Patagonian Cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis): The Cedarwood of the Emblematic Architecture of North Patagonia

Modeling potential site productivity for Austrocedrus chilensis trees in northern Patagonia (Argentina)

“…In the case of the age, for more generality it was centered at 90 years (sampling mean = 93.8 years). This age is close to the cutting cycle of the species suggested in the literature (Aparicio and Pastorino, 2020;Goya et al, 2004). Top height was modeled by fitting a linear mixed-effects model with climate, topographic and soil predictors, plus age, which accounted for the lack of independence imposed by the hierarchical sampling design, i.e., trees nested within plots, plots nested within localities.…”

“…The species Austrocedrus chilensis (known as 'ciprés de la cordillera' or 'Chilean cedar') is a long-lived (can live more than 500 years) slowgrowing perennial conifer (Cupressaceae) native to Argentina and Chile (Aparicio and Pastorino, 2020). Although it grows on both sides of the southern Andes, ~75 percent of their natural distribution occurs on the eastern side, in Argentina (Serra et al, 2015).…”

“…Longitudinally, it occupies a narrow strip of 60-80 km width. This species thrives under a wide range of environments and individuals are highly variable in shape and size (Veblen et al, 2005): conicalshaped taller than 35 m trees are observed under wetter conditions (Aparicio and Pastorino, 2020) while multi-stemmed 3 m tall individuals are frequent towards dry conditions (Castor et al, 1996 and references therein). The eastern marginal populations are the most genetically diverse although genetic variability has a rather latitudinal spatial arrangement (Pastorino et al 2015).…”

“…Although water availability has been established as one of the main drivers of A. chilensis growth, site productivity models have yet to be developed for this species. The lack of productivity models become ever more relevant when considering that the current Argentinian regulatory framework promotes native species plantations thus commercial plantations of A. chilensis are expected to be established in the near future (Aparicio and Pastorino, 2020), even outside its natural range (Oddi et al, 2021).…”