scholarly journals Differences of vegetation structure and diversity of a forest in an altitudinal gradient of the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 598
Author(s):  
Jesús Manuel Rascón-Ayala ◽  
Eduardo Alanís-Rodríguez ◽  
Arturo Mora-Olivo ◽  
Enrique Buendía-Rodríguez ◽  
Laura Sánchez-Castillo ◽  
...  

<p class="Default"><strong>Background:</strong> The Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve is located which is considered an “island of vegetation” within an arid environment. Considering that this protected natural area has an altitudinal gradient that ranges from 500 to 2,100 meters above sea level.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Hypothesis:</strong> Higher altitudinal gradient decreases abundance, basal area and diversity of plant species.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Studied species and data description:</strong> The data analyzed in this study included the structural variables of abundance (N ha<sup>-1</sup>), basal area (m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>-1</sup>) and diversity (alfa and beta) of arborous species in areas with different elevations.</p><p class="Pa8"><strong>Study site and dates: </strong>This study was carried out in four localities of the tropical deciduous forest and broadleaved forest.<strong> </strong>In the spring of 2016.<strong></strong></p><p class="Pa8"><strong>Methods:</strong> Five circular sampling plots of 500 m<sup>2</sup> for arborous vegetation and 1m<sup>2</sup> for herbaceous vegetation were established in every vegetation community, resulting in 20 sampling plots. <strong>Results:</strong> Sixteen families, 22 genera and 22 vascular plant species were recorded. The most diverse family was Fabacea with four species followed by Cactaceae with three species. The abundance, dominance and diversity of vegetation species did not show any decrease (or increase) tendency of values as the altitudinal gradient augmented.</p><p class="Pa7"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The hypothesis is rejected because abundance, dominance and diversity of vegetation species do not show any decrease or increase tendency as the altitudinal gradient augmented. The vegetation communities showed a high similarity in the composition of species.</p>

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Baranovski

Nowadays, bioecological characteristics of species are the basis for flora and vegetation studying on the different levels. Bioecological characteristics of species is required in process of flora studying on the different levels such as biotopes or phytocenoses, floras of particular areas (floras of ecologically homogeneous habitats), and floras of certain territories. Ramensky scale is the one of first detailed ecological scales on plant species ordination in relation to various environmental factors; it developed in 1938 (Ramensky, 1971). A little later (1941), Pogrebnyak’s scale of forest stands was proposed. Ellenberg’s system developed in 1950 (Ellenberg, 1979) and Tsyganov’s system (Tsyganov, 1975) are best known as the systems of ecological scales on vascular plant species; these systems represent of habitat detection by ecotopic ecomorphs of plant species (phytoindication). Basically, the system proposed by Alexander Lyutsianovich Belgard was the one of first system of plant species that identiified ectomorphs in relation to environmental factors. As early as 1950, Belgard developed the tabulated system of ecomorphs using the Latin ecomorphs abbreviation; he also used the terminology proposed in the late 19th century by Dekandol (1956) and Warming (1903), as well as terminology of other authors. The article analyzes the features of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs on vascular plants. It has certain significance and advantages over other systems of ecomorphs. The use of abbreviated Latin names of ecomorphs in tabular form enables the use shortened form of ones. In the working scheme of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs relation of species to environmental factors are represented in the abbreviated Latin alphabetic version (Belgard, 1950). Combined into table, the ecomorphic analysis of plant species within association (ecological certification of species), biotope or area site (water area) gives an explicit pattern on ecological structure of flora within surveyed community, biotope or landscape, and on environmental conditions. Development and application by Belgrard the cenomorphs as «species’ adaptation to phytocenosis as a whole» were completely new in the development of systems of ecomorphs and, in this connection, different coenomorphs were distinguished. Like any concept, the system of ecomorphs by Belgard has the possibility and necessity to be developed and added. Long-time researches and analysis of literature sources allow to propose a new coenomorph in the context of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs development: silvomargoant (species of forest margin, from the Latin words margo – edge, boundary (Dvoretsky, 1976), margo – margin, ad margins silvarum – along the deciduous forest margins). As an example of ecomorphic characterization of species according to the system of ecomorphs by Belgard (when the abbreviated Latin ecomorph names are used in tabular form and the proposed cenomorph is used), it was given the part of the table on vascular plants ecomorphs in the National Nature Park «Orelsky» (Baranovsky et al). The Belgard’s system of ecomorphs is particularly convenient and can be successfully applied to data processing in the ecological analysis of the flora on wide areas with significant species richness, and the proposed ecomorph will be another necessary element in the Belgard’s system of ecomorphs. 


2017 ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Jorge Martínez-Meléndez ◽  
Miguel Ángel Pérez-Farrera ◽  
Oscar Farrera-Sarmiento

A total of 502 species that belong to 115 families and 301 genera were recorded for Mt. El Cebu and adjacent zones in Polygon V of the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve. The most speciose families were Orchiclaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Bromeliaceae and polypodiaceae with 58, 29, 28, 17, and 17 species, respectively. Six plant communities were recognized in the area, among which the cloud forest was the most diverse with 234 species, followed by pine-oak fore st with 150 species, and the tropical rain forest with 127. The oak forest and the tropical deciduous forest were less diverse, with 71 and 39 species, respectively. Only 13 species are included in the Mexican red list of endangered taxa.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oxana Cherednichenko ◽  
Tatiana Gavrilova

Here we present the sampling event dataset that contributes to studying the flora of grasslands in Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve (part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves), Tver Oblast, Russia. The Reserve is located in the SW part of the Valdai Upland within the main Caspian-Baltic watershed of the Russian plain (Latitude: 56° 26' – 56° 39' N, Longitude: 32° 29' – 33° 01' E). The territory of Central Forest Reserve belongs to the subzone of subtaiga. The dataset includes the occurrences of vascular plant species in four types of grasslands from 209 vegetation plots (8,506 associated occurrences), collected in 2013-2014. The dataset described in this paper has never been published before. As the grasslands in Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve are relatively unstudied, we are providing a new comprehensive dataset on the vascular plant species occurrences in the grasslands of the Reserve. The dataset contains representative information on floristic composition of plant communities in localities with assigned GPS coordinates. As the vegetation of the Reserve is typical of the subtaiga subzone, the results of analysing this dataset can be useful for grassland management in the whole subtaiga subzone. During this study, we found one vascular plant species included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, three species from the Red Data Book of Tver Oblast, as well as 10 alien vascular plant species for the Reserve. These data, especially, the occurrences of protected and alien species, contribute to our knowledge of species composition of the grasslands of the Reserve.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 2314 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ventura-Cordero ◽  
P. G. González-Pech ◽  
C. A. Sandoval-Castro ◽  
J. F. J. Torres-Acosta ◽  
J. Tun-Garrido

Goats browsing in a tropical deciduous forest (TDF) obtain a large proportion of their diet from a large number of plant species. Nevertheless, the goat’s feed resource selection has not been studied in such an ecosystem. This study aimed to determine whether goats browsing in a TDF display active feed resource selection. Two browsing sites were used (A = 2.2 ha and B = 2.6 ha). The effective availability (g) of all plant species available was measured for each site using 10 m × 20 m exclusion quadrants. Three non-pregnant adult goats (34.9 ± 2.4 kg liveweight) with browsing experience were observed using the continuous bite monitoring method to determine their respective dry matter intake. The selection of different plants was determined using the Jacobs’ selection index (JSI). The goats’ dry matter intake per day was 723 and 310.8 g for Sites A and B, respectively. At both browsing sites, the plant with the highest biomass availability was Gymnopodium floribundum (75.5% and 49.3% for Sites A and B, respectively). Nevertheless, the plant species most actively selected by goats were Eragrostis ciliaris at Site A (JSI = 0.99, P < 0.05) and Mimosa bahamensis at Site B (JSI = 0.96, P < 0.05). Some plant species were not consumed at Sites A and B (three and five species, respectively). In conclusion, feed resource selection was not associated with the biomass availability of the plants selected or refused. Goats were able to show active feed resource selection in the TDF, and this could change according to the characteristics of the browsing site.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 275 (2) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
JOB KUIJT ◽  
VICTOR W. STEINMANN

Phoradendron longicaule (Viscaceae), a new, nearly leafless species of mistletoe from the Infiernillo-Zicuirán Biosphere Reserve of southern Michoacán, Mexico, is described and illustrated.  It occurs in a tropical deciduous forest at elevations of 400 to 500 m, and all known hosts belong to Fabaceae. The long, straight, pendulous stems and elongated vegetative internodes are distinctive features. It is most similar to P. nudum but differs by having 3 or 4 pistillate flowers per fertile bract, expanded albeit highly reduced leaves, and longer vegetative internodes. It is also similar to P. teretifolium from which it differs by having a pendulous habit, longer vegetative internodes, 3 or 4 pistillate flowers per fertile bract, and fruits on short internodes.


Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1750 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUIS CANSECO-MÁRQUEZ ◽  
GUADALUPE GUTIÉRREZ-MAYEN ◽  
ANDRÉS ALBERTO MENDOZA-HERNÁNDEZ

A new species of Lepidophyma from the Biosphere Reserve area of Tehuacan-Cuicatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico, is described. This new species, Lepidophyma cuicateca sp. nov., is known from two areas in the Cuicatlan Valley. Lepidophyma cuicateca sp. nov. is a member of the Lepidophyma gaigeae species Group and is characterized by its small body size, small size of tubercular body scales, poorly differentiated caudal whorls and interwhorls, and relatively large dorsal, ventral and gular scales. It lives in shady places, below rocks along the Apoala River, and is commonly found in plantain, sapodilla, cherimoya, mango and coffee plantations, as well as tropical deciduous forest. The description of L. cuicateca sp. nov. increases the number of species in the L. gaigeae Group to five.


Taxonomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-424
Author(s):  
Victor W. Steinmann

A taxonomic and nomenclatural review of the genus Croton (Euphorbiaceae) in the Mexican state of Michoacán is presented. Six sections and 20 species are here reported. The greatest diversity is in the Balsas Depression province, where at least 12 species occur. There is a strong tendency to thrive in tropical deciduous forest. An identification key is provided, and for each species, the following information is included: protologue citation, type information, habit, habitat, and elevation within the state, regional and global distribution, and phenology. Relevant synonyms are listed, as too are herbarium specimens. Lectotypes are designated for Croton draco, C. niveus, and C. calvescens. One species, Croton rojasii, is described as new and illustrated with photos. It is known only from tropical deciduous forest in the Zicuirán-Infiernillo Biosphere Reserve, at elevations from 400 to 700 m. It belongs to sect. Geiseleria and is remarkable because of the strongly unequal pistillate sepals, the larger of which becoming accrescent and exceeding the fruit.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 63-83
Author(s):  
Roger Cauich-Kumul ◽  
Hugo Delfín-González ◽  
Abdiel Martín-Park ◽  
Pablo Manrique-Saide ◽  
Víctor López-Martínez

The species diversity composition and phenological behaviour of four braconid subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae, Braconinae, Doryctinae and Macrocentrinae) were monitored in three vegetation communities (dune vegetation, tropical deciduous forest and savannah) of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve (RLBR) in Yucatan, Mexico. Braconid wasps were collected with Malaise traps every 15 days over one year (June 2008 to June 2009). A total of 2,476 specimens were inventoried comprising 233 species and 63 genera. The composition of braconids and their lifestyles differed among the three vegetation communities studied. Doryctinae was the most diverse and abundant subfamily in RLBR (40 genera, 145 species, 990 specimens) and the tropical deciduous forest recorded the maximum abundance and diversity (H’= 4.1; alpha value= 1.059), with 61 exclusive species. Phenological sequence indicates an influence of the rainy season in braconid diversity, but its effects differed among braconid subfamilies and among the vegetation communities. Finally, the importance of the RBRL as a conservation site for this hymenopterous wasp is discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Elena Anatolyevna Borisova ◽  
Dmitriy Sergeevich Markov ◽  
Anton Aleksandrovich Kurganov

The paper deals with the ecological research of Ivanovo Region natural monument Lake Vazal (reservoir in town Yuzha). The reservoir is located in Yuzha of the Ivanovo Region, it was founded in 1859 by the overlapping a small river Vazovka with dam filling a formed basin with water. This reservoir was named Lake Vazal. The reservoir was recognized as a natural monument of regional value in 1975. The author describes different parameters of the lake and presents a bathymetric schema of the bottom. The relief of the lake banks is characterized. There are sod-shallow podzolic medium-power, medium sod medium- and low-humic sandy soils on the water-ice scurf on the banks of the lake. The water analysis is made. Meadow, marshy, aquatic and hygrophytic plant communities of this protected area are described briefly. The author has registered 277 vascular plant species from 3 divisions, 4 classes, 64 families and 180 genera, among them 3 species ( Sanguisorba officinalis , Lembotropis nigricans and Geranium palustre ) are included to the Ivanovo Region Red Data Book. 6 species are rare for the region flora. Populations of rare plant species are briefly characterized. Examples of alien and invasion plant species are given. The lake has a great hydrological and environment-forming value and forms a specific microclimate. The square of specially protected natural area is 42 hectares; the square of secured zone is 67,3 hectares.


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