NATURAL REGENERATION OF FITZROYA-CUPRESSOIDES IN CHILE AND ARGENTINA

In Chile and Argentina, Fitzroya cupressoides (alerce) regeneration wa s sampled on a variety of sites differing in history in order to show trends in regeneration. The tree Fitzroya cupressoides grows in the co ol temperate areas of South America, where its fine-grained, durable w ood is highly valued. The species has been widely harvested since Euro pean colonization and removed from much of its former range. Being slo w to regenerate, or not regenerating at all on some sites, concern for alerce's survival has increased. Although national and international attempts have been made to protect the remaining alerce stands, inform ation on the tree's autecology is scant. The results of sampling a var iety of alerce stands, from three physiographic zones and a range of p ast disturbances (including none), are presented. Alerce regeneration was both vegetative and from seed. Vegetative regeneration was positiv ely correlated with increasing elevation. The most common seedbeds for seedlings was rotten wood, but a wide variety of other seedbeds were found (moss, mineral soil, within other vegetation). Sunlight had an e ffect on seedling location, with a concentration found in full sunligh t, and none in heavy shade.It should be noted that remaining alerce si tes are few and difficult to access. Site characteristics and historie s were unique to each site and this complicated comparisons between th em. However, trends in regeneration patterns appear. Continued researc h in alerce stands is needed to manage the Fitzroya resource effective ly. Without an adequate understanding of ecological processes in nativ e stands, and an adequate reserve of native forests, the world is in d anger of losing irreplaceable natural resources.