Polylepis Forest The
Polylepis forest is located in the
Andes
Mountains.
Polylepis forests occur at altitudes of up to 4,500
meters in sheltered areas. Most of the original
forest is in the cold Western Cordillera of
Bolivia. There is only ten percent left of the
original forest. There are
over 15 million trees in just the Andean zone. The
exotic plants have grown close to the
Polylepis forest causing shading Polylepis
is a group of tree species belonging to the rose
family. Fifteen species of the Polylepis
genus grow in South America, from northern
Venezuela to northern Chile and Argentina. The
highest number of species grow in Ecuador, Peru and
Bolivia. The forest
has to adapt to the unstable water supply. Birds
had to adapt to the small range sizes. The Peruvian
Polylepis forests contain three of South
America's endangered birds. Great colored parrots
and toucans live in the forests, as does the Royal
Cinclodes. The forests are vegetated with
little-leafed plants. Polylepis trees are
evergreens, so they begin photosynthesis as soon as
the weather gets warmer. The small leaves prevent
water loss (cold, dry conditions). The The Andean people use the Polylepis forest for many reasons. Fifty-six percent of the forest is used for medicines. Twelve percent is used for human food. And nine percent is used for construction and ritual purposes. Over all about thirty-five percent of the most useful plant species are only found inside the forest. The animals, like the birds use the forest for food. The
Tropical Polylepis woodlands are highly
endangered. The forests began disappearing during
the time of the Incas, when much of its wood was
used for building material and firewood. After the
conquistadors brought their sheep and cattle, more
forests were lost to grazing. Today native peoples
still use the wood for building and heat. Loss of
the forests have caused landslides threatening
villages and roads. Only 10% of Bolivia's original
Western Cordillera by Amanda B. 2002
bibliography: Kessler, Michael.
"Forgotten Forests of the High Andes", Hjarsen, Thor. "The Effects of Plantations in the Andes" http://www.itto.or.jp/newsletter/v7n2/15effects.html (Nov.14, 2001) "The Project", http://www.interconnection.org/fny/page1.htm http://www.interconnection.org/fny/page1.htm (Nov. 1, 2001) "The Place", http://www.interconnection.org/fny/page3.htm (Nov. 1, 2001) "Proyecto Polylepis web page", http://www.abcbirds.org/international/polylepis.htm (May 24, 2001) Pictures: polylepis_leaf.jpg,
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