- Valdivia, Chile.
Christian Little
Instituto Forestal, Agua y Bosque, Faculty Member
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Original dataset from Fonturbel, Lara, Lobos & Little (2018) The cascade impacts of climate change could threaten key ecological interactions. Ecosphere.
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Research Interests: Geography and Humanities
During hydrological research in a Chilean swamp forest, we noted a pattern of higher streamflows close to midday and lower ones close to midnight, the opposite of an evapotranspiration (Et)-driven cycle. We analyzed this diurnal... more
During hydrological research in a Chilean swamp forest, we noted a pattern of higher streamflows close to midday and lower ones close to midnight, the opposite of an evapotranspiration (Et)-driven cycle. We analyzed this diurnal streamflow signal (DSS), which appeared mid-spring (in the growing season). The end of this DSS coincided with a sustained rain event in autumn, which deeply affected stream and meteorological variables. A survey along the stream revealed that the DSS maximum and minimum values appeared 6 and 4 hours earlier, respectively, at headwaters located in the mountain forests/ plantations than at the control point in the swamp forest. Et in the swamp forest was higher in the morning and in the late afternoon, but this process could not influence the groundwater stage. Trees in the mountain headwaters reached their maximum Ets in the early morning and/or close to midday. Our results suggest that the DSS is a wave that moves from forests high in the mountains towards ...
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Research Interests: Decision Making, Forest Ecology And Management, Forest Ecology, Biological Sciences, Forest Policy, and 12 moreSeasonality, Environmental Sciences, Water Supply, Climate Change Mitigation, Forest Conservation, Forest Management, Forest ecosystem, Ecosystem service, Recreational fishing, Elsevier, Forest Cover, and Basal Area
Since 1980, more than forty countries have implemented Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) programs, which have shown their power to affect advances in basic science to understand the natural world at meaningful temporal and spatial... more
Since 1980, more than forty countries have implemented Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) programs, which have shown their power to affect advances in basic science to understand the natural world at meaningful temporal and spatial scales and also help link research with socially relevant outcomes. Recently, a disciplinary paradigmatic shift has integrated the human dimensions of ecosystems, leading to a Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) framework to address the world's current environmental ...
Native forests of the Valdivian Rainforest Eco-region in Chile (35o-48o S), are among those with the highest conservation priority worldwide and provide important ecosystem services. This study quantifies water supply as an ecosystem... more
Native forests of the Valdivian Rainforest Eco-region in Chile (35o-48o S), are among those with the highest conservation priority worldwide and provide important ecosystem services. This study quantifies water supply as an ecosystem service from native forests. Monitoring of six watersheds between 2003 and 2006 showed that the annual runoff coefficient (quickflow/precipitation, Qq/P) and total streamflow/summer precipitation were significantly correlated with native forest cover in the watershed (R=0.67 and 0.76, respectively, P<0.05). Conversely, the annual runoff coefficient was negatively correlated with the exotic plantation cover (R=0.59, P=0.072). Comparison of 2003-2006 streamflow between a watershed with thinned native forest and a control paired watershed, showed that the thinned forest had 19.7% and 40% greater annual and summer streamflow, respectively. These studies demonstrate one of the significant impacts land use change has on streamflow and provides crucial info...
Se propone un modelo conceptual con un nuevo enfoque para las iniciativas que apoyen procesos de restauración de los bosques nativos. A partir del establecimiento de un ensayo de restauración a escala operativa, el modelo propone integrar... more
Se propone un modelo conceptual con un nuevo enfoque para las iniciativas que apoyen procesos de restauración de los bosques nativos. A partir del establecimiento de un ensayo de restauración a escala operativa, el modelo propone integrar variables de estado de los bosques con sus funciones ecológicas, esto con el objetivo de determinar niveles de integridad que apoyen la definición de los objetivos de la restauración y los indicadores de multifuncionalidad. Asociado al modelo, distinguimos una serie de barreras y oportunidades en los ámbitos ambientales, socio-económicos y de aprendizaje, presentando para cada uno de ellos un conjunto de recomendaciones que puedan aportar a la materialización de nuevas iniciativas de restauración de bosques nativos a gran escala en Chile. Concluimos sobre la importancia de estos nuevos enfoques y la necesidad de incluirlos como acompañamiento a la política pública y las decisiones del sector privado
Streamside native forests are known for their key role in water provision, commonly referred to as buffers that control the input or output of nutrients from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems (i.e., nitrogen or carbon cycle). In order to... more
Streamside native forests are known for their key role in water provision, commonly referred to as buffers that control the input or output of nutrients from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems (i.e., nitrogen or carbon cycle). In order to assess the functional role of indigenous forests along streamside channels, we measured 10 parameters associated with DOM (Dissolved Organic Matter) at 42 points in 12 small catchments (15–200 ha) dominated by native forests (reference, WNF), forest plantations (WFP) and agricultural lands (WAL) in which the land cover portion was calculated in the entire watershed and along 30 and 60-m wide buffer strips. We found that watersheds WFP and WAL were statistically different than WNF, according to DIC concentrations (Dissolved Inorganic Carbon) and the intensity of the maximum fluorescence of DOM components. Using linear models, we related streamside native forest coverage in buffer strips with DOM parameters. The increase of streamside native forest co...
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DESCRIPTION El informe de FAO de la Situación de los bosques a nivel mundial, señala que la superficie forestal de Chile ha aumentado en 57.000 y 40.000 ha anuales durante las décadas 1990 - 2000 y 2000-2010, respectivamente (FAO, 2011).... more
DESCRIPTION El informe de FAO de la Situación de los bosques a nivel mundial, señala que la superficie forestal de Chile ha aumentado en 57.000 y 40.000 ha anuales durante las décadas 1990 - 2000 y 2000-2010, respectivamente (FAO, 2011). Dicho aumento, dado principalmente por la expansión de las plantaciones forestales de especies exóticas (principalmente pino insigne (P. radiata) y eucaliptos (Eucalyptus globulus y E. nitens), han llevado a que Chile, en el contexto Latino Americano, sea un país conocido por la rápida expansión de las plantaciones forestales que en la actualidad alcanzan 2,3 millones de hectáreas y son la base de una industria forestal, con exportaciones por 5.453 y 4.162 millones de dólares en 2008 y 2009, respectivamente (INFOR 2010). Sin embargo, estas cifras no reflejan la desfavorable situación de los bosques nativos, cuya superficie actualmente continua disminuyendo y degradándose. Dentro de este contexto, es importante analizar los problemas de conservación ...
El Volumen N o 83 Número 1 de la Revista Chilena de Historia Natural publicó un conjunto de once artículos como parte de la sección Temática Especial dedicada a la investigación ecológica de largo plazo en Chile (LTER), dando a conocer... more
El Volumen N o 83 Número 1 de la Revista Chilena de Historia Natural publicó un conjunto de once artículos como parte de la sección Temática Especial dedicada a la investigación ecológica de largo plazo en Chile (LTER), dando a conocer importantes avances y desafíos en el tema. Los artículos muestran una parte de los sitios donde actualmente se están desarrollando estudios ecológicos, y consideramos que este número es un acierto de la revista y constituye un importante aporte para la ciencia en Chile. La investigación de largo plazo ha sido uno de los aportes más relevantes para el desarrollo de la ecología a nivel mundial, con impacto directo en la sociedad. Por esta razón, y dada la importancia del tema en Chile, queremos expresar que el número de la revista a que nos referimos contiene una visión parcial de la historia, desarrollo y proyecciones de la investigación de largo plazo en el país, pues no considera la experiencia de la Universidad Austral de Chile y otras instituciones...
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ABSTRACT The relationship between ecosystem and ecosystem services is revisited in order to integrate these concepts to water yield, as an important service provided by watersheds for human welfare. We propose that in watersheds disturbed... more
ABSTRACT The relationship between ecosystem and ecosystem services is revisited in order to integrate these concepts to water yield, as an important service provided by watersheds for human welfare. We propose that in watersheds disturbed by human activities, water yield can by re-established using the ecological restoration principles and practices. We also suggest a reference image integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions, and at the same time increasing research and education capacities. We discuss research progress in Chile regarding these issues referred to a study in small watersheds in the Reserva Costera Valdiviana, projec- ted as a Long Term Ecosystem Research site. We conclude that it is necessary to improve both, scientific knowledge and outreach programs about ecosystem services, through a transdisciplinary approach and methods.
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Ecosystem services science has developed at a fast rate in Latin America, a region characterized by a high biological and cultural diversity, strong emphasis in foreign investment, and high socioeconomic inequities. Here we conducted the... more
Ecosystem services science has developed at a fast rate in Latin America, a region characterized by a high biological and cultural diversity, strong emphasis in foreign investment, and high socioeconomic inequities. Here we conducted the following analyses at the regional and national scales: (1) how and when did the study of ecosystem services arise in each country?, (2) what is our present understanding of ecosystem service supply, delivery to societies, and social and economic values?, (3) what is the state of the art in integrating tradeoffs among services and in using interdisciplinary perspectives?, and (4) how has ecosystem service research been connected to policy design or management for sustainability? A large literature review (4 1000 references) showed that in Latin America ES supply and links to policy have been the most frequently assessed. Overall, emphasis has been placed on a few services, namely carbon and water. Payments for ecosystem services have received considerable attention in the region, though with strong differences across nations and with important limitations in their application. The future of the ecosystem service paradigm in Latin America will largely depend on its capacity to demonstrate effectiveness in meeting both conservation and development goals.
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... Permissions &amp; Reprints. Revealing the impact of forest exotic plantations on water yield in large scale watersheds in South-Central Chile. C. Little a , b , Corresponding Author Contact Information , E-mail The Corresponding... more
... Permissions &amp; Reprints. Revealing the impact of forest exotic plantations on water yield in large scale watersheds in South-Central Chile. C. Little a , b , Corresponding Author Contact Information , E-mail The Corresponding Author , A. Lara b , c , J. McPhee d and R. Urrutia b , e. ...
Research Interests: Decision Making, Hydrology, Climate variability, Information Policy, Climate, and 15 moreLand Use Change, Land Use Planning, Landscapes, Ecosystems, Land Use, Forests, Landscape Management, High Resolution, Drainage Divide, Ecosystem service, Human Activity, Forest Cover, Forest Plantation, High Resolution Satellite Imagery, and Drainage Basins
Research Interests: Decision Making, Forest Ecology And Management, Forest Ecology, Biological Sciences, Forest Policy, and 11 moreSeasonality, Environmental Sciences, Water Supply, Climate Change Mitigation, Forest Conservation, Forest Management, Forest ecosystem, Ecosystem service, Recreational fishing, Forest Cover, and Basal Area
In this work we compare water yield in five small watersheds (surface area from 7 to 70 hectares) with different native forest cover, located in Southern Chile (39.5° Lat S). Forest covers include unmanaged second-growth forest of... more
In this work we compare water yield in five small watersheds (surface area from 7 to 70 hectares) with different native forest cover, located in Southern Chile (39.5° Lat S). Forest covers include unmanaged second-growth forest of deciduous Nothofagus obliqua - Nothofagus nervosa (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;Rsm&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;, 7,4 ha), thinned second-growth forest of deciduous N. obliqua - N. nervosa with 35% of basal