Ecological interactions in Nothofagus antarctica forests under silvopastoral use in continental southern Patagonia

Abstract

Bahamonde, H. A., Gargaglione, V., Ormaechea, S., Peri, P. L. 2018. Ecological interactions in Nothofagus antarctica forests under silvopastoral use in continental southern Patagonia. Ecosistemas 27(3):106-115. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.1492

Ñire (Nothofagus antarctica) forests in southern Patagonia are mostly located in the limit with the steppe. Thus, these forests have been used as silvopastoral systems with sheep and / or cattle livestock since the late 1800s. This activity combines three main components (trees, understory and cattle) in a same surface, which implies several ecological interactions between those factors. In this review the main research about synergies and antagonisms generated in these systems in southern continental Patagonia are presented. The effects of interactions between crown cover and site quality over: microclimate, primary productivity and nutritive value of forage, installation of tree regeneration; nutrient cycling and livestock behaviour; are highlighted. In general, the studied publications indicate that in these systems the positive interactions are dominant. However, there are other issues at landscape scale which require special attention to guarantee the conservation of these southern forests.