Natural regeneration of pine and oak under different levels of forest fires disturbance

Abstract

The behavior of forest fires varies due to various factors, where the level of severity conditions the response that ecosystems will have to fire. As is the ability of natural regeneration. However, not much has been studied in this regard in Mexico, which has limited restoration strategies. Accordingly, a comparative analysis of the trees natural regeneration in three high ranges (0 –0.30 m, 0.31–1.0 m and 1.1–3.0 m), considering an experimental design with two factors: 1) different conditions of severity of the fire (without fire, moderate fire, extreme fire); and 2) three regions of pine-oak forests (Sierra de Quila, the La Primavera forest and the Sierra de Tapalpa, Jalisco). For the comparative analysis ANOVA and Tukey test were generated, based on experimental factorial design (region and severity). The results suggest that there is a significant difference between the conditions of severity of the fires and between the regions, for the height range of 0 to 0.30 m, with a greater regeneration in areas with moderate fires. This is highlighted, in Tapalpa where an average of 160,000 ha-1 individuals are estimated. On the other hand, with respect to the other regeneration strata (0.31 –1.0 m and 1.1–3.0 m) no significant differences were found between the severities of the fire conditions, considering only the regeneration of pine. It is concluded that the occurrence of a moderate fire can lead to a higher incidence of natural regeneration.