During the 1980s, reforestation programs using exotic species (Pinus spp.) were established in the páramo ecosystem of Ecuador. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the natural regeneration between pine plantations (Pi) and natural grassland (NG) across an elevational gradient and (2) to identify the attributes of Pi and soil properties that were influencing herbaceous and woody plant composition and their plant cover. In total, six independent Pinus patula (Schltdl. & Cham. plantations (two per each elevation) were selected and distributed in an elevational range (3200–3400, 3400–3600, 3600–3800 m a.s.l.). Adjacent to Pi, plots in NG were established for recording natural regeneration. Both, namely the attributes and the soil samples, were measured in Pi. The results showed that natural regeneration differs significantly between both types of vegetation. As expected, NG holds more plant diversity than Pi; the elevational range showed a clear tendency that there was more herbaceous richness when elevation range increases, while the opposite was found for woody species. Moreover, attributes of Pi influenced herbaceous and woody vegetation, when saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) in the soil, basal area (BA) and canopy density (CD) increased, herbaceous species richness and its cover decreseased; and when Ksat and the acidity in the soil increased, woody plants richness and its cover decreased. The plantations have facilitated the establishment of shade tolerant species. More studies are needed to evaluate if removal with adequate management of pine plantations can improve the restoration and conservation of the native vegetation of the páramo ecosystem.

To ensure the germination capability and viability of native tree species it is important to know the optimum conditions for seed storage in the long term. In response to this, we investigated the effect of seed storage on the germination, viability, and velocity of germination (VG) of Vallea stipularis, Hedyosmum luteynii and Oreopanax avicenniifolius. The seeds were collected in Llaviucu and Mazan forests in Cajas National Park and exposed to different treatments of seed storage: three levels of seed moisture content (initial, medium and low), two levels of temperature (10oC and room temperature) and three periods of storage (3, 6, and 12 months). The research revealed that seeds of V. stipularis stored at 10oC for 12 months had the lowest germination values, even null percentages; the more the seed viability and VG decreased when the time of seed storage increased. The seeds of H. luteynii showed high germination and viability up to 12 months of storage at 10oC, however, its germination was later and little synchronized. The room temperature did not work well for germination and VG for both these species, although, H. luteynii maintained its viability intact up to the last period of evaluation. O. avicenniifolius maintained at 10oC and room temperature its germination capacity up to 12 months but with a lower percentage. The knowledge generated contributes to better seed management in ex situ conservation programs and plant propagation for restoration. Para asegurar la capacidad de germinación y viabilidad de especies forestales nativas es importante conocer las condiciones óptimas para el almacenamiento de semillas a largo plazo. En respuesta a esto, nosotros investigamos el efecto del almacenamiento de semillas en la germinación, viabilidad y velocidad de germinación (VG) de Vallea stipularis, Hedyosmum luteynii y Oreopanax avicenniifolius. Las semillas fueron colectadas de los bosques Llaviucu y Mazán del Parque Nacional El Cajas y fueron expuestas a diferentes tratamientos de almacenamiento: tres contenidos de humedad (inicial, medio bajo), dos temperaturas (10°C y temperatura ambiente) y tres tiempos de almacenamiento (3, 6 y 12 meses). Los resultados mostraron que en general las semillas de V. stipularis almacenadas a 10ºC durante 12 meses, presentaron bajos e incluso nulos porcentajes de geminación; la viabilidad y VG disminuía conforme se incrementaba el tiempo de almacenamiento. Las semillas de H. luteynii tuvieron una alta germinación y viabilidad hasta los 12 meses de almacenamiento a 10ºC, sin embargo, su germinación fue tardía y poco sincronizada. El almacenamiento a temperatura ambiente no favoreció la germinación y VG de las dos especies, aunque, H. luteynii mantuvo su viabilidad intacta hasta el último periodo evaluado. O. avicenniifolius mantuvo su capacidad germinativa hasta los 12 meses de almacenamiento, tanto a 10ºC como temperatura ambiente, pero con baja germinación. El conocimiento generado contribuye para un mejor manejo de las semillas, en programas de conservación ex situ y la producción de plántulas para la restauración.