SILVICULTURE TREATMENTS, MONITORING AND RESTOCKING WITH IGUANA (<i>Iguana iguana</i>) IN GALLERY FOREST OF THE HACIENDA LAS MERCEDES PRODUCTION UNIT, NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study was carried out at Las Mercedes farm, National
Agrarian University. The objective was to contribute to the
conservation of the gallery forest with the establishment
of forest plantation and repopulation of iguanas. The
methodological process started with visits to the two
selected sites: Sábalos River (where the forest plantation was
established) and Las Mercedes River (repopulation of iguanas
experiment). Initially, six plots with selected forest species
were established in an area of 0.22 ha. The species were:
(Pithecellobium saman (Jacq) Bent, Swietenia humilis Zucc,
Guazuma ulmifolia Lam, Calycophyllum candidissimum
(Vahl) AD, Albizzia caribeae (Urb). B&R, Dalbergia retusa
Hemsl). The data collected include variable such as height
(cm), basal diameter (mm) and survival. To perform the
statistical analysis, 16 individuals in each plot were selected,
followed by identification of the vegetation present in the
forest plantation. In order to monitor (site characterization)
Iguana iguana (green Iguana ) and Ctenosaura similis (Garrobo
negro) six transepts were used (156 m, 200 m, 209 m, 212
m, 190 m and 198 m respectively) in an area of 4.9 ha, using
the King method. The next step was the repopulation with
Iguana iguana (18 females and 6 males). Data collected were
processed and analyzed. The highest increment in height and
basal diameter were obtained by C candidissimum (21.93 and
3.655 cm and 0.34 and 0.057 mm). Excellent (100%) survival
values were obtained for C. candidissimum (Vahl) AD and D.
retusa Hemsl. Good quality survivals were obtained for G.
ulmifolia (76%) and S. humilis (67%). The total survival of
the established forest species was 87%. Ten plant species were
identified: Elitraria imbricata, Baltimora recta, Sida acuta,
Lantara camara, Rowolfio tetrafila, Commelina difusa, Priva
lappulaceae, Mimosa pudica, Datura stramonium and Salanun
americanum. During the initial monitoring, Iguana iguana
individuals were not found. On the other hand, individuals if
Ctenosaura similis (garrobo) were observed (52 individuals)
in transects 2, 4 and 6, frequently found on big trees far away
from the water sources. During the second monitoring Iguana
iguana was observed in transects 2, 5 and 6, counting 51
individuals. They were found nearby the water sources and
were frequently found on small trees. Forty eight individuals
of Ctenosaura similis were counted and were observed in
transect 2, 3, and 4.

Keywords: Conservation; forest plantation; Ctenosaura
similis.

DOI: 10.5377/calera.v9i12.3