Quality evaluation of Nothofagus pumilio seeds linked to forest management and climatic events

Forest ecosystems undergo significant transformations due to harvesting and climate fluctuations, emphasizing the critical role of seeding in natural regeneration and long‑term structural preservation. Climate change further amplifies these dynamics, affecting phenology across species and regions. I...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Rodríguez‑Souilla, Julián, Chaves, Jimena Elizabeth, Lencinas, María Vanessa, Cellini, Juan Manuel, Roig Junent, Fidel Alejandro, Peri, Pablo Luis, Martínez Pastur, Guillermo José
Tipo de documento: artigo
Estado:Versão publicada
Data de publicação:2024
País:Argentina
Recursos:Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
Repositório:INTA Digital (INTA)
Idioma:inglês
OAI Identifier:oai:localhost:20.500.12123/16629
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/16629
https://ecologicalprocesses.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13717-024-00485-w
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-024-00485-w
Access Level:Acceso aberto
Palavra-chave:Primary Forests
Sowing
Climate Change
Harvesting
Natural Regeneration
Phenology
Ecosystem Disturbance
Forest Management
Bosques Primarios
Siembra
Nothofagus pumilio
Cambio Climático
Cosecha
Regeneración Natural
Fenología
Perturbación del Ecosistema
Ordenación Forestal
Tierra del Fuego
Extreme Events
Climate Fluctuations
Adaptation Strategies
Eventos Extremos
Fluctuaciones Climáticas
Estrategias de Adaptación
Región Patagónica
Descrição
Resumo:Forest ecosystems undergo significant transformations due to harvesting and climate fluctuations, emphasizing the critical role of seeding in natural regeneration and long‑term structural preservation. Climate change further amplifies these dynamics, affecting phenology across species and regions. In Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) forests represent the most important timber resource, and it is managed through different silvicultural strategies. This species demonstrates notable post‑disturbance regeneration, yet seed fall exhibits significant variability, leading to variations in seed quality (e.g., viability). This study aims to assess fluctuations in N. pumilio seed quality, determine how it varies concerning forest management strategies, annual productivity, and the cooccurrence of climatic phenomena including El Niño‑Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). Viable seeds represented 18.4% of the total, notably higher in unharvested than in managed areas. Con‑ versely, empty seeds were more prevalent in harvested areas (> 75%). Seed quality exhibited significant differences across silvicultural treatments, except for insect‑predated seeds, which had similar proportions across all areas, though dispersed retention showed higher predation. When considering years with varying production levels, high‑production years favoured full and viable seeds, particularly in unharvested forests and aggregated retention, while low‑production years saw reduced viability across all treatments. Quadratic models revealed that viability increased with seed production, where unharvested forests achieved the highest values. Climate variability influenced seed proportions, where ENSO+/SAM+ promoting more full and viable seeds, while ENSO–/SAM+ favoured non‑predated seeds, especially in unharvested stands. Seed quality varies among treatments and years with different levels of seeding. Variations in seed quality, linked to climatic events, influence seed viability. Seed quality plays a critical role in forest regeneration, ensuring a seedling bank for harvested stands to face climate variability. These findings are relevant for forest management and ecosystem services, considering the increasing climate variability and extreme events. Understanding these influ‑ ences is crucial for Nothofagus pumilio forests’ sustainability and global forest adaptation strategies.