-(Atmospheric pollen and spore content in the urban area of the city of Medellin, Colombia). The atmosphere of the urban area of the city of Medellin, Colombia was monitored with the objective of identifying airborne pollen and spores throughout a whole year. Sampling was performed between February 2010 and March 2011, coinciding with the La Niña climate phenomenon, which is characterized by a considerable increase in precipitation. Samples of airborne spores and pollen were obtained from a suction Hirst-type volumetric sampler. A total of 62 pollen and spores types were recorded during sampling, of which 30 were angiosperms, two were gymnosperms, 10 were monilophytes, and 20 were fungi. The families displaying the highest pollen counts were Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Polypodiaceae. We recorded an inverse relationship among precipitation and the quantity and diversity of pollen grains and fern spores. The angiosperm and gymnosperm taxa showed the greatest recorded grains throughout the sampling year with respect to the species mentioned herewith, which have been reported as allergenic in various aerobiological studies. Keywords: La Niña phenomenon, Palynology, Pollinosis, Tropics RESUMEN-(Polen atmosférico y esporas contenidas en el área urbana de la ciudad de Medellín (Colombia)). Se realizó un monitoreo de la atmosfera del área urbana de Medellín, con el objetivo de identificar polen y esporas que se transportan por el aire a lo largo del año. El muestreo se realizó entre febrero de 2010 y marzo de 2011. Las muestras de polen y esporas aéreas se obtuvieron utilizando un captador volumétrico de succión tipo Hirst. En el trabajo se registraron 62 tipos polínicos y esporas, de las cuales 30 corresponden a angiospermas, dos a gimnospermas, 10 a pteridofitos y 20 a hongos. Las familias con mayor número de individuos por muestreo fueron: Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae y Polypodiaceae. Se observó una relación inversamente proporcional entre la cantidad y diversidad de granos de polen y esporas de helechos encontrados, con respecto a la precipitación a lo largo del muestreo. Los taxones de angiospermas y gimnospermas que mayor cantidad de granos aportaron en los conteos durante el año de muestreo, corresponden a especies introducidas, con reportes de alergenicidad.

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Paramos are High Andean ecosystems that harbor a diverse biota and have high endemicity, as a result of their extreme environmental conditions. We used different phylogenetic indices to define conservation priorities in the paramos of the department of Antioquia, Colombia, based on measures of their evolutionary individuality and richness complimentary. To perform the analyses, we generated a data base including 416 angiosperm taxa and 1 951 localities for a total of 12 897 distributional records compiled from surveys and reviews. Additionally, the available information in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and the Colombian Biodiversity Information System were included. From these data, priority areas for the conservation of the paramos located in the state of Antioquia were identified, using measures of evolutionary individuality based on nodes and biotic complementarity. Taking into account only the individual phylogenetic indices, the most important paramo for conservation was Frontino-Urrao, followed by Farallones de Citará. If biotic complementarity is considered, the second most important paramo is Sonsón. Priority classifications of areas based on individuality are congruent with areas of greatest species richness. We conclude that it is necessary and urgent to preserve the paramos given their vulnerability and the subsequent loss of the ecosystem services that they provide, if they are exposed to degradation or disappearance.

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