Exotic tree species in Argentina: characterization and identification of current and potentially problematic species | Las especies arbóreas exóticas en Argentina: caracterización e identificación de las especies actual y potencialmente problemáticas

Inglés. Biological invasions are one of five direct drivers of global change that act synergistically threatening biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services globally. In this work we compile the list of exotic woody species that have been introduced in Argentina, we characterize them according to their geographical origin, use, foliage phenology, reproduction, dispersal, and we analyse their geographical distribution within Argentina. Based on the bibliography, we identify those species that are currently or potentially problematic for Argentina. Most of the species are native to Eurasia and the main reason for their introduction was their ornamental use. They are mostly monoecious, with deciduous leaves, without vegetative reproduction, with fleshy fruits and dispersed by animals. The area corresponding to the Yungas, the Paranaense Forest and the Humid Chaco presents the largest number of exotic species; the area corresponding to the Espinal and Dry Chaco has the largest number of currently problematic species and, together with the Pampeana area, the largest number of potentially problematic species. Finally, we propose actual problematic species in areas without native trees and potentially problematic species with broad distribution in Argentina should be monitored and probably managed among the studied species.

Español; castellano. Las invasiones biológicas son uno de los cinco impulsores directos del cambio global que actúan sinérgicamente amenazando la diversidad biológica y la provisión de servicios ecosistémicos a nivel mundial. En este trabajo compilamos la lista de las especies de árboles exóticos que han sido introducidas en Argentina, las caracterizamos según su origen geográfico, uso, fenología del follaje, reproducción, dispersión, y analizamos su distribución geográfica dentro de Argentina. Con base en una revisión bibliográfica, identificamos aquellas especies que actual o potencialmente son problemáticas en la Argentina. La mayoría de las especies son oriundas de Eurasia y el motivo principal de introducción fue su uso ornamental. Son mayoritariamente monoicas, con hojas caducas, sin reproducción vegetativa, con frutos carnosos y dispersados por animales. La zona que agrupa a las Yungas, la Selva Paranaense y el Chaco Húmedo presenta la mayor cantidad de especies exóticas; la zona de Espinal y Chaco Seco cuenta con el mayor número de especies actualmente problemáticas y, junto con la zona Pampeana, el mayor número de especies potencialmente problemáticas. Finalmente, proponemos que las especies problemáticas en ambientes originalmente sin árboles y las especies potencialmente problemáticas que ya colonizaron varias regiones en Argentina serían las especies prioritarios para monitorear o manejar entre las especies estudiadas.

Portugués. Biological invasions are one of five direct drivers of global change that act synergistically threatening biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services globally. In this work we compile the list of exotic woody species that have been introduced in Argentina, we characterize them according to their geographical origin, use, foliage phenology, reproduction, dispersal, and we analyse their geographical distribution within Argentina. In addition, we identify those that are currently or potentially problematic for Argentina. Most of the species are native to Eurasia and the main reason for their introduction was their ornamental use. They are mostly monoecious, with deciduous leaves, without vegetative reproduction, with fleshy fruits and dispersed by animals. The area corresponding to the Yungas, the Paranaense Forest and the Humid Chaco presents the largest number of exotic species; the area corresponding to the Espinal and Dry Chaco has the largest number of currently problematic species and, together with the Pampeana area, the largest number of potentially problematic species. Finally, we propose what would be the criteria to define monitoring or control priorities among the studied species.