Abstract
SUMMARY In northwestern Chubut province extensive cattle rearing is the main economic activity developed under nire canopy (Nothofagus antarctica) in silvopastoral systems with a wide range of livestock stocking rates. Cattle’s browsing causes damages on nire saplings, compromises tree regeneration and consequently woodland sustainability. In the present study, we aimed at evaluating the effects of cattle browsing on nire tree regeneration along time, as related to stocking rate and plant height. Our study was conducted in three livestock rearing settlements in Chubut province, Argentina. Our results revealed that cattle management under low stocking rates along summer range ( 0.8 UG ha -1 ), for an extended period, determines suppressed tree regeneration with a shrubby architecture and lower growing rates. Under such conditions livestock exclusions are needed for at least 20 years to allow regeneration recover. It is possible to make compatible livestock production with woodland persistence by managing low cattle stocking rates and monitoring saplings height.
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