Polylepis
Polylepis australis
The genus Polylepis ( Greco- Latin mixed word " vielschuppig ", in Quechua qiwuña, therefore Spanish regional Queñua or queñual ) belongs to the rose family ( Rosaceae ) ( Tribus Sanguisorbeae ) and comprises about 26 species, their distribution across the South American Andes from northern Venezuela extends to northwestern Argentina.
Description
The small wind-pollinated trees and shrubs reach stature heights between 1-6 m and crown diameter of 3-5 m. The species of the genus have a reddish, peeling bark and a sinuous trunk. The small, leathery, usually pinnate leaves are resin- covered.
In racemose inflorescences, the small flowers are arranged. The flowers contain three to four sepals and 12-18 stamens. Petals are absent. Both pollination as well as the dissemination of the fruits takes place with the help of the wind.
Ecology
All Polylepis species are adapted to the cold climate of the High Andes: The peeling bark provides by trapped air for insulation. The Polylepis forests ( queñuales ), mostly confined to more sheltered landscape sections, form an important refuge for a number of herbaceous plants, and animals, with Polylepis the dominant, sometimes provides the only woody plant species. Only some Polylepis species in moist mountain forests ( Polylepis multijuga, Polylepis quadrijuga etc.) and in the border area of Bolivia with Argentina ( Polylepis crista -galli and Polylepis Hieronymi ) occur together with trees of other plant genera. On the other hand, come Polylepis species (eg Polylepis pepei, Polylepis tarapacana, Polylepis besseri ) in height ranges before, where else can grow no further trees more. Polylepis tarapacana still forms at altitudes 4000-4500 m asl small forests. On the slopes of Sajama in the Sajama National Park in Bolivia, this species attains a height of 5200 m, an inventory, which is considered one of the highest in the world's forests. In the Cordillera Vilcanota in Peru of the ceilings for Polylepis at 3600-4500 m above sea level lie.
The Polylepis forests are an important erosion control dar.
Threats and conservation
The Polylepis forests have a unique flora and fauna with habitat specialists and higher level of endemism. These forests are considered one of the most endangered ecosystems in the high Andes, especially since they are the only source of timber and firewood in many areas. More recently, regional programs have been initiated to protect the forests, the local population has been more or less involved.
Dissemination
The Polylepis forests are widely distributed across the Andes, isolated from each other refuges dar. About the historical development of Polylepis distribution area and there are their causes since the 1950s, an academic debate. While some say that the current distribution in refugia based on a natural development, say the others, that the causes of human activity - deforestation for timber, slash and burn and overgrazing - would have to look for in a formerly largely contiguous forest area.
Economic Importance
The Polylepis trees are used for the production of firewood or timber from the indigenous communities (mostly Aymara Quechua or ); the latter is used for production of fences and tools. Some Polylepis species are for the healing of kidney and respiratory diseases, as well as a coloring agent. The Polylepis forests are used as grazing land for llamas, alpacas, sheep and cattle. In addition, many of its population of plants used as medicinal plants.
Trivial names
System
The genus Polylepis Polylepis racemosa as well as the type species, found in the Peruvian Andes, were first described in 1798 by the Spanish botanists Hipólito Ruiz López and José Antonio Pavón y Jiménez.
Types (selection)
There are about 16 to 26 Polylepis species:
- Polylepis besseri Hieron.
- Polylepis crista -galli Bitter
- Polylepis Hieronymi Pilg.
- Polylepis incana Kunth
- Polylepis lanuginosa Kunth
- Polylepis microphylla ( Wedd. ) Bitter
- Polylepis multijuga Pilg.
- Polylepis quadrijuga Bitter
- Polylepis pauta Hieron.
- Polylepis pepei B.B. Simpson
- Polylepis racemosa Ruiz & Pav
- Polylepis reticulata Hieron.
- Polylepis sericea Wedd.
- Polylepis tarapacana Phil
- Polylepis weberbaueri pilgrims