Caracterización de la sucesión natural bajo el bosque plantado del cerro Cushcud mirador el Churo en la parroquia Licán del cantón Riobamba, provincia de Chimborazo.

Abstract

In the present research work, the study of floristic composition and diversity was carried out according to the indices of importance and diversity values to characterize the natural succession under the planted forest of Pinus radiata on Cerro Cushcud in the parish of Licán del Riobamba canton. The methodology applied was systematic sampling. Four square plots of 20 m x 20 m were installed, data of quantitative variables of dasometric measurements were taken, and these data were processed to determine the statistical estimators. For the natural succession, 5 m x 5 m subplots were drawn for data on shrub species, and for herbaceous species, two 1m x 1m quadrats were installed. Vegetation samples were collected, and identification was made in the ESPOCH herbarium. Structural parameters such as: relative density (DR), relative frequency (FR) and Simpson & Shannon indices were calculated to analyze natural regeneration. In the results obtained, a total of 825 trees of the P. radiata species were counted with an average basal area of 20.61 m2/ha; In the natural succession, the importance value index (IVI) was determined in herbaceous species, Stipa ichu, Elaphoglossum and Pteridophyta accumulating 88.16%, in shrub type Baccharis latifolia and Clinopodium tomentosum with 70.29%. In diversity indices it was concluded that for Simpson's values in the herbaceous layer, there is a medium diversity and the shrub layer a low diversity. Shannon's test for the herbaceous and shrub stratum indicated low diversity. The planted forest was determined not to present a significant vegetative variety. So, it is recommended to carry out a conservation management plan for future research that allows expanding information on the understory in plantations.