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Canopy structure analysis for estimating forest regeneration dynamics and growth in Nothofagus pumilio forests

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Abstract

•Introduction

Silviculture systems applied in Nothofagus pumilio forests are based on opening the canopy to stimulate natural regeneration by modifying light and soil moisture. The objective is to evaluate regeneration dynamics of N. pumilio along different forest canopy and solar radiation gradients.

•Materials and methods

Regeneration data and seed production were obtained in 98 permanent plots established in old-growth and harvested stands along a crown cover gradient (19–93%). Volumetric soil water content and basal area were also measured, while crown cover and solar radiation transmission were estimated using hemispherical photographs. Sapling height was modeled using plant age, crown cover, and solar radiation transmission of the stands as explanatory variables.

•Results

Natural regeneration dynamics were closely related to crown cover values, which determined seed production and the successful establishment and subsequent regeneration growth. Height growth was found to be related to crown cover and solar radiation transmission, where N. pumilio regeneration is optimized at intermediate crown cover levels (45% crown cover, 0.5 effective leaf area index, 26 W m2 global radiation, and 65% percentage of global radiation).

•Conclusion

These findings can be used to develop new silvicultural methods or to adjust the current practices to ensure regeneration establishment and maximize height growth at the stand level.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully thank the Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Ricardo Vukasovic of Servicios Forestales Consultancy, Los Cerros Ranch, San Justo Ranch, Kareken sawmill, and Los Castores sawmill for their support during this work. We also thank Sergio Luppo and María Elena Barlafina for provision of the radiation data and Mark Neyland of Forestry Tasmania for his comments about the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET), Houssay 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    Guillermo J. Martínez Pastur, María V. Lencinas & Horacio Ivancich

  2. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral-CONICET-Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, cc 332 (9400) Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina

    Pablo L. Peri

  3. Laboratorio de Investigaciones de Sistemas Ecológicos y Ambientales (LISEA-UNLP), Diagonal 113 no. 469 (1900) La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Juan M. Cellini & Marcelo Barrera

Authors
  1. Guillermo J. Martínez Pastur
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  2. Pablo L. Peri
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  3. Juan M. Cellini
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  4. María V. Lencinas
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  5. Marcelo Barrera
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  6. Horacio Ivancich
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Correspondence to Guillermo J. Martínez Pastur.

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Handling Editor: Douglas Jacobs

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Martínez Pastur, G.J., Peri, P.L., Cellini, J.M. et al. Canopy structure analysis for estimating forest regeneration dynamics and growth in Nothofagus pumilio forests. Annals of Forest Science 68, 587–594 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-011-0059-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-011-0059-1

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