Caracterización de arroyos en cuencas con y sin manejo forestal en Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

María E. Lopez; Eduardo Domínguez; Christopher B. Anderson

doi:10.25260/EA.24.34.3.0.2395

Authors

María E. Lopez Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (ICPA), Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego (UNTDF). Administración de Parques Nacionales (APN)
Eduardo Domínguez Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical (IBN), CONICETFacultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT)
Christopher B. Anderson Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (ICPA), Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego (UNTDF)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.24.34.3.0.2395

Keywords:

forest management, subantarctic streams, Tierra del Fuego

Abstract

The Fuegian archipelago watersheds are home to the southernmost forests in the world, which make up a complex mosaic of environments. Despite being considered a pristine ecoregion, the ecosystems of Southern Patagonia face multiple disturbances, including forest management. The center of the Cordillera region concentrates 80% of the forestry activity in the province of Tierra del Fuego, which includes the areas of the Nothofagus pumilio forest. The aim of this study is to examine the correlation between Fuegian streams and forest harvesting. Nine streams, five of which were in watersheds with forest management and four without, were selected to investigate the impact of logging on abiotic conditions and basal resources of stream habitat. The study was conducted during summer, fall, and spring. The results indicate that headwater streams in subAntarctic Fuegian forests are predominantly influenced by a seasonal regime. The study observed the impact of forestry activity on the general conditions of the watershed, despite the maintenance of a strip of riparian forest in harvesting zones, established by law. An increase in nutrients in watersheds with forest management and differential dynamics of benthic organic ma�er were noted. The study provides information on the dynamics and natural variation of Fuegian streams. Regarding the effect of forest management, it is necessary to monitor the characteristics of the bank, such as the width and structure of the vegetation, as well as the age of the logging event and the type of forest management applied in the watershed. Conservation measures for river environments should consider both the aquatic environment and the integrity of the watershed.

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