Species richness and floristic composition of ferns in humid montane forest and associated environments of central Veracruz, Mexico

We describe and compare the richness and floristic composition of ferns in natural humid montane forest and disturbed environments associated with different degrees of anthropogenic influence. The study sites were located at the Loma de Santa Rita in the Sierra de Chiconquiaco, central region of Veracruz, Mexico. Furthermore, we made a comparison with other fern inventories from humid montane forests in central Veracruz based on published studies. We established 72 sampling plots of 10 x 10 m each in 6 different environments; natural forest, mature and young secondary forest, shade coffee, Pinus patula plantation, and pasture with remnant trees. We recorded a total of 81 species distributed in 17 families and 36 genera. The results indicate that the natural forest is most species rich, whereas fern diversity decreases with the degree of vegetation disturbance up to 70%. The study highlights the importance of fallows and shade coffee plantations to retain and allow the establishment of many species also found in the forest.