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In Ecuador, dry forests constitute fragile ecosystems and show different states of deterioration, which affects their floristic composition. The objective of the research was to determine the floristic composition and structure of the dry forest (BmMn01) and the probable uses of the most abundant species in the "El Rosal" community. The area is located at coordinates 0.60'24" north latitude and 78.14'75" west longitude. Tree, shrub and herbaceous strata were determined. For the tree stratum, five plots of 10 * 50 m were established, where individuals =10 cm DAP were recorded. In each of them, three subplots of 5 * 5 m were formed for the shrub layer and 3 subplots of 1 * 1 m for the herbaceous layer. The Shannon and Pielow indices and the use value of the species were determined. The floristic composition is made up of 19 families, 37 genera and 40 species. Two were classified as tree species, 16 shrubs and the rest herbaceous. The vertical structure of the tree layer was represented by Bursera graveolens; subarboreal by Vachellia macracantha, the shrubby Croton menthodorus and the herbaceous was uniform. The most abundant species was Croton menthodorus and the dominant one was Vachellia macracantha. The Shannon index was 3.08, which indicates medium diversity, while Pielow with 0.84 reveals a behavior of high diversity. The value of use in the community shows Bursera graveolens, Vachellia macracantha, Opuntia pubescens and Sida cordifolia as the most representative species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of forest seeds in Ecuador, in relation to their storage, is still insufficient, in particular the Cinchona pubescens Vahl. The objective was to determine the quality of the seeds and the best methods of seed storage of C. pubescens, using different times, containers and conditions. Seed collection was in Intag, Imbabura. The factors under study were: storage time, types of packaging and storage conditions. The quality of the seeds was determined at the time of harvest and in each treatment. Purity reached 76.5%, the weight of 1,000 seeds was 0.31 g and the humidity content was 14%. In the first storage trial, no germination was observed in any treatment from the first month. In the second trial, the best storage method was transparent cover stored in refrigeration for one week, which showed 9.25% germination power. Cinchona pubescens seeds lose their viability quickly, which becomes null after one month of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to assess the current situation of forest seed production and conservation in Ecuador, through the analysis of documents. It is noted that there are two strategies for the conservation and/or production of seeds in the country. In situ conservation shows results from the selection of seed sources from different actors: the EcoPAr foundation selected 20 in Andean forests in the Sierra, the Municipality of Quito identified 28, while Solidaridad Internacional installed 33 in Orellana, among others. Ex situ conservation developed alternatives such as: cryopreservation, long term, medium term, in vitro and field. The National Germplasm Bank of The National Autonomous Institute of Agro-Livestock Research has 72 species with 85 accessions, the Bank of the Private Technological University de Loja has 500 species in more than 800 accessions and there are also seven botanical gardens. The efforts made and the different experiences obtained are isolated. There are limitations of constructive and technological infrastructure, human resources, as well as deficiencies in the inter-institutional coordination of inventories and management plans of the forests that have seed sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]