INVESTIGADORES
MARTINEZ PASTUR Guillermo Jose
artículos
Título:
Flowering and seeding patterns in pure and mixed Nothofagus forests in Southern Patagonia.
Autor/es:
M TORO; L MESTRE; MV LENCINAS; A PROMIS; G MARTÍNEZ PASTUR; R SOLER ESTEBAN
Revista:
Ecological Processes
Editorial:
Springer
Referencias:
Lugar: New York; Año: 2016 vol. 5
Resumen:
Introduction: Variation in reproductive phenology among species is an important mechanism for maintainingspecies coexistence. In mixed forests, the impact of limiting (biotic and abiotic) factors on tree reproductive successregulates the maintenance of species in balanced proportions or the conversion towards monospecific forests. Thisstudy offer a significant first approach to the reproductive phenology of mixed forests, assessing flowering, seedingand loss factors on reproductive success in three forest types (pure deciduous Nothofagus pumilio (Np), evergreenNothofagus betuloides (Nb) and mixed (M) forests), comparing also between two geographical locations (coast andmountain), during one growing season.Results: Flowering falling started early in Np. Seed fall occurred first and more concentrated in Np, while in Nb, itwas progressive during autumn. Phenology in M combined both patterns, but with better reproductive performanceof both species. Seed production was greater in Nb (42,900,000 ha−1) than in Np (710,000 ha−1), while M presentedintermediate values (31,900,000 ha−1). Abortion was greatest in Np (19% of female flowers and 10% of immature fruits),while fruit predation was low (7?9%) in all forest types. Empty seed was the main loss factor, but with low net valuesfor each species in M. Regarding geographical location, sea proximity generated a quick starting of the growing seasonin coast compared to mountain sites. However, we detected forest types × location interactions in flowering andseeding patterns (e.g. in male flower production and in empty and viable seeds), with differences in species responseaccording to location.Conclusions: Both deciduous and evergreen species have reproductive advantages in mixed compared to pureforests. However, mixed were more similar to pure evergreen forests in their reproductive traits and the incidence ofthe limiting factors. The study of only one growing season does not allow us to conclude whether mixed forests arestable communities, but we contribute to understand the roles of reproductive phenology in mixed forest dynamics.