Background:

Knowledge of structural attributes and the habitat of the species is essential to assess their conservation status and propose actions for their conservation and management.

Questions:

What are the structural attributes of the population of J. jaliscana, the characteristics of its habitat, and the environmental factors that could be influencing its distribution and abundance?

Study site and dates:

The field sampling was carried out in populations of J. jaliscana in ejido El Cuale, municipality of Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, México, in July 2019.

Methods:

In plots of 500 m2, the structural attributes of the population of J. jaliscana were determined and through an RDA, the environmental factors that could be influencing its distribution and abundance were investigated. The composition and structure of the entire community was described.

Results:

Juniperus jaliscana registered 385 ind. ha-1 and a basal area of 8.98 m2 ha-1. The variables with the greatest influence on the abundance and distribution of J. jaliscana were the incidence of fires and grazing. 119 species, 94 genera and 52 families were recorded. Psidium salutare was found for the first time for the state of Jalisco and Prionosciadium tamayoi was described as a new species for science.

Conclusions:

Juniperus jaliscana concentrated its population in small diameter categories. The environmental factors with the greatest influence on their distribution and abundance were fires, grazing and dry environment conditions. The habitat of J. jaliscana was shared with species endemic to western Mexico.