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Valdivia
Watershed
During his sabbatical in 2004, Dr. Frederick identified the Valdivia Watershed, a 1300-ha state-owned property near the city of Valdivia, as an excellent site for research on the ecology and management of native hardwood forests. The first objective of this research is to evaluate the structure and biomass accumulation within four stand types and to develop an empirically-based model of biomass accumulation to aide in the management of these forests. This biomass model will be tested in and compared to existing biomass models for native hardwood forests in the US, where information is lacking on management strategies for productivity and watershed protection. The biomass model will also be a key tool in the development of a forest management plan for the Valdivia Watershed. The second objective is to develop a management plan for the watershed that integrates the local, adjacent landowners and potentially downstream water users (i.e., the water utility and customers in Valdivia). Chile is well know for its application of free market principles to water supply, and payment for ecosystem services would be a logical next step for Valdivia (Bauer 2003). Thus, the management plan could form a template for managing native forests for wood products and other ecosystem services within forested watersheds.
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The native forests of temperate
southern Chile are very similar in structure and growth
to the southeastern hardwood forests of the US. This
creates opportunities for mutually beneficial research,
and in particular for understanding the ecology of US
forests and developing innovative silvicultural
strategies to maintain productivity and protect water
quantity and quality. 