Importance of Local Studies of Vascular Plant Communities in Conservation and Management: A Case Study in Susticacán, Zacatecas, Mexico
Some parts of the globe have a deficient vegetation coverage survey causing localized plant community qualities generalized from larger scales, hindering their particular configuration. This process is emphasized in megadiverse countries such as Mexico by transformation and loss of land cover. This...
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/10/492 |
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| author | Leopoldo Hurtado-Reveles Mireya Burgos-Hernández Juan Carlos López-Acosta Monserrat Vázquez-Sánchez |
| author_facet | Leopoldo Hurtado-Reveles Mireya Burgos-Hernández Juan Carlos López-Acosta Monserrat Vázquez-Sánchez |
| author_sort | Leopoldo Hurtado-Reveles |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Some parts of the globe have a deficient vegetation coverage survey causing localized plant community qualities generalized from larger scales, hindering their particular configuration. This process is emphasized in megadiverse countries such as Mexico by transformation and loss of land cover. This can be reflected in the municipality of Susticacán, Zacatecas, settled in a mountainous, scarcely explored area, the Sierra de los Cardos. This study aimed to characterize its plant communities, produce a fine-scale map and compare them to other descriptions. Oak forests, pine forests, grasslands, nopaleras, chaparral, and rock outcrop vegetation were detected through satellite image analysis, sampled, statistically evaluated, and their descriptions supported by the literature. The first two presented a high diversity and endemism, despite a small surface. The chaparral occupied the largest area, and its structure and composition suggest its secondary vegetation in expansion. The presence of exotic–invasive species and human activities threaten the native flora. This study is the first to provide detailed information on the plant communities in Susticacán and is a model for the study of local-scale regions. It highlights the importance of describing and mapping them as a contribution to delineate conservation and management efforts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:36:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3580485a80fd433fbe8121d18a132313 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:36:23Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj.art-3580485a80fd433fbe8121d18a1323132023-11-22T17:59:41ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182021-10-01131049210.3390/d13100492Importance of Local Studies of Vascular Plant Communities in Conservation and Management: A Case Study in Susticacán, Zacatecas, MexicoLeopoldo Hurtado-Reveles0Mireya Burgos-Hernández1Juan Carlos López-Acosta2Monserrat Vázquez-Sánchez3Programa de Posgrado en Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Montecillo, Texcoco 56230, MexicoPrograma de Posgrado en Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Montecillo, Texcoco 56230, MexicoCentro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad Veracruzana, José María Morelos 44, Zona Centro, Xalapa de Enríquez 91000, MexicoPrograma de Posgrado en Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Montecillo, Texcoco 56230, MexicoSome parts of the globe have a deficient vegetation coverage survey causing localized plant community qualities generalized from larger scales, hindering their particular configuration. This process is emphasized in megadiverse countries such as Mexico by transformation and loss of land cover. This can be reflected in the municipality of Susticacán, Zacatecas, settled in a mountainous, scarcely explored area, the Sierra de los Cardos. This study aimed to characterize its plant communities, produce a fine-scale map and compare them to other descriptions. Oak forests, pine forests, grasslands, nopaleras, chaparral, and rock outcrop vegetation were detected through satellite image analysis, sampled, statistically evaluated, and their descriptions supported by the literature. The first two presented a high diversity and endemism, despite a small surface. The chaparral occupied the largest area, and its structure and composition suggest its secondary vegetation in expansion. The presence of exotic–invasive species and human activities threaten the native flora. This study is the first to provide detailed information on the plant communities in Susticacán and is a model for the study of local-scale regions. It highlights the importance of describing and mapping them as a contribution to delineate conservation and management efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/10/492anthropogenic impactconservationplant resource managementSierra de los Cardostemperate ecosystemsvascular flora |
| spellingShingle | Leopoldo Hurtado-Reveles Mireya Burgos-Hernández Juan Carlos López-Acosta Monserrat Vázquez-Sánchez Importance of Local Studies of Vascular Plant Communities in Conservation and Management: A Case Study in Susticacán, Zacatecas, Mexico Diversity anthropogenic impact conservation plant resource management Sierra de los Cardos temperate ecosystems vascular flora |
| title | Importance of Local Studies of Vascular Plant Communities in Conservation and Management: A Case Study in Susticacán, Zacatecas, Mexico |
| title_full | Importance of Local Studies of Vascular Plant Communities in Conservation and Management: A Case Study in Susticacán, Zacatecas, Mexico |
| title_fullStr | Importance of Local Studies of Vascular Plant Communities in Conservation and Management: A Case Study in Susticacán, Zacatecas, Mexico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Importance of Local Studies of Vascular Plant Communities in Conservation and Management: A Case Study in Susticacán, Zacatecas, Mexico |
| title_short | Importance of Local Studies of Vascular Plant Communities in Conservation and Management: A Case Study in Susticacán, Zacatecas, Mexico |
| title_sort | importance of local studies of vascular plant communities in conservation and management a case study in susticacan zacatecas mexico |
| topic | anthropogenic impact conservation plant resource management Sierra de los Cardos temperate ecosystems vascular flora |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/10/492 |
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