Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Forestales

Allometric model for estimating the leaf biomass of Poliomintha longiflora A. Gray

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Poliomintha longiflora, commonly known as Mexican oregano, is a wild aromatic species of high economic value, utilized in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. In arid and semi-arid regions of Northeastern Mexico, it represents a non-timber forest resource of relevance for the rural localities where it grows. In order to contribute to its technical and sustainable management, allometric models were developed to estimate leaf biomass (LB) based on structural dendrometric variables. Destructive sampling was applied to 271 individuals distributed in seven natural sites in the states of Coahuila and San Luis Potosí. For each shrub, the total height (H) and largest (LCD) and smallest crown diameters (SCD) were recorded, from which the mean crown diameter (MCD) was calculated. The collected leaves were dried and weighed to obtain the dependent variable (LB). Eight allometric models were evaluated by means of ordinary least squares regression in R. The potency model exhibited the best fit, with an Adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.833, a low standard error (0.710 g), and no inconsistencies with respect to the classical statistical assumptions of the model. These results confirm that the MCD is a reliable predictor of LB in P. longiflora. The implementation of this model enables non-destructive estimations, reducing costs and sampling times, and thereby strengthening forest inventories. Additionally, it constitutes a valuable technical contribution to the rational and sustainable use of smooth oregano in microphyllous desert scrub ecosystems.

Additive equations systems for inventories of the green weight of Brahea dulcis (Kunth) Mart. aboveground biomass

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The immature, folded leaf (spear) of the palm tree (Brahea dulcis) is an important non-timber forest product (NTFP) used by indigenous communities in the semi-arid regions of Puebla, Mexico. However, there is a lack of biometric tools to quantify the green weight of its biomass. Additive equations systems (AES) were developed to estimate the green weight of aboveground biomass by structural component and the total green weight of B. dulcis mature individual specimens. 42 specimens were collected using destructive sampling; for each standing individual, the stem diameter (D; cm) was measured at a height of 20 cm above the ground; the total height (TH; m) and the crown diameter (CD; m) were also measured. The specimens were subsequently felled and separated into components (stem, petioles, green leaves, and spear), and their respective green weights (SW, PW, GLW, and SpW; kg) were recorded. The total green weight (TGW) per individual was obtained by adding the weights of its components. Four AES were evaluated, using as a base model the potential allometric function Y=a·Х^β; the fit was performed using the generalized method of moments. For the best AES selected (R²_adj=0.6919 and RMSE=0.8793 kg for TGW), the predictor variables were the combination of TH∙CD, both of which are easy to measure. This AES will enable spear inventories to be carried out in compliance with the Mexican official regulations; furthermore, it is the first palm taxon, an important NTFP, to be documented in a semi-arid zone in specialized scientific literature.

Abundance and diversity in reforestation and natural regeneration of the Tamaulipan Thornscrub under selective management practices

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Tamaulipan Thornscrub (TTS) is distributed in Northeastern Mexico, especially in the states of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas and Coahuila. This subtropical ecosystem is highly fragmented due to land-use changes. To mitigate the associated impacts, active restoration projects are being promoted. The objective of this study was to compare species diversity and abundance between natural Regeneration and a Reforestation area in the TTS. The area was reforested with 25 native species and subjected to selective weeding, supplemental irrigation, pruning, and phytosanitary care. Five years after planting, individuals of shrub and tree species that had germinated in the area were counted, estimating abundance as well as alpha and beta diversity indexes. A total of 29 species were recorded in the Regeneration area, 21 of which were shared with the Reforestation. Abundance was higher in the Reforestation (4 875 individuals ha-1) than in the Regeneration (2 286 individuals ha-1). The Margalef Index showed a significant difference (p=4.24e-05), with greater richness in the Regeneration area. However, the Shannon Index (p=0.2639), true diversity (p=0.2639), Simpson Index (p=0.7499), and Simpson complement (p=0.7499) did not show significant differences. Among the beta diversity indexes, Sørensen Index indicated the highest similarity percentage, at 77 %. Although natural Regeneration presented higher species richness, both strata shared a similar abundance structure. Natural Regeneration, as a complement, could be a viable and cost-effective alternative for restoring the TTS, especially when surrounding vegetation fragments are preserved and the land-use history is considered.

Ash maguey: incidence of the growth medium on the quality of the plant in nursery

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Agave durangensis is widely used in the production of mescal in the state of Durango. Despite its great economic and ecological importance, over time its natural populations have decreased, requiring its propagation in nursery for plantation programs, either for restoration or commercial purposes. The objective of this study was to determine the most appropriate mixture of substrates for the morphological growth of A. durangensis in the nursery stage. During nine months, the growth of plants produced in seven mixtures of substrates were evaluated, with different proportions of peat, composted pine bark, vermiculite and perlite. Regarding the morphological
variables, the most favorable response was obtained by treatment with mixture of peat, composted pine bark and vermiculite in equal parts (33.3 %), while the plant with lower quality was produced in treatment with mixture of peat, composted pine bark and perlite in equal parts (33.3 %). The differentiated response of the development of the species to the mixtures of evaluated substrates, create the need to adjust the types of substrates and their proportions to the requirements of the species to be produced.

Agroecological characterization of Agave rhodacantha Trel. and potential areas for its cultivation in the state of Guerrero

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Agave rhodacantha is a little-known species due to the small size and scattered distribution of its populations. It has recently been identified in the Norte Region of the state of Guerrero, where it is appreciated for its organoleptic properties and high yields in mezcal production. However, its current spread does not adequately consider edaphoclimatic requirements or the impacts associated with the loss of natural vegetation. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution areas and agroecological requirements of A. rhodacantha as a first step toward optimizing its cultivation in Guerrero, improving production yields, and preventing damage to native vegetation. Thirty-two specimens were analyzed in the field, recording phenotypic, agroclimatic, and agroecological data, supplemented with information from 76 herbarium specimens (MEXU), 63 validated observations from iNaturalist, and semi-structured interviews with local producers. The information was integrated using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which made it possible to define optimal, suboptimal, and marginal agroecological areas in the state. 397 518.35 ha were defined as optimal, 1 218 307.30 ha as suboptimal, and 66 079.97 ha as marginal. The Norte, La Montaña and Centro regions have the largest optimal areas, where warm subhumid or semi-dry semi-warm climates prevail, with altitudes of 800 to 1 400 m and annual rainfall of 600 to 1 200 mm. The scarcity of cultivated areas and the high organoleptic quality of mezcal obtained from A. rhodacantha represent an opportunity for its commercialization in differentiated markets with better prices.

Diversity of parasitic plants associated with the tree canopy on the Universidad Intercultural del Estado de Guerrero campus

Marisa Silva Aparicio, Jolissa Rosas Altamirano, Bernardo López López — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The diversity of parasitic species and their hosts was estimated on the campus of the Universidad Intercultural del Estado de Guerrero (Intercultural University of the State of Guerrero, UIEG). Through surveys of different vegetation fragments, parasitic plants were visually identified, and their abundance, height above ground (m), and diameter (cm) were recorded. The latter measurement was categorized into three groups: small (1 to 15 cm), medium (16 to 30 cm), and large (31 to 60 cm or more). The normal diameter (Nd), total height (Th), and crown diameter (Cd) of the hosts were recorded. Samples of the parasitic and host species were collected for taxonomic identification. Species accumulation curves were constructed to estimate sampling effort using the EstimateS v.9.1 software. Alpha diversity (Shannon-Wiener -H’-, Simpson, and effective species number) was evaluated. In addition, the mensuration variables were correlated with the abundance of parasitic plant taxa. Seventy-nine hosts from eight taxa belonging to six families (Fagaceae, Clethraceae, Cupressaceae, Betulaceae, Solanaceae and Asteraceae) were recorded. Five parasitic species from four families (Santalaceae, Bromeliaceae, Loranthaceae, and Convolvulaceae) were identified. The diversity of parasite species found in this study is low (H'=1.25, five sp.) and represents 12.5 % of the richness cited for the state of Guerrero.

Potential for the use of biostimulants in urban tree management

Juan Carlos Cuevas Cruz, Tomas Martinez-Trinidad — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Biostimulants are substances that, although not classified as nutrients or pesticides, are soil improvers and promote plant growth when applied in small quantities. They are categorized into four groups: acids, microorganisms, bioactive compounds of plant origin, and others. Their application in urban trees aims to improve vitality and enhance resilience under stress conditions. Commonly used biostimulants include seaweed extracts, humic acids, non-structural carbohydrates, paclobutrazol, and beneficial microorganisms. These have shown effectiveness against drought, water, and salinity stress, and in strengthening the immune system of trees. Commercial biostimulants based on humic acids have improved survival rates, root and shoot vigor, and overall vitality, as evidenced by increased chlorophyll fluorescence. Additionally, the application of starch and glucose increases starch levels in tree trunks—an important factor, as starch depletion under severe stress is associated with tree mortality. Among biostimulants, mycorrhizal fungi are the most extensively studied in urban forestry, consistently demonstrating benefits in growth variables and stress adaptation, even at the molecular level. Finally, although most biostimulant-related knowledge comes from agricultural systems, their potential use in urban arboriculture is significant. This work presents a review of their application in field and semi-controlled environments, as well as the challenges associated with their use in urban tree management.