Environmental correlates of tree and seedling-sapling distributions in a Mexican tropical dry forest

摘要: Bray and Curtis ordination was used to explore which environmental variables explained importance values the presence–absence of tropical tree seedlings, saplings adults in La Escondida-La Cabana, Sierra de Manantlan, Jalisco, Mexico. The diameters trees ≥2.5 cm DBH presence height seedlings were measured nine 0.1 ha sites. Four matrices including data value indices for analyzed through ordination. based on density, frequency, dominance adult as well saplings. matrix consisted 18 variables, elevation, slope, canopy gaps, disturbance, soil variables. We recorded 63 species 38 seedling sapling 70.9% variation 62.6% 67.1 77.4% variance axes poorly by number gaps tree, shrub, or herb layer, suggesting little light specialization Habitat nutrients appears be important explaining Seedling along different microsites could promote coexistence this forest, while heterogeneity conditions may instead determine differences growth and, thus, trees. hypothesize that dry forest Mexico, a habitat resources is likely more at early stages life histories than later history.