An update of the state of Pittosporum undulatum in the forests of zapallar, Central Chile

Abstract

Since 2002, Pittosporum undulatum is present in the forests of Zapallar. In 2017 we carried out a field evaluation in the sector to update the state of knowledge about the species. We found that its occupies slope conditions, forest and disturbed streams, with increasing abundances in the same order. The abundance is related to the type of habitat, the maximum height of the patch, and the distance to cities. At greater distance from the city, the proportion of juveniles is higher. The rate of expansion of patches of the species was established at 56 m/yr, while the dispersion at greater distance can reach 1.3 km. Finally, a distribution model shows a high probability of occurrence for the species in the sector, and a possible expansion along the coast to the cities of Los Vilos in the north, San Antonio in the south and Putaendo-Petorca inland.