Cambios en el paisaje arbolado en Hermosillo: escasez de agua y plantas nativas

The goal of this paper was to assess the pattern of species encompassing the present treescape of the city of Hermosillo. The period studied was 1992-2014, during which time the city experienced a prolonged hydrological drought lasting almost 13 years. This study sought to determine to what extent this water shortage influenced the adoption of drought-tolerant trees, especially native species. Data about the frequency and pattern of tree species was collected by sampling sidewalks and residential front yards. The study found that there were changes in the pattern of species comprising the present treescape. The Indian laurel (Ficus nitida) was a common and abundant tree in Hermosillo, but the study suggested that it was substituted by weeping fig (Ficus benjamina). Another species that became important was the black olive tree (Bucida buceras). Native species were more abundant in recently developed areas of the city, but not as much as black olive and weeping fig trees, which were the more abundant and well-distributed trees.