The bofedales are high Andean ecosystems of great socioeconomic and ecological importance. The Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve has 15 bofedales in its jurisdiction, located in the provinces of Chimborazo, Bolívar, and Tungurahua. The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between plant species composition and the physicochemical characteristics of water and soil. To determine the floristic composition, destructive sampling of species was applied, and three sampling points of 1 m2 were established every 100 m per wetland. At each sampling point, physical-chemical variables were recorded in situ and in the laboratory for water and soil. The floristic analysis identified 78 riparian species of riparian plants (63 vascular, 12 bryophytes, 4 pteridophytes) and 1 lichen. In the aquatic environment, seven vascular plants, recognized as macrophytes, were recorded. The results show great heterogeneity in the soil, water, and vegetation characters because they respond to a mineralization gradient (as indicated by the high values of electrical conductivity and dissolved ions). Additionally, it was observed that the total amount of soluble solids that characterizes the Los Hieleros wetland (W11) is independent of hardness and chemical oxygen demand, which correlate with each other and, in turn, better describe the Pachancho wetland (W12). The highest degree of turbidity corresponds to the Cóndor Samana (W9) and Portal Andino (W10) wetlands. The Culebrillas (W6), Puente Ayora ANI (W14), and Pampas Salasacas (W1) wetlands are characterized by the presence of dissolved oxygen, so it is assumed that these are the wetlands with the best water quality. Consequently, it is imperative to double efforts to describe the ecology and status of these high Andean wetlands in order to promote their conservation.
ISHS XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Genomics and Genetic Transformation of Horticultural Crops DISTINCTIVE TRANSCRIPTOME RESPONSE OF TWO STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIA
(1) Background: Juglans neotropica Diels, native to the Andes, is highly valued for its quality wood, medicinal uses, edible fruits, and natural dyes. However, its population has been greatly reduced due to overexploitation, becoming threatened and resulting in genetic stochasticity. Therefore, a prompt ex situ and in situ conservation effort is needed for its conservation and restoration. (2) Methods: A total of 439 trees of J. neotropica Diels were sampled from selected individuals across the northern and central regions of Ecuador. These trees were planted in a randomized complete block design to assess their growth and genetic variability. (3) Results: Annual average tree growth varied significantly among progenies. Based on their dasometric traits, two distinct groups were identified as superior and surveillance. Five trees demonstrated promising traits (TJ182, ChL2314, ChL142, TJ1310, and BSM14), suggesting potential for inclusion in forest genetic improvement programs. (4) Conclusions: Fifteen percent of individuals from the five studied provenances exhibited desirable dasometric characteristics and high-quality wood. In addition, several individuals within the progenies exhibit resistance to biotic agents, indicating a genetic potential for disease.