Banco de semillas y tendencias en la regeneración natural de un bosque altoandino en la región de Monserrate (Cundinamarca, Colombia)

Abstract

Numbers of viable seeds in the soil of a high Andean forest in the Monserrate region, Cundinamarca, Colombia were determined through germination in a greenhouse. In this forest, located at 3200 m altitude, Weinmannia tomentosa and Drimys granatensis are the dominant species.

Five soil samples were taken at different depths: 4 included organic levels and 1 the mineral one. Total density of 1813 seed/m² was found, although seed density varied according to depth: 315±: 129 in litter, 711 ± 207 in the upper organic layer (0-5 cm depth), 559 ± 222 in the middle organic layer (25 cm depth), 207 ± 121 in the humus (40 cm depth) and 11 ± 16 in the A, mineral horizon (to 50 cm).

Most of seeds were located in the upper organic soil horizons, but only 43% represented species present in the vegetation growing at the study site. There floristic groups are defined: 1. paramo shrubs and pionner weeds. 2. forest shrubs, weeds and pioner lianas and 3. trees of late successional stages or climax. The role of the seed bank in regeneration dynamics of the forest is discussed.