Latin America Updates

Quick Access to Past Updates

Publication Updates

July 2026

Universidad de Concepción (Chile)

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar and Daniel Bozo will participate in the IUFRO International Conference on Reforestation Under Drought, to be held from July 6-10 in Independence, OR, USA. Dr. Rubilar will present two studies and Daniel Bozo one study, all as oral presentations, linked to ongoing FPC trials and to the EuCarHydro and 3-PG modelling projects.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar and Daniel Bozo will participate in The 5th International Electronic Conference on Forests, to be held online from September 14-16. Dr. Rubilar will present preliminary three-year stand results from the EuCarbHydro project (FONDECYT 1260722), while Daniel Bozo will present soil carbon stock results associated with his doctoral thesis.

  • Ph.D student Belén Moya, supervised by Dr. Rubilar and linked to FPC activities at UdeC, was awarded a CENAMAD doctoral scholarship. Her doctoral research evaluates life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches applied to wood products.

  • From April 21-23, the FPC team at UdeC hosted the course “Use of Stable Isotopes on Plant & Water Ecophysiological Research: Tools for Monitoring Vegetation Sustainability and Water Resources under Climate Change” in Concepción. The activity included the visit of Dr. John Marshall (University of Gothenburg, Sweden) and was organized by Dr. Rubilar (FPC, UdeC).

  • M.Sc (c) Natividad Olmos joined the FPC-UdeC team as part of the EuCarbHydro project (FONDECYT 1260722). The project evaluates carbon-water tradeoffs in Eucalyptus plantations, with emphasis on planting density and taxa as adaptation strategies under climate change.

  • The UdeC FPC team has been actively carrying out physiological and growth measurements in pine and eucalyptus plantation FPC studies. Additional activities include tree, forest floor, and soil sampling in native forests under the FONDEF IT25i0176, soil sampling for the new CENAMAD Roadmap, and the installation of equipment and measurement instruments at Rucamanqui (EuCarbHydro) to monitor carbon and water dynamics in the FONDECYT study.

Crown description and measurement of branch and stem diameters at different heights in a Pinus radiata plantation in the G x E x S trial on a metamorphic soil (age=8).

Soil respiration measurement (CO2 flux) using a Smart Chamber connected to a LI-COR LI-870 gas analyzer in the EuCarbHydro on a recent volcanic ash soil.

Leaf area index measurement using a ceptometer to characterize canopy development in the EuCarbHydro on a recent volcanic ash soil.

Federal University of Lavras (Brazil)

  • April 21 to 23, 2026 – Natielle Cordeiro attended a Stable Isotope Course at the University of Concepción, Chile, organized by Prof. Rafael Rubilar and taught by Dr. John Marshall (University of Gothenburg, Sweden), a leading researcher in ecohydrology and forest ecophysiology with extensive experience in the use of stable isotopes to study carbon and water interactions in forest ecosystems. Participation in the course strengthened scientific connections and provided an opportunity to deepen expertise in a research area that is central to ongoing projects at FPC and its research network.

  • May 12, 2026 – Dr. Otávio Campoe visited Arauco’s office in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, to discuss the planning of new experimental networks. Mato Grosso do Sul is currently the second-largest Brazilian state in terms of planted forest area, with approximately 1.5 million hectares (about 19% of the national total), and has become the main frontier for commercial forestry expansion in the country. Establishing new experiments in this region will provide valuable opportunities to evaluate tree performance under the environmental conditions of newly established plantations and to support future research on forest productivity and adaptation.

  • May 13, 2026– Dr. Otávio Campoe attended a workshop organized in partnership with Envu in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. He was invited to present on high-impact variables affecting productivity during the first year of plantation establishment, with a particular focus on weed competition. During the event, Dr. Campoe also presented the work developed by FPC. The workshop brought together major companies from the Brazilian forestry sector and aimed to promote technical knowledge exchange, discussions on key industry challenges, and the presentation of practical and strategic solutions to improve forest productivity.

    May 19 to 21, 2026 – The EcoMAPs laboratory, under Dr. Otávio Campoe’ supervision, hosted researcher Gabriela Naibo from CMPC. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), FPC, and CMPC. During the week, ongoing research activities developed within the laboratory were presented, including studies on climate, modelling approaches, and productivity. The meetings also focused on defining new goals, planning future experiments, and discussing the continuation of ongoing trials, including the EuCarbHydro experiment. The visit reinforced collaboration among the institutions and supported the development of new joint research initiatives.

  • May 25 to 29, 2026 - Natielle Cordeiro attended the 10th International Symposium on Soil Organic Matter (SOM2026), held in São Paulo, Brazil. During the event, she presented preliminary results from a long-term soil carbon study, focusing on carbon stratification (vertical dynamics) across different soil types and regions. The study is part of a long-term research initiative developed within FPC and partner companies involved in the initiative. The symposium brought together internationally recognized researchers in the field of soil carbon and provided an important opportunity for scientific exchange, knowledge sharing, and networking with leading experts in the area.

  • May 28 to 29, 2026 - Dr. Otávio Campoe visited Klabin experimental sites in Santa Catarina and Paraná, where he met with Klabin researchers and visited field experiments, including the RW23 (Intensity and Duration of Vegetation Control) and RW7 (Site Preparation × Fertilization × Vegetation Control) trials. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the progress of these studies, define the next phases of data collection and analyses, and plan future collaborative research, including new experimental networks focused on frost tolerance.

  • June 17, 2026 - Dr. Otávio Campoe visited FuturaGene's research facilities and experimental sites, where he met with the company's researchers to exchange knowledge on ongoing research and discuss opportunities for future collaboration. Discussions focused on the development of new experiments and experimental networks, life cycle assessment, the relationship between forest productivity and climate, and research opportunities related to water use efficiency and productivity across environmental gradients. The visit strengthened the long-standing partnership between FPC and FuturaGene while identifying new opportunities to integrate biotechnology, forest productivity, and climate research.

Field visit to the EuCarbHydro Eucalyptus planting density x taxa trial at Rucamanqui site as part of the stable isotopes course, where participants observed sap flow sensors, litterfall traps, soil CO2 measurement, and a 3-m soil pit.

Natividad Olmos, the new member of the FPC-UdeC team, measuring the FPC Pinus radiata trial on sandy soil at La Reforma site (RW7).

Native forest measurements and soil carbon sampling for the FONDEF IT25i0176 project. Left: sclerophyll forest on granitic soil; right: Roble-Raulí-Coihue forest on recent volcanic ash soil.

Publications

  • Gertner, N.; Vargas-Gaete, R.; Salas-Eljatib, C.; Fuentes-Ramirez, A.; Elissetche, J.P.; Rubilar, R. (2026). Understory plant diversity in Pinus radiata plantations of Chile: The role of stand structural attributes. Forest Ecology and Management, 615, 123828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2026.123828.

  • Crovo, O.; Atenas, A.; Castillo, P.; Matus, F.; Merino, C.; Rubilar, R.; Sierra, C.; Trumbore, S.; Czimczik, C.I.; Aburto, F. (2026). Soils control biogeochemical shifts resulting from the conversion of native forest to pine plantations. Forest Ecology and Management, 615, 123808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2026.123808.

  • Kerman, J.; Leal, F.; Crovo, O.; Aguayo, M.; Echeverria, C.; Rubilar, R.; Aburto, F. (2026). Rapid functional soil recovery in a reclaimed fly-ash landfill. Journal of Environmental Management, 405, 129657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129657.

  • Elissetche, J.P.; Troncoso-Ortega, E.; Troncoso, L.; Puentes, C.; Alzamora, R.; Rubilar, R.; Hernández, V.; Parra-Fuentes, C. (2026). Valorization of grape stalk rachis for particleboard manufacturing: Chemical characterization and performance assessment for sustainable interior panel applications. Processes, 14(11), 1768. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111768.

  • Sandoval-Quilodrán, P.; Barrientos, G.; Valdés, J.; León-Soto, I.; Mardones, P.; Duarte, E.; Arriagada, P.; Aguayo, M.; Rubilar, R. (2026). Machine learning gap-filling of hydrometeorological time series in south-central Chile: Streamflow, temperature and precipitation. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 66, 103659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2026.103659.

March 2026

Universidad de Concepción (Chile)

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar was awarded ANID funding via the grant FONDECYT 1260722: “Tradeoffs between Eucalyptus carbon and water balances: the importance of initial planting density and taxa as strategies for adaptation to climate change.”

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar was awarded a second ROADMAP grant (CENAMAD funding) to expand studies on forest productivity and carbon pools. The project involves establishing comparison baselines with radiata pine plantations, eroded soils, and native forests, and validating empirical models to estimate carbon using soil-site information. 

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar received the“Protection of Knowledge and Copyright”award from OTL-UdeC in recognition of the MHIDROC3 project, which presents a hydrological model in response to climate change in Chile.

  • From January 20-23, Dr. Rubilar traveled to Posadas, Argentina to meet with the Bosques del Plata S.A. team. During the visit, he presented new silvicultural research on forest productivity and outlined new research topics of interest for the team. They also visited several Pinus taeda plantation trials for studies focused on spacing, weed control, and evaluations of clonal material at different sites.

  • The FPC team at UdeC is organizing a short course to be held in Concepción, Chile from April 21-23. The course, “Use of Stable Isotopes on Plant & Water Ecophysiological Research: Tools for Monitoring Vegetation Sustainability and Water Resources under Climate Change,” will be organized by Dr. Rubilar (FPC, UdeC), Dr. John Marshall (University of Gothenburg, Sweden), and Dr. Guillermo Barrientos (UCM/UdeC). More information can be found here

  • The UdeC FPC team has been busy carrying out physiological and growth measurements in pine and eucalyptus plantation studies. 

Federal University of Lavras (Brazil)

  • Yago Guedes Martins completed his Master’s degree under Dr. Otávio Campoe’s supervision at UFLA this February. His dissertation provides insights into the influence of soil preparation, fertilization, and weed control on pine plantations in southern Brazil. He is now preparing the manuscript for publication.

  • Dr. Otávio Campoe presented FPC research for two IUFRO webinars: one on February 20 organized by IUFRO and ForestCORE entitled “Ecophysiology as a tool to understand productivity of forest plantations,” and the second on March 3 held by the IUFRO Task Force entitled "Interaction and Synergy of Carbon '3S' (Sink, Storage and Substitution) in Forest Value Chains", which focused on forest carbon and silviculture.

  • Dr. Otávio Campoe welcomed two new members to his team. Yago Guedes Martins has started his PhD, and Thaís Silva Gonçalves has started her Master’s degree at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). Both students will be supported by scholarships from UFLA.

  • Dr. Otávio Campoe visited several CMPC experimental sites from March 9-13, including the EucaHydro trial. During the visit, he and the company’s team discussed the possibility of establishing experimental networks focused on frost tolerance and ecophysiological research.

Publications

  • Merino, C.; Jofré, I.; Stock, S.; Nájera, F.; Matus, F.; Kuzyakov, Y.; Aburto, F.; Dörner, J.; Rubilar, R.; Dippold, M. (2026). Return of soil function: texture and thermal load drive post-fire microbial reactivation. Applied Soil Ecology, 219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2026.106819

  • Stehr, A.; Vyhmeister, N.; Duarte, E.; Nájera, F.; Saenger, V.; Aburto, F.; Rubilar, R.; Merino, C.; Matus, F. (2026). Assessment of wildfire-induced hydrological changes in the south Andes mountains of Chile. Journal of Hydrology, 664C.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134533

Aerial image of the EucarbHydro study (eucalyptus x initial planting density study) at the Rucamanqui site, where the FONDECYT 1260722 project will be developed.


Dr. Rubilar visiting a Pinus taeda trial with the Bosques del Plata S.A. team in Posadas, Argentina.

PhD candidate Yago Guedes Martins and MS student Thaís Silva Gonçalves - recent additions to Dr. Campoe’s UFLA team.

Dr. Campoe (left) at an experimental trial site with CMPC.

January 2026

Universidad de Concepción (Chile)

  • Dr. Juan Carlos Valverde received the“Condor of the Vientos” award from CORMA in recognition of the best doctoral student graduated from the UdeC Forest Sciences graduate program.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar and the CENAMAD team organized the International Seminar "Progress toward a Model to Quantify and Value Carbon Sequestration in Forest and Plantation Ecosystems" on June 25th at the Faculty of Forest Sciences at Universidad de Concepcion, to close the ROADMAP Anid Basal FB210015 CENAMAD project.

  • Oscar Jara and Belen Moya, researchers from the UdeC FPC team, traveled to La Serena, Chile, from October 27-30 to present results from the FPC and CENAMAD studies at the XV Congreso Nacional del Suelo.

  • On November 13, 2025 Dr. Rafael Rubilar presented at a seminar organized by the Centro para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad y el Desarrollo Sustentable, held at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar presented at the “10th International Conference on Fire Effects on Soil Properties” (FESP), held November 28–30 at the Universidad de La Frontera in Pucón, Chile.

  • Daniel Bozo was awarded a “Doctoral Thesis in the Productive Sector 2025” grant (ANID funding) to conduct measurements and sampling for his Doctoral Thesis. The project includes assessments in pine plantations with different silvicultural treatments.

  • Daniel Bozo defended his doctoral thesis project, "Effects of Site and Silvicultural Establishment Practices on Soil and Forest Floor Carbon Stocks and Dynamics in Pinus Radiata Plantations”, on December 5. The thesis project was directed by Dr. Rafael Rubilar and evaluated by Dr. Rachel Cook and Dr. Otávio Campoe.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar was awarded a “FONDEF” grant (ANID funding) to expand studies on forest productivity and site carbon. The project includes evaluations on pine plantations and native forests to estimate C using soil-site information.

  • At the EucarbHydro eucalyptus x initial planting study, leaf litter and branch traps were installed in the plots for monthly sampling.

  • The UdeC FPC team has been actively carrying out physiological and growth measurements in pine and eucalyptus plantation studies.

Federal University of Lavras (Brazil)

  • From June 25 to June 28, 2025, Natielle Cordeiro attended the Latin American & Caribbean Soil Carbon Research Symposium (LAC Soil Carbon 2025), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event brought together researchers, students, and professionals to discuss key topics related to soil health and sustainable agricultural production, with an emphasis on socioeconomic development and food security at regional and global scales. During the symposium, Natielle presented part of the ongoing Soil Carbon Project, a partnership between UFLA, NCSU, and forest industry companies in Brazil.

  • From June 30 to July 4, 2025, Fernanda Cunha had the opportunity to participate in the Symposium on Ecosystem Services, Forest Management and Decision Making (DecisionES 2025), held in Porto Seguro, Brazil. Sponsored by IUFRO, the symposium included technical presentations addressing current research in forest management and planning.

  • From September 24 to September 26, 2025, Dr. Otávio Campoe’s team attended the VII MENSUFLOR (Brazilian Meeting on Forest Mensuration), hosted by the Federal University of Lavras in Lavras, Brazil. During the event, the team presented more than five studies.

  • From October 28 to October 30, 2025, Dr. Otávio Campoe and his team hosted and attended the FPC Latin American Meeting in Andradina, São Paulo. The meeting was a great opportunity to discuss the ongoing studies and a space to new partnership.

Dr. Juan Carlos Valverde and his “Condor of the Vientos” award.

Oscar Jara and Belen Moya at the “XV Congreso Nacional del Suelo”.

Daniel Bozo taking soil carbon samples for his Doctoral Thesis in a Pinus radiata plantation on metamorphic soil (El Membrillo site).

UFLA Team at the VII MENSUFLOR Meeting

Team photo from 2025 Latin America Annual Meeting

July 2025

General Updates

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar and the CENAMAD team organized the international seminar Impacts of Wildfires on Watersheds and Sustainability of Forest Ecosystems on March 24th at the Faculty of Forest Sciences at the Universidad de Concepcion in Chile.

  • Diego Sanchez completed his undergraduate program in Natural Resources Conservation Engineering at the Universidad de Concepción and defended his thesis, "Modeling the Growth of Native Nothofagus obliqua Forests Along a Gradient of Sites in the Biobío Region Using the 3-PG Growth Model” on April 16. His thesis defense was directed by Dr. Rubilar and MSc Daniel Bozo.

  • From May 13–15, Dr. Otávio Campoe and his team attended the 2025 Forest Plantation Congress (Congresso Plantações Florestais) in Piracicaba, Brazil, hosted by the Institute of Research and Studies in Forestry (IPEF). The event brought together researchers, students, and professionals to discuss key topics in the forest sector, including sustainability, carbon markets, technological developments, and forest productivity. A total of 18 studies were submitted by master's and doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. The study conducted by Fernanda Leite Cunha, entitled "Influence of Silvicultural Practices and Climate on Carbon Sequestration in Planted Forests," earned first place among the more than 200 submitted studies. 

  • Dr. Campoe moderated a panel discussion at the 2025 Forest Plantation Congress that focused on carbon credits for forest plantations. The speakers discussed potential challenges and opportunities in the emerging market of carbon credits and its role in forest conservation. 

  • Dr. Rubilar served as an evaluator for Amanda de Castro Segtowich's doctoral thesis defense on May 16 at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

  • Dr. Rubilar and Dr. Guillermo Barrientos, along with researchers from the FONDEF ID23I10011 project, organized the international seminar Hydrological Modeling in a Changing Climate on May 27 at the Faculty of Forestry Sciences, Universidad de Concepción.

  • Soil Carbon Project: A study involving a partnership between UFLA, NCSU, and forest industry companies in Brazil is underway. More than 500 sampling points have already been collected, and new companies are expected to join the project soon.

  • On June 13, Fernanda Leite Cunha (UFLA) defended her Ph.D dissertation entitled Carbon Sequestration and Emissions in Brazilian Planted Forests: Integrating Ecophysiological and Life Cycle Modeling. The thesis includes three chapters: two on ecophysiological processes (submitted to Agricultural and Forest Meteorology) and one on the life cycle of pulp and paper products from Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil, developed during her time at NCSU as a visiting scholar.

  • UDeC Research Assistant and MSc Daniel Bozo and Lizeth López (a researcher with Smurfit Westrock) met online in June to discuss the status of measurements and sampling from trials installed in Colombia (e.g., LARW1, RW23, and RW7B). In July, Lizeth will send updated data to the UdeC FPC team.

  • The UdeC FPC team has been actively carrying out physiological and growth measurements in pine and Eucalyptus plantation studies. 

  • In the EucarbHydro Eucalyptus x initial planting study, sapflow sensors were installed and repositioned on trees. Four PVC rings were installed in each plot to measure soil respiration monthly.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar and the CENAMAD team organized the international seminar, "Progress Toward a Model to Quantify and Value Carbon Sequestration in Forest and Plantation Ecosystems," on June 25 at the Faculty of Forest Sciences at Universidad de Concepcion to close the ROADMAP Anid Basal FB210015 CENAMAD project.

Publications

  • Asmussen, M.; Rubilar, R.; Bozo, D.; Alzamora, R.; Elissetche, J.P.; Pincheira, M.; Jara, O; 2025. Relationship Between Carbon Stock and Stand Cumulative Production at Harvesting Age of Pinus radiata Plantations: A Comparison Between Granitic and Metamorphic Soils. Sustainability, 17(8).

    See: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083614

Dr. Campoe and his team at the 2025 Forest Plantation Congress.

Dr. Rubilar with fellow members of Amanda de Castro Segtowich’s doctoral thesis evaluation committee at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Screening and preparation of soil samples at UFLA before shipment to NCSU for carbon analysis.

Drone aerial photography from the RW23 study in a Pinus tecunumanii plantation in the “duration x intensity of weed control trial at age=2” study in Colombia (Hato site).

April 2025

General Updates

  • More information on the annual meeting will be released soon. Please keep an eye out for a save-the-date soon.

  • Alejandro Pinochet completed his Master's degree in Forestry Sciences at the University of Concepción and defended his thesis, "Evaluating water use in Eucalyptus genotypes by estimating leaf area index from multispectral images," on January 31, 2025.

  • Dr. Rubilar and other national researchers organized the International Seminar, "Impacts of Wildfires on Watersheds and Sustainability of Forest Ecosystems," which was held at the University of Concepción on March 24, 2025.

  • Belén Moya began her PhD studies at the University of Concepción in March 2025. Her thesis focus will be a life cycle analysis (LCA) of second-generation wood products.

  • In January, Dr. Rubilar and researchers from Brazil and Chile visited the various FPC study sites established in Chile.

  • The UdeC FPC team has been conducting physiological and growth measurements in pine and Eucalyptus plantations and soil and forest floor sampling in native forests for the CENAMAD carbon sustainability study. 

Publications

  • Garrido-Ruiz, C.; Rubilar, R.; Bozo, D.; Pincheira, M.; Zapata, A.; Jara, O.; Cook, R.; Carter, D.; Albaugh, T.; Campoe, O. 2025. Potential of high- or low-solubility calcium to correct stem sinuosity in fast-growing Pinus radiata D. Don. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science, 55.

    See: https: //doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs552025x395x.

Belén Moya, a new PhD student in Forestry Sciences at the University of Concepción affiliated with the FPC and CENAMAD.

Dr. Rubilar with Chilean and Brazilian researchers visiting a Pinus radiata plantation in the RW7 control site with sandy soils (La Reforma). This study evaluates the effects of soil preparation, fertilization, and weed control on plantations in these conditions.

January 2025

General Updates

  • The UdeC FPC team traveled to Valdivia, Chile last October to present results from the FPC and CENAMAD studies at the IX Congreso Chileno de Ciencias Forestales.

  • The 2024 Latin America Annual Meeting was hosted by Smurfit Westrock in Cali, Colombia from November 19-21. The meeting included two days of presentations on key results from FPC and member studies. Meeting attendees also visited study sites to observe the results of various studies involving genetics, weed control, water use, and carbon balance, as well as a visit to a Smurfit Westrock nursery. Members can view presentations here.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar and the CENAMAD team organized the II International Thematic Forestry Congress: Strategies for Forest Climate Change Adaption meeting from December 4-5 at the Faculty of Forest Sciences at UdeC in Concepción, Chile. In addition to the FPC UDEC team, Dr. Otávio Campoe participated as a keynote speaker with his presentation Ecophysiological Research as a Tool to Cope with Climate Change in Forest Plantations.

  • Juan Carlos Valverde, a PhD student at UdeC, completed an internship with with Dr. Luis Apiolaza at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand (August-October 2024) and with Dr. Philip Smethurst at CSIRO in Tasmania, Australia (October-December).

  • The UdeC FPC team has been conducting measurements at the FPC and CENAMAD carbon sustainability study sites and installing sensors at the eucalyptus x initial planting density EuCarbHydro IV study site.

Publications

  • Bozo, D.; Rubilar, R.; Campoe, O. C.; Alzamora, R. M.; Elissetche, J. P.; Valverde, J. C.; Pizarro, R.; Pincheira, M.; Valencia, J. C.; Sanhueza, C. 2024. Soil and Site Productivity Effects on Above- and Belowground Radiata Pine Carbon Pools at Harvesting Age. Plants, 13(24), 3482.

    See: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243482

  • Nájera De Ferrari, F.; Duarte, E.; Smith-Ramírez, C.; Rendon-Funes, A.; Sepúlveda Gonzalez, V.; Sepúlveda Gonzalez, N.; Levio, M.; Rubilar, R.; Stehr, A.; Merino, C.; Jofré, I.; Rojas, C.; Aburto, F.; Kuzyakov, Y.; Filimonenko, E.; Dörner, J.; Pereira, P.; Matus, F. 2024. Multi-temporal assessment of a wildfire chronosequence by remote sensing. MethodsX, 13.

    See: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.103011

  • Ribas-Costa, V.A.; Gastón, A.; Bloszies, S.A.; Henderson, J.D.; Trlica, A.; Carter, D.R.; Rubilar, R.; Albaugh, T.J.; Cook, R.L. 2024. Nature vs. Nurture: Drivers of Site Productivity in Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Forests in the Southeastern US. Forest Ecology and Management, 572, 122334.

    See: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122334

Annual meeting attendees visiting a Smurfit Westrock operational pruning stand (top) and forest nursery (bottom).

Speakers at the II International Thematic Forestry Congress: Strategies for Forest Climate Change Adaptation.

September 2024

General Updates

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar was awarded a “RoadMap” grant (CENAMAD funding) to expand studies on forest productivity and site carbon. The project includes comparison baselines with eroded soils & native forest and an empirical model to estimate C using soil-site information.

  • The UdeC FPC Team has had an active season installing a EucarbHydro4 experiment with CMPC and two RW7B site prep intensity trials and two maximum productivity experiments with ARAUCO.

  • In August 2024, Fernanda Leite Cunha (UFLA- PhD student) traveled to Raleigh to work with the NC State FPC team as a Fulbright Scholar. In collaboration with Dr. Rachel Cook and Dr. Justin Baker, she will develop carbon life cycle modeling for paper and cellulose products produced in Brazil and investigate their impact on climate change mitigation.

  • Hyngrid Jaiely Araújo Félix (Master's student at UFLA) is conducting research on the use of carbon isotopes as a proxy for water use efficiency in eucalyptus in Brazil. Currently, she is doing a 2-month exchange in Concepción, Chile, with Dr. Rafael Rubilar at the Universidad de Concepción until November 2024.

  • Juan Carlos Valverde (UdeC -FPC PhD student) is conducting research to understand the relationship between water use and carbon balance in Eucalyptus. He is currently doing an internship in New Zealand with Dr. Luis Apiolaza at the University of Canterbury until October. After that, he will continue an internship with Dr. Phillip Smethurst at CSIRO Tasmania, where he will work on applying the APSIM model until December 2024.

  • Tim Albaugh, Matthew Sumnall, Otávio Campoe, Rafael Rubilar, Daniel Bozo, Vicent Ribas Costa, Ben Rose, and Sarah Puls attended IUFRO 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden, and many of our researchers gave presentations at the session titled Strategies and challenges for improving commercial forest plantations productivity and sustainability in North and South America.

Publications

  • Duarte, E.; Rubilar, R.; Matus, F.; Garrido-Ruiz, C.; Merino, C.; Smith-Ramirez, C.; Aburto, F.; Rojas, C.; Stehr, A.; Dörner, J.; et al. Published a manuscript analyzing the relationships between climate change, droughts and wildfires.  Drought and Wildfire Trends in Native Forests of South-Central Chile in the 21st Century. Fire 2024, 7, 230. 

    See: https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070230

  • Rafael A. Rubilar, Juan Carlos Valverde, Guillermo Barrientos and Otávio Camargo Campoe. Published a manuscript summarizing how environmental variables associated to climate change may affect the productivity of forest plantations. The manuscript also suggest adaptation strategies for forest plantations.  Water and Temperature Ecophysiological Challenges of Forests Plantations under Climate Change. Forests 2024, 15(4), 654. 

    See https://doi.org/10.3390/f15040654.

Installation of the RW7B soil preparation intensity trials on a sandy soil (Danicalqui) established in July 2024. Soil preparation by subsoiling (top) surface soil preparation (bottom).

Installation of acrylic tubes to measure soil moisture in the RW7B soil preparation intensity trials on a metamorphic soil (Talhuan) established in June 2024.

March 2024

General Updates

  • The Latin America Contact Meeting will be held in Cali, Colombia from November 18 to 22. More details will be made available soon.

  • The FPC team at UdeC is organizing the course “Uso del modelo de procesos APSIM para el modelamiento de cultivos forestales y agrícolas” that will be held in Concepción in May 2024. Organizers: Dr. Rubilar (FPC, UdeC) and Dr. Philip Smethurst (Csiro, Australia). More info here.

  • Daniel Bozo and Juan Carlos Valverde presented the results of their thesis work at “The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Plant Sciences” held January 15-17, 2024.

  • Daniel submitted his Master's thesis , and his thesis defense exam is scheduled for April 2024. He also received the “Anid 2024 National Doctoral Scholarship” to begin his doctoral studies at the University of Concepción in April. Congratulations!

  • Juan Carlos received funding to complete an internship from September to November 2024 in Australia and New Zealand with Dr. Philip Smethurst and Dr. Luis Apiolaza.

  • Otávio met with Fabricio Sebok and Harry Quicke at Envu in Brazil to present the updated results of FPC research related to competing vegetation control in Pine plantations.

    • The FPC at UFLA will be receiving support and collaboration from Envu on a new competing vegetation control in pine plantations study. A master's thesis will be generated from this work.

  • Otávio is sending two Brazilian PhD students (Fernanda Leite [fully funded by Fulbright] and Josiana Basílio [fully funded by CAPES]) from UFLA to conduct research at NCSU related to modeling productivity and carbon in Brazilian pine plantations. 

Field Work

  • The new EuCarbHydro4 trial, evaluating species & stocking use of water, was established in Chile with CMPC. Complete sensor installation is planned for April 2024.

  • All ecophysiological summer seasonal evaluations (LAI, photosynthesis, and water content, crown description, and growth) for the G x E x S studies (stocking & genetics) in Chile (2 sites) were completed.

  • Soil pit sampling for nutritional & physical analyses was initiated at the RW7B FPC trials in the summer.  

  • Annual growth measurements and summer leaf area estimation of the 2nd rotation RW7 (2 rotations same site) trial were completed.

Group photo from Otávio's visit at Envu

Eucahydro 4: Rucamanqui site. Genetics and spacing trial.

Leaf area index (LAI) measurement using a ceptometer in a Pinus radiata plantation at the LARW7 trial in sandy soils (Age=2) (Left). Annual crown description and measurement in a Pinus radiata plantation at the G x E x S trial in metamorphic soils (Age=6).

  • The 2023 Latin America Contact Meeting was hosted by our cooperator, Klabin, in Telêmaco Borba, Paraná, Brazil, from November 7th to 9th. The meeting started with 12 presentations highlighting key results of FPC and cooperator studies in pine and eucalyptus plantations in Latin America. On the second day, participants embarked on a field trip to explore Klabin's local field trials, fostering robust scientific and operational discussions. These insights helped fuel the conversation during the FPC Latin American Strategic Planning session on the final day.

  • Daniel Bozo and Juan Carlos Valverde, UdeC graduate students, visited Dr. Otávio Campoe (UFLA) in Lavras Brazil, from November 13 to 17 with the support of the Chilean FOVI220029 grant project for international collaboration, directed by Dr. Rafael Rubilar. Results from Daniel and Juan Carlo’s graduate studies will be summarized in future publications in collaboration with UdeC.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar visited Dr. Phill Smethurst at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia from September 21  to October 6, supported by the Chilean FOVI220029 grant project of international collaboration.  Dr. Rubilar & Dr. Smethurst developed the first stages for calibrating an APSIM model for Mediterranean Eucalyptus and solidified steps for further modeling challenges for water and carbon sustainability. Dr. Rubilar presented an extended seminar at CSIRO that attracted broad attention from scientists and the forest industry in Australia.

  • Dr. Efrain Duarte, postdoctoral researcher of the ANID ANILLO433815 FIRING grant project directed by Dr. Rafael Rubilar, visited Dr. David Forrester at CSIRO in Australia in September, supported by the Chilean FOVI220029 grant project of international collaboration. Dr. Duarte's internship focused on developing a geospatial model to estimate the impacts of wildfires on soil and forest productivity.

  • FPC staff and students organized the International Seminar “Forest and Plantations Sustainability” to celebrate Soils World Day on December 5th at the Faculty of Forest Sciences at Universidad de Concepcion (UdeC). Dr. Otávio Campoe was invited as a keynote speaker along with Dr. Rubilar and FPC graduate students, Maria Higuita (NCSU), Daniel Bozo, and Juan C. Valverde (UdeC). More information here.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar was invited as a keynote speaker at the IUFRO Congress “Enhancing the performance and sustainability of eucalypt plantations to broaden their benefits” in Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay. Dr. Rubilar presented the talk “Forest Management and Productivity: Environmental, social and economic benefits”. More information here.

  • Dr. Rafael Rubilar organized the International Congress “Mega Wildfires: effects of fire on forests and territories” from August 22 to 24 at the Faculty of Forest Sciences at UdeC. Different presentations analyzed the problem of wildfires from a perspective of impacts on the soil, hydrological processes, biodiversity, society and territory. Silvicultural alternatives were proposed within the context of climate change as preventive measures against wildfires. Additionally, diverse remote sensing tools were showcased for monitoring, prevention, and diagnosing wildfires.

  • Dr. Guillermo Barrientos, in collaboration with Dr. Rafael Rubilar and Dr. Efraín Duarte, has successfully secured the FONDEFID23I10011 grant project as the principal investigator. The objective of this project is to create a software tool for state institutions to facilitate decision-making in sustainable water management in priority areas and model potential impacts of climate change on water resources in Chile. Dr. Guillermo Barrientos, previously a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Concepción within the ANID Basal Cenamad FB210015 grant project led by Dr. Rafael Rubilar in 2022, transitioned to the role of an associate researcher at the Catholic University of Maule in Hydrological Modeling in March of the current year.

December 2023

Group photo from November 2023 at the Latin America Contact Meeting

Daniel (left), Juan Carlos (middle) and Dr. Otávio Campo (right) at the Universidade Federal de Lavras

Dr. Rafael Rubilar (top), Dr. Otávio Campoe (left), and Maria Higuita (right) presenting at the “Forest and Plantations Sustainability” seminar.