Widespread mortality of Fitzroya cupressoides (alerce) is found throughout the Coastal Range of south-central Chile. The main explanations for tree mortality have been fire and climate change. In order to better understand the dynamics and mortality of Fitzroya in the Cordillera Pelada ('barren range', within the Coastal Range), we established four study plots (with varying degrees of Fitzroya mortality), from which we collected information on tree regeneration, age and size classes of living and dead trees, dates of fire scars from tree stumps, and radial growth rates. The abundance of seedlings and saplings in areas affected by recent, low-intensity fires indicates adequate regeneration of Fitzroya. Age class structures of adult Fitzroya trees from three of the stands show single-cohort populations, suggesting establishment after a stand-devastating disturbance. Fires from two stands were dated to years ranging between 1397 and 1943, indicating that fires have occurred repeatedly over the past 600 years. Tree growth increases immediately after fire. Based on the presence of burned snags, soil charcoal, single-cohort age structures, and numerous dated fire scars, we conclude that repeated fire is the main cause of widespread Fitzroya mortality in the Cordillera Pelada. Since the time of European settlement in southern Chile (ca.1750), fires have mainly been caused by Europeans; however, prior to that time, fires were probably caused by both lightning and native people that inhabited the area.
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