Diversidad de plantas objeto de cultivo en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the diversity behavior of plants grown on four suburban farms in the province of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Lots of 100 m2 were made for species count. After identification, a floristic list was made. The plants within the same taxonomic category were counted, and the botanical composition was evaluated based on the number of individuals, family, genuses, and species. The group abundance criterion was used to include food plant species, and ecosystem, ornamental, and medicinal services, which were calculated as diversity indicators of alpha diversity (S), Berger-Parker Dominance (d), and general diversity (Shannon H´). For the Beta diversity, the Jaccard index (Ji), Sorenson index (SSi), and Ecological Dependence (ED) were taken into consideration. A total of 39 269 individuals from 45 families, 72 genuses, and 87 species were identified. The botanical composition varied, with an increasing tendency in the number of individuals of the ornamental and medicinal species; the most numerous families were Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae. The alpha diversity underwent an increase from one season to another, with values within the set range for each indicator, except for the Shannon H´ index on La Caballería Farm in both periods. The similitude moved between low and dissimilitude, which evidenced the presence of very specific species adapted to the particular environmental conditions of each placeEl trabajo se realizó con el objetivo evaluar el comportamiento de la diversidad de plantas objeto cultivo en cuatro fincas de la agricultura suburbana de Santiago de Cuba. Se levantaron parcelas con una dimensión de 100 m2 para el conteo de las especies presentes en el área. Identificadas las especies se elaboró un listado florístico. Se contabilizaron aquellas que pertenecieron a una misma categoría taxonómica y se procedió a la evaluación de la composición botánica considerando número de individuos, familia, géneros y especies. Con el criterio de abundancia de grupo considerando especies para la alimentación y servicios ecosistémicos, ornamentales y medicinales, se calcularon como indicadores de diversidad Alfa Riqueza de especies (S), Dominancia de Berger-Parker (d) y Diversidad general (Shannon H´). En el caso de la diversidad Beta se tuvieron en cuenta los índices de Jaccard (Ij), Sorenson (Iss) y Subordinación Ecológica (SE). Se registraron 39 269 individuos pertenecientes a 45 familias, 72 géneros y 87 especies. La composición botánica mostró variación con tendencia al aumento del número de individuos en las especies ornamentales y medicinales siendo Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae y Solanaceae las familias botánicas más representadas. La diversidad alfa evidenció un aumento de una temporada a la otra con valores dentro del rango establecido para cada indicador excepto para el índice de Shannon H´ en la finca La Caballería en ambos períodos. La similitud osciló entre baja y la disimilitud lo que evidencia la presencia de especies muy específicas adaptadas a las condiciones ambientales de cada lugar. ABSTRACT This aim of this paper was to evaluate the diversity behavior of plants grown on four suburban farms in the province of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. The lots were raised 100 m2 for species count. After species identification, a floristic list was made. The plants within the same taxonomic category  were counted, and botanical composition was evaluated, considering the number of individuals, family, genuses, and species. The group abundance criterion was used to include species for consumption and ecosystem, ornamental, and medicinal services. They were calculated as diversity indicators Alpha Richness (S), Berger-Parker Dominance (d), and general diversity (Shannon H´). For the Beta diversity, the Jaccard index (Ji), Sorenson index (SSi), and Ecologic Subordination (ES) were taken into consideration. The botanical composition varied, with a tendency to increase the number of individuals of the ornamental and medicinal species; the most numerous families were Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae. Alpha diversity underwent an increase from one season to another, with values within the set range for each indicator, except for the Shannon H´ index on La Caballería Farm in both periods. The similarity moved between low and dissimilarity, which evidences the presence of very specific species adapted to the particular environmental conditions of each place