Amazonian savannas or pampas

The savannas are dominated by grasses, but in some sectors a high density of woody species (shrubs and trees) occur, and in other sectors they form small islands, which over time may give rise to larger forest islands. As one moves eastward, an immense patch of palms appears, followed by small shrub islands, until reaching a gallery forest at the headwaters of the Moa river.

In total, 107 species of plants, 44 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 162 species of vertebrates were recorded, of which 38 are new species for Madidi, 1 for Bolivia and 15 for science.


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Reports March 30th, 2021
Reports September 1st, 2021
Reports September 1st, 2021

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    Montane savanna and gallery forests (Machariapo, 2015)

    The first study site of the Identidad Madidi scientific expedition took place between June 3rd and 21st, 2015, in the montane savannas and gallery forests of Apolo, between 1,633 and 2,000 m a.s.l. The camp was established on the banks of the Machariapo river at 1,763 m a.s.l., between the communities of San José and Sarayoj.

    The dominant vegetation in the montane savannas is composed of herbaceous species, mainly grasses (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Xyridaceae), although these are also interspersed with shrubs and small trees. The gallery forests are distributed in strips that intersect the mountain savanna, and are sheltered in the valleys

    In total, 296 species of plants, 85 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 210 species of vertebrates were recorded, of which 102 are new species for Madidi, 10 for Bolivia and one for science.


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    Reports March 30th, 2021
    Reports September 1st, 2021
    Reports September 1st, 2021

      Piedmont forest (2016)

      The seventh study site of the expedition was conducted between April 22nd and May 16th, 2016, in the piedmont forest, in the middle and upper part of the first escarpments of the Hondo river basin, located at an altitude between 300 to 1,000 m a.s.l. The camp was located on the banks of the Hondo river, at 301 m a.s.l., with primary forest with tall trees. The trees grow smaller as altitude increases, and at the top of the mountain the vegetation becomes shrubby with dense undergrowth.

      In total, 310 plant species, 253 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 428 vertebrate species were recorded, of which 80 are new species for Madidi and three for science.


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      Reports March 30th, 2021
      Reports September 1st, 2021
      Reports September 1st, 2021

        Amazonian foothill forest (2015)

        The sixth study site of the scientific expedition was conducted between October 4th and November 22nd, 2015, in the Amazonian foothill forests of Alto Madidi, which is located between 200 and 500 m a.s.l. The rainfall, ranges between 1,800 and 2,800 mm per year, and allows the development of hemiepiphytic climbers, which are indicators of high rainfall, giving a particularity to the area.

        A diverse vegetation includes palm groves, tacuarales, ambaibales, and bibosales, but is dominated by Amazonian terra firme forests and floodplain forests. The upland forest is characterized by moderate to steep slopes, and rocky terrain with several streams. The trees reach 20 m, and the forest floor is characterized by a varied undergrowth and abundant leaf litter. The lowland forest has flooded areas with several streams that flow into the Candelaria and Madidi rivers, the canopy is more open and significantly higher, with little undergrowth.

        In total, 355 species of plants, 381 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 524 species of vertebrates were recorded, of which 363 are new species for Madidi, 126 for Bolivia and four possible new records for science.


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        Reports March 30th, 2021
        Reports September 1st, 2021
        Reports September 1st, 2021

          Bosque amazónico del Heath

          Seven forest formations were identified in the evaluated site on the Heath river: riparian or successional forests, flooded or varzea forest, terra firme forest, transition forest towards pampas (chaparral), forest islands, gallery forest, and palm groves associated with savannas and swamps.

          In total, 323 species of plants, 205 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 546 species of vertebrates were recorded, of which 153 are new species for Madidi, 12 for Bolivia and 15 for science.


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          Reports March 30th, 2021
          Reports September 1st, 2021
          Reports September 1st, 2021

            Yungas paramo grasslands (Puina, 2015).

            The fourth study site, in the yungueño paramo grasslands between 3,600 and 4,100 m a.s.l., is a humid and cold region dominated by large grass species (in some cases more than 1.5 m high), with the ground covered by mosses, lichens and small ferns. There are also isolated keñua trees that are the only ones that grow at this altitude, forming small stands known as bosquesillos de keñua, which are threatened at a continental scale.

            In total, 34 plant species, 9 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 75 vertebrate species were recorded, of which 18 are new species for Madidi, 1 for Bolivia and 4 for science.


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            Reports March 30th, 2021
            Reports September 1st, 2021
            Reports September 1st, 2021

              Treeline cloud forest (Puina, 2015)

              The fifth study site, in the treeline cloud forests, is located on the mountain slopes between 3,000 and 3,600 m a.s.l. The climatic and edaphic conditions give rise to a low, evergreen forest, with the physiognomy of a shrub forest or chaparral, where epiphytes predominate, especially mosses and lichens.

              In total, 43 plant species, 34 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 90 vertebrate species were recorded, of which 52 are new species for Madidi, 4 for Bolivia and 2 for science.


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              Reports March 30th, 2021
              Reports September 1st, 2021
              Reports September 1st, 2021

                Dry forests of the Tuichi river 

                The second study site of the expedition was conducted between June 22nd and July 5th, 2015, in the dry forests of the Tuichi River. The camp was established on the banks of the Machariapo river, at 740 m a.s.l., between the communities of Sipia and Suyo Suyo.

                These forests contain a greater diversity of species as compared to other dry Andean forests in the Tropical Andes, as well as a great variety of endemic species. The dry forest is isolated because it is surrounded by montane forests and humid piedmont forests. Its flora is similar to that of the Chiquitano forests, the piedmont forests of the Tucumán-Bolivian region and the inter-Andean dry forests of Bolivia and Argentina, with characteristic species such as bromeliads, cacti and palms.

                In total, 162 species of plants, 130 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 265 species of vertebrates were recorded, of which 68 are new species for Madidi, 26 for Bolivia and 7 possible new records for science.


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                Reports March 30th, 2021
                Reports September 1st, 2021
                Reports September 1st, 2021

                  Upper montane cloud forest

                  The tenth study site of the expedition was conducted between October 11th and 19th, 2016, in the upper montane forest and treeline forest, in the Isañoj valley, with an altitudinal gradient between 3,000 to 3,600 m a.s.l. The forests are covered by clouds for long periods generating high humidity. The forest structure is characterized by twisted trees, with a high diversity and coverage of mosses and epiphytes.

                  In total, 135 plant species, 19 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 123 vertebrate species were recorded, of which 42 are new species for Madidi, 2 for Bolivia and 6 potentially for science.


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                  Reports March 30th, 2021
                  Reports September 1st, 2021
                  Reports September 1st, 2021

                    Mid-montane forest

                    The ninth study site of the expedition was conducted between September 25th and October 9th, 2016, in the Yungas mid-montane forest, with an altitudinal gradient between 1,700 to 2,700 m a.s.l. The camp was located in the Cargadero area, a three-day hike from the town of Puina, along the bridle path that connects to the town of Mojos.

                    The mountainous topography has very steep slopes. The montane forests dominate, with a small portion of treeline forest. The lower altitudinal limits from 1,300 to 1,700 m a.s.l. are seasonally humid Yungas forest, and the mid-montane pluvial Yungas forest develops between 1,700 and 2,600 m a.s.l.

                    In total, 368 plant species, 150 species and subspecies of diurnal butterflies and 197 vertebrate species were recorded, of which 76 are new species for Madidi, 6 for Bolivia and 33 for science.


                    Title
                    Reports March 30th, 2021
                    Reports September 1st, 2021
                    Reports September 1st, 2021