# Floristic characterisation of forest patches in the vicinity of cocoa plots in the Dominican Republic

Colmar Serra, Olivier Deheuvels, Oscar Cruz-Montero, Teodoro Clase, Betsaida Cabrera, Francis Claritssa Grullón, Brigido Hierro, Sardis Medrano

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Colmar Serra, Olivier Deheuvels, Oscar Cruz-Montero, Teodoro Clase, Betsaida Cabrera, et al.. Floristic characterisation of forest patches in the vicinity of cocoa plots in the Dominican Republic. Tropical Agriculture -London then Trinidad-, 2025, 102 (n.spéc. 1), pp.70-90. hal-05329043

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UWI
ST AUGUSTINE CAMPUS
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
WEST INDIES

TROPICAL
AGRICULTURE

The Journal of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture
(formerly Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture)
The University of the West Indies

Established 1924

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Volume 102 Special Issue 1
September 2025

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57th Annual Meeting Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS)

July 15 to 19, 2024

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Tropical Agriculture

The Journal of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture

(formerly Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture)

The University of the West Indies

Established 1924

Volume 102 Special Issue 1 September 2025

57th Annual Meeting Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS)

July 15 to 19 2024

Barceló Bávaro Beach Hotel Convention Center,
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
# Floristic characterisation of forest patches in the vicinity of cocoa plots in the Dominican Republic

Colmar Serra*<fnref n="3" />,<fnref n="4" />, Olivier Deheuvels<fnref n="5" />, Cruz Oscar Montero<fnref n="1" />, Teodoro Clase<fnref n="1" />,
Betsaida Cabrera<fnref n="1" />,<fnref n="2" />, Francis Claritssa Grullón<fnref n="1" />, Brigido Hierro<fnref n="2" /> and Sardis Medrano<fnref n="3" />

**Keywords:**
Inventory, abundance, biological type, biogeographic status, conservation status, biodiversity indicators.

## Abstract

Little is known about the structure and composition of forest patches as a base for understanding the ecology and ecosystems services provided to neighbouring crops, so agronomic management and the landscapes surrounding the plantations may affect the abundance and effectiveness of cacao pollinators and thus the value and quality of those crops. This study sought to identify and characterise forest patches situated near cocoa fields in order to construct a gradient in the landscape of two cocoa localities Medina: (San Cristóbal province), and Los Bracitos adjacent to the Loma Quita Espuela Reserve (Duarte province).

Three forest patches per locality were located, geo-referenced and characterised and within patch four 10 m<fnref n="2" /> plots were identified for floristic surveys and trunk measurements of tree and shrub species with a minimum thickness of 5 cm. The species found were identified both in the field and at the herbarium. Species were categorised according to their family, scientific and common names, mean relative presence, biological type, and their biogeographic and conservation statuses. In order to compare floristic biodiversity among the six forest patches, biodiversity indicators of species dominance (Simpson's index), species heterogeneity (Shannon), richness (Chao 1), and similarity (Jaccard) were calculated.

In San Cristóbal province comprising both riparian and secondary forests, 49 families were found in the 12 plots sampled, represented by 105 species, mostly arboreal (38.1%) shrub (27.6%), herbs (15.2%), and climbing plants/vines (10.5%); trunk diameters at breast height of 5 - 70 cm and heights from 1 - 25 m. The most abundant families are Myrtaceae, Bromeliaceae, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae and Sapindaceae. In Duarte province in a secondary forest as part of a buffer area of the scientific reserve, 34 families represented by 66 species were recorded, most of which are arboreal (48.5%), and shrubby, herbal and climbing life forms (each 13.6%); trunk diameters of 5 - 68 cm and heights from 5 - 32 m. The most abundant families are Fabaceae, Poaceae, Myrtaceae, Melinaceae and Mimosaceae.

## Introduction

Forests harbour an extraordinary diversity of life, including a wide variety of pollinator species that play a crucial role in plant reproduction and in several other important ecosystems services. Very little knowledge exists about the interrelations between the landscape, biodiversity, pollinators and the productivity of crops in the vicinity of forests. Studies by Brosi et al. (2008), Saturni et al. (2016) and Ulyshen et al. (2023) focused on how the surrounding landscape influences pollinator diversity within coffee and other crops'

agroecosystems. The research highlighted the importance of understanding this interaction to improve both coffee production and pollinator conservation strategies. In this context, forest conservation can become essential not only for the preservation of biodiversity in general, but also to ensure the ecosystems services. Nevertheless, the pollination service is more likely to occur in areas adjacent to natural vegetation, generally within a distance of less than 300 m from the border, which requires that natural elements be well spread in the landscape, creating more interfaces between crops and natural vegetation (Saturni et al. 2016).

<footnote n="1">¹National Botanical Gardens Dr. Rafael Ma. Moscoso, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic</footnote>

<footnote n="2">²Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic</footnote>

<footnote n="3">³Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic</footnote>

<footnote n="4">⁴Pontificia Univ. Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic</footnote>

<footnote n="5">⁵Centro de Desarrollo Agropecuario y Forestal (CEDAF), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic</footnote>

<footnote>*Corresponding author email: colmar.a.serra@gmail.com; nene.saudade@gmail.com</footnote>
The current investigation is an assessment of the contribution of forest patches as sources of habitats for pollinating insect communities in the Dominican Republic. The floristic composition of six forest patches adjacent to cocoa plantations is identified as a proxy of habitat quality for pollinating insects. These forest patches were located in two separate cocoa producing provinces. The importance of this activity lies in the fact that it can provide information to improve the practices used by farmers and increase the quality and quantity of cocoa production in the country. It will also increase the understanding of the benefits of the forest as a supplier of pollinators for cocoa.

## Objectives

### General objective

To characterise the floristic composition and vegetation structure in six forest patches in two provinces of the Dominican Republic, including species diversity, size distribution, and vegetation cover.

## Specific objectives

* Evaluate floristic richness in the studied areas

* Measurements of trunk diameters of trees and estimation of their heights

* Determine the structure of the plant community, including size distribution, densities and spatial patterns of the species in the studied areas

* To statistically analyse the alpha and beta diversity corresponding to these forest patches.

## Methodology

### The geographic location of the localities

Localities belonging to two contrasting cocoa-producing provinces of the Dominican Republic (Figure 1) were chosen, San Cristóbal and Duarte (Figure 1).

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1:** Location of study localities: a. Medina (San Cristóbal), b. Los Bracitos (Duarte).</figcaption></figure>
## Medina, San Cristóbal province

Medina/Loma Verde is a municipal district of Villa Altagracia. This small community is located in the province of San Cristobal. This province is in the southern-central region of the country and is known for its rich history, natural beauty and industrial development. The predominant vegetation in the Medina area corresponds to riparian forest with moderately rugged relief (altitudes of the studied forest is between 50 - 150 m.a.s.l.), with a forest cover of approximately 65%, mostly riparian and secondary forest condition, with regeneration in many areas. Common crops include banana, coffee, cocoa and other agricultural products. In addition to agriculture, some local artisanal and commercial activities contribute to the community's economy.

## Los Bracitos, Duarte province

Los Bracitos/El Cadillar is a rural community located 150 km northeast of Medina, on the outskirts of San Francisco de Macoris, the capital of Duarte province. Hager (1990) reported, that the forest of the southern slope below 600 m.a.s.l., is significantly drier than both the pluvial forest hosting northern slope and the cloud forest at the summit. Much of the original forests were destroyed and transformed into pastures and also into coffee and cocoa plantations. Los Bracitos studied forest patches are at altitudes between 200 - 350 m.a.s.l., being partly bordered by the Loma Quita Espuela scientific reserve (altitudes up to 985 m.a.s.l.), established in

1992, comprising very well rehabilitated secondary forest with an abundance of epiphytes. A number of creeks flow out of this reserve through the study area of Los Bracitos, in which the predominant vegetation is broadleaf rainforest with rugged relief and a forest cover of approximately 70%. With its rural setting, the area offers opportunities for ecotourism and rural tourism, attracting visitors interested in nature, agriculture and Dominican community life.

## Floristic characterisation, measurements and sampling

### Selection of study sites: two forest patches and six cocoa plots

The following criteria were applied for the selection of the forest patches to be characterised and sampled:

* Each patch had to be located in a cocoa plantation area and have at least three cocoa plots located within 800 m of its edge

* Each patch had to have an area of at least 3,000 m²

* The patches should represent a typical forest of the area, humid or very humid. They could be secondary or intervened forests, or fallows of long duration (> 15 years)

* The patches could not include cocoa plants, and therefore could not be abandoned cocoa plantations, nor any other crop
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>Figure 2: Polygon of forest patch #1 of Los Bracitos in the vicinity of cocoa plantations.</figcaption></figure>

To select the three forest patches in each of the two provinces (San Cristóbal and Duarte) where the study was completed, the following steps were followed:

a. With the support of local technicians and farmers a number of forest patches were mapped and measured and among those of a size greater than or equal to 3,000 m² were selected (Figure 2)

b. The research process was explained to the owners of each forest patch and their permission to enter and carry out the planned measurements was requested

c. Confirmation with botanical specialists that the patches were in the “forest” category and determination of the forest type (e.g. primary, secondary, long-term fallow or riperian)

d. Measurement of the perimeter and area of each patch with GPS, to confirm minimum area criteria

e. Identification of at least three cocoa plantations belonging to one of the following three categories of distance to the forest patch (using a long tape measure > 100 m)

i. Adjacent: cocoa plantations located 0 to 10 m from the edge of the patch and more than 400 m from any other forest patch

ii. Nearby: cocoa plantations located 100 to

200 m from the edge of the patch and more than 400 m from any other forest patch

iii. Distant: cocoa plantations located 400 to 800 m from the edge of the patch and more than 400 m from any other forest patch

f. Among the selected forest patches, the identification of six cocoa plots was completed according to the established gradient: three adjacent plots, three nearby plots and three distant plots.

The forest patches were characterised by the plant communities within four square sampling subplots, 10 m x 10 m (100 m²) in each patch following the method of Matheucci and Colma (1982). The location of the subplots was selected where access was possible. The total number of sampling subplots was four subplots x three patches x two localities = 24. The edge of each sampling subplot was at a minimum distance of 10 m from the edge of the patch. The minimum distance between each sampling subplot was at least 10 m. In each sampling subplot, the following measurements were performed:

a. A complete botanical inventory (species and abundance by species) of all plants present with samples taken to the
herbarium of the National Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo for verification of the field identification; as keys the botanical dictionaries of Liogier (1982, 1995 and 2000) were utilised.

b. Based on the frequency of the reported plant taxa in the four subplots of each of the three forest patches studied per locality, the mean relative presence (MRP) was determined for each species averaging the 12 obtained results from the three forest patches studied per locality (Medina and Los Bracitos)

c. An estimation of the total height and measurement of the trunk diameter at breast height (DBH); 130 or 30 cm when the plant height was greater than 1.50 m or less than 1.50 m respectively

d. A measurement of average cover at 1 m height from the ground, using a free smartphone app. This composite measurement was made in the centre of four quadrats of 5 m x 5 m subdivisions of each sampling subplot (Figure 3)

e. A composite sampling of leaf litter conducted in the centre of the four 5 m x 5 m quadrats, using a 25 cm x 25 cm frame ('Tropical soil biology and fertility' method, TSBF, Anderson and Ingram 1994). Composite litter fall samples were generated for each sampling subplot. The fresh weight of each composite litter sample was taken in situ with a 1 g precision balance. Subsequently, each sample was sent to the IDIAF laboratory to dry and determine its dry weight.

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3: Scheme used for plot, subplot and site selection.**</figcaption></figure>

## Data analysis

### Statistical analysis of alpha (α) and beta (β) diversity

For plants, alpha diversity refers to diversity on a local scale being often equated to the count of species identified during the inventory of a vegetation plot of defined size or within a defined ecological unit such as a pond, a field, or a patch of forest (within-sample diversity ~ richness). Beta diversity measures are

estimates of similarity or dissimilarity between species communities (between samples ~ evenness) (Revermann et al. 2016; Tuomisto 2010a, 2010b). Unlike the other levels of species diversity, the exact interpretation and quantification of beta diversity varies substantially across studies (Tuomisto 2010a, 2010b).

The data were taken for each location in three forest patches (B1-3) with four plots (P1-4) in each (e.g., B1P3 means B1 = 1st forest patch, P3 = 3rd plot in the patch). In order to
know the diversity and floristic richness of the
species in the different plots carried out in the
two localities of this study, the alpha and beta
diversity indices were used, calculated using
software Past 3.15 (Hammer et al. 2013). Four
alpha diversity (α) indices were calculated:

* the Simpson Dominance Index expresses the probability that two individuals taken at random from a sample are of the same species; this is strongly influenced by the importance of the most dominant species (Magurran 1989; Moreno 2001)

* the Shannon-Wiener Evenness Index (H'), expresses evenness and is based on the relative abundance of species (Moreno 2001)

* the Margalef Diversity Index transforms the number of species per sample to a proportion to which species are added by sample expansion

* the non-parametric Chao1 estimator measures the number of species in a community based on the number of rare species in the sample (Chao 1984; Moreno 2001).

To calculate beta diversity (β), the Jaccard
Similarity Index was used, which expresses the
degree to which two samples are similar in
terms of the species present in them.

Results

Floristic diversity and composition of
forest patches

Annex 1 lists in two parts (a. Medina, b. Los
Bracitos) all 150 recorded species
corresponding to 63 families in the Medina
(San Cristóbal) and Los Bracitos (Duarte)
forest patches. Only 23 (15.4%) of the species
were found in the plots of both localities. The
taxonomic classification, biological types and
biogeographic states for each recorded species
and the mean relative presence (MRP)

determined for both localities are shown in
Annex 1. Indices greater than 0.33 are
highlighted, indicating higher abundance.

In Medina 105 species of vascular plants were identified, belonging to 84 genera distributed in 51 families of angiosperms plus one of pteridophytes (ferns). The predominant families in terms of quantity of species were: Myrtaceae (6), Bromeliaceae (5), Fabaceae (5), Mimosaceae (5) and Piperaceae (5). Among the species measured in the 12 selected plots, the presence of arboreal and shrubby life forms dominated among the 14 more frequently detected species (MRP indexes ≥ 0.33), especially *Guarea guidonia* (Cabirma) with the by far highest value (5.00), followed by *Miconia prasina* (1.00), *Cupania americana* (0.92) and *Dendropnax arboreus* (0.83). Other species including *Ocotea leucoxylon* (Cigua) and two other *Ocotea* spp. can locally play important roles. Alarming is the fact that naturalised exotic species show a high invasive potential, especially the African tulip tree, *Spathodea campanulata* (2.83) spreading countrywide especially in humid regions, and the rose apple, *Syzygium jambos* (0.67).

In Los Bracitos, at the foot of the Loma
Quita Espuela Scientific Reserve, 66 species
were recorded representing 57 genera and 34
families. The most abundant families were
Fabaceae (10 spp.), Poaceae (5), Myrtaceae
(3), Meliaceae (3) and Mimosaceae (3).
Concerning the abundance of the species, the
MRP indexes did not reach the levels of the
two most abundant species in Medina,
nevertheless the means of six species among
the 26 more abundant (≥ 0.33) equaled or
exceeded 1.25: *Chrysophyllum argenteum*
(1.75), *Inga laurina* (1.67), *Ocotea coriacea*
(1.33), the edible-fruit tree *C. cainiito* (1.25),
*Ficus trigonata* (1.25), and the very invasive
species along mountain creeks, *Odontonema
cuspicatum* (1.25). Other species including the
endemic *Mora abbottii* (Cola) can locally play
important roles, although they were only found
in low numbers.
**Biological form**

In both locations, Medina and Los Bracitos, most of the species were arboreal (38.1 and 48.5%, respectively), followed by shrubby

(27.6 and 13.6%), herbaceous (15.2 and 13.6%) and climbing plants/vines (10.5 and 13.6%). In much lower percentages were registered epiphytes, stipites/palms, as well as pteridophyte and tree ferns. (Table 1).

<table><caption>Table 1: Numbers of biological forms of the plants recorded at the localities, Medina (San Cristóbal) and Los Bracitos (Duarte)</caption><thead><tr><td>Biogeographic status</td><td>Medina (%)</td><td>Los Bracitos (%)</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Trees</td><td>40 (38.1)</td><td>32 (48.5)</td></tr><tr><td>Shrubs</td><td>29 (27.6)</td><td>9 (13.6)</td></tr><tr><td>Herbaceous</td><td>16 (15.2)</td><td>9 (13.6)</td></tr><tr><td>Epiphytes</td><td>5 (4.8)</td><td>2 (3.0)</td></tr><tr><td>Climbing plants/vines</td><td>11 (10.5)</td><td>9 (13.6)</td></tr><tr><td>Stipytes/palms</td><td>1 (1.0)</td><td>2 (3.0)</td></tr><tr><td>Tree ferns</td><td>0 (0.0)</td><td>1 (1.5)</td></tr><tr><td>Pteridophytes/ferns</td><td>3 (2.9)</td><td>2 (3.0)</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>105 (100.0)</td><td>66 (100.0)</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Biogeographic status**

Of the 105 species recorded in this study in Medina, 82 (78.1%) are native, one endemic, one exotic, 14 (13.3%) naturalised, six (5.7%) introduced cultivated and one undetermined.

In Los Bracitos, of the 66 species recorded, 48 (75.8%) were found to be native, a similar proportion to Medina. There were three (4.5%) examples of both endemic and exotic introduced, eight (12.1%) were undetermined, one naturalized and one introduced cultivated (Table 2).

<table><caption>Table 2: Numbers of biogeographic status of the plants recorded at the localities, Medina (San Cristóbal) and Los Bracitos (Duarte)</caption><thead><tr><td>Biogeographic status</td><td>Medina (%)</td><td>Los Bracitos (%)</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Endemics</td><td>1 (1.0)</td><td>3 (4.5)</td></tr><tr><td>Natives</td><td>85 (81.0)</td><td>50 (75.8)</td></tr><tr><td>Exotics</td><td>1 (1.0)</td><td>3 (4.5)</td></tr><tr><td>Naturalised</td><td>12 (11.4)</td><td>1 (1.5)</td></tr><tr><td>Introduced cultivated</td><td>6 (5.7)</td><td>1 (1.5)</td></tr><tr><td>Not determined</td><td>1 (1.0)</td><td>8 (12.1)</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>105 (100.0)</td><td>66 (100.0)</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Endemism and status of conservation**

Only four endemic species of our flora were recorded in the evaluated areas, one (*Poitea campanilla* DC., Fabaceae) for Medina and three (*Sabal domingensis* Becc., Arecaceae; *Mora abbottii* Rose and Leonard and *Poitea galegoides* Vent., both Fabaceae) for Los

Bracitos. No exotic species were recorded in Medina but three species in Los Bracitos: *Odontonema cuspidatum* (Nees) Kuntze invading riparian areas especially in mountainous areas, and the widely forest species *Acacia mangium* Willd. and *Jasminum fluminense* Vell.
<table><caption>Table 3: Endangered plant species registered following the National Red List of the Dominican Republic</caption><thead><tr><td>Scientific name</td><td>Common name</td><td>BT</td><td>BS</td><td>SC</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Roystonea borinquena</td><td>Palma real</td><td>P</td><td>N</td><td>VU</td></tr><tr><td>Annona reticulata</td><td>Mamón</td><td>T</td><td>N</td><td>EN</td></tr><tr><td>Hymenaea courbaril</td><td>Algarrobo</td><td>T</td><td>N</td><td>VU</td></tr><tr><td>Rollinia mucosa</td><td>Candongo</td><td>T</td><td>N</td><td>EN</td></tr><tr><td>Tetragastris basamifera</td><td>Amacey</td><td>T</td><td>N</td><td>LC</td></tr></tbody></table>

BT = biological type: P = stipyte/palm, T = tree; BS = biogeographic status: N = native

SC = state of conservation: EN= endangered; VU = vulnerable; LC= least concern

Table 3 lists five protected and/or threatened plant species registered in the National Red List of Threatened Vascular Plants (LRN) (García et al. 2016), according to IUCN criteria (IUCN 2024), although only two species of cycadaceae are currently endorsed for the country.

## Trunk diameters and estimated altitudes of trees and shrubs present in the selected plots

Annex 2a shows the data measured on 27 reported trees/shrubs species in the four plots of the three forest patches of Medina. The most measurements were obtained from *G. guidonia* (67), *S. campanulata* (29), and *C. americana* (9). The trunk diameters (TD) measured at breast height (DBH130) (Annex 2) varied from 5 - 72 cm with species averages varying from 5.5 - 46.0 cm. The five highlighted TD values correspond to the highest means (29.5 - 46.0 cm). The estimated heights ranged from 1 - 25 m with species averages between 4 - 19 m; the three highlighted values correspond to the highest means (18 - 19m).

Annex 2b shows the data measured on 24 reported trees/shrubs species in the four plots of the three forest patches of Los Bracitos. TD measured ranged from 5 - 98 cm, the highest value by a tree of *Lonchocarpus latifolius*. The nine highlighted numbers (24 - 68 cm) correspond to the highest mean values of TD. The estimated heights ranged from 4 - 35 m, the tallest tree was a *L. latifolius*; an *Ocotea coriacea* measured 32 m, *Inga vera* and *Mora*

abbottii both recoded a tree with 30 m height and a *Calophyllum calaba* measured 25 m.

## Statistical analyses of alpha (α) and beta (β) biodiversity

### Diversity indexes alpha (α), Medina, San Cristóbal

Annex 3a shows the alpha diversity indices calculated for each of the four plots in each of the three forest patches in Medina.

**Simpson's Dominance Index:** except for plots B2P1, B1P4 and B2P3, all other plots showed high levels of species dominance between 0.9 and 1.0, B2P2, B3P2, B3P3 and B3P4 reaching the highest values. Plots B2P4 and B1P4 obtained mean values between 0.5 and 0.6, while the plot with the lowest value was B2P1 with a value of 0.11. (e.g., B2P1 refers to patch 2 plot 1).

**Shannon -Wiener Equity Index:** plot B3P2 reached the highest equity value with 3.950, for a high diversity of species. Except for the plots with the lowest values B2P1 (0.287), B1P4 (1.072) and B2P3 (1.198) with a low diversity, the remaining eight plots had quite high values between 2.5 - 3.7.

**Margalef Diversity Index:** is used to evaluate the specific richness (diversity) of species in the different types of forest patches. B3P2 reached the highest value of 8.945 for a high relative diversity, followed by plots B1P1,
B3P4, B2P4, and B3P3 with values of 7.814, 7.145, 6.193 and 6.113, respectively. Plots B2P1, B1P4, B2P3 obtained the lowest values with 0.563, 1.384 and 1.559, respectively, for a low relative diversity. The other five plots obtained intermediate values between 3.2 and 5.7 with a medium level of diversity.

**Chao 1 estimator:** plot B3P2 yielded the highest value (512.5) followed by that of plot B1P1 (345.0) for a high to relatively high estimates of overall richness, compared to six, which reached lower values of between 70 and 181. In contrast, plots B2P1, B1P4, B2P3 and B3P1 resulted in low species richness values between 3.97 and 12.97 for low species richness.

## Beta diversity indices (β), locality Medina, San Cristóbal

Annex 3b. shows the beta diversity indices calculated between each pair of the 12 plots in the study at Medina. Values equal or above 0.20 are highlighted in bold, while the lowest numbers are in italics.

**Jaccard Similarity Index:** similarity was highest between plots B2P1 and B2P3 of forest 2 with a value of 0.333, for a still relatively low number of shared species. There were several zero similarity values indicating no shared species.

## Diversity indices alpha (α), locality Los Bracitos, Duarte

Annex 3c shows the alpha diversity indices calculated for each of the four plots in each of the three forest patches in Los Bracitos.

**Simpson's Dominance Index:** the highest value for species dominance was reached in general for forest patch 3 and especially by plot B3P4 with a value of 0.993, followed closely by plots B2P3 and B3P2 and then by the indices for B1P4, B1P3, B3P3 and B3P1 (between 0.94 and 0.96) for high species dominance. The plot

with the lowest value of this index was B1P1 with a value of 0.867, which is still a high mean dominance.

**Shannon-Wiener Equity Index:** the highest value was within plot B2P3, with a value of 3.492 for high diversity, followed closely by the index for B3P4 (3.193), while a group of eight plots were located with intermediate values (between 2.4 and 3.0). Plot B1P2 resulted with the lowest value for this index (2.331) followed by B1P1.

c. **Margalef's Diversity Index:** the highest value of specific diversity was obtained for plot B2P3 with a value of 6.864 meaning a high diversity of species. At some distance with average values (between 4.5 and 5.5) were located plots B2P1, B2P2 and B1P3. The plot with the lowest species richness corresponded to plot B1P2 with a value of 3.031 followed by B2P4 and B1P1, as well as B3P4, B1P4, B3P2 and B3P3 (between 0.35 and 0.45) with a value of 3.031.

d. **Chao 1 estimator:** this was highest for plot B1P3 with a value of 79.36, for a significantly high richness of rare species. However, in plot B1P2, the Chao 1 index was relatively low with a value of 13.64. Plots B1P1, B1P4, B3P1, B3P2 and B3P3 recorded values between 20 and 29, intermediate richness values.

## Beta diversity indices (β), locality Los Bracitos, Duarte

Annex 3d shows the beta diversity indices calculated between each pair of the 12 plots in the study at Los Bracitos. Values equal or above 0.20 are highlighted in bold, the lowest in italic letters.

**Jaccard's Similarity Index:** this index yielded the higher similarity value between plots B2P1 and B2P2, with a value of 0.850 followed in similarity between the plots B3P2 and B3P3 (0.438). Three comparisons gave 0 similarity, in two cases for B3P4.
Discussion

Locally, the importance of this activity lies in the fact that it can provide information to improve the practices used so far by farmers and increase the quality and quantity of cocoa production in the country. It will also increase the understanding of the benefits of the forest as a supplier of pollinators for cocoa.

The results obtained for two Dominican localities show that a relatively high floristic richness can be found in forest patches neighboring cocoa plantations. Both belong mainly to 'riparian or gallery forest with permanent flow' following the definition of Hager and Zanoni (1993). The physiognomy is very similar to the surrounding vegetation but the plant composition is different. In wide rivers with good light penetration the undergrowth is dense and rich in heliophytes. As in the case of both localities, especially in Los Bracitos, along narrow rivers and streams where the tree canopy forms a closed canopy over the river, no specific understorey is observed. The vegetation of these riparian forests is often secondary, which also implies a reduced number of species (Hager and Zanoni 1993).

Although there are some species that are common for both studied locations, numerous differences prevail. Medina is a hilly area with mainly secondary forest and small remnants of older forests. The studied sites are located at 50 - 200 m.a.s.l. Those of Los Bracitos are located at altitudes between 200 - 350 m.a.s.l. in the buffer zone surrounding the Loma Quita Espuela Scientific Reserve. In spite of the reduced rainfall and humidity at the southern slope compared to the northern and the summit, this study found some species that are very characteristic for the northern slope like *Mora abbottii*, among others, which is a sign for forest recovery (Hager 1990; Hager and Zanoni 1993). As part of buffer zone created 20 - 30 years ago, the age of the secondary forest at Los Bracitos is mostly lower than some parts of the forest surrounding the Medina area, which partly seem not to be very

disturbed, although it also hosts more recent secondary forest patches. The higher elevation of the forest patches of Los Bracitos can also contribute to a smaller diversity of species (Hager 1990). Anyhow, these facts only partly explain the over 40% higher biodiversity registered in the plots of the forest patches of Medina compared to Los Bracitos. No floristic studies have been found on the structure and composition of forests in the Medina region, that could serve for a further comparison.

The proportions of the biological type of the species varies between Medina and Los Bracitos with a higher percentage of trees at the latter, while the percentage of shrubs in the first location is almost double that of the second. Concerning the biogeographic status, in both locations, by far the most predominant registered species belong to natives, but differences exist concerning the considerably higher proportion of naturalised and introduced cultivated species in Medina.

The statistical analysis using the α and β diversity indexes did not show significant differences between both locations. Anyhow, they confirmed the presence of a high species dominance, diversity of species, specific richness of species and total species richness. In spite of a certain heterogeneity between the forest patches and their plots the similarity could be confirmed between several plots.

The obtained data needs additional statistical analyses concerning the comparison of the floristic composition and structure between both regions, which was not the main objective of this rather descriptive research. Anyhow, the statistical analysis using the α and β diversity indexes were used in order to evaluate differences among the plots of forest patches of each of both locations. The Shannon diversity index has been widely used in population genetics studies. The index, however, was proven to be negatively biased at small sample sizes (Konopinski 2020). Modifications to the original Shannon's formula have been proposed to obtain an unbiased estimator. Perhaps the original Shannon index should no longer be used as a
measure of diversity in small samples and should be replaced by Zahl's unbiased estimator. In this study, the sample size is actually small (12 plots in three forest patches in each province) and bias is probable. Nevertheless the diversity analysis confirmed the presence of a high species dominance, diversity of species, specific richness of species and total species richness.

Although quite a lot of undetermined factors might intervene, the characterization of the habitats with a special dedication to the botanical biodiversity of forest patches that are located in vicinity of cocoa plantations provides data that could serve to evaluate an impact on the pollination service, productivity and value of this specific agricultural activity as suggested by Ricketts et al. (2008), and Ulyshen et al. (2023). Additional studies on the floristic composition and structure of forest patches in vicinity of cocoa plantations would be necessary to clarify the reason for the reported differences and the way these will have a positive, detrimental or no effect on the effectiveness of cocoa pollinators.

## Acknowledgement

The authors express their gratitude to all staff members and the institutions (PUCMM, IDIAF, CEDAF-CIRAD, UASD, Jardín Botánico Nacional, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Ministerio de Agricultura) which supported the project named "Building knowledge on cocoa pollinators in agroforestry systems in Dominican Republic to improve plantation management practices" (POLICAO) funded by USAID through the PEER program of the National Science Foundation (NFS). The reviewers and editors are thanked for their valuable inputs.

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# ANNEXES

## Annex 1: Botanical species recorded in locations Medina and Los Bracitos

Legend: Mean Relative Presence (MRP): mean of 12 plots/3 forest patches per location; Biological type (BT): A = tree, Ar = shrub, Ep = epiphyte, H = herb, L = liana or climber, P = stipyte/palm, Pt = fern, Tf = tree fern. Biogeographic status (ST): E = endemic, Ic = introduced cultivated, N = native, Ns = naturalised, X = exotic, nd = not determined

<table><caption>a) MEDINA (San Cristóbal province)</caption><thead><tr><th>FAMILY</th><th>SPECIES</th><th>COMMON NAME</th><th>MRP</th><th>BT</th><th>BS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="3">ANACARDIACEAE</td><td>Anacardium occidentale L.</td><td>Cajuil</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>Mangifera indica L.</td><td>Mango</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>Spondias mombin Jacq.</td><td>Jobo</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">ANNONACEAE</td><td>Annona muricata L.</td><td>Guanábana</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>A. reticulata L.</td><td>Mamón</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>APOCYNACEAE</td><td>Tabernaemontana citrifolia L.</td><td>Palito de Leche</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">ARACEAE</td><td>Anthurium scandens (Aubl.) Engl.</td><td>Víbora</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Dieffenbachia seguine (L.) Schott</td><td>Mata puerco</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Syngonium podophyllum Schott</td><td>Mano poderosa, Tra tra</td><td>0.25</td><td>L</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">ARALIACEAE</td><td>Dendropanax arboreus (L.) Decne</td><td>Palo de Burro</td><td>0.83</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Schefflera morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire et al.</td><td>Sablito</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>ARECACEAE</td><td>Roystonea borinquena O.F. Cook</td><td>Palma real</td><td>0.25</td><td>P</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">ASTERACEAE</td><td>Eupatorium odoratum DC.</td><td>Rompezaragüey</td><td>0.17</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Mikania cordifolia (L. f.) Willd.</td><td>Sepu</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">BIGNONIACEAE</td><td>Spathodea campanulata Beauv.</td><td>Tulipán africano, Amapola</td><td>2.83</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>Bixa orellana L.</td><td>Bija</td><td>0.17</td><td>Ar</td><td>Ic</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">BROMELIACEAE</td><td>Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.</td><td>Piña</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>Ic</td></tr><tr><td>Guzmania lingulata (L.) Mez</td><td>Tinaja, Piña de agua</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ep</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Tillandsia balbisiana Schultes</td><td>Tinaja</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ep</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>T. fasciculata Sw.</td><td>Tinaja</td><td>0.25</td><td>Ep</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>T. juncea (Ruiz & Pav.) Poir.</td><td>Tinaja</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ep</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">BURSERACEAE</td><td>Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg.</td><td>Almácigo blanco</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Tetragastris basamifera (Sw.) Kunth</td><td>Amacey</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>CAESALPINIACEAE</td><td>Hymenaea courbaril L.</td><td>Algarrobo</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>COMBRETACEAE</td><td>Terminalia catappa L.</td><td>Almendro (tropical)</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>COMMELINACEAE</td><td>Callisia monandra (Sw.) Schult. & Schult.F.</td><td>"Suelda"</td><td>0.17</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">CONVOLVULACEAE</td><td>Ipomoea tilliacea (Willd.) Choisy</td><td>Bejuco de puerco</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Ipomoea verticillata Forssk</td><td>"Batatilla"</td><td>0.25</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>CHRYSOBALANACEAE</td><td>Hirtella triandra Sw.</td><td>Cocuyo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">COSTACEAE</td><td>Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw.</td><td>Jengibre cimarrón, Insulina</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>CUCURBITACEAE</td><td>Momordica charantia L.</td><td>Cundeamor</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>CYPERACEAE</td><td>Scleria lithosperma (L.) Sw.</td><td>Cortadera</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>DIOSCOREACEAE</td><td>Dioscorea alata L.</td><td>Ñame</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>Ic</td></tr><tr><td>EUPHORBIACEAE</td><td>Hura crepitans L.</td><td>Javilla</td><td>0.58</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">FABACEAE</td><td>Desmodium affine Schlecht.</td><td>Amor seco</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Erythrina poeppigiana (Walp.) O.F. Cook</td><td>Amapola</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>Entada gigas (L.) Fawc. & Rendl.</td><td>Samo</td><td>0.25</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr></tbody></table>
a) MEDINA (San Cristóbal province)

<table><tr><td></td><td>Lonchocarpus latifolius (Willd.) Kunth</td><td>Anón de Majagua</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Poitea campanilla DC.</td><td>Aritos</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>E</td></tr><tr><td>LAMIACEAE</td><td>Oncimum campechianum Mill.</td><td>Albahaca cimarrona</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>LAURACEAE</td><td>Ocotea coriácea (Sw.) Britton</td><td>Cigua blanca</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>O. floribunda (Sw.) Mez</td><td>Cigua aguacatillo</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>O. leucoxylon (Sw.) Mez</td><td>Aguacatillo</td><td>0.50</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Persea americana P. Miller</td><td>Aguacate</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>Ic</td></tr><tr><td>MALPIGHIACEAE</td><td>Bunchosia glandulosa (Cav.) DC.</td><td>Cabrita</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Byrsonima spicata (Cav.) HBK.</td><td>Maricao, Peralejo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>MALVACEAE</td><td>Melochia tomentosa L.</td><td>Escobilla, Malva</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Urena lobata L.</td><td>Cadillo</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Urena sp.</td><td>Cadillo</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td>MELASTOMATACEAE</td><td>Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don</td><td>Pega-pollo; Friega platos</td><td>0.17</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Miconia impetiolaris (Sw.) D. Don</td><td>Auquey</td><td>0.25</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>M. laevigata (L.) DC.</td><td>Granadillo</td><td>0.33</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>M. prasina (Sw.) DC.</td><td>Granadillo Bobo</td><td>1.00</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>MELIACEAE</td><td>Guarea guidonia L.</td><td>Cabirma</td><td>5.00</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Trichilia hirta L.</td><td>Jobobán</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>T. pallida (Sw.) Sleumer</td><td>Palo amargo</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>MENISPERMACEAE</td><td>Cissampelos pareira L.</td><td>Bejuco de ratón</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>MIMOSACEAE</td><td>Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd.</td><td>Jina</td><td>0.50</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>I. vera Kunth</td><td>Guama</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Mimosa ceratonia L.</td><td>Zarza</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>M. pudica L.</td><td>Moriviví</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Pithecellobium dulce (Roex.) Benth.</td><td>Jina</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>MYRSINACEAE</td><td>Wallenia laurifolia Sw.</td><td>Caimoní</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>MYRTACEAE</td><td>Eugenia monticola (Sw.) DC.</td><td>Escobón</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E. odorata O. Berg.</td><td>Escobón</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Myrcia leptoclada DC.</td><td>Guayabón</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>M. splendens (Sw.) DC.</td><td>Escobon</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Psidium guajava L.</td><td>Guayaba</td><td>0.25</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston</td><td>Pomo</td><td>0.67</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>NYCTAGINACEAE</td><td>Pisonia aculeata L.</td><td>Uña de gato</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>ORCHIDACEAE</td><td>Epidendrum wrightii Lindl.</td><td>Orquidea</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>PETIVERIACEAE</td><td>Trichostigma octandrum (L.) H. Walt.</td><td>Pabellón del rey</td><td>0.17</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>PINACEAE</td><td>Pinus caribaea Morelet</td><td>Pino</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>Ic</td></tr><tr><td>PIPERACEAE</td><td>Piper aduncum L.</td><td>Guayuyo</td><td>0.25</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>P. amalago L.</td><td>Anisillo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>P. hispidum Sw.</td><td>Anisette</td><td>0.17</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>P. jacquemontianum Kunth.</td><td>Guayuyo macho</td><td>0.25</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>P. peltatum L.</td><td>Broquelejo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>POACEAE</td><td>Ichnanthus pallens (Sw.) Monro ex Benth.</td><td>Carruzo (in Puerto Rico)</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Olyra latifolia L.</td><td>Carrizo</td><td>0.25</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>POLYGALACEAE</td><td>Securidaca virgata Sw.</td><td>Maravedi</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>PRIMULACEAE</td><td>Parathesis crenulata (Sw.) Mez</td><td>Jalapón</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>PTERIDACEAE</td><td>Adiantum peruvianum Klotzsch</td><td>Helecho dólar</td><td>0.08</td><td>Pt</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>A. pyramidale (L.) Willd.</td><td>Culantrillo de pozo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Pt</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>A. tenerum Sw.</td><td>Culantrillo de pozo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Pt</td><td>N</td></tr></table>
a) MEDINA (San Cristóbal province)

<table><tr><td>PUTRANJIVACEAE</td><td>Drypetes laterifolia (Sw.) Krug & Urb.</td><td>Palo Blanco</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>RHAMNACEAE</td><td>Gouania lupuloides (L.) Urb.</td><td>Bejuco de indio</td><td>0.17</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>ROSACEAE</td><td>Prunus occidentalis Sw.</td><td>Almendro</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">RUBIACEAE</td><td>Palicourea crocea (Sw.) Schult.</td><td>Cafecillo</td><td>0.33</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Psychotria domingensis Jacq.</td><td>Cafetán, Café cimarrón</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">RUTACEAE</td><td>Citrus aurantifolia Sw.</td><td>Limón agrio</td><td>0.17</td><td>Ar</td><td>Ic</td></tr><tr><td>Murraya paniculata (L.) Jacq.</td><td>Azahar</td><td>0.17</td><td>Ar</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>Zanthoxylum martinicense (Lam.) Dc.</td><td>Pino de teta</td><td>0.42</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">SALICACEAE</td><td>Casearia aculeata Jacq.</td><td>Carborí, Palo de avispa</td><td>0.33</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>C. guianensis (Aubl.) Urb.</td><td>Cafetilllo</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">SAPINDACEAE</td><td>Allophylus cominia (L.) Sw.</td><td>Palo de caja</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Cupania americana L.</td><td>Guarana</td><td>0.92</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq.</td><td>Limoncillo</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>Paullinia pinnata L.</td><td>Bejuco de costilla</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">SAPOTACEAE</td><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum Jacq.</td><td>Caimito</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>C. oliviforme L.</td><td>Caimitillo</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>STERCULIACEAE</td><td>Guazuma tomentosa Kunth.</td><td>Guacima</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">URTICACEAE</td><td>Cecropia schreberiana Miq.</td><td>Yagrumo</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich ex Wedd.</td><td>Pringamosa</td><td>0.17</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>VITACEAE</td><td>Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & Jarvis</td><td>Bejuco caro</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr></table>

b) LOS BRACITOS (Duarte province)

<table><thead><tr><th>FAMILIES</th><th>SPECIES</th><th>LOCAL NAMES</th><th>MRP</th><th>BT</th><th>BS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2">ACANTHACEAE</td><td>Blechum sp.</td><td>Campeche mallow</td><td>0.00</td><td>H</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td>Odontonema cuspidatum (Nees) Kuntze</td><td>“Clavo de fuego”</td><td>1.25</td><td>Ar</td><td>X</td></tr><tr><td>ANACARDIACEAE</td><td>Mangifera indica L.</td><td>Mango</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>Ns</td></tr><tr><td>ARACEAE</td><td>Dieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schott</td><td>Mata becerro</td><td>0.42</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>ARALIACEAE</td><td>Schefflera morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire et al.</td><td>Sablito</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">ARECACEAE</td><td>Prestoea montana (Graham) G. Nicholson</td><td>Palma Manacla</td><td>0.25</td><td>P</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Sabal domingensis Becc.</td><td>Palma Cana</td><td>0.08</td><td>P</td><td>E</td></tr><tr><td>BORAGINACEAE</td><td>Cordia sp.</td><td></td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">BROMELLIACEAE</td><td>Pitcairnia sp.</td><td>“Maya cimarrona”</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td>Tillandsia setacea Sw.</td><td>Piña de palo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ep</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">CLUSIACEAE</td><td>Calophyllum calaba L.</td><td>Mara</td><td>0.50</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Clusia rosea Jacq.</td><td>Copey</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">COMBRETACEAE</td><td>Buchenavia tetraphylla (Aubl.) R.A.Howard</td><td>Guaragua</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Terminalia intermedia (A. Rich.) Urb.</td><td>Chicharrón</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>COMMELINACEAE</td><td>Commelina erecta L.</td><td>Suelda con suelda</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>CYATHEACEAE</td><td>Cyathea sp.</td><td>Helecho macho</td><td>0.08</td><td>Tf</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">DIOSCOREACEAE</td><td>Dioscorea sp.</td><td>Ñame</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td>Dioscorea alata L.</td><td>Ñame</td><td>0.08</td><td>L</td><td>Ic</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">EUPHORBIACEAE</td><td>Alchornea latifolia Sw.</td><td>Bija cimarrona</td><td>0.42</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Hura crepitans L.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>Jabilla</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Acacia mangium Willd.</td><td>Acacia</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>X</td></tr></tbody></table>
b) LOS BRACITOS (Duarte province)

<table><thead><tr><th>FAMILIES</th><th>SPECIES</th><th>LOCAL NAMES</th><th>MRP</th><th>BT</th><th>BS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="10">FABACEAE</td><td></td><td>mangium</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dalbergia sp.</td><td>Bejuco de peseta</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td>Entada gigas (L.) Fawc. & Rendle</td><td>Samo, Chocho</td><td>0.33</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth</td><td>Piñón cubano</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Lonchocarpus latifolius (Willd.) Kunth</td><td>Anón de Majagua</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Mora abbottii Rose & Leonard</td><td>Cola</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>E</td></tr><tr><td>Ormosia krugii Urb.</td><td>Palo de Peonía</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb.</td><td>Auyey</td><td>0.75</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Poitea galegoides Vent.</td><td>Aritos</td><td>0.50</td><td>Ar</td><td>E</td></tr><tr><td>Rhodopis planisiliqua (L.) Urb.</td><td></td><td>0.50</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">LAURACEAE</td><td>Ocotea coriacea (Sw.) Britton</td><td>Cigua blanca</td><td>1.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Ocotea leucoxylon (Sw.) Mez</td><td>Aguacatillo</td><td>0.42</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>MELASTOMATACEAE</td><td>Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC.</td><td>Granadillo Bobo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">MELIACEAE</td><td>Carapa guianensis Aubl.</td><td>Cabirma de guinea</td><td>0.58</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Guarea guidonia (L.) Sleumer</td><td>Cabirma Santa</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Trichilia hirta L.</td><td>Palo amargo</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">MIMOSACEAE</td><td>Inga laurina (L.) Willd.</td><td>Jina</td><td>1.67</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>I. vera Willd.</td><td>Guama</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Mimosa ceratonia L.</td><td>Zarza</td><td>0.42</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>MORACEAE</td><td>Ficus trigonata L.</td><td>Higo</td><td>1.25</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>MYRSINACEAE</td><td>Myrsine coriacea (Sw.) R.Br.</td><td>Botoncillo cimarrón</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">MYRTACEAE</td><td>Calypranthes sintenisii Kiaersk.</td><td>Limoncillo</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Gomidesia lindeniana O. Berg</td><td>Auquey blanco</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC.</td><td>Auquey chiquito</td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>NYCTAGINACEAE</td><td>Pisonia aculeata L.</td><td>Uña de gato</td><td>0.75</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>OLEACEAE</td><td>Jasminum fluminense Vell.</td><td>Jasminum</td><td>0.00</td><td>L</td><td>X</td></tr><tr><td>ORCHIDACEAE</td><td>Prosthechea cochleata (L.) W.E. Higgins</td><td>Pulpito</td><td>0.50</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>PIPERACEAE</td><td>Piper hispidum Sw.</td><td>Anissette</td><td>0.25</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">POACEAE</td><td>Arthrostylidium sarmentosum Pilg.</td><td>Tibisí</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Olyra sp.</td><td></td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td>Olyra latifolia L.</td><td>Carrizo</td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) P.Beauv.</td><td></td><td>0.08</td><td>H</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Oplismenus sp.</td><td></td><td>0.58</td><td>H</td><td>nd</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">PTERIDACEAE</td><td>Adiantum pyramidale (L.) Willd.</td><td>Culantrillo de pozo</td><td>0.25</td><td>Pt</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Adiantum tenerum Sw.</td><td>Culantrillo de pozo</td><td>0.42</td><td>Pt</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">PUTRANJIVACEAE</td><td>Drypetes laterifolia Sw.) Krug & Urb.</td><td>Palo Blanco</td><td>0.08</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Drypetes sp.</td><td></td><td>0.17</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>RUBIACEAE</td><td>Palicourea crocea (Sw.) Schult.</td><td></td><td>0.17</td><td>Ar</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">SAPINDACEAE</td><td>Cupania americana L.</td><td>Guárano</td><td>0.33</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Paullinia pinnata L.</td><td>Bejuco de costilla</td><td>0.25</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">SAPOTACEAE</td><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum Jacq.</td><td>Caimitillo</td><td>1.75</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Chrysophyllum cainito L.</td><td>Caimito</td><td>1.25</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">SIMAROUBACEAE</td><td>Simarouba berteroana Krug & Urb. ex Urb.</td><td>Olivo</td><td>0.08</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>Simarouba glauca DC.</td><td>Juan Primero</td><td>0.50</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>SMILACACEAE</td><td>Smilax domingensis Willd.</td><td>Bejuco chino</td><td>0.33</td><td>L</td><td>N</td></tr><tr><td>URTICACEAE</td><td>Cecropia schreberiana Miq.</td><td>Yagrumo</td><td>0.25</td><td>A</td><td>N</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><caption>Annex 2: Trunk diameter and height of tree species in locations Medina and Los Bracitos
a. Medina, San Cristobal: data on 27 tree species: TD trunk diameter (cm) and height (m)</caption><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Family</th><th rowspan="2">Species</th><th colspan="4">TD (DBH, cm)</th><th colspan="4">Height (m)</th><th colspan="2"># Data</th></tr><tr><th>Mean</th><th>±S.D.</th><th>Min.</th><th>Max.</th><th>Mean</th><th>±S.D.</th><th>Min.</th><th>Max.</th><th>TD</th><th>Height</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Anacardiaceae</td><td>Anacardium occidentale</td><td>18.8</td><td>14.5</td><td>5.0</td><td>29.0</td><td>7.5</td><td>3.5</td><td>5.0</td><td>10.0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Anacardiaceae</td><td>Spondias mombin</td><td>46.0</td><td>21.2</td><td>31.0</td><td>61.0</td><td>19.0</td><td>1.4</td><td>18.0</td><td>20.0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Araliaceae</td><td>Dendropanax arboreus</td><td>7.8</td><td>1.9</td><td>6.0</td><td>11.0</td><td>6.5</td><td>1.2</td><td>5.0</td><td>8.0</td><td>6</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>Bignoniaceae</td><td>Spathodea campanulata</td><td>15.4</td><td>11.3</td><td>4.0</td><td>60.0</td><td>9.1</td><td>4.6</td><td>4.0</td><td>25.0</td><td>29</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>Euphorbiaceae</td><td>Hura crepitans</td><td>41.2</td><td>23.3</td><td>7.0</td><td>70.0</td><td>16.4</td><td>6.1</td><td>7.0</td><td>25.0</td><td>9</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Fabaceae</td><td>Dalbergia</td><td>10.7</td><td>3.5</td><td>1.0</td><td>14.0</td><td>6.3</td><td>4.7</td><td>1.0</td><td>10.0</td><td>3</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Entada gigas</td><td>12.5</td><td>0.7</td><td>12.0</td><td>13.0</td><td>10.5</td><td>0.7</td><td>10.0</td><td>11.0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Erythrina poeppigiana</td><td>20.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>9.0</td><td>23.0</td><td>9.5</td><td>-</td><td>9.0</td><td>10.0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Inga laurina</td><td>30.0</td><td>28.7</td><td>8.0</td><td>72.0</td><td>12.3</td><td>6.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>20.0</td><td>4</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Inga vera</td><td>35.5</td><td>0.0</td><td>18.0</td><td>53.0</td><td>14.5</td><td>0.0</td><td>11.0</td><td>18.0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Pithecellobium</td><td>28.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>28.0</td><td>28.0</td><td>18.0</td><td>-</td><td>18.0</td><td>18.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Lauraceae</td><td>Ocotea coriacea</td><td>9.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>9.0</td><td>9.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>-</td><td>7.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Ocotea leucoxylon</td><td>7.3</td><td>0.0</td><td>22.0</td><td>22.0</td><td>12.0</td><td>-</td><td>12.0</td><td>12.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Melastomataceae</td><td>Miconia impetiolaris</td><td>6.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>4.0</td><td>-</td><td>4.0</td><td>4.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Miconia prasina</td><td>8.8</td><td>1.1</td><td>8.0</td><td>9.5</td><td>5.5</td><td>0.7</td><td>5.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Meliaceae</td><td>Guarea guidonia</td><td>14.8</td><td>10.9</td><td>5.0</td><td>56.0</td><td>9.4</td><td>4.3</td><td>4.0</td><td>24.0</td><td>67</td><td>67</td></tr><tr><td>Myrtaceae</td><td>Psidium guajava</td><td>8.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>8.0</td><td>8.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>-</td><td>6.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Syzygium jambos</td><td>7.3</td><td>2.1</td><td>5.0</td><td>9.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>3</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Petiveriaceae</td><td>Trichostigma octandrum</td><td>10.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>10.0</td><td>10.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>-</td><td>6.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Pinaceae</td><td>Pinus sp.</td><td>46.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>46.0</td><td>46.0</td><td>18.0</td><td>-</td><td>0.0</td><td>18.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Rhamnaceae</td><td>Gouania lupuloides</td><td>29.5</td><td>17.7</td><td>17.0</td><td>42.0</td><td>13.5</td><td>7.8</td><td>8.0</td><td>19.0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Rutaceae</td><td>Zanthoxyllum martinicense</td><td>17.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>17.0</td><td>17.0</td><td>14.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>14.0</td><td>14.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Salicaceae</td><td>Casearia guianensis</td><td>5.5</td><td>0.0</td><td>5.0</td><td>5.0</td><td>4.5</td><td>0.0</td><td>5.0</td><td>5.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Casearia aculeata</td><td>9.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>9.0</td><td>9.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Sapindaceae</td><td>Cupania americana</td><td>11.6</td><td>3.9</td><td>7.0</td><td>28.0</td><td>7.8</td><td>1.9</td><td>5.0</td><td>16.0</td><td>9</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Sapotaceae</td><td>Chrysophyllum oliviforme</td><td>6.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>6.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>-</td><td>0.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Urticaceae</td><td>Cecropia schreberiana</td><td>17.2</td><td>0.3</td><td>9.0</td><td>25.0</td><td>12.9</td><td>1.8</td><td>5.0</td><td>18.0</td><td>6</td><td>6</td></tr></tbody></table>
b. Los Bracitos, Duarte: data on 24 tree species: TD trunk diameter (cm) and height (m)

<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Family</th><th rowspan="2">Species</th><th colspan="4">TD (DBH, cm)</th><th colspan="4">Height (m)</th><th colspan="2"># Data</th></tr><tr><th>Mean</th><th>±S.D.</th><th>Min.</th><th>Max.</th><th>Mean</th><th>±S.D.</th><th>Min.</th><th>Max.</th><th>TD</th><th>Height</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Anacardiaceae</td><td>Mangifera indica</td><td>12.5</td><td>7.8</td><td>7</td><td>18</td><td>14.0</td><td>11.3</td><td>6</td><td>22</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Araliaceae</td><td>Schefflera morototoni</td><td>18.7</td><td>11.2</td><td>6</td><td>27</td><td>19.0</td><td>9.5</td><td>8</td><td>25</td><td>3</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Boraginaceae</td><td>Cordia sp.</td><td>19.0</td><td>-</td><td>19</td><td>19</td><td>25.0</td><td>0.0</td><td>25</td><td>25</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">Clusiaceae</td><td>Calophyllum calaba</td><td>27.0</td><td>12.2</td><td>13</td><td>35</td><td>20.0</td><td>7.8</td><td>11</td><td>25</td><td>3</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Clusia rosea</td><td>24.0</td><td>-</td><td>24</td><td>24</td><td>22.0</td><td>-</td><td>22</td><td>22</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Combretaceae</td><td>Buchenavia tetraphylla</td><td>68.0</td><td>-</td><td>68</td><td>68</td><td>30.0</td><td>-</td><td>30</td><td>30</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cyatheaceae</td><td>Cyathea sp.</td><td>14.0</td><td>1.4</td><td>13</td><td>15</td><td>6.5</td><td>0.7</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Euphorbiaceae</td><td>Alchornea latifolia</td><td>30.0</td><td>10.0</td><td>20</td><td>40</td><td>19.0</td><td>2.6</td><td>16</td><td>21</td><td>3</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Drypetes lateriflora</td><td>9.4</td><td>6.1</td><td>5</td><td>19</td><td>9.8</td><td>5.9</td><td>5</td><td>20</td><td>5</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Fabaceae</td><td>Entada gigas</td><td>10.0</td><td>-</td><td>10</td><td>10</td><td>22.0</td><td>-</td><td>22</td><td>22</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Inga vera</td><td>24.2</td><td>11.8</td><td>6</td><td>42</td><td>21.9</td><td>8.9</td><td>8</td><td>30</td><td>9</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Lonchocarpus latifolius</td><td>39.5</td><td>31.7</td><td>6</td><td>98</td><td>22.5</td><td>10.4</td><td>5</td><td>35</td><td>6</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>Mora abbottii</td><td>25.3</td><td>15.7</td><td>5</td><td>56</td><td>17.8</td><td>7.5</td><td>4</td><td>30</td><td>14</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Ormosia krugii</td><td>13.7</td><td>3.2</td><td>10</td><td>16</td><td>11.3</td><td>5.8</td><td>8</td><td>18</td><td>3</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Lauraceae</td><td>Ocotea coriacea</td><td>23.8</td><td>8.1</td><td>14</td><td>34</td><td>23.2</td><td>5.4</td><td>18</td><td>32</td><td>5</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Ocotea leucoxylon</td><td>20.8</td><td>13.1</td><td>6</td><td>64</td><td>15.2</td><td>5.3</td><td>5</td><td>25</td><td>25</td><td>24</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Meliaceae</td><td>Carapa guianensis</td><td>16.2</td><td>7.0</td><td>5</td><td>28</td><td>13.6</td><td>6.6</td><td>5</td><td>21</td><td>11</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Guarea guidonia</td><td>21.9</td><td>9.4</td><td>5</td><td>34</td><td>18.0</td><td>5.7</td><td>6</td><td>24</td><td>14</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>Trichilia hirta</td><td>26.5</td><td>0.7</td><td>26</td><td>27</td><td>17.5</td><td>3.5</td><td>15</td><td>20</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Sapindaceae</td><td>Cupania americana</td><td>15.5</td><td>2.1</td><td>14</td><td>17</td><td>9.5</td><td>0.7</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">Sapotaceae</td><td>Chrysophyllum argenteum</td><td>11.7</td><td>3.0</td><td>8</td><td>17</td><td>12.9</td><td>3.8</td><td>7</td><td>18</td><td>9</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>Chrysophyllum cainito</td><td>11.3</td><td>2.7</td><td>6</td><td>15</td><td>9.8</td><td>2.0</td><td>7</td><td>12</td><td>13</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>Simaroubaceae</td><td>Simarouba glauca</td><td>8.5</td><td>4.9</td><td>5</td><td>12</td><td>8.0</td><td>-</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Urticaceae</td><td>Cecropia schreberiana</td><td>17.7</td><td>3.8</td><td>15</td><td>22</td><td>14.7</td><td>4.6</td><td>12</td><td>20</td><td>3</td><td>3</td></tr></tbody></table>
Annex 3: Alpha and Beta diversity indices in locations Medina and Los Bracitos

a. Alpha diversity indices (α) Medina, San Cristóbal

<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Patch</th><th colspan="4">Forest 1</th><th colspan="4">Forest 2</th><th colspan="4">Forest 3</th></tr><tr><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Taxa_S</td><td>29</td><td>20</td><td>20</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>12</td><td>5</td><td>24</td><td>12</td><td>32</td><td>19</td><td>24</td></tr><tr><td>Individuals</td><td>36</td><td>29</td><td>34</td><td>18</td><td>35</td><td>12</td><td>13</td><td>41</td><td>29</td><td>32</td><td>19</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Simpson</td><td><strong>0.981</strong></td><td>0.963</td><td>0.925</td><td>0.484</td><td><strong>0.113</strong></td><td><strong>1</strong></td><td>0.539</td><td>0.900</td><td>0.904</td><td><strong>1</strong></td><td><strong>1</strong></td><td><strong>0.997</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Shannon</td><td>3.635</td><td>3.163</td><td>2.942</td><td><strong>1.072</strong></td><td>0.287</td><td>2.943</td><td>1.198</td><td>2.971</td><td>2.457</td><td><strong>3.950</strong></td><td>3.418</td><td>3.623</td></tr><tr><td>Margalef</td><td>7.814</td><td>5.643</td><td>5.388</td><td>1.384</td><td><strong>0.563</strong></td><td>4.427</td><td>1.559</td><td>6.193</td><td>3.267</td><td><strong>8.945</strong></td><td>6.113</td><td>7.145</td></tr><tr><td>Chao1</td><td>345.0</td><td>135.9</td><td>78.24</td><td>6.417</td><td>3.971</td><td>72.50</td><td><strong>10.54</strong></td><td>126.4</td><td>12.97</td><td><strong>512.5</strong></td><td>181.0</td><td>145.4</td></tr></tbody></table>

Source: Software PAST version 3.15 (Hammer et al. 2013).

b. Beta diversity indices (β): Jaccard Similarity Medina, San Cristóbal

<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Patch</th><th colspan="4">Forest 1 (B1)</th><th colspan="4">Forest 2 (B2)</th><th colspan="4">Forest 3 (B3)</th></tr><tr><th>Plot</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>B1P1</td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.225</strong></td><td>0.139</td><td>0.097</td><td><strong>0.032</strong></td><td>0.108</td><td>0.097</td><td>0.104</td><td><strong>0.206</strong></td><td>0.130</td><td><strong>0.021</strong></td><td>0.082</td></tr><tr><td>B1P2</td><td><strong>0.225</strong></td><td>1</td><td>0.111</td><td><strong>0.042</strong></td><td>0.095</td><td>0.143</td><td>0.136</td><td>0.158</td><td><strong>0.280</strong></td><td><strong>0.238</strong></td><td>0.054</td><td>0.128</td></tr><tr><td>B1P3</td><td>0.140</td><td>0.111</td><td>1</td><td>0.136</td><td>0</td><td>0.067</td><td><strong>0.042</strong></td><td><strong>0.222</strong></td><td>0.067</td><td>0.083</td><td>0.114</td><td>0.100</td></tr><tr><td>B1P4</td><td>0.097</td><td><strong>0.042</strong></td><td>0.136</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0.133</td><td>0</td><td><strong>0.036</strong></td><td>0</td><td><strong>0.028</strong></td><td>0</td><td><strong>0.036</strong></td></tr><tr><td>B2P1</td><td><strong>0.032</strong></td><td>0.095</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0.071</td><td><strong>0.333</strong></td><td>0.038</td><td>0.071</td><td><strong>0.029</strong></td><td>0</td><td><strong>0.039</strong></td></tr><tr><td>B2P2</td><td>0.108</td><td>0.143</td><td>0.067</td><td>0.133</td><td>0.071</td><td>1</td><td>0.063</td><td>0.091</td><td><strong>0.043</strong></td><td>0.100</td><td><strong>0.033</strong></td><td><strong>0.029</strong></td></tr><tr><td>B2P3</td><td>0.097</td><td>0.136</td><td><strong>0.042</strong></td><td>0</td><td><strong>0.333</strong></td><td>0.063</td><td>1</td><td>0.074</td><td>0.133</td><td>0.057</td><td>0</td><td>0.074</td></tr><tr><td>B2P4</td><td>0.104</td><td>0.158</td><td><strong>0.222</strong></td><td>0.036</td><td><strong>0.038</strong></td><td>0.091</td><td>0.074</td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.200</strong></td><td>0.143</td><td>0.132</td><td><strong>0.200</strong></td></tr><tr><td>B3P1</td><td><strong>0.206</strong></td><td><strong>0.280</strong></td><td>0.067</td><td>0</td><td>0.071</td><td><strong>0.043</strong></td><td>0.133</td><td><strong>0.200</strong></td><td>1</td><td>0.128</td><td>0.107</td><td>0.091</td></tr><tr><td>B3P2</td><td>0.130</td><td><strong>0.238</strong></td><td>0.083</td><td>0.028</td><td><strong>0.029</strong></td><td>0.100</td><td>0.057</td><td>0.143</td><td>0.128</td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.020</strong></td><td>0.191</td></tr><tr><td>B3P3</td><td><strong>0.021</strong></td><td>0.054</td><td>0.114</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td><strong>0.033</strong></td><td>0</td><td>0.132</td><td>0.107</td><td><strong>0.020</strong></td><td>1</td><td>0.103</td></tr><tr><td>B3P4</td><td>0.082</td><td>0.128</td><td>0.100</td><td><strong>0.036</strong></td><td><strong>0.039</strong></td><td>0.029</td><td>0.074</td><td><strong>0.200</strong></td><td>0.091</td><td>0.191</td><td>0.103</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

Source: Software PAST version 3.15 (Hammer et al.

2013). Highest value in red. Other highest values in bold. Lowest values in italics
c. Alpha diversity indices (α), Los Bracitos, Duarte

<table><thead><tr><th>Patch:</th><th colspan="4">Forest 1</th><th colspan="4">Forest 2</th><th colspan="4">Forest 3</th></tr><tr><th>Plot:</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><th>Taxa_S</th><td>14</td><td>9</td><td>16</td><td>11</td><td>19</td><td>18</td><td>25</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>11</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><th>Individuals</th><td>40</td><td>14</td><td>25</td><td>14</td><td>32</td><td>31</td><td>33</td><td>24</td><td>17</td><td>14</td><td>15</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><th>Simpson</th><td>0.867</td><td>0.912</td><td>0.950</td><td>0.956</td><td>0.911</td><td>0.905</td><td><strong>0.981</strong></td><td>0.906</td><td>0.949</td><td><strong>0.978</strong></td><td>0.952</td><td><strong>0.993</strong></td></tr><tr><th>Shannon</th><td>2.360</td><td>2.331</td><td>2.902</td><td>2.662</td><td>2.848</td><td>2.780</td><td>3.492</td><td>2.462</td><td>2.687</td><td>2.834</td><td>2.637</td><td>3.193</td></tr><tr><th>Margalef</th><td>3.524</td><td>3.031</td><td>4.660</td><td>3.789</td><td>5.194</td><td>4.951</td><td>6.864</td><td>3.461</td><td>3.883</td><td>4.168</td><td>3.693</td><td>5.294</td></tr><tr><th>Chao1</th><td>27.65</td><td>13.64</td><td>79.36</td><td>27.71</td><td>77.13</td><td>68.81</td><td>58.16</td><td>38.83</td><td>28.94</td><td>25.93</td><td>19.71</td><td>65.41</td></tr></tbody></table>

Source: Software PAST version 3.15 (Hammer et al. 2013)

d. Beta diversity indices (β), Jaccard Similarity Los Bracitos, Duarte

<table><thead><tr><th>Patch</th><th colspan="4">Forest 1 (B1)</th><th colspan="4">Forest 2 (B2)</th><th colspan="4">Forest 3 (B3)</th></tr><tr><th>Plot</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th><th>P1</th><th>P2</th><th>P3</th><th>P4</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><th>B1P1</th><td>1</td><td>0.150</td><td>0.154</td><td>0.190</td><td>0.065</td><td>0.067</td><td>0.147</td><td>0.083</td><td>0.040</td><td>0.083</td><td>0.136</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><th>B1P2</th><td>0.150</td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.250</strong></td><td><strong>0.250</strong></td><td>0.077</td><td>0.039</td><td>0.172</td><td>0.050</td><td>0.050</td><td>0</td><td>0.111</td><td>0.042</td></tr><tr><th>B1P3</th><td>0.154</td><td><strong>0.250</strong></td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.227</strong></td><td><strong>0.207</strong></td><td>0.172</td><td><strong>0.206</strong></td><td>0.120</td><td>0.077</td><td>0.167</td><td>0.080</td><td>0.103</td></tr><tr><th>B1P4</th><td>0.191</td><td><strong>0.250</strong></td><td><strong>0.227</strong></td><td>1</td><td>0.111</td><td>0.074</td><td>0.059</td><td>0.095</td><td>0.095</td><td>0.046</td><td>0.048</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><th>B2P1</th><td>0.065</td><td>0.077</td><td><strong>0.207</strong></td><td>0.111</td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.850</strong></td><td><strong>0.294</strong></td><td><strong>0.292</strong></td><td>0.192</td><td><strong>0.240</strong></td><td>0.111</td><td><strong>0.207</strong></td></tr><tr><th>B2P2</th><td>0.067</td><td>0.039</td><td>0.172</td><td>0.074</td><td><strong>0.850</strong></td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.303</strong></td><td><strong>0.304</strong></td><td><strong>0.200</strong></td><td><strong>0.250</strong></td><td>0.115</td><td><strong>0.214</strong></td></tr><tr><th>B2P3</th><td>0.147</td><td>0.172</td><td><strong>0.206</strong></td><td>0.059</td><td><strong>0.294</strong></td><td><strong>0.303</strong></td><td>1</td><td>0.156</td><td>0.194</td><td><strong>0.321</strong></td><td><strong>0.286</strong></td><td><strong>0.281</strong></td></tr><tr><th>B2P4</th><td>0.083</td><td>0.050</td><td>0.120</td><td>0.095</td><td><strong>0.292</strong></td><td><strong>0.304</strong></td><td>0.156</td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.200</strong></td><td>0.143</td><td>0.095</td><td>0.120</td></tr><tr><th>B3P1</th><td>0.040</td><td>0.050</td><td>0.077</td><td>0.095</td><td>0.192</td><td><strong>0.200</strong></td><td>0.194</td><td><strong>0.200</strong></td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.333</strong></td><td><strong>0.278</strong></td><td><strong>0.333</strong></td></tr><tr><th>B3P2</th><td>0.083</td><td>0</td><td>0.167</td><td>0.046</td><td><strong>0.240</strong></td><td><strong>0.250</strong></td><td><strong>0.321</strong></td><td>0.143</td><td><strong>0.333</strong></td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.438</strong></td><td><strong>0.333</strong></td></tr><tr><th>B3P3</th><td>0.136</td><td>0.111</td><td>0.080</td><td>0.048</td><td>0.111</td><td>0.115</td><td><strong>0.286</strong></td><td>0.095</td><td><strong>0.278</strong></td><td><strong>0.438</strong></td><td>1</td><td><strong>0.350</strong></td></tr><tr><th>B3P4</th><td>0</td><td>0.042</td><td>0.103</td><td>0</td><td><strong>0.207</strong></td><td><strong>0.214</strong></td><td><strong>0.281</strong></td><td>0.120</td><td><strong>0.333</strong></td><td><strong>0.333</strong></td><td><strong>0.350</strong></td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

Source: Software PAST version 3.15 (Hammer et al. 2013)

Two highest values in red. Other highest values in bold. Lowest values in italics
Annex 4: Images from the study sites

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>Top: Crossing a creek near Medina (San Cristóbal)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>Middle: View on the Loma Quita Espuela Scientific Reserve near Los Bracitos (Duarte)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_10.png" /><figcaption>Lower: Floristic inspection in a cocoa plantation near Los Bracitos</figcaption></figure>