Abstract

PEREZ-LOPEZ, Ricardo Irving; GONZALEZ-ESPINOSA, Mario; RAMIREZ-MARCIAL, Neptalí  and  TOLEDO-ACEVES, Tarin. Effects of the “Silvicultural Development Method” on tree diversity in humid mountain forests of northern Chiapas, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2020, vol.91, e913326.  Epub Mar 01, 2021. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2020.91.3326.

The effects of the “Silvicultural Development Method” (MDS) on the relative importance of tree species (RIV), canopy cover, tree diversity and composition along a cycle of silvicultural treatments were evaluated and compared with unmanaged stands (SM) of montane humid forests of northern Chiapas, Mexico. Tree diversity and RIV were different among the SM and the final and initial stages of the MDS (p < 0.05), with no difference with the intermediate stage of the latter. Tree species composition and canopy cover differed between the SM and all stages of the MDS cycle. The forest structuring process through ecological succession and its impact by a reduced canopy cover (> 50%) are discussed. Implementing the MDS may maintain a substantial part of the tree assemblage structure as it can be found in slightly disturbed stands; yet it probably compromises the maintenance of a substantial part of the original floristic composition. These issues should be considered with regard to the wide use of the MDS in the face of the regional conservation of the high tree diversity of the montane humid forest.

Keywords : Biodiversity; Tropical forests; Conservation; Chronosequence; Silviculture.

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