Influence of Microclimate, Ground Cover, and Canopy Openness on the Regeneration of Polylepis in the Peruvian Andes

Polylepis forests, considered relict ecosystems of great ecological importance in the Andes, face significant threats from degradation and climate change. This study evaluated the influence of microclimate, ground cover, and canopy openness on the natural regeneration of three Polylepis species (P. rodolfo-vasquezii, P. canoi, and P. flavipila) in high Andean Forest relics in the Junín and Lima regions of Peru. To achieve this, permanent plots were established in three representative forest patches: María Moya, Curimarca, and Laraos. At each site, 20 m× 20 m plots were delineated and subdivided into 5 m× 5 m quadrants. Within each plot, a central quadrant was selected where microclimatic variables (temperature and relative humidity), structural characteristics (vegetation and plant cover) and reproduction modes (sexual or asexual) in seedlings and/or saplings were recorded. Preliminary findings suggest that Polylepis regeneration may be shaped by canopy cover, which appears to influence the microclimatic conditions of the understory. Soil temperature also seems to play a meaningful role, varying according to the reproductive strategy of each species studied. Interestingly, the presence of lichens and bryophytes showed a potential inverse relationship with sexual regeneration, while more open canopies tended to support greater height in regenerating individuals. Taken together, these patterns point to a possible interplay between microclimate, ground cover, and canopy structure as key factors driving the natural regeneration dynamics of Polylepis ecosystems. These findings underscore the importance of understanding these dynamics to develop conservation strategies that maintain a balance between tree cover and understory functionality in high-Andean ecosystems.