Resumen:
The aim of this research was to assess how aboveground biomass (AGB) changes
along an altitudinal gradient in evergreen Andean–Amazonian forests [Evergreen Lower
Montane Forest, northeastern Cordillera of the Andes; Evergreen Piedmont Forest (EPF),
northeastern Cordillera of the Andes; and Evergreen Lowland Forest (ELF), Napo–
Curaray] from 373 to 1,826 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.). All trees measured in nine
permanent 0.36-ha plots (60 × 60 m) were ≥ 10-cm (diameter at breast height) in the
aforementioned ecosystems. We assessed tree density, basal area, species richness,
and AGB. In the tree inventory, we measured 2,132 trees (Lower Montane Forest
687, Piedmont Forest 773, and Lowland Forest 672). AGB (Mg ha−1
) increases with
decreasing elevations: 310.26 ± 81.59 (SD) for the Evergreen Lower Montane Forest,
347.73 ± 90.38 (SD) for the EPF, and 377.39 ± 42.73 (SD) for the ELF. Otoba glycycarpa
and Alchornea latifolia were the species with the highest biomass importance value (BIV)
in the Evergreen Lower Montane Forest (1,421–1,826 m.a.s.l.), Spirotheca rosea and
Pouteria glomerata in the EPF (892–1,195 m.a.s.l.), and Otoba glycycarpa and Iriartea
deltoidea in ELF (373–394 m.a.s.l.). Biomass contribution along the altitudinal gradient
in the evergreen Andean–Amazonian forests is concentrated in few species. This has
implications in forest management and reforestation programs where the main focus is
on carbon sequestration.
