ALPINE PLANT-COMMUNITIES OF GUATEMALA

The plant communities of the alpine zones of the volcanoes Tajumulco, Tacana and Acatenango, i.e. the vegetation above the upper timberline of the subalpine Pinus hartwegii forest were for the first time studie d phytosociologically. Two communities were distinguished and describe d, namely (1) Luzula racemosa-Arenaria bryoides and (2) Lupinus montan us-Calamagrostis vulcanica. Indirect ordination (DCA) of the phytosoci ological data were used to ponder affinity among plant communities. DC A ordination helped further to elucidate soil moisture and disturbance as likely environmental factors governing the distribution of these a lpine plant communities.