Untersuchungen zur waldbaulichen Behandlung von Nothofagus-Naturwäldern in den südlichen chilenischen Anden

Investigations on silvicultural treatments of old-growth and second-growth forests in the Andes of southern Chile = Investigación sobre tratamientos silvicolas en bosques primarios y secundarios en los Andes del sur de Chile

Weihenstephan

2003

39 Lit. Ang.

Artikel aus einer Zeitschrift

8316

200107047

The study tests the suitability of different silvicultural treatments for regeneration and thinning purposes. It was conducted in three main geographical locations in the central southern part of Chile (IX and X administrative regions), near Neltume (32 ha), Melipeuco (6.1 ha) and Jauja (6.0 ha) with a total of 42 field sample plots. Three regeneration techniques (group felling, strip cutting, shelterwood) were performed in an old-growth forest, two regeneration methods (group felling, strip cutting) and a selection thinng were carried out in two second-growth forests. The results show that none of the regeneration methods in the old-growth forest was cost effective. The reasons for this finding are the high costs due to timber transport and administration and the high percentage of rotten wood. Survival of planted seedlings of Raulí (Nothofagus alpina) in the old growth forest was highest and coverage by the competing ground vegetation was lowest within the shelterwood area. Due to lower expenses for administrative purposes and high timber quality, regeneration techniques as well as thinning was profitable in the second-growth forests. Nevertheless, none of the tested regeneration methods was suitable for either natural or artifical regeneration. Selection thinning however resulted in a significant concentration of stand increment on the subject trees. As this measure enables further production of high quality timber it is recommended at similar site and under comparable conditions.