Keywords
forest conservation
montane forests
biodiversity conservation
pastures
landscapes
forest ecology
habitat conservation
coffee plantations
How to Cite
Abstract
The fate of some orchid species, and the importance of the landscape elements in the conservation of regional biodiversity were determined in cloud forest remnants in central Veracruz, Mexico. Remnant sites included forest fragments, isolated trees in pastures, and forest remnants used as shade for coffee plantations. A total of 61 orchid species were found in the landscape elements. Nine orchid species were recorded on isolated trees in pastures that were not found in any of the forest fragments studied. The terrestrial orchids were observed only in the forest fragments. Special note was made of the presence of orchid species that were collected for the first time in the region as these should be indicative of the status of the epiphytic flora in a fragmented landscape. These orchid species were: Acineta barkeri, Campylocen trum schiedet, Leochilus carinatus, Lepanthes avis, Lepanthes schiedei and Pleurothallis tubata; all species were observed in forest fragments, except Lepanthes avis. Only A. barkeri was found on isolated trees in the pasture. Lepanthes avis, schiedei, Leochilus carinatus, and P. tubata were observed on shade trees of the coffee plantations. Results indicate that every remnant of forest, including remnant trees, may contribute to preserve the biological diversity of a region. Para determinar el destino de algunas especies de orquídeas y la importancia de los elementos del paisaje en la conservación de la biodiversidad regional se estudiaron remanentes de bosque de neblina en Veracruz, México. Los sitios remanentes incluyeron fragmentos de bosque, árboles aislados en potreros y bosque usado como sombra para cafetales. Un total de 61 especies de orquídeas se encontraron en los elementos del paisaje considerados. Nueve especies que se registraron en árboles aislados no se encontraron en los fragmentos de bosque. Las orquídeas terrestres se observaron sólo en los fragmentos de bosque. Se observó, especialmente, la presencia de orquídeas que fueron colectadas por primera vez en la región ya que pueden indicar el estado de la flora epífita en el paisaje fragmentado actual. Estas especies son: Acineta barkeri, Campylocentrum schiedei, Leochilus carinatus, Lepanthes avis, Lepanthes schiedei y Pleurothallis tubata. Todas se observaron en los fragmentos de bosque, excepto Lepanthes avis. En árboles aislados se observó sólo a A. barkeri. En árboles de cafetal se observaron a Lepanthes avis, C. schiedei, Leochilus carinatus y P. tubata. Los resultados indican que los remanentes de bosque, aún los árboles aislados, pueden contribuir a conservar la diversidad biológica de una región.
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