@article{fdi:010083139,
  title = {{M}apping the paramo land-cover in the {N}orthern {A}ndes},
  author = {{P}eyre, {G}. and {O}sorio, {D}. and {F}rancois, {R}. and {A}nthelme, {F}abien},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he {A}ndean paramo is a biodiverse and vulnerable tropical high-mountain region, whose spatio-ecological patterns remain understudied. {T}he lack of general characterization of its overall extent, land-cover classes, and treeline spatial features hinders our capacity to understand its responses to human impacts and predict future land-system changes. {T}o address this knowledge gap, we classified the land-cover of the paramo in the {N}orthern {A}ndes. {M}oreover, we estimated (1) the paramo's total extent and its distribution among the {A}ndean countries, (2) the relative extent of 12 of its main land-cover classes, categorized into natural vegetation, natural abiotic and anthropogenic groups, and (3) the preliminary position and anthropogenic influence of its bordering treeline. {R}elying on {L}andsat 8 imagery, we performed hybrid manual-automated classifications using the {M}aximum {L}ikelihood and {R}andom {F}orest algorithms. {T}he two resulting final classifications were manually checked for errors compared to {G}oogle {E}arth and {V}eg{P}aramo data, and used to produce the expert classification. {F}inally, we delimited the treeline based on regional forest connectivity, and applied it to the expert classification to evaluate paramo elevations, surface areas and land-cover classes above the {A}ndean treeline. {T}he paramo extent was estimated at 24,301 km(2), distributed between {E}cuador (47%), {C}olombia (43%), {V}enezuela (8%) and {P}eru (2%). {N}atural vegetation, especially shrublands, rosette plant communities and grasslands were dominant (altogether, 65%), whereas classes reflecting intense land-use covered 12% overall. {T}he average treeline reached 3546 m and was bordered uphill at 16% with anthropogenic land-cover classes. {T}he paramo's extent is smaller than previously suggested. {I}t remains a (semi-) natural region, yet the expansion of crops and pastures towards high elevations is a critical concern for long-term sustainability. {F}uture research can build on our findings to predict land-system changes and assess priority areas for conservation. {W}e recommend for future research to focus on remnant forest patches and treeline connectivity in priority.},
  keywords = {{EQUATEUR} ; {COLOMBIE} ; {VENEZUELA} ; {PEROU} ; {ANDES}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{I}nternational {J}ournal of {R}emote {S}ensing},
  volume = {42},
  numero = {20},
  pages = {7777--7797},
  ISSN = {0143-1161},
  year = {2021},
  DOI = {10.1080/01431161.2021.1964709},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010083139},
}