Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, C. D.  and  PEREZ, V. R.. Biodiversity characterization of the natural regeneration of perennial species in plantation of Prosopis alba Griseb. Quebracho (Santiago del Estero) [online]. 2022, vol.30, n.1, pp.5-17.  Epub Mar 01, 2022. ISSN 0328-0543.

The present study was carried out on a 15-year-old Prosopis alba plantation, located near Tres Lagunas (Formosa province), with the objective of characterizing the biodiversity of perennial species’ natural regeneration by evaluating the effects of silvicultural management, the proximity of native forest fragments and the presence of livestock in the system. The data come from regeneration samples of three size classes obtained in three plantation areas (moderate and slight silvicultural intervention and control, without any intervention) and from the adjacent native forest. The alpha diversity was evaluated through the Margalef, Shannon-Wiener and Simpson dominance indices while the beta diversity using the Sörensen´s coefficient of similarity. Natural regeneration occurred in all the areas of the plantation, without evidence of effects on biodiversity due to the silvicultural treatments. Fifteen species were identified, being six the species common to the three zones (Prosopis nigra, Maclura tinctoria, Copernicia alba, Celtis tala, Achatocarpus praecox and Austroeupatorium inulifolium). The values calculated for the biodiversity indices refer in all cases that natural regeneration of the studied areas shows low diversity without any dominant species. Higher abundance was determined in the control and mild intervention areas. The Sörensen´s similarity index between the natural regeneration of the plantation and the native forest was 0.73, evidencing high coincidence.

Keywords : species richness; abundance; index; competence; succession..