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| 35 [2026/01/13 16:10] – 24851027 | 35 [2026/01/13 16:19] (current) – 24851027 |
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| //Overview of the three main vegetation assemblages in the high-altitude páramo ecosystem, with abundance of cushion-forming plants in topographic hollows and valley bottoms, tussock grasses along the hillsides, and forest in areas not easily accessible by humans.(Molina et al., 2024)// | //Overview of the three main vegetation assemblages in the high-altitude páramo ecosystem, with abundance of cushion-forming plants in topographic hollows and valley bottoms, tussock grasses along the hillsides, and forest in areas not easily accessible by humans.(Molina et al., 2024)// |
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| Within the [[18|Páramo]] ecosystem, elevation is the main driver for its vegetation, and this results in an internal vertical structure with three main [[18|Páramo]] vegetation belts: the sub-Páramo, the grass Páramo and supra-Páramo (Christmann and Oliveras, 2020). The summit and hillslopes feature well-drained [[26|soils]] covered by [[35|tussock grasses]] or bunch, constituting the grass Páramo. Whereas toeslopes and valley bottoms constitute permanently waterlogged areas covered by hard cushion-forming plants (Molina et al., 2024), such as [[28|sphagnum moss]]. | Within the [[18|Páramo]] ecosystem, elevation is the main driver for its vegetation, and this results in an internal vertical structure with three main [[18|Páramo]] vegetation belts: the sub-Páramo, the grass Páramo and supra-Páramo (Christmann and Oliveras, 2020). The summit and hillslopes feature well-drained [[26|soils]] covered by [[35|tussock grasses]] or bunch, constituting the grass Páramo. Whereas toeslopes and valley bottoms constitute permanently [[31|waterlogged]] areas covered by hard cushion-forming plants (Molina et al., 2024), such as [[28|sphagnum moss]]. |
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| [[35|Tussock grasses’]] growth form is the most widespread in the [[18|Páramo]]. In undisturbed areas, grasses may average 1-1.5 m tall with a coverage of up to 100%. Members of the grass and sedge families frequently form tufts or dense bunches of stems (culms) with rigid, pointed, tubular or inrolled leaves. These dense tufts in which the dead leaves are maintained and decay on the plant, along with the culms, provide good insulation for the buds and young leaves from cold temperatures, high radiation, evaporation, and high heat of fires to 500°C (Ramsay, 1992; Ramsay & Oxley, 1996). | In undisturbed areas, [[35|tussock grasses]] may average 1-1.5 m tall with a coverage of up to 100%. Members of the grass and sedge families frequently form tufts or dense bunches of stems (culms) with rigid, pointed, tubular or inrolled leaves, providing good insulation for the buds and young leaves from cold temperatures, high radiation, evaporation, and high heat of fires to 500°C (Ramsay, 1992; Ramsay & Oxley, 1996). |
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| [[35|Tussock grass]] vegetation exhibits significant [[21|rainfall]] interception capacity. | [[35|Tussock grass]] vegetation exhibits significant [[21|rainfall]] interception capacity. |