Restoration of Endemic Dwarf Pine ( Pinus culminicola ) Populations in North Mexico

Javier Jiménez-Pérez, Oscar Aguirre, Humberto Gonzá lez, Marco González Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Autóno ma de Nuevo León Apartado Postal 89 67700 Linares, Nuevo León México e-mail: jjimenez@fcf.uanl.mx Abstract Pinus culminicola (dwarf pine) was first described in 1961 by Andres en and Beaman as a new species at the top of the protected area Cerro El Potosí, Nuevo León México. Later, the distribution of this species with a total of 10 6 ha was described. In 1978 wildfires at Cerro El Potosí burned 34% of the dwarf pine popula tion. During the past four decades, a reduction of the area formerly covered by dwarf pin e has been observed, due to human impact. Currently only 30 ha of fragmented areas co vered by dwarf pine exist at Cerro El Potosí, and these include many old trees with low s eed production and they are subject to grazing by cattle. The species is now considered en demic and it is subject to special protection. A study was established to test the effect of cattl e, small mammals and elevation on the success of reforestation of an endemic dwarf pine s pecies. Pinus culminicola. We planted and monitored 2-year-old seedlings at three elevati ons within the natural distribution range of this species at Cerro El Potosí in Nuevo Leon, M exico. At each elevation three treatments were established: (1) seedlings protecte d from cattle plus small mammals, (2) seedlings protected from cattle, and (3) seedlings with free access to cattle and small mammals. Seedling survival was ca. 50% in (1) after our years, but there were no surviving seedlings with free access to cattle. Seedling survival was poor after four years for see dlings protected from cattle and small mammals, and no seedlings survived after being expo sed to grazing and trampling for three to four years. Mortality was similar at all sites i n spite of differences in environments and plant communities present at different elevations. After four years, surviving seedlings were still very small and thus susceptible to tramp ling and grazing both by cattle and small mammals.