Revista Chilena de Historia Natural (Jun 2007)
Variabilidad topográfica y edáfica en bosques de Nothofagus betuloides (Mirb) Blume, en el suroeste de Tierra del Fuego, Chile Edaphic and topographic variability in Nothofagus betuloides (Mirb) Blume forests, in southwestern Tierra del Fuego, Chile
Abstract
Se investigó la variabilidad de las relaciones topográficas y edáficas en sitios con presencia de Nothofagus betuloides y especies arbóreas asociadas en el suroeste de Tierra del Fuego. Estas relaciones se analizaron con métodos estadísticos bivariados y multivariados. Las relaciones del suelo con la topografía estarían fuertemente ligadas a características climáticas (temperatura y humedad) de los sitios. Los suelos más fértiles por su mayor profundidad y mejor drenaje, se ubicaron en terrenos de menor elevación (We examined the topographic and edaphic variability of sites dominated by Nothofagus betuloides and associated tree species in southwestern Tierra del Fuego. Edaphic and topographic characteristics were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate statistical methods. The relationships between soil and topography were strongly related to climatic characteristics (temperature and humidity) of different sites. Soils with the highest degree of fertility, deep and well drained, were located at the lowest elevations (< 150-200 m) and had gentle slopes (< 5 %). Pure forests of N. betuloides occurred in a wide topographic range with high soil variation. The different associations of N. betuloides, with the species N. pumilio, N. antárctica and Drimys winteri, occupy more specific site conditions. Nothofagus betuloides - N. pumilio occurred mostly in the most favorable sites with fertile soils. Nothofagus betuloides - N. antárctica occurred at higher elevations, and steeper slopes, characterized by very thin soils. Nothofagus betuloides - D. winteri occurred in coastal lowlands, with greater humidity and heavier rainfall, and deep soils with limited drainage
