Mario Alberto Quijano Abril

The páramo ecosystem has a high diversity of plant species, dominated by grasslands, shrubs, rosettes, and herbs, including Angiosperms, Monilophyta, and Lycopodiophyta. Plants thriving in páramos face extreme conditions, including low temperatures and intense radiation, and consequently exhibit adaptations that promote survival within this ecosystem. However, few studies have investigated the morphology and germination traits of seeds and seedlings from páramos. Our objective was to characterize seed anatomy and seedling development of representative species belonging to the most abundant Angiosperm clades in this ecosystem. Seeds of 15 species were fixed and processed according to the techniques usually performed in plant anatomy. In addition, we applied different treatments to break seed dormancy and analyzed the development of seedlings. Underdeveloped embryos were found in four families. Nine of the 15 analyzed species have embryos or endosperms rich in protein storage. Among the species analyzed, 80% may have dormant seeds. Furthermore, novel morphological features were found in seedling development, contributing to a better understanding of the establishment of species in this ecosystem. Our study provides insights into the structural and functional traits associated with seed dormancy traits, contributing to understanding the reproductive biology and successional processes of páramo plants. Seeds of analyzed species have wide morpho-anatomical plasticity but with parallel traits such as an underdeveloped embryo and protein storage, which can be related to their survival in extreme weather conditions and the development of dormancy.

Biological invasions threaten tropical biodiversity, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying successful invaders remain poorly understood. Thunbergia alata (Black-eyed Susan) is an aggressive “genomic orphan” invader in Andean forests, causing significant ecological disruption. This study contributes as one of the few transcriptomic profiles of light vs. shade responses in T. alata, providing a foundational molecular resource for this species. We performed differential expression analysis under varying light conditions, revealing a massive transcriptomic shift involving over 4000 differentially expressed genes. Our findings suggest a robust and stable homeostatic adaptation mechanism, characterized by the up-regulation of SnRK1 subunits for energy sensing and strategic management of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) within the thylakoid membrane. Furthermore, the fine-tuning of PIF/Auxin modules and the condition-specific induction of NAC and WRKY transcription factors facilitate shade avoidance and rapid vertical growth. The identification of a substantial reservoir of species-specific “not classified” genes suggests that novel genetic elements contribute to T. alata’s adaptive success. By elucidating these key regulatory networks, this research provides an important genomic baseline for future studies on adaptive evolution and the development of molecularly informed strategies for managing and controlling this invasive species in new environments.

Aquatic macrophytes are key structural and functional components of wetlands, yet their interactions with anthropogenic particles (APs) remain poorly understood compared with those of aquatic fauna. This study evaluated the retention and incorporation of APs by five aquatic macrophyte species from urban wetlands, combining field observations, controlled exposure experiments and tissue-level analyses. Stems and roots of Eleocharis elegans, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Nymphaea elegans and Salvinia molesta, together with the utricles of Utricularia gibba, were analyzed. Anthropogenic particles were quantified and classified according to size, shape and color. Polymer composition was determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), whereas particle localization within plant tissues was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Differences in APs load (APs g⁻¹) linear mixed-effects model (LMM), and retention under controlled conditions was compared using Kruskal–Wallis tests. Anthropogenic particles were detected in all species and organs. Small blue and transparent fibers predominated, while Utricularia gibba exhibited the highest particle load and retention capacity. Among the particles analyzed by FTIR, 31% were identified as microplastics, predominantly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), followed by polypropylene (PP), whereas cotton was the most abundant material identified. Our findings suggested that the interaction between aquatic macrophytes and anthropogenic particles is associated with the combined influence of particle properties and plant functional architecture. These results highlighted aquatic macrophytes as active biological compartments that contribute to the retention, incorporation and environmental fate of anthropogenic particles in urban wetlands, emphasizing their potential value as bioindicators of particulate pollution

Biological invasions threaten tropical biodiversity, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying successful invaders remain poorly understood. Thunbergia alata (Black-eyed Susan) is an aggressive “genomic orphan” invader in Andean forests, causing significant ecological disruption. This study establishes the first high-quality de novo transcriptome assembly for T. alata, providing a foundational molecular resource. We performed differential expression analysis under varying light conditions, revealing a massive transcriptomic shift involving over 4,000 differentially expressed genes. Our findings demonstrate a robust “physiological priming” mechanism, characterized by the up-regulation of SnRK1 subunits for energy sensing and strategic management of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) within the thylakoid membrane. Furthermore, the fine-tuning of PIF/Auxin modules and the condition-specific induction of NAC and WRKY transcription factors facilitate shade avoidance and rapid vertical growth. The identification of a substantial reservoir of species-specific “not classified” genes suggests that novel genetic elements contribute to T. alata’s adaptive success. By elucidating these key regulatory networks, this research provides a vital genomic baseline for future studies on adaptive evolution and the development of molecularly informed strategies for managing and controlling this invasive species in new environments.

Los humedales del bajo Nechí cumplen funciones ecológicas esenciales —regulación hídrica, provisión de hábitat y soporte de la biodiversidad— y han sido, durante siglos, escenario de prácticas culturales, saberes locales e imaginarios colectivos. Entre el río y la ciénaga: plantas acuáticas del bajo Nechí es una guía para descubrir y comprender uno de los paisajes más dinámicos y estratégicos de Colombia: el entramado de humedales que se configura en el bajo Nechí, donde el río Cauca y múltiples afluentes tejen una compleja red de aguas, ciénagas y planicies inundables que sostienen una diversidad extraordinaria, resiliente e impresionante. Con un lenguaje accesible, pero rigurosamente fundamentado, este libro invita a reconocer las plantas acuáticas como la base estructural y funcional de estos ecosistemas: organismos silenciosos y poco visibles que regulan el agua, sostienen cadenas tróficas y hacen posible la vida en ambientes sujetos a pulsos de inundación y cambios constantes. En sus páginas se presentan más de cien especies de plantas acuáticas, explorando su diversidad, formas de vida y relaciones con el entorno, con el propósito de fomentar una mirada más cercana, informada y consciente hacia estos ecosistemas megadiversos. En un contexto de escasos estudios dedicados a la vegetación acuática en Colombia, esta guía nace del trabajo de campo, la observación paciente y el diálogo con comunidades locales, buscando tender puentes entre la ciencia y la sociedad. Es, ante todo, una invitación a valorar un patrimonio natural que, aunque a menudo pasa desapercibido, resulta vital para el presente y el futuro de nuestros ríos y ciénagas Dirigido a lectores de todas las edades y formaciones, el libro propone un acercamiento al complejo y sorprendente mundo de las plantas acuáticas, resaltando su papel en los ecosistemas más dinámicos del país. La obra se inspira en los aportes de numerosos investigadores que han dedicado su vida al estudio de esta diversidad: un compendio de especies que conviven de manera aparentemente sencilla, pero profundamente organizada, en miles de hectáreas de humedales interconectados. Espacios que, pese a su heterogeneidad, comparten un principio común que los gobierna por igual: la presencia y el movimiento constante de una columna de agua que estructura la vida.

En este libro conocerás diferentes especies sorprendentes que hacen parte de la biodiversidad de La Unión: anfibios, reptiles, aves, mamíferos, árboles, arbustos y una amplia gama de hermosas flores que adornan estas páginas y presentan la diversidad de fauna y flora de nuestra tierra, donde aún contamos con una gran riqueza natural que nos permite contemplar montañas multicolores, aguas frescas, el canto de las aves y el encantador sonido de las especies que habitan los bosques de La Unión. Con el fin de consolidar evidencias científicas sobre la biota del municipio, la Alcaldía de La Unión, en convenio con la Universidad Católica de Oriente y con el apoyo de Pajariando en las Alturas, unimos esfuerzos en la ejecución del convenio con el objetivo de "caracterización biótica de los ecosistemas estratégicos asociados al municipio", con el cual pretendíamos generar un producto que presentara a la población del municipio la riqueza de su territorio. Además, con los resultados de la investigación se pretendía sentar un precedente para la sentar un precedente para la determinación de estrategias de protección y conservación de estos ecosistemas estratégicos, estrategias de conservación de estos ecosistemas estratégicos. Varios profesionales, expertos en avifauna, herpetofauna, mastofauna y flora, observaron, investigaron y flora, observaron, investigaron y examinaron cientos de especies en Morro San Miguel y Las Brisas San Miguel y el Sendero Ecológico Las Brisas, dos ecosistemas estratégicos del municipio de del municipio de La Unión. Luego del trabajo de campo y del proceso de consolidación del informe técnico, los investigadores cuentan con información taxonómica detallada en cuanto a la división, clase, orden, familia y género de las especies o morfoespecies encontradas.

Weeds can have both positive and negative effects on agricultural environments. However, despite the growing interest in the ecology of weed communities in agricultural areas, a few studies have been carried out in the northern region of the Andes of Colombia, where urban and agricultural expansion have generated highly disturbed scenarios. The aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of vegetation and weed seed banks in three agricultural production systems and a forest ecosystem in the northern Andes of Colombia. Hill numbers were used to compare diversity, Beta diversity to assess changes in composition, and range—abundance–dominance curves at different sites. Likewise, indicator species were analyzed to find species associations to each system. The results revealed differences in the composition of weeds between the forest ecosystem and the agricultural production systems, with higher equitability in the forest ecosystem and higher dominance in agricultural systems. Significant differentiation was observed among the dominant species within each agricultural system, particularly highlighting those species considered pests due to their unique life history traits. These traits confer them with a greater advantage in the face of various anthropogenic selection pressures. These findings highlight the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on the ecological dynamics of weed communities in different ecosystems, which should be considered when planning integrated weed management techniques.

Weeds can have both positive and negative effects on agricultural environments. However, despite the growing interest in the ecology of weed communities in agricultural areas, few studies have been carried out in the northern region of the Andes of Colombia, where urban and agricultural expansion have gen-erated highly disturbed scenarios. The aim of this study is to analyze the diversity of vegetation and weed seed banks in three agricultural production systems and a forest ecosystem in the northern Andes of Colombia. Hill numbers were used to compare diversity, Beta diversity to assess changes in composition, and range-abundance-dominance curves at different sites. Likewise, indicator species were analyzed to find species associations to each system. The results revealed differences in the composition of weeds between the forest ecosystem and the agricultural production systems, with higher equitability in the forest ecosystem and higher dominance in agricultural systems. A higher differentiation was observed in the dominant species of each agricultural system, highlighting those considered pests due to their life history traits, giving them greater success against various anthropogenic selection pressures. These findings highlight the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on the ecological dynamics of weed com-munities in different ecosystems, which should be considered when planning integrated weed manage-ment techniques.

Seed dormancy is a key trait used around the world to help understand the ecological dynamics of plant species, however, in some ecosystems such as the Andean forests of Colombia, the identification of dormancy class remains poorly known. To address this, we described the morphology, anatomy and dormancy class of the seeds and fruits of 14 species using microtome sections, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Five native pioneer species showed Morphophysiological Dormancy, three Physical Dormancy + Physiological Dormancy and two Physical Dormancy, whereas two invasive species showed Physiological Dormancy. Only the species of the genus Cecropia had seeds with PY + PD that was promoted by the anatomical structure of the achenes. Of the analysed species, 85% showed dormancy and followed a pattern like other tropical montane ecosystems in the world. The anatomy of achenes and development of seed dormancy play important roles in the capacity of Cecropia species to contribute to the natural regeneration of Andean ecosystems. Additionally, seed dormancy may promote the high invasiveness of Thunbergia alata and Ulex europaeus in the Andean forests of the Central Cordillera of Colombia.