Are landscape attributes a useful shortcut for classifying vegetation in the tropics? A case study of La Amistad International Park

Abstract

Effective vegetation classification schemes identify the processes determining species assemblages and support the management of protected areas. They can also provide a framework for ecological research. In the tropics, elevation‐based classifications dominate over alternatives such as river catchments. Given the existence of floristic data for many localities, we ask how useful floristic data are for developing classification schemes in species‐rich tropical landscapes and whether floristic data provide support for classification by river catchment. We analyzed the distribution of vascular plant species within 141 plots across an elevation gradient of 130 to 3200 m asl within La Amistad National Park. We tested the hypothesis that river catchment, combined with elevation, explains much of the variation in species composition. We found that annual mean temperature, elevation, and river catchment variables best explained the variation within local species communities. However, only plots in high‐elevation oak forest and Páramo were distinct from those in low‐ and mid‐elevation zones. Beta diversity did not significantly differ in plots grouped by elevation zones, except for low‐elevation forest, although it did differ between river catchments. None of the analyses identified discrete vegetation assemblages within mid‐elevation (700–2600 m asl) plots. Our analysis supports the hypothesis that river catchment can be an alternative means for classifying tropical forest assemblages in conservation settings.

Elevational and seasonal patterns of plant pollinator networks in two highland tropical ecosystems in Costa Rica

“…We also reconstructed interaction networks and evaluated how the structure and beta diversity of these networks differ between ecosystems and seasons. Since abiotic conditions become more stressful as elevation increases and a reduced number of species are able to establish and survive, plant and floral visitor diversity are expected to decrease at higher elevations [ 51 – 57 ]. Consequently, we anticipate a reduction in the size of plant-visitor networks as elevation increases.…”

Blooming plant species diversity patterns in two adjacent Costa Rican highland ecosystems

“…The species diversity turnover of plants and other taxonomic groups along altitudinal gradients has been studied worldwide and, in general, richness in all groups decreases with elevation, but endemism increases ( Wolda, 1987 ; Navarro, 1992 ; Lieberman et al, 1996 ; Vetaas & Grytnes, 2002 ; Khuroo et al, 2011 ; Steinbauer et al, 2016 ; Monro, Bystriakova & Gonzalez, 2017 ). There are also changes in abiotic conditions such as a reduction in availability of surface area, atmospheric pressure, air temperature, and increasing UV radiation at higher elevations ( Körner, 2007 ).…”

“…In the Costa Rican highland ecosystems, plant richness also declines rapidly with elevation, particularly at mountain summits ( Lieberman et al, 1996 ; Estrada & Zamora, 2004 ; Barrantes, Chacón & Hanson, 2019 ; Monro, Bystriakova & Gonzalez, 2017 ). However, information on the dynamics of floral resources availability ( i.e., flowering phenology patterns) at the community level remains undocumented.…”