Photo 1. Silvopastoral system in an arid zone espinal near Combarbala, northern Chile.
(credit: Bonilla et al. 1983)
woody plants) in the semiarid region of Chile. By virtue of its density and
superior burn-qualities, espino has long been recognized as a valuable
fuelwood (specific gravity = 0.80-0.98) [Tortorelli, 1956]; calorific
value = 3.2-4.6kcalkg -1 [Prado et al. 1988]).
As the result of selective cutting of espino in the past, annual yields are
very low. In much of the area, espino is no longer as important a source of
fuel as some other woody species, e.g. Cordia decandra, which, incidentally,
is now considered in danger of extinction. Wood collection for cooking and
heating has reached the point that reserves of tree biomass have been
virtually exhausted, and two small shrubs (Flourensia thurifera (Mol.) DC.
and Colliguaya oderifera (Mol.) constitute 80% of remaining biomass suitable
for firewood [Prado et al. 1988; cf. Etienne et al. 1982].