Gradients in a Tropical Mountain Ecosystem of Ecuador

A tropical mountain ecosystem in one of the "hottest" biodiversity hotspots worldwide was investigated by some 30 research teams of numerous disciplines in the natural and social sciences. Ecosystem analysis followed two gradients: an altitudinal gradient and a gradient of land-use intensity and ecosystem regeneration, respectively.This volume addresses a multitude of ecologically relevant aspects: macro- and microclimate; physics, chemistry and biology of soils; water relations, matter turnover and nutrient availability; plant growth and biomass partitioning; floral composition and plant life forms; vegetation structure and dynamics; organismic interactions, diversity and population biology of birds, moths and microarthropods; forest management, and reforestation with indigenous species; ethnobotanical and social aspects. New hypotheses are presented with regard to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, as well as sustainable management of an ecosystem in a biodiversity hotspot.

Part I Introduction1 The Ecosystem (Reserva Biológica San Francisco)E. Beck, F. Makeschin, F. Haubrich, M. Richter, J. Bendix, C. Valerezo2 Mountain rain forests in southern Ecuador as a hotspot of biodiversity - Limited knowledge and diverging patternsG. Brehm, J. Homeier, K. Fiedler, I. Kottke, J. Illig, N.M. Nöske, F. Werner, S-W. Breckle3 The people settled around Podocarpus National ParkP. Pohle4 Ecuador suffers the highest deforestation rate in South AmericaR. Mosandl, S. Günter, B. Stimm, M. Weber5 Methodological challenges of a megadiverse ecosystemG. Brehm, K. Fiedler, Ch. Häuser, H. DalitzPart II Gradients in ecosystem analysis6 Why investigating gradients in ecosystem analysisK. Fiedler, E. Beck7 The investigated gradientsE. Beck, R. Mosandl, M. Richter, I. KottkePart III The altitudinal gradientPart III.1 Gradual changes along the altitudinal gradient8 ClimateJ. Bendix, R. Rollenbeck, M. Richter, P. Fabian, P. Emck9 Soils along the altitudinal transect and in catchmentsW. Wilcke, S. Yasin, A Schmitt, C. Valarezo, W. Zech10 Flora: Composition and function10.1 Potential vegetation and floristic composition of Andean forests in South Ecuador, with a focus on the RBSFJ. Homeier, F. A. Werner, S. R. Gradstein, S -W. Breckle, M. Richter10.2 Past vegetation and fire dynamicsH. Niemann & H. Behling10.3 Forest structure along an altitudinal gradient in southern EcuadorA. Paulsch, D. Piechowski, K. Müller-Hohenstein10.4 Vegetation structures and ecological features of the upper timberline ecotoneM. Richter, K.-H. Diertl, Th. Peters, R. W. Bussman10.5 Mycorrhizal state and new and special features of mycorrhizae of trees, ericads, orchids, ferns andliverwortsI. Kottke, A. Beck, I. Haug, S. Setaro, V. Jeske, J.P. Suárez, L. Paxmiño, M. Preußing, M, Nebel, F. Oberwinkler11 Fauna: Composition and function11.1 Bird species distribution along an altitudinal gradient in southern Ecuador and its functional relationships with vegetation structureD. Paulsch and K. Müller-Hohenstein11.2 Seed dispersal by birds, bats and windF. Matt, K. Almeida, A. Arguero, C. Reudenbach11.3 Variation of diversity patterns across moth families along a tropical elevational gradientK. Fiedler, G. Brehm, N. Hilt, D. Süßenbach, and C.L. Häuser11.4 Soil faunaM. Maraun, J. Illig , D. Sandman,V. Krashevskaya, R.A. Norton, S. ScheuPart III.2 Processes along and within the gradient12 Water relationsW. Wilcke, S. Yasin, K. Fleischbein, R. Goller, J. Boy, J. Knuth, C. Valarezo, W. Zech13 Nutrient status and fluxes at the field and catchment scaleW. Wilcke, S.Yasin, K. Fleischbein, R. Goller, J. Boy, J. Knuth, C. Valarezo, W. Zech14 Biotic soil activitiesS. Iost, F. Makeschin, M. Abiy, F. Haubrich15 Elevational changes in stand structure and biomass allocation of tropical mountain forests in relation to microclimate and soil chemistryG. Moser, M. Röderstein, N. Soethe, D. Hertel, C. Leuschner16 Stand structure, transpiration responses in trees and vines and stand transpiration of different forest types within the mountain rainforestM. Küppers, T. Motzer,D. Schmitt., C. Ohlemacher, R. Zimmermann, V. Horna, B.I.L. Küppers, T. Mette17 Plant growth along the altitudinal gradient-role of plant nutritional status, fine root activity, and soil propertiesN. Soethe, W. Wilcke, J. Homeier, J. Lehmann, C. EngelsPart III.3 Gradient heterogeneitiesPart III.3.A Spatial heterogeneities18 Spatial