Woody vegetation structure and composition of the last relicts of Espinal vegetation in subtropical Argentina |
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Authors: | Juan Pablo Lewis Sol Noetinger Darién E Prado Ignacio M Barberis |
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Institution: | 1. CONICET & Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Casilla de Correo 14, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Argentina 2. Departamento de Geología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, C1428EHA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract: | Until the beginning of the twentieth century there were extensive subtropical seasonal thorny forests surrounding the Pampas
grasslands of Argentina, known as the ‘Espinal’. In central Argentina there still exist relicts of the Espinal, belonging
to the ‘Entrerrianense District’. These forests were never described or analyzed in detail. In 2004 we studied 10 randomly
located plots of 50 × 2 m. All individuals and stems of woody species were counted and their diameters at breast height (DBH)
were measured; individuals with <1 cm DBH were considered juveniles. We recorded 2,300 woody individuals/ha corresponding
to 12 species. The more constant species are the palm Trithrinax campestris (100%), Celtis tala (90%), Prosopis alba and Celtis pallida (both 50%). The plots are relatively homogeneous, but once classified with cluster analysis two groups are formed according
to the relative abundance of C. tala and T. campestris; the latter species is more frequent in more open or fire-disturbed habitats. The results of Canonical Analysis of Principal
coordinates are in agreement with the classification. We postulate that the differences between both groups are caused by
a differential degree of disturbance (probably caused by fires). Both dominant species show abundant juveniles, and the invasion
by exotic woody species is limited. These forest relicts are among the last remnants of the massive expansions of forests
in central Argentina. Besides their historical value, an urgent call is made for their preservation, sustainable use and defence
from biological invasions. |
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