Southern Beech Forest Research Articles

Landscape scale control of selected mammalian predators fails to protect lizards

Invasive mammalian predators are a global biodiversity problem, particularly in archipelagos in which native fauna evolved in isolation from mammals. Landscape scale management of selected invasive mammalian predators is occurring across Aotearoa New Zealand to protect vulnerable forest birds and bats. In temperate southern beech forests, both predator irruptions and the timing of predator control is driven by mast seeding of beech trees. Relationships between predators targeted in this control, other invasive mammalian predators and other native taxa, particularly lizards and invertebrates, are poorly understood. We monitored southern grass skinks in the Eglinton Valley, Fiordland from 2009 to 2020 alongside monitoring of predators (stoats, rats and mice) in a system where predator control occurred in response to mast seeding. We evaluated relationships between skink abundance and abundance of rats (targeted in predator control operations) and mice (which also prey on small vertebrates like lizards, but are not controlled). Skink abundance declined over time and was negatively correlated with mouse abundance, but not correlated with rat abundance. Current landscape predator control to protect forest birds and bats is likely insufficient to protect ground-dwelling lizards, and may actually be detrimental to lizard populations if controlling the other predators contributes to a mesopredator release of mice. Mice are significant predators of a range of small vertebrates and large invertebrates, yet research into the sustainable suppression of mice to benefit vulnerable native populations is lacking. We strongly advocate for such research in order to deliver conservation management that benefits the full suite of biodiversity.

Regeneration of Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Ørst. in little to moderately disturbed southern beech forests in the Andes of Patagonia (Argentina)

Natural forests and stands subjected to little to moderate human impact are continuously declining worldwide and with these, their biodiversity and ecosystem services. Many Nothofagus forests in the south of the South American continent are in a pristine state or only moderately impacted by humans. Forest grazing by livestock, in the past and still today often practiced in a non-sustainable way is, however, increasingly under discussion to meet current environmental and socio-economic challenges. Accordingly, we investigate the regeneration of Nothofagus dombeyi, a keystone species of the Patagonian Andes, in secondary forests in Argentinian northern Patagonia, particularly addressing the role of disturbance through grazing by livestock at various intensities. We test the hypothesis that the regeneration of this tree species is favored by grazing impact and, thus, disturbance of the herb layer and soil surface. In support of our hypothesis, Nothofagus dombeyi regeneration was significantly higher in terms of individuals and height classes in moderately grazed forests. Multivariate analysis shows significant positive effects of moderate grazing pressure, herb layer cover, and the occurrence of bare soil on the regeneration of Nothofagus dombeyi. Our results show that an integration of livestock grazing and forest regeneration is possible and that agroforestry systems can be an adequate management option for stakeholders in the region. A grazing management can also be part of a forest fire prevention strategy. However, the regeneration success and grazing pressure should be continuously monitored.

Detection of Southern Beech Heavy Flowering Using Sentinel-2 Imagery

The southern beech (genus Fuscospora and Lophozonia) forest in New Zealand periodically has “mast” years, during which very large volumes of seeds are produced. This excessive seed production results in a population explosion of rodents and mustelids, which then puts pressure on native birds. To protect the birds, extra pest controls, costing in the order of NZD 20 million, are required in masting areas. To plan pest control and keep it cost-effective, it would be helpful to have a map of the masting areas. In this study, we developed a remote sensing method for the creation of a national beech flowering map. It used a temporal sequence of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to determine areas in which a yellow index, which was based on red and green reflectance (red-green)/(red + green), was higher than normal in spring. The method was used to produce national maps of heavy beech flowering for the years 2017 to 2021. In 2018, which was a major beech masting year, of the 4.1 million ha of beech forest in New Zealand, 27.6% was observed to flower heavily. The overall classification accuracy of the map was 90.8%. The method is fully automated and could be used to help to identify areas of potentially excessive seed fall across the whole of New Zealand, several months in advance of when pest control would be required.

Trends in bird counts 1978–2020 in a New Zealand Nothofagus forest with variable control of mammalian predators

Many New Zealand native bird species are threatened by introduced mammalian predators, and pest management programs are common in the country. Despite that, measuring the efficacy of such programs is often limited by resources, and thus the long-term population status of many native birds is not well documented. Here, we examined long-term population trends of forest bird species and changes in the bird community structure at Craigieburn Forest Park, where there was intermittent control of stoats (<em>Mustela erminea</em>). We analyzed 10,938 5-min bird point counts covering the periods 1978–1982, 1999–2004, and 2019–2020 in an old-growth <em>Nothofagus</em> (southern beech) forest. We assessed trends over time in the counts of each bird species with season, elevation, and site as co-variables. We also tested for a relationship with variable seed crops of the mast-seeding canopy tree, <em>N. solandri</em> var. <em>cliffortioides</em>. Bellbird (<em>Anthornis melanura</em>) was the only native species showing a continuous increase over time. In the first 25 years of the study, stoat control was intermittent, and more native birds decreased than increased. In later years, stoat control was continuous, and more native species increased than decreased. Large <em>Nothofagus</em> seed crops were associated with significant increases in all six exotic bird species tested, but only one of nine native bird species. These findings suggest that long-term trends of bird populations are influenced by the interactions of species vulnerability to stoat predation and the consistency of pest control efforts. Unfortunately, ship rats (<em>Rattus rattus</em>), which were absent at Craigieburn before 2010, are now common and may pose a new threat to native birds. Our results show that systematic long-term bird and seedfall monitoring, including careful archiving of sampling information, is helpful to guide conservation of the remaining native birds of New Zealand.

New Nesting Records and Breeding Ecology Observations of Rufous-Legged Owls in the Mediterranean Temperate Forest of Central Chile

ABSTRACT The Rufous-legged Owl (Strix rufipes) is the southernmost Strix owl species and its breeding ecology remains little known. We report new observations on the species' breeding ecology, including clutch size, egg size, duration of the incubation and nestling periods, and nestling diet. We conducted our observations on nests found during the summers of 1999 through 2004 in a forestry landscape of central Chile, dominated by Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) plantations with intermixed fragments of native southern beech (Nothofagus) forests. Clutch size was two eggs (n = 2 nests), with one egg larger than the other (mean = 48.8 × 40.1 mm). The incubation period was 30 d and the nestling period 34 d. We analyzed 10 pellets from nestling owls and identified 45 prey items, mostly dominated by large beetles, grasshoppers, and rodents (native and exotic). This information, though based on a limited number of nests, provides baseline ecological data that can inform future studies.

Geographic pattern in the community structure of arboreal insects in beech forests in northern Japan

ABSTRACT Forest ecosystems have high biodiversity with ecologically diverse animals and plants. The forest canopy supports high biodiversity, and canopy insects are important components owing to their high species richness and abundance. Although many studies have investigated the vertical stratification of arboreal insects, the formation process of geographic patterns in the arboreal insect community structure is not well understood. We analyzed arboreal insect communities in Japanese beech forests in northern Japan to examine their formation process of geographic pattern with geographic distance. We set eight study sites and collected insects monthly from June to September 2015 and 2016. We collected 2070 individuals from 479 species in 14 orders. We tested for nested structure in communities by distance and examined the correlation between the geographic distance and the dissimilarity of community structure. The insect community structure was nested by distance. When we classified insects by order into herbivore or carnivore, we found a positive correlation in herbivorous Hemiptera, while we were not able to find any correlations in other taxa. We collected a number of arboreal insect species that also occur in southern Japan at some sites. These results suggest that the arboreal insect communities in northern Japan change with geographic distance because they include taxa with a poor dispersal ability and some species from the southern beech forest along with the mountain area.

Spore viability and germination of some ectomycorrhizal fungi from New Zealand and implications for forest restoration

ABSTRACT Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) are critical to the establishment of many plant species and an important consideration in ecological restoration of southern beech (Nothofagaceae) forest. However, information on spore viability and storage is lacking for EMF taxa associated with southern beech. This study tested the viability and germination of spores from fruiting bodies collected during autumn and spring from mountain beech forest, Otago, New Zealand. Nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences matched autumn collections to the EMF genera Cortinarius, Inocybe and Russula, but all spring collections were an undescribed hypogeous taxon resembling the native EMF genus Hysterangium, referred to here as Hysterangiaceae ‘Motatapu’. We investigated propidium iodide as a spore viability test, and compared spore germination in water vs glucose, in different temperature and light regimes, and between freshly collected spores and spores from fruiting bodies dried at 30°C or frozen at −20°C. Propidium iodide did not stain all devitalised spores, so may be unreliable for quantifying viability of fresh spores. Spore germination in water was <6% for all genera and <2% for most taxon × treatment combinations. Fresh spores of Hysterangiaceae ‘Motatapu’ suspended in 4°C water showed higher germination than at 20°C; excluding light had no significant effect. Spores of the same taxon suspended in 10% and 20% glucose showed lower germination in comparison to water and showed deformations. Germination percentages of all taxa decreased with storage, but spores of some taxa retained viability for 120 days in 4°C water suspensions. Spores of Hysterangiaceae ‘Motatapu’ showed the least loss of viability with storage of all taxa investigated. For the purposes of storing EMF material for use as inoculum, we recommend drying fruiting bodies at 30°C for storage, then preparing fresh spore suspensions in water when inoculum is required.

Determinants of leaf area index and understorey light availability in New Zealand old‐growth forests

AbstractAimGlobal studies show strong climatic control of leaf area index (LAI) and related ecosystem properties. However, alternative states stabilized by positive feedbacks have the potential to produce appreciable differences in LAI in a given environment. On certain sites in New Zealand, ectomycorrhizal (EM) southern beech forest (Nothofagaceae) appear to form a stable alternative to more species‐rich conifer‐broadleaved forest dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees. We asked which climate variables best predict LAI of New Zealand's remaining old‐growth forests, and if stands dominated by Nothofagaceae have lower LAI and better‐lit understories than conifer‐broadleaved forests, when climate and other site factors are held constant.LocationNew Zealand.TaxonSeventy‐two tree species belonging to 37 angiosperm, conifer and pteridophyte families, the most frequent occurrences being Cunoniaceae, Cyatheaceae, Dicksoniaceae, Lauraceae, Nothofagaceae, Podocarpaceae and Violaceae.MethodsWe quantified overstorey composition of 45 old‐growth stands, and used the LAI‐2200C Plant Canopy Analyzer to measure LAI and understorey light. We used generalized linear mixed models to determine how these variables were influenced by environment and by dominance of Nothofagaceae.ResultsLAI ranged from 3.5 to 6.9, and increased linearly with mean annual temperature (MAT); percentage light transmission to the understorey spanned an order of magnitude and decreased exponentially with increasing MAT. However, at a given MAT, LAI of stands dominated by Nothofagaceae averaged 0.8–0.9 units lower than conifer‐broadleaf stands, resulting in twofold higher understorey light levels in the former. Soil water deficits also significantly depressed LAI, and increased understorey light; atmospheric water deficits had the opposite effect.Main conclusionsTemperature is the best climatic predictor of LAI and understorey light in New Zealand's remaining old‐growth forests. However, the lower LAI and canopy light interception in southern beech stands presumably reflects the light‐demanding nature of Nothofagaceae, and their apparent ability to inhibit invasion by more shade‐tolerant AM trees with heavier crowns. This inhibitory effect may reflect reduced N supply to AM plants because of suppression of N mineralization by EM fungi, as observed in some EM systems elsewhere.

Late glacial and Holocene landscape change and rapid climate and coastal impacts in the Canal Beagle, southernmost Patagonia

ABSTRACTPalaeoenvironmental data for the Late Glacial and Holocene periods are provided from Caleta Eugenia, in the eastern sector of Canal Beagle, southernmost Patagonia. The record commences at c. 16 200 cal a bp following glacier retreat in response to climatic warming. However, cooler conditions persisted during the Late Glacial period. The onset of more temperate conditions after c. 12 390 cal a bp is indicated by the arrival of southern beech forest and later establishment at c. 10 640 cal a bp, but the woodland growth was restricted by lower levels of effective moisture. The climate signal is then truncated by a rapid marine incursion at c. 8640 cal a bp which lasted until a more gradual emergence of the coast at c. 6600 cal a bp. During this period the pollen record appears to be dominated by the southern beech woodland. A punctuated hydroseral succession follows the isolation of the site from the sea leading to the re‐establishment of a peat bog. Between c. 5770 cal a bp and the present there were several periods of short rapid climatic change leading to drier conditions, probably as a result of late Holocene periods of climatic warming. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Prey of the güiña (Leopardus guigna) in an Andean mixed southern beech forest, southern Chile

ABSTRACTWe quantified the güiña diet (Leopardus guigna) by analyzing 39 scats collected during summer–autumn 2001 in an Andean mixed Nothofagus–Lophozonia forest, southern Chile. Five small mammal species, three passerine species, lizards of one genus, and insects of two orders were identified in the scats. Small mammals were the most frequently consumed prey (47% of all identified prey individuals) and constituted most of the biomass contributed by all prey (75%). The arboreal/scansorial small mammals Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, Irenomys tarsalis, and Dromiciops gliroides were the most frequently consumed vertebrate prey (14.4, 11.5 and 11.5% of all identified prey individuals; 22.7, 21.5 and 18.2% of biomass contributed by all prey, respectively). The frequency of each small mammal species in the scats was not reflected in its respective capture-frequency as evaluated by live-trapping. O. longicaudatus, I. tarsalis, and D. gliroides were ‘overconsumed’ regarding their capture-frequency. Akodon longipilis, the most frequently captured species, was not found in the scats. As a whole, the arboreal/scansorial small mammals were preyed upon by güiñas much more than expected given their capture-frequency. Our results suggest that the güiña is a predator partially specialized for arboreal/scansorial small mammal species, being able to take alternative prey when available.

A Holocene record of environmental change from Río Zeballos, central Patagonia

There are few continuous palaeoenvironmental records spanning the Holocene in Andean Southern Patagonia near the Northern Patagonian Ice Field (~47°S). Insights into the environmental context for human–landscape interactions have relied mostly on data extrapolated from distant extra-Andean locations that suggest limited environmental change during the Holocene. La Frontera (46°52′S), a high altitude site on the southern beech forest–steppe ecotone boundary in the Río Zeballos valley, provides lithostratigraphical and palaeoecological evidence, constrained by 14C dating and tephrochronology, for dynamic environmental change during the last ~8000 years. An initial amelioration in environmental conditions after c. 8210 cal. BP was followed by a reversal to colder conditions between c. 7420 and 6480 cal. BP, coincident with initial human occupation within the Paso Roballos and Lago Pueyrredón basin. Between c. 6480 and 3700 cal. BP, the woodland/steppe composition continued to fluctuate in response to climatic change. After c. 3700 cal. BP, a gradual shift to more stable and temperate conditions, punctuated by increased fire activity, is contemporary with the later phases of human occupation extending up into the Paso Roballos–Río Zeballos corridor.

Developing indices of relative abundance for monitoring cave and ground wētā (Orthoptera) in southern beech forest, New Zealand

ABSTRACTWe sampled populations of forest-floor dwelling cave and ground wētā using footprint tracking tunnels and spotlight transect counts in southern beech forest, New Zealand. Samples were compared to estimates of wētā density based on mark–recapture estimates from 25 m2 enclosures. Both activity indices captured variability in cave wētā in time and space, were strongly correlated with each other, and have the potential for monitoring cave wētā activity levels. Comparisons between indices and cave wētā density estimates were equivocal, as recapture rates were too low to calculate high-resolution density estimates. We also found that cave wētā counts had a curved relationship increasing with temperature, and a negative relationship with increasing shrub and woody debris cover. Based on these preliminary results, tracking tunnels could be a viable method of monitoring cave wētā as they appear more efficient than transect counts and are relatively inexpensive. However, further calibration trials are needed to determine if indices mirror robust population density estimates.

Determining the spacing of acoustic call count stations for monitoring a widespread forest owl

Nocturnal species are challenging to monitor, but with advances in bioacoustic technology, acoustic monitoring is becoming a more affordable, efficient technique for monitoring cryptic species. We tested the suitability of acoustic monitoring as a potential national monitoring method for morepork/rūrū (Ninox novaeseelandiae), in beech forest within the Eglinton Valley, Fiordland, during spring 2009–2010. We used radio telemetry and an acoustic call study to address two questions to help managers make evidence-based decisions on the spacing of acoustic call count stations: (1) What are the sex-specific and seasonal home-range sizes of rūrū? (2) How does acoustic detection decrease with increasing distance? Home ranges were the largest recorded to date for rūrū in New Zealand (mean 100% MCP = 307 ha, mean 75% kernel = 43.5 ha) with an average range spread of 270 m (75% kernel). Significant attenuation of recorded calls occurred after 150 m in southern beech (Nothofagaceae) forest and no calls could be detected by the recorders beyond 250 m. Acoustic monitoring is a promising technique to monitor rūrū nationally, but the spacing of stations needs to vary depending on home-range, habitat and the microphones used in the acoustic detectors.

The effects of mice on stoats in southern beech forests

AbstractIntroduced stoats (Mustela erminea) are important invasive predators in southern beech (Nothofagus sp.) forests in New Zealand. In these forests, one of their primary prey species – introduced house mice (Mus musculus), fluctuate dramatically between years, driven by the irregular heavy seed‐fall (masting) of the beech trees. We examined the effects of mice on stoats in this system by comparing the weights, age structure and population densities of stoats caught on two large islands in Fiordland, New Zealand – one that has mice (Resolution Island) and one that does not (Secretary Island). On Resolution Island, the stoat population showed a history of recruitment spikes and troughs linked to beech masting, whereas the Secretary Island population had more constant recruitment, indicating that rodents are probably the primary cause for the ‘boom and bust’ population cycle of stoats in beech forests. Resolutions Island stoats were 10% heavier on average than Secretary Island stoats, supporting the hypothesis that the availability of larger prey (mice verses wētā) leads to larger stoats. Beech masting years on this island were also correlated with a higher weight for stoats born in the year of the masting event. The detailed demographic information on the stoat populations of these two islands supports previously suggested interactions among mice, stoats and beech masting. These interactions may have important consequences for the endemic species that interact with fluctuating populations of mice and stoats.

Using genetic techniques to quantify reinvasion, survival and in situ breeding rates during control operations

Determining the origin of individuals caught during a control/eradication programme enables conservation managers to assess the reinvasion rates of their target species and evaluate the level of success of their control methods. We examine how genetic techniques can focus management by distinguishing between hypotheses of 'reinvasion' and 'survivor', and defining kin groups for invasive stoats (Mustela erminea) on Secretary Island, New Zealand. 205 stoats caught on the island were genotyped at 16 microsatellite loci, along with 40 stoats from the opposing mainland coast, and the age and sex were determined for each individual. Using these data, we compare and combine a variety of genetic techniques including genetic clustering, population assignment and kinship-based techniques to assess the origin of each stoat. The population history and individual movement could be described in fine detail, with results indicating that both in-situ survival and breeding, and reinvasion are occurring. Immigration to the island was found to be generally low, apart from in 1 year where around 8 stoats emigrated from the mainland. This increased immigration was probably linked to a stoat population spike on the mainland in that year, caused by a masting event of southern beech forest (Nothofagus sp.) and the subsequent rodent irruption. Our study provides an example of some of the ways genetic analyses can feed directly into informing management practices for invasive species.

Gregarious flowering and death of understorey bamboo slow litter decomposition and nitrogen turnover in a southern temperate forest in Patagonia, Argentina

Summary1. The massive synchronized flowering and subsequent mortality of understorey bamboo species occur in infrequent and unpredictable intervals in temperate and subtropical forests around the world. Because of the sporadic occurrence of these flowering episodes and the long intervals between events, very little is known about their consequences on biogeochemical cycling in natural ecosystems.2. In 2001, a synchronized flowering and dieback of the native bamboo,Chusquea culeouE. Desv., occurred, covering more than 200 000 ha in the north‐west region of Patagonia, Argentina. We explored the impacts of this gregarious flowering event on litter decomposition and nitrogen turnover in an old‐growth southern beech forest for 3 years after the flowering event.3. Bamboo litter decomposed significantly slower than overstorey tree litter, and decomposition in flowered patches overall was significantly reduced compared to remnant live understorey patches. In addition, soil mineral nitrogen was reduced in flowered patches, and nitrogen transformations were altered, most notably in the third year after the flowering event.4. This infrequent phenomenon of gregarious flowering could have consequences for carbon and nutrient cycling, as low‐quality standing dead biomass is gradually incorporated into soil organic matter pools. This study demonstrates that large biotically mediated perturbations of understorey vegetation can impact biogeochemical cycles in temperate forest ecosystems by reducing carbon turnover and altering nitrogen availability and transformations, even in the absence of physical disturbance.

Microbe domestication and the identification of the wild genetic stock of lager-brewing yeast

Domestication of plants and animals promoted humanity's transition from nomadic to sedentary lifestyles, demographic expansion, and the emergence of civilizations. In contrast to the well-documented successes of crop and livestock breeding, processes of microbe domestication remain obscure, despite the importance of microbes to the production of food, beverages, and biofuels. Lager-beer, first brewed in the 15th century, employs an allotetraploid hybrid yeast, Saccharomyces pastorianus (syn. Saccharomyces carlsbergensis), a domesticated species created by the fusion of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae ale-yeast with an unknown cryotolerant Saccharomyces species. We report the isolation of that species and designate it Saccharomyces eubayanus sp. nov. because of its resemblance to Saccharomyces bayanus (a complex hybrid of S. eubayanus, Saccharomyces uvarum, and S. cerevisiae found only in the brewing environment). Individuals from populations of S. eubayanus and its sister species, S. uvarum, exist in apparent sympatry in Nothofagus (Southern beech) forests in Patagonia, but are isolated genetically through intrinsic postzygotic barriers, and ecologically through host-preference. The draft genome sequence of S. eubayanus is 99.5% identical to the non-S. cerevisiae portion of the S. pastorianus genome sequence and suggests specific changes in sugar and sulfite metabolism that were crucial for domestication in the lager-brewing environment. This study shows that combining microbial ecology with comparative genomics facilitates the discovery and preservation of wild genetic stocks of domesticated microbes to trace their history, identify genetic changes, and suggest paths to further industrial improvement.

Description of a new orb-weaving spider species representing the first record of Novaranea in Australia (Araneae: Araneidae: Araneinae)

The orb-weaving spider genus Novaranea Court &amp; Forster, 1988, previously known only from New Zealand, is here reported from Australia for the first time with the description of a new species. Generic affinities, here based on characteristic shapes of the median and terminal apophyses of the male pedipalp, remain somewhat ambiguous as some of the endemic New Zealand araneine genera remain to be tested within a rigorous phylogenetic analysis. Novaranea courti n. sp. is found in the southeastern parts of Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Mature spiders are generally found between January and March, although some specimens were collected in April, June and November. Novaranea courti n. sp. appears to prefer forest habitats (e.g. Southern Beech (Nothofagus) forest and Eucalyptus/Casuarina woodland), but was also found in more open areas such as grassand heathland.

New species of dictyostelids from Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

In late Jan and early Feb 2005 samples for isolation of dictyostelid cellular slime molds (dictyostelids) were collected in five different provinces and from six national parks (all located 39–55°S) in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Southern beech (Nothofagus) forests represented the primary vegetation type investigated, but some samples were obtained from Patagonian steppe, alpine meadows, Valdivian temperate rainforests and coniferous forests dominated by Araucaria, Austrocedrus and Fitzroya. Among the dictyostelids isolated from the samples we collected were seven species new to science. These species (Dictyostelium austroandinum, D. chordatum, D. fasciculoideum, D. gargantuum, D. leptosomopsis, D. valdivianum and Polysphondylium patagonicum) are described herein on the basis of both morphology and molecular (SSU rDNA) data. One of the new species, D. gargantuum, is one of the largest representatives of the group reported to date. Another unusual species, D. chordatum, produces long interwoven sorocarps that do not appear to respond to a spacing gas similar to the condition first noted in D. implicatum.

Ecological consequences of a massive flowering event of bamboo (Chusquea culeou) in a temperate forest of Patagonia, Argentina

AbstractQuestion: What changes occur as a consequence of the massive flowering and senescence of the dominant understory species of bamboo, Chusquea culeou (E. Desvaux)? In this study, we documented some of the ecological consequences of this rare event that occurred in 2001, the previous flowering having occurred more than 60 years ago.Location: Nothofagus temperate forest, Patagonia, Argentina.Methods: We assessed changes in environmental variables and bamboo biomass post‐flowering in an old‐growth southern beech forest. In addition, we monitored the demography of emergent Ch. culeou seedling and Nothofagus nervosa saplings, comparing non‐flowered (live understory) and flowered (senescent understory) patches within the forest matrix.Results: Bamboo flowering dramatically increased light availability in the forest understory but, surprisingly, other environmental changes were not observed. Bamboo seedlings emerged in both patch types, and experienced gradual but modest mortality through time. Bamboo dieback promoted higher survivorship and an increment in biomass, height, number of leaves and buds in the saplings of Nothofagus nervosa.Conclusion: The high density of bamboo seedlings 5 years after the flowering event and the independence of emergence from environmental variables suggest that understory regeneration is a gradual process that is not strongly regulated by initial seedling density or resource limitation. In contrast, microenvironmental conditions created after the flowering event significantly increased Nothofagus sapling growth and survival. These results suggest that overstory forest regeneration could be enhanced in this temperate forest in the first years after this infrequent bamboo flowering event.