海拔高度对江油地区杉木人工林群落结构和物种多样性的影响

物种多样性是群落功能复杂性和稳定性的重要量度指标,海拔高度是影响物种多样性的重要因素。该实验采用典型样地法,在800~900m(低海拔)和1 100~1 200m(高海拔)2个海拔高度分别取4个20m×20m的样地,对江油地区的杉木人工林群落结构和物种多样性进行研究,采用物种丰富度指数(D)、Shannon-Wienner多样性指数(H)、Simpson优势度指数(H′)和均匀度指数(Jsw)来综合衡量不同海拔杉木人工林群落的物种多样性。结果表明:(1)组成江油杉木人工林的物种共计205种,分属66科177属;低海拔地区乔木7种,灌木54种,草本47种;高海拔地区乔木10种,灌木60种,草本41种。(2)低海拔和高海拔的木本植物组成无明显差异,草本层的物种组成有明显差异。(3)群落各层次的物种多样性指数在低海拔和高海拔都表现为:灌木层草本层乔木层,乔木层的各项指数最低;物种多样性指数随海拔升高在特定区间内表现出一定规律性,D、H和Jsw值总体上呈高海拔低海拔,H′则相反,表明高海拔杉木人工林物种多样性和物种在群落中分布的均匀度都有增加的趋势,这与高海拔受人为干扰较轻以及环境因子的变化等密切相关。     

螺髻山自然保护区非飞行小型哺乳动物垂直多样性调查

2009年4～8月利用铗日法对螺髻山自然保护区非飞行小型哺乳动物的多样性进行了调查。调查于海拔1800～4150m间按梯度设置7个采集样地,每个采集样地内设3个样带并置铗,有效布铗10500铗次,捕获非飞行小型哺乳动物5科8属15种,共491个个体。调查结果表明,调查区域内非飞行小型哺乳动物群落的相对丰富度、丰富度和多样性指数均与海拔存在显著的相关性。统计分析显示:位于阴坡且与水源地相距较近的样地的物种相对丰富度明显高于位于阳坡、距离水源地远的样地;植被类型丰富、降水量充分的中海拔地区(2200～2600m)相对丰富度、丰富度和多样性达到最高;而在高海拔(3800m)和低海拔区域(2000m)则较低。非飞行小型哺乳动物的多样性以中低山阔叶灌丛林与亚热带针阔混交林中最高,而在高山流石滩、高山草甸与河谷灌草丛中较低。在本研究的调查区域内,中海拔地区多样性和丰富度最大可能是非飞行小型哺乳动物垂直多样性分布的一个重要特点。     

长白山牛皮杜鹃群落物种多样性的海拔梯度变化及相似性

采用样地调查法,研究了牛皮杜鹃群落物种组成、群落结构特征、物种多样性及其沿海拔梯度的变化规律,对不同海拔牛皮杜鹃群落进行相似性分析。结果表明:(1)牛皮杜鹃群落相同海拔高度,草本层的物种多样性普遍高于灌木层的物种多样性。自海拔1926—1986m,灌木层α多样性指数先降低后升高,1986m后再次降低,到达海拔2010m处达到最低点,适应高山苔原带特殊生境条件的物种逐渐增多,多样性指数开始回升。海拔2250m,生物多样性指数的变化趋于平缓,物种组成相对较为稳定。海拔2528m以上,生物多样性再次呈降低趋势。草本层的α多样性指数中,物种多样性指数SW、丰富度指数D和均匀度指数R沿海拔梯度的变化趋势大致相同。海拔1986m处时出现最小值,海拔2350m时达最大值。牛皮杜鹃群落α多样性指数间呈P0.01水平极显著正相关性,物种丰富度指数对群落的物种多样性贡献率最大,表现为丰富度指数(D1、D2)种间机遇指数(H)生态优势度指数(SN)群落均匀度指数(R)。(2)牛皮杜鹃群落β多样性沿海拔梯度基本呈波形变化,草本层β多样性指数普遍高于灌木层β多样性指数。在牛皮杜鹃群落物种沿海拔梯度的替换速率上,草本植物高于灌木物种。Routledge指数的变化趋势不显著。海拔1986m处和海拔2250m处,草本层Cody指数出现两处极值,海拔2250m以上群落灌木层之间差异和变化较小,Whittaker多样性指数和Cody指数逐渐趋于平稳。(3)海拔梯度间生境及群落结构差异性越大,生物多样性变化越明显。海拔高度接近的群落间相似性系数较高,海拔是影响牛皮杜鹃群落差异的主要因素。     

浙江九龙山香果树群落乔木层物种的多样性格局

为了解香果树(Emmenopterys henryi)群落的物种多样性及其驱动因素,在浙江九龙山自然保护区建立了35个以香果树为中心15 m半径的样圆,调查样圆内胸径2.5 cm以上的乔木层树木的物种和胸径。通过线性混合效应模型分析α多样性与海拔、坡向、香果树胸高断面积的关系,通过Mantel检验和方差分解分析样地间距离、海拔、坡向和香果树胸高断面积差异对β多样性的影响。结果表明,九龙山香果树群落乔木层物种丰富(50科96属145种),且以落叶或半常绿树种占优势;样地乔木层Shannon-Wiener指数为2.37～3.40,Simpson指数为0.86～0.94;群落乔木层α多样性随海拔升高呈先升高后下降的变化趋势,但与样地坡向和香果树胸高断面积无关;群落乔木层Sorenson指数为0.15～0.95,物种周转组分对群落β多样性的贡献达74.88%;样地间地理距离与乔木层β多样性及其组分呈显著正相关,样地间海拔差异与其乔木层β多样性及其物种丰富度差异组分呈显著正相关,而样地间香果树胸高断面积差异仅与物种周转组分显著正相关;样地地理距离对于乔木层β多样性及其组分具有最高的解释度(23%...     

贡嘎山东坡非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局

为了解贡嘎山地区物种多样性的垂直分布格局,2010年4—9月利用夹日法对贡嘎山东坡非飞行小型兽类的物种多样性进行了详细调查。调查在海拔1200—4000m之间按400m间隔设置了8个采集样地,累计布夹28800夹次,捕获非飞行小型兽类个体701个,观察记录到松鼠个体25个,共调查记录小兽个体726个,分属于3目6科16属25种。非参数估计的物种丰富度Chao2和Jackknife2指数以及物种累积曲线评估表明本次调查取样充分,能很好地反映该地区非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局。结果表明:非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局为单峰模型;物种丰富度和物种多度在中海拔地区最高,在低海拔和高海拔地区较低;相反,物种均匀度在中海拔地区较低,在低海拔和高海拔地区较高;而物种优势度则随着海拔的升高而逐渐增加;Shannon-Wiener、Fisher-α、Margalef三个综合性物种多样性指数均显示物种多样性在中海拔地区最高;与其它多样性指数相比,Simpson指数未能很好地反映出不同海拔段群落物种多样性的垂直分布差异;而与Shannon-Wiener和Simpson指数相比,Fisher-α和Margalef指数对不同物种组成的群落多样性区分较好。同时,基于不同海拔段物种组成的聚类分析结果也表明物种多样性在中海拔地区最高。物种多样性在中海拔地区最高的垂直分布模式提示我们在贡嘎山地区的生物多样性保护和生态管理中应特别重视中海拔地段,因为该地段中居于生态食物链中间位置的小兽物种最丰富,是山地生物多样性保护的关键。此外,规范统一的调查方法将有利于研究数据的整合和减少人为因素带来的误差。     

七姊妹山常绿落叶阔叶混交林物种多样性格局及其环境解释

依托七姊妹山自然保护区6 hm²森林动态监测样地研究平台,基于样地和物种基本信息数据,采用多元回归树和冗余分析研究方法,探讨地形因子对生境的塑造作用及物种分布特征,分析不同群丛类型下物种多样性的变化规律。结果表明：(1)依据“1 SE”规则,4次分割依次以海拔(1 453 m)、坡度(23.13°)、海拔(1 398 m)、凹凸度(4.094)为分界点可将150个样地分为5个群丛。(2)冗余分析表明地形因子对物种分布解释量为0.077 6,解释率为16.36%,各环境因子对物种分布的解释力度依次为：海拔>坡度>凹凸度;坡向与物种的分布无显著相关性。(3)5个群丛中立木密度与胸高截面积最高的均为群丛5(527.4株/400 m²;3.495 cm²/株),立木密度与平均胸高截面积最低为群丛4(225.4株/400 m²;3.057 cm²/株)。(4)5个群丛中Shannon Winener丰富度指数与Simpson优势度指数最高的均为群丛2,最低的为群丛5,物种多样性尺度效应明显;Pielou均匀度指数最高为群丛4,最低为群丛5。(5)两两群丛间Jaccard相似性系数最低为群丛1 群丛2(0.331),最高的为群丛4 群丛5(0.645),海拔对β多样性格局影响较大。研究认为,七姊妹山自然保护区6 hm²样地地形因子对该区域生境的塑造具有一定作用,海拔、坡度、凹凸度组成的“环境筛”影响了该区域的物种分布及多样性格局。     

五鹿山国家级自然保护区物种多样性海拔格局

在五鹿山国家级自然保护区典型地段设立样地,以植物群落样地调查数据为基础,计算不同层次的多样性指数,运用广义可加模型分析各物种多样性的海拔格局.结果表明:乔木层的胸高截面积沿海拔呈显著递增趋势(P＜0.05);α多样性,乔木层丰富度指数、香浓维纳指数、均匀度指数都呈显著的单峰分布格局(P＜0.01),灌木层丰富度指数、香浓维纳指数大体呈以中高海拔1507m为峰值的偏峰分布格局,均匀度指数大体呈显著递增趋势(P＜0.05),草本层丰富度指数、香浓维纳指数较低海拔下随海拔升高递减,较高海拔下变化不大,均匀度指数大体呈递增趋势;β多样性大体呈“～”型变化;γ多样性,大体呈单峰分布格局.沿海拔梯度升高,水热组合发生变化,地带性植被以及群落内的建群种和优势种都发生了变化.     

山西霍山植物群落种-面积曲线与物种多样性的关系

采用标准样方调查法,对霍山植物群落的物种数、面积和物种多样性之间的关系进行了研究.结果表明:种(对数)-面积(对数)曲线在各海拔处的R2值较种-面积曲线和种-面积(对数)曲线大,中海拔处的平均物种数最多,群落Margalef丰富度指数(R)和Shan-non-Wiener多样性指数(H')也最大,而Jaccard系数(J)最小.各海拔样地物种数的观察值与种-面积曲线和种-面积(对数)曲线在各海拔样地物种数的预测值接近.     

广西猫儿山植物群落物种组成、群落结构及树种多样性的垂直分布格局

沿海拔梯度设置16个样地,对广西猫儿山植物群落物种多样性的垂直分布格局进行了初步研究。结果表明：(1)16个样地中共调查到乔木44科79属184种,其中常绿阔叶树121种、落叶阔叶树61种、针叶树2种;(2)随着海拔的上升,整个乔木层以及不同生活型的最大树高均呈显著下降趋势,而乔木树种的最大胸径、胸高断面积之和以及立木密度都呈现出先增大后减小的趋势;(3)物种丰富度在海拔1350m以下变化不明显,但1350m以上随着海拔的升高明显下降。在研究的海拔范围内,物种丰富度呈非常显著的单峰分布格局,最大的丰富度出现在中海拔群落中;(4)α多样性沿海拔梯度的变化趋势与物种丰富度相似,但没有后者显著。Shannon-Wiener指数(H’)和海拔之间有明显的负相关性,均匀度Pielou指数(E)在取样范围内并没有随着海拔梯度的变化表现出明显的规律;(5)1350m以下的相邻群落之间的Jaccard指数(CJ)大于1350m以上相邻群落之间的Jaccard指数,最小值出现在中海拔的植被过渡带。Cody指数也有类似的趋势,原因在于物种丰富度的变化;(6)在本研究的海拔范围内,海拔比坡度和坡向对群落的结构特征、物种丰富度以及α多样性的影响更大。而在局部尺度上,人为干扰以及小地形而导致的生境异质性对群落的物种多样性和结构特征有着重要的影响。     

天山南坡高寒草地海拔梯度上的植物多样性变化格局

山地气候随海拔梯度变化使山地成为研究生物多样性的热点区域。在天山南坡巴音布鲁克高寒草地,对不同海拔梯度下的物种多样性进行了研究。结果表明共调查样地9个,出现植物34种,分属17科29属;物种丰富度随海拔升高呈明显的偏峰格局,在海拔3060m的天山羽衣草(Alchemilla tianschanica)草甸,物种组成最为丰富,出现植物17种,分属12科17属;Shannon-Wiener指数的变化范围为2.02~2.40,最小值出现在海拔2760m以紫花针茅(Stipa purpurea)为优势种的高寒草原,峰值则出现在3060m的天山羽衣草草甸,Shannon-Wiener指数随海拔梯度的变化趋势与物种丰富度基本相同,呈明显的偏峰格局;随海拔升高,Cody指数表现出明显的单峰格局;Shannon-Wiener指数与生长季温度存在显著负相关,而与生长季湿度和土壤含水量存在显著正相关。     

Elevational gradients of species diversity, breeding system and floral traits of orchid species on Réunion Island

Aim This research investigates changes in orchid species composition and diversity, plant breeding system and floral traits along an elevational gradient spanning 2300 m (200–2500 m). Location The study was conducted on Réunion Island (Mascarene Islands, Indian Ocean). Methods Data on the distribution of 135 orchid species from 35 genera were gathered from 121 localities situated between 200 and 2500 m a.s.l. For each locality, 500‐m transects were walked and each orchid species was recorded. Measures of species diversity (species richness, a modified Shannon diversity index and the modified Shannon equitability index) were related to altitude using ordinary least‐squares regression. Species turnover and elevational gradients in species composition were determined by: (1) relating scores of detrended correspondence analysis to altitude using ordinary least‐squares regression, and (2) relating Sørensen similarity indices to differences in altitude using Mantel tests. Finally, the average proportion of species displaying similar floral traits or showing the same breeding system were compared among altitudinal zones. Results Species richness per transect ranged from 1 to 36 species (mean 14.3) and decreased significantly with increasing altitude. Similarly, species evenness decreased significantly with increasing altitude. Around 50% of all orchid species were rare (occurred in fewer than 5% of all localities), and only a few occurred in more than 50% of all localities. Orchid species composition changed continuously with altitude, indicating turnover of species with increasing altitude. Analogously, orchid breeding systems and floral traits also changed with altitude. Relatively more auto‐pollinating species were found at high altitudes compared with mid‐ and low‐altitude sites where animal‐pollinated species were most abundant. Species characterized by a cleistogamous pollination system were found almost exclusively in high‐altitude sites, whereas the proportion of species displaying floral traits related to pollination by long‐tongued moths (sphinx) and flies sharply decreased with increasing altitude. Main conclusions Environmental conditions associated with altitude exert a large influence on orchid species composition and the distribution of orchid breeding systems. Our results revealed a high proportion of auto‐pollinating species, and confirm earlier findings that auto‐pollinating species are more frequent in high‐altitude sites.     

山西庞泉沟银露梅群落物种多样性的海拔格局

采用样地调查的方法,对山西庞泉沟银露梅(Potentilla glabra)群落的结构特征、物种多样性随海拔梯度的变化以及沿海拔梯度群落的相似性进行了研究,并通过R语言对群落α多样性指数间的相关性进行了分析。结果表明:(1)银露梅群落各层的α多样性指数除生态优势度指数(D)沿海拔梯度的变化不明显外,其它各指数的变化基本一致。银露梅群落在海拔1 700–1 900 m与2 100–2 300 m区间内,灌木层和草本层的α多样性指数均较高,在海拔1 900–2 000 m区间则较低。另外,银露梅群落各α多样性指数间除J2外均呈显著正相关。(2)随着海拔间隔的增加,灌木层和草本层的4个β多样性指数的变化均呈上升趋势,并且草本层随海拔间隔的增加β多样性指数整体比灌木层高。(3)银露梅群落Jaccard相似性指数随着海拔间隔的增大逐渐减小,而当海拔达到2 300 m以上时,群落间的相似性升高,群落相对稳定。     

西双版纳热带山地雨林群落乔木树种多样性研究

根据6块样地资料对西双版纳热带山地雨林树种多样性特征进行了分析.结果表明,在2 500 m2的样地上,随着起测胸径递增,各样地乔木个体数和树种丰富度均表现为依次递减;低海拔带上（850～1000 m）的山地雨林（1、2号样地）的各指数值无一定变化规律,较高海拔带上（1200～2000 m）的山地雨林（3～6号样地）的Shannon Wiener指数和Simpson指数均表现为依次递减,而Pielou均匀度指数则呈依次递增的趋势.较高海拔带上的山地雨林在较小乔木起测胸径（≥2 cm、≥5 cm、≥10 cm）的树种丰富度、多样性和均匀度指数均要明显大于低海拔带上的山地雨林,而两者在较大乔木起测胸径（≥20 cm、≥30 cm、≥50 cm）的各指数值无明显差异.随着取样面积的递增,各样地树种丰富度、多样性和均匀度指数在取样面积递增到2 000 m2处均已趋于平缓.     

武陵山东段不同样地小型兽类群落结构及多样性分布(英文）

2000—2004年对长江三峡南岸的武陵山东段7个不同样地、3个不同海拔梯度和6种生境类型的啮齿等小兽进行了5年调查。共布放鼠铗29297铗次,获得啮齿等小兽2271只;其他方法获26只,分隶于8科19属24种。其中啮齿目占70.83%,食虫目占29.17%。对所获数据分析结果表明:1)虽物种丰富度具有从南向北随海拔升高而增加的趋势,但在垂直分布上有相当一部分物种呈现较宽的分布;2)无论在7个不同样地,还是在6种生境,1200m以下均以黑线姬鼠(Apodemus agrarius)和褐家鼠(Rattus norvegicus)为优势种;1300m以上则以短尾鼩(Anourosorex squamipes)、社鼠(Niviventer confucianus)和中华姬鼠(Apodemus draco)为优势,但在数量上缺乏规律性;3)冬季密度明显大于春季,沿海拔高度呈梯度增高,但不同样地的密度缺乏一致规律性;4)7个不同样地多样性和均匀度均呈现较大变化。这可能与该地区人为干预较多有关。     

蒋家沟流域不同海拔灌草层群落特征与土壤关系的研究

为了解干热河谷区不同海拔梯度植物群落灌草层物种多样性与土壤养分、水分之间的关系,该文选择干热河谷典型流域——蒋家沟流域作为研究区域,在流域内海拔1 400～3 000 m范围设置样带,对样带内8个海拔梯度的植物群落进行样方调查,统计不同海拔梯度灌草层的物种组成,测定土壤养分、土壤含水量和持水量,并将土壤指标与植被多样性指数进行主成分分析和皮尔逊相关性分析。结果表明:流域内样地共发现灌草层植物32科77属80种,且灌草层植物群落组成、土壤有机碳(SOC)含量、全磷(TP)含量、土壤含水量和持水量均受海拔梯度的影响显著(P<0.05)。其中,土壤含水量、持水量、植物群落的丰富度指数和多样性指数均随着海拔升高不断增加,且高海拔区域SOC含量显著高于中低海拔区域(P<0.05)。土壤TP含量与Pielou指数、土壤含水量与Margalef指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和物种数均呈显著正相关(P<0.05),说明除海拔梯度外,土壤养分、水分含量是影响植物群落灌草层组成和多样性的关键因子。     

Unique elevational diversity patterns of geometrid moths in an Andean montane rainforest

Alpha‐diversity of geometrid moths was investigated along an elevational gradient in a tropical montane rainforest in southern Ecuador. Diversity was measured using 1) species number, 2) extrapolated species number (Chao 1 estimator), 3) rarefied species number, and 4) Fisher's alpha. When applied to the empirical data set, 1 and 2 strongly depended on the sample size, whereas 3 and 4 were suitable and reliable measures of local diversity. At single sites, up to 292 species were observed, and extrapolation estimates range from 244 to 445 species. Values for Fisher's alpha are among the highest ever measured for this moth family, and range from 69 to 131 per site. In contrast to theoretical assumptions and empirical studies in other regions of the world, the diversity of geometrid moths remained consistently high along the entire gradient studied. Diversity measures correlated with neither altitude nor ambient temperature. The large subfamily Ennominae has previously been assumed to be a group that occurs mainly at low and medium elevations. However, no decline in diversity was found in the study area. The diversity of the other large subfamily, Larentiinae, even increased from the lowest elevations and was highest at elevations above 1800 m. The roles of a decreasing diversity of potential host‐plants, decreasing structural complexity of the vegetation, increasingly unfavourable climatic conditions and possible physiological adaptations in determining herbivore species richness are discussed. A relatively low predation pressure might be an advantage of high‐altitude habitats. The physiognomy of the Andes (folded mountains, large areas at high altitudes) might also have allowed speciation events and the development of a species‐rich high‐altitude fauna. There is evidence that the species‐richness of other groups of herbivorous insects in the same area declines as altitude increases. This emphasises difficulties that are associated with biodiversity indicator groups, and calls for caution when making generalisations from case studies.     

贺兰山低山区土壤种子库空间分布特征北大核心CSCD

土壤种子库作为地上植被更新的潜在种源,在植被自然恢复和演替过程以及生态系统建设中起着重要作用。该研究对贺兰山低山区不同海拔高度植物群落土壤理化性质变化与其土壤种子库特征之间的关系进行分析,以揭示贺兰山低山区植物群落的土壤种子库空间分布特征和自然恢复潜力。研究结果表明:(1)海拔1200 m处种子主要来源于一年生草本,海拔1600 m土壤种子库主要来源于多年生草本,海拔2000 m土壤种子库主要来源于灌木和小灌木;随着海拔升高,隶属于禾本科的物种数呈下降趋势,菊科和藜科呈增加趋势,蒺藜科、大戟科、豆科和玄参科消失。(2)5个海拔高度土壤种子库物种数均显著低于地上植被;在物种生活型组成上,土壤种子库中物种数占比最大为一年生草本,地上植被为多年生草本。(3)土壤理化性质对种子库物种多样性影响中,土壤pH、电导率最为显著。贺兰山低山区5个海拔高度土壤种子库种子密度和物种多样性均较低,无法满足植被自然恢复需求,可通过飞播等生态恢复措施来弥补表层土壤种子的不足,从而满足地上植被恢复所需种源量。     

Diversity of terrestrial isopod species in the Chambi National Park (Kasserine,Tunisia)

Diversity of terrestrial isopods across habitats and altitude was studied in the National Park of Chambi (central Tunisia). Samples were collected over five years in seven sites (S1–S7), within an altitudinal range from 750 to 1,500 m a.s.l. Twelve species belonging to five families were identified, with one endemic species (Porcellio djahizi) to this area, and three species were present in all sites (P. djahizi, Leptotrichus panzerii and Armadillidium tunisiense). Agnaridae represented by Hemilepistus reaumurii species was the most abundant family (58.77%) and found in only one site. Our results showed differences in species richness between sites. Indeed, S2 and S3 (900 and 1,050 m) showed the highest species richness with 11 species each. This result validates the hypothesis of mid‐elevational richness peak and contradicts the theory of large sampling regimes in determining the relationship between species richness and elevation. Terrestrial isopod species richness in the Chambi Mountain tends to decrease with altitude: 11 species in S2 and S3 to four species in S7. The highest Shannon–Wiener diversity index value was observed in S2 (H′ = 3.21 bits). Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that H. reaumurii was positively correlated with temperature whereas A. tunisiense and P. djahizi were the only species positively correlated with altitude.     

Assessing the origin of Neotropical mountain dung beetle assemblages (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae): the comparative influence of vertical and horizontal colonization

Aims The fauna of mountains and their surrounding regions are likely to be influenced principally by two biological processes: horizontal colonization along similar altitudinal levels by elements originating from lineages inhabiting higher latitudes; and vertical colonization by lineages from the same latitude, but at lower altitudes. We examine whether the expected patterns derived from the latter process can be observed in mountain dung beetle assemblages. Specifically, we study the variation in species composition and richness with altitude in five regions spanning elevation gradients, analysing whether the altitudinal rates of change in the number of species and genera differ, and whether beta‐diversity scores for adjacent sites in each altitudinal gradient are different for species and genera. Location Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. Methods Field work was carried out in 1997–99 at 27 sites in five regions with elevation gradients, with 10–32 pitfall traps placed in each site. For each altitudinal level the numbers of species and genera were analysed with respect to altitude, and the slope of the linear regression between these variables was calculated. The slope of the curve of the altitude against the cumulative number of species and genera was also calculated for each altitudinal gradient to describe the compositional change between adjacent sites (beta diversity). Species and generic slopes were compared using analysis of covariance. The turnover of species along each altitudinal gradient was measured using presence/absence data and Cody's beta‐diversity index between adjacent pairs of sites. A cluster analysis was used to detect faunistically homogeneous groups of localities. Results Species richness always decreased with altitude, although the slopes did not differ significantly from zero. The number of genera also decreased with increasing altitude, but generally at a significantly slower rate than for species. Variation in the species beta‐diversity scores between altitudinal levels did not follow a homogeneous pattern in the different regions. Two main altitudinal groups of sites with a boundary c. 1500–1750 m a.s.l. can be detected with respect to faunistic similarity. Low‐ and mid‐altitude sites are inhabited by all of the genera (19) and 80% of all species collected. Eight genera and 61 species (c. 60% of the total) are unable to inhabit high‐altitude sites, and only 20 species appear to be exclusive to these high‐altitude environments (> 2000 m a.s.l.). Main conclusions The dominant processes explaining dung beetle composition in the high north‐eastern Andean mountains are probably those of vertical colonization. The limited role of horizontal colonization processes, or colonization from northern or southern lineages, could be a consequence of the isolation and recent geological origin of these mountains.