Evaluation of 15 Indigenous and Introduced Species for Reforestation and Agroforestry in Northeastern Mexico

Background

This article presents the results of a reforestation study in the Sierra Madre Mexico.

Research Goals & Methods

Ten native species (Pithecellobium, Prosopis, Helietta, Cordia, and Acacia spp.) and five exotic species (Leucaena and Eucalyptus spp.) were raised in a nursery and planted in June of 1984. Measurements took place between 1985 and 1999.

Conclusions & Takeaways

In the 15 years of the study, the authors found that the species had high survival rates. Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia spp., Parkinsonia aculeata, Pithecellobium ebano, and Pithecellobium pallens had the highest survival of 97-100%.  Helietta parvifolia showed the highest motrality rate at  45%, followed by the Eucalyptus species at 22% mortality. Ecucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus microtheca, Leucaena leucocephala, Parkinsonia aculeata, and the Pithecellobium spp. showed high correlations between height and basal diameter and produced the greatest firewood volume.