Dissertations and Theses

Modelos alométricos para la estimación de biomasa aérea de dos especies nativas en plantaciones forestales del trópico de Cochabamba, Bolivia (Allometric models for estimating aboveground biomass in Cochabamba, Bolivia)

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Cultural Assessment of Reforestation Practices in Rural Eastern Paraguay

background

This master's thesis examines reforestation projects in eastern Paraguay with the aim of improving the methods of agroforestry extensionists. It describes the geography and historical background of Paraguay, including information on economic and environmental problems. It then provides a detailed site description of the study community and reforestation programs in rural Paraguay generally.

Open access copy available

An Ethnographic Study of Tree-Planting Successes and Failures by Small Farmers in Paraguay

background

This thesis outlines the characteristics of farmers that successfully implement forestry projects in eastern Paraguay. The work begins by providing background information on the geographical, political, and social aspects of Paraguay and the focal community, as well as a summary of the literature on agroforestry. 

Open access copy available

The Ecophysiology of Pioneer Tree Species in Relation to their Disturbance Ecology in a Wet Lowland Rainforest, Sri Lanka

Background

This dissertation evaluates pioneers species and their response to light availability and disturbance characteristics in the Shorea-Mesua vegetation type (an aseasonal, mixed dipterocarp forest) around the Sinharaja World Heritage Forest Reserve in southwest Sri Lanka.

Open access copy available

Estimación de la cantidad de carbono capturado por el fuste del hualtaco (Loxopterigium huasango) en el bosque seco de Sullana, Piura - Perú

Esta investigación evalúa la habilidad del Hualtaco (Loxopterigium husango) de capturar el carbono en el Bosque Seco del Perú. Los datos de biomasa y carbono fueron obtenidos de forma directa con base a las muestras recolectadas del bosque seco semidenso de Colina del Distrito de Lancones, provincia de Sullana en la región Piura, Perú. Los autores presentan sus resultados incluyendo la fracción de carbono para la especie (0,47), el contenido promedio de carbono (66,61 kg) y carbono equivalente (245,41 kg) por individuo, y la correlación entre la cantidad de carbono otros indicadores de crecimiento.

Open access copy available

Tropical Dry Forest Recovery: Processes and Causes of Change

BACKGROUND

This paper aims at unraveling processes and pathways of tropical dry forest (TDF) secondary succession occurring after traditional shifting-cultivation practices. It focuses on the study of community dynamics, the development of forest structure, and changes in floristic composition, to understand what makes a group of species to be present, dominant, and eventually disappear, at a certain space and time. The work begins with a section on the use of tree rings to determine the ages of fallows. 

Open access copy available

Forest Plantations on Imperata Grasslands in Indonesia: Establishment, Silviculture, and Utilization Potential

background

This dissertation presents results from multiple studies of reforestation on areas dominated by Imperata cylindrica grass in South Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Research Goals & Methods

The author evaluated tree species selection, intra-specific provenance selection, site preparation, fertilization, and ground vegetation under plantations.

Open access copy available

Enriching the Tropical Rain Forest with Native Fruit Trees: A Biological and Economic Analysis in Los Tuxtlas (Veracruz, Mexico)

background

This doctoral thesis compares the net present value of planting three native tree species in comparison with cattle pasture in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico.

Research Goals & Methods

The author evaluates two native fruit species Pouteriasapota (mamey) and Diospyrosdigyna (black sapote) and the timber species Cedrelaodorata (Spanish cedar). The author evaluates the correlation between fruit yield and diameter growth for the two fruit species.

Open access copy available
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