Structure and floristic composition of a primary forest at the Amazonian Experimental Research and Production Center (CEIPA).
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59410/PREPRINT-UEA-vFOR2626ep02-1217Keywords:
tropical forest, tree diversity, forest structure, natural regeneration, species richnessAbstract
This study characterized the structure and floristic composition of a primary forest at the Amazonian Experimental Research and Production Center (CEIPA), located in the Ecuadorian Amazon, with the aim of generating information to contribute to its conservation and sustainable management. To this end, four temporary 20 × 20 m plots (1,600 m² in total) were established, and all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm were inventoried. A total of 85 individuals belonging to 25 species and 15 botanical families were recorded, with an estimated density of 531 trees ha⁻¹. The Fabaceae family exhibited the highest species richness, abundance, and dominance, followed by Myristicaceae, Arecaceae, and Rubiaceae. Species of greatest ecological importance included Virola sebifera, Inga spp., Cedrelinga cateniformis, Ladenbergia oblongifolia, and Otoba glycycarpa, which accounted for a significant portion of the forest's abundance and basal area. Diversity indices revealed a highly diverse and balanced community, with a mean Shannon-Wiener index of 2.70, Simpson index (1-D) of 0.94, and Pielou evenness of 0.95, indicating low dominance and a homogeneous distribution of individuals across species. Furthermore, floristic similarity analysis showed a high degree of resemblance between plots 1 and 4, whereas plot 3 exhibited the greatest floristic differentiation. The diameter structure displayed an inverted "J" distribution characteristic of tropical forests with continuous natural regeneration where small diameter trees predominate and a few large individuals account for the majority of the basal area.
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