INALI   02622
INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE LIMNOLOGIA
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
A method for assessing the ecological quality of riparian forests in subtropical Andean streams: QBRy index
Autor/es:
SIROMBRA, M. G., MESA, L. M.
Revista:
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
Editorial:
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Referencias:
Año: 2012 vol. 20 p. 324 - 331
ISSN:
1470-160X
Resumen:
A modified QBR index adapted to examine the riparian quality of streams included in the Yungas biome
is presented. The index, named QBRy, included modifications of the original index in three of the four
sections in order to be useful for the studied region. The assessment of QBRy included trials in three
subtropical sub-basins of Tucumán province (Argentina). Thirty-seven sampling sites were assessed. The
composition of riparian forest varied in relation to a geographical pattern, and this was related with the
climatic differences existing within the same ecoregion. The quality of riparian vegetation was poor near
population centers and in sites impacted by livestock, while good quality conditions were related with
areas adjacent to a protected region and in physiographical inaccessible zones. The introduction of exotic
species represents a real problem to the integrity of Yungas riparian vegetation. The protection of the
few well preserved zones and the necessity of restoration of highly altered ones becomes an essential
priority for biodiversity conservation.