Eduardo Martínez Carretero

Plant functional traits, ecosystem structure and land‐use history along a climatic gradient in central‐western Argentina

Abstract. This paper deals with theoretical concepts, methodological steps, and case studies related to the use of plant functional traits in the assessment of vegetation responses to climate and land use. Trait-environment links are considered, and special emphasis is put on the links between vegetation structure and ecosystem function, and on the role of disturbance history in determining vegetation responses to land use at present. As a basis for discussion, published and new case studies from central-western Argentina are presented. Similar plant traits measured with different levels of precision are utilized in the description of ecosystem structure in different land-use situations along a steep regional climatic gradient. The general protocol followed in the case studies represents a data-driven, non-hierarchical, low-tech approach, that can be applied to a wide range of spatial scales, from plots to regions. Climatic factors (including extreme events and seasonality), disturbance frequency and intensity, and disturbance history are suggested as key factors to be considered in global comparisons of vegetation responses to land use and in predictive models of ecosystem dynamics.

The synanthropic flora in the Mendoza (Argentina) urban area

The synanthropic flora in the Mendoza urban area was studied in terms of its three most relevant sub-environments: house and school gardens, parks and borders of narrow ditches used to irrigate the whole city. The current synanthropic flora comprises 487 species, 8 native and 479 alien species. Neophytes include 282 genera and 104 families, with the dominant families being Fabaceae, comprising 41 species, Myrthaceae (38 spp), Rosaceae and Oleaceae (24 spp), all of which together represent 26% of the total richness recorded. Ephemerophytes, non-naturalized plants, represent 25.4% of the urban flora. Xenoergasiophytes and ergasiophytes are dominant in gardens and parks, whereas xenophytes grow in irrigation ditches across the city. Considering life forms, nanophaerophytes are prevalent in all three sub-environments, but succulents and therophytes are absent from ditches. The number of non-native plant species is increasing in the urban area of Mendoza, especially in the suburbs, and many of them at times become invasive.The synanthropic flora in the Mendoza urban area was studied in terms of its three most relevant sub-environments: house and school gardens, parks and borders of narrow ditches used to irrigate the whole city. The current synanthropic flora comprises 487 species, 8 native and 479 alien species. Neophytes include 282 genera and 104 families, with the dominant families being Fabaceae, comprising 41 species, Myrthaceae (38 spp), Rosaceae and Oleaceae (24 spp), all of which together represent 26% of the total richness recorded. Ephemerophytes, non-naturalized plants, represent 25.4% of the urban flora. Xenoergasiophytes and ergasiophytes are dominant in gardens and parks, whereas xenophytes grow in irrigation ditches across the city. Considering life forms, nanophaerophytes are prevalent in all three sub-environments, but succulents and therophytes are absent from ditches. The number of non-native plant species is increasing in the urban area of Mendoza, especially in the suburbs, and many of them at times become invasive.

Mineral contents in leaves of Morus alba L. (Moraceae) and Platanus hispanica Miller (Platanaceae) from the urban forests of central-western area of Argentina.

Abstract The returning of mineral contents and organic matter to the soil as litterfall is one of the most essential ecological process that contributes to the nutrient cycles and provides enough nutrients to plants for a healthy growth. The fallen leaves from urban forests of the cities of San Juan and Mendoza, Argentina are frequently collected especially during the autumn season with a loss of great quantity of litterfall every year. High amounts of nutrients and organic matter are exported from the urban ecosystem without completing the mineral nutrient cycle. The aim of this work is to evaluate the variation in foliar mineral and organic matter contents along seasons (spring, summer and autumn) for the two most abundant non-native species: Morus alba and Platanus hispanica located in the urban forests of the central-western part of Argentina, and the effect of the periodical leaf removal in urban areas. Differences in mineral and organic matter contents were found along the seasons. Foliar concentration losses follow the order of magnitude: N > Mg > P>K > Na. This research is a contribution to a more adequate understanding of the urban ecosystem patterns and dynamics, and it means to be helpful in the management and conservation practices of urban ecosystems.