Outplanting survival and growth of species with different life histories in burned and unburned sites: a case study of two woody species in the Chaco Serrano, Argentina
Post-fire forest restoration is increasingly demanded with the aim of reducing post-fire soil erosion and accelerating forest recovery. Under the hypothesis that Acacia caven, a dominant species in disturbed woodlands, is more tolerant to environmental post-fire conditions than Lithraea molleoides, a dominant species in preserved forests, we assessed the performance of seedlings outplanted to burnt and unburnt areas in three sites of the Córdoba mountains. We registered the survival and growth two years after planting. Survival varied between 24 and 92% according to treatment, without differences between species and between burnt and unburnt areas but with significant differences among sites (P<0.001). The growth was variable; in some treatments, seedlings had a mean height lower than plantation height, while in other treatments, seedlings grew up to double its initial height, without differences between burnt and unburnt areas. L. molleoides growth was higher than A. caven growth (11.4±1.4 cm and -2.3±2.0 cm, respectively) and varied among planting sites (P<0.001). Contrary to expectations, both species had similar performances in burnt and unburnt areas, while the main differences occurred among sites. To attain restoration goals we recommend planting the dominant species in preserved forest as the dominant species in disturbed woodlands is widely distributed in the region. Our results highlight the importance of studying in each site which species are most adequate to optimize restoration efforts in highly heterogeneous forest as Chaco Serrano.
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Asociación Argentina de Ecología
2015
|
| Online Access: | https://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/article/view/158 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|