Abstract

SANOJA, Elio. Dendrological list of montane forests of La Escalera, Sierra de Lema, Bolivar State, Venezuela. Acta Bot. Venez., June 2009, vol.32, no.1, p.79-111. ISSN 0084-5906.

A check-list of 239 tree morphospecies collected in the montane forests of La Escalera, Sierra de Lema (Bolívar State) between 1000-1530 m asl, and some Pemon-Arekuna names are given. Floristic analysis reveals a remarkable richness of Lauraceae (23) but a relative scarcity of legumes (14). So far, a new record for Venezuela, six new species for science, together with a high level of local endemism (13,7%), have been found in these laurel forest. However, the lack of floristic information on other montane forests of the Guianan Massif makes it difficult to apply comparative criteria.

Keywords: Endemism; Guianan Massif; La Escalera; laurel forests; Pemon-Arekuna; Sierra de Lema; trees.