Changes of the vegetation structure and composition along an altitudinal and antropogenic gradient
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v16i92.1587Keywords:
biomass, temperate forest, canopy, understory, dissimilarity, resilienceAbstract
Few studies have examined how human activities influence the structure and composition of vegetation ecological patterns along altitudinal gradients, to identify areas with different resilience or susceptibility. This study evaluated the impact of anthropogenic effects on the composition and structure of an Abies religiosa forest in the Magdalena River basin, near Mexico City. We established 15 plots, each measuring 30×30 m2, at three different altitudes: high (3 449 masl), intermediate (3 202 masl), and low (3 092 masl). Some environmental variables and calculated indexes of anthropogenic disturbances, including human activities, livestock presence and deforestation were assumed. Changes in composition and structure were analyzed using a dissimilarity model and multivariate analysis. Our findings recorded a total of 42 species, consisting of eight tree species and 34 herb species. Notably, mid-altitude plots, despite experiencing a high level of livestock activities, displayed greater species richness in both the understory and canopy. The trees in these plots, ranging from 20 to 40 m high, contributed to a larger basal area and showed a direct response to light and temperature. In contrast, the lower-altitude plots had the greatest basal area attributed to trees around 10 m tall. The results showed that altitude and anthropogenic disturbance are determining factors in the patterns of plant diversity and composition, in the canopy structure and in the understory.
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