Journal Articles
Exotic Eucalypts: From Demonized Trees to Allies of Tropical Forest Restoration?Background:Timber, being a product in high demand globally, presents a lucrative market opportunity, and restoration efforts could potentially generate income through the targeted extraction of this material. While the incorporation of commercially valuable exotic trees might incentivize farmers to participate in restoration projects, it raises significant ecological concerns among experts. Available with subscription or purchase |
Survival and Early Growth of 51 Tropical Tree Species in Areas Degraded by Artisanal Gold Mining in the Peruvian AmazonBackground:Artisanal and small-scale gold mining has dramatically changed the landscape of tropical ecosystems, completely removing the soil and vegetation and polluting it with mercury disposals. In order to recover these degraded spaces, reforestation projects need to enhance their knowledge of restoration species growth and survival rates under different site conditions, as well as their fertilization needs. Goals:The authors of this study aim to (1) test 51 species with potential for ecological restoration and/or forest rehabilitation; (2) assess the potential for biochar amendments for use in reforestation efforts; and (3) explore species performance regarding their contrasting wood density traits. Available with subscription or purchase |
Biochar Effects on Two Tropical Tree Species and Its Potential as a Tool for ReforestationBackground:Although biochar is starting to be recognized as a potential soil fertilizer, most of the current studies are focused on the growth response of herbaceous crops and not on the impacts of biochar on tree development. Goals:The authors measure the survival rate, growth, and biomass accumulation of the seedlings of two tropical tree species Terminalia amazonia (“terminalia”) and Guazuma crinita (“bolaina”) under abandoned gold mine conditions: nutrient-poor and sandy soil. The seedlings were tested under six different treatments (three doses of biochar, with and without fertilizer) for six months. Open access copy available |
Plant Respiration in a Warmer WorldBackground:It has been estimated that, globally, plants release 60 gigatons of CO2 during the respiration process. Many studies have shown that an increase in global temperature will increase leaves respiration rates, which in turn will decrease carbon uptake and increase atmospheric CO2 concentration (contributing even more to higher global temperature). Available with subscription or purchase |
Deforestation-Induced Climate Change Reduces Carbon Storage in Remaining Tropical ForestsBackground:Deforestation of tropical forests alters the biophysical properties of the forest's surface, which contributes to regional warming and drying. These environmental changes, in turn, could impact non-degraded forests, reducing the rates of photosynthesis and increasing the release of carbon through autotrophic respiration, as well as the risk of a wildfire. Consequently, it is important to improve the accuracy of carbon and climate benefits of a land management action (e.g., avoided deforestation) to enable a more effective valuation of the carbon credits issued for a specific project. Open access copy available |
Higher Fire Frequency Impaired Woody Species Regeneration in a South-Eastern Amazonian ForestBackground:The more and more common forest fires in the Amazon rainforest, caused after fire escape from pasture or deforested lands, cause unpredictable changes to the forest structure. Therefore, it is essential to assess the resilience of these ecosystems after being impacted by fire events and the likelihood of maintaining forest tree species and not being replaced by savanna species. Available with subscription or purchase |
Lowland Tapirs Facilitate Seed Dispersal in Degraded Amazonian ForestsBackground:During their first decades of growth, secondary tropical forests have the potential to accumulate significative more carbon than old-growth stands. Nevertheless, recovering degraded forests' habitats could be an expensive task to achieve. In this context, natural regeneration processes, such as seed dispersal by herbivorous animals, offer a cost-effective tool to recover degraded forests, although this role remains largely unexplored. Available with subscription or purchase |
Assessing the Carbon Capture Potential of a Reforestation ProjectBackground:Reforestation projects are receiving more and more attention due to their potential to sequester carbon and limit the increase of the global average temperature above 2 Celsius degrees. Consequently, is important to evaluate the accuracy of the GHG capture results made by the increasingly funded reforestation platforms. Open access copy available |
Calibrating Nepal’s scientific forest management practices in the measure of forest restorationBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Restoration of plant-animal interactions in terrestrial ecosystemsBackgroundPlant-animal interactions are understudied within ecosystem restoration contexts. They are crucial to restoration success, with valuable processes like pollination, seed dispersal, and herbivory. The potential of animal reintroductions in restoration practices is understudied as well. Understanding these interactions is an important piece for future restoration efforts. Available with subscription or purchase |
