Permanent plot establishment to assess climate change impacts upon Izta-Popo National Park

Abstract

In order to have a baseline of information to monitor the potential impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems nine 1 ha permanent sample plots (PPM) were established and characterized at the Izta-Popo National Park, Mexico, which were placed in three areas: Paso de Cortés, Llano Grande and Tláloc in the three altitudinal levels of 3 500, 3 700 and 3 900 m in Pinus hartwegii forests. For the trees > 7.5 cm DBH, mensuration parameters of basal area, volume and biomass were estimated. Using the statistical model of the nested design, significant differences between areas to 0.05 for the volume is detected, while for the basal area and biomass potential differences may occur at 0.1. However, through the ANOVA that considered a linear combination of all variables, significant differences between areas with an alpha of 0.05 were confirmed. The mensuration condition of the trees present in the established PPM at the Izta-Popo National Park suggests a Pinus hartwegii forest structure with few natural regeneration and presence of pests and diseases, which in the medium term may increase due to the maturity and lack of management of the specimens. The plot area shows no signs of land use changes, making it a good place for monitoring and its relation to climate variations.