Forest Decline in Northern Patagonia: The Role of Climatic Variability

Amoroso, Mariano M.; Rodríguez‐Catón, Milagros; Villalba, Ricardo; Daniels, Lori D.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-61669-8_14

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Several studies have documented the role of climatic variability during the Quaternary in shaping the current distribution of Patagonian forests[2][3][4] . In addition, extreme climatic events have recently been suggested as one of the causal agents of current forest decline in Northern Patagonia5 , e.g. severe droughts occurring after a wet period triggered N. pumilio decline6 .…”

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confidence: 99%

Genetic diversity and population structure in Nothofagus pumilio, a foundation species of Patagonian forests: defining priority conservation areas and management

Mattera

Pastorino

Lantschner

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Patagonian forests are the southernmost temperate forests in the world, and Nothofagus pumilio is one of their most ecologically important tree species (i.e., a foundation species). It presents great adaptability and a wide distribution range, making it a suitable model for predicting the performance of trees facing global climate change. N. pumilio forests are increasingly threatened by extreme climatic events and anthropogenic activities. This study aims to identify priority conservation areas and Genetic Zones (GZs) for N. pumilio, promoting the implementation of specific practices to ensure its management and long-term preservation. Thirty-five populations (965 trees) sampled across its distribution (more than 2200 km latitudinally) were genotyped with SSRs, and geographical patterns of genetic variation were identified using Bayesian approaches. The phylogeographic patterns of the species and geomorphological history of the region were also considered. Six priority conservation areas were identified, which hold high allelic richness and/or exclusive allelic variants. Eighteen GZs were delineated based on the genetic structure of this species, and maps showing their distributional range were drawn up. Overall, this study defines management units based on genetic data for N. pumilio for the first time, which will facilitate the establishment of sustainable practices and highlight priorities for investment of conservation funding.

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confidence: 99%

Genetic diversity and population structure in Nothofagus pumilio, a foundation species of Patagonian forests: defining priority conservation areas and management

Mattera

Pastorino

Lantschner

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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“…This leads to alterations in carbon balance and systemic homeostasis and ends up increasing tree susceptibility to biotic attacks and other stressors (McDowell et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2012). This physiological disruption, alongside the continuous pressure exerted by human action and climate crisis, triggers a spiral of processes driven by interactions between abiotic and biotic stress factors that predispose, incite and contribute to stand-level decline (Manion, 1991;Amoroso et al, 2017).…”

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Health condition and mycobiome diversity in Mediterranean tree species

Díez-Hermano¹,

Ahmad²,

Niño-Sanchez³

et al. 2022

Front. For. Glob. Change

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IntroductionMediterranean forests are currently facing a surge in abiotic stressors such as droughts and massive fires as a result of climate crisis and human pressure. Susceptibility to biotic stressors has also increased, including a variety of pests and pathogens capable of weakening and potentially killing forest flora. Biodiversity of microbiome protects forests against declines as it increases trees’ resilience and adaptability.ObjectivesWith the objective of analyzing the relationship between health status and fungal diversity, in the present work the mycobiota of declined and healthy specimens of keystone Mediterranean tree species is described and compared.MethodsTo this end, bark and wood from declining Spanish forests of Castanea sativa (chestnut), Quercus ilex (holm oak), Quercus suber (cork oak), and Quercus pyrenaica (pyrenean oak) were sampled and the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS1) genomic region was sequenced.ResultsResults showed a predominance of Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota in all samples. Alpha diversity at genus level was not affected by health status and was characterized by uneven, poorly distributed fungal communities dominated by a few genera. Differentially abundant (DA) genera between healthy and declined samples were found in chestnut (15), holm oak (6), and pyrenean oak (4) trees, but not in cork oak. Some genera known for their plant protection potential, such as Trichoderma, were found exclusively in healthy trees. Functional profiles revealed a predominance of phytopathogens and saprobes in all tree species, irrespective of their health status.DiscussionThis study emphasizes the importance of Mediterranean forests as biodiversity refuges and highlights the value of above-ground tissues as a valid approach to assess shifts in forests’ microbiome diversity in response to biotic and abiotic stressors.

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