Factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico

We explored the relationship between fragment area, topographic heterogeneity, and disturbance intensitywith tree and shrub species diversity in seasonally dry oak forest remnants in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico. Thefragments are distributed in a matrix of eroded lands and crop fields, have a co...

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Main Authors: María de los Remedios Aguilar-Santelises, Rafael F. del Castillo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 2013-06-01
Series:Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad
Online Access:https://revista.ib.unam.mx/index.php/bio/article/view/826
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author María de los Remedios Aguilar-Santelises
Rafael F. del Castillo
author_facet María de los Remedios Aguilar-Santelises
Rafael F. del Castillo
author_sort María de los Remedios Aguilar-Santelises
collection DOAJ
description We explored the relationship between fragment area, topographic heterogeneity, and disturbance intensitywith tree and shrub species diversity in seasonally dry oak forest remnants in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico. Thefragments are distributed in a matrix of eroded lands and crop fields, have a complex topography, and are disturbedby plant extraction and trail opening. Sampling was conducted in 12 fragments from 12-3 211 ha. Topographicheterogeneity was estimated by the fragment’s standard deviation in slope-aspect, slope, and altitude. The density ofstumps and roads were used as estimators of disturbance intensity. Fisher’s α diversity ranked from 0.95 to 4.55 for thetree layer; and 2.99 to 8.51, for the shrub layer. A structural equation model showed that the diversity of woody plantsincreases with topographic heterogeneity and disturbance in the remnants. When these 2 variables were considered,diversity tended to decrease with fragment size probably because smaller fragments have a greater perimeter-to-arearatio and therefore proportionally offer more opportunities for pioneer species colonization. Indeed, the tree-to shrublayerdiversity ratio increased with fragment size. Conservation strategies in fragmented forests must consider thefragment´s environmental heterogeneity, the disturbance type and intensity, and the species to be preserved.
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publishDate 2013-06-01
publisher Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
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series Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad
spelling doaj-art-1bda68b2a6e146009d53fe79271be4e22025-08-20T01:50:45ZengUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoRevista Mexicana de Biodiversidad1870-34532007-87062013-06-0184210.7550/rmb.30458Factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, MexicoMaría de los Remedios Aguilar-SantelisesRafael F. del CastilloWe explored the relationship between fragment area, topographic heterogeneity, and disturbance intensitywith tree and shrub species diversity in seasonally dry oak forest remnants in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico. Thefragments are distributed in a matrix of eroded lands and crop fields, have a complex topography, and are disturbedby plant extraction and trail opening. Sampling was conducted in 12 fragments from 12-3 211 ha. Topographicheterogeneity was estimated by the fragment’s standard deviation in slope-aspect, slope, and altitude. The density ofstumps and roads were used as estimators of disturbance intensity. Fisher’s α diversity ranked from 0.95 to 4.55 for thetree layer; and 2.99 to 8.51, for the shrub layer. A structural equation model showed that the diversity of woody plantsincreases with topographic heterogeneity and disturbance in the remnants. When these 2 variables were considered,diversity tended to decrease with fragment size probably because smaller fragments have a greater perimeter-to-arearatio and therefore proportionally offer more opportunities for pioneer species colonization. Indeed, the tree-to shrublayerdiversity ratio increased with fragment size. Conservation strategies in fragmented forests must consider thefragment´s environmental heterogeneity, the disturbance type and intensity, and the species to be preserved.https://revista.ib.unam.mx/index.php/bio/article/view/826
spellingShingle María de los Remedios Aguilar-Santelises
Rafael F. del Castillo
Factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico
Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad
title Factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico
title_full Factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico
title_fullStr Factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico
title_full_unstemmed Factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico
title_short Factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca, Mexico
title_sort factors affecting woody plant species diversity of fragmented seasonally dry oak forests in the mixteca alta oaxaca mexico
url https://revista.ib.unam.mx/index.php/bio/article/view/826
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