Long-term monitoring of thinning for silvopastoral purposes in Nothofagus antarctica forests of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

MARTÍNEZ PASTUR, G; SOLER, R; LENCINAS, MV; CELLINI, JM; PERI, PL

Forest Systems

INIA

Año: 2018 vol. 27 p. 1 - 10

Aim of the study: To analyse the effectiveness of thinning on treegrowth, forest structure and microclimatic variables along seven years aftercuttings in a secondary Nothofagusantarctica forest in Southern Patagonia.Area of study: Five hectares of homogeneous stand of secondaryforests (54º15?46? SL, 66º59?41? WL) in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.Material and methods: One control and two thinning levels were established,and forest structure, growth, crown dynamic and microclimate variables inlong-term permanent plots were evaluated. Main comparisons were made usingmultiple ANOVAs.Main results: Intensive thinning in secondary forests allowed toincrease tree individual growth rates by doubling the radiation levels at theunderstory level that enhances the silvopastoral management. These forests showeda desirable resilience to the forest interventions and natural disturbances(e.g. heavy defoliator attack), with a rapid reaction in the canopy covergrowth.Research highlights:Monitoring of thinning for silvopastoral management must include easy and cheapmeasuring variables, e.g. diameter growth as a proxy for timber productionobjectives and hemispherical photos (crown cover and radiation) as a proxy forpasture production. Long-term monitoring allowed to identify reliableindicators that assist new sustainable management alternatives.