Background:

This research analyzes the seed bank of different substrates (litter and soil) and the standing vegetation to know the effects of the season and slope orientation on their abundance and composition in a temperate forest in Mexico City.

Questions and / or Hypotheses:

Which abiotic factors determine the germination of new individuals of different functional groups? how this information can contribute in the planning of conservation and restoration programs?

Which environmental factors determine germination and the recruiting of individuals? And how this knowledge could be considered in conservation programs?

Studied species / data description:

This research was carried out in 30 plots established in the forest (North and South slopes) during both year seasons.

Study site and dates:

Temperate forest of Quercus rugosa (L.) in the Magdalena river Basin, Mexico City.

Methods:

Through a TWINSPAN classification nine functional groups were determined in the seed bank and the standing vegetation. Through a Multiple Response Permutation Analysis (MRPP) and a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) the environmental effect was determined, seasonally and spatially on the abundance and richness of the functional groups.

Results:

A high similarity inside each functional group and a high dissimilarity between them were found. The Multivariate Permutation Variance Analysis (PERMANOVA) showed a significant effect of the season and of the slope orientation on the identification of the functional groups.

Conclusions:

In terms of conservation the presence of characteristic and native species implies a high resilience, however the presence of introduced species indicates changes in the system composition, which jeopardizes the natural regeneration potential.