The importance of environmental and disturbance conditions in different growth stages of plants of temperate forest in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

Environmental conditions and disturbances are important factors that could influence ecological processes. For this reason, it is essential to know the relationship between them. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of environmental conditions and disturbance on three growth stages (adults, germinated individuals, and seeds) of conifers, oaks, and other broadleaf species that compose the temperate forests of the highlands of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico. For this purpose, we established 0.1 ha plots along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 1950 m to 3250 m asl where we sampled vegetation, placed traps for seed rain, and quantified seed germination. We recorded climatic, edaphic, topographic, light, and disturbance conditions. We recorded a positive influence of anthropogenic disturbances on conifers in all their growth stages analyzed. For oaks and other broadleaf species, climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation showed a negative effect on adults and seeds, while disturbance showed no effect. Our results indicate that environmental conditions and anthropogenic disturbances have a differential effect on the biological groups that compose these forests and depending on the growth stage of the biological groups.