Comparison of vegetation stages degradation with livestock management using Ellenberg's bioindicators in Chilean Patagonia

San Martin C.; Sandoval V.; Alvarez M.; Vidal, O; Pérez Y.; Solis, JL

Abstract

Different stages of anthropogenic degradation series of one primary shrub were compared in Aisen, Chile. It consisted of a prolonged livestock pasture, with plant ecological indicators recognized and valued by Ellenberg for the factors of light, temperature and reaction, nitrogen and soil moisture. The primary nirre thicket was considered the beginning of the series. We worked with partial vegetation tables for each state of degradation. Indicator plants as well as nature and utility assessed by multivariate statistical methods for classification and ordination are identified in these tables. Comparison among communities was carried out considering the presence and abundance of selected indicator plants. Results indicate that light and temperature values are concentrated in some parts of the scale from 1 to 9 steps, proposed by Ellenberg: while the others, more dispersed, provide a better differentiation of degradation states. It was possible to characterize the biotopes of all stages of degradation as: sunny, presenting mild temperatures with occasional frost and acid soils, deficient in nutrients and with intermediate moisture. The greatest differentiation was obtained with the latter soil variables that coincided with the position of each of them in the degradation series. This was confirmed by soil tests.

Más información

Título según WOS: Comparison of vegetation stages degradation with livestock management using Ellenberg's bioindicators in Chilean Patagonia
Título según SCOPUS: Comparison of vegetation stages degradation with livestock management using Ellenberg’s bioindicators in Chilean Patagonia [Comparación de etapas de degradación vegetacional con manejo pecuario utilizando valores bioindicadores de Ellenberg en la Patagonia Chilena]
Título de la Revista: Bosque (Valdivia)
Volumen: 35
Número: 2
Editorial: Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Austral de Chile
Fecha de publicación: 2014
Página de inicio: 141
Página final: 154
Idioma: Spanish
DOI:

10.4067/S0717-92002014000200002

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS