Role of environmental and edaphic factors in the initial development of native plants in experimental reforestation plots in the Andes of the South of Ecuador

Despite the importance of Andean forests, these are degraded by the change in land use, hence, the importance of implementing reforestation projects to recover diversity and ecosystem functionality. In 2022, a reforestation experiment was installed in three sites in the province of Azuay, in an altitudinal gradient between 2200 and 3200 m s.n.m., using five native species. The objectives of the investigation are 1) to know the role of the environmental and edaphic factors in the initial performance and survival of native plants in experimental reforestation plots, and 2) Evaluate the effect of the concentration of tropospheric ozone and the temperature in the native plants in controlled conditions of species used in the reforestation. The experiment has established 96 experimental plots (20 x 25 m each) and on each site temperature, humidity, and diffusion tubes have been installed to measure the concentration of tropospheric ozone (O3). This experiment is unique in the region and with this proposal it is intended, to continue with the monitoring at the plant level considering the treatments of the experiment (total 4), whose design factors are of removal of competitive pastures and exposure to light. Monitoring will also include soil and climate variables. To meet the second objective, controlled experiments will be established using specialized infrastructure at the Center for Ecology and Hydrology in the United Kingdom (CEH-UK), where morphological and physiological aspects will be evaluated. The results obtained from this study will contribute with scientific evidence to make the best decisions, on the selection of species and the proper management to ensure the establishment of seedlings in a reforestation program.

XIX UNIVERSITY COMPETITION FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS