Secondary Succession in Montane Pine-Oak Forests of Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

Species richness, basal area, and accumulated litter increase with successional age, yet canopy cover peaks at both ESF and old-growth stages. Oscillations of air temperature and relative humidity decrease as stands become older. Traditional land use involving long-term, sparse, and differential use of pines and broad-leaved trees may drive succession toward speciespoor pinelands at mesic sites where Quercus-dominated forests should prevail. Land use associated to a rapidly increasing human population strongly affects secondary succession processes; our understanding of these processes is of utmost importance for their sustainable use