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Evaluation of plantation and early development of five alternatives to ponderosa pine in silvopastoral systems in northwest Patagonia, Argentina

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Abstract

Previous studies of afforestation in Patagonia indicate that 30–50 % tree cover produces positive effects on the pasture. This coverage level is achieved by applying pruning and strong thinning to reduce the volume of timber production per area unit. From an economic standpoint, in order to not reduce the income level of the system, it is necessary to find tree species that could replace ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and maximize income per volume unit of wood. We evaluated the feasibility of implementation of five broadleaved tree species (native and exotic) with higher intrinsic wood quality than ponderosa pine. We tested the influence of tree cover generated by a framework of silvopastoral plantation on the increase in survival, regrowth and absolute increase in height, and compared ecophysiological variables (net photosynthetic activity, stomatal conductance, intrinsic water use efficiency) of different species to the status of a traditional plantation without tree cover. Additionally values of air temperature and relative humidity were registered under both cover conditions. Preliminary results support the conclusion that three of these five species could be considered as alternatives to ponderosa pine species for establishing silvopastoral systems with higher timber value. Our Based on the results, the use of tree cover generated under the current plantations of P. ponderosa could increase the success of the establishment of these species.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Los Peucos Ranch and its entire staff, especially Bertil Hoepcke. We also thank Mariana Weigandt, Fabian Jaque, Alejandro Gonzalez and Guillermina Dalla Salda for their help in planting and field sampling. This project was funded by the Unit for Rural Change (UCAR), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAGyP) through the Project for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, BIRF No. 7520-AR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Ecología Forestal, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche, Modesta Victoria 4450, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina

    S. Varela, G. Caballé & J. Diez

  2. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico, Ruta 259 km 4. C.C. 14, 9200, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina

    M. Godoy

  3. Área de Recursos Naturales, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche, Modesta Victoria 4450, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina

    P. Willems

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  1. S. Varela
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  2. G. Caballé
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  3. J. Diez
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  4. M. Godoy
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  5. P. Willems
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Correspondence to S. Varela.

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Varela, S., Caballé, G., Diez, J. et al. Evaluation of plantation and early development of five alternatives to ponderosa pine in silvopastoral systems in northwest Patagonia, Argentina. Agroforest Syst 91, 981–991 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9972-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9972-5

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