Struktur und Dynamik von Naturwäldern der Baumart Austrocedrus chilensis (Ciprés) in Argentinien

Structure and regeneration dynamics of natural Austrocedrus chilensis (Ciprés) forests in Argentina

Weihenstephan

2003

18 Lit. Ang.

Artikel aus einer Zeitschrift

8316

200107048

Austrocedurs chilensis (Ciprés) is the most common conifer in the northern part of the Argentinian Patagonia. Because of its valuable timber ciprés forests are under intensive utilisation since more than one century. As a consequence, most forests are degraded and primeval forests are only rate today. In addition, ciprés is heavily threatened by a disease ("mal de ciprés") of still unknown origin. Aim of this study was to analyse the strucutre, regeneration, health and silvicultural potential of virgin ciprés forests as a basis for the development of sustainable management concepts. As the analyses revealed, all forest have been affected by forest fires. Three main forests types could be differentiated: a) pure ciprés forests with regular strucutre at sites with sufficient precipitations (> 1000 mm/yr); b) pure forests with unregular structure at sites with temporal stress due to low precipitation (< 900-1000 mm/yr) and high temperatures (North expositions); c) mixed forests with Nothofagus dombeyi. The natural regeneration is ensured in all stands: There is a sufficient number of female trees and regeneration is abundant where enough light is available on the ground. The intensity of the "mal de ciprés" was relatively low in all stands. As the number of trees with good stem quality decreases very fast with the mean diameter of the stands, silvicultural measures to improve the stand quality must be applied in the early phases (pole stands).