Abstract

MORALES-HERNANDEZ, José Luis; GONZALEZ-RAZO, Felipe de Jesús  and  PEREZ-CHAVEZ, Manuel Antonio. Features of the epiphytic orchids and their phorophytes in the university ecological park “Jose Mariano Mociño” of the State of Mexico Autonomous University. Polibotánica [online]. 2016, n.42, pp.103-119. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.42.5.

During 2006, the abundance of the phorophyte/epiphytic orchid system was studied in the University ecological park “Jose Mariano Mociño” of the State of Mexico Autonomous University. A quantitative analysis of the phorphytes based on a centered quadrants method was made in the first stage, in the second one an abundance of ephifithic orchids was determined in a tridimensional environment based on own method by volume of treetops of the phorophyte that contained orchids. The results of the first stage shows predominance of encinos (Quercus spp) with a 1224 trees ha-1 density, a 12 370 m2 covery, 77% frequency and 2.35 of importance value. Second phase shows the abundance of orchids with significant differences (P < 0.05) between the sample groups as well between themselves showing an orchids community, with a significant statistical variation. The abundance of orchid/m3 phorophyte transects in the northern part was 0.094 and 0.048 in the southern part of the ecological park; the abundance of phorophytes and orchids was determined as an element to integrate conservation plans for the future in the plant community where they live.

Keywords : Epiphytes; abundance; quadrants; centered importance value.