SEED AND LITTER PRODUCTION OF FITZROYA-CUPRESSOIDES FORESTS IN THE COASTAL RANGE OF VALDIVIA, CHILE

Data on seed and litter production during 7 years in forests dominated by Fitzroya cupressoides on the Coastal Range of South Central Chile are analyzed. Data were collected monthly from twenty-four 0.1 m2 boxe s regularly placed on each of four plots of half an hectare each. Resu lts are presented for Fitzroya cupressoides, Nothofagus nitida and Dri mys winteri. Fitzroya cupressoides initiates seed dissemination in Apr il. with a peak in June or May. The viability of seeds is very low, an d related to low seed production. Dissemination of Nothofagus nitida s eeds begins in March, with a peak between March and May. Seed viabilit y is low and positively correlated with seed crop size. Drimys winteri initiates seed dissemination in December, with a peak in February; se ed viability is high, but the embryo is usually inmature at the time o f dispersal. The average annual litter production of the forest is 3.2 7 t/ha. This value is low if compared with other forests in southern C hile or in the tropics, but similar to the cold-temperate forests of t he northern hemisphere. Annual variation of seed production does not s how any trend for F. cupressoides and D. winteri; N. nitida, on the ot her hand, shows a clear periodicity, characterized by a rithm of one y ear of low production followed by a year of high production.