Vegetation of Andean wetlands (bofedales) in Huascarán National Park, Peru

Andean wetlands, or bofedales, exhibit significant valley-to-valley variation in species composition and vegetation assemblages, influenced by factors such as elevation, soil properties, and glacier recession. This study, the first exploratory analysis of its kind in Huascarán National Park, Peru, identified 112 plant species across five distinct vegetation groups, highlighting the unique biodiversity and spatial patterns of these high-altitude ecosystems. The research suggests that abiotic factors like bulk density, organic matter content, and cation exchange capacity play crucial roles in shaping floristic composition. These findings provide critical insights for land managers facing environmental transformations due to glacier retreat and underscore the need for further comprehensive studies on tropical Andean ecosystems.

Polk, M. H., Young, K. R., Cano, A., León, B.,. (2019). Vegetation of Andean wetlands (bofedales) in Huascarán National Park, Peru. Mires and Peat, 24, 1. https://doi.org/10.19189/map.2018.snpg.387