Repositorio
Institucional

Becerra, Pablo I.

Gomez-Fernandez, Nicolas A.

Smith-Ramirez, Cecilia

Delpiano, Cristian A.

Miranda, Alejandro

Vasquez, Inao A.

Facilitation by pioneer trees and herbivore exclusion allow regeneration of woody species in the semiarid ecosystem of central Chile

WILEY

APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE

en

Questions: Facilitation by pioneer plants and herbivore exclusion may contribute to plant regeneration and restoration of degraded semiarid ecosystems. In this study we evaluated the main and interactive effects of the exclusion of large and medium-sized mammal herbivores and the presence of the pioneer tree Vachellia caven on natural regeneration of woody species in degraded savannas. Location: Two localities of the native sclerophyllous forest of central Chile Methods: Twelve 30 x 40 m exclosures and twelve non-exclosure areas located near native forests were established in savannas of V. caven in each locality. Regeneration coming from seeds and resprouts was sampled both under the canopy of V. caven and without canopy in each exclosure and non-excluded area. Results: After seven years, species richness and density of older regeneration (0.5-2 m high) were positively affected by herbivore exclusion and the presence of V. caven. No significant interaction between herbivore exclusion and V. caven was observed. Younger regeneration (<0.5 m high) was positively affected by herbivore exclusion and the presence of V. caven only in some years with almost no interactive effect. Conclusions: The exclusion of large and medium-sized exotic herbivores and facilitation by pioneer trees are complementary for regeneration. The variable but permanent presence of younger and older regeneration within exclosures and under V. caven during the experiment may lead to an increase of density and diversity of adult plants and recovery of the native forest. However, this process may be slow due to other limiting factors, for instance, reduced precipitation associated with climate change.

2023

artículo original

10.1111/avsc.12741

PDF

herbivory

mediterranean-type ecosystems

plant-plant interactions

recruitment

regeneration

restoration

Ciencias Vegetales

Ciencias Ambientales y Ecología

Silvicultura

herbivoría

ecosistemas de tipo mediterráneo

interacciones planta-planta

reclutamiento

regeneración

restauracion

artículo original

versión publicada

metadata

metadata

WOS:001041421500001

1402-2001

Verde / hibrida

Ciencias Vegetales

Ciencias Ambientales y Ecología

Silvicultura

ANID-BASAL AFB170008

ANID PIA/BASAL FB210015,058/2010

CONAF FIBN FB 21000

CONAF FB0002

AFB170008

ANID BASAL FB210015

ANID PIA/BASAL FB0002

CONAF FIBN 058/2010

ANID BASAL FB 21000