Abstract

VALENZUELA-NUNEZ, Luis Manuel et al. Mensuration characteristics and demarcation of mezquite (Prosopis sp) plantations in the State of Coahuila. Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2011, vol.17, n.spe, pp.87-96. ISSN 2007-4018.  https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchscfa.2010.09.067.

This paper presents the forest mensuration characteristics of pure mezquite (Prosopis sp) stands in two sampling sites in the state of Coahuila, which are characterized by their importance in the production of charcoal, in order to thus determine the current tree population density and the ecological importance of the mezquite in the ecosystems of the region. This study provides the first assessment of the volume of commercial timber available in the mezquite stands, plus mapping of the distribution of mezquite in the state of Coahuila. The results show that in the state of Coahuila there are 73,868 ha covered by pure mezquite stands and 3,803,149 ha occupied by microphyll desert scrub, in which the genus Prosopis also develops. Mensuration studies were conducted in the municipalities of Viesca and San Pedro de las Colonias, resulting in a population density of 867 and 567 individuals/ha, respectively, a percentage of commercial individuals of 35.23 and 27.84 % respectively and 1.64 and 39.71 m³·ha^-1 of commercial timber.

Keywords : Arid zones; use; forest mensuration; ecology; mapping.