Publications
Animal‐Mediated Dispersal and Clonal Growth Drive Prunus cerasus Invasion in Andean Temperate Forest
Invasive cherry (Prunus cerasus) expansion in Los Alerces National Park is driven by long-distance seed dispersal by foxes and clonal growth, with animals playing a critical role in early invasion stages. Research identified foxes as primary vectors for seeds traveling over 1 km, while birds dispersed most seeds within 30 m. Over six years (2013-2018), the study found that 100% of saplings in initial invasion phases originated from depulped seeds, whereas clonality dominated later stages. Foxes accounted for 44% of long-distance dispersal, while birds handled short-range movement. The findings highlight the dual importance of animal-mediated dispersal and clonal reproduction in shaping invasive species dynamics across different invasion phases.
Hyphodermella corrugata J. Erikss. & Ryvarden
Hyphodermella corrugata, a fungus previously known from the Northern Hemisphere and the Patagonian Andes of Argentina, has been confirmed as widespread and abundant in Chile, particularly within Los Alerces National Park. This study expands its known distribution to include Chile's Chiloe region and identifies it on various host plants such as Amomyrtus luma, Luma apiculata, and Nothofagus dombeyi. Additionally, the research synonymizes several species described by Rick (1959) from Brazil with H. corrugata, though further study is needed to verify these identifications. The findings were based on extensive field collections across Chile, including detailed locality data and specimen examinations.
Effects of Light on the Transition From Sapling to Adult Prunus cerasus : Implications for Managing Invasion in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina
Invasive Prunus cerasus, known for its long-distance seed dispersal via frugivory, shows significant variation in the transition from sapling to adult phase based on light availability. Research in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, reveals that 80% of individuals with a basal diameter of 2 cm flower under low canopy cover, while those under high cover require a 4 cm diameter—corresponding to ages of 10 and 20 years, respectively. Dendrochronology and light measurements confirmed that canopy cover influences daily light intensity and photoperiod, critical for flowering. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing the removal of P. cerasus in low-canopy areas before saplings reach a 2 cm basal diameter to effectively manage invasions.
Unraveling Plecoptera Diversity in Two Protected Areas of Argentine Patagonia
A comprehensive study of stonefly (Plecoptera) diversity in Los Alerces and Nahuel Huapi National Parks, Argentine Patagonia, reveals significant variation in species distribution across ecoregions. The research identifies 19 species within a single polygon in Los Alerces, with the Northern Moist Forests hosting the highest richness, followed by Transitional Cypress-Beech Forests and the Ecotone Steppe-Forest. Cluster analyses show strong faunal affinities between these ecosystems, while richness estimators suggest up to 23 undocumented species remain undiscovered. This study underscores the critical role of national parks in conserving Patagonian biodiversity, providing foundational data for future conservation efforts and highlighting new taxa records, including southernmost distributions.
Natural Heritage in Danger. Native Forests, New and Old Forms of Extractive Activities and Sustainability from the Perspective of a New Generation of Scientists, Activists and Entrepreneurs in Argentina
Los Alerces National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, faces significant threats from extractive activities and deforestation driven by the commodity boom (2000–2014). This study highlights how legislative changes and heritage site requirements provide a legal framework for sustainable land use, reconciling conservation with economic development. It proposes an agro-silvo-pastoral culture that balances scenic value, biodiversity, and sustainability while expanding protected areas within the Andean-North Patagonian Biosphere Reserve. The research combines analysis of legislative shifts with insights from scientists, activists, and entrepreneurs to address conflicts in territorial management.
Potential species distribution models can help in the conservation of threatened species: the case of the Guigna (Leopardus guigna) in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina
A critical analysis of Guigna (Leopardus guigna) distribution in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, identifies four primary valleys and two secondary areas as optimal for conservation. The study leverages potential species distribution models to map sightings over 45 years, pinpointing regions with confirmed presence or absence while accounting for observation biases. It reveals that maintaining forest connectivity—threatened by wild boar expansion—is essential for sustaining healthy Guigna populations amid projected climate and land-use changes. This research provides actionable insights for the Argentine Administration of National Parks to prioritize conservation strategies.
Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of sediments from Lake Futalaufquen (42.8°S, Andean Patagonia) to evaluate their potential as paleoclimatic proxies
A sediment core from Lake Futalaufquen in Los Alerces National Park reveals no evidence of late-twentieth-century global warming, despite capturing a 1600-year climate record. The study identified a warm period around AD 800–1000, linked to the Medieval Climatic Anomaly, but found that frequent tephra layers since the mid-16th century obscured potential signals of the Little Ice Age. However, it detected increased zinc deposition in recent decades, suggesting long-distance atmospheric transport of anthropogenic origin. Researchers analyzed geochemical and mineralogical parameters to assess the lake's sediment as a paleoclimatic proxy, integrating findings with other Patagonian climate reconstructions for broader context.
QUA volume 98 Cover and Front matter
A geochemical and mineralogical analysis of Lake Futalaufquen's sediments in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, reveals critical environmental processes spanning the last 1600 years. This pristine glacial lake, influenced by westerly winds and volcanic ash from the Southern Volcanic Zone, offers a unique record of climate variability in Northern Patagonia. The study leverages the lake's limited human impact to reconstruct past environmental conditions, providing insights into regional climatic shifts.
Updating records of a threatened felid species of the Argentinian Patagonia: the Guigna Leopardus guigna (Molina, 1782) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Los Alerces National Park
Researchers have documented two new, reliable records of the Guigna (Leopardus guigna), a small, endangered felid native to Argentina and Chile's Valdivian Temperate Forests. These sightings occurred in Los Alerces National Park, Chubut Province, marking the southernmost confirmed presence of the species within a protected area. One individual was found dead near Amutui Quimei Lake, while another was captured in a trap near Menéndez Lake, both in Nothofagus-dominated forest habitats close to watercourses. The study underscores the critical need for habitat connectivity between protected areas, particularly in regions with significant human activity, to ensure long-term Guigna population viability. Further fieldwork is recommended to expand knowledge on its distribution, ecology, and habitat use.
Macro and Microhabitat Patterns of Habitat Use and Selection by Wild Boar in Los Alerces National Park
Wild boar (Sus scrofa) preferentially select Lomatia hirsuta forest over other habitats, such as Nothofagus pumilio forest and Valdivian evergreen rainforest, in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. This preference is consistent across both spring-summer and autumn-winter periods, with microhabitat selection favoring low slopes and high canopy cover, particularly on southeast-facing areas with intermediate ground cover. The study, one of the first to analyze wild boar habitat use at macro and micro scales in Patagonian protected areas, provides critical insights for managing this invasive species and understanding its ecological impact.
Owls in urban narratives: implications for conservation and environmental education in NW Patagonia (Argentina)
A significant surge in owl populations following a rodent boom in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, has sparked both ecological concern and human conflict. The study reveals that while 74% of respondents recognize owls as primarily rodent predators, deep-seated myths persist: 61% associate them with diabolical traits, while 13% view them as wise symbols. These perceptions drive divergent behaviors, from protection to extermination. An intercultural educational approach, integrating academic and traditional knowledge, effectively increased student interest in owl conservation. The research underscores the need for targeted environmental education and state-led conservation programs to mitigate human-owl conflicts in urban Patagonian areas.
Short-term effects of wildfire on Patagonian headwater streams
A significant shift in taxonomic composition and reduced densities of sensitive taxa in Patagonian headwater streams was observed shortly after the 2015 El Cristo wildfire in Los Alerces National Park. While macroinvertebrate richness, abundance, and diversity remained unchanged, burned streams exhibited higher water temperature, total dissolved solids, and suspended solids, along with a notable decrease in shredders and collector-filterers. This suggests that while overall biodiversity may be resilient to short-term disturbances, sensitive taxa and functional feeding groups are vulnerable. The study compared physicochemical variables and community structure between burned and unburned streams through periodic water quality assessments and sampling of periphyton and invertebrates over eight months post-fire.
The presence of the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Chubut, Southern Argentina, after the synchronous maturation and flowering of native bamboo and subsequent rodent irruption
A breeding population of the rare marsupial Dromiciops gliroides, the sole surviving member of the order Microbiotheria, has been discovered in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina—marking its southernmost known range in the country. This finding extends its distribution further south than previously documented and suggests the species thrives in Nothofagus forests, likely using tree hollows for refuge rather than constructing dreys. The study, conducted post a 70-year bamboo flowering event that triggered a rodent irruption, captured four adult Dromiciops gliroides, including two females with pouch young, indicating births occurred between late October and early November. Research suggests the species relies on insects during spring due to limited fruiting plants. Threats to this population include introduced predators and human activities such as farming and tourism.
Habitat use of the wild boar,Sus scrofaLinnaeus 1758, in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina
Wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, show distinct habitat preferences, favoring lower elevations (600 to 700 meters above sea level) and forests dominated by Nothofagus species with dense understory. Seasonal variations were observed, with different patterns of sign occurrence between summer and autumn. These findings provide critical insights for park management, aiding in the development of targeted wild boar control strategies.
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