Analysis of the natural regeneration of a temperate arid forest in northeastern Mexico

Abstract

The objectives of the study were 1) to evaluate the composition and diversity of tree species in a reforested site in a temperate arid forest in northeast Mexico and 2) to estimate the survival percentage of a ten-year plantation of Pinus cembroides. A total of 14 sampling units of 1000 m² each were established where every individual was recorded. For each species the Importance Value Index (IVI) was calculated based on the relative abundance, the dominance and the frequency. A total of 19 species, 16 genera and 13 families were recorded. The most represented family was Pinaceae followed by Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae with 476 individuals ha^-1, 266 individuals ha^-1 and 161 individuals ha^-1, respectively. The families Anacardiaceae and Berberidaceae had the lowest presence (1 individual ha^-1). According to the IVI, the most ecologically important species were: Juniperus monosperma, Pinus cembroides and Mimosa texana, while Vachellia constricta, Rhus pachyrrhachis and Berberis trifoliolata presented an IVI of less than 1. Species richness and species diversity were estimated using the Margalef index (DMg = 2.51) and the Shannon index (H'= 2.07), which indicates that the forest had a medium species richness and diversity. The survival of the Pinus cembroides plantation was 47.6%, with an estimated 476 living individuals per hectare.