Abstract

MOLARES, Soledad  and  ROVERE, Adriana E.. Restoration of an area of the andean norther patagonian biosphere reserve: A proposal based on ecological and ethnobotanical parameters. Agrociencia [online]. 2014, vol.48, n.7, pp.751-763. ISSN 2521-9766.

The temperate forests in southern Argentina are affected by different factors, among them the invasion of exotic species, over-grazing and the exploitation of wood species. Ecological restoration can contribute to the recuperation and conservation of these degraded ecosystems, and of their scientific, productive and cultural values. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: 1) to estimate a restoration value for the native species in an area of degraded forest inside the Andean Northern Patagonia Biosphere Reserve, based on the sum of ecological and ethnobotanical parameters, so as to establish an order of priority for their reintroduction; and 2) to propose a criterion for the use of native and exotic species. First, the diversity of plant species was analyzed, and then for each species the ecological parameters of biogeographic, life form, capacity for vegetative reproduction and dependence on birds for dispersal, were established. In a parallel manner, a bibliographic study was carried out to estimate the value of total use of each species. It is recommended to reintroduce Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst. (Nothofagaceae) and Austrocedrus chilensis (D. Don) Pic. Serm. & Bizzarri (Cupressaceae), because of their function as system architects and for presenting forced sexual reproduction. Other native trees and shrubs were signaled to be priority because of their potential in passive restoration, as a result of fostering the connectivity of existing fragments and from their offer of timber-yielding and non-timber-yielding forest products. The exotic species with high values of use will be promoted to be used by populations adjacent to the reserve. The purpose is that this strategy for restoration and use contributes in the conservation efforts of austral temperate forests, and the construction of bridges between restoration as a discipline and its practice integrated into society.

Keywords : Austrocedrus chilensis (D. Don) Pic. Serm. & Bizzarri; southern temperate forests; ethnobotany; Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst.; restoration.

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