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Conservation value of timber quality versus associated non-timber quality stands for understory diversity in Nothofagus forests

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Abstract

Conservation strategies of forested landscapes must consider biodiversity of the included site types, i.e. timber-quality forests and associated non-timber-quality stands. The objectives were to characterize forest overstory structure in timber-quality versus associated non-timber-quality stands; and to compare their understory communities. Six forest types were sampled in Nothofagus forests of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina): two timber-quality N. pumilio forests, and four associated non-timber-quality stands (edge, N. antarctica, wetlands and streamside forests). Overstory structure and understory vegetation (species richness, frequencies, cover and biomass) were characterized during spring and summer seasons. Analysis of variance and multivariates were carried out. Overstory structure differed across the site types, with higher tree size, canopy closure and tree volume in timber-quality stands. Fifty-one understory plant species were observed, but understory variables varied with site types, especially wetlands (highest native and exotic richness, cover and biomass, and 25% of exclusive species). Site types were grouped in three: N. antarctica stands, streamside stands and the other N. pumilio forests according to multivariate analysis. Forty three percent of plants were distributed in all site types, and all timber-quality forest understory species were present in some associated non-timber-quality stands. Timber-quality N. pumilio forests have a marginal value for understory conservation compared to associated non-timber-quality stands, because these last include all the plants observed in timber-quality forests and also possess many exclusive species. Therefore, protection of associated non-timber-quality stands during forest management planning could increase understory conservation at landscape level, and these could be better reserves of understory diversity than retentions of timber-quality stands.

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Abbreviations

LF:

N. pumilio forest on flat ground

MHLF:

N. pumilio forest on a hillside

BLR:

Edge between N. pumilio forest and grassland

ÑF:

N. antarctica forest

W:

N. pumilio–N. antarctica forest wetland

S:

Streamside N. pumilio forest

BAF:

Basal area factor

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

Ds:

Simpson index

JQ:

Jaccard index for qualitative data

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Sigfrido Wolfsteller of Ushuaia Ranch, Ricardo Vukasovic of Servicios Forestales Consultancy, the Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas and the Universidad Nacional del Sur for their invaluable help and support during the realization of this work. To Christopher Anderson for discuss and check this manuscript. To Javier Puntieri for help us in plant identification. To Guillermo Fassi of Lenga Patagonia S.A. for permitting access to their climate databases, and to Marlyn Medina, Florencia Rojas Molina and Rosana Sottini for their assistance during field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC - CONICET), Av. Houssay 200, 9410, Ushuaia, Argentina

    María Vanessa Lencinas & Guillermo Martínez Pastur

  2. Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Bv. Pellegrini 2750, Santa Fe, Argentina

    Paola Rivero

  3. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida (CERZOS - CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km. 7, Bahia Blanca, Argentina

    Carlos Busso

  4. Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNSur), San Andrés 800, Bahia Blanca, Argentina

    Carlos Busso

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  1. María Vanessa Lencinas
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  2. Guillermo Martínez Pastur
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  4. Carlos Busso
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Correspondence to María Vanessa Lencinas.

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Lencinas, M.V., Martínez Pastur, G., Rivero, P. et al. Conservation value of timber quality versus associated non-timber quality stands for understory diversity in Nothofagus forests. Biodivers Conserv 17, 2579–2597 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-008-9323-6

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