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Contributed Poster

Session: Restoration Ecology

PS 34-241 - Insights for symbiotic restoration of temperate forests in South America: the case of Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) after fire

Tuesday, August 8, 2023
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM PDT
Location: ESA Exhibit Hall
Abstract: Temperate forests of South America are key ecosystems, with a high degree of endemism and ecosystem services provided to society. These forests cover more than 3000 km of latitudinal extension. They are dominated by species of the genus Nothofagus, being Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) one of the most important species because it has the greatest distribution within this range. Lenga establishes under extreme site conditions, especially in high altitudes in the Andes, and therefore possesses functional attributes associated with such inhospitable conditions. However, these traits do not necessarily guarantee its prevalence when facing disturbances associated with global change. Recent studies have shown the vulnerability of N.pumilio to forest fires, hindering their post-fire recruitment and jeopardizing the ecosystemic stability of temperate forests in the Andes of southern Chile. Under this scenario, associations with microorganisms play an important role in Nothofagus-dominated forests (including lenga), creating nutrient and water exchange networks that help sustain the ecosystem and also promote its recovery after disturbances. In this research, (i) the main stressors of lenga are identified through a systematic review, (ii) the associated microorganisms are identified in a forest recently affected by fire, and (iii) a trial using lenga seedlings inoculated with native microorganisms is setup for restoring a burned site. The hypothesis is that plant-microorganism symbiosis will efficiently assist the recovery of the species in burned forests. The study was carried out in the China Muerta National Reserve, southern Andes of Chile. Results include the collection and germination of lenga seeds under controlled conditions, the identification of mycorrhizae and endophytic microorganisms from forest soils, and production of inoculated seedlings. Eight sinergic stressors were found along the lenga’s geographic distribution. A great number of damaged seeds with insect perforations were observed, which limited the production of inoculated plants. However, 300 lenga seedlings are currently being monitored with inoculum. Additionally, 13 genera of mycorrhizae were identified, and a first culture successfully produced mycelium of the fungus Ramaria flava, which is a key symbiotic species in Nothofagus-dominated forests. This research will directly contribute to moving forward in forest restoration in Chile, shedding light to overcome the bottleneck of producing good-quality native plants tolerant to environmental stressors, especially after severe wildfires and.