Estación Biológica Senda Darwin: Investigación ecológica de largo plazo en la interfase ciencia-sociedad

Abstract

RESUMENLa Estación Biológica Senda Darwin (EBSD) constituye un centro de investigación inmerso en el paisaje rural del norte de la Isla de Chiloé (42º S), donde fragmentos del bosque siempreverde original coexisten con praderas de uso ganadero, turberas de Sphagnum, matorrales sucesionales, plantaciones de Eucalyptus y otras formaciones de origen antropogénico. Desde 1994 hemos realizado estudios de largo plazo centrados en algunas especies de plantas (e.g., Pilgerodendron uviferum D. Don) y animales (e.g., Aphrastura spinicauda Gmelin, Dromiciops gliroides [Thomas]) catalogados como amenazados o escasamente conocidos y en ecosistemas nativos de importancia regional y global (e.g., turberas de Sphagnum, bosque Valdiviano y Nordpatagónico). Las investigaciones han considerado las respuestas de las especies y de los ecosistemas frente al cambio antropogénico del paisaje y cambio climático, así como los efectos de diferentes formas de manejo. Este escenario es semejante al de otras regiones de Chile y Latinoamérica lo que da generalidad a nuestros resultados y modelos. En este período, investigadores asociados a la EBSD han producido más de un centenar de publicaciones en revistas nacionales e internacionales y 30 tesis de pre y postgrado. Entendiendo el papel clave de los seres humanos en los procesos ecológicos de la zona rural, la EBSD ha desarrollado un programa de educación ecológica y vinculación del avance científico con la sociedad local y nacional. La integración de la EBSD a la naciente red de Sitios de Estudios Socio-Ecológicos de Largo Plazo en Chile consolidará y fortalecerá la investigación básica y aplicada que realizamos para proyectarla hacia la siguiente década. and animals (e.g., Aphrastura spinicauda, Dromiciops glirioides) that are considered threatened, poorly known or important for their ecological functions in local ecosystems, and on ecosystems of regional and global relevance (e.g., Sphagnum bogs, North Patagonian and Valdivian rain forests). Research has assessed the responses of species and ecosystems to anthropogenic land-use change, climate change, and the impact of management. During this period, more than 100 scientific publications in national and international journals, and 30 theses (graduate and undergraduate) have been produced by scientists and students associated with SDBS. Because of our understanding of the key role that humans play in ecological processes at this agricultural frontier, since the establishment of SDBS we have been committed to creative research on the communication of science to society and ecological education. The integration of SDBS to the nascent Chilean network of long-term socio-ecological research will consolidate and strengthen basic and applied research to project our work into the next decade.Key words: biodiversity, education, long-term socio-ecological research, private protected area, temperate rainforests. INTRODUCCIÓNLos bosques templados del sur de Sudamérica, distribuidos entre los 35° y 55º S en el margen occidental del continente, se carac...

The Importance of Microtopography and Nurse Canopy for Successful Restoration Planting of the Slow-Growing Conifer Pilgerodendron uviferum

“…Our results are consistent with another study in Northern Chiloé, where P. uviferum seedlings established under the protection of shrubs and ferns had higher growth and survival than in open areas [12]. The significantly negative correlation between relative growth and light availability ( Figure 5) strongly suggests that not light, but nutrients are limiting growth of seedlings in this environment.…”

“…In addition, seedlings planted on mounds appeared to have a lower mortality, illustrating an overall better performance than seedlings exposed to more frequent and intense waterlogging and competition with Sphagnum (Figure 3a). This is consistent with results obtained for planted P. uviferum stands in Northern Chiloé Island, where growth and survival of P. uviferum seedlings was higher on sites with less Sphagnum cover [12]. Similarly, in Picea abies bog forests in Scandinavia, elevated microsites were safer for germination of seedlings [14].…”

“…Photosynthesis is strongly related to seedling performance and has a high responsiveness to environmental conditions [19,20]. However, recent findings show that P. uviferum seedlings planted in bogs under the shade of shrubs and ferns grew taller and had higher survival than in open areas [12]. In addition, growth of P. uviferum seedlings in disturbed and undisturbed forests was not related to light availability in both bog and upland sites [6].…”

“…Therefore, seedlings should be planted in the grown substrate of flat areas or on natural mounds and small elevated areas in the landscape to avoid waterlogging conditions for seedlings. Existing vegetation, e.g., of shrubs, such as Bacharis sp., Gaultheria sp., and ferns, such as Gleichenia sp., should not be removed or only partially removed to offer more suitable environments to seedlings [12].…”

Estudios socio-ecológicos de largo plazo en los sitios fundadores de la red LTSER-Chile: desafíos y oportunidades para el futuro

“…El énfasis que se ha dado a la investigación de largo plazo en cada sitio refleja esta diversidad, como se constata en las tres síntesis de las investigaciones publicadas recientemente (Rozzi et al 2006, Carmona et al 2010, Gutiérrez et al 2010. En su primera etapa de existencia, no obstante la institucionalidad adquirida por la red LTSER-Chile, la diversidad de enfoques ha marcado la aproximación de estudios a largo plazo en cada sitio.…”