Structural and environmental characterization of old-growth temperate rainforests of northern Chiloé Island, Chile: Regional and global relevance

摘要: Old-growth forests are ecologically relevant reservoirs of biodiversity and provide valuable unique ecosystem functions in the landscape. However, what constitutes an old-growth stand is confusing because definition depends largely on forest type under study. Despite ecological importance temperate rainforests southern Chile comparison to other global forests, no attempts have been made characterize them as a way assess their structural variability. Here, we characterized stands Valdivian North Patagonian rain types located Chiloe ´ Island (Chile, 42830 0 S) using inventory data from 23 permanent plots (0.1 ha each) rural landscapes protected areas northern ChiloeIsland. For each stand, its age (average oldest trees present stand) disturbance regimes (evidence recent human impact, e.g. cuttings or fires, tree growth rates) were used defining criteria. We structure (tree species richness, size-density distributions, vertical stratification presence snags) floristic composition stand. Environmental variables (i.e. temperature, distance coastline elevation) related multivariate constrained correspondence analysis. commonly by (a) basal >80 m