*2.2.5 Data analysis*

from the digital elevation model to reduce the potential errors of direct

the sample points distributed in the landscape of the Dry Tropical Forest.

inhabitants (hunting, grazing, gathering, etc.).

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

The physiography of the terrain was characterized considering flat terrain (slope < 10%), steep (without slope), medium slope (10–25%) and high slope (>60%). The exposure of the sites was quantified with a compass and the magnetic north was taken as reference for its definition in the previously defined ranges. Exposure for each stand of the sampling site was also analyzed along with the digital model of exposures generated from the digital elevation model. The **Table 2** shown

*Ipsographic model of Ejido Terrero de la labor Ejido polygon, and distribution of the sampling points in the*

Other characteristics considered in the description of the sites were the degree of modification (i.e. transformation of geographical space, introduction of species), its intensity (light, medium and overexploited), as well as the type of use by local

To describe species composition, we used a sampling design based on nested plots in an area of 1024 m<sup>2</sup> in each inventory, using the criteria of the minimum area [16]. We started with a plot of 1 x 1 m in a direction perpendicular to the slope in which all present species were recorded, and subsequently, the plot. Subsequently, the plot was increased in size to 2 X 1, 2 X 2, 2 X 4, 4 X 4 m etc. registering the new species for each increment in the area of the squares until reaching the maximum

measurements.

**Figure 5.**

*DTF.*

*2.2.4 Species richness*

**22**

Species composition was estimated through the identification of the species found in each of the sampling plots. To find a limit on the number of samples and to reduce the possibility of under- or over-sampling, we conducted a rarefaction analysis. The Shannon-Wienner alpha diversity (*H*<sup>0</sup> ) was calculated for each of the sites and for each altitudinal level using the Richness and diversity species® software, considering that there could be variation in diversity according to the change in environmental conditions in temperature and precipitation as mentioned in the Standard Atmospheric Index (decrease of 0.6°C/100 m altitude).

The formula of the Shannon index is:

$$H' = -\sum\_{i=1}^{S} p\_i \log\_2 p\_i \tag{5}$$

where:


The index considers the number of species present in the study area (species richness), and the relative number of individuals of each of those species (abundance).

To estimate replacement rates of species Whitakker's β diversity was computed, using the diversity found for each altitudinal level analyzed as reference.

$$
\mathfrak{F} = \frac{\mathfrak{S}}{\mathfrak{a} - \mathbf{1}} \tag{6}
$$

**Species Key Common**

*Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*

*Arbutus glandulosa Aglan* Madroño

*Eucaliptus camaldulensis*

*Pinus duranguensis*

*Pinus duranguensis f. quinquefoliata*

*Pinus cembroides Picem* Pino

*Jatropha dioica Jadio* Sangre de

*Opuntia leucotricha Opuleu* Nopal

*Quercus cocolobifolia Queco* Palo

**25**

*Mart.*

**name\***

blanco

*Acacia farnesiana Acafar* Huizache *Leguminosae* Tr Nu Y *Asclepias linearis Aline* Romerillo *Apocynaceae* Sh Nu Y *Arbutus arizonica Aariz* Madroño *Ericaceae* Sh Fe Y *Arbutus xalapensis Axala* Madroño rojo *Ericaceae* Sh Fe Y

*Arctostaphylos pungens Apun* Manzanita *Ericaceae* Sh Fe Y *Budleia scordioides Bsco* Vara blanca *Compositae* Sh Fr Y *Budleia cordata Bcor* Tepozan *Compositae* Tr Fr Y *Bursera fagaroides Burfaga* Venadilla *Burseraceae* Sh Nu Y *Comerostaphyllis spp. Comesp* Pacuato *Ericaceae* Sh Med Y *Dalea bicolor Dabic* Engordacabra *Fabaceae* Sh Fr Y *Dasylirion acotriche Dasaco* Sotol *Agavaceae* Sh Nu Y *Dodonaea viscosa Dovisc* Jarilla *Sapindaceae* Sh Med Y

*Fraxinus uhdei Frauhd* Fresno *Oleaceae* Tr Nu Y *Garria ovata Garova* planta peluda *Garryaceae* Sh Nu Y *Pinus chihuahuana Pinchi* Pino Prieto *Pinaceae* Tr Nu Y

*Pinus leiophylla Pile* Pino Prieto *Pinaceae* Tr Nu Y *Pinus lumholtzii Pilum* Pino llorón *Pinaceae* Tr Nu Y *Pinus michoacana Pimich* Pino barbón *Pinaceae* Tr Nu Y

*Prosopis laevigata Prolae* Mesquite *Pinaceae* Sh Nu Y *Pinus teocote Pinteo* Pino *Pinaceae* Tr Ew Y

*Juniperus flacida Jufla* Olmo triste *Cupresaceae* Sh Nu Y *Juniperus deppeana Judep* Táscate *Cupresaceae* Tr Fe-

*Juniperus duranguensis Judur* Cedro chino *Cupresaceae* Sh Nu New

*Opuntia streptacantha Opust* Nopal cardón *Cactaceae* Sh Nu Y *Prunus serotina Pruser* Cerezo negro *Rosaceae* Sh Ft Y

*Quercus chihuahuensis Quechih* Palo blanco *Fagaceae* Tr Fe Y

chaparro

grado

duraznillo

manzano

**Family Forest**

*Eucamal* Eucalipto *Myrtaceae* Tr Nu Y

*PiduM* Pino verde *Pinaceae* Tr Ew Y

*PiduQ* Pino verde *Pinaceae* Tr Nu Y

*Pinaceae* Tr Nu Y

*Euphorbiaceae* Sh Nu Y

*Cactaceae* Sh Nu Y

*Fagaceae* Tr Fe Y

Tu

Y

**classification\*\***

*Ericaceae* Sh Fe Y

**Use¥ Report\*\*\***

Where: β = Whitakker's β diversity.

S = Total number of species in samples.

α = Mean number of species in samples.

## **3. Results**

#### **3.1 Temperate Mountain Forest**

#### *3.1.1 Richness and diversity species*

In the 60 sites, 50 species were recorded, corresponding to 20 families and 27 genera (**Table 3**), of which, due to their structure, 47% (n = 24) were considered trees (height ≥ 3.5 m) and 53% (n = 27) shrubs and juveniles. The best represented families were *Fagaceae* (11 species), *Pinaceae* (8 species) and *Ericaceae* (5 species). The species *Q. obtusata* Bonpl., *J. duranguensis* Martínez and *Crataegus* sp. are new reports in the Sierra Fria.

On average, the highest *H´* diversity index is found in sites whose altitude ranges between 2400 and 2600 and 2600–2800 mamsl (*H´* = 1.48 y 1.63, respectively), the former associated with ravines and difficult access places; the second index corresponds to places with higher moisture content and without use. The lowest indexes (H = 1.22 y 1.36) were found in altitudinal ranges of 2200–2400 and 2000–2200 m, respectively, located on flat lands with intensive management and high resource use rates. According to the geoform, the diversity Wittaker's *ß* was greater on the convex sites (*ßw* = 5.80), followed by the concave sites (*ßw* = 4.27) and flat lands (*ßw* = 4.04). According to the altitudinal level, the highest diversity was found in the sites whose altitude ranges between 2,400 and 2,600 m (*ßw* = 7.22), mainly in ravines and places hard to access. In contrast, the lowest indexes were found on site with an altitude lower than 2, 400 m (*ßw* = 4.52), located on flat lands, under intensive management and easy access.

In the **Figure 6**, we shown an example of dominant vegetation in Temperate Mountain Forest (in conifers, *Pinus leiophylla* and *P. teocote* in order) in the Sierra Fria Protected Natural Area.

### *Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*

where:

• *pi*

(abundance).

**3. Results**

• *S*– Total number of species (species richness)

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

• *N*– Total number of individuals of all species

relative abundance of species i): *ni*

• *ni*– number of individuals of species i

Where: β = Whitakker's β diversity. S = Total number of species in samples. α = Mean number of species in samples.

**3.1 Temperate Mountain Forest**

*3.1.1 Richness and diversity species*

reports in the Sierra Fria.

intensive management and easy access.

Fria Protected Natural Area.

**24**

– Proportion of individuals of species i in respect to total of individuals (i.e.:

*N*

richness), and the relative number of individuals of each of those species

using the diversity found for each altitudinal level analyzed as reference.

The index considers the number of species present in the study area (species

To estimate replacement rates of species Whitakker's β diversity was computed,

<sup>α</sup> � <sup>1</sup> (6)

<sup>β</sup> <sup>¼</sup> *<sup>S</sup>*

In the 60 sites, 50 species were recorded, corresponding to 20 families and 27 genera (**Table 3**), of which, due to their structure, 47% (n = 24) were considered trees (height ≥ 3.5 m) and 53% (n = 27) shrubs and juveniles. The best represented families were *Fagaceae* (11 species), *Pinaceae* (8 species) and *Ericaceae* (5 species). The species *Q. obtusata* Bonpl., *J. duranguensis* Martínez and *Crataegus* sp. are new

On average, the highest *H´* diversity index is found in sites whose altitude ranges between 2400 and 2600 and 2600–2800 mamsl (*H´* = 1.48 y 1.63, respectively), the former associated with ravines and difficult access places; the second index corresponds to places with higher moisture content and without use. The lowest indexes (H = 1.22 y 1.36) were found in altitudinal ranges of 2200–2400 and 2000–2200 m, respectively, located on flat lands with intensive management and high resource use rates. According to the geoform, the diversity Wittaker's *ß* was greater on the convex sites (*ßw* = 5.80), followed by the concave sites (*ßw* = 4.27) and flat lands (*ßw* = 4.04). According to the altitudinal level, the highest diversity was found in the sites whose altitude ranges between 2,400 and 2,600 m (*ßw* = 7.22), mainly in ravines and places hard to access. In contrast, the lowest indexes were found on site with an altitude lower than 2, 400 m (*ßw* = 4.52), located on flat lands, under

In the **Figure 6**, we shown an example of dominant vegetation in Temperate Mountain Forest (in conifers, *Pinus leiophylla* and *P. teocote* in order) in the Sierra



*\*The common names were provided by the habitants of "La Congoja" community and do not necessarily correspond to the common name in other localities where these species could be found.*

*\*\*Within the forest classification,Tr = Tree and Sh = Shrub.*

*\*\*\*The reports correspond to the flora identified previously, the new reports correspond to the individuals identified in this study.*

*¥ The use of the forest species recorded, depends on the forest managers experience, in this way, Nu = no use;*

*Fe = firewood extraction; Fr = use as forage plant; Med = Medicinal use; Pt = Timber use; for extraction as fence pole; Ew = extraction as wood stripe from* P. teocote*; le = leave extraction for ornamentals; To = tools.*

#### **Table 3.**

*Forest species identified in an area of the SF-natural protected area, Aguascalientes.*

#### *3.1.2 Distribution and abundance of species*

The most widely distributed species belong to the genus *Juniperus* (locally known as cedros or táscates), *Quercus* (oaks) and *Arbutus* (locally known as madrone). *J. deppeana* is the most widely distributed species followed by *Quercus potosina* and by *Arctostaphyllos pungens.* The madrones (*Arbutus xalapensis* and *A. glandulosa*) appear in fourth and fifth place, respectively (**Figure 7**).

Out of 50 recorded species, 6 are the ones with the highest abundance indexes. *Q. potosina*, the species best represented in the landscape. This species presents the highest abundance index (ia = 0.1585), followed by *J. deppeana* (ia =0.1102) which also presents the widest distribution. Inside the genus *Pinus*, *P. leiophylla* is the most abundant, even above manzanita (*Arctostaphyllos pungens*) and red oaks (*Q. sideroxyla* y *Q. eduardii*; **Figure 8**).

sites. The distribution analysis based on the altitudinal gradients and geoform suggests that the altitudinal stratum between 2 000 and 2 200 m is the one with the lowest tree and shrub species richness. The best represented species in this range belong to the xeric shrubland being three of them such as *Dodonaea viscosa*,

*Forest species with wide distribution in the study area inside the SF-natural protected area.*

*Typical vegetation of the Temperate Mountain Forest. (a) Landscape dominates by conifers in the sierra Fria, in this case, by* Pinus leiophylla*; (b) wild ash twig (*Fraxinus uhdei*); (c) Manzanita (*Arctostaphyllos pungens*) specimen in a plateau of the sierra Fria; (d) oak specimen locally known as Palo chino (*Quercus grisea*).*

**Figure 6.**

*Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*

**Figure 7.**

**27**

*Phytecellobium leptophyllum*, and *Odontotrichum amplum*, considered as overgrazing indicator species [22]. From the second stratum (2 200 to 2 400 mamsl) *Pinu*s and

There are species such as *Pinus chihuahuana*, *Pinus lumholtzii* and *Pinus duranguensis* that present restricted distribution, but are abundant in very specific *Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*

#### **Figure 6.**

*Typical vegetation of the Temperate Mountain Forest. (a) Landscape dominates by conifers in the sierra Fria, in this case, by* Pinus leiophylla*; (b) wild ash twig (*Fraxinus uhdei*); (c) Manzanita (*Arctostaphyllos pungens*) specimen in a plateau of the sierra Fria; (d) oak specimen locally known as Palo chino (*Quercus grisea*).*

#### **Figure 7.**

*3.1.2 Distribution and abundance of species*

**Species Key Common**

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

*Quercus resinosa Queres* Encino

*Phytecellobium leptophyllum*

*Eisenhardtia polystachya*

*this study. ¥*

**Table 3.**

**26**

**name\***

hojudo

*Phylep* Gatuño de la sierra

*the common name in other localities where these species could be found. \*\*Within the forest classification,Tr = Tree and Sh = Shrub.*

*Quercus laeta Quela* Palo blanco *Fagaceae* Tr Fe Y *Quercus grisea Quegri* Palo chino *Fagaceae* Tr Fe Y *Quercus potosina Quepo* Palo chaparro *Fagaceae* Tr Fe Y *Quercus microphylla Quemic* Chaparrito *Fagaceae* Sh Nu Y

*Quercus rugosa Querug* Palo blanco *Fagaceae* Tr To Y *Quercus sideroxyla Quersid* Palo rojo *Fagaceae* Tr Fe-

*Quercus eduardii Queredu* Palo rojo *Fagaceae* Tr Fe-

*Quercus sp. Encino 1* Encino *Fagaceae* Sh Fe Y *Quercus obtusata Querobt* Encino *Fagaceae* Sh Fe New *Yucca filifera Yufi* Palma *Agavaceae* Sh Nu Y *Odontotrichum amplum Adoamp* Vaquerilla *Asteraceae* Sh Nu Y

*Crataegus spp. Crasp* Tejocote *Rosaceae* Tr Nu New *Quercus sp-2 Encino 2* Encino *Fagaceae* Sh Nu Y *Ipomoea stans Ipost* Galuza *Convolvulaceae* Sh Nu Y

*\*The common names were provided by the habitants of "La Congoja" community and do not necessarily correspond to*

*\*\*\*The reports correspond to the flora identified previously, the new reports correspond to the individuals identified in*

*The use of the forest species recorded, depends on the forest managers experience, in this way, Nu = no use; Fe = firewood extraction; Fr = use as forage plant; Med = Medicinal use; Pt = Timber use; for extraction as fence pole;*

*Ew = extraction as wood stripe from* P. teocote*; le = leave extraction for ornamentals; To = tools.*

*Forest species identified in an area of the SF-natural protected area, Aguascalientes.*

**Family Forest**

**classification\*\***

*Fagaceae* Tr Le Y

*Leguminosae* Sh Nu Y

*Eipol* Varaduz *Fabaceae* Sh Nu Y

**Use¥ Report\*\*\***

le

le

Y

Y

(*Q. sideroxyla* y *Q. eduardii*; **Figure 8**).

The most widely distributed species belong to the genus *Juniperus* (locally known as cedros or táscates), *Quercus* (oaks) and *Arbutus* (locally known as madrone). *J. deppeana* is the most widely distributed species followed by *Quercus potosina* and by *Arctostaphyllos pungens.* The madrones (*Arbutus xalapensis* and *A. glandulosa*) appear in fourth and fifth place, respectively (**Figure 7**).

Out of 50 recorded species, 6 are the ones with the highest abundance indexes. *Q. potosina*, the species best represented in the landscape. This species presents the highest abundance index (ia = 0.1585), followed by *J. deppeana* (ia =0.1102) which also presents the widest distribution. Inside the genus *Pinus*, *P. leiophylla* is the most

abundant, even above manzanita (*Arctostaphyllos pungens*) and red oaks

There are species such as *Pinus chihuahuana*, *Pinus lumholtzii* and *Pinus duranguensis* that present restricted distribution, but are abundant in very specific

*Forest species with wide distribution in the study area inside the SF-natural protected area.*

sites. The distribution analysis based on the altitudinal gradients and geoform suggests that the altitudinal stratum between 2 000 and 2 200 m is the one with the lowest tree and shrub species richness. The best represented species in this range belong to the xeric shrubland being three of them such as *Dodonaea viscosa*, *Phytecellobium leptophyllum*, and *Odontotrichum amplum*, considered as overgrazing indicator species [22]. From the second stratum (2 200 to 2 400 mamsl) *Pinu*s and

#### *Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

#### **Figure 8.**

*Abundancy indexes from the species best represented in the SF-natural protected area, the most representative ecosystem of Temperate Mountain Forest in Ags. The X axis represents the abundancy index which ranges between 0.0670 (*Quercus eduardii*) and 0.1585 (*Q. potosina*). The maximum value of the abundancy index could be 1.*

*Quercus* species begin to appear, although isolated *Quercus resinosa* individuals can be found at higher altitudes (**Table 4**).

Out of the dominant conifer species at the SF-Natural Protected Area, *Pinus leiophylla* and *P. teocote* are distributed at altitudes ranging from 2 400 to 2 600 masl. Between 2 600 and 2 800 mamsl these two species are more dispersed and located mainly in ravines. *P. leiophylla* is also located on plateaus at 2 700 m (e.g. Mesa del Águila and Mesa del Aserradero). Red oaks (*Q. eduardii* and *Q. sideroxyla*) are distributed at altitudes from 2 400 to 2 600 m, mainly along the ravines (**Table 3**).

In **Figure 9** we shown some species of *Pinus* genera dominants in the intermediate altitudinal strata of SF-Protected Natural Area.

#### **3.2 Dry Tropical Forest**

#### *3.2.1 Richness and diversity woody species*

We identified 79 species of trees and shrubs, within 45 genera and 14 families (see **Table 5**). The best represented families were Fabaceae (13 genera), Asteraceae (11 genera) and Cactaceae (9 genera). The genera better represented were *Opuntia* (n = 4 spp.), *Acacia* (n = 4 spp.) and *Bursera* (n = 3 spp.). The genero *Salvia* is also important.

The *H*<sup>0</sup> diversity found in the DTF of the ejido Terrero de la Labor ejido is constant. The highest diversity index found was 3.49 in two of the 26 analyzed sites, which apparently are well conserved sites. On the contrary, three sites had the lowest *H*<sup>0</sup> diversity index with 2.77 (**Table 6**). Although there are apparently no differences, the highest diversity indexes are located mainly in ravines and north facing exposures, and in locations with difficult access (see **Table 7**).

*Myrtillocactus geometrizans* (garambullo), *Ipomoea murucoides* (palo bobo), *Eysenhardtia polystachya* (varaduz), *Bursera fagaroides* (venadilla), and *Forestiera phillyreoides* (palo blanco) (**Figure 10**), which were located in 96, 92, 90, 88 and 86% of the plots respectively, assuming that the sampling sites are representative of

*contrast, the black shades indicate that although this species is not abundant, it was found in.*

**ALTITUDE (MASL)**

*Arctostaphylos pungens Dodonaea viscosa Juniperus deppeana Quercus potosina Bursera fagaroides Eisenhardtia polystachya Juniperus flacida Acacia farnesiana Prosopis laevigata Arbutus glandulosa Quercus resinosa Yucca filifera*

*Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*

*Phytecellobium leptophyllum*

*Asclepias linearis Quercus eduardii Odontotrichum amplum*

*Pinus leiophylla Pinus teocote Quercus rugosa Quercus chihuahuensis Quercus sideroxyla Arbutus xalapensis Pinus lumholtzii Juniperus duranguensis Quercus cocolobifolia Quercus grisea Quercus laeta*

*¥*

*‡*

**29**

**Table 4.**

**Species A1 A2 A3 A4 A5**

**2 2.1 2.19 2.2 2.3 2.39 2.4 2.5 2.59 2.6 2.7 2.79 2.8 2.9 3**

On the other extreme, the rarest species were *Plumeria rubra*, *Ficus petiolaris* and *Fraxinus purpurea*. The first species was only located in one site, while the last two

*The species distribution in different altitudinal gradients was as a function of the 10 dominant species (obtained from*

*The bars with gray shades indicates that this species is abundant at the altitudinal gradient where it was found. In*

the entire landscape.

*the frequency/site) at each altitudinal stratum. Altitudes (A1-A5) are calculated in m\* 1000.*

*Dominant species distribution by altitudinal strata.*

#### *3.2.2 Distribution and abundance of woody species in the DTF*

Of the 79 species identified, eight are distributed in more than 70% of the plots of Terrero de la Labor ejido. The species with the greater distribution are the

*Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*


*¥ The species distribution in different altitudinal gradients was as a function of the 10 dominant species (obtained from the frequency/site) at each altitudinal stratum.*

*Altitudes (A1-A5) are calculated in m\* 1000.*

*‡ The bars with gray shades indicates that this species is abundant at the altitudinal gradient where it was found. In contrast, the black shades indicate that although this species is not abundant, it was found in.*

#### **Table 4.**

*Quercus* species begin to appear, although isolated *Quercus resinosa* individuals can

*Abundancy indexes from the species best represented in the SF-natural protected area, the most representative ecosystem of Temperate Mountain Forest in Ags. The X axis represents the abundancy index which ranges between 0.0670 (*Quercus eduardii*) and 0.1585 (*Q. potosina*). The maximum value of the abundancy index*

Out of the dominant conifer species at the SF-Natural Protected Area, *Pinus leiophylla* and *P. teocote* are distributed at altitudes ranging from 2 400 to 2 600 masl. Between 2 600 and 2 800 mamsl these two species are more dispersed and located mainly in ravines. *P. leiophylla* is also located on plateaus at 2 700 m (e.g. Mesa del Águila and Mesa del Aserradero). Red oaks (*Q. eduardii* and *Q. sideroxyla*)

In **Figure 9** we shown some species of *Pinus* genera dominants in the interme-

We identified 79 species of trees and shrubs, within 45 genera and 14 families (see **Table 5**). The best represented families were Fabaceae (13 genera), Asteraceae (11 genera) and Cactaceae (9 genera). The genera better represented were *Opuntia* (n = 4 spp.), *Acacia* (n = 4 spp.) and *Bursera* (n = 3 spp.). The genero *Salvia* is also

The *H*<sup>0</sup> diversity found in the DTF of the ejido Terrero de la Labor ejido is constant. The highest diversity index found was 3.49 in two of the 26 analyzed sites, which apparently are well conserved sites. On the contrary, three sites had the lowest *H*<sup>0</sup> diversity index with 2.77 (**Table 6**). Although there are apparently no differences, the highest diversity indexes are located mainly in ravines and north

Of the 79 species identified, eight are distributed in more than 70% of the plots

of Terrero de la Labor ejido. The species with the greater distribution are the

facing exposures, and in locations with difficult access (see **Table 7**).

*3.2.2 Distribution and abundance of woody species in the DTF*

are distributed at altitudes from 2 400 to 2 600 m, mainly along the ravines

be found at higher altitudes (**Table 4**).

*3.2.1 Richness and diversity woody species*

diate altitudinal strata of SF-Protected Natural Area.

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

(**Table 3**).

**Figure 8.**

*could be 1.*

important.

**28**

**3.2 Dry Tropical Forest**

*Dominant species distribution by altitudinal strata.*

*Myrtillocactus geometrizans* (garambullo), *Ipomoea murucoides* (palo bobo), *Eysenhardtia polystachya* (varaduz), *Bursera fagaroides* (venadilla), and *Forestiera phillyreoides* (palo blanco) (**Figure 10**), which were located in 96, 92, 90, 88 and 86% of the plots respectively, assuming that the sampling sites are representative of the entire landscape.

On the other extreme, the rarest species were *Plumeria rubra*, *Ficus petiolaris* and *Fraxinus purpurea*. The first species was only located in one site, while the last two

**Species Family Common name**

*Eysenhardtia polystachya* (Ortega) Sarg. Fabaceae Palo azulo o Varaduz

*Heliocarpus terebinthinaceus* (DC.) Hochr. Meliaceae Cicuito o Cuero de indio

*Lysiloma acapulcense* (Kunth) Benth. Fabaceae Ébano o Palo fierro Tepeguaje

*Mimosa monancistra* Benth. Fabaceae Gatuño o Uña de gato

*Montanoa leucantha* (Lag.) S.F. Blake Asteraceae Talacao o Vara blanca *Opuntia leucotricha* DC. Cactaceae Nopal chaveño o duraznillo

Asteraceae Caballito

Cactaceae Garambullo

*Eysenhardtia punctata* Pennell Fabaceae Palo cuate *Ferocactus histrix* Lindsay Cactaceae Biznaga costillona *Ficus petiolaris* Kunth Moraceae Ficus silvestre *Forestiera phillyreoides* (Benth.) Torr. Oleaceae Palo blanco *Fraxinus purpusii* Brandegee Oleaceae Saucillo *Gymnosperma glutinosum* (Spreng.) Less. Asteraceae Cola de zorra

*Ipomoea murucoides* Roem. & Schult. Convolvulaceae Palo bobo *Iresine sp.* Amaranthaceae Cola de zorra *Jatropha dioica* Sessé Euphorbiaceae Sangregrado

*Karwinskia humboldtiana* (Schult.) Zucc. Rhamnaceae Coyotillo *Leucaena esculenta* (Moc. & Sessé ex DC.) Benth. Fabaceae Guaje rojo *Lippia inopinata* Moldenke Verbenaceae Palo oloroso

*Lysiloma microphyllum* Benth. Fabaceae Tepeguaje *Mammillaria bombycina* Quehl Cactaceae Biznaga de seda *Mammillaria sp.* Cactaceae Biznaga *Manihot caudata* Greenm. Euphorbiaceae Pata de gallo

*Mimosa sp.* Fabaceae Huizache

*Opuntia robusta* J.C. Wendl. Cactaceae Tuna tapona *Opuntia sp.* Cactaceae Nopal *Opuntia streptacantha* Lem. Cactaceae Nopal cardón

*Koanophyllon solidaginifolium* (A. Gray) R. M. King

*Myrtillocactus geometrizans* (Mart. ex Pfeiff.)

& H. Rob.

Console

**31**

*Ceiba aesculifolia* (Kunth) Britten & Baker f. Malvaceae Pochote *Celtis caudata* Planch. Ulmaceae Capulincillo *Celtis pallida* Torr. Ulmaceae Vara en cruz *Chusquea sp* Poaceae Camalote *Colubrina triflora* Brongn. Ex G. Don Rhamnaceae Algodoncillo *Cordia sonorae* Rose Boraginaceae Amapa o Vara prieta *Croton ciliatoglandulifer* Ortega Euphorbiaceae Algodoncillo *Dasylirion acrotrichum* (Schiede) Zucc. Asparagaceae Sotol *Dodonaea viscosa* Jacq. Sapindaceae Jarilla *Erythrina flabelliformis* Kearney Fabaceae Colorín *Eupatorium sp* Asteraceae Copalillo

*Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*

#### **Figure 9.**

*Populations of* Pinus *(*Pinus *spp) at the SF-natural protected area. The photograph on the left side shows a* Pinus leiophylla *population at the Barranca de Piletas. The pothogragh in the right side shows an image of* Pinus duranguensis*. Photographs as courtesy of Clemente Villalobos llamas and Vicente Díaz Núñez.*



**Figure 9.**

**30**

*Populations of* Pinus *(*Pinus *spp) at the SF-natural protected area. The photograph on the left side shows a* Pinus leiophylla *population at the Barranca de Piletas. The pothogragh in the right side shows an image of* Pinus duranguensis*. Photographs as courtesy of Clemente Villalobos llamas and Vicente Díaz Núñez.*

**Species Family Common name** *Acacia berlandieri* Benth. Fabaceae Carbonera *Acacia farnesiana* (L.) Willd. Fabaceae Tepame

*Acacia pennatula* (Schltdl. & Cham.) Benth. Fabaceae Huizache o Cascalote

*Agave angustifolia* Haw. Asparagaceae Lechuguilla *Albizia plurijuga* (Standl.) Britton & Rose Fabaceae Tepeguaje blanco

*Alnus acuminata* Kunth Betulaceae Aile *Amelanchier denticulata* (Kunth) K. Koch Rosaceae Duraznillo *Amphipterygium molle* (Hemsl.) Hemsl. & Rose Anacardiaceae Cuachalalate *Asclepias linaria* Cav. Apocynaceae Algodoncillo

*Baccharis heterophylla* Kunth Asteraceae Escobilla *Bouvardia multiflora* (Cav.) Schult. & Schult. f. Rubiaceae Clavelito

*Cedrela dugesii S. Watson* Meliaceae Cedro

*Brickellia veronicifolia* (Kunth) A. Gray Asteraceae Orégano de monte *Buddleja cordata* Kunth Buddlejaceae Tepozán blanco *Buddleja sessiliflora* Kunth Buddlejaceae Tepozán verde *Bursera bipinnata* Donn. Sm. Burseraceae Lantrisco *Bursera fagaroides* (Kunth) Engl. Burseraceae Venadilla *Bursera penicillata* (DC.) Engl. Burseraceae Arbol de chicle *Calliandra eriophylla* Benth. Fabaceae Calandria *Castilleja tenuifolia* M. Martens & Galeotti Scrophulariaceae Hierba del cancer

*Ayenia mexicana* Turcz. Sterculioideae

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*


#### **Table 5.**

*List of species identified in the dry tropical Forest of Terrero de la labor Ejido, Calvillo, Ags.*


#### **Table 6.**

*Average H*<sup>0</sup> *diversity indices associated to different altitudinal ranges in the DTF of Terrero de la labor Ejido.*

were only found in two and three sampling sites, respectively. Their low frequency could be associated to their presence in mid statured forests. The most abundant species are those that, even though they are not those with a wide distribution in the landscape, in the places where they are located their frequency is higher than the rest of the identified species. In the DTF of the Terrero de la Labor, the most abundant species belonged to five different genera, of which the most important are *Lysiloma microphylla* (tepeguaje), *Ipomoea murucoides* (palo bobo), and *Bursera fagaroides* (locally known as venadilla) (**Figure 7**). In the case of *Ipomoea murucoides*, it occupies the second place in both distribution and abundance (see **Figure 11**).

The **Figure 12** shown some species of the dominant vegetation in tropical dry forest, in this case, of the Terrero de la labor and las Moras ejidos in the Municipality

**Slope range (%) Sampled sites** *H´* 0–9 6 2.94 9–25 3 2.88 26–37 5 2.92 37–49 4 3.26 49–64 5 3.34 >65 3 3.39

of Calvillo, Aguascalientes State.

*List of species with the highest abundance in Terrero de la labor Ejido.*

**Table 7.**

**Figure 10.**

**Figure 11.**

**33**

*Diversity indexes associated to different slopes of the sites.*

*Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*

*Species best represented in the DTF Terrero de la labor Ejido.*

*Ecology of Plant Communities in Central Mexico DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95629*


#### **Table 7.**

*Diversity indexes associated to different slopes of the sites.*

#### **Figure 10.**

*Species best represented in the DTF Terrero de la labor Ejido.*

#### **Figure 11.**

were only found in two and three sampling sites, respectively. Their low frequency could be associated to their presence in mid statured forests. The most abundant species are those that, even though they are not those with a wide distribution in the landscape, in the places where they are located their frequency is higher than the rest of the identified species. In the DTF of the Terrero de la Labor, the most abundant species belonged to five different genera, of which the most important are *Lysiloma microphylla* (tepeguaje), *Ipomoea murucoides* (palo bobo), and *Bursera fagaroides* (locally known as venadilla) (**Figure 7**). In the case of *Ipomoea murucoides*, it occupies the second place in both distribution and abundance (see

*Average H*<sup>0</sup> *diversity indices associated to different altitudinal ranges in the DTF of Terrero de la labor Ejido.*

**Species Family Common name**

*Plumbago pulchella* Boiss Plumbaginaceae Chilillo medicinal *Plumeria rubra* L. Apocynaceae Flor de mayo

*Ptelea trifoliata* L. Rutaceae Naranjo agrio o Zorrillo

*Quercus laeta* Liebm. Fagaceae Roble blanco *Salvia mexicana* L. Labiatae Tlacote *Salvia sp.* Labiatae Salvias *Stachys coccínea* Ortega Labiatae Mirto *Stenocereus queretaroensis* (F. A. C. Weber) Buxb. Cactaceae Pitahaya *Tecoma stans* (L.) Juss. ex Kunth Bignoniaceae Tronadora *Trixis angustifolia* DC. Asteraceae Vara verde *Verbesina serrata* Cav. Asteraceae Vara blanca

*Wimmeria confusa* Hemsl. Celastraceae Algodoncillo *Yucca filifera* Chabaud Asparagaceae Palma *Zanthoxylum fagara* (L.) Sarg. Rutaceae Rabo lagarto

*List of species identified in the dry tropical Forest of Terrero de la labor Ejido, Calvillo, Ags.*

**Altitud level (masl) Sampled sites** *H´* –1900 7 3.08 –1950 5 2.57 –2000 7 3.60 –2100 5 3.14 >2100 2 3.25

Fabaceae Mezquite

Asteraceae Vara amarilla

*Pistacia mexicana* Kunth Anacardiaceae Lantrisco *Pittocaulon filare* (McVaugh) H. Rob. & Brettell Asteraceae Palo loco

*Perymenium mendezii* DC. Asteraceae

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

*Prosopis laevigata* (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) M.C.

*Viguiera quinqueradiata* (Cav.) A. Gray ex S.

Johnst.

Watson

**Table 5.**

**Table 6.**

**Figure 11**).

**32**

*List of species with the highest abundance in Terrero de la labor Ejido.*

The **Figure 12** shown some species of the dominant vegetation in tropical dry forest, in this case, of the Terrero de la labor and las Moras ejidos in the Municipality of Calvillo, Aguascalientes State.
