Characterization of the Remaining Tropical Dry Forest of the Agalta Valley, Honduras

Abstract

We identify 20 fragments of Tropical Dry Forest in the Agalta Valley, Olancho, Honduras. We characterize the vegetation structure of the fragments and the dominance and relative importance of plant species and other dasometric parameters of their horizontal and vertical organization. We identified 265 plant species, distributed in 78 families and 223 genera. The dominant habit was herbs (81 species) followed by trees (69 species). The most common families were Fabaceae (36 species), Orchidaceae (17 species) and Asteraceae (13 species). Plant associations at Agalta Valley mixed with predominance of anthropogenic production systems. The presence of certain plant species suggests that in the near past wetter associations existed in the valley. Currently there exist the low deciduous forest and the pine–oak forest. Biscuite (Acacia deamii) had the highest relative abundance, followed by guamuche (Pithecelobium dulce). This may be the result of regrowth of plants remaining from the original forest. The dominant species at the pine - oak forest were the oaks Quercus sapoetifolia and Quercus segoviensis, with a significant contribution of the nance (Byrsonima crassifolia, Malpighiaceae). There is some connectivity between forest fragments at Agalta through the remaining vegetation of riverine forests. This can be of vital importance to wildlife in the valley, including the emerald hummingbird (Amazilia luciae), the only endemic bird species of Honduras and classified as endangered. The Tropical Dry Forest is one of the life zones underrepresented in the protected area system of Honduras despite its high endemism and biodiversity in general it contains.

Ceiba, 2012. Volumen 53(1):38-56