Structural and biometric characterization of Nothofagus betuloides production forests in the Magellan Region, Chile

Abstract

This study, in the Chilean Magellan Region, undertook the structural and biometric characterization of Nothofagus betuloides (Mirb.) Blume (coihue de Magallanes) production forests to provide information for sustainable forest management. Six locations were surveyed, five on the continent and one on Tierra del Fuego Island. A total of 6,102 ha were photointerpreted and then checked and described in the field according to their location, environmental characteristic, and vegetation type. The degree of disturbance, stage of development, status of regeneration, and composition and cover of the understory were also described. From the surveyed locations, a total of 3,807 ha were production forests of which a 76% area had Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) and N. betuloides mixed forests. The remaining areas (24%) were pure N. betuloides forests. Nondisturbed, old-growth forests covered 47% of the surveyed area. The remaining area (53%) had some disturbance. In the nondisturbed forests, mean volume