Floristic composition and diversity of a coniferous forest in southwest of Chihuahua, México

Abstract

In the present study composition of tree species and diversity in a coniferous forest in the southwest of the state of Chihuahua was evaluated. The data used come from 10 130 sampling sites established in 2013 in stands with silvicultural management, the
information was registered only for trees over 7.5 cm of diameter at breast height. The quantified variables were: the species,
number of trees, diameter at breast height, basal area and total height. The Margalef (D_Mg), Shannon-Weiner (H') indexes and the ecological parameters of abundance (AR_i), relative dominance (DR_i), absolute and relative frequency (FR_i) and the importance value index (IVI) of each species were estimated. The Pinaceae family was represented by four genera and 10 species, Fabaceae with two genera and two species, Cupressaceae with two genera and one specie and Ericaceae with one genera and one specie were obtained. Pinus durangensis Martínez presented the highest relative values of abundance, dominance and frequency. Pinus durangensis and Quercus sideroxyla Humb. & Bonpl. are the species of greater ecological importance.