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Background and aims: The restoration of forests in areas degraded by anthropic activities is an important practice in the management of mountain systems. Much research is yet needed on methods to reduce effects of herbivores and harsh environments on the establishment of planted tree saplings. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of a physical protection using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cylinders in the plantation of two native tree species in the mountains of Central Argentina, in an area with the presence of leaf-cutting ants. M&M: The study species were escallonia (Escallonia cordobensis) and maitén (Maytenus boaria). The plantation site was at 1840 m asl. We used 230 seedlings per species, 100 with and 130 without a PVC protection. Outplanting was performed during the wet season in areas with low vegetation. We measured height, survival and herbivory every six months for two years. Results: For escallonia and maitén, respectively, physical protections increased biannual survival in 24 and 26%, increased height in 7.3 and 12.6 cm, and reduced herbivory by leaf-cutting ants in 30 and 51% as compared to non-protected saplings. Conclusions: The favorable effects of PVC protections on survival and growth could be due to the decrease in herbivory caused by leaf-cutting ants and also due to the protection against harsh abiotic conditions. We advocate for longer term studies which also aim at understanding the mechanisms underlying the improvement in seedling establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Forest restoration is of increasing concern around the world, mainly in agricultural areas where remnant native forest patches are scarce and isolated from each other. Here, we assess the performance of planted specimens of two native tree species from the Espinal. We aimed (1) to compare the survival and growth of Prosopis alba (algarrobo blanco) and Celtis ehrenbergiana (tala) planted in a forest edge and an open site, (2) to compare the incidence of vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores between species and sites, (3) to describe other factors that could affect the performance of saplings in agricultural areas. M&M: We planted a total of 200 saplings per species, distributed in two sites and monthly assessed the survival, height and the incidence of vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores. Results: Eleven months after planting, the survival for algarrobo and tala were 32% and 17%, respectively (P<0.0001). The survival of algarrobo saplings was higher in the forest edge than in the open site while for the survival of tala saplings we found an opposite pattern (P<0.0001). Final sapling height was lower than at planting time, without differences between species and sites (P>0.05). Vertebrate herbivores affected 28% of saplings of both species, while invertebrates affected 5% of saplings. Conclusions: We recommend to plant algarrobo for increasing the area of remnant forest patches, and tala for creating new patches in open areas or increasing the connectivity between isolated patches, in sites with livestock exclusion and low herbicide drift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-fire forest restoration is increasingly demanded with the aim of reducing post-fire soil erosion and accelerating forest recovery. Under the hypothesis that Acacia caven, a dominant species in disturbed woodlands, is more tolerant to environmental post-fire conditions than Lithraea molleoides, a dominant species in preserved forests, we assessed the performance of seedlings outplanted to burnt and unburnt areas in three sites of the Córdoba mountains. We registered the survival and growth two years after planting. Survival varied between 24 and 92% according to treatment, without differences between species and between burnt and unburnt areas but with significant differences among sites (P<0.001). The growth was variable; in some treatments, seedlings had a mean height lower than plantation height, while in other treatments, seedlings grew up to double its initial height, without differences between burnt and unburnt areas. L. molleoides growth was higher than A. caven growth (11.4±1.4 cm and -2.3±2.0 cm, respectively) and varied among planting sites (P<0.001). Contrary to expectations, both species had similar performances in burnt and unburnt areas, while the main differences occurred among sites. To attain restoration goals we recommend planting the dominant species in preserved forest as the dominant species in disturbed woodlands is widely distributed in the region. Our results highlight the importance of studying in each site which species are most adequate to optimize restoration efforts in highly heterogeneous forest as Chaco Serrano. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]