Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Above-ground biomass structure of a Chusquea tessellata bamboo páramo, Chingaza National Park, Cordillera Oriental, Colombia

  • Published:
Vegetatio Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study was carried out in the bamboo (Chusquea tessellata) páramo of ‘Parque Natural Nacional de Chingaza’, Eastern Cordillera, Colombia from December 1987 to April 1988. Above-ground biomass structure of bamboo páramo was quantified in 16 plots. These data are compared with previous results on above-ground biomass structure of bunch-grass (Calamagrostis spp.) páramos.

The total (non-living and living) above-ground biomass of a Chusquea tessellata bamboo páramo was low (2,625 g DW · m−2) compared to bunch-grass páramo. Nevertheless, higher values of standing living biomass and litter are found in the bamboo páramo due to the leaf shed of the bamboo. The thick litter layer may inhibit germination and growth of nearby plants.

Maximum biomass is found near the ground surface. Cumulative LAI (In transformed) and height in the bamboo vegetation are related parabolically for Chusquea tessellata and linearly for bunch-grass due to differences in leaf distribution. The mean bifacial LAI of living Chusquea tessellata leaves is 2.2 m2 · m−2, whereas it is 2.5 m2 · m-2 for all Poaceae.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aristizabal, H. & Castañeda, J. 1983. Estimación de la fitomasa aérea en la cuenca del rio Chuza, Páramo de Chingaza, Cundinamarca. Tesis de Grado, Departamento de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Santa Fé de Bogotá. 36 pp.

  • Beekman, A. & Verweij, P. A. 1987. Structure and nutrient status of a páramo bunch-grass vegetation in relation to soil and climate. M. Science Thesis, Hugo de Vries Laboratory, University of Amsterdam. 66 pp.

  • Bekker, R. P. & Cleef, A. M. 1989. La vegetación del páramo de Laguna Verde (Municipio de Tausa, Cundinamarca). Análisis Geográficos 14, IGAC, Santa Fé de Bogotá. 1–193 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosman, A. F., van der Molen, P. C., Young, R. & Cleef, A. M. 1993. Ecology of Turbera de Cacostros, a páramo cushion mire. Journal of Vegetation Science 4: 633–640.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardozo, H. & Schnetter, M.L. 1975. Estudios ecológicos en el Páramo de Cruz Verde, Colombia. III. La biomasa de tres asociaciones vegetales y la productividad de Calamagrostis effusa (H.B.K.) Steud, y Paepalanthus columbiensis Ruhl. en comparación con la concentración de clorofila. Caldasia 11: 85–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, L.G. 1989. Systematics of Chusquea section Swallenochloa, section Verticillatae, section Serpentes, and section Longifoliae (Poaceae: Bambusoideae). Systematic Botany Monographs 27, University of Michigan. Ann Arbor. 1–127 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, L. G., Davidse, G. & Ellis, R. P. 1989. Natural hybridization in bamboos: Evidence from Chusquea section Swallenochloa (Poaceane: Bambusoideae). Nat. Geogr. Res. 5: 459–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleef, A. M. 1978. Characteristics of neotropical páramo vegetation and its subantarctic relations. In: Troll, C. & Lauer, W. (eds.), Geoecological relations between the southern temperate zone and the tropical mountains. 365–390 pp. Erdwiss. Forschung 11, Franz Steiner Verlag, Wiesbaden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleef, A. M. 1981. The vegetation of the páramos of the Colombian Cordillera Oriental. Dissertationes Botanicae 61, J. Cramer, Vaduz. 321 pp.

  • Cleef, A. M. & Hooghiemstra, H. 1984. Present vegetation of the area of the high plain of Bogota. In: Hooghiemstra, H., Vegetational and climatic history of the high plain of Bogotá, Colombia: A continuous record of the last 3.5 million years. 42–66 pp. Dissertationes Botanicae 79, J. Cramer, Vaduz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coughenour, M. B. 1985. Graminoid responses to grazing by large herbivores: adaptations, expatiations, and interacting processes. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 72: 852–863.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dierikx, L. & Kaandorp, M. 1986. Vegetation mapping in the Páramo of Chingaza (Cundinamarca, Colombia). M. Science Thesis, Hugo de Vries Laboratory, University of Amsterdam. 67 pp.

  • FAO, 1974, FAO-UNESCO Soil map of the world. Vol. 1. Legend. Unesco, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franco-R., P., Rangel-Ch., O. & Lozano-C., G. 1986. Estudios ecológicos en la Cordillera Oriental. II — Comunidades vegetales de los alrededores de la Laguna de Chingaza-Cundinamarca. Caldasia 15: 219–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grime, J. P. 1977. Plant strategies and vegetation processes. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hnatiuk, R. J. 1978. The growth of tussock grasses on an equatorial high mountain and on two sub-antarctic islands In: Troll, C. & Lauer, W. (eds.), Geoecological relations between the southern temperate zone and the tropical mountains. 159–190 pp. Erdwiss, Forschung 11, Franz Steiner Verlag, Wiesbaden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, R. G. M. & Witte, H. J. L. 1993. An evaluation of the use of the dry-weight-rank and the comparitive yield biomass estimation methods in páramo ecosystems research. Caldasia 17: 11–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, R. G. M., Chilito-P., E. J. & Sandoval-S., E. M. (in press). Aspectos de la microestructura de las macollas paramunas; implicaciones ecológicas y impacto del pastoreo. In: Cleef, A. M. & Monasterio, M. (eds.), Neotropical mountain ecosystem functioning in relation to biodiversity and global change. Tercer Mundo Editores, Sante Fé de Bogotá.

  • Ingetec, 1970. Mapa Geológico del Proyecto Chingaza. EAAB. Santa Fé de Bogotá.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keizer, J. J. 1989. A Colombian bunch-grass páramo along a fireinduced age gradient. M. Science Thesis, Hugo de Vries Laboratory, University of Amsterdam. 55 pp.

  • Köppen, W. & Geiger, R. 1930. Handbuch der Klimatologie. Teil I. Borntraeger, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloosterman H., Salamanca, S. & Cleef, A. M., in press. Mapa de la vegetación del Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados (Cordillera Central, Colombia). In: T. van der Hammen & A. G. dos Santos (eds.), La Cordillera Central Colombiana, Transecto Parque Los Nevados (Tercera parte y conclusiones). Studies on Tropical Andean Ecosystems/Estudios de Ecosistemas Tropandinos 4. J. Cramer (Borntraeger), Berlin-Stuttgart.

  • Lutz, R. & Vader, P. 1987. Biomass, productivity and nutrient status of a Colombian bunch-grass páramo. M. Science Thesis, Hugo de Vries Laboratory, University of Amsterdam. 61 pp.

  • McClure, F. A. 1973. Genera of bamboos native to the New World (Gramineae: Bambusoideae). Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 9: 1–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milner, C & Hughes, R. E. 1968. Methods for the measurement of the primary production of grassland. I.B.P. Handbook no. 6, Blackwell Scientific Publications. Oxford and Edinburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramsay, P. M. 1992. The páramo vegetation of Ecuador: the community ecology, dynamics and productivity of tropical grasslands in the Andes, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Wales, Bangor. 274 pp.

  • Rossenaar, A. J. G. A. & Hofstede, R. G. M. 1992. Effects of burning and grazing on root biomass in the páramo ecosystem. In: Balslev, H. & Luteyn, J. L. (eds.), Páramo, An Andean ecosystem under human influence. 211–213 pp. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salamanca, S., Cleef, A. M. & Rangel-Ch., O. in press. The páramo vegetation of the Parque Natural Nacional Los Nevados (cordillera Central, Colombia). In: T. van der Hammen & A. G. dos Santos (eds.), La Cordillera Central Colombiana, Transecto Parque Los Nevados (Tercera parte y conclusiones). Studies on Tropical Andean Ecosystems/Estudios de Ecosistemas Tropandinos 4. J. Cramer (Borntraeger), Berlin-Stuttgart.

  • Schmidt, A. M. & Verweij, P. A. 1992. Forage intake and secondary production in extensive livestock systems in páramo. In: Balslev, H. & Luteyn, J. L. (eds.), Páramo. An Andean ecosystem under human influence. 197–210 pp. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. P. & Young, T. P. 1987. Tropical alpine plant ecology. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 18: 137–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. M. B. & Klinger, L. F. 1985. Above-ground: below-ground phytomass ratio in Venezuelan páramo vegetation and their significance. Arctic and Alpine Research 17: 189–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soderstrom, T. R. & Calderón, C. E. 1978. Chusquea and Swallenochloa (Poaceae: Bambusoideae): Generic relationships and new species. Brittonia 30: 297–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soderstrom, T. R., Judziewicz, E. J. & Clark, L. G. 1988. Distribution patterns of neotropical bamboos. Neotropical distributions: Proceedings of a 1987 Workshop, Rio de Janeiro, 12–16 January 1987, Academia Brasileira de Ciencias.

  • Sturm, H. 1978. Zur Oekologie der andinen Páramoregion. Biogeographica 14, Junk Publishers, The Hague. 121 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturm, H. & Rangel-Ch., O. 1985. Ecologia de los páramos andinos. Una visión preliminar integrada. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Historia Natural, Biblioteca José Jerónimo Triana 9, Santa Fé de Bogotá. 292 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tol, G. J. & Cleef, A. M. 1992. Nutrient status of a Chusquea tessellata bamboo páramo. In: Balslev, H. & Luteyn, J. L. (eds.), Páramo. An Andean ecosystem under human influence. 123–135 pp. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vareschi, V. 1953. Sobre las superficies de asimilación de sociedades vegetales de cordilleras tropicales y extratropicales. Bol. Soc. Venez. Cienc. Nat. 14: 121–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vargas-R., O. & Rivera-O., D. in press. Comunidades vegetales del Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza: sector I rio La Playa-rio Guatiquia. In: Cleef, A. M. & Monasterio, M. (eds.), Neotropical mountain ecosystem functioning in relation to biodiversity and global change. Tercer Mundo Editores, Sante Fé de Bogotá.

  • Van der Hammen, T., Perez-P., A. & Pinto-E., P. (eds.) 1983. Studies on tropical Andean ecosystems. Vol. 1. La Cordillera Central Colombiana. Transecto Parque Los Nevados (Introducción y datos iniciales). J. Cramer, Vaduz. 345 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Hammen, T. & Ruiz, P.M. (eds.) 1984. Studies on tropical Andean ecosystems. Vol. 2. La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia). Transecto Buritaca-La Cumbre. J. Cramer, Vaduz. 603 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Hammen, T., Diaz-P., S. & Alvarez, V. J. (eds.) 1989. Studies on tropical Andean ecosystems. Vol. 3. La Cordillera Central Colombiana. Transecto Parque Los Nevados (Segunda parte). J. Cramer, Vaduz 600 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Hammen, T. & dos Santos, A. G. (eds.) in press. Studies on tropical Andean ecosystems. Vol. 4. La Cordillera Central Colombiana. Transecto Parque Los Nevados (Tercera parte y conclusiones). J. Cramer, Berlin, Stuttgart.

  • Verweij, P.A. & Budde, P.E. 1992. Burning and grazing gradients in páramo vegetation: Initial ordination analyses. In: Balslev, H. & Luteyn, J.L. (eds.), Páramo, An Andean ecosystem under human influence. 177–195 pp. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verweij, P. A. & Kok, K. 1992. Effects of fire and grazing on Espeletia hartwegiana populations. In: Balslev, H. & Luteyn, J. L. (eds.), Páramo. An Andean ecosystem under human influence. 215–229 pp. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hugo de Vries-Laboratory, Department of Paleo/Actuo-ecology, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 318, 1098 SM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Gerrit J. Tol & Antoine M. Cleef

Authors
  1. Gerrit J. Tol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Antoine M. Cleef
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tol, G.J., Cleef, A.M. Above-ground biomass structure of a Chusquea tessellata bamboo páramo, Chingaza National Park, Cordillera Oriental, Colombia. Vegetatio 115, 29–39 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00119384

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00119384

Key words

Search

Navigation