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Distance effect from cloud forest fragments on plant community structure in abandoned pastures in Veracruz, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2006

Miguel Angel Muñiz-Castro
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología Funcional, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., km 2.5 carretera antigua a Coatepec No. 351, Xalapa, Veracruz 91070, Mexico
Guadalupe Williams-Linera
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología Funcional, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., km 2.5 carretera antigua a Coatepec No. 351, Xalapa, Veracruz 91070, Mexico
José María Rey Benayas
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Edificio de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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Abstract

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Secondary succession was studied in a Mexican cloud forest region along a chronosequence of 15 abandoned pastures (0.25–80 y). Our objective was to determine the effects of distance from the forest border on successional vegetation structure and woody species richness along the chronosequence. Vegetation structure similar to that of mature forests recovered over 40–50 y, both close to (0–10 m) and away from (40–50 m) the border. Total woody species richness was similar for both distances but species composition differed significantly. When primary forest species were analysed separately, basal area, height, abundance and richness were all significantly higher close to the forest border. Primary species such as Quercus spp. (barochorous-synzoochorous) and Carpinus caroliniana (anemochorous) had lower basal area, density and height away from the border than close to it. Secondary species such as Lippia myriocephala (anemochorous) and Myrsine coriacea (endozoochorous) did not differ in their rate of colonization between distances. The limitation of seed dispersal and establishment for primary woody species away from forest borders suggests that propagules need to be introduced to accelerate forest restoration.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press