Mortalidad y reclutamiento de árboles en un bosque nublado de la Cordillera de los Andes, Venezuela.

Abstract

Tree mortality and recruitment was studied in a Tropical lower montane moist forest (sensu Holdridge) located in the Venezuelan Andes (8o39’N; 71o24’O). Data from six 0,25 ha permanent plots, with 23 successive measurements (1968 – 2000) were used to analyze tree mortality in individuals with a breast height diameter (dbh) = 10 cm. Fifty five tree species were recorded, including palms, with 622 individuals ha -1 , and a mean basimetric of 46 m 2 ha -1 . Among the most abundant species are found Myrcia fallax, Graffenrieda latifolia and Beilschmeidia sulcata, with more than 100 trees ha -1 . Annual tree recruitment and mortality rates averaged 1.64 and 1,59%, respectively. Significant differences among periods were found for both rates. Tree density increased in 12”%. Similarly, estimation of average tree half life varied among plots and averaged 43.1 years. Apparently forest dynamics is not affected by human pressure. However, some forest conservation actions are suggested