干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

This paper presents the forest mensuration characteristics of pure mesquite (Prosopis sp) stands in two sampling sites in the state of Coahuila, which are characterized by their importance in the production of charcoal, in order to thus determine the current tree population density and the ecological importance of the mesquite in the ecosystems of the region. This study provides the first assessment of the volume of commercial timber available in the mesquite stands, plus mapping of the distribution of mesquite in the state of Coahuila. The results show that in the state of Coahuila there are 73,868 ha covered by pure mesquite stands and 3,803,149 ha occupied by microphyll desert scrub, in which the genus Prosopis also develops. Mensuration studies were conducted in the municipalities of Viesca and San Pedro de las Colonias, resulting in a population density of 867 and 567 individuals/ha, respectively, a percentage of commercial individuals of 35.23 and 27.84 % respectively and 1.64 and 39.71 m(3)center dot ha(-1) of commercial timber.