Changes in understory species diversity during theNothofagus pumilio forest management cycle

Human commercial activities must be compatible with sustainable management to achieve species conservation in the natural environment. After harvesting, diversity and abundance of understory species differ substantially from the pre-harvest situation. Have knowledge of the changes that logging produces in all components of the system allows us to develop management alternatives with reduced impacts. The objective of this work was to evaluate changes in density, biomass and diversity of understory species along a forest shelterwood cut system management cycle in aNothofagus pumilio forest. Six forest management situations (postharvesting stands and different phases of forest development) were sampled in a pureN. pumilio forest of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) of middle-high site class (fromclass I toIII). Species number, density and biomass were modified substantially after a shelterwood cut. These were being greatest after cutting and falling substantially when the forest canopy closes during theinitial growth phase, returning to values similar to this virgin forest when themature phase was reached. The impact of the forest management on understory species diversity is analyzed and discussed. The silvicultural practices applied toN. pumilio forest in Tierra del Fuego permit the introduction of alien flora to the system, and produce great changes during the forest management cycle. To Celina Matteri, Itatí Ferraro, and Rosa Kofalt for their aid in taxonomical identification. To Juan Manuel Cellini, Ricardo Vukasovic and Gregorio Martínez Pastur for their participation in the field work; and to the sawmillLos Castores, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas and Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria for the institutional and financial support.