Experimental tree assemblages on the ecological rehabilitation of a cloud forest in Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

The composition and richness of woody species were experimentally tested in assemblages that were put together in order to evaluate – 18 months later – the combination that impacts several variables of woody community development the most and thus, its value on cloud forest rehabilitation. The experiment was conducted in an area of eastern Mexico characterized by cloud forest that had been severely damaged by plant cover removal and erosion as well as soil mixing and compacting caused by heavy machinery. Ten, 1-year-old, native woody species were employed to construct the assemblages. All species used in the experiment are native to eastern Mexican cloud forest, and each was included in at least two assemblages. More than half of the individuals that made up each assemblage succeeded in establishing and growing despite the dire condition of the study area; this was also true for 8 of the 10 species that made up assemblages. No evidence was found to suggest that assemblages affect development or survival at plot level, nor did the richness and composition of assemblages seem important in terms of community organization. However, in five species, assemblages were noted to influence some of the developmental variables analyzed, as the best performance came from the richest assemblage. The relative success of all assemblages and most individual species shows that it is possible to accelerate secondary succession in cloud forest by establishing assemblages of woody species juveniles. The results suggest that in this forest rehabilitation, any assemblage can be employed. Given the effects on each species, it is advisable to include the ones which exhibit the best survival and response under altered conditions in terms of crown size and height ( Quercus, Carpinus, and Ulmus).