Resumo

AVILA-SANCHEZ, P. et al. Plant diversity and richness patterns on altitudinal gradient in Guerrero, Mexico. Polibotánica [online]. 2018, n.45, pp.101-113. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.45.8.

The study area includes from cañón del Zopilote to carrizal de Bravo, belonging to the Balsas river basin, Guerrero, México. This area is considered one of its most important centers of diversity and endemism of the genus Bursera, and other vascular plants, amphibians and reptiles. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of plant and patterns of richness and environmental variables related to these aspects along an altitudinal gradient. Seven transects were randomly established to sample the trees, shrubs and herbs (40 x 25 = 1,000 m2) in each type of vegetation. The total Richness in the altitudinal gradient was of 310 species in five types of vegetation (tropical deciduous forest, palmar, Quercus forest, Pinus forest and cloud forest). A “U” pattern was observed, where richness and diversity species total was higher at the ends altitudinal gradient and lower in the middle. The rate of species turnover (beta diversity) was of 100 % in tropical deciduous forest and cloud forest, located in the lower and upper altitudinal gradient respectively. The soil variables (sand content, phosphorus and cation exchange capacity) and altitude were the environmental variables more related with richness and species diversity on altitudinal gradient.

Palavras-chave : Floristic patterns; species richness; cloud forest; Balsas river basin.