Geographical distribution of Tillandsia lomas in the Atacama ... - IEB

ARTICLE IN PRESSR. Pinto et al. / Journal of Arid Environments 65 (2006) 543–552 54920AREA (km 2 )10018 19 20 21 22LATITUDE SOUTH (degrees)Fig. 4. Latitudinal distribution of the area covered by recorded Tillandsia lomas along the Coastal AtacamaDesert, northern Chile. The system found at Quebrada Vitor was excluded from the analysis as it is composed ofmostly dead mounds covered by sand.3.2. Iquique6. Cerro Guanacos—Cerro Isla: This Tillandia loma community goes inland at a 451 angleto the NE from the coast. The system includes at least eleven Tillandsia stands,distributed from Cerro Guanacos (20123 0 S, 70106 0 W) near the coast to Cerro Isla(20113 0 S, 69154 0 W) further inland. The largest systems are found between CerroGuanaco and Cerro Oyarbide (20125 0 S, 70105 0 W). Other Tillandsia stands are locatedat Cerro Huantajaya (20113 0 S, 701W), Minas Viejas (20115 0 S, 69159 0 W), Cerro Carpas(20117 0 S, 70101 0 W) and El Godo (20120 0 S, 70102 0 W). For this system we recorded thepresence of T. virescens growing on rocks in two Tillandsia stands, Cerro Isla andCerro Carpas.7. Cerro Oyarbide Sur—Cerro Pajonal: This system goes inland at a 251 angle to the SEfrom the coast. The system includes at least six Tillandsia stands, distributed fromCerro Oyarbide Sur (20130 0 S, 70103 0 W) to Cerro Pajonal (20148 0 S, 69157 0 W). Thewidest one is found between Cerro Oyarbide Sur and Cerro Soronal (20134 0 S,70102 0 W). Other Tillandsia stands are found south-west of Salar Soronal (20137 0 S,701W) and at Cerro Pajonal III (20141 0 S, 69159 0 W).8. Cerro Península: This system is formed by at least four Tillandsia stands distributed atthe mountain ranges to the west and south of Cerro Penı´nsula (21110 0 S, 701W), at thesouthern end of Salar Grande. It is formed by sparse and isolated stands of Tillandsia.9. Cerro Chipana: This Tillandsia loma community is located at the southern range ofCerro Chipana (21116 0 S, 70101 0 W). It is close to the coast and shares its habitat withshrubby and herbaceous lomas. Between the most characteristic species, we can findthe cactus Eulychnia iquiquensis; shrubs such as Tetragonia angustifolia, Lycium deserti,Ophryosporus floribundus, Nolana peruviana and Nolana sedifolia; geophytes such asOxalis thyrsoidea, Alstroemeria violacea, Leucocoryne appendiculata, Oziroe biflora;