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Arnaldoa
Print version ISSN 1815-8242On-line version ISSN 2413-3299
Abstract
AGUIRRE MENDOZA, Zhofre; CELI DELGADO, Hermel and HERRERA HERRERA, Clemencia. Structure and floristic composition of the lower montane evergreen forest of the San Andres Parish, Chinchipe Canton, Zamora Chinchipe Province, Ecuador. Arnaldoa [online]. 2018, vol.25, n.3, pp.923-938. ISSN 1815-8242. http://dx.doi.org/10.22497/arnaldoa.253.25306.
To plan the conservation of forests is necessary to know their structure and floristic composition. To satisfy this need in the San Andres Parish, Chinchipe Canton, province of Zamora Chinchipe, a lower montane evergreen forest was investigated, in order to determine the floristic and structural diversity. Temporary plots of 20 m x 20 m (400 m2) were installed, the DBH of all individuals ≥5 cm of D was recorded, and three subplots of 5 m x 5 m (25 m2) were delimited for shrubs. We determined: absolute density (D), relative density (RD), relative frequency (RF), relative dominance (RDm) and importance value index (IVI). For the profiles, a transect of 10 x 50 m was installed, registering the individuals in X and Y distances. 46 species of 35 genera and 20 families were registered; 33 arboreal and 13 shrubby. The largest number of individuals per diametric classes was concentrated in classes I, II and III, which shows an inverted "J" structure, typical of recovering forests. The most diverse families in the arboreal stratum are: Lauraceae, Melastomataceae, Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae; and, in the shrub layer, Lauraceae, Primulaceae, Chlorantaceae and Rubiaceae. The ecologically important tree species are: Alchornea glandulosa, Calyptranthes sp. and Nectandra lineatifolia; and in the shrub layer: Psychotria brachiata, Tetrorchidium andinum and Palicourea sp. Natural regeneration is abundant in the seedling category. Cybianthus sp. and Nectandra lineatifolia are the species with the highest natural regeneration
Keywords : lower montane evergreen forest; floristic composition; diametric structure.