Determinantes de la distribución de Pinus ssp. en la Altiplanicie Central de Chiapas, México

We analyzed the relationships of habitat favorability, seasonality, and soil fertility/quality with the distribution of nine species of Pinus in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. We used geo-referenced information obtained from the labels of 241 herbarium vouchers collected in 180 localities between 1939 and 1999. Three principal components explained 76.5% of total variance: a first component was related to humidity conditions, the second one to temperature, and the third one to soil quality. Logistic regression was used to explain the distribution of each species. P. maximinoi, P. oocarpa, P. pseudostrobus y P. tecumumanii were related to elevation (P<0.01); actual annual evapotranspiration and soil quality contributed to explain the distribution of P. seudostrobus, P. oocarpa y P. montezumae (0.05 < P <0.10). We discuss some implications and the relevance of this kind of studies in supporting decisions aimed at pine management and conservation and of many other taxa associated to them.