Abstract

GAZCA GUZMAN, Maira Oriana  and  BENAVIDES MEZA, Héctor Mario. Assay of leguminous trees for reforestation of the second section of Chapultepec Park. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2012, vol.3, n.14, pp.39-54. ISSN 2007-1132.

The 2^nd Section of Chapultepec Park is an ecological preservation site and provides ecosystemic services and anthropocentric benefits to the inhabitants of the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City. In recent years the tree cover has shown a reduction and decline. This condition must be reverted and reforestation programs can do in a short period of time. A species test of six native leguminous trees was assessed to determine the response to the conditions of the 2^nd section. Survival rates varied among species (100 to 92.5%), but no significant differences were found. On the contrary, height and basal diameter growth rates were significantly different among species and the highest values were registered in Albizzia occidentalis and Senna multiglandulosa. The growth rate in basal diameter was also different among them and S. multiglandulosa, Acacia angustissima and A. occidentalis showed the highest results, in contrast Leucaena esculenta presented the smallest rate in both variables, but did not differ significantly from Eysenhardtia polystachya and Lysiloma divaricata. Evidence of damages caused to plants was registered, mainly due to pest attacks and vandalism, but they did not promote the death of plants. These results showed that the leguminous tree species tested could be a good choice for the reforestation of the 2^nd Section, but also the importance of these kinds of studies to determine the response of tree species to the planting sites, before they are widely use in urban reforestation programs.

Keywords : Chapultepec Park; Mexico City; tree growth; urban forestry; woody leguminous species; urban reforestation.

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