Abstract

PATINO-FLORES, A.M. et al. Structure and diversity of the tamaulipan thornscrub Regenerated after use for livestock. Polibotánica [online]. 2021, n.52, pp.75-88.  Epub Oct 18, 2021. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.52.6.

Livestock activity has caused a change in the plant structure of the communities in northeast Mexico. In recent years, the structure of the Tamaulipas thorn scrub has been studied after having been under some anthropogenic activity, but little research has addressed the issue of phylogeny to understand the assembly of species after the disturbance. In the present study, the objective was to evaluate the composition, structure and diversity of a regenerated plant community after livestock use with 36 years of regeneration. In addition, we evaluated if the phylogenetic distance between individuals correlated with the physical distance. It is expected that the most related individuals are more distant from each other as a strategy to reduce competition. Four plots of 40 m x 40 m were established. For each individual > 1 cm basal diameter d0.10. Total height, basal diameter and crown diameter were measured in the north-south and east-west directions. For the phylogenetic analysis, Havardia pallens, Vachellia farnesiana and Zanthoxylum fagara were chosen as focal species and the physical distance in cm with its five closest neighbors was measured. Phylogenetic distance was estimated by Time Tree, between the focal species and its five closest neighbors. Fiftheen species were recorded present in two low and middle strata. With the phylogeny analysis, Vachellia farnesiana showed a negative correlation between physical distance and phylogenetic distance, making it a facilitating species for its closest neighbors.

Keywords : facilitation; phylogeny; regeneration; functional traits.

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