OBSERVACIONES SOBRE LA DISTRIBUCIÓN DE ENCINOS EN MÉXICO

Abstract

A general analysis of the geographical
distribution of Mexican oaks (Quercus,
Fagaceae), with emphasis in subgenera
Erythrobalanus and Lepidobalanus is
presented. A review was made of a number of
works related to Mexican oaks and of
herbarium specimens, resulting in lists of oak
species for each state; comparisons of states
using a similarity index resulted in the
recognition of five geographical regions
within the country. The central region is the
richest in species. Few species appear to be
widely distributed, some of these clearly
being of Mexican-North American, while the
large number of species are endemic to
Mexico. White oaks (subg. Lepidobalanus)
are more abundant than red oaks (subg.
Erythrobalanus) in each state in northern
Mexico, while red oaks are more abundant in
the south (the southern, western and
southeastern regions). Detailed data on the
distribution of Quercus in Mexico remains
limited, indicating an important void in the
knowledge of this important genus that
impedes its adequate utilization and
management.