Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Competition effects of grazing-modified herbaceous vegetation on growth, survival and water relations of lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) seedlings in a temperate forest of Patagonia, Argentina

Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, we determined the competition effects of herbaceous vegetation on survival, growth, and plant water relations of planted lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) seedlings under field and nursery conditions in western Patagonia, Argentina. In the field, thirty (1.5 × 1.5 m) plots were randomly set in a grazing-free exclosure built in a typical grazing-degraded lenga canopy gap mainly colonized by non-native herbs and grasses (empastado). Herbaceous aerial and root biomass was removed in half of the plots (non-competition treatment, NCT), while the others (competition treatment, CT), remained undisturbed. Four similarly-sized lenga seedlings were planted per plot. In the nursery, 120 lenga seedlings were planted in individual pots containing soil of the field study site, and set to a factorial experiment including two competition levels (CT and NCT) and two watering regimes: normal (simulating average rains during the growing season, 500 mm, NW), and high (equivalent to 1000 mm, HW). During three growing seasons, we determined seedling survival, growth, and plant and soil water status of both experiments. Higher survival and growth, and better plant water status values were obtained in NCT as compared to CT in both experiments. In the nursery, HW did not improve survival and growth as compared to NW. In restoration trials implying grazing-degraded areas, increases in lenga seedling survival and growth could be achieved by reducing nearby competition of grasses and herbs, while extra watering appears unnecessary. However, limitations in the experimental design (pseudo-replication), limits generalization of results to other forest ecosystems with similar structural and functional characteristics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price includes VAT (Finland)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

References

  • Ammer C (1996) Impact of ungulates on structure and dynamics of natural regeneration of mixed mountain forest in Bavarian Alps. For Ecol Manag 88:43–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barthélémy D, Puntieri J, Brion C, Raffaele E, Marino J, Martinez P (1999) Morfologia de las unidades estructurales y modo de desarrollo basico de especies patagonicas de Nothofagus (Fagaceae). Bol Soc Argent Bot 34(1–2):29–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Bava JO, Puig CJ (1992) Regeneración natural de lenga. Análisis de algunos factores involucrados, Actas del Seminario de Manejo forestal de la lenga y aspectos ecológicos relacionados. CIEFAP, Esquel, pp 85–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Bava JO, Rechene DC (2004) Dinámica de la regeneración de lenga (Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp. et Endl) Krasser) como base para la aplicación de sistemas silvícolas. In: Arturi MF, Frangi JL, Goya JF (eds) Ecología y Manejo de los Bosques de Argentina. Editorial de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, pp 1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackhall M, Raffaele E, Veblen TT (2008) Cattle affect early post-fire regeneration in a Nothofagus dombeyi-Austrocedrus chilensis mixed forest in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Biol Conserv 141(9):2251–2261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coll L, Balandier P, Picon-Cochard C (2004) Morphological and physiological responses of beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings to grass-induced belowground competition. Tree Physiol 24:45–54

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cuevas JG (2002) Episodic regeneration at the Nothofagus pumilio alpine timberline in Tierra del Fuego. Chile J Ecol 90:52–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damascos MA, Rapoport EH (2002) Diferencias en la flora herbácea y arbustiva entre claros y áreas bajo dosel en un bosque de Nothofagus pumilio en Argentina. Rev Chil Hist Nat 75:465–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis AD, Wrage KJ, Reich PB, Tjoelker MG, Schaeffer T, Muermann C (1999) Survival, growth, and photosynthesis of tree seedlings competing with herbaceous vegetation along a water-light-nitrogen gradient. Plant Ecol 145:341–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dezzotti A, Sbrancia R, Rodriguez-Arias M, Roat D, Parisi A (2003) Regeneración de un bosque mixto de Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae) después de una corta selectiva. Rev Chil Hist Nat 76:602–691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Rienzo JA, Macchiavelli RE, Casanoves F (2011) Modelos lineales mixtos: aplicaciones en InfoStat. Grupo Infostat, Córdoba, p 193

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimitri MJ (1972) La región de los bosques Andino-Patagónicos. Sinopsis General INTA, Buenos Aires

    Google Scholar 

  • Donoso ZC (1995) Bosques templados de Chile y Argentina. Variación, estructura y dinámica. Editorial Universitaria, Santiago de Chile, p 484

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn N (1992) Die verjungung von Nothofagus pumilio bei verschiedenen waldbaulichen behandlungsmethoden im andino Patagonischen Bergwald nahe Esquel. Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg i. Br, Freiburg i. Br

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper JL (1997) Population biology of plants. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Haufe J (1992) Desarrollo de la regeneración en rodales de Nothofagus con y sin influencia del ganado. GTZ-CIEFAP, Esquel

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinemann K, Kitzberger T (2006) Effects of position, understorey vegetation and coarse woody debris on tree regeneration in two environmentally constrasting forests of north-western Patagonia: a manipulative approach. J Biogeogr 33(8):1357–1367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henn JJ, Anderson CB, Kreps G, Lencinas MV, Soler R, Pastur GM (2014) Determining abiotic and biotic factors that limit transplanted Nothofagus pumilio seedling success in abandoned beaver meadows in tierra del fuego. Ecol Restor 32(4):369–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs NT (1996) Modification of the ecosystems by Ungulates. J Wildl Manag 60(40):695–713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurlbert SH (1984) Pseudoreplication and the design of ecological field experiments. Ecol Monogr 54(2):187–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jobbágy EG, Paruelo JM, León RJC (1995) Estimación del régimen de precipitación a partir de la distancia a la cordillera en el noroeste de la Patagonia. Ecol Aust 5:47–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Koukoura Z, Menke J (1995) Competition for soil water between perennial bunch-grass (Elymus glaucus B.B.) and blue oak seedlings (Quercus douglasii H. & A.). Agrofor Syst 32(3):225–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozlowski TT, Davies WJ (1975) Control of water balance in transplanted trees. J Arboric 1:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Lencinas M, Martínez Pastur G, Rivero P, Busso C (2008) Conservation value of timber quality versus associated non-timber quality stands for understory diversity in Nothofagus forests. Biodivers Conserv 17(11):2579–2597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López Bernal PM, Defossé G, Quinteros CP, Bava JO (2012) Sapling growth and crown expansion in canopy gaps of Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) forests in Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina. For Syst 21(3):489–497

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcolin A, Lopez C, Lanciotti ML, Bran D, Ayesa J, Colmet Daage F (1989) Características de los suelos derivados de cenizas volcánicas de la cordillera de los Andes y precordillera del norte de la Patagonia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Bariloche

    Google Scholar 

  • Martínez Pastur G et al (2011) Plasticidad ecofisiológica de plántulas de Nothofagus pumilio frente a combinaciones de niveles de luz y humedad en el suelo. Ecol Aust 21:301–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Owston PW, Smith SP, Stein WI (1992) Silvicultural approaches to animal damage management in Pacific Northwest Forests. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Portland

  • Peri PL, Martínez Pastur G, Lencinas MV (2009) Photosynthetic response to different light intensities and water status of two main Nothofagus species of southern Patagonian forest, Argentina. J For Sci 55(3):101–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Piper FI, Fajardo A, Cavieres LA (2013) Simulated warming does not impair seedling survival and growth of Nothofagus pumilio in the southern Andes. Perspect Plant Ecol Evol Syst 15(2):97–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quinteros C, López Bernal P, Gobbi M, Bava J (2012) Distance to flood meadows as a predictor of use of Nothofagus pumilio forest by livestock and resulting impact, in Patagonia, Argentina. Agrofor Syst 84(2):261–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rechene DC (1995) Establecimiento y desarrollo de renovales de lenga en situaciones de baja cobertura, Regeneración natural de la lenga. Factores ecológicos. Publicación Técnica. CIEFAP, Esquel, pp. 75–114

  • Relva MA, Veblen TT (1998) Impacts of introduced large herbivores on Austrocedrus chilensis forests in northern Patagonia, Argentina. For Ecol Manag 108(1–2):27–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rey B, José M, Espigares T, Castro-Díez P (2003) Simulated effects of herb competition on planted Quercus faginea seedlings in Mediterranean abandoned cropland. Appl Veg Sci 6(2):213–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusch V (1992) Principales limitantes para la regeneración de la lenga en la zona N.E.de su área de distribución, Actas del Seminario de Manejo forestal de la lenga y aspectos ecológicos relacionados. CIEFAP, Esquel, pp 61–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Jardón L et al (2010) Grassland productivity and diversity on a tree cover gradient in Nothofagus pumilio in NW Patagonia. Agric Ecosyst Environ 137:213–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Jardón L, del Pozo A, Casado MA, Ovalle C, de Miguel JM (2014) Native and non-native herbaceous species dependence on tree cover in grazing systems from northern Chilean Patagonia. Agric Ecosyst Environ 184:41–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schabenberger O, Pierce FJ (2002) Contemporary statistical models for the plant and soil sciences. Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal R, Rohlf J (1973) Introduction to Biostatistics. Freeman and Co, p 367

  • Tercero-Bucardo N, Kitzberger T, Veblen TT, Raffaele E (2007) A field experiment on climatic and herbivore impacts on post-fire tree regeneration in north-western Patagonia. J Ecol 95(4):771–779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urretavizcaya MF, Monelos L, Oyharcabal MF, Arriola H, Peri P, Defossé G (2012) Post-fire ecological restoration in Southern Temperate Forests of Nothofagus pumilio in Patagonia, Argentina, Vth. International Fire Ecology and Management Congress. Abstracts de Posters, Portland, p. 13

  • Vandenberghe C, Freléchoux F, Gadallah F, Buttler A (2006) Competitive effects of herbaceous vegetation on tree seedling emergence, growth and survival: does gap size matter? J Veg Sci 17:481–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varela SA, Gyenge J, Fernandez M, Schlichter T (2010) Seedling drought stress susceptibility in two deciduous Nothofagus species of NW Patagonia. Trees 24(3):443–453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez DP (2002) Multiple effects of introduced mammalian herbivores in a temperate forest. Biol Invasions 4:175–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veblen TT (1992) Regeneration dynamics. In: Glenn-Lewin DC, Peet RK, Veblen TT (eds) Plant succession—theory and prediction, population and community. Chapman & Hall, London, pp 152–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Veblen TT, Ashton DH, Schlegel FM, Veblen AT (1977) Plant succession in a timberline depressed by vulcanism in South-Central Chile. J Biogeogr 4(3):275–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veblen TT, Donoso ZC, Kitzberger T, Rebertus AJ (1996) Ecology of southern chilean and argentinian Nothofagus forests. In: Veblen TT, Hill RS, Read J (eds) The ecology and biogeography of Nothofagus forests. Yale University Press, London, pp 293–353

    Google Scholar 

  • Walter H, Lieth H (1967) Klimadiagramm - Weltatlas, VEB Gustav Fisher, Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • Weisberg P, Bugmann H (2003) Forest dynamics and ungulate herbivory: from leaf to landscape. For Ecol Manag 181:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We especially acknowledge an anonymous reviewer for his/her helpful comments on earlier versions of this article. This study was supported by project PICTo Forestal 36767 “Bosques puros de lenga degradados por pastoreo: pautas de manejo y restauración” (Pure “lenga” forests degraded by grazing: guidelines for management and restoration), funded by Agencia Nacional de Ciencia y Técnica (National Science and Technology Agency, ANCyT)—Argentina.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico (CIEFAP), Ruta 259 km 16,24, 9200, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina

    Claudia P. Quinteros, José O. Bava & Guillermo E. Defossé

  2. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Claudia P. Quinteros & Guillermo E. Defossé

  3. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia “San Juan Bosco”, Sede Esquel, Chubut, Argentina

    José O. Bava, Pablo M. López Bernal & Guillermo E. Defossé

  4. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. INIBIOMA (U. N. Comahue-CONICET), Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina

    Miriam E. Gobbi

Authors
  1. Claudia P. Quinteros
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José O. Bava
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pablo M. López Bernal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Miriam E. Gobbi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Guillermo E. Defossé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudia P. Quinteros.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Quinteros, C.P., Bava, J.O., López Bernal, P.M. et al. Competition effects of grazing-modified herbaceous vegetation on growth, survival and water relations of lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) seedlings in a temperate forest of Patagonia, Argentina. Agroforest Syst 91, 597–611 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9983-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9983-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation