FLORA AND VEGETATION OF SIERRA EL RINCON, QUERETARO AND MICHOACAN, MEXICO

In this work the taxonomic richness, habit and life form, presence of native and introduced species, sinantropic flora, distribution and endemism patterns, and species conservation status were analyzed, and the type of vegetation was characterized in Sierra El Rincon, Queretaro and Michoacan states, Mexico. Seventy nine families, 216 genera, 333 species, and 23 infraspecific taxa were recorded. Asteraceae (67), Poaceae (28) and Fabaceae (13) were the richest families. For genera, Quercus and Stevia were the richest. The herbaceous habit is present in 84.1 % of species and the main life forms were hemicryptophytes (45.1 %) and therophytes (12.9 %). From total flora, 96 % are native to Mexico and 36.6 % are disturbance indicators. Seven geographic distribution patterns were recorded, from total flora, 35.4 % (118) is endemic to Mexico. Two endemism patterns were recorded, in which 29 species (8.7 %) have their distribution limited to center of Mexico, and 89 species (26.7 %) show a wide distribution in Mexico. According to NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, Gentiana spathacea and Mammillaria rhodantha subsp. pringlei are considered as species in Special Protection and Dasylirion acrotrichum as a Threated specie. Seven types of vegetation were recognized, Quercus and Quercus-Pinus forests were dominant in the studied area. Besides significant contribution to floristic richness to this region, this sierra provides several environmental services like aquifers recharging, useful flora, and recreation areas. Development of an integral management plan for conservation and sustainable use of flora and vegetation of Sierra El Rincon is needed.