Composición, diversidad y estructura de la vegetación de bosques ribereños en el centro sur de Chile

Abstract

Riparian forests have been highlighted for their unique biological diversity and high importance in ecosystem services. However, they are also ecosystems threatened by forestry, livestock or agriculture. In Chile, studies evaluating the diversity and structure of riparian forest vegetation contrasting slope forests or other habitats are limited. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (1) to compare the composition and diversity of vascular plant species; (2) to compare tree species size structure; and (3) to compare the vertical stratification of plant communities between riparian forests and slope forests. Six southern Chilean watersheds (35-38° S) were studied, sampling the vegetation in plots of 40 m 2. In each watershed, 10 plots were located in riparian forests and 10 in slope forests, on both sides of each river. We found important differences in species composition between the two forest types. In the riparian forest we found a higher diversity of tree and climbing species, higher diversity and cover of native species, higher density of tree species in adult state and higher cover of the strata 1-5 m. In the slope forest we found a larger richness and cover of exotic species, higher regeneration density and higher cover of strata < 1 m and > 5 m. Results can be related to the higher moisture of riparian forests, showing the particularity of riparian forests regarding species composition, diversity and structure, compared to other habitats.

Efecto del bosque ribereño sobre la comunidad de peces de los ríos Tumbaro, Naranjillo y Mayo en la comunidad nativa Shampuyacu, Awajun, Perú

“…Las comunidades de peces en la Amazonía cumplen un rol clave en la dinámica de los ecosistemas acuáticos, dado que actúan como dispersores de semillas, controladores poblacionales y polinizadores, permitiendo transferir nutrientes y energía a través de los diferentes niveles tróficos. Según Gutierrez & Becerra (2018) existe una estrecha relación entre la complejidad estructural del bosque ribereño y la diversidad de peces, la cual contribuye a la regeneración y mantenimiento del bosque de ribera. La afectación del bosque ribereño conduce a una afectación de los ciclos reproductivos, tasas de mortalidad, morfología corporal, resistencia a enfermedad y tasas metabólicas de los peces (Pusey & Arthington, 2003;De Paula et al, 2021).…”