The spread of the exotic conifer Pseudotsuga menziesii in Austrocedrus chilensis forests and shrublands in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina.

ORELLANA I. Y RAFFAELE E.

New zealand of forestry science

Scion

Año: 2010 vol. 40 p. 199 - 209

1179-5395

Invasive introduced species are among the most severe threats to biodiversity and the functioning of natural ecosystems. In this study we analysed whether Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco is an invader species of two common types of native communities (native Austrocedrus chilensis (D.Don) Pic. Serm. & Bizzarri forests and mixed shrublands) of the subantarctic region of Argentina. We determined the density and the age structures of both P. menziesii and A. chilensisPseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco is an invader species of two common types of native communities (native Austrocedrus chilensis (D.Don) Pic. Serm. & Bizzarri forests and mixed shrublands) of the subantarctic region of Argentina. We determined the density and the age structures of both P. menziesii and A. chilensisAustrocedrus chilensis (D.Don) Pic. Serm. & Bizzarri forests and mixed shrublands) of the subantarctic region of Argentina. We determined the density and the age structures of both P. menziesii and A. chilensisP. menziesii and A. chilensis regeneration at the edges of P. menziesii plantations adjacent to native forests of A. chilensis and mixed shrublands. The invasion of P. menziesii was recorded in both types of native communities. In A. chilensis forest, the establishment of P. menziesii was significantly higher than in the shrublands. Also, P. menziesii showed a greater spread than A. chilensis inside and outside the plantations. The increased abundance of P. menziesii plantations, in addition to its invasive characteristics could lead to the replacement of native communities at a regional scale in the long or medium term.P. menziesii plantations adjacent to native forests of A. chilensis and mixed shrublands. The invasion of P. menziesii was recorded in both types of native communities. In A. chilensis forest, the establishment of P. menziesii was significantly higher than in the shrublands. Also, P. menziesii showed a greater spread than A. chilensis inside and outside the plantations. The increased abundance of P. menziesii plantations, in addition to its invasive characteristics could lead to the replacement of native communities at a regional scale in the long or medium term.P. menziesii was recorded in both types of native communities. In A. chilensis forest, the establishment of P. menziesii was significantly higher than in the shrublands. Also, P. menziesii showed a greater spread than A. chilensis inside and outside the plantations. The increased abundance of P. menziesii plantations, in addition to its invasive characteristics could lead to the replacement of native communities at a regional scale in the long or medium term.was significantly higher than in the shrublands. Also, P. menziesii showed a greater spread than A. chilensis inside and outside the plantations. The increased abundance of P. menziesii plantations, in addition to its invasive characteristics could lead to the replacement of native communities at a regional scale in the long or medium term.P. menziesii plantations, in addition to its invasive characteristics could lead to the replacement of native communities at a regional scale in the long or medium term. Keywords: conifer invasions; Douglas-fir; pine plantations; introduced species; subantartic forests.conifer invasions; Douglas-fir; pine plantations; introduced species; subantartic forests.