Resumo

MEDINA GUILLEN, Romelia et al. Changes in the microphyll desert scrubland vegetation in an area under management. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.32, pp.37-48. ISSN 2007-1132.

The aim of this study was to assess changes in the structure and floristic composition of the microphyll desert scrubland from the application of a technique of ecological restoration and the occurrence of natural fires in different periods in the Chihuahuan Desert. Through five treatments (control (MDMt), aerator roller applied in 2004 (RA04), 2008 (RA08), 2011 (RA11) and burned area in 2011 (IN11)), diversity and similarity between species were determined by Shannon and Sørensen indices as well as their importance value index (IVI). 28 tree and shrub species belonging to 14 families, among which Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Cactaceae noted for their abundance were recorded. The Shannon index revealed a higher richness (H'= 2.103) in the RA11 treatment while in the IN11, the shortest (H' = 1.21). The greatest similarity was verified between treatments RA04 and RA08 76 % and otherwise between RA11 and RA08 with 44 % according to the Sørensen index. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant difference between treatments respect to IVI (F = 2.463, df = 4, P = 0.261). The aerator roller treatment increased species richness at a short-term and dominance decreased substantially in Cactaceae and Agavaceae species, and favored Larrea tridentata coverage. The heat treatment reduced the coverage of the latter, of Jatropha dioica , Opuntia engelmannii and encouraged the presence and coverage of Viguiera stenoloba , Condalia spathulata and Ziziphus obstusifolia .

Palavras-chave : Chihuahuan Desert; diversity index; similarity index; microphyll desert scrubland; aerator roller; rehabilitation.