Floristic comparison and anthropic alteration of three sphagnum bogs in the Aisén Region, Chile: looking for management disturbance indicators

Abstract

The flora of three Sphagnum bogs belonging to the Sphagnetum magellanicii Oberdorfer plant association located in the commune of Tortel (Aisén, Chile) was compared using analysis to identify plants indicators of their differences. We worked on the field by means of plant sociological methods and with classification and ordination multivariate statistical methods with an initial table with 30 vegetation samples taking 10 in each of the three study sites. Most plant species are native only one is introduced, Festuca rubra L. of European origin and biological spectrum of the flora was typical of extreme conditions. With traditional phytosociological methodology floristic differences between the vegetation samples of the three bogs and in statistical arrangements with few variations were found. With the ordination of the species were able to identify as important variations in humidity and minor in the accumulation of organic matter in the soil. Carex kingii R.Br. and Tetroncium magellanicum Willd. appear as moisture indicators while Nanodea muscosa Banks, Juncus scheuchzerioides Gaudich. and Festuca rubra of drought. Also Marssippospermum grandiflorum L.f. and Nothofagus antarctica G. Forst. were found occupying intermediate positions. It is concluded that the sites have different soil moisture conditions probably by anthropogenic drainage, the soil moisture regulating the degradation of organic matter. The site with the highest alteration was presented as more favorable for the operation of Sphagnum magellanicum Brid.