Forest dynamics in the argentinean patagonian andes: Lessons learned from dendroecology

Abstract

The study of forest dynamics over large temporal and spatial scales has widely benefited from dendrochronological techniques. Patagonia is home to several long-lived tree species (Austrocedrus chilensis, Araucaria araucana, Fitzroya cupressoides, Nothofagus dombeyi and N. pumilio) with well-defined tree rings suitable for reconstructing tree establishment, mortality, spatio-temporal growth patterns and disturbance regimes with annual resolution. The first dendrochronological studies in the region date back to the 1950s and had a strong emphasis on hydroclimatology. It was not until the last few decades that studies using dendroecological techniques began to emerge. In this chapter, we review the experience gained by the tree-ring lab at IANIGLA (CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina) and colleagues from other institutions over the past 30 years applying dendroecological techniques to understand the role of climate and disturbances (insect outbreaks, snow avalanches, windblows, fires and decline) on forest dynamics. For each case, we summarized the process, and the dendrocronological methods used. In this way, it was possible to detect those gaps of knowledge that still can be explored using dendroecological methods in the Patagonian forests of Argentina.