Background. Environmental conditions in edges of vegetation fragments affect life cycle characteristics of the native biota (edge effect). We evaluated the edge effect on two Bursera species, which are representative of the mature community of the tropical deciduous forest (TDF) in Mexico. Hypothesis. We expected a population structure reflecting the affectation to reproduction, survival and growth in the edges of TDF fragments. Studied species. Bursera fagaroides, B. palmeri. Study site and years of study. Querétaro (Qro.), Apaseo el Grande (Gto.), México. Field survey: May-September 2012. Methods. Within each of nine TDF fragments, we drew plots in two environmental contrasting conditions (edge and interior), between which we compared the density, population structure and reproductive success of the two Bursera species, as well as estimators of the solar radiation and soil compaction. Results. Solar radiation and soil compaction were not different between environmental conditions. In both species density of individuals was larger in the edge, where individuals with middle and large sizes were predominant. Reproductive potential of individuals, and the viability and germination of their seeds were similar between edge and core environments. Conclusions. Density and population structure showed a congruent variation with higher rates of recruitment, growth and survival in the edge environment, which could have been present under initial conditions of greater incidence of radiation in the edges. The similarity currently observed in the solar radiation between edge and core areas of fragments, could be a result of the fast recovery of the canopy under conditions of higher light incidence in edges. Key words: Bursera fagaroides, Bursera palmeri, dioecious species, germination, tropical deciduous forest.Efecto de borde sobre la estructura poblacional y el éxito reproductivo de dos especies de Bursera. Resumen Antecedentes. Las condiciones ambientales en los bordes de los fragmentos de vegetación afectan las características del ciclo de vida de la biota nativa (efecto de borde). Evaluamos el efecto de borde en dos especies de Bursera, las cuales son representativas de la comunidad madura del bosque tropical caducifolio (BTC) en México. Hipótesis. Esperábamos una estructura poblacional que reflejara la afectación de la reproducción supervivencia y crecimiento en los bordes de los fragmentos de BTC. Especies en estudio. Bursera fagaroides, B. palmeri. Sitio de estudio y fechas. Querétaro (Qro.), Apaseo el Grande (Gto.), México. Trabajo de campo: mayo-septiembre 2012. Métodos. Dentro de cada uno de los nueve fragmentos de BTC, trazamos parcelas en dos condiciones ambientales contrastantes (de borde e interior), entre las que se comparó la densidad, estructura de la población y el éxito reproductivo de las dos especies de Bursera, así como estimadores de la radiación solar y la compactación del suelo. Resultados. La radiación solar y la compactación del suelo no fueron diferentes entre las condiciones ambientales....
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