A GIS approach to modelling richness, fruiting and flowering of woody species in a neotropical montane area, Parque Nacional Carrasco, Bolivia - Volume 1

In order to effectively manage tropical montane areas for species and habitat conservation, spatial and seasonal variations in habitat must be understood. Availability of fruit and nectar - both important dietary components for many tropical animals - is determined by the distribution and abundance of plant species and the phonological patterns they exhibit over an area. Forest types are classified over a biodiversity 'hotspot' area of tropical montane forest across the eastern slopes of the Andes in Bolivia using bioclimatic modelling. A number of distinct climatic regimes and forest types exist over the evaluational gradient, which ranges from around 250 m.a.s.l. to over 4000 m.a.s.l. By linking the vegetation classification to a database of arboreal species and their fruiting phenology, spatial patterns in arboreal species richness and the spatial and temporal variability of flowering and fruiting phenology can be determined.