Regeneration of Styrax argenteus in natural forest and in plantations of Cupressus lindleyi in Michoacan, Mexico

We evaluated the density and population height structure of Styrax argenteus in natural pine-oak forest and in Cupressus lindleyi plantations in Michoacan, Mexico. We also evaluated whether populations of S. argenteus in pine-oak vegetation and in C. lindleyi plantations had a clumped distribution. Finally, we evaluated whether advanced regeneration of different species was higher under the crown of S. argenteus than around it. Density of S. argenteus was higher in pine-oak forest than under plantations, but density in plantations was high. The structure of populations of S. argenteus in pine-oak vegetation had more individuals with < or = 0.5 and >2 m, while populations in plantations had more individuals in intermediate height categories. Both populations were clumped. Only one species, Rubus liebmannii had higher densities under S. argenteus, so that other species might also colonize C. lindleyi plantations as a consequence to their affinity to S. argenteus. Although S. argenteus and other native species were apparently establishing under C. lindleyi plantations, Pinus and Quercus, the dominant genera of this forest type, were not. Consequently other activities, like liberation thinning, might be required to re-establish natural vegetation under C. lindleyi plantations.