Propagation of native species and floristic enrichment in three different types of coverage in pine plantations (Pinus patula) in the farm of Irquis and Nero, Azuay province.

Silvicultural knowledge about native forest species is very limited. There are currently no methodological protocols that allow to produce quality forest plants for afforestation or reforestation purposes. Within these deficiencies also highlights the ignorance of germination methods to be applied according to the intrinsic characteristics of forest seeds. To this problem is added as a key aspect of the study, the landscape of the Ecuadorian Sierra formed by pine plantations (mainly by Pinus Patula and P. Radiata) that for several purposes were established approximately 60 years ago. Although negative impacts have been attributed to the biophysical and biotic media, this proposal tries Pinos. This experiment will be installed in the farm of Irquis and Nero that are owned by the University of Cuenca, which guarantees to have medium and long term monitoring plots. This proposal in turn tries to answer key questions about the propagation of native species considering methods of pre-germinative seeds of seeds based on mechanical, chemical and imbibition scarification; Also the production of plants evaluating substrates and container sizes for its massive propagation. The contribution of this project is to study the native species and their response to the management of pine plantations and convert a monoculture into a mixed forest with native species. On the other hand, this proposal has the potential to integrate within a research platform known as "Transfer Project", funded by the German Research Foundation and led by Ecuadorian and German universities.

OUT OF CALL – EXTERNAL FUNDS