Rainfall interception by endemic plants versus short cycle crops

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This study showed that in the páramo ecosystem the main vegetal species are adapted to low rainfall intensities and conduct over 50% of rainwater through stemflow directly to the soil. Given the importance of native vegetation in the upper slopes of the Pichincha volcano, and the weak potential of stemflow of cultivated plants, the results of our study underline the importance of maintaining the páramo native plant cover as an essential soil ecosystemic service provider and as a regulator of the water reservoir for the lowlands where the main cities in Western Andes are located.

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