Diversity and structure of forest species in Sarazin, Center Department, Haiti

Abstract

The present study carried out in secondary tropical forests of Sarazin, 2nd communal section of Mirebalais, Haiti aims to describe the diversity and structure of forest species to promote their conservation. A systematic sampling consisting of four transects of 10,000 m long and 1,000 m wide was carried out, in each one five square plots were evaluated (20 plots). The diversity of forest species was characterized by calculating diversity indices. The structure of the forest species was described through the distribution of individuals by diameter class with a width of 10 cm and by height class with a width of 5 m. The surveys show that the study area has a partial specific richness of 40 species divided into 38 genera and 23 families. The Fabaceae family was the most representative with 11 species, and the most abundant species was Prosopis juliflora. Natural and human disturbances influence the diametrical and vertical structure. The structural analysis showed that, despite the existence of a reasonable number of species, in most cases they are trees in minimal quantities, small and sporadically distributed. Despite disturbances correlated with anthropogenic activities and extreme weather events, Sarazin's tropical forests have shown some resilience.