Streamlining the study of the Tierra del Fuego forest through the use of deep learning

Understanding plant-herbivorous relationships allows to optimize the way to manage and protect natural spaces. In this paper the study of this relationship in the ñire forests (Nothofagus antarctica) of the province of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) is approached. Using trap cameras to monitor such interaction offers the opportunity to quickly collect large amounts of data. However, to take advantage of its potential, a large investment in trained personnel to analyze and filter the images of interest is required. The present work seeks to establish a path to significantly reduce this obstacle using the advances of machine and deep learning in the recognition of objects from images.XVII Workshop Computación Gráfica, Imágenes y Visualización.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic

Streamlining the study of the Tierra del Fuego forest through the use of deep learning

Understanding plant-herbivorous relationships allows to optimize the way to manage and protect natural spaces. In this paper the study of this relationship in the ñire forests (Nothofagus antarctica) of the province of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) is approached. Using trap cameras to monitor such interaction offers the opportunity to quickly collect large amounts of data. However, to take advantage of its potential, a large investment in trained personnel to analyze and filter the images of interest is required. The present work seeks to establish a path to significantly reduce this obstacle using the advances of machine and deep learning in the recognition of objects from images.XVII Workshop Computación Gráfica, Imágenes y Visualización.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic

Drivers of post-fire Nothofagus antarctica forest recovery in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Introduction: Large wildfires were historically absent in the forests of Tierra del Fuego, southern Argentina. This has changed in recent decades as humans have increased ignition sources, and warmer, drier periods have fueled large, severe wildfires. As a result of its location at an extreme southern latitude, Tierra del Fuego has very low tree species diversity. One of the region's dominant tree species, Nothofagus antarctica, is believed to have traits that may make it resilient to wildfire (e.g., the ability to resprout prolifically). Methods: This study examined post-fire N. antarctica regeneration across an environmental and time-since-fire gradient. Plots were established in burned areas (n = 160) and unburned controls (n = 32) in and around two wildfires that occurred circa 1940 and in 2019. Seedling/resprout and sapling regeneration densities, as well as site characteristics (e.g., slope) and fire-impacted variables (e.g., distance to mature live trees), were measured. Results: Seedling and resprout densities were lower in burned plots than in controls, with this trend being exacerbated in the 2019 fire with increasing distance from mature live trees. Regeneration generally occurs in clumps and principally through sprouting from live and top-killed trees, with not all top-killed trees having resprouted. Seedling and resprout densities were most strongly impacted by time since fire, distance to mature live trees and post-fire canopy cover. Sapling densities were modulated by slope, time since fire, and distance to mature live trees. Discussion: Despite lower regeneration densities in recently burned plots and less live basal area and canopy cover in older burned plots compared to unburned controls, burned stands may be on a trajectory to recover pre-fire characteristics, although this recovery is spatially variable. However, full recovery has not occurred 80 years after the 1940's fire. Currently, these burned areas resemble grasslands or savannas. They do not provide the habitat or ecosystem services that denser forests do and may require active restoration to fully recover their pre-fire characteristics.Fil: Ruggirello, Matthew. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Bustamante, Gimena Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Fulé, Peter Z.. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: Soler Esteban, Rosina Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Seasonal diet of Lama guanicoe (Camelidae: Artiodactyla) in a heterogeneous landscape of South Patagonia.

Large diversity of habitat types, plant species assemblages, and silvopastoral activities in Nothofagus spp. forests condition the food availability for native herbivores. This work evaluates the seasonal diet of Lama guanicoe linked to plant life forms and habitat types in sub-Antarctic forests. The study evaluated the vegetation availability and habitat types by floristic surveys (n = 206) in Tierra del Fuego, and seasonal diet of L. guanicoe by micro-histological analysis of feces (n = 4 in four areas, during four season). Open lands showed the highest plant richness, while lowest values corresponded to primary Nothofagus pumilio forests. Nothofagus pumilio (21.6%), Carex spp. (17.2%), Misodendrum spp. (10.6%), and Deschampsia spp. (8.6%) were the most frequent items found in feces. Significant differences were seasonally found in diet composition and trophic niche breadth: grasses were all consumed along the year, while tree browsing decreases in winter and the proportion of shrubs increased. This study highlights the widespread use of different habitats by guanaco, including harvested forests. In summer and spring Nothofagus spp. forests was the main source of food for guanacos, depending more on open lands during winter. The knowledge of plant-native herbivores interactions in productive landscapes could improve the management plans towards an ecologically sustainable strategy.La heterogeneidad de hábitat, distintos ensambles de especies vegetales y las actividades productivas en bosques del género Nothofagus condicionan la disponibilidad de alimento para los herbívoros nativos. Este trabajo evalúa la dieta estacional de Lama guanicoe vinculada a la vegetación, los tipos de hábitat y el manejo forestal en Tierra del Fuego. Se realizaron censos de vegetación (n = 206) y se estudió la dieta de L. guanicoe mediante recolección de heces y análisis micro-histológico (n = 4 en cuatro áreas, durante las cuatro estaciones). Las áreas abiertas tuvieron la mayor riqueza específica, mientras que los valores más bajos correspondieron a bosques primarios de Nothofagus pumilio. La dieta de L. guanicoe incluyó 25 especies y 13 géneros de plantas y un musgo (Sphagnum spp.). Nothofagus pumilio (21,6 %), Carex spp. (17,2 %), Misodendrum spp. (10,6 %) y Deschampsia spp. (8,6 %) fueron los ítems más frecuentes en la dieta. Se registraron diferencias estacionales tanto en la composición como en la amplitud del nicho trófico: el consumo de pastos fue continuo durante todo el año, el ramoneo de árboles disminuyó en invierno y aumentó el consumo de arbustos perennes. Este estudio confirma que el guanaco utiliza una amplia variedad de ambientes, incluyendo bosques cosechados. En verano y primavera los bosques de Nothofagus spp. fueron los principales sitios de alimentación para los guanacos, dependiendo más del alimento en áreas abiertas durante el invierno. El conocimiento de las interacciones planta-herbívoros nativos en paisajes con manejo agro-forestal podría mejorar los planes de manejo hacia un uso ecológicamente sustentable.Fil: Soler Esteban, Rosina Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Martínez Pastur, Guillermo José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Lencinas, María Vanessa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Borrelli, Laura. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Patagonia Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Carlos de Bariloche; Argentin

Fruit provision from Berberis microphylla shrubs as ecosystem service in Nothofagus forest of Tierra del Fuego

Berry production is a non-wood product worldwide recognized by its nutritional value and taste, but the most studied species are non-native commercial plants in productive areas, leaving aside native berries. We propose that native berries (Berberis microphylla G.Forst) naturally growing in degradation forests areas could diversify livestock establishment production and complement traditional uses (e.g., livestock). The aims of this work were to 1) environmentally characterize (e.g., soil nutrient content and physical conditions, air conditions and photosynthetically active radiation) in three degraded Nothofagus antarctica Oerst. forest (due to past fires and livestock use) of Tierra del Fuego; and 2) evaluate berries production of B. microphylla in terms of quality production (e.g., fruit number and weigh per shrub) and in terms of quality (individual fruit weight, fruit pulp percentage, and soluble solids content) to assess provisioning ecosystem service of this native shrub in different degraded areas. Studied sites were defined as: 1) Severe soil degradation condition (SEV) (high frequency of horses, bulls and some native guanacos year round, severe soil erosion, and shorter herbaceous layer), 2) Moderate soil degradation condition (MOD) (cattle and guanaco year round, intermediate level of soil erosion and intermediate height of herbaceous layer), and 3) Slight soil degradation condition (SLI) (livestock only during winter, but high frequency of native guanacos, lower soil erosion and taller herbaceous layer). (SEV) had the highest air and soil temperature, least soils nutrients content, highest bulk density, the least soil water content and the poorest fruit production. (MOD) had the highest soil water content and nutrient-rich soils, while (SLI) had the highest relative air humidity and PAR. B. microphylla shrubs grow with similar morphology on the different soil degraded condition. The highest fruit production were at (SLI), however the (SEV) had the highest soluble solids. We conclude that calafate shrubs in degraded Nothofagus forests offer a provisioning ecosystem service through their excellent fruits quality. Livestock farms could diversify their production through native fruits taking advantage of the altered areas occupied by B. microphylla. However, we recommend avoiding intensive livestock use in burned forests since it could lead to an irreversible soil erosion. Proper livestock management in Nothofagus burned forest could keep over the time not only the recognized ecosystem provision services (fruits, meat, wood), but also those of regulation and support that calafate shrubs offer and that make the functionality of the ecosystem.Fil: Bustamante, Gimena Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Soler Esteban, Rosina Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Blazina, Ana Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Arena, Miriam Elisabet. Universidad de Moron. Facultad de Agronomia y Ciencias Agroalimentarias. Laboratorio de Investigaciones En Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Canopy composition and site are indicative of mineral soil conditions in Patagonian mixed Nothofagus forests

Key message: Canopy composition in mixed Patagonian Nothofagus forests has an impact on soil properties like cationic exchange capacity and pH, while most soil variables changed with site [P, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil moisture (SM), resistance to penetration (R)]. Site conditions and canopy composition need be considered together to better understand the distribution of Nothofagus species.Context: Forests can influence soil development, changing main soil properties by several mechanisms, but this has never been investigated in mixed Nothofagus forests. Such influences can be strongly variable depending on local site conditions, and the interactions between both factors need to be clearly established.Aims: To reveal the effect on physical and chemical mineral soil properties in mixed Nothofagus forests of canopy composition and their interactions with site conditions.Methods: Two sites and threemixed forest types, with different proportion of deciduous-evergreen,were selected in coastal andmountain sites. We evaluated forest structure, litterfall and physico-chemical properties of mineral soil (N= 60), and analyzed these factors with general linear models and multivariate statistics [multi-response permutation procedure (MRPP), principal component analyses (PCA)].Results: Basal area and litterfall were significantly influenced by forest type × sites. CEC and pH value varied among forests types and sites, but sites also influenced other variables (P, SM, R). Multivariate analyses reveals a much stronger effect of site conditions than that of species mixture.Conclusion: Forest soil studies must consider environmental factors on different spatial scale and canopy species composition to better understand their influence on soil dynamics in mixed Nothofagus forests.Fil: Toro Manríquez, Mónica del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Soler Esteban, Rosina Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Lencinas, María Vanessa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Promis, Álvaro. Universidad de Chile; Chil

¿Podremos manejar en forma sostenible nuestros bosques nativos?

A once años de aprobada la Ley Nacional 26.331 y luego de haberse legislado sobre el tema en la mayoría de las provincias del país, consideramos apropiado evaluar si generamos una base administrativa, educativa y de investigación adecuada para apoyar al manejo sostenible de nuestros tan diversos bosques.Fil: Soler Esteban, Rosina Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Gowda, Juan Janakiram Haridas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Frutos comestibles del bosque fueguino

Compilación de las fichas técnicas de los frutos del bosque fueguino. Una colección que apunta a reconocer e identificar los frutos, saber sus usos y donde se encuentran. El material se desprende de la Capacitación Virtual ofrecida en conjunto con especialistas del CADIC CONICET.AER UshuaiaFil: Pohjola, Kati Susanna. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro Regional Patagonia Sur. Agencia De Extensión Rural Ushuaia; Argentina.Fil: Soler Esteban, Rosina Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC); Argentina.Fil: Bustamante, Gimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC); Argentina

Comparison of services for the recognition of flora images: uses in augmented reality and tourism

Tourism information services are evolving rapidly. With Internet, tourists organize their trips by managing information before arriving at their destination. Nature is the main tourist attraction in Argentina. However, the information tools as field guides, have had few improvements in their digital version compared to printed ones. This work compares machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence and image recognition services, to evaluate the app development for mobile phones that offers the recognition in real time of flora species in natural areas with low or no internet connectivity. Recognition of three Nothofagus tree species were evaluated in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, using IBM Watson and Microsoft Azure, with good results in general. A next iteration of this work expects to use assisted learning to improve the efficiency of the neural network obtained to know the adaptation capacities for each evaluated service.Track Gobierno Digital y Ciudades InteligentesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Comparison of services for the recognition of flora images: uses in augmented reality and tourism

Tourism information services are evolving rapidly. With Internet, tourists organize their trips by managing information before arriving at their destination. Nature is the main tourist attraction in Argentina. However, the information tools as field guides, have had few improvements in their digital version compared to printed ones. This work compares machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence and image recognition services, to evaluate the app development for mobile phones that offers the recognition in real time of flora species in natural areas with low or no internet connectivity. Recognition of three Nothofagus tree species were evaluated in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, using IBM Watson and Microsoft Azure, with good results in general. A next iteration of this work expects to use assisted learning to improve the efficiency of the neural network obtained to know the adaptation capacities for each evaluated service.Track Gobierno Digital y Ciudades InteligentesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI