Background:

Assuming that the population structures of Abies religiosa reflect patterns of use, exploitation, extraction and management, its structure and some demographic parameters were analyzed in populations subject to anthropogenic disturbances.

Hypothesis and/or questions:

What is the effect of selective loggin on population structure and natural regeneration of A. religiosa?

Species studied:

Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham.

Study sites and dates:

Mount Tláloc, Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park, years 2020-2022

Methods:

At three altitudinal levels, three 50 × 50 m plots were selected per level and all trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm were measured. Reproductive, damaged, dead trees and the diameter of stumps were recorded.

Results:

The structural pattern of the forest and by altitudinal level, revealed an Inverted-J shape, which suggests that mortality by DBH category is compensated with the recruitment of the previous diameter class. In general, trees reproduce from 29 cm DBH and tend to produce an increasing number of viable seeds with increases in DBH. However, at the upper and lower levels it reaches a maximum in trees with DBH between 60 and 70 cm, and in the intermediate level with DBH ≥ 90 cm.

Conclusions:

Selective tree removals do not seem to represent a risk to population viability, but rather by generating small light gaps (≤ 100 m2) they tend to promote the natural regeneration of A. religiosa.

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