Abstract

ESTRADA-CASTILLON, Eduardo et al. Classification, structure, and diversity of the piedmont scrub adjacent to the northern gulf coastal plain in northeastern Mexico. Bot. sci [online]. 2012, vol.90, n.1, pp.37-52. ISSN 2007-4476.

A study of piedmont scrub adjacent to the Gulf Coastal Plain in the State Nuevo Leon was carried out. Canopy cover values, density, height, frequency, and importance value from all shrub species of the piedmont scrub were recorded in each of the 39 sites sampled. We recorded 233 taxa, including 55 families, 150 genera, and 228 species. Thirty nine of the species define almost 95% of the different vegetation associations of the piedmont scrub. Seven dominant growth forms were recorded, shrubs, trees, rosetophyllous, succulents, herbs, lianas, and parasites. The shrubs are the dominant specie (116 species), followed by trees (39) and shrubby and herbaceous succulents (26). Non-thorny shrubs are the dominant species in the three strata of the piedmont scrub. Based on importance values of the 39 most important species, piedmont scrub was classified by means of cluster analysis. Four main groups and eight plant associations are recognized. We recorded 19 endemic species into the piedmont scrub, 15 herbs, three succulents (small cacti) and one tree, there is not endemic shrubby species in the piedmont scrub. Logging is the main cause of piedmont scrub loss around metropolitan area: Logged areas are converted to human settlements.

Keywords : cluster analysis; conservation; crasicaule; growth form; Nuevo Leon; Mexico.

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