Evaluation Of A Physical Protection Technique In The Establishment Success Of Two Woody Native Species In Areas With Leaf Cutter Ants

Background and aims: The restoration of forests in areas degraded by anthropic activities is an important practice in the management of mountain systems. Much research is yet needed on methods to reduce effects of herbivores and harsh environments on the establishment of planted tree saplings. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of a physical protection using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cylinders in the plantation of two native tree species in the mountains of Central Argentina, in an area with the presence of leaf-cutting ants.M&M: The study species were escallonia (Escallonia cordobensis) and maiten (Maytenus boaria). The plantation site was at 1840 m asl. We used 230 seedlings per species, 100 with and 130 without a PVC protection. Outplanting was performed during the wet season in a reaswith low vegetation. We measured height, survival and herbivory every six months for two years.Results: For escallonia and maiten, respectively, physical protections increased biannual survival in 24 and 26%, increased height in 7.3 and 12.6 cm, and reduced herbivory by leaf-cutting ants in 30 and 51% as compared to non-protected saplings.Conclusions: The favorable effects of PVC protections on survival and growth could be due to the decrease in herbivory caused by leaf-cutting ants and also due to the protection against harsh abiotic conditions. We advocate for longer term studies which also aim at understanding the mechanisms underlying the improvement in seedling establishment.