Revista Cubana de Ciencias Forestales (Apr 2017)
Flora and vegetation arborea characteristic of the communal El Pital, National Park Machalilla, Ecuador
Abstract
With the objective of characterizing the composition and structure of the forest formations of the Commune, Pital, Zone of Damping of the Machalilla National Park and to elaborate guidelines of actions of ecological restoration for its conservation was carried out the structural characterization of four localities of the dry forest Equatorial forest belonging to two plant formations, the tropical spiny mount and the premontane spiny mount ranging from 40 to 460 masl. For the investigation, 28 temporary sampling plots of 50 x 20 m (0.10 ha) were established, the tree species ≥ 10 cm of DAP were measured. A total of 1,346 individuals represented in 89 species belonging to 82 genera and 42 families were identified and evaluated. The localities were compared statistically in terms of wealth, composition, structure and diversity. High alpha and beta diversity were found; Height above sea level, basal area and density are the variables that most influence the segregation of four types of forests that differ in their composition and forest structure. Significant, promising and rare species were identified, with the most important species being Cordia alliodora, Nectandra acutifolia and Ficus velutina. The family with the most species and genera is Fabaceae. Most individuals (58%) were recorded in the 10-20 cm diameter class for all four locations. Based on the results obtained, initiatives for sustainable forest management are projected through the application of methods for ecological restoration and conservation of these tropical forests.
