Abstract
The Argentine arid Patagonia, in general, and ‘La Payunia’ecosystem in particular, are important areas for conservationdue to the high number of endemic species. However, this regionpresents a high level of degradation as a result of human activities.Thus, ecological rehabilitation strategies need to be implemented torecover certain areas. The main objectives of this study were to (1)evaluate the reintroduction of two selected native species in severelydegraded areas, and (2) determine if the survival and growth of anendemic shrub species, Senna arnottiana, increase when it is associatedwith a perennial grass, Pappostipa speciosa. These two species wereselected based on the results of a reference ecosystem analysis. In addition,two doses of hydrogel (polyacrylamide) were tested to evaluateits moistening effect. After three years, the survival rate of bothplant species was high (mean=79.6%), with no significant differencesamong hydrogel treatments and association between species. However,growth rates of S. arnottiana plants nursed by P. speciosa weresignificantly higher (P<0.05) than those of isolated plants. Our resultssuggest that the study, endemic shrub species is able to survivein isolation after its transplanting, and that P. speciosa is a suitablespecies for promoting a higher shrub growth during the first criticalyears of recovery of the degraded, arid and semiarid environments.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
