Valdivian Rainforest Essay
Ecosystem Composition of the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest
One of the world’s largest temperate rainforests is the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest (Wade et al. 2008). The Valdivian Temperate Rainforest ranges along the Pacific coasts of southern Chile and Argentina in South America, between 36 and 47° S latitude. This forest occurs in the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome (Perry et al. 2008). The broadleaf evergreen flowering trees that dominate the Valdivian are believed to have evolved in “near complete isolation” from the temperate rainforests of the Northern Hemisphere (DellaSala 2011). Though theses broadleaf species dominate the forest composition, conifers, a dominant species in Northern temperate forests, are still found throughout the Valdivian (DellaSala 2011). …show more content…
It was discovered that these species evolved prior to continental dividing, over 200 million years ago. This continental drift has also contributed to the vast endemism of the Valdivian. Over 90% of plant and animal species are endemic to the Valdivian temperate rainforest. Over 60% of the amphibians and reptiles, 30% of the birds and 20% of the fish and mammals are endemic to the Valdivian (DellaSala 2011). The dominant soil order in the Valdivian temperate rainforest is Andisol. Andisols are soils formed from volcanic ash, containing glass and non-porous materials (Casanova et al. 2013). This soil type is expected because within the area of the Valdivian rainforest are 3 active volcanoes. Andisols are permeable, erosion-resistant and high in mineral content. All of these characteristics are favored for the harsh and unreliable climates of the Valdivian temperate rainforest (Alaback, 1991). This soil type differs from the Spodosol soil order found in the North Pacific temperate rainforests (McNab 1996). Spodosols are sandy soils that are an ash-grey color, acidic and have a strongly leached surface area. Spodosols
One of the world’s largest temperate rainforests is the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest (Wade et al. 2008). The Valdivian Temperate Rainforest ranges along the Pacific coasts of southern Chile and Argentina in South America, between 36 and 47° S latitude. This forest occurs in the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome (Perry et al. 2008). The broadleaf evergreen flowering trees that dominate the Valdivian are believed to have evolved in “near complete isolation” from the temperate rainforests of the Northern Hemisphere (DellaSala 2011). Though theses broadleaf species dominate the forest composition, conifers, a dominant species in Northern temperate forests, are still found throughout the Valdivian (DellaSala 2011). …show more content…
It was discovered that these species evolved prior to continental dividing, over 200 million years ago. This continental drift has also contributed to the vast endemism of the Valdivian. Over 90% of plant and animal species are endemic to the Valdivian temperate rainforest. Over 60% of the amphibians and reptiles, 30% of the birds and 20% of the fish and mammals are endemic to the Valdivian (DellaSala 2011). The dominant soil order in the Valdivian temperate rainforest is Andisol. Andisols are soils formed from volcanic ash, containing glass and non-porous materials (Casanova et al. 2013). This soil type is expected because within the area of the Valdivian rainforest are 3 active volcanoes. Andisols are permeable, erosion-resistant and high in mineral content. All of these characteristics are favored for the harsh and unreliable climates of the Valdivian temperate rainforest (Alaback, 1991). This soil type differs from the Spodosol soil order found in the North Pacific temperate rainforests (McNab 1996). Spodosols are sandy soils that are an ash-grey color, acidic and have a strongly leached surface area. Spodosols