Reforestation In Agricultural-Livestock Areas: A Case Study Evaluating The Performance Of Two Native Espinal Species

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.