4. Major Defining Features
Genus Polylepis trees
28 species
gnarled-looking
Upper montane Andes
21 endemic bird species
10 on IUCN list
5. Worldwide Distribution
Found in the Andes Mountains
Elevations above 3500 meters
Distribution is fragmented and
isolated
About 1% of original area is left
6. Abiotic Components
Temperature and Moisture
temp. and moisture
cloud condensation belt
upper and lower moisture limits
Soil
Soil pH 3.9 - 7.2
soil with salinity = growth rate
rocky slopes
7. Biotic Components
Plants
28 species of Polylepis
tree to shrub-like based on elevation
red-colored, papery, layered bark
wind-dispersed seeds
fungus that decay wood
nutrient cycling
Animals
Oreomanes birds restricted to Polylepis
9. IUCN Animals
14 spp. of fauna ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered
Royal Cinclodes Cinclodes aricomae Critically Endangered
Violet-throated Metaltail Metallura baroni Endangered
White-browed Tit-spinetail Leptasthenura xenothorax Endangered
Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita Endangered
10. IUCN Plants
15 spp. of flora ranging from least concern to vulnerable
Polylepis incana Vulnerable
Polylepis microphylla Vulnerable
Polylepis reticulata Vulnerable
Polylepis rugulosa Vulnerable
11. Links
Video (1:50)
Andean Cat Alliance camera trap
Andean mountain cat
Websites
The Mountain Institute
Alianza Gato Andino (AGA)
12.
13. Case Study: P. australis
Human activities impact Polylepis forests
Study in high Cordoba Mountains of Argentina
restoring Polylepis forests via transplants
Collected seeds, grew seedlings in greenhouse,
transplanted seedlings to 10 acre exclosure
designed to keep out livestock
measured microsite characteristics around plants
soil depth, substrate, vegetation cover
every winter survival and shoot height measured
Renison, D. et al. 2005. The restoration of degraded mountain woodlands: effects of seed provenance and microsite characteristics on Polylepis
australis seedling survival and growth in central Argentina. Restoration Ecology 13: 129-137
14. Case Study: O. fraseri (The Giant Conebill)
native ranges of birds unknown
more info. on fragmentation effects
O. fraseri provides a reference
four patches, two communities
vegetational structures assessed
radio tracking of O. fraseri
outlying locations connected
native ranges in between
De Coster, Greet, et al. "Home range characteristics of the Near Threatened Giant Conebill Oreomanes fraseri in fragmented
Polylepis forest." Bird Conservation International 19.03 (2009): 215-223.
Plants:
-28 polylepis trees (tall to short depending on elevation)
-shorter trees at higher elevations to combat different climate
-all trees have red, papery bark
-all trees rely on wind dispersal and have spiny or winged seeds
-there is fungus on trees that decays the wood and cycles nutrients
Animals:
-many birds, most notable is Oreomanes (restricted to Polylepis trees)
-birds prefer higher elevations (need to conserve even the smallest fragments if they are in high altitudes)
-no pollinator insects in polylepis forests, beetles in the bark of polylepis (oreomanes eat these beetles)
-areas in and around polylepis there are camelids (alpacas, llamas, vicunas), cats (andean mountain, cougar), and other mammals (armadillos)
Current:
-there are protected areas
-studies conducted show these areas are not enough
-scientists suggest expanding areas and conserving even the smallest areas
Polylepis Tree Usage:
-done by farmers
-survey showed trees were mostly used for fuel or construction
Burning:
-farmers burn to clear the ground
-cleared ground leads to susceptible soil
Livestock Grazing:
-after burn, soil is uncovered and grazing can destroy seed bank
-a destroyed seed bank means polylepis is less resilient to disturbances
Climate Change:
-trees at higher altitudes are shorter and have smaller trees
-climate changes could make these morphological differences a waste of energy
Video:
-camera trap
-done by Andean Cat Alliance
-at 1:50 you can see the Andean mountain cat
Sites:
-mountain institute (mountain ecosystem conservation)
-Andean Cat Alliance (conserve the andean cat and it’s habitat)
Introduction:
-more information on fragmentation and how it affects polylepis birds
-no information on native ranges (could be useful for planning conservation plots)
-oreomanes is a good reference bird because it is exclusive to polylepis trees
Methods:
-two different communities, four patches were chosen at random
-they assessed the vegetational structures of these communities
-caught the birds, attached the devices, released them
-outlying locations were connected, native ranges were in the middle
Results:
-higher tree density, smaller ranges (because there is more resources)
-oreomanes found on trees at dusk/dawn and fragment edges (arthropods or thermoregulation?)
-study added to conservation considerations (we should consider sunlight exposure)
