Structure and floristic composition of the sub-Andean coastal subbasin of Yumbillo, Yumbo (Valle del Cauca)

The structure and floristic composition of riparian forest in the sub-Andean basin of the river Yumbillo in the municipality of Yumbo, Valle del Cauca, eastern slope of the western cordillera of the Andes, Colombia were analyzed. By 20 plots of 100 m2, in the altitude range between 1500 to 2235 m., Data was recorded in individuals with a diameter of a breast height (DBH) > 10 cm, floristic composition and vertical and horizontal structure by calculation of abundance, frequency, dominance and importance value index (IVI). The floristic composition consisted of 825 individuals in 93 species, 71 genera and 50 botanical families, the dominant families were Myrtaceae,  Lauraceae,  Melastomataceae,  Moraceae,  Euphorbiaceae,  Fagaceae,  and  Tiliaceae  acanthaceae. The species were heavier ecological Truco (Hyeronima  sp) and the most frequent were Truco (Hyeronima scabrida), Roble (Quercus humboldtii) and the “Higueron de nacimiento” (Ficus  Apollinaris). The highest values corresponded to species of importance such as Truco (Hyeronima  scabrida) Arrayan (Myrcia  sp), Nacedero (Trichanthera), Otobo (Dialyanthera  lehemannii) and Naranjuelo (Lacistema  aggregatum). Vertical structure was categorized into three strata, 508 individuals in the I (3 and 16 m), 270 in the II (17 and 23 m) and 47 in the Emerging (heights above 24 m). It was concluded that the riparian forest has high and typical pioneer species of forest recovery, highlighted the presence of Medio comino (Ocotea sp) threatened timber species that can be part of ecological restoration actions and floristic enrichment in areas of riparian forest and watershed protection.