Characteristics and silvicultural proposals for Nothofagus obliqua and N. alpina second-growth forests in the "Radal 7 Tazas" protected area

Abstract

This study was carried out in the "Radal 7Tazas" protected area, of the Andes Cordillera, between 700 and 1.600 m.o.s.l. The objectives of the study are to characterize the Roble and Raulí second growth forest, to evaluate their growth and to propose silvicultural treatments for them. The second growth forest are between 30 and 70 years old being Roble the most important species since it was found throughout the area studied. The factors that influence the site quality (evaluated by the height of the dominant 20 years old trees are those associated with the altitude and exposure. No clear relationship was found with the soils. Silvicultural treatments in which 30 to 45% of the trees and 24 to 30% of the basal area would be extracted in 2 to 3 thinnings are proposed. The harvesting age would range between 60 to 80 years.