Abstract

ARASA-GISBERT, Ricard; ARROYO-RODRIGUEZ, Víctor; ORTIZ-DIAZ, Juan Javier  and  MARTINEZ, Esteban. Regeneration of woody plants in tropical rainforest patches: community structure and new records for Chiapas, Tabasco and Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2021, vol.92, e923502.  Epub Nov 29, 2021. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2021.92.3502.

This study presents the floristic list of regenerating trees, shrubs and palms sampled in 60 tropical rainforests fragments in 3 different regions (n = 20 per region): Marqués de Comillas (Chiapas), Los Tuxtlas (Veracruz) and northern region of Chiapas. In each fragment, we recorded saplings in 25 8 m2-circular plots (200 m2 per fragment). In total, we recorded 24,612 individuals belonging to 431 species, 220 genera and 70 families, including 3 new records, 2 at the state level (Piper phytolaccifolium Opiz and Coccoloba acuminata Kunth) and 1 at the national level (Piper philodendroides Standl. et Steyerm.). Mean species density was significantly higher in the best-preserved landscape (Marqués de Comillas) than in the most degraded one (northern Chiapas), and Los Tuxtlas presented an intermediate value. According to the regeneration strategy, 43% of the species were generalists (intermediate succession species), 31% shade tolerant and 13% pioneers (early succession). All regions were dominated by few species; most were rare. The percentage of threatened species did not differ between regions (5.5-6%). This study highlights the regenerative potential of forest fragments and their high conservation value in the face of increasing deforestation and degradation that threaten their persistence.

Keywords : Sapling; Floristic composition; Conservation; Diversity; Advance regeneration; Taxonomic richness; Tropical rainforests.

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