Ecology of Extremes: Life on Fly Ash – Volcanoes and/or Sedimentation Ponds

Kovář P. a kol.

Volcanic activity is an important part of the natural history of the high Andes. We studied vegetation composition and diversity on old inactive (Chimborazo) and active (Cotopaxi) volcanoes. The vegetation was sampled on lahars of different age and compared with a Central European industrial deposit with similar substrate characteristics. Study of colonization and succession in the young volcano material and in the areas disturbed by human activities would help to elucidate the mechanisms behind vegetation and landscape restoration.

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