Seedling survival of the endangered Chilean tree Gomortega keule (Molina) Baill., queule

ABSTRACT

Recruitment from seeds is a fundamental process for regeneration. Germination and seedling growth are especially important for trees’ conservation. Gomortega keule (queule) is an endemic and endangered Chilean evergreen tree growing in a small area within a global hotspot of biodiversity. Germination and seedling production in this species are not well understood, but presumed very limited. Populations are highly fragmented and threatened by land use change, especially forestry plantations, and fire damages. This study monitored G. keule seedlings in four sites over three years, recording the emergence and survival of seedlings in 24 plots located in four sites within patches of native vegetation surrounded by plantations of exotic forest trees. Seedling emergence occurred during springtime (October – December), lasting 40–70 days. After emergence, there was a sharp decline in seedling survival; 21.3% survived the first three months. Seedlings died more often in late spring. We confirmed that seedling emergence for G. keule is occurring. However, there is an absence of older seedlings and saplings. More studies are needed on the causes of death. Seedling survival in this endangered tree is essential for its long-term conservation and forest restoration.

KEYWORDS:

• Biodiversity hotspot
• conservation
• recruitment
• regeneration
• restoration
• South America
• temperate forest

Acknowledgements

Field work assistance was generously provided by family members Paula Jubal, Amparo Muñoz, Lucas Muñoz and Matilde Muñoz, as well as friend and colleague Estrella Garrido. Access to study sites was kindly granted by Patricio Varas, Jaime Varas, Enrique Salgado, and Corporación Nacional Forestal – CONAF (Chile). Fabiola Lara, Pablo Azúa and Sebastián Jacques encouraged work and creatively supported field activities through the GEF grant. The Catholic University of Maule (UCM) and its Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado partially funded the presentation of a previous version of this study at the joint conference of the Ecological Society of Australia and the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (ESA-SCBO2022).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Field visits were partially supported by the Global Environmental Facility – FAO grant GCP/CHI/033/GFF (code 5429) and the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Catholic University of Maule (Chile). Part of fieldwork was also supported by grant Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo – MEC 80190089.