Caracterización estructural del arbolado de una sección del Área protegida Zuñag, Río Negro, Tungurahua, Ecuador

Ecuador protects around 26 million hectares through the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP). The Zuñag River Protected Area, managed by the ECOMINGA Foundation, is home to endemic species and is the subject of study to understand its composition and structure. The objective of the study is to characterize a section of the Zuñag River Forest in the Río Negro parish, in order to provide baseline information for future research. Two plots of 0.1 ha were established covering an area of ​​0,2 ha; Data were taken from trees with DAP≥10 cm and total height (m); With the values ​​obtained, 5 classes and ranges were determined for the horizontal and vertical structure. The diversity of families and species was analyzed, as well as abundance, dominance and IVI. Descriptive and evaluative criteria were compared to establish similarities and differences between them. The results reveal the presence of 34 species and 13 families, with Euphorbiaceae and Melastomataceae standing out in diversity. Trees with heights of 6 to 15 meters and diameters of 10 to 40 centimeters predominate. It is concluded that the forest studied shares a floristic composition similar to other humid tropical forests, but with a greater diversity of species. Melastomataceae and Moraceae stand out as the most diverse families, while Euphorbiaceae, with the species Alchornea latifolia, emerges as the most important family in terms of dominant trees in the middle stratum, with a medium diameter density. These findings are valuable for directing future research, establishing conservation strategies and sustainable forest management.