Effect of human disturbance on the structure and regeneration of forests in the Nevado de Toluca National Park, Mexico

• Published in: Journal of forestry research 2012, Vol.23 (1), p.39-44
• Main Authors: Agramont, Angel Rolando Endara, Maass, Sergio Franco, Bernal, Gabino Nava, Hernández, Juan Ignacio Valdez, Fredericksen, Todd S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abies religiosa; Alnus; Biomedical and Life Sciences; coniferous forests; deciduous forests; Forestry; grazing; harvesting; human settlements; Life Sciences; logging; national parks; Original Paper; Pinus hartwegii; Quercus; recruitment; saplings; 人为干扰; 人类住区; 再生; 国家公园; 垂直结构; 墨西哥; 森林火灾; 森林类型
• ISSN: 1007-662X; 1993-0607
• DOI: 10.1007/s11676-012-0226-8

Sample plots were established in the principal forest types in the the Nevado de Toluca National Park, Mexico including those domi- nated by Pinus hartwegii, Abies religiosa, Quercus laurina and Alnus jorullensis. The vertical structure was defined by three strata in the coniferous forests and two strata in the broadleaved forests. Timber harvesting in Abies religiosa and Quercus laurina forests and fires generated by humans in Pinus hartwegii forests impeded the recruitment of saplings. Mature trees were also heavily impacted by logging in Pinus hartwegii forests. On the contrary, Alnusjorullensis forests were increas- ing due to the disturbance of Pinus and Quercus forests, as well aban- doned crop lands within the park. A combination of logging, uncon- trolled fire, and grazing appears to be compromising the recruitment of important tree species in this national park. These factors, together with human settlements, have also increased the proportion of early succes- sional species. Changes in forest structure from human disturbance indicate a need to control these activities if conservation goals are not to be compromised.