Characterization of Riparian Tree Communities along a River Basin in the Pacific Slope of Guatemala

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dc.citation.issue7
dc.citation.volume12
dc.contributor.authorPinto AA
dc.contributor.authorMont JJC
dc.contributor.authorJiménez DEM
dc.contributor.authorNoriega AG
dc.contributor.authorBarrios JJ
dc.contributor.authorMcCormick AC
dc.date.accessioned2024-01-08T00:22:37Z
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-25T06:32:57Z
dc.date.available2024-01-08T00:22:37Z
dc.date.available2024-07-25T06:32:57Z
dc.date.issued2021-07
dc.description.abstractEcosystem conservation in Mesoamerica, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, is a top priority because of the rapid loss of native vegetation due to anthropogenic activities. Riparian forests are often the only remaining preserved areas among expansive agricultural matrices. These forest remnants are essential to maintaining water quality, providing habitats for a variety of wildlife and acting as biological corridors that enable the movement and dispersal of local species. The Acomé river is located on the Pacific slope of Guatemala. This region is heavily impacted by intensive agriculture (mostly sugarcane plantations), fires and grazing. Most of this region’s original forest is now restricted to forest remnants concentrated along the riverbank. However, the botanical composition and species diversity of the riparian communities has not been characterized. This baseline information is essential to develop restoration strategies and management plans. This study aimed to characterize the riparian tree communities along the Acomé riverbank by systematically collecting herbarium specimens and photographic material for trees over 10 cm DBH (diameter at breast height). Cluster analysis was used to identify the main riparian communities, and diversity indices were calculated for each community. A total of 115 tree species were identified, belonging to 91 genera and 43 families. The cluster analysis suggested the presence of four riparian tree communities along an altitudinal gradient. Rhizophora mangle, Cecropia obtusifolia, Guazuma ulmifolia, and Brosimum costaricanum were the dominant species of the identified communities. This research will support ongoing restoration efforts and biological connectivity plans in this region.
dc.identifier.author-urlhttp://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000676563300001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=c5bb3b2499afac691c2e3c1a83ef6fef
dc.identifier.citationPinto AA, Mont JJC, Jiménez DEM, Noriega AG, Barrios JJ, McCormick AC. (2021). Characterization of riparian tree communities along a river basin in the pacific slope of guatemala. Forests. 12. 7.
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/f12070898
dc.identifier.eissn1999-4907
dc.identifier.elements-typejournal-article
dc.identifier.numberARTN 898
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/70394
dc.publisherMDPI (Basel, Switzerland)
dc.relation.isPartOfForests
dc.rights(c) 2021 The Author/s
dc.rightsCC BY 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectarboreous species
dc.subjectriparian forest
dc.subjectplant communities
dc.subjectsecondary forest
dc.subjectrichness
dc.subjectdiversity
dc.subjectbiodiversity conservation
dc.subjectregional diversity
dc.titleCharacterization of Riparian Tree Communities along a River Basin in the Pacific Slope of Guatemala
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.elements-id448761
pubs.organisational-groupOther
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