Estructura y diversidad del matorral espinoso tamaulipeco en el sitio Ramsar 1981, Nuevo León, México

Abstract

Ramsar site 1981 is a protected natural area where the most representative ecosystems are the flooded grassland and the Tamaulipan thorn scrub, both subjected to natural and anthropogenic pressures. The objective of the research is to compare the composition, structure and diversity of the Tamaulipan thorn scrub under different stages of recovery in the northeastern zone of the area surrounding the Ramsar site 1981. Fifteen 100 m2 (10 x 10 m) sampling plots were established randomly distributed across 1.5 ha. Woody individuals were considered for sampling if they had a basal diameter (d0.10) greater than or equal to 3 cm, and juvenile individuals if they had diameters less than 3 cm. The absolute abundance was 1 089 N ha, it is presented in a varied and diverse manner; species such as Vachellia farnesiana and Neltuma laevigata stand out, with an abundance of 21 and 28%, respectively. The diameter classes show a distribution characterized by a high concentration of individuals with smaller diameters (plant structure of young individuals), characteristics that denote ecosystems that suffered anthropogenic disturbances and are in growth and development. The shrubland shows a favorable recovery after more than a decade of excluding cattle ranching; the highest index of importance value (IVI) is presented by Neltuma laevigata with 35%, Vachellia farnesiana registering 19%, and Diospyros texana with 27%, which together concentrate a total of 81% of IVI.