Timber production of Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham. in germplasm movement zones

Abstract

In Mexico, timber production is insufficient to meet the market demand. In the face of this situation, it is necessary to improve the processes that participate integrally in it. Abies religiosa is the most harvested fir species in coniferous forests, and provides important profits to the industry sector; therefore, new models must be developed for its sustainability. In this work, the timber production for germplasm movement zones (GMZ) was estimated. The analysis showed that the X.3 zone had more timber production than other zones, i.e. 67.94 %, while X.1, X.2, XII.1 y XII.3 had 32.06 %, and III.1, III.2, XII.4 and XII.5 had none. Results showed that most of the timber production takes place in the central part of the country, and that X.3 zone needs to increase its forests development in order to maintain the species and exploit it by means of other services. Decisions on the forest management of this species of the family Pinaceae may be circumscribed to the GMZs, where its populations can be managed in a more effective way for their conservation and forest management; such decisions can also favor the exploitation of the species at a regional level, in stands that will keep their uniform characteristics.