Regresar

Floristic, phenological and ethnobotanical aspects in the suroccidental sector of the peninsula of araya, venezuela

Abstract:

The peninsula of Araya is one of the most fragile ecoregions and less known of Venezuela, therefore it was identified the floristic composition, community structure, phenological and ethnobotanical state of the arid zone vegetation of Tras La Vela sector. Between November 2010 and May 2011(dry season), two plots/month (100 m2) were established in a 2 km transect long, where it was registered and determined the phenological state of the species, although it was documented the ethnobotanical use. Ninety-three species of 31 angiosperm families were identified, standing out the presence of 15 introduced species. The inventory was dominated by species of Fabaceae, Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae y Cactaceae families, being Opuntia caracassana the most abundant specie (789 individuals) and with higher IVI (127.55). The diversity and general equitability was 3.77 and 0.93 bits/ind., respectively. The vegetative phase dominated the phenological pattern, while flowering and fruiting were restricted by periods of erratic rains (November-December) and the begging of raining season (April-May). It was documented the ethnobotanical use of 25 species, highlighting consume of Ibatia maritima, Pithecellobium unguis-cati and Solanum agrarium fruits, and the use of Portulaca oleracea and Digitaria insularis for domestic birds feeding, as ethnobotanical novelty for Sucre State and Venezuela, respectively. During the dry season the vegetation of the southwestern sector of peninsula of Araya presents a significant diversity and high equity, whose composition, structure and phenological behavior seem to be module by high temperatures and hydrological deficiency characteristic of drought.