Plantas acuáticas de las planicies inundables de la Orinoquia colombiana
The vast floodplains of the Orinoco Basin have the conditions for the proliferation of aquatic vegetation. Despite
its ecological importance in the “Llanos Orientales” of Colombia, the aquatic flora in this region has been
understudied. Consequently, the knowledge and dissemination of information about the richness and distribution
patterns of aquatic plants and aquatic communities is scarce. In addition, the Orinoco Basin of Colombia is
among the most over-exploited regions in the country. In order to provide a first insight into the species richness
of macrophytes present in the region, plants associated with aquatic habitats were collected, identified, and
photographed. For almost two years, 101 localities were visited. These localities were located in six departments
(Arauca, Casanare, Guainía, Guaviare, Meta and Vichada) and 19 municipalities. In each locality, dried plant
material and silica-dried material were collected. Sampling effort was concentrated towards hydrophytes and helophytes inhabiting lentic and lotic environments. 1167 collected specimens were deposited in the ANDES herbarium (Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá). Among these, 95 families, 221 genera, and 341 species of vascular plants were associated with aquatic habitats. Of the species collected, only 151 had been reported in the study area with 1374 historic occurrences in the “Herbario Nacional Colombiano” (COL) database. The present study aims to contribute to the knowledge and dissemination of information about the richness and distribution patterns of macrophytes in the Orinoco Basin of Colombia. We consider that this information is important in order
to propose localities that should be a priority for conservation purposes, and to protect these important
and threatened fresh-water ecosystems.
Fuente:
Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt
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