Arquitectura Arbórea y Desarrollo del Bosque de Guaiacum Sanctum L. en Balam-Kin, Campeche, México

Research in Balam-Kin, Campeche, Mexico, reveals that Guaiacum sanctum (guayacan), a threatened tree species with valuable wood properties, thrives in distinct 'guayacan forests' within the Calakmul region. The study identifies two dominant architectural phases—aggradation and biostasis—in semi-deciduous tropical forests where G. sanctum occurs, providing critical insights into its ecological dynamics. By analyzing 40 systematically located plots, scientists found that while G. sanctum persists across all developmental stages, eco-units in the biostasis phase are characterized by high abundances of this species alongside Thouinia paucidentata, whereas aggradation phases are dominated by Gymnopodium floribundum. This architectural analysis offers a new framework for understanding post-harvesting forest dynamics, which could inform sustainable management practices for this endangered species and its habitat.

Mendoza- Arroyo, G. E., Navarro-Martínez, A., Ochoa-Gaona, S., & van der Wal, H. (2011). ARQUITECTURA ARBÓREA Y DESARROLLO DEL BOSQUE DE Guaiacum sanctum L. EN BALAM-KIN, CAMPECHE, MÉXICO. Revista Chapingo Serie Ciencias Forestales Y Del Ambiente, XVII(2), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchscfa.2010.11.114