Tree diversity indices in the coffee agroecosystems of the Loxicha, Oaxaca

Abstract

Ten coffee farms located in the jungle of the Municipality of San Bartolome Loxicha, State of Oaxaca, were explored and evaluated, where a great diversity of tres associated with coffee is generally found, which, as agroecosystems, are mostly complex, being an example of agroforestry system. The objective was to register the existing shade tres and evaluate their importance in the agroecosystem through diversity indices. The methodology proposed by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) was applied, delimiting sites of 2000 m² at random, taking an emergent tree as the center of each site. 136 tree species used as sede were counted, mostly native and, in addition to th shade they provide to the coffee tree, the producers obtain wood, firewood, fruits and medicinal uses. The dominant species was the cuil tree (Inga edulis Mart.), followed by the aguacatillo (Phoebe spp. Nees) and the palo mujer (Alchornea latifolia Sw.). the arboreal diversity constitutes a great biological richness along with shrubby plants, epiphytes and the large numbre of birds that can be seen among the tres.