Javier Gyenge

Silvopastoral systems in Northwestern Patagonia II: water balance and water potential in a stand of Pinus ponderosa and native grassland

The climate of the ecotone between forest and steppe in North-Western Patagonia, is of Mediterranean type, with rainy winters and dry summers. As a consequence, most of the region presents water deficits during part of the spring and all the summer. Water interactions between Pinus ponderosa Doug. (Laws) and Stipa speciosa (Trin. et Rupr.), a native grass species, were studied. The experimental site includes ten silvopastoral plots (five with 350 pruned pines/ha and five with 500 pruned pines/ha), one plot with 500 unpruned pines/ha, one plot with 1000 pines/ha and an open pasture. Pre-dawn water potential of pines and grasses, and soil water moisture under and between tree crowns, and in the open pasture, were measured during October to April. Also, local water balance of these situations was studied over the same period. Evapotranspiration was higher in silvopastoral systems than in the open pasture (average difference of 95 mm). Greatest soil water consumption was observed in silvopastoral systems, mainly at the deepest layers(80–140 cm). Rain interception by pines was important only at the end of the dry season. Pre-dawn water potential of trees was stable during the study period. Better water status was found in grasses growing under high tree canopy cover compared to those in the open treatments, before and after the driest month (January). Silvopastoral systems use water resources that otherwise are lost from the system. Therefore the higher productivity of these systems may partly reflect this more exhaustive use of resources.

Belowground interactions for water between trees and grasses in a temperate semiarid agroforestry system

A fundamental hypothesis of agroforestry is the complementary use of soil resources. However, productivity of many agroforestry systems has been lower than expected due to net competition for water, highlighting the need for a mechanistic understanding of belowground interactions. The goal of this study was to examine root–root interactions for water in a temperate semiarid agroforestry system, based on ponderosa pines and a Patagonian grass. The hypotheses were: (a) A greater proportion of water uptake by pines is from deeper soil layers when they are growing with grasses than when they are growing alone; (b) Growth of grasses is improved by the use of water hydraulically lifted by pines. We used stable isotopes of O to analyze water sources of plants, and we measured sapflow direction in pine roots and continuous soil water content with a very sensitive system. We also installed barriers to isolate the roots of a set of grasses from pine roots, in which we measured water status, relative growth and water sources, comparing to control plants. The results indicated that pines and grasses show some complementary in the use of soil water, and that pines in agroforestry systems use less shallow water than pines in monoculture. We found evidence of hydraulic lift, but contradicting results were obtained comparing growth and isotope results of the root isolation experiment. Therefore, we could not reject nor accept that grasses use water that is hydraulically lifted by the pines, or that this results in a positive effect on grass growth. This information may contribute to understand the complex and variable belowground interactions in temperate agroforestry.

Water flux and canopy conductance of natural versus planted forests in Patagonia, South America

In NW Patagonia, South America, natural shrublands and mixed forests of short Nothofagus antarctica (G. Forst.) Oerst. trees are currently being replaced by plantations with Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb) Franco. This land use change is controversial because the region is prone to drought, and replacement of native vegetation by planted forests may increase vegetation water use. The goal of this study was to examine the physiological differences, especially the response of water flux and canopy conductance to microclimate, that lead to greater water use by exotic trees compared to native trees. Meteorological variables and sapflow density of P. menziesii and four native woody species were measured in the growing season 2005–2006. Canopy conductance (gc) was estimated for both the exotic (monoculture) and native (multi-species) systems, including the individual contributions of each species of the native forest. Sapflow density, stand-level transpiration and gc were related to leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference (VPD). All native species had different magnitudes and diurnal patterns of sapflow density compared to P. menziesii, which could be explained by the different gc responses to VPD. Stomatal sensitivity to VPD suggested that all native species have a stronger stomatal control of leaf water potential and transpiration due to hydraulic limitations compared to P. menziesii. In conclusion, differences in water use between a P. menziesii plantation and a contiguous native mixed forest of similar basal area could be explained by different gc responses to VPD between species (higher sensitivity in the native species), in addition to particular characteristics of the native forest structure.

Seedling drought stress susceptibility in two deciduous Nothofagus species of NW Patagonia

The physiological capacities of seedlings to cope with drought may be subject to strong selective pressure in the context of future climate scenarios, threatening the regeneration and sustainability of forests. Characterization of the responses and the variability between species is of interest to breeding and domestication programs. In this study, our main goal was to describe some of the physiological mechanisms involved in the drought response of Nothofagus nervosa and N. obliqua, two forest species of ecological and commercial importance (high wood quality) in NW Patagonia. We tested for differences in water status, gas exchange and survival in response to a gradually imposed severe drought. Based on cavitation vulnerability curves and hydraulic conductivity measurements, we can conclude that N. obliqua stems have higher specific hydraulic conductivity and somewhat lower vulnerability to cavitation than N. nervosa stems, leading it to sustain higher stomatal conductance under non-severe drought conditions. N. obliqua had higher photosynthetic capacity than N. nervosa, due both to characteristics of its hydraulic architecture and to its higher metabolic capacity. Our results indicate that both species present characteristics of plants susceptible to water stress. Also, both species showed behavior resembling an anisohydric response. This behavior results from a lack of stomatal control over transpiration while the soil dehydrates, probably accompanied by very high vulnerability to cavitation. In contrast, both species had similar high stomatal sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit when soil water was limiting.

Shade acclimation in the forage grass Festuca pallescens: biomass allocation and foliage orientation

Plants can acclimate to shade through different processes. In particular, they can modify their biomass allocation and the architecture in order to increase light interception. The objective of this study was to evaluate the shade acclimation capacity of Festuca pallescens (St. Ives) Parodi, as part of research concerning the use of this species in silvopastoral systems in Patagonia, Argentina. Biomass allocation was estimated from the leaf and root dry weights of plants growing in an open pasture and forested plots. Crown architecture of plants growing in the open and in two shade treatments was studied dividing each plant in three concentric cylinders, within which leaf angles and leaf area were measured. Light interception of plants in each treatment was estimated from the projected leaf areas and the relative amount of radiation reaching each location. Biomass allocation changed significantly in plants growing under shade conditions, increasing the proportion of leaves relative to the roots (Leaf Mass Fraction = 0.29 (SD: 0.12) and 0.40 (SD: 0.09) in plants in the open and under shade, respectively). Also, mean leaf inclination angles changed in plants growing under shade conditions, allowing an increase in light interception of approximately 35% compared to plants with the crown architecture typical of the open treatment. Previous studies have shown that F. pallescens does not change its photosynthetic response to light under shade conditions. Therefore, we conclude that the reported changes in biomass allocation and crown architecture, in addition to the increment in specific leaf area explain the relatively high shade tolerance of this species.

Efectos de la temperatura y la dieta en la biología de Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Eriopis connexa (Germar) is an important aphidophagous coccinelid, widely distributed in several South American countries. The influence of different feeding and temperature conditions on biological features of the immature and adult stages, were studied. Cohorts of cocinelids larvae were reared on the combinations of four constant temperatures (9, 15, 19 and 27oC) and six diets based on Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris and Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) aphid species with, respectively, four and two different initial numbers and increasing rates. Tested temperatures above 15oC did not affect the number of eggs/cluster and their viability. Incubation time varied from 2.5 days and a 92% of hatched eggs at 27oC, to 13 days with a 71% of viability at 15oC. At 9oC, neither oviposition nor births were observed, although development until adult stage could be achieved at four experimental temperatures. The combination of food supply and temperature affected both aphid ingestion and immature developmental times, but not adult sizes. The number of A. pisum and S. graminum consumed varied approximately from 57 to 256 and from 104 to 641, respectively. Developmental times, from larval to adult stage, ranged from ca. 84 days at 9oC to ca. 12 days at 27oC. Larger adult sizes were observed at 19oC. Body weight of adults increased when they were offered greater numbers of aphids. Pronotum widths and femur lengths were slightly influenced by prey species but these dimensions were independent on larvae ingestion of food.

Are differences in productivity between native and exotic trees in N.W. Patagonia related to differences in hydraulic conductance

Afforestation with the exotic Pinus ponderosa is currently taking place within the natural distributional area of Austrocedrus chilensis, a native conifer of N.W. Patagonia. Annual productivity of the exotic species is double the productivity of the native one. In order to test the hypothesis that these differences in productivity are, at least in part, due to differences in hydraulic characteristics of both species, we measured or estimated several ecophysiological variables in A. chilensis and P. ponderosa trees growing in the same place. Water use (WU) and diameter growth were lower in A. chilensis than in P. ponderosa. Although predawn water potential was relatively constant during the whole growing season, A. chilensis trees showed lower values of this variable than P. ponderosa in a very dry period, suggesting different water sources. Under field conditions, canopy-stomatal (gs) and whole hydraulic conductances, specific hydraulic conductivity and photosynthetic rate (A) were lower in A. chilensis than P. ponderosa. In contrast, instantaneous WU efficiency was higher in A. chilensis than in P. ponderosa. However, gs and A in A. chilensis significantly increased in cut branches of this species suggesting hydraulic limitations on photosynthesis. We hypothesize that hydraulic characteristics of P. ponderosa permit high stomatal conductance for more hours a day than A. chilensis trees, without reaching threshold values of water potential. This can explain, at least in part, differences in C fixation and thus, in productivity between species. In addition, our results suggested a secondary limitation to C fixation in A. chilensis at the photosynthetic apparatus.

Stand density and drought interaction on water relations of Nothofagus antarctica: contribution of forest management to climate change adaptability

Nothofagus antarctica is the most representative species of the native mixed forest occupying ecotone areas between forests and steppe in NW Patagonia, South-America. In this type of environment, vulnerability to climate change is particularly enhanced. Predictions of future climatic conditions for this region indicate an increment of atmospheric temperature and also, a high variability of rain events, threatening forest persistence and productivity. In this framework, management strategies are crucial to guarantee sustainability of native vegetation systems. The objective of this study was to study the effect of tree density on the ecophysiological limitations of water use of N. antarctica, as a proxy to its productivity, during a drought period. Compared with the unthinned forest, the thinned forest showed higher soil water availability, higher sapflow density (Js) and canopy conductance (Gc) values, similar aerodynamic conductance (Ga) and a low degree of coupling to vapor pressure deficit. Ecophysiological results demonstrated a high limitation over gas exchange of individual N. antarctica trees imposed by the resistance in the hydraulic soil-to-leaf pathway in the unthinned-natural condition. Surprisingly, our results suggest structural limitations in the unthinned stand which reduce the ability of N. antarctica trees to take advantage of wet seasons, at least in the short term. Thinning could decrease the susceptibility of N. antarctica-based systems to drought stress, by increasing resource availability to the remaining trees, thus contributing to enhance the persistence of this species under climate change conditions.

Caracterización silvícola de ñirantales del norte de la Patagonia para la gestión forestal sostenible

SUMMARY In spite of their wide geographical distribution and use, there are few publications about the silviculture of the forests with Nothofagus antarctica, locally named “nirantales”. The available publications report studies carried out in central to southern Patagonia, where “nires” form forests of relatively tall trees. The traditional management of the nire forests has been based in fuelwood production and silvopastoralism. Characterization of the forests of Lomatio-Nothofagetum antarcticae of the central basin of the Foyel River (Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina) was carried out in order to provide methodological skills useful for the sustainable management of “nirantales”. We developed a typologic key, the silvicultural stand characterization of the different forest types present in the area and we established the local dendrometric equations for N. antarctica, Diostea juncea, Lomatia hirsuta, Schinus patagonicus. The studied forests showed a high variability between stands in close distance. Stem diameter distribution of the different forest types indicate that they are even aged groves in an intermediate development phase. Based on the current development stage of the stands, we suggest that it is possible to apply forestry models based on density regulation and complete canopy cover. Based on our results, we preliminary suggest that the implementation of silvicultural systems based on wood extraction can be seen as an alternative to current silvopastoral systems.

Influence of radiation and drought on gas exchange of Austrocedrus chilensis seedlings

Austrocedrus chilensis es una conifera endemica de la Patagonia adaptada a un amplio gradiente de condiciones de humedad. El reclutamiento en lugares xericos solo se produce bajo arbustos nodrizas en anos de precipitacion regular. A pesar de su importancia ecologica y economica, existe escasa informacion sobre la fisiologia de esta especie. Plantaciones experimentales con esta especie revelaron que las plantas sin cobertura vegetal mostraron menores supervivencias, tasas fotosinteticas y potencial agua que los plantines bajo cobertura. En este trabajo se midio bajo condiciones controladas la respuesta estomatica a la radiacion y al deficit de presion de vapor, y el efecto de la sequia sobre la fotosintesis y transpiracion de plantines de A. chilensis. Los plantines cerraron sus estomas en respuesta a una demanda evaporativa moderada aun cuando el agua en el suelo no fue limitante. Los parametros foto sinteticos demostraron que los ambientes semisombreados son los optimos para plantines de A. chilensis. Se sugiere que el cierre estomatico temprano podria implicar danos en las hojas o en la base del tallo por sobrecalentamiento. En conjunto, los datos contribuirian al entendimiento de la necesidad de una planta nodriza en el establecimiento de esta especie