Forest canopy, a proxi of light intensity, arrests Pinus radiata invasion: basic science to conserve the Coastal Maulino forest, Central Chile

Abstract

Coastal Maulino forest is an endemic forest of central Chile, which has suffered a large history of disturbance, being replaced by large extensions of Pinus radiata plantations. This land transformation conveys high rates of pines invasion into native remnants. In this study we examined to what extent structural features of forest patches explains invisibility of this forest-type. Within eight forest fragments, we sampled 162 plots (10 x 10 m² each). We quantified seedling pine density and related this estimates with tree cover, litter depth, PAR radiation, and diversity of the resident community. Our results indicate that canopy cover was the most important variable to determine seedling pine density within forest fragments. To preserve the Coastal Maulino forest and the biodiversity containing on it, it seems to be necessary to maintain the native canopy cover. These actions can be highly effective even if we cannot avoid a massive seed arrival from pine plantations which will be unable to regenerate under well conserved native forests.

Forest canopy resists plant invasions: a case study ofChromolaena odoratain Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Nepal

“…Indeed, these attributes determine the availability of empty niches for successful invasions. Forest stand attributes, therefore, may be relatively more important than other local factors for invasion success on the forest floor by limiting the amount of light reaching the surface of the ground (Charbonneau & Fahrig 2004, Fajardo & Gundale 2018, Bustamante et al 2019. Shrub/saplings and ground vegetation layers potentially reinforce the impacts of canopy cover by preventing intercepted light falling on the ground.…”