Floristic Composition and Structural Patterns of Riparian Vegetation in the La Vega River Micro-Watershed, Tunja–Boyacá, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction. Urban riparian corridors are critical for biodiversity conservation, hydrological regulation, and ecosystem connectivity. However, anthropogenic pressures and extreme climate events have disrupted their ecological integrity, particularly in rapidly urbanizing Andean regions. Objectives. This study aims to characterize the floristic composition and structural attributes of woody vegetation in a riparian section of the La Vega River micro-watershed (Tunja, Boyacá), which was disturbed by dredging activities following the 2010– 2011 La Niña event. Materials and methods. Field sampling was conducted through 20 transects (50 × 2 m; total area 0.2 ha) along both riverbanks within the university campus. All woody individuals with a diameter at breast height (DBH) > 1 cm were recorded. Structural parameters (density, dominance, frequency, Importance Value Index), species richness estimators, and diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, Margalef) were calculated. Results. A total of 782 individuals were recorded, comprising 37 species, 28 genera, and 21 families. The family Fabaceae was dominant, with exotic species such as Acacia decurrens (IVI = 139%), A. mearnsii, and A. melanoxylon prevailing across the site. Native species including Juglans neotropica, Sambucus peruviana, Quercus humboldtii, and Prunus serotina showed lower abundance but play important ecological roles. Conclusions. The high dominance of exotic Acacia species indicates ongoing ecological alteration within the riparian corridor. Active management and restoration strategies are needed to curb the spread of invasive species and promote the recovery of native riparian vegetation.