Abstract

CALVO-VILLALOBOS, Jossy Esteban; BERMUDEZ-ROJAS, Tania  and  VEGA-BOLANOS, Hannia. Composition and forest structure of the interurban biological Corridor Tibás River, Heredia, Costa Rica. Kurú [online]. 2018, vol.15, n.36, pp.9-19. ISSN 2215-2504.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18845/rfmk.v15i36.3426.

This research had as objective to determine the forest structure and floristic composition of the “Tibás River Interurban Biological corridor” region. We delimit three elevational zones/strata in the area and established 61 sampling plots (15 x 15 m). Species richness, abundance and ecological group species (early or late-successional and seed dispersal methods) in trees (diameter > 10 cm) and seedlings (individuals between 30 cm and 1.5 m of height) were evaluated. Then we characterized the ecosystems according with diversity indexes (Shannon and Pielou), their diameter category, tree density and forest canopy gap. We recorded 113 tree species in 43 families (diameter > 10 cm) and 122 seedlings species (41 families). Mean tree density estimation ranged between 469- 491 individuals/ha in the elevational zones. The three strata follow a reverse-J diameter distribution, and among 70-77 % of tree diameters ranged between 10 and 39.9 cm. While the three elevational zones recorded optimal recruitment and diversity indexes, according with diameter distribution, Shannon (> 3.13) and Pielou (> 0.81), the low and medium stratum suggested a greater ecosystem disturbance, and less sustainability, due to high early-successional and wind-dispersed species proportions encountered. Likewise, mean forest canopy gap values were moderate in the lower elevational zones (59-72 %) and relatively high in the greater altitudinal level (87 %). This information suggests that the low and medium elevational zones are areas with higher restoration priority, and enrichment strategies in the riparian forest may be required.

Keywords : Biodiversity; forest structure; functional diversity; natural succession; interurban ecosystem; Heredia; Costa Rica.

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