Abstract
Tree species composition at two sites in the upper Río Chagres basin of central Panama was evaluated using rapid inventory methods. At each site, two 40×40 m quadrats were demarcated, and each was thoroughly searched for tree and shrub species. The 40×40 m quadrats had a mean of 155 species each, and the four pooled had 285 species; 29 other species were noted along trails near the survey plots. These inventories were compared to 81 others within the Panama Canal Watershed, and forest composition and diversity was evaluated relative to mean dry season duration. The upper Río Chagres sites have high rainfall and are rich in tree species relative to most of the area; the only area with higher diversity is the Santa Rita Ridge, along the Caribbean coast, which is even wetter. Many tree species are restricted to these wet areas of central Panama, not occurring in drier areas of the Pacific slope or central Panama.
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Pérez, R. et al. (2005). Tree Species Composition and Beta Diversity in the Upper Río Chagres Basin, Panama. In: Harmon, R.S. (eds) The Río Chagres, Panama. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 52. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3297-8_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3297-8_14
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