Floristic Heterogeneity in an Andean Montane Forest Protected Area Within a Transformed Landscape

Abstract

Background and Research Aims: Tropical montane forests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, yet they are also highly threatened by land-use change and historical degradation. Understanding their floristic composition and structure, its species turnover, and spatial patterns of diversity is essential for anticipating the effects of ongoing environmental change and for informing effective conservation strategies. Methods: We studied floristic patterns across eight 0.25-ha permanent plots located within a protected area in an Andean Colombian montane forest called the Cuchilla Jardín–Támesis Integrative Management District, by describing and comparing diversity patterns, species turnover among sites, and forest structure through aboveground biomass estimations. Results: The studied protected area hosts a highly spatially structured forest system, where species distributions are highly localized, conspecific individuals are clumped, and the replacement of closely related taxa drives species turnover. Each local site contributes a distinct piece of the broader regional species pool. Conclusion: This region is exceptionally rich in taxonomic diversity but relatively low in phylogenetic uniqueness, suggesting high levels of spatial replacement. Preserving the largest possible fraction of this landscape is essential for maintaining its full biological and evolutionary heritage. Implications for Conservation: We advocate strengthening conservation efforts in this region to maintain current forest cover and prevent further fragmentation by restoring degraded areas and expanding protected areas under effective socio-ecological conservation strategies. Long-term monitoring through permanent plots, as implemented in this study, will be critical for detecting changes over time and guiding adaptive conservation strategies in this biodiverse and spatially complex landscape.