Survival and development of two species of Pinus in a reforestation of the Montaña de Guerrero Region

Abstract

Forest ecosystems are essential for the planet; however, they are prone to anthropogenic disturbance. To counteract this trend, restoration practices such as reforestation are used, in order to recover degraded areas. The objective of the study was to evaluate the development and survival of a reforestation in Chinameca, Atlamajalcingo del Monte, Guerrero. A plantation with species of Pinus ayacahuite and Pinus patula was carried out in a 784 m² plot, with the three-bolillo design at 2 m distance between plants, these were monitored every two months from the establishment of the experiment. A total of 150 plants were established in three blocks of 25 seedlings per species. Survival was evaluated at 73 days until completing 257 days and the variables of basal diameter (mm), total height (cm) and crown area (m). The overall survival average was 79.99%; P. patula presented a 85.33% survival while P. ayacahuite only registered 74.66%. All the variables obtained were submitted to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) by species after 8 months, where only significant differences were found in the development of height where P. patula reached 35.71 cm, while P. ayacahuite only registered 26.86 cm. It is concluded that P. patula is suitable to implement reforestation activities in the region.