PARCHES RELICTUALES DE SELVA EN GALERÍA (MONTE BLANCO) EN LA REGIÓN DEL BAJO DELTA DEL RÍO PARANÁ.

KALESNIK, F. VALLES, L. QUINTANA, R. Y P. ACEÑOLAZA

Serie Misc. INSUGEO-CONICET

UNT

Lugar: Tucumán; Año: 2008 vol. 17 p. 169 - 193

1514-4836

Abstract: RELICTUAL PATCHES OF THE MONTE BLANCO FOREST IN THE LOW DELTA OF THE PARANÁ RIVER.- The original Monte blanco forest, that originally occupied levees of Low Delta islands of the Paraná River, has almost been eliminated as a consequence of productive activities carried out in the region during the past century. At present, only relictual patches with scarce regional representation may be found. In this work we studied attributes of the patches still present along the Low Delta. We analyzed species richness and cover, density of arboreal species of different age classes and the relation with the local hydrologic system. On the other hand, we analyzed the incidence of alien species and the possible future composition. Finally we purpose conservation and management guides for this forests. The Monte blanco patches analyzed conserved an important species richness, 113 species, compared with the 151 species originally present (Burkart, 1957). At regional scale, we observed a differential response of species richness and invasion of aliens species related with the local hydrology regimen and the history of land use. The forest of the upper region (unit A), presented the larger richness and low or no invasion of aliens species. In unit B we could not detect the presence of Monte blanco which was almost replaced by salix forestations. The forests of the frontal region, unit C, present a great invasion of aliens species represented by two asiatic species, madre selva (Lonicera japonica) and ligustrina (Ligustrum sinense). We propose that native arboreal species will continue to dominate the canopy of these forests independently of the species, but in the unit C, the ligustrina will persist to conform a new medium stratum.