Forests Of Chile Research Articles

Phylogeny of the genera Euclidiodes and Hasodima (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and description of two new species from the Fray Jorge relict forest in northern Chile

The Fray Jorge National park contains the northernmost temperate relict forest of Chile (30º40’S), located over 1000 kilometers north of the rest of the coastal Aextoxicon punctatum (olivillo) communities of southern Chile. In this work we describe two new species of moths in the Fray Jorge relict forest belonging to the genera Hasodima Butler 1882 and Euclidiodes Warren 1895: H. ediliacarmenae Parra sp. nov. and E. frayjorgeana Parra sp. nov. The sister species of these new taxa are distributed in the central-southern zone of Chile, in plant associations where the olivillo is present. We hypothesize that the ancestor from which these species derived was widely distributed in association with coastal “olivillo” forests, which became restricted in distribution during interglacial periods, resulting in the isolation of these insects’ populations, and their subsequent speciation.

A revision and phylogenetic analysis of the spider genus Coptoprepes Simon (Araneae: Anyphaenidae, Amaurobioidinae)

We review the spider genus Coptoprepes Simon, endemic of the southern forests in Chile and Argentina, and present a phylogenetic analysis of the 10 known species of the genus together with other 91 representatives of the family Anyphaenidae. Coptoprepes is confirmed as a member of the tribe Amaurobioidini. The sister group of Coptoptepes is the genus Negayan Ramírez. Both genera are united by having contiguous spermathecae and a notch retrolateral to the cymbial conductor, where the median apophysis fits. The synapomorphies of Coptoprepes (the tegulum being displaced basally, the copulatory openings on or close to the epigastric furrow, and the lacking of some leg macrosetae) are homoplasious in the tribe Amaurobioidini. Most intergeneric branches within the tribe, as well as between species of Coptoprepes have low support values in the cladogram. This is probably related to Coptoprepes species being heterogeneous in characters usually constant in spider genera, such as the presence of retrolateral tibial apophysis in the male palp, the copulatory ducts being wrapped along an axis, or the spherical shape of spermathecae. We describe six new species: Coptoprepes ecotono n. sp., Coptoprepes bellavista n. sp., Coptoprepes casablanca n. sp., Coptoprepes contulmo n. sp., Coptoprepes eden n. sp., and Coptoprepes recinto n. sp. We provide additional records, illustrations, and reviewed diagnosis of the four previously known species: Coptoprepes flavopilosus Simon, Coptoprepes nahuelbuta Ramírez, Coptoprepes campanensis Ramírez, and Coptoprepes valdiviensis Ramírez.

A Column Generation Model for Truck Routing in the Chilean Forest Industry

This study addresses the problem of scheduling the daily assignment of available trucks for delivery of forest products required at different destinations. The products are logs of various types depending on their point of origin, and are defined in terms of length and diameter. Their destinations include sawmills, pulp mills, and other plants, and ports for export abroad. They are available for pickup and delivery by trucks within a previously defined road network during a working day. The trucks' trip times and load capacities are known. An integer linear programming model is developed for minimizing the costs associated with the daily truck transport operations that satisfy each destination's product demand. The model is based on column generation, each column representing a given truck's trip schedule for a working day feasible for that vehicle. The linear relaxation of the model is solved by dynamically generating columns that are attractive for incorporation and then solving the integer model constructed with all the columns so generated. This approach is then applied to instances whose size and degree of difficulty are similar to those actually encountered in the Chilean forest industry. In every case the linear relaxation optimum is 3% below the integer solution, with execution times low enough to be useful in real-world applications.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi enhance nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition of Nothofagus dombeyi under drought conditions by regulating assimilative enzyme activities

Drought stress conditions (DC) reduce plant growth and nutrition, restraining the sustainable reestablishment of Nothofagus dombeyi in temperate south Chilean forest ecosystems. Ectomycorrhizal symbioses have been documented to enhance plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake under drought, but the regulation of involved assimilative enzymes remains unclear. We studied 1-year-old N. dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst. plants in association with the ectomycorrhizal fungi Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch. and Descolea antartica Sing. In greenhouse experiments, shoot and root dry weights, mycorrhizal colonization, foliar N and P concentrations, and root enzyme activities [glutamate synthase (glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT), EC 1.4.1.13-14), glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2-4), nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1), and acid phosphomonoesterase (PME, EC 3.1.3.1-2)] were determined as a function of soil-water content. Inoculation of N. dombeyi with P. tinctorius and D. antartica significantly stimulated plant growth and increased plant foliar N and P concentrations, especially under DC. Ectomycorrhizal inoculation increased the activity of all studied enzymes relative to non-mycorrhizal plants under drought. We speculate that GDH is a key enzyme involved in the enhancement of ectomycorrhizal carbon (C) availability by fuelling the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle under conditions of drought-induced carbon deficit. All studied assimilative enzymes of the ectomycorrhizal associations, involved in C, N, and P transfers, are closely interlinked and interdependent. The up-regulation of assimilative enzyme activities by ectomycorrhizal fungal root colonizers acts as a functional mechanism to increase seedling endurance to drought. We insist upon incorporating ectomycorrhizal inoculation in existing Chilean afforestation programs.

Assessment of ecosystem services as an opportunity for the conservation and management of native forests in Chile

This paper quantifies two important native forest ecosystem services in southern Chile: water supply and recreational fishing opportunities. We analyzed streamflow in relation to forest cover in six watersheds located in the Valdivian Coastal Range (39°50′–40°05′S), the effect of forest management on streamflow in two watersheds in the Valdivian Andes (600–650 m of elevation; 39°37′S), and fish abundance as a function of forest cover in 17 watersheds located in the Coastal Range and the Central Depression (39°50′–42°30′S). We found that the annual direct runoff coefficient (quickflow/precipitation) and total streamflow/precipitation in the dry summer season were positively correlated with native forest cover in the watershed ( R 2 = 0.67 and 0.76; * P = 0.045 and 0.027, respectively) during four years of observations. Conversely, a negative correlation was found between summer runoff coefficients (total streamflow/precipitation) and cover of Eucalyptus spp. and Pinus radiata plantations ( R 2 = 0.84; * P = 0.010). We estimated a mean increase of 14.1% in total summer streamflow for every 10% increase in native forest cover in the watershed. The analysis of streamflow changes between two paired watersheds dominated by native secondary Nothofagus stands, one thinned with 35% of basal area removal and a control, showed that the former had a 40% increase during summer (four years of observations). The best correlation between fish abundance and forest cover was found between trout abundance (%) and secondary native forest area in 1000 m × 60 m stream buffers ( R 2 = 0.65, *** P < 0.0001). We estimated a 14.6% increase in trout abundance for every 10% increase of native forest cover in these buffers. Similar approaches to quantify forest ecosystem services could be used elsewhere and provide useful information for policy and decision-making regarding forest conservation and management.

Thermal energy dissipation and its components in two developmental stages of a shade-tolerant species, Nothofagus nitida, and a shade-intolerant species, Nothofagus dombeyi

Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Blume and Nothofagus nitida (Phil.) Krasser, two evergreens in the South Chilean forest, regenerate in open habitats and under the canopy, respectively. Both overtop the forest canopy when they are in the adult stage, suggesting that their photoprotective mechanisms differ in ontogenetic dynamics. We postulated that N. nitida, a shade-tolerant species increases its capacity to tolerate photoinhibitory conditions (low temperature and high irradiance) by thermal energy dissipation of excess energy during its transition from the seedling to the adult stage, whereas N. dombeyi, a shade-intolerant species, maintains a high capacity for photoprotection by thermal energy dissipation from the seedling to the adult stage. To test this hypothesis, the main photoprotective mechanisms in plants - the fast- and slow-relaxing components of thermal energy dissipation (NPQ, non-photochemical quenching) NPQ(F) and NPQ(S), respectively, and state transitions - were studied in seedlings and adults of both species grown in their natural habitats and in a common garden. In adults, NPQ(F) and NPQ(S) did not differ between species and seasons. The greatest differences in these parameters were observed in seedlings. The xanthophyll cycle was more active in N. dombeyi seedlings than in N. nitida seedlings at low temperature and high irradiance, consistent with a higher NPQ(F) in N. dombeyi. Under all study conditions, N. nitida seedlings had higher NPQ(S) than N. dombeyi seedlings. The state transition capability was higher in N. nitida seedlings than in N. dombeyi seedlings. Therefore, although (shade-intolerant) N. dombeyi was able to thermally dissipate the excess absorbed energy, under natural conditions its photochemical energy quenching was efficient in both developmental stages, decreasing its need for thermal dissipation. In contrast, the seedlings of N. nitida were more sensitive to photoinhibition than the adult trees, suggesting a change from shade-grown to sun-exposed phenotype from the seedling to the adult stage. These results help to explain the differences in the regeneration patterns of N. nitida and N. dombeyi and the presence of N. nitida adult stage in the upper canopy.

Current perturbations of the north patagonian chilean forest derived of the effects of large forest fires occurred half a century ago. Preliminary study in the andean basin of the Figueroa River

Current perturbations of the north patagonian chilean forest derived of the effects of large forest fires occurred half a century ago. Preliminary study in the andean basin of the Figueroa River

Conservation of birds in evergreen Chilean forests: the effect of partial cutting systems

Current legislation in Chile allows two alternative regeneration methods for evergreen forest: heavy shelterwood (retaining 30% of the basal area at the time of regeneration harvest) and strip cutting. We compared bird abundance among four stands: two evergreen forest stands managed with these cutting systems, an undisturbed stand and a light shelterwood stand (with a retention level of 65%). Eight out of 15 species, in addition to total bird abundance, were affected by partial cutting. Light shelterwood tended to be the treatment with the smaller negative effect on bird abundance, reducing the abundance of only two species, possibly due to the loss of the understorey vegetation. Nevertheless, the abundance of three species of trunk and foliage gleaners, as well as total bird abundance, decreased only in the heavy shelterwood and the strip cut stands. Further, the abundance of trunk and foliage gleaners was greater in the light shelterwood stand than in the other cutting stands, indicating that these species are particularly sensitive to partial cutting with low retention levels. Therefore, in order to reduce the detrimental effect of partial cutting systems on the evergreen forest birds, we suggest the use of shelterwood cutting with a retention level higher than 50% of the standing basal area at the time of the regeneration harvest.

Competitive abilities among seedlings of three tree species differing in seed size: A garden experiment using species of Chilean temperate forest

evidence suggests that seedlings of large‐seeded species have an initial size advantage but also tend to have slower relative growth rates (RGR). In a 1‐yr garden experiment in southern Chile, we address whether early size advantages or disadvantages shown by 3‐month‐old seedlings of three tree species differing markedly in seed size (Persea lingue > Peumus boldus > Drimys winteri) confer them with greater or lesser competitive abilities when grown in species mixtures in the following 12 months of development. Given the reported negative relationship between seed size and RGR, we predicted a negative relationship between seed size and competitive ability among these three species (i.e., D. winteri > P. boldus > P. lingue). Seedlings of D. winteri, the species producing the smallest seeds, had clear and strong negative effects on the growth of seedlings of both P. boldus and P. lingue. likewise, P. boldus, the species producing medium‐sized seeds, had strong negative effects on the growth of seedlings of the other two species. in addition, negative effects of D. winteri on P. boldus were generally greater than vice versa. Seedlings of P. lingue did not affect the growth of the other two species. Therefore, our results support the predicted hierarchy of competitive abilities, i.e., D. winteri > P. boldus > P. lingue.

Regeneration of Fitzroya cupressoides after indigenous and non-indigenous timber harvesting in southern Chilean forests

Fitzroya cupressoides (Cupressaceae) is an endemic and long-lived conifer of southern Chile and Argentina (40–43° S). This species has been subject to continuous exploitation since the 16th century, causing extensive population decline. Historically, the main labour force for the exploitation of F. cupressoides (alerce) was the indigenous Mapuche-Huilliche population, first under the command of the Spanish settlers and later, of non-indigenous Chileans. In coastal forests, timber of alerce has been harvested by Huilliche communities as well as by Chilean and international forestry companies. Records of the regeneration of this pioneer tree after exploitation in the Andean mountains have generally shown limited regeneration depending on the intensity of harvest. Because indigenous exploitation does not use machinery for timber harvesting, and is supposedly less utilitarian than commercial harvest, I propose that areas in the Coastal Range harvested by Huilliche communities should present higher regeneration of alerce than areas harvested by forestry companies. To test this hypothesis, I sampled 10 stands harvested and abandoned by forestry companies and 10 stands harvested by Huilliche communities in the coastal range of the Osorno Province (41° S, 400–800 m). In each stand, I estimated the density of regeneration (sapling stage), number of stumps, number of live adults, and the number of standing and fallen dead alerce. Each stand was characterized by elevation, forest-type, incidence of fire, and vegetation cover. Results showed that forests harvested by Huilliches had higher numbers of live, remnant adult trees with a dbh ≥ 60 cm than forests harvested by timber companies. The number of stumps with a dbh ≥60 cm was significantly higher in stands harvested by timber companies than in Huilliche stands. Despite large differences in sapling densities among stands, regeneration density of alerce was unrelated to the type of harvest used by indigenous people or forestry companies.

Distribution and habitat features of southern pudu ( Pudu puda Molina, 1782) in Argentina

Pudu puda is a very small deer that inhabits humid areas of the temperate forests in Chile and Argentina and is one of the less known South American deer. We provide an updated distribution of Pudu puda in Argentina, with georeferenced sighting localities, and some qualitative features of its habitat such as forest type and understory. We also analyse the effects of human settlements, cattle and invasive mammals ( Cervus elaphus and Sus scrofa) on the distribution of the southern pudu. We obtained information on Pudu puda occurrence from unpublished sources including protected areas provided by National Parks Administration and interviews of local residents. In the north sector of Nahuel Huapi National Park, where high density of records was found, we obtained information about some qualitative habitat features, proximity of Pudu puda sighting localities to human settlements, presence of invasive mammals and cattle. We recorded a total of 54 new localities for Pudu puda in Argentina, the northernmost record at S 39°23′, W 71°17′ and the southernmost at S 42°58′, W 72°00′. We recorded low frequency of human settlements, Sus scrofa and Cervus elaphus in Pudu puda sighting localities. We did not detect exclusion of Pudu puda from areas with cattle occurrence. Sighting localities of southern pudu were made mostly in monotypic mature Nothofagus dombeyi forest, with dense understory dominated by Chusquea coleu.

Mass loss and nutrient release from decomposing evergreen and deciduous Nothofagus litters from the Chilean Andes

Abstract Leaf litter decomposition experiments were conducted on two deciduous (Nothofagus obliqua (roble)) and Nothofagus pumilio (lenga)) and one evergreen (Nothofagus dombeyi) Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae) species from a single Chilean forest in order to understand how congeneric trees with differing leaf lifespans impact the soil in which they grow. Single‐species litter samples were decomposed in a mixed hardwood forest in Ohio and in a deciduous‐evergreen Nothofagus forest in Chile. In the Ohio forest, the two deciduous species’ litters decomposed at k ≈ 1.00 per year and the evergreen at k ≈ 0.75 per year. In Chile k ranged from k ≈ 0.06 (N. obliqua) to k ≈ 0.23 (N. pumilio) per year. In both experiments, N and P were released faster from the deciduous litters than from evergreen litter. In Ohio, evergreen litter immobilized more N and P for a longer time period than did deciduous litter. As N. dombeyi stands tend to have lower available soil N and P in this particular mixed Nothofagus forest, the increased time of N and P immobilization by N. dombeyi litter suggests a feedback role of the tree itself in perpetuating low N and P soil conditions.

New parental care behaviours in two telmatobiine genera from temperate Patagonian forests: Batrachyla and Eupsophus (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

AbstractParental care behaviour is described for the first time for two frog species of Batrachyla and three species of Eupsophus, from the Patagonian forests of Chile and Argentina. Males of Batrachyla species attend to eggs which are hidden under shelters on damp soil. Males of Eupsophus species remain by the clutch, and later on also by the tadpoles, in small aquatic microhabitats in the ground. The fact that some male of Eupsophus were found in advanced stages of weight loss confirms the hypothesis that they remain by the clutch until metamorphosis takes place. The parental care behaviour observed in Eupsophus and Batrachyla complements the reproductive strategy of their species, which have few eggs relatively rich in yolk and conceal the clutch in semi-terrestrial environments, and in Eupsophus, have unpigmented endotrophic tadpoles which remain confined to a dark, aquatic microhabitat until their metamorphosis is complete.

The role of “forensic” dendrochronology in the conservation of alerce ( Fitzroya cupressoides ((Molina) Johnston)) forests in Chile

Dendrochronological techniques have proved to be an effective tool in the investigation of illegal cutting of Fitzroya because it is illegal to trade and cut wood coming from living individuals or from trees that were killed after 1976 either by natural or anthropogenic causes. Accurate cross-dating of death or burn dates provides strong evidence for prosecution in the legal enforcement of the ban and an important defense in the protection of this and other endangered species. Some examples illustrate the application of these dating techniques and discuss potential difficulties.

Abundance of the sigmodont mouse Oligoryzomys longicaudatus and patterns of tree seeding in Chilean temperate forest

Abundance of the sigmodont mouse Oligoryzomys longicaudatus and patterns of tree seeding in Chilean temperate forest

Successional changes in soil nitrogen availability, non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation and carbon/nitrogen ratios in southern Chilean forest ecosystems

Successional changes in soil nitrogen availability, non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation and carbon/nitrogen ratios in southern Chilean forest ecosystems

Habitat use by Oncifelis guigna and Pseudalopex culpaeus in a fragmented forest landscape in central Chile

Native forests in Chile have been replaced by exotic plantations, generating a mosaic of forest fragments immersed in a matrix of plantations and farms. This landscape change could affect habitat availability for native carnivores such as Oncifelis guigna (Felidae) and Pseudalopex culpaeus (Canidae). We determine the potential impact of native forest fragmentation on these species, assessinghabitat use by these carnivores. The study was carried out in continuous forest (150 ha), native forest fragments (<10 ha) and surrounding pine plantations in central Chile (35°59′ S, 72°41′ W). We placed scent-stations (SSs) in three types of habitat from January to August 2000, setting a total of 620 SSs to determine habitat selection. We characterized structure and composition of 100 m2 of vegetation aroundevery SS, and measured its distance to nearest native forest patch, road and bottom creek. O. guigna preferred habitats with dense bush cover, far from roads and close to large patches of native forest, being almost exclusively restricted to this type of habitat. On the other hand, P. culpaeus preferred openhabitats, close to roads, relying extensively on pine plantations but scarcely using forest and forest fragments. Our results suggest that native forest fragmentation, considering habitat use only, would have a negative effect on O. guigna populations. Thus, forest size reduction and isolation may reduce O.guigna survival in a pine dominated landscape. In contrast, P. culpaeus, a generalist species that would use habitat depending on its abundance, may adapt to changes in this landscape.

Does nest-site cover reduce nest predation for rhinocryptids?

Abstract Cover at nesting sites selected by breeding birds can reduce the risk of nest predation. Using artificial nests, we tested whether dense cover reduces nest predation upon understory birds (rhinocryptids) in temperate forest of Chile. We compared nest predation for artificial nests placed under a dense thicket, nests placed with no cover, and nests located randomly regarding available cover. Contrary to predictions, we found no differences in nest predation probabilities for the three covered nest-site treatments. Cover at nesting sites is not an effective anti-predator mechanism as the main predators, generalist small mammals, also prefer the same sites.

An analysis of health risk reduction in Chilean primary forest products for export

Summary Log yards in forests, storage of raw material in manufacturing plants, and facilities in ports are three points of phytosanitary risk in the production of lumber and logs of Pinus radiata for export, especially in small and medium-sized companies. The main damaging agents are bluestain fungus, Ceratocystis pilifera, and the introduced bark beetles, Hylurgus ligniperda and Hylastes ater (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), all of them quarantine species in the US, the main destination for Chilean wood products. We have determined that C. pilifera occurs in logs of P. radiata even in the absence of bark beetles. The insects transport spores, even in primitive micangia, contributing to their spread. Better training in phytosanitary procedures is suggested for the agents involved in the processing of logs and lumber.

Forest fragmentation and rhinocryptid nest predation in central Chile

Fragmentation of forest landscapes can raise the intensity of nest predation by increasing the abundance and richness of generalist or introduced predators. Understory foraging birds, such as rhinocryptids, can be highly vulnerable to nest predation in fragmented landscapes because they often place their nests on the ground. Temperate deciduous forests in Chile have been intensively fragmented in the last centuries, causing changes in nest predator densities. We tested if predation of artificial nests, mimicking those of rhinocryptids, placed on and above ground was higher in the remnant fragments of central Chile due to an increase in predator abundance. The rate of nest predation in forest remnants was larger than in native continuous forest. Small mammals were the main nest predators. Despite high predation rates, the abundance of rhinocryptids is higher in forest remnants, suggesting that fragments might constitute ecological traps.