition, a quantitative analysis was performed by applying supervised classification to Landsat images. Spatiotemporal dynamics were identified through change matrices and the Kappa index. Multitemporal analysis showed a decrease in the areas of degraded soils (16.7%) and an increase in vegetal coverage (13.4%), which evinces a recovery process of 124 ha/year. The areas of stable natural vegetation and of greatest positive variation in the vegetal coverage are located to the north, northeast, and east, while the negative variation can be observed in the region adjacent to the Magdalena river. These results serve as the basis for new research on the biotic, abiotic, and socioeconomic factors that have generated the recovery of natural vegetation areas in some sectors and desertification in others. They seek to contribute to the formulation of sectorized measures such as ecological restoration as well as silvopastoral and agroforestry systems in according to social and environmental issues in a context of climate change. Resumo No deserto da Tatacoa, a degradação do solo e a perda de produtividade são atribuídas a fatores ambientais e antrópicos. Neste artigo, avaliou-se a dinâmica espaço-temporal de cobertura em um período não contínuo de 23 anos (1987-2001-2010) e identificou-se áreas de perda e recuperação de vegetação. Foram aplicadas correções geométricas e radiométricas, além disso, foi realizado uma análise quantitativa aplicando uma classificação supervisionada às imagens Landsat. As dinâmicas espaço-temporais foram identificadas através de matrizes de mudança e do índice Kappa. A análise multitemporal mostrou uma diminuição nas áreas de solos degradados (16,7%) e um aumento na cobertura vegetal (13,4%), o que evidencia um processo de recuperação a uma taxa de 124 ha/ano. As áreas de vegetação natural estáveis e de maior variação positiva de vegetação natural estão localizadas no norte, nordeste e leste; a variação negativa é observada na região adjacente ao rio Magdalena. Esses resultados são a base para novas pesquisas sobre os fatores bióticos, abióticos e socioeconômicos que geraram a recuperação de áreas de vegetação natural em algumas áreas e de desertificação em outras, e são usados para propor medidas setorizadas, como a restauração ecológica, os sistemas silvopastoris e os agroflorestais de acordo com a problemática social e ambiental em um contexto de mudança climática.

The forests of the Pacific Coasts of Chocó are timber suppliers for Colombia. The floodable plant associations have been poorly investigated. To contribute with ecological basis for their management, the aim of this study was to learn about the differences between the forests of three physiographies and how the flood level explains them, comparing these forests with other of the neotropic. Three parcels of 0.5 ha were stablished y and individuals with DBH ≥ 10 cm were measured. The most common species is Oenocarpus bataua in well drained zones and Campnosperma panamensis in permanently flooded or swamp. The principal components analysis separated the three communities; the first and the second components explained 48% and 26% of the total variation, respectively. There is a high species richness and density of small and medium tall trees in the terrace and hill, in contrast with the low richness in the swamp zone with hyperdominance of one species and a bigger basal area. The dominance of species well adapted to stress caused by hydric excess in the swamp evidenced an environmental filter, that determines a composition and structure particular in the swamp. The studied forests have particular characteristics that differentiate them from other forests of low tropical lands, in particular, a high tree density, less species richness and lower mean wood density compared with Amazonia forests.

Aim Tropical forests store 25% of global carbon and harbour 96% of the world's tree species, but it is not clear whether this high biodiversity matters for carbon storage. Few studies have teased apart the relative importance of forest attributes and environmental drivers for ecosystem functioning, and no such study exists for the tropics. Location Neotropics. Methods We relate aboveground biomass (AGB) to forest attributes (diversity and structure) and environmental drivers (annual rainfall and soil fertility) using data from 144,000 trees, 2050 forest plots and 59 forest sites. The sites span the complete latitudinal and climatic gradients in the lowland Neotropics, with rainfall ranging from 750 to 4350 mm year−1. Relationships were analysed within forest sites at scales of 0.1 and 1 ha and across forest sites along large-scale environmental gradients. We used a structural equation model to test the hypothesis that species richness, forest structural attributes and environmental drivers have independent, positive effects on AGB. Results Across sites, AGB was most strongly driven by rainfall, followed by average tree stem diameter and rarefied species richness, which all had positive effects on AGB. Our indicator of soil fertility (cation exchange capacity) had a negligible effect on AGB, perhaps because we used a global soil database. Taxonomic forest attributes (i.e. species richness, rarefied richness and Shannon diversity) had the strongest relationships with AGB at small spatial scales, where an additional species can still make a difference in terms of niche complementarity, while structural forest attributes (i.e. tree density and tree size) had strong relationships with AGB at all spatial scales. Main conclusions Biodiversity has an independent, positive effect on AGB and ecosystem functioning, not only in relatively simple temperate systems but also in structurally complex hyperdiverse tropical forests. Biodiversity conservation should therefore be a key component of the UN Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation strategy.

La microcuenca Tintales, ubicada en el Santuraio de Fauna y Flora (SFF) de Iguaque, Boyacá, fue afectada por un incendio forestal. En esa área se evaluó la regeneración natural en 29 parcelas permanentes. Se evaluaron dos fitofisonomías, afloramiento rocoso y robledal para comparar riqueza, diversidad y dominancia, obteniéndose mayor riqueza y diversidad en afloramiento rocoso. La familia Asteraceae fue la que obtuvo mayor representatividad. Las especies con mayor dominancia fueron Hypoxis decumbens, Pteridium aquilinum y Andropogon bicornis. La diversidad en todo el muestreo fue baja y homogénea debido a la reiterada incidencia de incendios forestales que han ocasionado cambios en la estructura y composición de la vegetación. La vegetación encontrada no difiere sustancialmente de otros estudios reportados para esta zona de vida y la región, donde las dinámicas de uso de suelo son similares, con alta deforestación e incendios. La vegetación establecida después del incendio es dominada por especies colonizadoras y pioneras. En las dos fitofisonomías estudiadas después de un año del incendio se establecen dos comunidades vegetales con diferencias estadísticas significativas en riqueza y homogeneidad. Para iniciar procesos de restauraciÏŒn se recomienda usar como uno de los insumos las diferencias taxonómicas halladas entre robledal y afloramiento rocoso. The tintales watershed, located in the Santuario de Flora y Fauna (SFF) of Iguaque, Boyaca, was affected by a wildfire. In that area, the natural regeneration was evaluated in 29 permanent plots. Two phyto-physiognomies, a rocky outcrop and oak were evaluated to compare their richness, diversity and dominance, with rocky outcrop yielding a greater richness and diversity. The Asteraceae family was the one that obtained greater representation, with a dominance of species such as Hypoxis decumbens, Pterídium aquilinum and Andropogon bicornis. The diversity in the whole sampling was low and uniform due to the repeated incidence of forest fires that have caused changes in the structure and composition of vegetation. The vegetation found did not differ substantially from other studies reported for this ‹ ‹life zone and the region, where the dynamics of land use are similar, with high deforestation and fires. The vegetation established after the fire is dominated by colonizing and pioneering species. In the two phyto physiognomies studied after a year of the fire, two plant communities with statistically significant differences in wealth and homogeneity could be stablished. To start the restoration process, it is recommended to use as one of the inputs, the taxonomic differences found between oak and rocky outcrop.

Resumen. Se analizó en una plantación ubicada en el bosque húmedo tropical la posibilidad que tienen las especies nativas de formar un sotobosque bajo plantaciones de Pinus caribaea y Eucalyptus pellita. Se establecieron parcelas permanentes en las plantaciones por especie, edad y tratamiento silvicultural; parcelas similares se instauraron en bosque natural y sabana. Se registraron individuos clasificados por tamaño y hábito. Se determinaron 49 familias botánicas y 102 especies. La mayor y menor diversidad se presentó en el bosque natural y en la sabana con 53 y 18 especies, respectivamente. Entre plantaciones, se encontró mayor diversidad en P. caribaea, con 46 especies, que en E. pellita con 38 especies. El cociente de mezcla indicó una vegetación heterogénea en todos los usos. Los índices Margalef y Menhinick mostraron que el bosque es más diverso, seguido de las plantaciones de mayor edad y por último la sabana. Los índices de Shannon y Simpson califican todos los sitios con vegetación heterogénea. Los tratamientos tuvieron diferencias estadísticas significativas en número de individuos, especies y categorías de tamaño, a excepción de las herbáceas. En cuanto a composición y abundancias se destacan tres grandes grupos: bosque con plantaciones maduras, plantaciones de edades intermedias y plantaciones jóvenes con sabana. Se observó una alta betadiversidad entre los tratamientos, que compartían menos del 50% de las especies y abundancias, según los índices Jaccard y Sorensen. Entre plantaciones se presentó el mayor número de especies compartidas. Se concluye que las plantaciones albergan buena cantidad de biodiversidad vegetal de sotoboque y no impiden el establecimiento de especies nativas.Abstract. It was analized in a plantation located in the tropical rainforest, the possibility that native species forming an understory in Pinus caribaea and Eucalyptus pellita plantations. Were established permanent plots, within plantations by species, age and silvicultural treatment, also in the natural forest and savannah. Individuals were classified by size and habit. 49 families and 102 botanical species were identified. The highest and lowest diversity occurred in the natural forest and savannah with 53 and 18 species, respectively between plantations, there was greater diversity with P. caribaea with 46 species that in E. pellita with 38 species. The mixing ratio shows a heterogeneous vegetation in all uses. The richness indices of Margalef and Menhinick, show more species diversity in forest, plantations followed older and finally the savannah. Shannon and Simpson indices show all sites with heterogeneous vegetation. The treatments had statistically significant differences in number of individuals, species and size classes except forbs. Regarding abundance were three major groups: mature forest plantations, intermediate plantations, and young plantations with savannah. High diversity was observed between the threatments that shared less than 50% of species and abundances, according to indixes of Jaccard and Sorensen. Among plantations had the highert number of shared species.Concludes that in plantation grows understory plant biodiversity and don't prevent the establishment of native species.

Plant traits – the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants and their organs – determine how primary producers respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, influence ecosystem processes and services and provide a link from species richness to ecosystem functional diversity. Trait data thus represent the raw material for a wide range of research from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology to biogeography. Here we present the global database initiative named TRY, which has united a wide range of the plant trait research community worldwide and gained an unprecedented buy-in of trait data: so far 93 trait databases have been contributed. The data repository currently contains almost three million trait entries for 69 000 out of the world's 300 000 plant species, with a focus on 52 groups of traits characterizing the vegetative and regeneration stages of the plant life cycle, including growth, dispersal, establishment and persistence. A first data analysis shows that most plant traits are approximately log-normally distributed, with widely differing ranges of variation across traits. Most trait variation is between species (interspecific), but significant intraspecific variation is also documented, up to 40% of the overall variation. Plant functional types (PFTs), as commonly used in vegetation models, capture a substantial fraction of the observed variation – but for several traits most variation occurs within PFTs, up to 75% of the overall variation. In the context of vegetation models these traits would better be represented by state variables rather than fixed parameter values. The improved availability of plant trait data in the unified global database is expected to support a paradigm shift from species to trait-based ecology, offer new opportunities for synthetic plant trait research and enable a more realistic and empirically grounded representation of terrestrial vegetation in Earth system models.

El bosque húmedo tropical secundario es cada vez más común en el neotrópico y aún no se conocen sus propiedades funcionales. Los objetivos de este artículo fueron caracterizar rasgos funcionales reproductivos de especies arbóreas de bosque secundario, generar grupos funcionales y comparar diferencias existentes entre dos grados de intervención del bosque en su diversidad taxonómica y riqueza de grupos funcionales. Se establecieron seis parcelas de 0.1 ha, se muestrearon árboles con DAP ≥ 10 cm y se caracterizaron siete rasgos funcionales reproductivos. Se encontraron 93 morfoespecies que generaron seis grupos funcionales. Se destacó la baja riqueza florística del grupo 1 en contraste con la riqueza florística de los 5 grupos restantes. Al mismo tiempo, el grupo 1 evidenció el mayor potencial funcional representado en especies conservativas y fue característico del bosque menos intervenido. Por otro lado, en el sitio con intervención permanente la redundancia funcional disminuye en este mismo grupo, lo cual puede tener consecuencias a largo plazo en la extinción local. Se concluyó que estos bosques son altamente resilientes a pesar del nivel de intervención. Sin embargo, su recuperación y preservación contribuirán a mantener su biodiversidad y la continuidad de los servicios ecosistémicos que brindan a las comunidades. Finalmente, los grupos funcionales generados pueden ser usados para planificar medidas innovadoras de manejo y restauración de áreas degradadas en la región del Chocó biogeográfico. The secondary rainforest is increasingly common in the Neotropics and its functional properties are unknown. The objectives of this paper were to characterize reproductive functional traits of tree species of the secondary forest, generate functional groups and compare differences between two levels of forest disturbance with its taxonomic diversity and richness in functional groups. Six plots of 0.1 ha were established, trees with ≥ 10 cm DAP were measured and seven functional reproductive traits were characterized. We found 93 morphospecies that generated six functional groups. Low floristic richness of group 1 in contrast to the floristic richness of the remaining 5 groups was highlighted. At the same time, group 1 showed the highest functional potential represented by conservative species and was characteristic of the least disturbed forest. On the other hand, on the site with permanent disturbance, the functional redundancy decreases in this group, which could generate to long- term local extinction. It was concluded that these forests are highly resilient despite the level of disturbance. Finally, the generated functional groups can be used to set up innovative measures in the management and restoration of degraded areas in the Chocó biogeographic region.