The vegetation of the tropical dry forest of the Cali Botanical Garden, Cali, Colombia
Orejuela, J.E.; Contreras, J.L.
Lyonia 9(2): 81-88
2005
Document Number: 529568
The Cali Botanical Garden, located in the middle sector of the Cali river basin, is totally covered by vegetation classified as Tropical dry-Forest. The preliminary analysis of its flora shows a marked dominance of about six tree species including Arrayan (Myrcia popayanensis), Laurel Jigua (Cynammomum triplinerve), Sangregao (Croton gossypifolius), Guacimo (Guazuma ulmifolia), Chiminango (Pithecellobium dulce) and Chagualo (Clusia sp.). The vegetation of the lower stratum is dominated by herbaceous species of the genus Piper and by members of the Phytolaccaceae and small individuals of the emergent plant species. Among the climbing species the Aristolochia, Passiflora and Cucurbitaceae are noteworthy. The aerial roots of Ficus, Clusia and Sapindaceae are equally numerous. The vegetation present in the CBG became established in an area totally devoid of vegetation in the last 80 years. The area was subjected to cattle ranching and agriculture in addition to recurrent episodes of man-provoked fires. The 50 tree species of the garden constitute a germplasm bank of early successional plants ideal for advancing ecological restoration processes in interandean hillsides. The Garden initiated last year a program to substantially increase the native vegetation cover in the watershed using the reproductive potential of the existing regenerated forest.