Abstract

RUBIO CAMACHO, Ernesto Alonso et al. Relationship between necromass, woody species composition and possible implications of climate change in temperate forests. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.spe13, pp.2601-2614. ISSN 2007-0934.

Anthropogenic action and extreme climatic changes have altered the natural fire regime in a number of forest ecosystems, so it is necessary to know the fuel load, since this is the only factor from the fire triangle that can be manipulated. This study aims to determine surface necromass load available and analyze its relationship with the composition of species in the forest area from the Ecological Campus Iturbide, managed by the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon. In this area two stands, with presence (P1) and absence (P2) of fire were selected, where loads of dead wood material (MLC) were quantified, fallen leaves horizon (HO) and fermentation (HF), moreover, conducted a sampling of smaller trees (d0.3 ≤ 7.5cm). Among the main findings it was observed that the load of necromass was lower in the area with traces of fire (P1= 36.6 Mg ha-1 and P2= 49.6 Mg ha-1; p< 0.001). As for species composition, 20 were recorded in both plots, though the composition was different, at P1 the species with the highest number of individuals was Quercus sp. (1 401 Nha-1) while in P2 was Rhus virens (1 719 Nha-1), both species with different response to fires. It is important to highlight that pinus pseudostrobus, species with adaptations to fire, had higher density in burned area (P1= 923, P2= 255, p< 0.001). So it can be conclude that species composition is related with necromass loads, and that changes in the natural fire regime due to climate change and anthropogenic activity can alter the composition of these ecosystems.

Keywords : Pinus pseudostrobus; Quercus sp.; Rhus virens; importance value index (IVI); pine-oak forest.

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