Habitat assessment
Woodland fragmentation is an increasing problem for biodiversity conservation, in particular for the increasing border effects, and isolation of remaining habitat patches. This study sets out to evaluate the effect that fragment size has on species composition and forest structure in native forest remnants in the Araucania Region of Chile.
This information will be key to analyze species-habitat relationships with the camera trap data.
Following the methodology of fragment selection used for the studies on fauna, the analysis is based on 12 sites - 3 Continuous forest replicates, 3 Large Fragments replicates (< 22 ha) and 6 small fragments(> 100 ha) in the same geographical area. At each site, survey consisted of two 140m long transect with 5x5m plots every 20 m (total of 16 plots per site). Species composition was recorded, along with tree density, and % vegetation cover for the different forest strata. Indications of human activities were also recorded, such as cattle faeces, cut tree stumps, and signs of fire.
Preliminary results indicate no differences in total species richness. However, the small fragments have a higher incidence of introduced species. Tree density is higher in the smaller fragments than in the larger woodland patches. Level of human impact is greater in the small patches, and the depth of the leaf litter layer is less.
In general terms the forest can be characterized by Valdivian type forest (e.g. evergreen) intertwined with Deciduous Nothofagus forest and replaced by the monkey puzzle tree forest Araucaria araucana in higher altitudes (>1000masl). Continuous forests are replaced by agriculture (e.g. mainly animal production) and tree plantations in the lower valleys, leaving behind a matrix of fragments and river corridors. National parks and private land conservation initiatives represent the only protected refuge for wildlife.
Forest structure
Woodlands vary both in species composition and in physical structure. Both affect suitability as habitat for different fauna and flora.
