Environmental conditions and disturbances are important factors that
could influence ecological processes. For this reason, it is essential
to know the relationship between them. The objective of this study was
to analyze the effect of environmental conditions and disturbance on
three growth stages (adults, germinated individuals, and seeds) of
conifers, oaks, and other broadleaf species that compose the temperate
forests of the highlands of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico. For this
purpose, we established 0.1 ha plots along an altitudinal gradient
ranging from 1950 m to 3250 m asl where we sampled vegetation, placed
traps for seed rain, and quantified seed germination. We recorded
climatic, edaphic, topographic, light, and disturbance conditions. We
recorded a positive influence of anthropogenic disturbances on conifers
in all their growth stages analyzed. For oaks and other broadleaf
species, climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation showed
a negative effect on adults and seeds, while disturbance showed no
effect. Our results indicate that environmental conditions and
anthropogenic disturbances have a differential effect on the biological
groups that compose these forests and depending on the growth stage of
the biological groups.