Efecto de la severidad del incendio y análisis de la cobertura vegetal: Diversidad y respuestas adaptativas en comunidades vegetales del Nororiente Colombiano.

Abstract

Fires represent one of the most significant disturbance agents in high Andean ecosystems, affecting vegetation cover, biodiversity, and various biological mechanisms essential for plant growth and development. This study evaluated the post-fire recovery of vegetation cover, identifying key plant species and their adaptive responses following the fire that occurred in January 2024. An integrated approach was used, combining multiple scales of analysis including satellite data (NDVI/dNBR from Sentinel-2) and field monitoring. The ecosystem displayed substantial resilience, recovering 170 out of the 175 affected hectares within eight months. Areas of moderate vegetation cover, according to NDVI classification, increased from 8% to 52%, while bare soil presence decreased from 76% to 1%. Species diversity, distributed across varying fire severity levels, reflected distinct ecological restoration patterns. The greatest vegetation development occurred in less-affected areas, where higher species richness, balance, and dominance were observed. The most representative species were Monticalia ledifolia, Myrsine coriaceae, and Macleania rupestris. Functional trait analysis showed significant increases in burned areas (p < 0.05) in terms of leaf thickness (0.79 mm vs 0.56 mm), blade length (46 mm vs 40 mm), specific leaf area (46 cm²/g vs 40 cm²/g), and water content. These findings demonstrate that fire severity directly influences plant composition, regeneration mechanisms, and functional traits as adaptive responses to fire-induced conditions. The study also highlights the importance of integrating satellite data and field-based monitoring methodologies.