Loja, October 2004

The German-Ecuadorian Research Group: Progress Report and Plansby Erwin Beck, University of Bayreuth, Dept. of Plant Physiology

Funcionalidad de un bosque tropical lluvioso montañosodel sur de Ecuador:

El ecosistema con su biodiversidad, sus procesos dinámicosy el uso potencial del mismo.

Research Unit 402 funded by the German Research FoundationFunctionality in a Tropical Mountain Rainforest: Diversity, Dynamic Processes and Utilization Potentials under Ecosystem Perspectives

Visit our homepage: www.bergregenwald.de

Number of projects: 1997 - 1998 (6);1999 - 2000 (11);2001 - 2002 (17); 2003 - 2004 (26); 2005 - 2006 (3x?)

WhoWho wewe areare

QuienesQuienes somossomos nosotrosnosotros

Research UnitResearch Unit

Bioscience: Plant sciences including Phytosociology, Vegetation history, Plant ecology, Plant ecophysiology; Mycology, Soil-Microbiology; Zoology including Taxonomy, Ecophysiology, Ecology,Soil macroorganisms

Geoscience:Topography, Soil science, Hydrology, Climatology, Climate and landscape history

Forestry: Forest science, Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest ecology

Social sciences: Social systems, Ethnobotany

Linked by a specific Information System and Data basis (Internet)

A A groupgroup of of multidisciplinarymultidisciplinary ResearchersResearchers

LojaEstacion 1800 m

Catamayo

Zamora

Where we are

Donde estamos nosotros

Why in South Ecuador ?¿Porqué en el Sur del Ecuador ?

Corrientes frias

Los Los AndesAndes EcuadorianosEcuadorianos pertenecienpertenecien a los a los

5 5 HotspotsHotspots principalesprincipales de la de la BiodiversidadBiodiversidad

Mapa ségun Barthlott et al. 1999

Zonas de Biodiversidad: Número de Especies por 10 000 km² Temperatura superficial de Mar

What are the aims of the Research Unit¿Cuales objectivos que tiene la Unida de Colaboración?

Natural forest of ESCF

1. A scientific understanding of the ecosystemecosystem

“tropical mountain rain forest”“tropical mountain rain forest”

ConocimientoConocimiento científicocientífico del del ecosistemoecosistemo

““bosquebosque tropical tropical lluviosolluvioso montañosomontañoso ““

and, based on this

Pastures are across the valley:

2. the investigation of the potential of this ecosystem forpotential of this ecosystem for

sustainable use by humanssustainable use by humans.

Investigacion del potencial del esto ecositemo del usosostenable por el hombre

as the present land-use system in South Ecuador is not sustainable

EstacionCientífica

San Francisco

Rio San Francisco

Loja

Zamora

B o s q u e n a t u r a l

P a s t o sB o s q u e a r t i f i c i a l

P i n u s p a t u l a

Camino canal

Comparing the natural forest ecosystem on the right slopes of the valley

with the ecosystems of „agricultural lands“ and

“abandoned farming lands“ on the left side of the valley interlinks these two goals.

International International CooperationCooperation

EcuadorianEcuadorian UniversitiesUniversities, in , in particularparticular UTPL and UNLUTPL and UNL

FoundationFoundation Nature and Nature and CultureCulture International (NCI, San Diego, International (NCI, San Diego, LojaLoja) )

Museums, Museums, SmithsonianSmithsonian Institution and Institution and othersothers

National and National and locallocal authoritiesauthorities

PhilosophyPhilosophy of Researchof Research

Essential Compartments/Elements of the EcosystemOrganismic: Species and biodiversityAbiotic:Determinants of biodiversity: Soil, climate, landscape history

Modelling of ecosystemelements of the ecosystemprocesses

Ecological experiments:Forest management,Reforestation experimentWeedkilling experiments

Forecast and Management Recommendations

Inventory

Functionality

ScientificUnderstanding

Social aspects

Essential functions in the ecosystemInteractionsMatter turnoverFluxes

Economical SystemsForestry and Pasture management

Aims & Levels

Potential forsustainable use

StepsSteps and Toolsand Tools

24389Number of projects

Z1

Database &

Maps

Z2

Coordination

&

administration

of the projects

D

Climate

&

Landscape-

history

C

Sustainable

Forest

management

&

Forest-

management

in South

Ecuador

B

Matter

Turnover

&

Matter

fluxes

A

Diversity

of

interactive

organismsProject Groups

42444Biotic (species) and

abiotic compartments

31 755Controlling elements

(functions)

3221Economy,

Ecosystem models,

ReforestationAll

Projects

contributing

332-Perspectives,

Management

StructureStructure of of thethe Research UnitResearch Unit

altitudinal gradient (A, B, D)

Gradient of disturbance

Satellite areas

(Reforfestation, C)

Diversityof interactingorganisms, A

Dynamicprocesses

Functions, A,B,D

ECSF

Potential of use (C)

ClimateClimate, Landscape , Landscape historyhistory (D)(D)

ObservatoryObservatory/Core area(Natural forest of ECSF)

Satellite areas (treeline, D)

• Concentration of projectson oneone CoreCore areaarea (Naturalforest of ECSF); only a fewsatellite areas forspecific problems.

• Placement of projects along analtitudinalaltitudinal gradientgradient and agradientgradient of of disturbancedisturbance andandlandland--useuse intensityintensity

•Small-scale ecologicalexperiments: (manipulation of naturalforest, reforestation)

• Connection of projects withsupraregional aspects:Climatelimate, , TopographyTopography &Landscape Landscape historyhistory

Strategies of research

((Hypo)Hypo)--ThesesTheses

A hotspot of biodiversity e.g. thetropical mountain rain forest of South Ecuador differs fromterrestrial ecosystem models knownso far: Competition and productionof biomass are less importantfactors; particular keystone speciesare not discernible

Important elements of this ecosys-tem are a high density of species, a high spatial heterogeneity due to a steep altitudinal gradient combinedwith a high frequency of landslides.

The high diversity of plant speciesresults from and is stabilized by a limitation of nutrients and a low light intensity. Limitation of nutrients, in particular of phosphate explains whynot individual species with a moreefficient nutrient uptake capacity canproduce a big biomass and therbysuppress other species. Low light intensities (high degree of cloudcover) favour elongation growth of the trees, and plant life-forms thatare parasites for light (lianas, climbers epiphytes)

The high biodiversity is sustained bymanifold organismic interactions.

ECSF

DisturbanceMosses as erosionprotection

Mycorrhization in plantations:Fungi-Inoculumfor cultivations

Use

Tapichalaca

Climate and landscape history

Purdiaea standazonal societies

Soil fauna

Natural forestexperiment

MycorrhizaTrees, Ericaceae,

Orchids, Liverworts

fungal networks and

vectors

Biology of selected

groups of animals and

their functionin the

ecosystem

Visual Plants/ Organisms

Altitudinal gradient

Forest management

Reforestation

A: Interactive organismic diversity

B:

Applied aspects

ECSF Core AreasLandslides,

Naturaldisturbancies

Reforestationexperiment

Anthropogenicdisturbancies,

Activities of thelocal population

Alt

itu

din

al

Gra

die

nts

Dynamic

s

Hypothesis 1:Altitude (temperature)

and water budget are decisive factors for the turnover of bioelementsin the undisturbed ecosystem.

Hypothesis 2:The internal cycles of matter are

superimposed by inputs from long distance transport phenomena.

The current dynamics of element transport in the catchments are characterized by interactions of atmospheric factors with spatial structures of the above-ground vegetation, of the root systems and soils, as well as their distribution in the catchment areas (altitudinal gradients).Hypothesis 3:

Land use leads to drastic changes in ecological structures and functions with corresponding consequences for matter turnovers.

Matter fluxes react sensitively to these disturbances and are therefore useful indicators for the sustainability of utilization systems.

Project Group B: Turnover and Fluxes of Matter

Generally, landslides seem to play an important role in the development of the ecosystem.

The exact mechanisms are, however, still unclear. Steep catchment areas, in the natural forest showed particularly high effective water conductivities.

Options of use by local people

Project-Group C: Sustainable agro- and forest ecosystem management in South Ecuador

IIReforestation

INatural Foresta) untouched

b) Used

IVAlley

cropping

IIISuccession(abandoned

pastures)

VIHomegardens

/agriculture

VClearing and

use as pastures

I n c r e a s i n g i n t e n s i t y o f u s eD e c r e a s i n g n a t u r a l n e s s

Pristineforest

Use of forests

Fire

Pastures

Brackenfern

Successions

ReforestationReforestation

SustainableSustainable forestforestmanagementmanagement

SustainableSustainable managementmanagement of of pasturespastures

Project-Group C: Sustainable agro- and forest ecosystem management in South Ecuador

Biology of propagation and production of plant material

Control of bracken fern

Degraded forests

1. The present land-use system in South Ecuador is not sustainable2. A sustainable land-use in South Ecuador is possible3. Land-use systems should give respect to naturalness. The criteria of sustainability will be achieved

the better and faster the more elements of the natural forest can be incorporated in land-use systems.

2. A sustainable land-use in South Ecuador is possible

2. A sustainable land-use in South Ecuador is possible

2. A sustainable land-use in South Ecuador is possible

1. The present land-usesystem in South Ecuador is not sustainable

3. Land-use systems should give respect to naturalness

Experimento:

Reforestacion con especies del bosque natural

T i m

e o

f d

a y

T i m

e o

f d

a y

T i m

e o

f d

a y

T i m

e o

f d

a y

2002

2001 2

000 1

999

Y e

a r

2002

2001 2

000 1

999

Y e

a r

2002

2001 2

000 1

999

Y e

a r

2002

2001 2

000 1

999

Y e

a r

Wind direction 3400 m

Air temperature ECSF

Rel. Humidity ECSF

Wind direction ECSF

Irregular event,See Fig. 5

Project-Group D: Climate and landscapehistory

We have a wealth of climaterecording data, several of them over a period of 4 years:

• Wind system

• Air temperature

• Rel. Humidity

• Precipitation

• Fog, mist and cloudiness

• Incoming radiation

D3: WG Richter1. Meteorological Data reocding

2. Climata ecology of treeline

3. Weather dynamics

D2:Dendroecology

1. Isotope analysis of cellulose

2. Atlas of wood anatomy

3. Dendochemistry

4. Late Holocene dynamics

of Vegetation and Climate

D1:Late quaternary

1. Vegetation dynamics

2. Fire dynamics

3. Dynamics of climate

Calibration of

methods e.g. of

Dendroecelogy;Sorting of data

D4:1. 3D-Dynamics of precipitation (RADAR)

2. Dynamics of cloudiness (NOAA-AVHRR)

3. Multiple scale climate modeling

4. Rain sites ( RADARr tracking)

D5: WG Fabian1. Dynamics of mist (measurements)

2. Atmospheric input of matter

3. Calculation of trajectories

4. Isotope analysis of water

D3:1. Meteorological Data reocding

2. Climata ecology of treeline

3. Weather dynamics

D5:1. Dynamics of mist (measurements)

2. Atmospheric input of matter

3. Calculation of trajectories

4. Isotope analysis of water

Temporal extra-

polation of dataCeck of scenarios

Landscape- and climate history Dynamics of Climate

Project-Group D: Climate and landscape history

Z1: DatabaseInformation system;Data management

Exchange of data

Exchange of data

Exchange of data with Project-Groups A, B, C

Atmospheric fluxes (climate, water, energy, nutrients) into the ecosystem are governed by localas well as superior atmospheric processes, both of various scale lengths.

Tropical mountain rain forests react very sensitive to natural and anthropogenic changes of theenvironment of both short and long duration.

External User Interface

SQL-ReadAccess Authority

SQL-AccessAuthority

for reading and writing

SQLDatabase

Metadatabase

Data

Access Authority

Informations

Internal user

WorkflowWorkflow of of thethe DataData-- and Information and Information systemsystem

Internal User Database

Public user

Ecuador

Total ECSF area

Catchment

Plot

Initialization

Validation

Initialization

Initialization

Initialization

Database Z1

Calib

ratio

nV

alid

atio

n

Initi

alizatio

n

Scales / Levels

Measurements

M o d e l l i n g

muchasmuchas graciasgracias porpor susu attencionattencion !!

The EndThe End