Las especies arbóreas exóticas en Argentina: caracterización e identificación de las especies actual y potencialmente problemáticas

Abstract

Biological invasions are one of five direct drivers of global change that act synergistically threatening biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services globally. In this work we compile the list of exotic woody species that have been introduced in Argentina, we characterize them according to their geographical origin, use, foliage phenology, reproduction, dispersal, and we analyse their geographical distribution within Argentina. Based on the bibliography, we identify those species that are currently or potentially problematic for Argentina. Most of the species are native to Eurasia and the main reason for their introduction was their ornamental use. They are mostly monoecious, with deciduous leaves, without vegetative reproduction, with fleshy fruits and dispersed by animals. The area corresponding to the Yungas, the Paranaense Forest and the Humid Chaco presents the largest number of exotic species; the area corresponding to the Espinal and Dry Chaco has the largest number of currently problematic species and, together with the Pampeana area, the largest number of potentially problematic species. Finally, we propose actual problematic species in areas without native trees and potentially problematic species with broad distribution in Argentina should be monitored and probably managed among the studied species.