Journal Articles
Ecological Engineering for Successful Management and Restoration of Mangrove ForestsBackgroundThis article takes a look at the reasons why many mangrove restoration projects fail, and provides key recommendations for improving the success rate of mangrove restoration projects. Open access copy available |
Important Considerations to Achieve Successful Mangrove Forest Restoration with Optimum Fish HabitatbackgroundThis article discusses how fish and mangrove ecosystems in Florida, USA, are coupled in time and space, offers several strategies for mangrove restoration with the goal to improve fish habitat, and provides a simple sequential checklist of design tasks. Open access copy available |
The Impact of Forest Use and Reforestation on Soil Hydraulic Conductivity in the Western Ghats of India: Implications for Surface and Sub-Surface HydrologybackgroundThis article presents research on the surface and sub-surface permeability of degraded and restored forests and their dominant stormflow pathways in the humid tropics of Uttar Kannada district, Karnataka, India. The authors attempt to determine to what extent field saturated hydraulic conductivity (K*) isaltered due to long-term forest degradation as compared to other studies in the humid tropics. They quantify changes in permeability following forestation of plantations and degraded landscapes and investigate the likely effect of wet-season conditions and the implications this has for predicting hydrologic consequences of forest degradation. Available with subscription or purchase |
Reforestation with the Native Tree Alnus acuminata: Effects on Phytodiversity and Species Richness in an Upper Montane Rain Forest Area of ColombiaBackgroundThis study takes place in the western cordillera in Colombia (Quindio). Upper montane forest is dominated by large Weinmannia (Alnus acuminata) plantations established from 1977-1978 on abandoned agricultural and grazing land (for erosion control), and secondary forest fragments that naturally colonized abandoned agricultural areas. Available with subscription or purchase |
Evaluation of Native Tree Species for the Rehabilitation of Deforested Areas in a Mexican Cloud ForestbackgroundThis study examines the survival of four native tree species used in mixed-experimental plantations in the tropical montane forest of Veracruz, Mexico (1300-1900m). Tropical montane covers only 1% of land surface in Mexico but contains ~ 10% of all flowering plants. In Veracruz, forest fragments occupy on 10% of the oringinal forest cover. Available with subscription or purchase |
Avian Communities in Forest Fragments and Reforestation Areas Associated with Banana Plantations in Costa RicaBackgroundThis study evaluates the avian diversity value of reforested and secondary forest fragments in a matrix of banana plantations in Caribbean Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, banana producers (Dole and Delmonte) retain riparian buffer forests in addition to reforestation on lands removed from production. Zygia longifolia dominated reforested and secondary forest fragments. Available with subscription or purchase |
Restoration success: how is it being measured?BackgroundGlobal criteria of restoration success should be clearly established to evaluate restoration projects. Various governments, institutes, and authors use varying criteria, leading to potential misprioritization of goals. Recently, the Society of Ecological Restoration International (SER) produced a Primer that includes key ecosystem attributes that should be considered when evaluating restoration success. Available with subscription or purchase |
Smallholder perceptions of agroforestry projects in PanamaBackgroundPanama’s history of shifting slash-and-burn cultivation methods has resulted in rapid deforestation and declines in land fertility in the latter 20th C with an increased population and increased resource extraction pressures. Agroforestry has been promoted in Central America, initially for fuelwood and then for more diverse usages and supplemental income for smallholders. Available with subscription or purchase |
Dominant Species’ Resprout Biomass Dynamics After Cutting in the Sudanian Savanna-Woodlands of West Africa: Long Term Effects of Annual Early Fire and GrazingBACKGROUNDThis study examines the potential for forest regeneration after harvest in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The study area is a tropical dry forest of tree-shrub dominated by trees of Combretaceae and Mimosaceae (Fabeaceae). The area is part of the Sudanian savanna ecoregion, stretching across Africa , and receives approximately 700-1200 mm of rain, interspersed by a 6-7 month dry season. Firewood is the major source of home energy. It is estimated that 25-50% of the forest area naturally burns each year, and all areas burn every 2-3 years. Cattle browsing is also common in the region, especially on the grass that sprouts after burns. Open access copy available |
Mahogany and Kadam planting farmers in South Kalimantan: the link between Silvicultural activity and stand qualityBackgroundIncentive structures in Indonesia have promoted forest plantations conducted and managed in partnership with local farmers. This paper examines the relationship between farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, silvicultural activity and the quality of their mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and kadam (Anthocephalus/Neolamarkia cadamba) plantation stands in two independent case study villages in South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Available with subscription or purchase |
