Open access copy available
Farmer’s Perceptions of Silvopastoral System Promotion in Quindío, ColombiabackgroundThe adoption of silvopastoral systems (SPS) reduces pressure on forests and improves ecosystem services. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) are pasture systems in which multipurpose trees, diverse livestock feeds, and other techniques are used to improve productivity and ecosystem services in cattle production areas. In Latin America, conventional livestock production often results in rapid land degradation. SPS provides a longterm solution. This article describes results of a study evaluating farmers perceptions of SPS and, the motivations and disincentives for its adoption in Quindio Province of Colombia Open access copy available |
Payments for Environmental Services in Latin America as a Tool for Restoration and Rural DevelopmentBackgroundTwo Payments for Environmental Services (PES) projects are assessed in this article: 1) a bundled PES system in forestry projects in Costa Rica, and 2) the Regional Integrated Silvopastoral Approaches to Ecosystem Management Project in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Colombia. The first project based PED on the provision of four different environmental services (carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, and aesthetic improvements and/or maintenance of the landscape) within the same plot of land. The second project implemented PES proportional to carbon sequestration and biodiversity outputs by participants. Open access copy available |
Nagarote Reforestation and Community Development Project - SosteNicaBackgroundSosteNica and CEPRODEL work together to provide microcredit and technical assistance to help communities in Nicaragua improve the environmental on their land while also improving the economic opportunities for those communities. Open access copy available |
Forest Plantations on Imperata Grasslands in Indonesia: Establishment, Silviculture, and Utilization PotentialbackgroundThis dissertation presents results from multiple studies of reforestation on areas dominated by Imperata cylindrica grass in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Research Goals & MethodsThe author evaluated tree species selection, intra-specific provenance selection, site preparation, fertilization, and ground vegetation under plantations. Open access copy available |
Tropical Tree Seed ManualBACKGROUNDThis manual provides information on seed biology, storage, germination and pathology of native trees in neotropics. The second part provides detailed factsheets for 167 tropical tree species. It provides over 600 pages of species specific descriptions including scientific names, common names, occurrence and geographic range, growth habits, flowering and fruiting, collection of fruits/seeds, extraction and cleaning, storage, pre-germination treatments, germination tests, nursery practices, seedling care, any other information. Open access copy available |
Tree Plantations in the Philippines and Thailand: Economic, Social, and Environmental EvaluationBackgroundTropical land area under plantations have dramatically increased in recent decades, largely as a result of natural forest depletion. Forest plantations cannot qualitatively substitute the timber or the habitat of natural forests, yet are growing in global importance both commercially and ecologically. However, the negative and positive social and environmental impacts must also be included in analysis of tropical forest plantations. Open access copy available |
Trees Commonly Cultivated in Southeast Asia: An Illustrated Field GuidebackgroundThis manual is an identification guide for the commonly-encountered trees of Southeast Asia. It provides botanical information for conifers, broad-leafed trees, bamboos, palms, and bananas. Open access copy available |
Biomass Equations for Tropical Tree Plantations Using Secondary Data from the PhilippinesbackgroundThis study advances models for biomass estimation of tropical forests using equations verified by sampling in Philippines plantations. Evidence-based, site-specific equations for biomass estimation can avoid the need for frequent destructive sampling. Open access copy available |
Promoting Biodiversity Co-Benefits in REDDbackgroundThis article describes the potential for maximizing biodiversity conservation as a co-benefit of REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation). Open access copy available |
Community Based Forest Management in Cambodia and LaosbackgroundThis working document provides a comparison of community-based forest management (CBFM) in Cambodia and Laos. Some foundational factors distinguish the two countries, including governmental structure, population, ethnicities, and terrain. However, in both countries, a majority of the population lives in rural subsistence communities, with livelihoods often strongly dependent on forest use. Open access copy available |
