| Abstract: | Abstract. The vegetation ecology of a paramo cushion mire was studied along four transects. Six local vegetation types were distinguished. Two types are called cushion bogs; one is dominated by Oreobolus cleefii and the other by Plantago rigida. Types 3 and 4 are mire vegetation dominated by bryophytes; one is characterised by Sphagnum sparsum, Breutelia sp. and Campylopus cucullatifolius, the other one is dominated by Lophozia subinflata with Cortaderia sericantha. Vegetation type 5 is dominated by submerged Sphagnum cyclophyllum; type 6 refers to aquatic vegetation with only Equisetum bogotense and algae. The relation between the first four vegetation types and edaphical and hydrological gradients is analysed by means of Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). From the results of CCA it can be concluded that the occurrence of the Oreobolus cleefii type is restricted to areas with a thinner peat layer, a wider distance surface-anaerobic zone and water table-anaerobic zone, a higher NO2 concentration and a lower pH. The occurrence of the Plantago rigida type is restricted to a situation with a lower electrical conductivity of the ground water, a lower NO3 and PO4 concentration, and a higher Fe concentration. The occurrence of the Sphagnum type is restricted to places with a higher conductivity of the ground water, a higher NO3 and PO4 concentration, and a lower Fe concentration. The occurrence of the Lophozia subinflata with Cortaderia sericantha type is restricted to a situation with a lower K and Al concentration. |
