Estudio de la Vegetación del Volcán San Pedro, Reserva de usos múltiples de la cuenca del lago de Atitlán, Sololá

P. Pardo; M. Véliz; C. Méndez

doi:10.54495/Rev.Cientifica.EdicionEspecial2009.180

Authors

P. Pardo Profesor interino, Departamento de Zoología, Genética y Vida silvestre, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacia, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala
M. Véliz Curador del Herbario BIGU, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacia, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala
C. Méndez Jefe del Departamento de Ecología, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacia, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54495/Rev.Cientifica.EdicionEspecial2009.180%20

Keywords:

Vegetation of the San Pedro Volcano, Lake Atitlán Basin

Abstract

The present study analyzed the distribution of the vegetation in the San Pedro volcano in terms of its richness, composition, structure and abundance, based on the possible relationship that it has with the changes in exposure and altitude observed in
the volcano. For this purpose, the area with vegetation cover was divided into three altitude floors from 2,400 meters above sea level to the summit at 3,020 meters above sea level, and into four vertical sections in relation to the four cardinal points, resulting in the arrangement of the area in 12 relatively more homogeneous sub-areas or strata (in terms of altitude and exposure). In total, a sample of 36 experimental units was obtained (0.1 Ha Whittaker plots), corresponding to 3 plots for each stratum.

The collection of 1,038 herbarium numbers was achieved, including 415 species grouped into 102 families. The most abundant families were: Asteraceae with 72 species (17.5%), Orchidaceae 27 (6.6%), Poaceae 19 (4.6%), Solanaceae 15 (3.6%) and Fabaceae 13 (3.2%). In addition, due to the growth habits observed, they were grouped into Herbs (149 species - 36%), Shrubs (91 sp. - 22%), Epiphytes (56 sp. -14%), Trees (52 sp. -13%), Lianas (45 sp. -11%), and other habits (18 sp. – 18%).

The grouping analysis using the Sørensen Index as a measure of similarity, the classification analysis with Twinspan and the ordination analysis with DCA (PC-ORD Version 3.12 and Past Version 1.14), support the possible existence of two plant assemblages, product of the exposure and height changes: the association Quercus pilicaulis / Arbutus xalapensis / Ceanothus azureus - Galium mexicanum – Salvia lasiantha; and the association Saurauia subalpina / Meliosma dives / Synardisia venosa – Solanum appendiculatum – Maianthemun flexuosum.

The high average plant richness (41 spp / 0.1 Ha) recorded in the forest of the San Pedro volcano presents serious threats related to changes in land use, such as the edge effect and the loss of connection with other fragments, therefore that it is recommended to implement conservation and management strategies that prevent further deterioration of the area.

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