Effects of copal resin extraction on the diversity and composition of species in tropical deciduous forests

Abstract

Composition and floristic diversity of ecosystems subject to overexploitation, such as tropical deciduous forests where copal resin (Bursera bipinnata, Bursera copallifera) is extracted, are of great importance for understanding the ecological functioning of these ecosystems. This study analyzed the species composition and diversity in a natural population subject to copal extraction in San Juan Raboso Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico. A total of 54 sampling units were established, and the number of individuals and crown diameter for each tree species were recorded. For shrubs, succulents, acaulescent rosetophytes and climbers, the number of individuals and the area of cover were quantified. Based on the parameters of abundance, frequency, and relative dominance, the importance value index (IVI) was calculated. Diversity was evaluated using the Shannon index (H′). In total, 29 species were identified, distributed across 11 botanical families and 21 genera. The Fabaceae family was the richest, followed by the Burseraceae family, which includes the species that extract copal, but Opuntia streptacantha was the species with the most ecological weight. In this study, the Shannon index (H′) averaged 1.45, which indicates that the community was mildly diverse.