Phytosociological analysis of the mesophilic forest of the San Pedro volcano (Guatemala)

Abstract

From a standpoint of phytosociological research, little is known about the phytocoenosis found on the volcanoes of Central America. This paper analyses the distribution of the vegetation on the volcano of San Pedro in terms of its speciesrichness, composition, structure and abundance, and the possible relationships between these components and the changes in elevation and orientation that occur there. We divided the study area into three altitudinal belts between 2,400 and 3,020 m a.s.l. where carried out 36 inventories, each one in an area of 0.1 ha. We then applied multivariate analysis to classify and order the data in the matrix obtained from the frequency of the sampled plants. Our results lead us to propose two mixed cloud-forest associations within the class Alnetea acuminatae. The first, Saurauio oreophilae-Alnetum acuminatae ass. nova, is found on the more humid western side, while the second, Adianto andicolae-Quercetum peduncularis ass. nova, appears in sunnier and less shady sites, mainly on the east face. As part of this latter association, we also identified the new subassociation festucetosum amplissimae subass. nova. These syntaxa are part of the alliance Oreopanacion xalapensis all. nova, which we have created to embrace the mesophytic montane forests dominated by broad-leaved species.