Seed rain after a fire in a xerophytic shrubland

Resumen

Fire causes a reduction of plant cover due to the death of several structures, especially of those that are not
isolated from high temperatures; such as seeds and fruits. After a disturbance the availability of diaspores is crucial for
the recovery of the community. This work studied the composition and abundance of the seed rain in the xerophytic
shrubland of the Pedregal de San Ángel Ecological Reserve, located at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
campus in Mexico City, which was affected by a surface fire. In order to understand the role of diaspores in the natural
regeneration of a burned site, seed traps were placed on 2 sites, one affected by the fire and the other in an unburned
location. During 1 year the dispersed seeds and fruits were collected and identified. Results showed that species
richness, life forms, and dispersal syndromes were different between sites. The highest abundance and richness values
were observed in the burned site. This work offers basic data on the availability of species as diaspores, information
which is useful for potential restoration strategies especially in those areas under constant anthropogenic disturbances.