Floristic composition of the cloud forest of the Bicentenario Reserve, Zongolica, Veracruz, México

Background: The Bicentenario Reserve (BR) located in Sierra de Zongolica, Veracruz, includes 63 hectares of cloud forest (cf) which lacks of systematic floristic studies, but the Sierra proposed as an area for bird conservation. Questions: i) Is the floristic composition of the BR taxonomical rich? ii) How the growth forms are represented in this Reserve ? iii) Has the BR endemic or threatened species? Studied species: Vascular plants. Study site and years of study: The BR was explored from March 2011 to October 2012. Methods: Botanical samples from each species considered different were collected and processed according to conventional procedures to be identified with the use of taxonomic tools, and consults with specialist. Analysis of the richness, life forms, endemism and threatened species were made. Results: We recorded 401 species, distributed in 272 genera and 102 families, being the most diverse Orchidaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Piperaceae; whilst Peperomia, Tillandsia, Polypodium, Quercus and Solanum are the genera with the highest number of species. Sixty-nine species are endemic to Mexico, but six are restricted to Veracruz. We found 23 new records for the municipality of Zongolica, Quercus ghiesbreghtii in the cf for the first time, and Q. furfuraceae for Veracruz; 86 species are threatened. Conclusions: The BR has a high floristic richness compared to other areas with cf in Mexico, revealing the importance to complete the floristic studies along the Sierra de Zongolica. Due the high number of threatened species in the BR its long-term conservation acquires a greater importance. Antecedentes: La Reserva del Bicentenario (BR) ubicada en la Sierra de Zongolica, Veracruz, contiene 63 hectáreas de bosque mesófilo (bm) que carece de estudios florísticos sistemáticos, mientras que la sierra se ha propuesto como área para la conservación de las aves. Preguntas: i) ¿La composición florística de la BR es rica taxonómicamente? ii) ¿Cómo están representadas las formas de crecimiento en esta Reserva? iii) ¿La RB tiene especies endémicas o en peligro de extinción? Especies en estudio: Plantas Vasculares. Sitio de estudio y fechas: La BR fue explorada de marzo de 2011 a octubre de 2012. Métodos: Muestras botánicas de cada especie considerada diferente se colectaron y procesaron con procedimientos convencionales para ser identificadas con herramientas taxonómicas y consulta con especialistas. Se realizaron análisis de la riqueza de especies, formas de cr