Do paramo ecosystems depend on glacial geoforms to exist? or can the exist wherever climate conditions are suitable?
I know that due to the variation on temperature given by glacial-intergacial cycles, two process occurs: an altitudinal variability on the bioclimatic floors, generating that paramo ecosystem goes lower or higher depending on the temperature, going lower when is colder and higher when is warmer, the same happens with glaciar environment, the glaciar goes lower when is colder and higher when is warmer.
It is known that in Colombia the maximum extension of glaciar masses was 2400 meters above sea level, and right now due to the temperature conditions paramo ecosystems are located among 3000 meters above sea level, and 4000 meters above sea level, covering old glacial landforms.
but is this a casual relationship between glacial landforms and paramo ecosystems? or there any posibility that paramos has generated a straight relationship with those glacial geoforms?
I mean, for example, due to the high rugosity of the glacial landforms there is the posibility of having a lot of wetlands, which are characteristics of paramo ecosystems, but what if everything were smooth? and no wetland environments characteristics of paramos ecosystem were possible to exist? what about drainage patterns? are those important to the existence of paramos?
Hi,
This is a very good question. I don't know a lot about this particular ecosystem so please, think of my reply more as an opinion than an absolute answers.
To sustain a Paramo, the climate appears to me as the primary factor. As a secondary factor, I would tend to consider the landscape's slope values in general, no matter the landscape's genesis.
That said, there might have a relation between glacial geomorphology and the Paramo ecosystem; only, not a straight one. A glacial environment can carve and build various landforms by various processes.
Once the glacial condition is over, the terrain may be affected by a periglacial condition, where permafrost engages another set of geomorphic processes. Again, they result in various landforms. Periglacial conditions also sustain an ecologic pattern different from where permafrost is absent.
Finally, the Paramo ecosystem appears to me as a wide biota that encompasses a very great diversity of landforms, all priorly affected by glacial and/or periglacial processes. Now, these same landforms are affected by the actual climate and the ecosystem that comes with it. At a finer scale, maybe some ''Paramo sub-ecosystems'' would fit with some specific landforms. It's another question.
Sincerly
MS
PS. This paper and its references could be helpful (if you don't already have it):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222297333_Description_and_classification_of_nonallophanic_Andosols_in_south_Ecuadorian_alpine_grasslands_%28pramo%29
Article Description and classification of nonallophanic Andosols in ...
Dear Diana,
I know paramos are very unique ecosystems, but from a similar question i had for Bolivian highland wetlands (16°S, above 4200 m a.sl.l), my conclusion is that wetlands from glacier valleys have a stronger dependency on spatial and temporal availability of rain water, rather than to proximity or conection to glaciers. Both glaciers and wetlands seem to respond similarly to precipitation, but with a higher variability in the case of the wetlands.
As a consequence, physical and geomorphological features, within the associated basins, that regulate the reception, accumulation and distribution of raining water (such as shape, gravelius index, size, presence of other upstream wetlands, and slope of the wetland itself), seem to have a more significative influence on the maintenance or retreat of wetlands than other factors (such as % of glacier area).
In any case, the complexity of the multiple factors make each valley a different study case, in which the very important hydrogeological systems may also play a significant role (as a source of water).
If you read spanish, let me suggest you this article, and please feel free to make comments about it.
I hope this was useful. greetings from Bolivia
GZ
Article Uso de imágenes satelitales, modelos digitales de elevación ...
Development of glaciers implies a certain altitude, low temperatures and solid precipitation (snow). But also, and this is most important, it requires appropriate relief where snow accumulates and then transformed into glacial ice. Glacial erosion occurs and is further ahead in the area of ice accumulation. As described in the "páramos" are plains, situated at a height suitable to serve accumulation area neve and ice formation. In the area of ice accumulation is expected that there is too much erosion, and thus preserved virtually intact in the postglacial period. Currently the ice has disappeared, and hence the height to which it is located can develop the páramos. In my opinion the glacier area -páramos relationship is real and is essentially due to topography factor.