Conifer invasion in Gondwana: different regions give lessons in different topics

NUÑEZ, M.; PAUCHARD, A.; BUSTAMANTE, R.; SARASOLA, M.; PEÑA, E.; LEDGARD, N.; RAFFAELE, E.; RELVA, M. A.; RICHARDSON, D.; VAN WILGEN, B.; WILLIAMS, M.; ZILLER, S.; SIMBERLOFF, D.

San Carlos de Bariloche

Congreso; VI Southern Connection Congress; 2010

Laboratorio Ecotono, Universidad Nacional del Comahue- Conicet

Exotic conifers have been planted throughout the world and many of them have become highly invasive. This is especially true in countries of the southern hemisphere where the forestry industry relies heavily on exotic species and where conifer invasions have been reported in numerous countries. Histories of conifer plantations and management of invasions differ greatly among regions of the southern hemisphere. In some cases the same species has been planted in different time periods, numbers, and ecosystems. This provides a unique opportunity to deeply understand the problems and mechanisms behind tree invasion. Countries like South Africa and New Zealand have a long history of invasions and management. On the other hand, countries in South America have a much younger history of plantations and invasions have just recently been recorded. In this context, we have formed the Southern Hemisphere Network on Conifer Invasions, where researchers throughout the world are interacting and producing basic information on these phenomena. Its goal is to facilitate different regions sharing ideas and, hopefully, preventing similar problems that have already occurred elsewhere. There are many difficulties in organizing this type of networks, such as communication and finding funding to organize meetings, but there are also many benefits that contribute to a better understanding of the global phenomenon of conifer invasion. Factors affecting the invasive ability.