Ecología de los robledales de altura (bosque de Quercus) maduros y en recuperación en la Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica

Changes in terrestrial vascular plant diversity along a successional gradient were studied in a Costa Rican upper montane Quercus forest. Species presence and cover were recorded in twelve successional 0.1 ha forest plots. A total of 176 species in 122 genera and 75 families were found. Asteraceae was the most speciose family. With the help of TWINSPAN three successional phases were classified: (a) Early Secondary Forest (ESF, 145 spp.), (b) Late Secondary Forest (LSF, 130 spp.) and (c) Primary Forest (PF, 96 spp.). DCA species ordination using DECORANA illustrates that different ecological species groups can be distinguished along the time sequence. Alpha diversity (Shannon-Wiener index, among others) in ESF and LSF was significantly greater than in PF. This is probably explained by downslope migration of numerous (sub)alpine species to cleared and recently abandoned montane sites. Beta diversity applying Sorensen's similarity coefficients declined during succession. Using linear regression, the minimum time required for floristic recovery following disturbance and abandonment was estimated at 65.9 years. A comparison with other studies shows that secondary forests in upper montane Costa Rica can be as diverse as in neotropical lowlands.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	82751 Kennis, P.A.F., 129858 Vries, A.J. de, 82284 Kappelle, M., 20493 University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Países Bajos). Dept. of Palynology and Paleo, 20110 Universidad Nacional, Heredia (Costa Rica)
Format:	biblioteca
Published:	Amsterdam (Países Bajos) 1995
Subjects:	QUERCUS, SUCESION ECOLOGICA, CRECIMIENTO, DINAMICA DE LA POBLACION, BIODIVERSIDAD, COSTA RICA,
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