EIn Colombia, around 40 % of the territory has been transformed due to demographic growth and changes in the use of soils². In the Andean region, deforestation has affected and transformed at least 60 % of the original area of ecosystems^3,4,5,6. Forests of oak trees have also been part of this phenomenon.

Oak tree forests are found between 750 and 3,450 m.a.s.l. on the three Andean mountain ranges and some isolated massifs in the Colombian Caribbean⁷. One of two species generally dominate such forests: the Andean or White Oak and the Black Oak. Many national contributions have increased knowledge about the floral composition and distribution of oak tree forests^8,9,11,12, as well as the ecological characterization of the forests in the Eastern^10,12,15,16, Central^12,13,14, and Western ¹⁷ Andes mountain ranges and recently also in the Caribbean massifs^18,7.

In the synthetic study of the Colombian oak forests¹ which was based on floral composition, species richness, structure (height of canopy), relative coverage by strata, dominant species, aerial biomass, and timber exploitation, it was established that there are three big types (or phytosociological classes) of oak forests that vary in their floral composition depending on local characteristics. One type is composed of Myrsino-Quercetea, and is generally found in the Andean region, in some locations of the sub-Andean region that are influenced by rainshadow phenomena, or in sub-humid slopes. This type of oak forest has a lower species richness, greater dominance and existing timber goods

In the sub-Andean region the other two classes of oak forests are found. Billio-Quercetea, which has a greater species richness and lower dominance of oak species, additionally to having characteristic associated species, and is found in conditions of high humidity and precipitation over 2,000 mm per year; Conceveibo-Colombobalanetea, Black Oaks, located between 1,335 and 2,166 m.a.s.l. in humid and sub-humid climates of Bolívar, Santander, Huila, and Valle del Cauca. This class has a lower species richness and greater values of dominance and biomass.

Statistical analyses identified altitude as a determining factor in how temperature influences floral composition and structure of oak forests. In some localities, the water regime (precipitation) is also a significant factor. These ecological considerations are relevant in defining conservation statuses and directing processes of forestry planning to achieve long-term management of forests and those ecosystem services they offer and are coveted by society at large.