Hábitat y distribución de cinco especies de Quercus (Fagaceae) en la Meseta Central de Chiapas, México

Abstract

We describe the habitat of species within the Fagaceae subgenus Lepidobalanus (genus Quercus) and identify environmental variables related to their distribution in the Meseta Central of Chiapas, Southern Mexico. In 258 plots a dominance index was used, combining tree density and crown cover, for Quercus peduncularis, Q. polymorpha, Q. rugosa, Q. sebifera and Q. segoviensis. The following variables were measured: altitude, precipitation from November through April (PPNA), exposure, slope, fuel-wood harvesting and grazing. Detrended Canonical Correspondence Analysis was used for the statistical evaluation of data. Negative relationships among the dominance index of Q. peduncularis and Q. segoviensis, and altitude and PPNA values were found. The dominance index of Q. rugosa and Q. segoviensis was correlated with exposure and intensity of fuel-wood harvesting. Altitude, and to a lesser extent PPNA, determined the distribution of the evaluated species. The results suggest that Quercus peduncularis, Q. polymorpha, Q. rugosa, Q. segoviensis and Q. sebifera display different ecological patterns.