SIX TREE SPECIES ESSAY FOR THE REFORESTATION OF THE 2nd. SECTION OF CHAPULTEPEC FOREST

Abstract

Mexico City has had a serious environmental degradation due to the excessive growth of human population, so it is important to improve its green spaces and enhance environmental services and quality of life of its inhabitants. Chapultepec Forest stands out as the most extensive green urban area (686 ha), in addition to its historical, cultural and recreational significance. The 2nd Section has suffered a reduction in their canopy due mainly to the decline of eucalyptus which is one of the most frequently found species; nevertheless, in order to have new options for reforestation, the response of six tree species native to Mexico was assessed; a sampling design of three randomized blocks with nine plants per species in each plot was used, in which survival, height and basal diameter were determined every three months during one year. Results show that there were differences between the survival percentages (100 - 77.78 %), although not statistically significant, however, in the rates of growth in diameter and height showed differences, as the highest values were recorded in Thevethia thevetioides, Heliocarpus reticulatus and Pinus greggii var. australis. All the tested species, except for Pinus cembroides had a good response to the environmental conditions of the 2nd Section, which suggests that these species can be a good alternative to reforest the green areas of Mexico City that meet similar ecological conditions.