Abstract

HOLGUIN-ESTRADA, V.A. et al. Vertical structure of a gallery forest on an altitude gradient in northwestern of México. Polibotánica [online]. 2021, n.51, pp.55-71.  Epub May 06, 2021. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.51.4.

Most of the studies related to the structure and composition of tree communities are implemented at the horizontal level, only some consider the vertical. The objective of this study was to describe the diversity and vertical structure of tree communities along an altitudinal gradient in the Las Tinajas stream in Guachochi, Chih, Mexico, and provide an antecedent of the conformation of the species of said determined area to favor management decision making, three altitude amplitudes were considered: 1 (1831-2009 m), 2 (2010-2188 m) and 3 (2189-2368 m) , in which rectangular plots of 500 m2 (20 * 25 m) were used, within these, the variables of: diameter at 1.30 m and total height were measured in trees, as well as in general, the slope and altitude. Using the Ptretzsch index, the three strata of height were classified. The specific composition, abundance, dominance, frequency, diversity and importance value index (IVI) of the species by height stratum by amplitude, as well as mean, minimum and maximum values of normal diameter and height were determined. The vertical structure revealed that Rank 2 was higher, with A 2.79 against 2.51 in Rank 3 and 2.02 in Rank 1. The lower stratum of each altitude range was the one that concentrated the greatest number of individuals per hectare, the maximum height was observed in Range 2 with 32 m, with 27 m in Range 3 and 17 m in Range 1. The studied altitude ranges are made up of three height strata, but each of them differs from each other by altitude amplitude, showing that the vertical structure of each altitude amplitude has a different conformation of heights, individuals and species.

Keywords : Maximum height; diversity; continuous distribution; strata; Pretzsch index.

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