Resumo

MALDONADO-SANCHEZ, EA  e  MALDONADO-MARES, F. Tree diversity and structure of an evergreen rain forest in Tacotalpa, Tabasco, Mexico. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2010, vol.26, n.3, pp.235-245. ISSN 0186-2979.

The tree diversity and structure of a relict evergreen rain forest in "Yu-Balcah", an Ecological Reserve in Tacotalpa, Tabasco, Mexico, are described. The sampling unit was 0.5 ha^-1, and the trees had a (DAP) ≥ 3.1 cm. The structural analysis was based on relative importance values (VIR). Diversity was estimated with the Shannon diversity index (H'). Specimens totalling 549 trees, belonging to 25 families, 45 genera and 51 species, were recorded. The best represented families were Fabaceae (9 spp), Rubiaceae (7 spp), Moraceae and Meliaceae (each with 4 species). Spondias mombin was the most important species (8.37 m² ha^-1), followed by Ampelocera hottlei and Guarea glabra. The basal area calculated was 34.49 m² ha^-1. The diversity index (H') for 0.5 ha was 3.35. "Yu-Balcah" is the last area with evergreen rain forest at an altitude of 60 m above sea level. It is urgent to rescue the arboreal germoplasm and to carry out "in situ" and "ex situ" ecological restoration programmes.

Palavras-chave : Structure; trees; evergreen rain forest; Tabasco.

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