Indicator plants for sustainability assessment in Andean agro-ecosystems

The concept of indicator plants suggests that the plant community at a site reflects its environmental conditions. This study was conducted in the Cajamarca region of the Peruvian Andes, focusing on the agro-ecological zone of potatoes, Andean tubers, and small cereals. It analyzed weed communities associated with these crops to assess their indicator value regarding the sustainability of cropping systems. The methodological approach used, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), was effective in identifying indicator plants. Findings revealed that altitude and soil factors (pH, calcium carbonate, organic matter, and clay) primarily influence weed species composition, while management factors were less discernible at the resolution of this study. Indicator species can effectively aid in local site reconnaissance and regional comparisons within the same eco-region, though their relevance diminishes on a global scale. The fieldwork was part of a broader discussion on sustainability assessment, which includes economic, environmental, and social dimensions, as well as composite indicator concepts. Sustainability can be graphically represented across spatial and temporal dimensions, from local to global levels and over time spans from years to millennia. However, most approaches do not adequately address intergenerational time frames. Ultimately, sustainability assessment serves as a tool for problem analysis, while policy-making i