Abstract

VILLAGRA, Pablo E.. Ecology of the Prosopis woodlands from Argentina. Multequina [online]. 2000, vol.9, n.2, pp.35-51. ISSN 1852-7329.

The ability of Prosopis species to tolerate drought and adverse edaphic conditions is the reason for their dominant position in the woody vegetation of the arid and semiarid zones of America. Studies on the ecology of these species can be grouped as: a) those analyzing the biotic and abiotic environmental factors that control the structure and dynamics of the Prosopis populations and, b) those studying the effect of Prosopis over the environmental conditions and, consequently, over the remaining community. In Argentina the regeneration and growth of different Prosopis populations have been studied in several regions: Chaco, Espinal and Monte. The climate (humidity and temperature), soils, the water table depth, biological disturbances and interactions (predation and seed dispersal, herbivory and competence) have been pointed at by diverse authors as the factors determining the structure and dynamics of the Prosopis woodlands. The importance of each factor depends on the regions. The species of the Prosopis genus generate a spatial heterogeneity modifying the species distribution of shrubs, grass and forbs. The mechanisms that generate this heterogeneity include: the modification of climatic conditions under their cover by moderation of extreme temperatures, evaporation decrease, precipitation redistribution, and modification of light intensity; the increase of fertility through nutrients accumulation; physical and chemical effects of litter; the provision of perching structures for birds that disperse seeds from other species; and the competence for light and water.

Keywords : Dynamisms; Herbivory; Dispersion; Litter.

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