Composición de especies y estructura del bosque kárstico de San Patricio, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Abstract

Five permanent plots were established along an elevational gradient in the San Patricio urban forest. At the time of the study (August, 2004) we found 29 forest species in a 0.19 ha area. Of these, seven were introduced and dominated the mogote valley where there had previously been a military base. The slopes and top of the mogote were dominated by native species, particularly Coccoloba diversifolia. Regeneration included foreign and native species that dominated the valley and the high areas of the mogote, respectively. The structure of the five stands was similar to tree densities between 1300 and 1790 trees/ha and the basal area between 18.4 and 38.6 m2/ha. Although the effect of human activity is conspicuous in the forest’s species richness and class, we predict that in the future this effect will decrease in favor of a greater presence and richness of native species.

Citation

Suárez, A.; Vicéns, I.; Lugo, A.E. 2005. Composición de especies y estructura del bosque kárstico de San Patricio, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Acta Cientifica. 19(1-3):7-22.