Münchow J, Hauenstein S, Bräuning A, Bäumler R, Rodriguez EF, Von Wehrden H (2013)
Publication Language: English
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2013
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Book Volume: 29
Pages Range: 427-438
Journal Issue: 5
DOI: 10.1017/S0266467413000436
Studying species turnover along gradients is a key topic in tropical ecology. Crucial drivers, among others, are fog deposition and soil properties. In northern Peru, a fog-dependent vegetation formation develops on mountains along the hyper-arid coast. Despite their uniqueness, these fog oases are largely uninvestigated. This study addresses the influence of environmental factors on the vegetation of these unique fog oases. Accordingly, vegetation and soil properties were recorded on 66 4 × 4-m plots along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 200 to 950 m asl. Ordination and modelling techniques were used to study altitudinal vegetation belts and floristic composition. Four vegetation belts were identified: a low-elevation Tillandsia belt, a herbaceous belt, a bromeliad belt showing highest species richness and an uppermost succulent belt. Different altitudinal levels might reflect water availability, which is highest below the temperature inversion at around 700 m asl. Altitude alone explained 96% of the floristic composition. Soil texture and salinity accounted for 88%. This is in contrast with more humid tropical ecosystems where soil nutrients appear to be more important. Concluding, this study advances the understanding of tropical gradients in fog-dependent and ENSO-affected ecosystems. © Cambridge University Press 2013.
APA:
Münchow, J., Hauenstein, S., Bräuning, A., Bäumler, R., Rodriguez, E.F., & Von Wehrden, H. (2013). Soil texture and altitude, respectively, largely determine the floristic gradient of the most diverse fog oasis in the Peruvian desert. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 29(5), 427-438. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0266467413000436
MLA:
Münchow, Jannes, et al. "Soil texture and altitude, respectively, largely determine the floristic gradient of the most diverse fog oasis in the Peruvian desert." Journal of Tropical Ecology 29.5 (2013): 427-438.
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