Restoring montane cloud forest: establishment of three Fagaceae species in the old fields of central Veracruz, Mexico

摘要: Tropical montane cloud forest is rapidly disappearing and our knowledge of how to restore this system limited. In a central Veracruz, Mexico, we studied seedling survival, growth, causes mortality (microenvironment herbivory) three native tree species, Fagus grandifolia, Quercus germana, Q. xalapensis, transplanted into abandoned pastures (<1 year old) secondary forests (9–17 years old). Microenvironment differed between the two habitats, temperature photosynthetically active radiation were higher, humidity was lower in than forests. Seedling survival greater pastures: F. 94 64%; 88 68%; 61 57%, respectively. The cause with gophers (24.2% mortality) mice (4.8%) killing most seedlings pastures, damping-off (16%) important relative growth rate height basal area significantly higher forests; xalapensis had highest rate, followed by germana grandifolia. environmental conditions mountainous region seem less stressful planted other lowland systems, as frequent clouds favor their establishment even open sites. We conclude that Fagaceae species can successfully establish mesic environments. Thus, be used speed regeneration same at different successional stages.