Open access copy available
Advances and shortfalls in applying best practices to global tree‐growing effortsBACKGROUND:Over the past three decades, there has been a rapid increase in the number of organizations engaged in tree planting to meet international targets exceeding a trillion trees. These initiatives aim to sequester carbon, conserve biodiversity, enhance water quality, and reduce social inequity. Despite these goals, frequent failures and unintended ecological and social impacts have led to the creation of numerous best practice guidelines for reforestation. Open access copy available |
Soil organic carbon pool under native tree plantations in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa RicaBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Nitrogen Fixing Trees for Animal Production on Acid SoilsBackgroundNitrogen-fixing trees play a crucial role in improving pasture and livestock systems on acid soils, which are prevalent in tropical regions. Acid soils often challenge agricultural productivity due to low fertility and high aluminum toxicity. Nitrogen-fixing trees, such as Erythrina poeppigiana, Cratylia argentea, and Alnus acuminata, enhance soil chemistry and fertility by adding nitrogen through organic matter and improving physical soil properties like porosity and bulk density. They are integrated into silvopastoral systems, where trees and shrubs coexist with pastures, offering multiple benefits such as soil stabilization, increased forage quality, and diversified farm outputs. Open access copy available |
Alnus acuminata: Valuable Timber Tree for Tropical HighlandsBackgroundAlnus acuminata, also known as alder, is a nitrogen-fixing tree native to tropical highlands from Mexico to northern Argentina. It thrives in elevations between 1,200 and 3,200 meters, with annual rainfall of 1,000 to 3,000 mm and temperatures ranging from 4°C to 27°C. This species plays a significant role in watershed protection, soil enrichment, and sustainable timber production. Its adaptability to moist soils, including riverbanks and landslides, and its resilience in disturbed areas make it a valuable pioneer species. Farmers in regions like Costa Rica have used Alnus acuminata in agroforestry systems for over 90 years, integrating it with pastureland and coffee cultivation. Open access copy available |
Biodiversity conservation in Costa Rica: a correspondence analysis between identifi ed biodiversity hotspots (Araceae, Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Scarabaeinae) and conservation priority life zonesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Erythrina (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae): A Versatile Genus for Agroforestry Systems in the Tropics.BackgroundThe genus Erythrina (Leguminosae) plays a crucial role in tropical agroforestry systems. These trees are adaptable and widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with over 100 species globally. Erythrina species are known for their rapid growth, nitrogen-fixing capability, and adaptability to various environments, including low-fertility soils. Historically, they have been integrated into agricultural systems as shade trees, live fences, and forage sources. The diverse ecological benefits of Erythrina highlight its importance in addressing food security, environmental conservation, and rural livelihoods in tropical regions. Open access copy available |
Los bosques tropicales estacionalmente secos: ¿una prueba ácida para la restauración?BackgroundEl artículo explora los desafíos y avances en la restauración de bosques tropicales estacionalmente secos (BTES), uno de los ecosistemas más amenazados y menos estudiados del mundo. Aunque ocupan un 40% de las zonas tropicales, los BTES enfrentan altas tasas de deforestación, presión humana y vulnerabilidad al cambio climático, lo que subraya la necesidad urgente de estrategias efectivas de restauración. Open access copy available |
Cómo financiar la restauración de los bosques tropicalesBackgroundLa restauración de bosques tropicales enfrenta desafíos económicos y sociales derivados de la presión sobre las tierras disponibles y la competencia con otras actividades como la agricultura y la ganadería. Sin embargo, la restauración ecológica se considera una oportunidad para recuperar ecosistemas degradados y generar beneficios económicos para los propietarios de tierras. El artículo analiza cómo financiar y hacer económicamente viable la restauración del bosque atlántico de Brasil, uno de los ecosistemas más biodiversos y amenazados del mundo. Open access copy available |
Restauración ecológica de bosques tropicales en Costa Rica: efecto de varios modelos en la producción, acumulación y descomposición de hojarascaBackgroundLa deforestación ha generado la necesidad de recuperar los ciclos de nutrientes y la biodiversidad en áreas degradadas. La investigación comparó tres enfoques de restauración: plantación, islas de árboles y regeneración natural, junto con bosques secundarios jóvenes, para evaluar su eficacia en la restauración de ecosistemas. Deforestation has emphasized the need to recover nutrient cycles and biodiversity in degraded areas. The research compared three strategies—plantation, tree islands, and natural regeneration—alongside young secondary forests to assess their effectiveness in ecosystem restoration. Open access copy available |
Digestibilidad in vitro de rebrote del forraje integral de dos nuevos cultivares de caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp. C97-366 y C99-374)BackgroundLa producción ganadera en épocas de sequía enfrenta desafíos por el forraje limitado en calidad. La caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp.) se evalúa como una alternativa sostenible por sus beneficios nutricionales y bajo costo para sistemas ganaderos. Investigadores estudiaron dos nuevos cultivares (C97-366 y C99-374) con características superiores al cultivar comercial (My5514). Open access copy available |
