Structure of the advanced regeneration community in tropical rain forest fragments of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico |
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| Authors: | Irene Sánchez-Gallen Francisco Javier Álvarez-Sánchez |
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| Institution: | a Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Circuito Exterior s/n, Cd. Universitaria, 04510 México, D.F., Mexico
b Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, 58190 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico |
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| Abstract: | We characterized the tree seedling community within seven forest fragments of different size (3-640 ha) at Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. We considered individual density, species richness, diversity, composition and functional group (shade tolerant, non-pioneer-light demander and pioneer species). We recorded 8038 individuals, belonging to 128 species and 40 morphospecies. Overall, shade-tolerant species had the highest density and diversity followed by non-pioneer-light demanders and pioneer species. Mean individual density per plot was not related to fragment size, but mean species richness per plot, total observed species richness and diversity were inversely related to fragment size, with the smallest fragments having the highest values. Species composition comparisons highlighted low similarity among fragments. Furthermore, larger fragments shared more species with the smallest fragments than between each other. Our results show that the largest fragments do not always hold the highest species richness; that small fragments comprise of high seedling species diversity, and represent a high regeneration potential for tree native species in the study landscape. |
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| Keywords: | Diversity Fragmented landscape Los Tuxtlas Seedlings Species richness Tropical rain forest |
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