Tree diversity in farms of small farmers in four municipalities of Norte de Santander, Colombia

Abstract

The tree diversity is a fundamental element to know the state of conservation and level of sustainability of the ecosystems, so its study and knowledge is necessary to promote practices aimed at protecting or improving them. The main objective of the research was to determine the tree diversity in farms of small farmers in four municipalities with different altitude levels in Norte de Santander, Colombia: Ábrego, Bucarasica, Los Patios and Pamplonita. The project was executed during the year 2021. The methodology was of a quantitative type where the relation of the species of trees and shrubs detected in 60 farms with the height and the physical-chemical variables of the soil. The main results showed that the only species found in the four municipalities was Calycolpus moritzianus (arrayán). In addition, the tree richness found in each municipality was different since Bucarasica is observed with 16 species found; Pamplonita with 24; Ábrego with 29 and Los Patios with 42. In addition, the analysis showed significant and positive correlation coefficients of the tree diversity of the farms with the pH, percentage of organic matter and concentration of Na, K, Mg, Ca and organic Carbon. The most relevant conclusions indicate that the main floristic species found in the analyzed municipalities, in addition to C. moritzianus (arrayán), are Myrcia sp. (sururo), as an invasive species; and P. patula (patula pine) and Eucalyptus sp. (eucalyptus) as introduced species.