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In Argentina, energy production depends mostly on fossil fuels; hence it is desirable to diversify the energy sources including renewable fuels such as forest biomass. A drawback for this development is the lack of information about the productivity of short rotation coppice systems (SRC) under local conditions. Willows are used in several countries as a source of biomass for energy, although in Argentina the information about yield at local level is scarce. An SRC system was established in agricultural soil in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The aim of this work was to estimate the effects of irrigation, plantation density and genotype on biomass production. The clones used were the hybrid Salix matsudana x Salix alba 'Barrett 13-44 INTA' and the open pollinated Salix alba 'Yaguareté INTA - CIEF'. There were no statistically significant effects of clone and plantation density on biomass productivity. The only significant factor was irrigation, which explained 83 to 92 % of yield variability. The dry biomass yields are similar to those reported elsewhere for rainfed SRC willows, ranging between 11.1 and 22.6 Mg ha-1 year-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat caused by the spread of exotic elmleaf blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius (Schott)) in Reserva Natural Municipal Laguna de los Padres (RNMLP), prompted the study of carabld assemblages associated with native wood remnants of Colletia paradoxa ((Spreng.) Escal.), Celtis ehrenbergiana (Klotzsch) Liebm. and Salix humboldtiana (Willd) that still persist. We found that species richness was higher in the wood of S. humboldtiana (DE), followed by that of C. paradoxa (BC) and C. ehrenbergiana with two different anthropic uses (Talar with recreational use (TR) and Talar anthropized (TA). BC and DE, located within the protected and conservation zone, taken together, accounted for more than 85% (53 species) of the total specific richness surveyed, while TR and TA, both located outside the protected zone, contributed with 56% (35 species). Carabid assemblages differed internally throughout the seasons, and also among them in species composition and dominance. The most abundant species was Argutoridius bonariensis (Dejean) which dominated in TA and TR assemblages during all seasons. DE and BC revealed their own set of species, including an endemism for the first. Predators were the most abundant trophic guild for all sites. The conservation status and possible natural or artificial factors that determine the diversity of carabids found for each forest was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work revises the genus Salix in the province of Mendoza in order to contribute to the knowledge of its phanerogamic flora. Seven species, one subspecies, one variety, two forms and thre hybrids are recognized. Among them there is one native species and one native variety. Each taxon is identified through one key, described, documented and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]