Artropofauna epigea in Estambul páramo (Tolima), Colombia

Páramos can store and capture atmospheric carbon dioxide, which make them toolsin the storage and equilibrium of the water cycle and the regulation of the regional climate. Given the importance of páramos, we conducted a study in 2013 to evaluate epigeal fauna in Estambul páramo (Tolima, Colombia). This study was conducted from 3100 m to 3600 m. Five sampling points were selected, efforts were made to locate each sampling station in conservation areas. In each location a linear transect of 100 m was established, points 20 m apart from each other were located. The sampling was done using three methods: leaf litter (mini-Winkler sacks), pitfall traps and manual search. We collected 2617 organisms, 28 orders and 75 families. The most abndant orders were Acari (606 individuals), Julida, Psocoptera, were less abundant, represented by only one individual cach one. It is important to mention that a considerable number of taxa were reported. According to non-parametric estimators of species richness Jack2 and Chao2, we recorded between 81 % and 90 % of the expected species, which indicates that the sampling effort was sufficient and our data is reliable. These results demonstrate that the sampled biota varies in composition, abundance and diversity mainly due to the effects ofgrazing and deforestation activities.