189
Chile and with less intensity in Argentina. Although the appearance of Phytophthora
fungus was detected in almost all cases analysed, the primary cause is supposed to
be another consequence of global climate change (Vélez et al. 2018; Ipinza et al.
2019) (Fig. 7.6). Araucaria araucana is listed as a vulnerable species under the current climate change scenario, and the loss of vitality expressed as leaf damage worries the scientific community because of the threats to its adaptation, evolutionary
potential and survival. Therefore, an initiative for ex situ conservation began in
2017 in the Integrated Monitoring System of Native Forest Ecosystems (SIMEF/
CONAF/FAO) of Chile, with the participation of the INFOR (Forest Institute of
Chile) and the private sector (CMPC, Chile). The programme, led by Dr. Ipinza,
seeks to support the genetic rescue of the species through assisted migration.
Accordingly, seeds were collected with the participation and agreement of the representatives of the local indigenous communities, from 458 selected trees in the five
genetic zones that make up the Araucaria natural distribution area in Chile (Martín
et al. 2014), in order to obtain germplasm that represents the genetic variability of
the species (Ipinza 2017). Seedlings were produced and micorrized to be then
planted in places where the climate gives the species more possibilities. The site
selection for the establishment of the ex situ conservation trial was based on an ecological niche modelling study considering the climatic conditions of the next
50 years in order to determine the main host areas for Araucaria araucana (Ipinza
et al. 2019). The first demonstration trial of provenances and progenies was installed
in 2019 in Coyhaique National Reserve, and the second and larger trial will be
placed in 2020.
However, degradation and fragmentation of A. araucana forests was already
observed before the initiation of this general decay of the species, particularly to the
eastern xeric locations. The species occurs within different forest types associated
with local environmental conditions. We find it living in communities with
Nothofagus pumilio in the western humid sites and with Nothofagus antarctica in
the whole range: humid, mesic and xeric sites. However, because in the xeric populations human impact is higher, there we find several fragmented and degraded
A. araucana populations without N. antarctica understory. Due to the frequent use
of N. antarctica as fuelwood and the occurrence of forest fires, most of the original
understories of this species have been devastated carrying on important ecological
and population consequences. Among the main impacts on the A. araucana forests,
it can be mentioned that the drastic decrease in population size of rodents that
inhabit this understory may negatively affect the long-distance dispersion of
A. araucana seeds (Gallo et al. 2004a; Shepherd and Ditgen 2005, 2012, 2013).
This means that most of the fragmented xeric populations of the species are highly
degraded, and any restoration effort should be focussed on them.
Some restoration initiatives have been realized in Argentina after wildfires,
including planting experiences. At the end of the summer of 2009, some 3000 ha
were burned in the Lake Tromen area in the Lanín National Park. A previous stock
of seedlings from the same provenance available in the nursery of INTA allowed
about 1000 to be planted in the following June, registering a survival rate of over
65% in the next autumn. This activity continued the next year with the planting of
7 Araucaria araucana and Salix humboldtiana…
Chile and with less intensity in Argentina. Although the appearance of Phytophthora
fungus was detected in almost all cases analysed, the primary cause is supposed to
be another consequence of global climate change (Vélez et al. 2018; Ipinza et al.
2019) (Fig. 7.6). Araucaria araucana is listed as a vulnerable species under the current climate change scenario, and the loss of vitality expressed as leaf damage worries the scientific community because of the threats to its adaptation, evolutionary
potential and survival. Therefore, an initiative for ex situ conservation began in
2017 in the Integrated Monitoring System of Native Forest Ecosystems (SIMEF/
CONAF/FAO) of Chile, with the participation of the INFOR (Forest Institute of
Chile) and the private sector (CMPC, Chile). The programme, led by Dr. Ipinza,
seeks to support the genetic rescue of the species through assisted migration.
Accordingly, seeds were collected with the participation and agreement of the representatives of the local indigenous communities, from 458 selected trees in the five
genetic zones that make up the Araucaria natural distribution area in Chile (Martín
et al. 2014), in order to obtain germplasm that represents the genetic variability of
the species (Ipinza 2017). Seedlings were produced and micorrized to be then
planted in places where the climate gives the species more possibilities. The site
selection for the establishment of the ex situ conservation trial was based on an ecological niche modelling study considering the climatic conditions of the next
50 years in order to determine the main host areas for Araucaria araucana (Ipinza
et al. 2019). The first demonstration trial of provenances and progenies was installed
in 2019 in Coyhaique National Reserve, and the second and larger trial will be
placed in 2020.
However, degradation and fragmentation of A. araucana forests was already
observed before the initiation of this general decay of the species, particularly to the
eastern xeric locations. The species occurs within different forest types associated
with local environmental conditions. We find it living in communities with
Nothofagus pumilio in the western humid sites and with Nothofagus antarctica in
the whole range: humid, mesic and xeric sites. However, because in the xeric populations human impact is higher, there we find several fragmented and degraded
A. araucana populations without N. antarctica understory. Due to the frequent use
of N. antarctica as fuelwood and the occurrence of forest fires, most of the original
understories of this species have been devastated carrying on important ecological
and population consequences. Among the main impacts on the A. araucana forests,
it can be mentioned that the drastic decrease in population size of rodents that
inhabit this understory may negatively affect the long-distance dispersion of
A. araucana seeds (Gallo et al. 2004a; Shepherd and Ditgen 2005, 2012, 2013).
This means that most of the fragmented xeric populations of the species are highly
degraded, and any restoration effort should be focussed on them.
Some restoration initiatives have been realized in Argentina after wildfires,
including planting experiences. At the end of the summer of 2009, some 3000 ha
were burned in the Lake Tromen area in the Lanín National Park. A previous stock
of seedlings from the same provenance available in the nursery of INTA allowed
about 1000 to be planted in the following June, registering a survival rate of over
65% in the next autumn. This activity continued the next year with the planting of
7 Araucaria araucana and Salix humboldtiana…