HIGH-ELEVATION CONIFEROUS VEGETATION OF GUATEMALA - A PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

A phytosociological study of the juniper (locally called huito), pine (locally called sacch), pine-alder and fir forests of the Sierra de lo s Cuchumatanes and Cadena Volcanica in Guatemala was carried out. The Zurich-Montpellier approach was followed. In total 119 releves were sa mpled and the data were organised in phytosociological tables to disti nguish vegetation clusters. TWINSPAN was used to evaluate major differ ences among plant communities. Seven zonal plant communities were dist inguished and described, namely: (1) Relbunium microphyllum-Agrostis t olucensis, (2) Werneria nubigena-Agrostis exserta, (3) Lachemilla vulc ania-Pinus hartwegii, (4) Holodiscus argenteus-Pinus hartwegii, (5) Hy pnum cypressiforme-Juniperus standleyi, (6) Agave hurtei-Alnus firmifo lia and (7) Sabazia pinetorum-Abies guatemalensis. This paper provides a thorough floristic characterisation of each community and outlines the major anthropogenic activities. To conclude, ecologic and floristi c (dis)similarities between plant communities of the study area and th ose of Central Mexico, like the different altitudinal distribution of fir forests and the establishment of mid-successional communities such as the Agave hurteri-Alnus firmifolia were discussed.