Los microcosmos de Prosopis laevigata albergan una alta diversidad florística en el valle de Zapotitlán, Puebla

Abstract

The presence of trees or shrubs, usually legumes, in xeric environments, promotes the existence of patches with higher concentrations of resources, such as nutrients released from litter decomposition, and favorable microenvironments that support higher plant diversity. This work contributes to the recognition of microcosmos flora of Prosopis laevigata. Also, species diversity/richness-tree structure relationships in Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley are reported. Seventy trees were labeled, and their canopies’ areas were measured. Finally, we made a taxonomic recognition of vegetation under the canopies in the rainy and dry seasons. We found 76 and 62 plant species in rainy and dry seasons respectively. Asteraceae, Cactaceae, and Leguminosae were the families with more plant species at both seasons. Nevertheless, the number of individuals differs among seasons. Canopy cover and height of trees had a direct influence on richness of protected species and diversity. This is consistent with the general hypothesis that shadow is an important factor for the establishment of species under canopies in the facilitation process. Our results support the widespread hypothesis that show the legumes as nurse plants; as well as their crucial and potential role for plant resources conservation in arid and semiarid environments