Lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in Quercus insignis-dominated cloud forest stands in the Mexican Neotropics
Background: In diverse forests, it remains uncertain whether species composition of seedlings and saplings aligns with that of adult-trees, and whether similarity in composition decreases with greater geographic distance. Questions: i) How do species composition, diversity, and abundance vary acr...
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Sociedad Botánica de México, A. C.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Botanical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/3634 |
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| author | Miguel Olvera-Vargas Blanca L. Figueroa-Rangel José Guadalupe Morales Arias |
| author_facet | Miguel Olvera-Vargas Blanca L. Figueroa-Rangel José Guadalupe Morales Arias |
| author_sort | Miguel Olvera-Vargas |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Background: In diverse forests, it remains uncertain whether species composition of seedlings and saplings aligns with that of adult-trees, and whether similarity in composition decreases with greater geographic distance.
Questions: i) How do species composition, diversity, and abundance vary across three ontogenetic stages: seedlings, saplings, and adult-trees in Quercus insignis-dominated forests? ii) Is there vertical congruence in floristic composition among seedlings, saplings, and adult-trees? iii) How do environmental and geographic distances influence horizontal floristic patterns? Which environmental variables are the primary drivers of species composition in these forests?
Studied species: Quercus insignis and its forty-nine associated tree species.
Study site: Sierra de Cacoma Jalisco, west-central México.
Methods: Twenty-four 500 m² plots were sampled along a 3.5 km transect, covering a 500 m elevational gradient. In each plot, all adult-trees (DN ≥ 5 cm) were recorded by species, diameter, and height. Saplings (DN < 5 cm) were recorded in 50 m² subplots, and seedlings in eight 1 m² units within each plot. Physiographical and environmental variables were recorded to assess habitat heterogeneity.
Results: Floristic composition, diversity, and abundance varied significantly across the three ontogenetic stages according to NMDS and PERMANOVA analyses. Five environmental variables significantly explained species composition patterns. Mantel tests indicated no significant correlation between horizontal composition similarity and environmental distance.
Conclusions: The study reveals complex interactions among ontogenetic stages, species distribution and environmental heterogeneity, highlighting the role of environmental variables as critical habitat filters in shaping forest community structure.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eede64d4ab044f6cb2d2341810757275 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2007-4298 2007-4476 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Sociedad Botánica de México, A. C. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Botanical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-eede64d4ab044f6cb2d23418107572752025-08-20T02:57:07ZengSociedad Botánica de México, A. C.Botanical Sciences2007-42982007-44762025-03-01103210.17129/botsci.3634Lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in Quercus insignis-dominated cloud forest stands in the Mexican NeotropicsMiguel Olvera-Vargas0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7290-1639Blanca L. Figueroa-Rangel1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5869-5277José Guadalupe Morales Arias2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8925-1249Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, JaliscoDepartamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, JaliscoDepartamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco Background: In diverse forests, it remains uncertain whether species composition of seedlings and saplings aligns with that of adult-trees, and whether similarity in composition decreases with greater geographic distance. Questions: i) How do species composition, diversity, and abundance vary across three ontogenetic stages: seedlings, saplings, and adult-trees in Quercus insignis-dominated forests? ii) Is there vertical congruence in floristic composition among seedlings, saplings, and adult-trees? iii) How do environmental and geographic distances influence horizontal floristic patterns? Which environmental variables are the primary drivers of species composition in these forests? Studied species: Quercus insignis and its forty-nine associated tree species. Study site: Sierra de Cacoma Jalisco, west-central México. Methods: Twenty-four 500 m² plots were sampled along a 3.5 km transect, covering a 500 m elevational gradient. In each plot, all adult-trees (DN ≥ 5 cm) were recorded by species, diameter, and height. Saplings (DN < 5 cm) were recorded in 50 m² subplots, and seedlings in eight 1 m² units within each plot. Physiographical and environmental variables were recorded to assess habitat heterogeneity. Results: Floristic composition, diversity, and abundance varied significantly across the three ontogenetic stages according to NMDS and PERMANOVA analyses. Five environmental variables significantly explained species composition patterns. Mantel tests indicated no significant correlation between horizontal composition similarity and environmental distance. Conclusions: The study reveals complex interactions among ontogenetic stages, species distribution and environmental heterogeneity, highlighting the role of environmental variables as critical habitat filters in shaping forest community structure. https://botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/3634Environmental variablesfloristic compositionmicro-habitat filtersneotropical cloud forestontogenetic stages |
| spellingShingle | Miguel Olvera-Vargas Blanca L. Figueroa-Rangel José Guadalupe Morales Arias Lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in Quercus insignis-dominated cloud forest stands in the Mexican Neotropics Botanical Sciences Environmental variables floristic composition micro-habitat filters neotropical cloud forest ontogenetic stages |
| title | Lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in Quercus insignis-dominated cloud forest stands in the Mexican Neotropics |
| title_full | Lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in Quercus insignis-dominated cloud forest stands in the Mexican Neotropics |
| title_fullStr | Lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in Quercus insignis-dominated cloud forest stands in the Mexican Neotropics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in Quercus insignis-dominated cloud forest stands in the Mexican Neotropics |
| title_short | Lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in Quercus insignis-dominated cloud forest stands in the Mexican Neotropics |
| title_sort | lack of vertical and horizontal floristic congruence in quercus insignis dominated cloud forest stands in the mexican neotropics |
| topic | Environmental variables floristic composition micro-habitat filters neotropical cloud forest ontogenetic stages |
| url | https://botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/3634 |
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