University of Amsterdam (NL) - Páramo Vegetation Research, Chingaza - Cruz Verde - Monserrate -Guasca, Colombia

Study Extent

The paramo complex Chingaza - Cruz Verde - Monserrate - Guasca is located in the center of Colombia on the eastern cordillera, close to Bogota. It includes the provinces of Cundinamarca, Meta and a small part of Boyacá. The study in the PNN Chingaza, include the surrounding areas of the Chingaza lagoon, Chuza reservoir, headwater of Chuza river, Palacio Paramo, La Playa and Guatiquia rivers. In Cruz Verde paramo the localities include peat bogs located close to the road between Bogota-Choachi and to the Verjon lagoon. And in Guasca close to edge of the Peña Negra mountain close to the road between Guasca-Macheta. The altitudinal range of the dataset varies from 2290m.a.s.l. up to 3800m.a.s.l. The data was collected in different projects and dates between 1976 and 1989.

Sampling

The vegetation sampling was done by the relevé method following the Braun-Blanquet principles. The relevé is a list of the plants in a delimited plot of vegetation, with information on species cover and on substrate and other abiotic features in the plot to make as complete as possible description in terms of community composition. Different releves were done at different altitudes in the Paramo.
The community vegetation releve data were converted into species occurrence data.

Quality Control

The data stored in TurboVeg was checked to identify errors in the information or gaps needed to be filled. The two main fields identified to be checked/completed were the georeference data and the validation of the taxonomy of each species. Also the gaps in terms of the precision of the georeference data were filled.

Method steps

1. Releve data was stored in the software TurboVeg and then exported into species occurrence data. The species list used in TurboVeg was checked by an expert to confirm the valid taxonomy (taking into account taxonomy changes, synonyms, etc)(Guido van Reenen, paramo species list). This list was cross-checked with The Plant List (http://www.theplantlist.org/), for the period July 2011 until February 2013 (during this time frame the names where the accepted). Many of the data was lacking a georeference, precision of the georeference data and specific habitat indication. In 2012 to improve the dataset quality, it was completed as detail and precise as possible using several online resources, consultation with experts and revision of the original data. The georeference data was completed mainly with the use of Google Maps, in collaboration with A. Cleef and checking the original field notes and the publications.

All plants identified to species level. Vegetation including phanerogams, bryophytes and lichens.

1. Plantae
   common name: Phanerogams rank: kingdom
2. Plantae
   common name: Bryophytes rank: kingdom
3. Fungi
   common name: Lichens rank: kingdom

The paramo complex Chingaza - Cruz Verde - Monserrate - Guasca is located in the center of Colombia on the eastern cordillera, close to Bogota. It includes the provinces of Cundinamarca, Meta and a small part of Boyacá. The PNN Chingaza located in the provinces of Cundinamarca and Meta, and the paramos located in the park belongs to 19 municipalities but the biggest area is concentrated in the municipalities of Fómeque, Guasca, Junín, San Juanito, La Calera, Guatavita and El Calvario. The park has an extension of about 64,500ha and the altitudinal range varies from 3,150m.a.s.l. up to 3,980m.a.s.l. The paramos of Cruz Verde is located east of Bogotá with an altitudinal range between 3300 and 3700m.a.s.l. It belongs to the municipalities of Distrito Capital (Bogota), Chipaque, Ubaque, Choachí and La Calera, all located in the province of Cundinarmarca. The Monserrate paramo is located in the center of Bogota and rises up to 3152 m.a.s.l. The paramo of Guasca is located in Cundinamarca and the altitude varies from 2600m.a.s.l up to 3300m.a.s.l.