PERSONAL DE APOYO
CONY Mariano Anibal
artículos
Título:
Dendroecology of Prosopis flexuosa woodlands in the Monte Desert: Implications for their management
Autor/es:
VILLAGRA, P.E.; BONINSEGNA, J.A.; ALVAREZ, J.A.; CONY, M.A.; CESCA, E. AND R. VILLALBA
Revista:
Dendrochronologia
Editorial:
ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG
Referencias:
Lugar: ALEMANIA; Año: 2005 vol. 22 p. 209 - 213
ISSN:
1125-7865
Resumen:
In the Monte desert of Argentina open woodlands of several species of Prosopis occur in areas with accessible
underground water. The great latitudinal extent of the Monte (26?431S) exhibits strong climatic gradients involving
temperature, rainfall seasonality, and wind regime. Prosopis woodlands have been a source of subsistence for human
communities for several centuries and continue to be exploited by the local inhabitants. The ??mining?? of this resource
has led to severe desertification and consequent impoverishment of the local people. In order to suggest strategies for
the better management and recuperation of these woodlands we studied the population structure and productivity of
Prosopis flexuosa from multiple plots at Pipanaco (271580S), Telteca (321200S), and N? acun? a´ n (341030S). For each plot
we measured the density of P. flexuosa trees, number of stems, basal diameter (DAB), height and canopy diameter of
each tree. Tree ring data were used to determine the growth rates, annual wood production and biological rotation age
for each area. The ecological structure of the woodlands differs between the three sites. Along this north?south
transect, there is a decrease in adult tree density, mean basal diameter, mean tree height, canopy cover, productivity
and total wood biomass. Consequently, the potential sustainable use of these woodlands varies. Only the northern,
Pipanaco, woodlands have the potential for lumber production. In contrast, the short, multi-stem and lowproductivity
trees in the Telteca and N? acun? a´ n areas can only sustain a combination of local firewood production and
activities such as extensive grazing by livestock. The present, uniform regulations for harvesting wood in these areas
must be changed to acknowledge these differences in order to optimize wood production in, and conservation of, these
woodlands.