Tree Diversity and Its Ecological Importance Value in Silvopastoral Systems: A Study along Elevational Gradients in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazon

Bolier Torres, Robinson J. Herrera-Feijoo, Alexandra Torres-Navarrete, Carlos Bravo and Antón García ()
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Bolier Torres: Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Estatal Amazónica (UEA), Puyo 160101, Ecuador
Robinson J. Herrera-Feijoo: Ochroma Consulting & Services, Tena 150150, Ecuador
Alexandra Torres-Navarrete: Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas, Sociales y de la Educación, Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo, Extensión Quevedo (UTB), Km 3 1/2 Vía a Valencia, Quevedo 120303, Ecuador
Carlos Bravo: Facultad de Ciencia de la Tierra, Universidad Estatal Amazónica (UEA), Puyo 160101, Ecuador
Antón García: Animal Science Department, University of Cordoba, Rabanales University Campus, 14071 Cordoba, Spain

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: This study analyzes tree diversity and its ecological importance value in silvopastoral systems in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR), Ecuador, along an altitudinal gradient of 400–2000 masl. Twenty-six plots distributed into low (400–700 masl), medium (701–1600 masl) and high (1601–2000 masl) zones were used. The Shannon index and the importance value index (IVI), based on abundance, dominance and relative frequency, were estimated. The results highlight that in pastures with dispersed trees, the richness of trees decreases with increasing altitude in the elevational gradient; they also show a higher tree density at lower altitudes in contrast to the Andean–Amazonian primary forests. The lower and middle zones showed higher diversity, linked to regeneration and the presence of nearby forests. Species of high commercial value, such as Cedrela odorata and Jacaranda copaia , were common, reflecting knowledge of the local timber market. In the lower and middle zones, the 10 most important species accounted for more than 70% of the trees, with up to 96% in the upper zone. A total of 51 taxa (including 42 species and nine taxa at the rank of genus) were identified, which were mostly native; 64.7% are classified by the IUCN as least-concern (LC) species, 31.4% as not evaluated (NE) species and 3.9% as vulnerable (VU) species, specifically highlighting Cedrela odorata and Cedrela montana . The study concludes with policy recommendations related to the importance of trees in silvopastoral systems for the conservation of species and the livelihoods of local communities, highlighting the need for responsible management of Amazonian pasturelands.

Keywords: trees in grasslands; diversity indices; endangered species; Ecuadorian Amazon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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