39
(Rovere et al. 2002). It usually occurs in wet, poorly drained sites, with little slope
(Allnutt et al. 2003). Along its wide latitudinal range, it is found in association with
N. pumilio at southern latitudes and with F. cupressoides and/or A. chilensis in the
north but always as small and fragmented populations (Rovere et al. 2002). A study
of genetic variation using isozymes revealed a reduced within-population variation
with a very low expected heterozygosity at the species level (He = 0.035) and a differentiation between populations measured by an F ST of 0.16 (Premoli et al. 2001).
Similar results were obtained when using RAPD markers (Allnutt et al. 2003). The
genetic differentiation was larger, and the diversity lower than that registered for the
other native Cupressaceae: He = 0.07 and F ST = 0.078 for F. cupressoides (Premoli
et al. 2000b) and He = 0.14 and F ST = 0.066 for A. chilensis (Pastorino and Gallo
2002). This genetic structure of P. uviferum would be related with its wide geographic distribution and the isolation among populations (Premoli et al. 2001).
Fitzroya cupressoides occurs in Argentina as disjunct populations in humid habitats between 41° S and 42° 43′ S, while in Chile, it grows as discontinuous populations along the Coastal Mountains, the Central Depression, and the Andes Mountains
between 39° 50′ and 42° 45′ (Veblen et al. 1995a). It is usually found in nutrientpoor soils, at places where annual precipitations range between 2000 and 4000 mm,
and at elevations between 100 and 1200 m asl (Veblen et al. 1995a). This conifer is
one of the longest-lived tree species of the world, with a dendrochronological record
extending back 3620 years (Lara and Villalba 1993). Because of its valuable wood,
it was heavily logged, particularly in Chile, where most populations from accessible
areas were decimated. In addition to the former exploitation, the change of land use
from 1999 to 2011 caused the loss of 46% of potential habitats for F. cupressoides
in Chile (Rodriguez et al. 2015). Since 1973, it is listed in CITES (Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; 1984) which
prohibits its commercialization and international trade. In Argentina, over 80% of
its forests occur within protected areas (Kitzberger et al. 2000), so its logging never
had the scale reached in Chile. Seedling establishment is scarce or nil after intense
logging (clear-cutting), but abundant regeneration is found in exploited areas if remnant trees were left nearby and grazing was not intense (Donoso et al. 1993). Gapphased regeneration in F. cupressoides varies according to site conditions and type
of forests and depends mainly on light availability and the existence of a substrate
free of debris (Donoso et al. 2004). Field trial experiences in Chile showed a survival over 70% with mean annual increment (MAI) in height of 20–30 cm in an
arboretum of Valdivia (Gerding and Rivas 2006), while site conditions were determinant for a better establishment: western slopes, lowlands, and shadow protection
(Donoso et al. 2000).
Genetic variation among populations of F. cupressoides was studied both with
RAPD markers (Allnutt et al. 1999) and isozymes (Premoli et al. 2000a). A significant degree of variation within populations was observed, although lower than other
conifers around the world (e.g., for isozymes, He = 0.077 for F. cupressoides vs.
0.155 for other conifers; Premoli et al. 2000b). Spatial analysis of the genetic variation showed three main clusters within Chilean populations (northern Coastal
Range, southern Coastal Range, and Central Depression), while Argentinean
2 Temperate Subantarctic Forests: A Huge Natural Laboratory
(Rovere et al. 2002). It usually occurs in wet, poorly drained sites, with little slope
(Allnutt et al. 2003). Along its wide latitudinal range, it is found in association with
N. pumilio at southern latitudes and with F. cupressoides and/or A. chilensis in the
north but always as small and fragmented populations (Rovere et al. 2002). A study
of genetic variation using isozymes revealed a reduced within-population variation
with a very low expected heterozygosity at the species level (He = 0.035) and a differentiation between populations measured by an F ST of 0.16 (Premoli et al. 2001).
Similar results were obtained when using RAPD markers (Allnutt et al. 2003). The
genetic differentiation was larger, and the diversity lower than that registered for the
other native Cupressaceae: He = 0.07 and F ST = 0.078 for F. cupressoides (Premoli
et al. 2000b) and He = 0.14 and F ST = 0.066 for A. chilensis (Pastorino and Gallo
2002). This genetic structure of P. uviferum would be related with its wide geographic distribution and the isolation among populations (Premoli et al. 2001).
Fitzroya cupressoides occurs in Argentina as disjunct populations in humid habitats between 41° S and 42° 43′ S, while in Chile, it grows as discontinuous populations along the Coastal Mountains, the Central Depression, and the Andes Mountains
between 39° 50′ and 42° 45′ (Veblen et al. 1995a). It is usually found in nutrientpoor soils, at places where annual precipitations range between 2000 and 4000 mm,
and at elevations between 100 and 1200 m asl (Veblen et al. 1995a). This conifer is
one of the longest-lived tree species of the world, with a dendrochronological record
extending back 3620 years (Lara and Villalba 1993). Because of its valuable wood,
it was heavily logged, particularly in Chile, where most populations from accessible
areas were decimated. In addition to the former exploitation, the change of land use
from 1999 to 2011 caused the loss of 46% of potential habitats for F. cupressoides
in Chile (Rodriguez et al. 2015). Since 1973, it is listed in CITES (Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; 1984) which
prohibits its commercialization and international trade. In Argentina, over 80% of
its forests occur within protected areas (Kitzberger et al. 2000), so its logging never
had the scale reached in Chile. Seedling establishment is scarce or nil after intense
logging (clear-cutting), but abundant regeneration is found in exploited areas if remnant trees were left nearby and grazing was not intense (Donoso et al. 1993). Gapphased regeneration in F. cupressoides varies according to site conditions and type
of forests and depends mainly on light availability and the existence of a substrate
free of debris (Donoso et al. 2004). Field trial experiences in Chile showed a survival over 70% with mean annual increment (MAI) in height of 20–30 cm in an
arboretum of Valdivia (Gerding and Rivas 2006), while site conditions were determinant for a better establishment: western slopes, lowlands, and shadow protection
(Donoso et al. 2000).
Genetic variation among populations of F. cupressoides was studied both with
RAPD markers (Allnutt et al. 1999) and isozymes (Premoli et al. 2000a). A significant degree of variation within populations was observed, although lower than other
conifers around the world (e.g., for isozymes, He = 0.077 for F. cupressoides vs.
0.155 for other conifers; Premoli et al. 2000b). Spatial analysis of the genetic variation showed three main clusters within Chilean populations (northern Coastal
Range, southern Coastal Range, and Central Depression), while Argentinean
2 Temperate Subantarctic Forests: A Huge Natural Laboratory