XVI International Botanical Congess
In Southeast Mexico, we explored the role played by agriculture and cattle raising on rain forest secondary succession. We chose 21 abandoned fields differing in soil (AL = alluvial, S= sandy, L = limestone), successional age (2 to 13 years), and management history. All woody plants (DBH > 1 cm) were identified and measured (DBH and crown cover) in five 100 m2 plots/field. Species diversity and biomass increased with successional age. Rich AL soil supported higher biomass and lower diversity than poor S/ L soils. In poor soils, cattle raising intensity reduced biomass. Increase in distance to undisturbed forest reduced density of secondary regrowth. Longer forest recovery, lower intensity of pasture use, and establishment of corridors contribute to conservation of the rain forest plant community in managed landscapes.