Diversidad de briófitos acuáticos en un río de alta montaña tropical

Diversity of the aquatic bryophytes in a tropical high mountain river

Los ríos de montaña contienen una gran diversidad de hábitats caracterizados por cambios temporales en los factores ambientales y por albergar diferentes organismos. Los briófitos son un componente importante de la biota de estos ecosistemas, donde son altamente diversos y contribuyen de manera significativa a la producción primaria, estabilización de los márgenes de los cursos de agua y aumento en la heterogeneidad de hábitats para otros organismos. Este trabajo se realizó en el río Teatinos (Boyacá, Colombia), en un gradiente altitudinal entre 2100 y 3300 m, donde se evaluó la diversidad de briófitos acuáticos y su relación con algunos factores ambientales como pH, conductividad, temperatura, profundidad, pendiente y ancho del cauce. Se establecieron doce sitios de muestreo distribuidos cada 100 m altitudinales, donde se registraron 70 especies correspondientes a 41 musgos, 27 hepáticas y dos antocerotes. La mayor riqueza y diversidad se reportaron a los 3100 m y la dominancia es mayor a 2400 m. La composición de las comunidades indicó la distribución de las especies en dos grupos, uno entre 2100 y 2800 m y el otro entre 2900 y 3300 m. La temperatura, la conductividad y la pendiente se correlacionan negativamente con la riqueza.

The mountain rivers contain a great diversity of hábitats, which are characterized by temporary changes in environmental factors and by hosting different organisms. The bryophytes are an important component in the biota of these ecosystems, where they reach large coverage and contribute significantly to primary production, stabilization of the margins of watercourses and increasing the heterogeneity of habitats for other organisms. This work is carried out in the Teatinos River (Boyacá, Colombia), in an altitudinal gradient between 2100 and 3300 m, in which the diversity of aquatic bryophytes and its relationship with some environmental factors such as pH, conductivity, temperatura, depth, slope and width of the channel, measured along the mentioned is evaluated. Twelve sampling sites were established, distributed every 100 m altitude, where 70 species were recorded, corresponding to 41 mosses, 27 liverworts and two hornworts. The greatest richness and diversity were reported at 3100 m. Dominance is higher at 2400 m. The composition of the communities indicated the distribution of the species into two groups one from 2100 to 2800 m and a second from 2900 to 3300 m. The temperature, conductivity and slope are negatively correlated with the richness.The mountain rivers contain a great diversity of hábitats, which are characterized by temporary changes in environmental factors and by hosting different organisms. The bryophytes are an important component in the biota of these ecosystems, where they reach large coverage and contribute significantly to primary production, stabilization of the margins of watercourses and increasing the heterogeneity of habitats for other organisms. This work is carried out in the Teatinos River (Boyacá, Colombia), in an altitudinal gradient between 2100 and 3300 m, in which the diversity of aquatic bryophytes and its relationship with some environmental factors such as pH, conductivity, temperatura, depth, slope and width of the channel, measured along the mentioned is evaluated. Twelve sampling sites were established, distributed every 100 m altitude, where 70 species were recorded, corresponding to 41 mosses, 27 liverworts and two hornworts. The greatest richness and diversity were reported at 3100 m. Dominance is higher at 2400 m. The composition of the communities indicated the distribution of the species into two groups one from 2100 to 2800 m and a second from 2900 to 3300 m. The temperature, conductivity and slope are negatively correlated with the richness.