Floristic diversity of the tropical dry forest in the lower and middle Sinu subregion, Cordoba, Colombia

Introduction: The Tropical Dry Forest (TDF) is one of the most threatened ecosystems, in Colombia it has the greater extension in the Caribbean region, undergoing continuous transformation, causing the reduction of its coverage. Objective: To characterize the floristic diversity in terms of composition and structure in six TDF fragments in the lower and middle Sinu subregions of the Department of Cordoba. Methods: The methodology of Rapid Vegetation Sampling Plots - modified RAP was followed. Wealth and abundance were determined, The Importance Value Index by species and family, diametric and altimetric classes were constructed and the Fisher's alpha Diversity Index and Sorensen's Similarity Index were calculated. Results: 1 336 individuals were registered, grouped into 68 families, 161 genera and 273 species in the middle Sinu and 2 178 individuals (226 species / 151 genera / 59families) in the lower Sinu The most important families by species richness were Fabaceae. Rubiaceae and Bignoniaceae, the highest abundance values were found in Fabaceae. Capparaceae and in the species Astronium graveolens Jacq. and Capparidastrum frondosum (Jacq.) Cornejo & Iltis. The distribution by diametric and altimetric classes presented an inverted J behavior. The bushes represented the dominant growth habit. Attalea butyracea (Mutis ex L.f ) Wess.Boer, Cavanillesia platanifolia (Humb. & Bonpl.) Kunth and Sterculia apetala (Jacq.) H.Karst. recorded the highest values of importance. Conclusions: The forests studied presented the floristic composition that characterizes the TDF in Colombia. The information obtained contributes to the integral management of the Tropical Dry Forest in Cordoba.