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Vegetation Succession on Degraded Sites in the Pomacochas Basin (Amazonas, N Peru)—Ecological Options for Forest Restoration

Author

Listed:
  • Helge Walentowski

    (Faculty of Resource Management, HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Büsgenweg 1a, 37077 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Steffi Heinrichs

    (Faculty of Resource Management, HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Büsgenweg 1a, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
    Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Stefan Hohnwald

    (Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use—CBL, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 5, 37073 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Alexander Wiegand

    (Faculty of Resource Management, HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Büsgenweg 1a, 37077 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Henry Heinen

    (Faculty of Resource Management, HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Büsgenweg 1a, 37077 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Martin Thren

    (Faculty of Resource Management, HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Büsgenweg 1a, 37077 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Oscar A. Gamarra Torres

    (Instituto de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Ceja de Selva, INDES-CES, Campus Universitario, Calle Universitaria N° 304, Chachapoyas, Amazonas 01001, Peru)

  • Ana B. Sabogal

    (Faculty of Liberal Arts and Humanities, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru—PUCP, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel, Lima 32, Peru)

  • Stefan Zerbe

    (Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

Abstract

The Andes of northern Peru are still widely covered with forests, but increasingly suffer from habitat fragmentation. Subsequent soil degradation often leads to the abandonment of overused forests and pastures. Ecological knowledge on the restoration potential, e.g., on dependencies of soil conditions and altitude, is scarce. Therefore, we compared soil and vegetation patterns along nine transects within the upper Pomacochas Basin, which is an important biodiversity corridor along the Andes, between remaining forests, succession sites and pastures. Anthropogenic successional and disturbance levels, geological substrate, and altitude have the most important ecological impacts on vegetation and tree species composition. Species responded to sandstone versus calcareous substrates, but also to depths of the organic soil layer, and light conditions. The absence of organic layers under pastures contrasted with the accumulation of thick organic layers under forest cover. Vegetation composition at succession sites revealed certain starting points (herbal stage, bush stage, or secondary forest) for restoration that will determine the length of regeneration paths. Pre-forest patches of Alchornea sp. and Parathesis sp. may act as habitat stepping stones for expeditiously restoring biocorridors for wildlife. The key findings can contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in a fragile ecoregion.

Suggested Citation

  • Helge Walentowski & Steffi Heinrichs & Stefan Hohnwald & Alexander Wiegand & Henry Heinen & Martin Thren & Oscar A. Gamarra Torres & Ana B. Sabogal & Stefan Zerbe, 2018. "Vegetation Succession on Degraded Sites in the Pomacochas Basin (Amazonas, N Peru)—Ecological Options for Forest Restoration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:609-:d:133727
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Norman Myers & Russell A. Mittermeier & Cristina G. Mittermeier & Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca & Jennifer Kent, 2000. "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6772), pages 853-858, February.
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    1. Gerson Meza Mori & Cristóbal Torres Guzmán & Manuel Oliva-Cruz & Rolando Salas López & Gladys Marlo & Elgar Barboza, 2022. "Spatial Analysis of Environmentally Sensitive Areas to Soil Degradation Using MEDALUS Model and GIS in Amazonas (Peru): An Alternative for Ecological Restoration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Dany A. Cotrina Sánchez & Elgar Barboza Castillo & Nilton B. Rojas Briceño & Manuel Oliva & Cristóbal Torres Guzman & Carlos A. Amasifuen Guerra & Subhajit Bandopadhyay, 2020. "Distribution Models of Timber Species for Forest Conservation and Restoration in the Andean-Amazonian Landscape, North of Peru," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-20, September.

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