Atmospheric nitrogen fixation in high tropical mountains: Venezuelan paramos

  • Ernesto Medina Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas. Caracas, Venezuela.
Keywords: N2 fixation, paramos, legumes symbiosis, actinorhizas, Rhizobium, Frankia

Abstract

This paper reviews the available information on atmospheric nitrogen (N2)-fixing angiosperm species in Andean localities of Venezuela, at elevations near or above the tree-line. In addition, I discuss the results of an exploratory survey on biological N2 fixation (BNF) based on the natural abundance of 15N and N concentration in soils and leaf tissues of species collected at contrasting elevations (2500 and 4000 m elevation) in sites located between Santo Domingo and the paramo of Piedras Blancas in the Mérida State, Venezuela. The paper aims to a) compare the BNF in tropical high mountains and temperate alpine regions and b) highlight research opportunities on the N cycle in tropical mountain environments.

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Published
2023-12-28
How to Cite
Medina, E. (2023). Atmospheric nitrogen fixation in high tropical mountains: Venezuelan paramos. Boletín Del Centro De Investigaciones Biológicas, 57(2), 129-145. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10499054