PHYSIONOMIC, STRUCTURAL AND FLORISTIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A FOREST IN SIERRA-NEVADA DE SANTA-MARTA, COLOMBIA

A study of the structure, composition and physiognomy of the lowland forests of the Buritaca river basin showed that the most characteristic features were: (1) the high density of emergents: Virola sebifera (Myristicaceae), Guana guidonia (Meliaceae), Anacardium excelsum (Anacardiaceae), Ocotea cf. tomentella (Lauraceae), and (2) the continuous presence of the arborescent fern Trichipteris procera (Cyatheaceae). Emergent trees are grouped in patches where a maximum of ten trees/0.1 Ha with dbh above 55 cm can be found. This might reflect precolumbian land use. The richest families in woody species am Melastomataceae, Moraceae and Flacourtiaceae. The families with most individuals are Arecaceae (specially Euterpe precatoria), Melastomataceae (mainly Conostegia icosandra) and Lauraceae (specially Ocotea cf. tomentella). The basal dominance corresponds to the largest species: Guarea guidonia, Cedrela sp. (Meliaceae) and Anacardium excelsum (Anacardiaceae). The mean density of trees with dbh > 10cm is 80 individuals/0.1 Ha, data which am in accordance with other neotropical forests.