Acacia caven nurses endemic sclerophyllous trees along a successional pathway from silvopastoral savanna to forest

摘要: The successional pathways linking the Acacia caven-dominated savanna habitat “espinal” and closed sclerophyllous forest of central Chile have long been debated. Previously, espinal was considered an invasive degradation that tended toward desertification, could not be restored to forest, had little ecological value. Recent GIS (Geographical Information System) research on land-use change has, however, detected apparent regeneration from espinal. This suggests there is a path forest. Here, we used surveys transects in espinals espinal–sclerophyllous transitions ask whether (1) A. caven species or pioneer species, (2) regenerates by trees “filling in” spaces between individuals, then shading them out (plant–plant competition), (3) plant–plant facilitation other (4) how current historical management condition affect these potential mechanisms. We find establishes primarily full sunlight unlikely degrade forests via invasion. also find, for first time, evidence nurse tree several tree-beneficiary species. Measurements under-canopy microhabitat A. caven, compared Lithraea caustica, another possible suggest it provides balance shade soil moisture retention, making site only directed bird-dispersed seeds but undirected wind-dispersed ones. Conservation restoration espinals, especially drier areas, provide capacity future dynamic Chile.