ESTRUCTURA, DIVERSIDAD Y DINÁMICA DE LA VEGETACIÓN EN EL ECOTONO BOSQUE-PÁRAMO: REVISIÓN DE LA EVIDENCIA EN LA CORDILLERA DE MÉRIDA Vegetation Structure, Diversity and Dynamics in the Forest- Paramo Ecotone: A Review of the Evidence in the Cordillera de Mérida

摘要: In the tropical Andes, mountain treeline corresponds to a complex transition zone between paramo forests and paramos. lower limit of this ecotone there is more or less gradual cloud forests. Land planning in these ecosystems has become highly topical subject given growing threat for conservation generated by agricultural mining activities. paper we review research carried out Cordillera de Merida (Venezuela) on changes vegetation structure, diversity response disturbance along forest-paramo zone. The results studies document high species life form richness which characterize vegetation, as well rate turnover (beta diversity) elevation gradient. Studies successional dynamics plots disturbed agriculture at different altitudes indicate that forest woody have capacity colonize areas than dominant species, process patches with physiognomy. On basis available evidence, structural elements could be used delimiting present are discussed, emphasizing need design restoration strategies interpret dynamic integrated system.