Abstract

FRANCESCHI, Eduardo A  and  BOCCANELLI, Silvia I. (Zavalla, Santa Fe, Argentina) Floristic-structural analysis of spontaneous little forests in the J. F. Villarino park (Santa Fe, Argentina). Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. [online]. 2013, vol.48, n.2. ISSN 1851-2372.

Floristic-structural analysis of spontaneous little forests in the J. F. Villarino park (Santa Fe, Argentina). The anthropization process in the Pampean grassland has brought about an increasing presence of trees. In this study we analyzed the structure and composition of little forests which have resulted from the spontaneous multiplication of tree species in the J. F. Villarino Park, in Zavalla, Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. Using a plot sampling method, individuals were counted to determine density per species in the upper and treelets strata. Height and DBH of individuals in the upper stratum were recorded. Abundance-coverage of herbaceous and woody species saplings was estimated in the lower stratum. Soil humidity and ground-level light intensity were measured. Data were analyzed using multivariate methods. Three types of little forests were identifed: a mixed one, another dominated by Acer negundo and a third with dominance of Ligustrum lucidum. Differences in DBH-height relationship were signifcant among the three groups. Soil humidity and light intensity did not differ signifcantly. Young individuals of the dominant species in the upper stratum are found in the under-storey. The lower herbaceous stratum is discontinuous. These forests contain many native species.

Keywords : Acer negundo; Exotic species; Invasive woody plants; Ligustrum lucidum; Native invasive species; Pampas trees; Patches.

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