Abstract
The transpiration of Nothofagus glauca (Phil.) Krasser and advanced Pinus radiata D. Don. regeneration was measured in a fragment of native N. glauca forest. Over the eight months of this study, P. radiata contributed approximately 60% of the total stand transpiration. This was out of proportion with the approximately 34% of the stand sapwood area contributed by P. radiata. This was due to the significantly greater sap flux density of the P. radiata compared to the N. glauca between May and October. Though the results are from a small study conducted as part of a larger experiment, it is argued that they suggest that invasion by P. radiata may substantially increase the risk from climate change to reserves of N. glauca forest in the Maule region of central Chile. In some reserves of N. glauca forest, Forestal Arauco S.A. manually removed P. radiata that regenerated after the wildfire of January 2017. This was a costly operation and there is a need for indices to assess competition. The ratio of sapwood area to leaf area is suggested as a potential index for assessing competition to identify stands at risk.
Highlights
IntroductionIn the part of the coastal range of central Chile between the cities of Concepción and Santiago, the native forests are of type Roble-Hualo in which the deciduous Roble (Nothofagus obliqua (Mirb.) Oerst.)
In the part of the coastal range of central Chile between the cities of Concepción and Santiago, the native forests are of type Roble-Hualo in which the deciduous Roble (Nothofagus obliqua (Mirb.) Oerst.)and Hualo (N. glauca (Phil.) Krasser) are the main species, especially on ridges and upper slopes of the range
Radiata oneThis study quantified the contribution of advanced P. radiata regeneration that was between 20 much greater sap flux density, the trees in this forest, only contributing one-third of the third the trees the stand andP.aradiata similar thewhile basal sapwood area ofabout that forest
Summary
In the part of the coastal range of central Chile between the cities of Concepción and Santiago, the native forests are of type Roble-Hualo in which the deciduous Roble (Nothofagus obliqua (Mirb.) Oerst.). Hualo (N. glauca (Phil.) Krasser) are the main species, especially on ridges and upper slopes of the range. This forest type has been described as vulnerable [1] due mainly to fragmentation. Existing reserves of this forest type have high conservation value. Some small areas of Roble-Hualo forest type were cleared to establish plantations of P. radiata, most of the forest was cleared for agriculture and the establishment of wheat
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