Regeneration and vertical structure of a Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco forest in Chihuahua State, Mexico

Abstract

For the characterization of the vertical structure of a Pseudotsuga menziesii forest in the Chinatú ejido, Guadalupe y Calvo municipality, Chihuahua State, eight circular sites of 1 000 m² dispersed in 80.46 ha were randomly sampled. With the information obtained, the vertical structure of regeneration and standing trees was analyzed using the Pretzsch A Index, abundance (N ha^-1), average, minimum, maximum values and coefficient of variation of height and diameter were estimated normal and coverage, as well as diversity based on the Shannon-Wiener Index (H ́) and the Margalef Index (DMg). Eight species were registered for the regenerated plant community, the families with the greatest presence were Pinaceae with five species and Fagaceae with two; the mature plant community recorded 10 species, the most predominant being pinaceae with six species and fagaceae with two. The maximum heights of the forest were 8.0 m and 29.0 m for regeneration and mature woodland, respectively. With the Pretzsch Index A it was determined that the largest number of individuals belongs to stratum III (Low) for both types of trees. The species with the highest regeneration are Abies durangensis, Juniperus deppeana, Quercus tuberculata and Pseudotsuga menziesii, the latter of which is dominant in the tree stratum. The studied forest has a low richness and diversity of species, some of high ecological value for conservation and regeneration of the majority of those present.