Tree diversity in cacao plantations in the Soconusco area, Chiapas, Mexico

Eighty parcels producing cacao in four areas at the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico, were studied in order to analyze the arboreal diversity. The diversity indexes of Shannon and Simpson, and the similarity indexes of Sorensen and Morisita-Horn were applied. Eighty sample sites, 30x30m each, were established and density, riches, and diameter at breast height were measured. Forty seven species grouped in 23 families were found. Shannnon's diversity index showed significant differences when analyzed by site pairs at the Tapachula site, while the other three areas did not show significant statistical differences between pairs of sites. The floristic composition in the cacao plantations studied is similar among the different municipalities, as shown by the absence of statistical differences in the Sorensen index. The most frequent shadow species found were Mangifera indica and Pouteria sapota. This study found only one type of agro-forestry system at the cacao sites in the Soconusco region.