Floristic composition of the cloud forest of the Bicentenario Reserve, Zongolica, Veracruz, México

Abstract

Background: The Bicentenario Reserve (BR) located in Sierra de Zongolica, Veracruz, includes 63 hectares of cloud forest (cf) which lacks of systematic floristic studies, but the Sierra proposed as an area for bird conservation. Questions: i) Is the floristic composition of the BR taxonomical rich? ii) How the growth forms are represented in this Reserve ? iii) Has the BR endemic or threatened species? Studied species: Vascular plants. Study site and years of study: The BR was explored from March 2011 to October 2012. Methods: Botanical samples from each species considered different were collected and processed according to conventional procedures to be identified with the use of taxonomic tools, and consults with specialist. Analysis of the richness, life forms, endemism and threatened species were made. Results: We recorded 401 species, distributed in 272 genera and 102 families, being the most diverse Orchidaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Piperaceae; whilst Peperomia, Tillandsia, Polypodium, Quercus and Solanum are the genera with the highest number of species. Sixty-nine species are endemic to Mexico, but six are restricted to Veracruz. We found 23 new records for the municipality of Zongolica, Quercus ghiesbreghtii in the cf for the first time, and Q. furfuraceae for Veracruz; 86 species are threatened. Conclusions: The BR has a high floristic richness compared to other areas with cf in Mexico, revealing the importance to complete the floristic studies along the Sierra de Zongolica. Due the high number of threatened species in the BR its long-term conservation acquires a greater importance.

Keywords

• conservation
• endemism
• growth forms
• threatened species