Introduction: Tree vegetation of forests that develops in karst environments dominated by calcium carbonate faces the restriction of water and nutrients, which negatively affects its development. Objective: Analyze the composition, diversity, and structure of tree vegetation that develops in calcium outcrops (yesales) and their edaphic conditions compared to those present in the adjacent secondary vegetation (VS). Methods: Plots of 1 000 m² were used, 14 in yesales and 3 in VS. For soil sampling, we obtained a sample composed of each plot, and estimate pH, electrical conductivity (EC-salinity), % of calcium carbonates (CaCO3), organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P) and nitrogen content (N). The difference in species composition was estimated by similarity analysis (ANOSIM). We used rarefaction and extrapolation methods to standardize sample, and estimate diversity by Hill numbers (q = 0, q = 1 and q = 2). Linear regression was used to determine the relative influence of edaphic characteristics in diversity, average diameter, and height. Results: Soils in yesales presented low concentrations of OM, P, and N, with high values of EC-salinity and high percentages of CaCO3. In yesales, 6 443 individuals were recorded in 54 species and in the secondary vegetation 594 individuals and 62 species, the species composition being significantly different between both conditions. Diversity, average values of height, and diameter were significantly lower in yesales regarding the secondary vegetation, these differences were significantly related to edaphic conditions. Conclusions: Tree vegetation in yesales has a composition like the sub-evergreen forests of Calakmul. Small sizes in the arboreal individuals are related to the high percentage of CaCO3 and the high EC values, which partly condition the low availability of OM, N and P affecting the growth of the trees. This study supports the idea that precarious edaphic conditions have a negative influence on the diversity and horizontal and vertical structure of tree vegetation. Introducción: La vegetación arbórea de selvas que se desarrolla en ambientes kársticos dominados por carbonato de calcio enfrenta la restricción de agua y nutrientes, lo que condiciona su desarrollo. Objetivo: Analizar la composición, diversidad y estructura de la vegetación arbórea que se desarrolla en afloramientos de calcio (yesales) y sus condiciones edáficas comparándolas con las presentes en vegetación secundaria (VS). Métodos: Se emplearon 17 parcelas de 1 000 m², 14 en yesales y 3 en VS. Se obtuvo una muestra compuesta de suelo por parcela y estimamos pH, conductividad eléctrica (CE-salinidad), % de carbonatos de calcio (CaCO3), materia orgánica (MO), fósforo (P) y nitrógeno (N). La diferencia en la composición de especies se evaluó mediante un análisis de similitud (ANOSIM). Empleamos métodos de rarefacción y extrapolación, estimando la diversidad mediante los números de Hill (q = 0, q = 1 y q = 2). Se utilizó un análisis de regresión linear para evaluar la influencia de las características edáficas en la diversidad, el diámetro y la altura promedios. Resultados: Los suelos en yesales presentaron concentraciones bajas de MO, P y N, valores altos de CE-salinidad y altos porcentajes de CaCO3. Se registraron 6 443 individuos de 54 especies en yesales y 594 individuos de 62 especies en la VS, siendo la composición significativamente diferente. La diversidad, los valores promedio de altura y diámetro fueron menores en yesales respecto de VS, estas diferencias estuvieron relacionadas con las condiciones edáficas. Conclusiones: La vegetación arbórea en yesales tiene una composición semejante a la de selvas subperennifolias de Calakmul. Las tallas pequeñas de los árboles están relacionadas con el alto porcentaje de CaCO3 y los altos valores de CE que condicionan la disponibilidad de MO, N y P. Este estudio apoya la idea de que precarias condiciones edáficas tienen una influencia negativa en la diversidad y la estructura horizontal y vertical de la vegetación arbórea.

Secondary succession in tropical forests is traditionally described as a linear process driven by time since disturbance. However, growing evidence suggests that recovery pathways depend strongly on historical and environmental contexts. We evaluated how disturbance legacies and edaphic constraints interact to shape successional trajectories in a tropical karst landscape of the Maya Forest, Mexico. We sampled 100 plots along a chronosequence, quantifying vegetation structure, floristic diversity, biomass (NDVI), disturbance legacies, and soil properties. Using unsupervised clustering (K-means) and multivariate ordination, we identified four contrasting ecological typologies that represent distinct successional states rather than transient stages. Our results show a pronounced dichotomy in vegetation dynamics following the abandonment of land-use practices: while some sites are experiencing diverse development due to positive forest legacies (Typology B), others remain stalled (Typology C), dominated by lianas, where biotic barriers inhibit tree regeneration despite decades of abandonment. Additionally, we documented an asynchronous recovery between floristic recovery and vertical development; in sites with edaphic constraints, forests reach high diversity and biomass but exhibit stunted growth (Typology D). This suggests that severe abiotic constraints—specifically high rockiness and shallow soils—limit the dominance of highly competitive species, thereby acting as a filter that maintains high levels of diversity despite structural limitations. Edaphic analysis confirmed that chemical fertility and physical constraints (rockiness and shallow depth) act as orthogonal filters. This explains the persistence of structurally constrained yet functionally mature forests as stable, edaphically determined outcomes. Overall, secondary succession in tropical karst is nonlinear and path-dependent, governed by a hierarchical filtering model where historical land use dictates community identity and physical substrate limits structural architecture. These findings highlight the need for trajectory-specific management and the abandonment of uniform expectations of forest recovery in karst landscapes.

The National Forest Program promotes conservation, sustainable management, and restoration. This study used socioeconomics and ecological approaches to evaluate the effects of the programs in two ejidos in Calakmul and to provide recommendations to improve its management and implementation. The evaluation indicates that objectives were not met since the socioeconomic conditions of the target population did not improve, and the reforested areas showed survival rates of less than 6%. We suggested improving training and the monitoring or evaluation process and adapting the techniques to the environmental conditions of each region. El Programa Nacional Forestal busca promover la conservación, el manejo sustentable y la restauración. Este trabajo evalúa, bajo los enfoques socioeconómico y ecológico, los efectos del programa en dos ejidos en Calakmul, para generar recomendaciones que mejoren su gestión e implementación. La evaluaciónmuestra que no secumplen los objetivos para los que fue diseñado, ya que las condiciones socioeconómicas de la población objetivo no mejoraron y las áreas reforestadas presentaron niveles de sobrevivencia menores a 6%. Se sugiere mejorar la capacitación y el proceso de monitoreo o evaluación y adecuar las técnicas a las condiciones ambientales de cada región.