VEGETATION and SOIL PROPERTIES in TWO TROPICAL DRY FORESTS of DIFFERING REGENERATION STATUS in YUCATAN

Abstract

Soil properties, species composition and structure in secondary tropical dry forests of Yucatán, México, were studied, comparing a young (10 year-old) and an old (∼60 year-old) forest. Sixteen plots (12×12 m) were sampled in each forest type. Species richness varied little with forest age. Basal area, available soil P and total soil P increased with age, but soil organic C and total soil N did not vary with age of forest. Analysis of sapling communities suggests that regeneration by sprouts does not dominate the Yucatán tropical dry forest sites, but may be a successful mechanism for reaching the adult age. Although stem density shows a relation with soil properties in the young forest, the influence of biogeochemical characteristics on species richness and individual density may increase with time since forest regeneration.