Impact of different shade coffee management scenarios, on a population of Oncidium poikilostalix (Orchidaceae), in Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico

Background: Understanding the effect of perturbation, be it natural or anthropogenic, on the demography and dynamics of the plant populations can help conservation management planning. Aims: We assessed the impacts of management of a shade coffee plantation on a population of Oncidium poikilostalix (Orchidaceae). Methods: We studied in a coffee (Coffea arabica) agroecosystem the impact of the current traditional management [T] and two hypothetical epiphyte control management scenarios (intense 'desmusgue' [ID] and moderate 'desmusgue' [MD]), on the only known Mexican population of O. poikilostalix. Based on 3 years of field demographics data, the population dynamics of the orchid were projected using T, ID and MD scenarios for 20 years into the future. Results: Under the current management T, the population of O. poikilostalix was projected to grow continuously (λ = 1.102). Conversely, under management ID, the loss of individuals would lead to a sustained population decline (λ = 0.843); in the case of MD, the population would decline more slowly with the population growth rate tending towards equilibrium (λ = 0.966). Conclusions: The changes in the management of coffee plantations that have become common throughout the south-east of Mexico represent a threat to the survival of the only population of O. poikilostalix in Mexico, and likely threaten other epiphytic species.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: García González, Alfredo Doctor autor 13271, Damon, Anne Ashby Doctora autora 2085, Raventós, José autor, Riverón Giró, Frander Brian Doctor autor 12490, Mújica, Ernesto autor, Solís Montero, Lislie Doctora autora 12317
Format: Texto biblioteca
Language:eng
Subjects:Oncidium poikilostalix, Orquídeas, Dinámica de la población, Cafetal, Manejo de recursos naturales, Artfrosur,
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2017.1315840
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!