Changes in vegetation diversity of temperate forests in central Mexico under different levels of reforestation

Abstract

Mexican temperate forests are plant communities with high biodiversity. However, they are susceptible to human activity changes such as deforestation. This study aimed to evaluate and compare changes in vegetation diversity in three temperate forest communities with different tree composition: 1) natural tree composition dominated by Quercus spp. (CF), 2) mixed composition, mainly Quercus spp.-Cupressus lindleyi (MF), and 3) completely reforested habitat, exclusively by C. lindleyi (RF). 90 quadrats were sampled in the dry season and 135 in the rainy season. To compare the reforestation effect on plant communities, multivariate and diversity analyses were undertaken. RF had the greatest species richness (S=31) and diversity (H’=1.3). In contrast, CF had lowest values (S=13, H’=0.9). The Discriminant Analysis (DA) showed a significant difference in plant community composition. RF had more species associated with disturbed habitats, while species typical of conserved forest were abundant in CF and MF. Although RF had the greatest diversity, the results suggest an ecological impoverishment due to the occurrence of synanthropic species – mainly weeds and grasses. The lowest diversity in CF was associated with the native species. The recognition of native species and species related to conserved habitats is important to reforestation planning, especially where there is no other effective strategy of forest management left. The knowledge of local species associated with conserved habitats and related to specific canopy tree species is important for designing reforestation plans adjusted to the local scale.