Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 76 (4): 591-602, 2003
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Regeneration of a Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae) mixed forest after selective
cutting
ALEJANDRO DEZZOTTI, RENATO SBRANCIA, MARCELO RODRÍGUEZ-ARIAS, DANIELA ROAT & ANDREA
Understanding forest regeneration is essential to develop sound, ecologically-based
silvicultural practices. Mount Tren Tren (40°12’ S, 71°26’ W, 1,367 m, Reservation Mapuche Curruhuinca, Argentina) is occupied by a
closed stand of Nothofagus dombeyi, N. obliqua, and N. nervosa. In 1994, tree regeneration (root collar
diameter < 10 cm) was estimated to be 90 ind ha<sup>-1</sup>. After that, a group selection silvicultural system was
implemented and the resulting 10 artificial gaps of between 1,587 and 4,322 m<sup>2</sup> were enclosed to prevent
grazing by domestic livestock. Size and age structure of regeneration were analysed based on systematic and random samplings. All
tree species became established simultaneously within the artificial gaps. However, the less light demanding N.
nervosa exhibited a mean age slightly larger given its differential persistence as “advanced regeneration” previous to
cutting treatment. Tree regeneration was estimated in 97,006 ind ha<sup>-1</sup> (68 % of N. dombeyi, 20 % of
N. obliqua, and 12 % of N. nervosa). Regeneration abundance and composition were unrelated to shape and
size of regeneration gaps, nor to abundance of adult trees within the stand and along the gap boundaries. A significant positive effect of
the enclosure on plant was observed. The 86 % of juvenile Nothofagus were present when understory height and cover
were low to intermediate. The management plan is considered adequate if the abundance of regeneration is compared before and after
its implementation, and encourages the use and conservation of this forest type under the current silvicultural
system.
Nothofagus
dombeyi, Nothofagus obliqua, Nothofagus nervosa, forest management, northern
Patagonia
