  Two methods of exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), analysis of spatial
heterogeneity and dependence (auto-correlation), - - were applied to the cover
patterns from ten paramo localities in the Central and Eastern cordilleras of
Colombia. Among the localities studied, the high montane region of the Serrania
de Perija, the paramo region of the Los Nevados National Park, and the paramo
region under management of CORPOGUAVIO showed a good state of conservation and
satisfactory level of connectivity among patches. Anthropic intervention,
expansion of potato cultivation and other changes in land use mainly in the
paramos of the Cordillera Oriental have alteredd the distribution patterns of
natural vegetation types and resulted in significant losses of connectively.
Under the circumstancesany attempt to restore the original conditions will be
difficult and expensive. This problem is most acute in the paramo localities of
La Rusia, Bel\'en, Guantiva (towards the eastern slopes) Telecom, Merchan
Tablazo, the northeastern sector of the paramo of Sumapaz and the eastern
slopes of the mountains of Carmen de Carupa and surrounding areas. For the
mountains of Guanacaste and Las Delicias (areas influenced by the volcano
Purac\'e) the problem is more acute towards the northwestern sector. The
results of the present study can be applied to ecological restoration and
conservation as they provide detailed information about the distribution of
vegetation types andhabitatconnectivity, both indicators of ecosystem health.
