Recuperación natural del bosque siempreverde afectado por tala rasa y quema en la Reserva Costera Valdiviana, Chile

Abstract

Recuperación natural del bosque siempreverde afectado por tala rasa y quema en la Reserva Costera Valdiviana, Chile SUMMARYThis study aimed at understanding the natural recovery of the evergreen forest a decade after being affected by clearcutting and burning, in a site located in the Valdivian Coastal Reserve (39°56' S-73°40' W). A total of 27 circular (50.2 m 2 ) plots with eight subplots each were established. Floristic composition was recorded and quantitative, diametric and age structures were determined. The results show a richness of 77 vascular species (84.4 % natives), with Lophosoria quadripinnata presenting the highest relative cover (20.7 %). The presence of hemicryptophytes (35 %) indicates human intervention in the place. Trees were the main form of growth, being Drimys winteri, Saxegothaea conspicua and Amomyrtus luma the species with higher plant density. The latter two species growing under Chusquea macrostachya and Lophosoria quadripinnata cover. Drimys winteri and Embothrium coccineum were established immediately after the anthropogenic disturbance of clearcutting and burning, confirming the pioneering character of these two species after highly severe disturbances. Regeneration of Nothofagus nitida was scarce in the area, probably associated with low availability and seed dispersal capacity from surrounding forests. Understanding the early response of evergreen forests affected by anthropogenic disturbance is very important for assisting and guiding the ecological restoration of these forest ecosystems.Key words: evergreen forest, clearcutting, burning, floristic diversity. RESUMENEl presente estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender la recuperación natural del bosque siempreverde afectado por tala rasa, quema y abandono hace más de una década en un sitio ubicado en la Reserva Costera Valdiviana (39° 56' S -73° 40' O). Se establecieron 27 parcelas circulares (50,2 m 2 ) y ocho subparcelas en cada una de ellas, registrando la composición florística y determinando la estructura cuantitativa, diamétrica y etárea. Los resultados indican una riqueza de 77 especies de plantas vasculares (84,4 % nativas), donde Lophosoria quadripinnata presenta la mayor cobertura relativa (20,7 %). La presencia de un 35 % de hemicriptófitas evidencia el fuerte impacto antrópico ocurrido en el área de estudio. La principal forma de crecimiento es la arbórea, donde Drimys winteri, Saxegothaea conspicua y Amomyrtus luma presentaron la mayor densidad. Estas dos últimas especies se desarrollaron bajo la cobertura de Chusquea macrostachya y Lophosoria quadripinnata. Drimys winteri y Embothrium coccineum se establecieron inmediatamente luego del disturbio antrópico de tala rasa y quema, confirmando el carácter pionero de ambas especies luego de disturbios de gran severidad. La regeneración de Nothofagus nitida fue escasa en el área, probablemente asociada a la baja disponibilidad y capacidad de dispersión de semillas desde bosques aledaños. La comprensión de la respuesta temprana de los bosques siempreverdes afectados por dis...

Fire, logging and establishment patterns of second-growth forests in south-central Chile: implications for their management and restoration

“…These agents and the common consecutive occurrence of these agents (i.e., logging and fire) have promoted the extensive development of different types of second-growth forests according to their geographic location (Veblen et al, 1996;Donoso, 1993;Navarro et al, 1999;González et al, 2010;Romero-Mieres et al, 2014).…”

“…It is striking then that the capacity of D. winteri to create very dense and pure stands after re-establishment in forest areas cleared by disturbances. This response is determined in large part by its ability to tolerate a wide range of light conditions and, in some cases, seasonal flooding (Donoso, 2013), the high production and effectiveness of the dispersion of its fruits and seeds by birds (Armesto and Rozzi, 1989), low susceptibility to attacks from fungi and insects, along with the vegetative reproductive capacity and rapid initial growth (Navarro et al, 1999;Romero-Mieres et al, 2014).…”