Background:

The Sierra del Abra Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve includes seasonally dry tropical forests, considered vulnerable ecosystems in the Neotropics. Verification of the recently elaborated cartography of its distribution was needed.

Question:

What is the current spatial distribution of the seasonally dry tropical forest variants in the Reserve? What sites inside its influence area could be voluntarily dedicated to conservation?

Study site and research period:

Sierra del Abra Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, between August 2014 to June 2019.

Methods:

Seventeen completely random rectangular sampling sites were studied, and the relatively important value index was estimated. A similarity analysis was performed to reclassify vegetation variants. The existing cartography of vegetation was revised, their spatial distribution was updated, and potential areas suitable to conservation were identified.

Results:

We recorded 177 species of woody plants, of which 154 are arboreous or shrubby and 23 climbing. The richest families were Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae, and Malpighiaceae. Four vegetation variants were recognized: selva baja caducifolia, selva baja subcaducifolia, selva mediana subcaducifolia y selva mediana subperennifolia. Five areas in the buffer zone were identified suitable to be voluntarily dedicated to conservation.

Conclusions:

The correct spatial delimitation of the cover of vegetation of the Reserve are useful to promote management and conservation actions that ensure the permanence of the reserve's seasonally dry tropical forests.

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