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Habitat and population structure of rare and endemic Andean Espeletia pycnophylla subsp. llanganatensis (Asteraceae) in an Ecuadorian biodiversity hotspot

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Abstract

High-elevation neotropical environments of the Andes include the Páramo, a biodiversity hotspot with fast speciation rates. The genus Espeletia is distinctive of this ecosystem in the northern Andes. Its southern distribution limit lies in Ecuador, with the endemic E. pycnophylla subsp. llanganatensis being the only known representative south of the equator. This study presents the distribution, population structure and co-occurring flora of the subspecies llanganatensis in the Valle de los Frailejones (VFL), Cordillera de los Llanganates. Four clusters totalling ~ 20 ha could be identified at elevations of 3400–3550 m above sea level. Espelatia pycnophylla subsp. llanganatensis occurred amidst the sub-Páramo upper elevational limits of montane forests and within transitional areas between forest margins and waterlogged terrains. This habitat preference was a distinguishing ecological difference to the nearest (200 km) congener, E. pycnophylla subsp. angelensis. Plants (N = 781 measured) were skewed towards the smallest size classes ≤ 20 cm (28% of the population, including 17% recruits ≤ 10 cm) and reaching a total plant height of 900 cm. Synflorescences were observed in specimens ≥ 110 cm and in 51% of the mature population. The oldest specimens grew on terrains with higher edaphic stability. While local recruitment appears healthy, geographic distribution is limited suggesting vulnerability to local extinction. Co-occurring vegetation encompassed ~ 70 species, with grasses (Poaceae) and mosses (Bryophyta) dominating the ground cover, resulting in homogenous vegetation. Although E. pycnophylla subsp. llanganatensis is currently not exposed to direct human disturbance, clandestine mining activities intruding the region pose a potential threat to the survival of this Ecuadorian endemic.

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The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

S.C.C. Steiner (SS) and P. Lozano (PL) conceived and executed the expedition along the Cordillera de los Llanganates and collected the field data and specimens. Espeletia photographs were taken by SS. All authors financed the expedition with personal funds and jointly prepared the manuscript. We express our deep gratitude to our guide O. Haro and his team members S. Haro, R. Granda and G. Lescano from San José de Poaló. The expedition would not have been possible without their help. PL was assisted by M. L. Roa. Research and collection permits were granted to PL and SS by the Ministry of the Environment, Ecuador: N 15-20-IC-FAU/FLO-DPAN/MA. The satellite image from the Valle de los Frailejones was provided by A. Navarrete from the Instituto Geográfico Militar, Quito. Soil samples analyses were kindly provided by C. Bravo (Univ. Estatal Amazónica) Our sincere thanks also go to J. Schönenberger and the anonymous reviewers for valuable comments on the manuscript.

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  1. Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ, Quito, Ecuador

    S. C. C. Steiner

  2. Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, 33005, USA

    B. Riegl

  3. Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Puyo, Ecuador

    P. Lozano

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Sascha Steiner and Pablo Lozano designed and executed the expedition and data collection. Data analyses were performed by Sascha Steiner, Bernhard Riegl and Pablo Lozano. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Sascha Steiner, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Steiner, S.C.C., Riegl, B. & Lozano, P. Habitat and population structure of rare and endemic Andean Espeletia pycnophylla subsp. llanganatensis (Asteraceae) in an Ecuadorian biodiversity hotspot. Folia Geobot 58, 55–69 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12224-023-09431-8

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