Silviculture of South American temperate native forests

Background: South America has the largest area of temperate forests in Southern Hemisphere, which grow diverse site conditions. The aim this paper is to review practices silviculture applied and recommended for these forests, discuss prospects develop new silvicultural proposals improve sustainability, adaptation in-situ conservation forest ecosystems. Methods: We reviewed knowledge four major types: 1) Nothofagus-dominated south-central Chile; 2) Angiosperm-dominated evergreen forests; 3) Nothofagus Austrocedrus chilensis (D.Don) Pic. Serm. & Bizzarri Argentinean Northern Patagonia; 4) Cool Magellanic rainforests. Results: In Chile, both are tree species, mixed-species with commercially valuable species variable shade tolerance most promising. Some secondary can reach growth rates as high 20 m3ha-1yr-1. After thinnings, stands 35–60% residual densities have shown best responses growth. Even-aged methods a rapid reorganization development cohorts, although, where Chusquea conspicuous, regeneration establishment requires controlling competing vegetation. Preliminary results also show interesting single-tree selection cuts uneven-aged forests. East Andes, Argentina, mixed pure A. occur. shelterwood method been practised successful abundant regeneration, good rates. For an adaptive management approach proposed, conditioned by cypress disease attack (e.g., Phytophthora austrocedri). Conversion chilensis–N. dombeyi could increase considerably. Finally, cool rainforests, shared Chile regular common method, massive decade after felling. Since two regenerate well gaps, seems Conclusions: There about types. However, there opportunities several systems better contribute sustainable management, reverse degradation, cope climate change challenges, primarily through developing single-species productive carbon-rich greater capacity.