Journals Information
Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 13(4), pp. 472 - 483
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130402
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Influence of Microclimate, Ground Cover, and Canopy Openness on the Regeneration of Polylepis in the Peruvian Andes
Ana Cerr贸n-Inga 1,2, Marcela Venelli-Pyles 3, Lucia Enr铆quez-Pinedo 1, Jerry Taype-Gomez 1, Dennis Ccopi-Trucios 4,5, Rosa Zarate-Qui帽ones 1,*, Itala Flores-Torres 5, Steve Camargo-Hinostroza 4, Kevin Ortega-Quispe 4
1 Department of Forestry and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, National University of Central Peru, Huancayo, Peru
2 NGO Atiycuy Peru, Santiago de Surco, Lima, Peru
3 Department of Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
4 Academic Professional School of Environmental Engineering, Continental University, Huancayo, Peru
5 Santa Ana Agricultural Experimental Station, Directorade of Strategic Agricultural Services, National Institute of Agricultural Innovation (INIA), Huancayo, Peru
ABSTRACT
Polylepis forests, considered relict ecosystems of great ecological importance in the Andes, face significant threats from degradation and climate change. This study evaluated the influence of microclimate, ground cover, and canopy openness on the natural regeneration of three Polylepis species (P. rodolfo-vasquezii, P. canoi, and P. flavipila) in high Andean Forest relics in the Jun铆n and Lima regions of Peru. To achieve this, permanent plots were established in three representative forest patches: Mar铆a Moya, Curimarca, and Laraos. At each site, 20 m脳 20 m plots were delineated and subdivided into 5 m脳 5 m quadrants. Within each plot, a central quadrant was selected where microclimatic variables (temperature and relative humidity), structural characteristics (vegetation and plant cover) and reproduction modes (sexual or asexual) in seedlings and/or saplings were recorded. Preliminary findings suggest that Polylepis regeneration may be shaped by canopy cover, which appears to influence the microclimatic conditions of the understory. Soil temperature also seems to play a meaningful role, varying according to the reproductive strategy of each species studied. Interestingly, the presence of lichens and bryophytes showed a potential inverse relationship with sexual regeneration, while more open canopies tended to support greater height in regenerating individuals. Taken together, these patterns point to a possible interplay between microclimate, ground cover, and canopy structure as key factors driving the natural regeneration dynamics of Polylepis ecosystems. These findings underscore the importance of understanding these dynamics to develop conservation strategies that maintain a balance between tree cover and understory functionality in high-Andean ecosystems.
KEYWORDS
Natural Regeneration, Seedlings, High-Andean Forests, Polylepis, Microclimatic Variables
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Ana Cerr贸n-Inga , Marcela Venelli-Pyles , Lucia Enr铆quez-Pinedo , Jerry Taype-Gomez , Dennis Ccopi-Trucios , Rosa Zarate-Qui帽ones , Itala Flores-Torres , Steve Camargo-Hinostroza , Kevin Ortega-Quispe , "Influence of Microclimate, Ground Cover, and Canopy Openness on the Regeneration of Polylepis in the Peruvian Andes," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 472 - 483, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130402.
(b). APA Format:
Ana Cerr贸n-Inga , Marcela Venelli-Pyles , Lucia Enr铆quez-Pinedo , Jerry Taype-Gomez , Dennis Ccopi-Trucios , Rosa Zarate-Qui帽ones , Itala Flores-Torres , Steve Camargo-Hinostroza , Kevin Ortega-Quispe (2025). Influence of Microclimate, Ground Cover, and Canopy Openness on the Regeneration of Polylepis in the Peruvian Andes. Environment and Ecology Research, 13(4), 472 - 483. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130402.