Seasonal Tropical Wet, Moist, and Monsoonal Forest
Restoration of native forests from Japan to MalaysiaBackgroundThis paper describes the "Miyawaki method" to afforestation and its application in an urban setting in Malaysia. This method, which relies on a densley planted mix of seedling species from seeds collected in neighboring forests, has been utilized throughout Japan and is gaining momentum in new tropical locations as well. Available with subscription or purchase |
Bird Perches Increase Forest Seeds on Puerto Rican LandslidesBackgroundForest regeneration is typically difficult after landslides due to loss of above- and below-ground vegetative structure, the soil seed bank, soil nutrients, and soil structure. Landslides are a common occurrence in Puerto Rico due to its steep topography and heavy rainfall periods and often transform into grass- or fern-dominated terrain. Insufficient seed rain is thought to be one contributing factor. Open access copy available |
Agro-Successional Restoration as a Strategy to Facilitate Tropical Forest RecoverybackgroundTropical forest restoration to address resource degradation and climate change is a growing trend in tropical regions. However, a lack of funding and provision for human livelihoods often hinders forest restoration projects. Traditional agroforestry systems are often seen as a way to connect farmers to forest restoration, and the article outlines existing agroforestry models. Open access copy available |
Foliar herbivory and leaf traits of five native tree species in a young plantation of Central PanamaBackgroundTimber plantations often provide economic incentives for land owners to restore abandoned pastures or agricultural land to forest, yet the threat of insect herbivory can diminish these new plantations and compromise the efforts. This study seeks to understand the extent of these threats on tree plantations in Panama. Open access copy available |
Forest Fragmentation and its Correlation to Human Land Use Change in the State of Selangor, Peninsular MalaysiaBackgroundThis paper uses a simple fragmentation index comprising three landscape metrics- non-forest area, forest edge bordered by human land use, and patch size coefficient of variation- to study changes in forest fragmentation in the state of Selangor, in peninsular Malaysia between 1966, 1981 and 1995. Research Goals & MethodsThe study utilized digitized land use maps developed by the Soil Management Division of the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia, to study changes in land use over time. Open access copy available |
Agroforestry Adoption in Haiti: The Importance of Household and Farm CharacteristicsbackgroundDuring the last century, the forest cover of Haiti has decreased from 8-10% of total land area to under 2%. This has serious implications for a nation with rapid population growth, 70% of the population living in rural areas, and 63% of the land is steeply sloping. Intensive agriculture on steeply sloping lands without tree cover could lead to topsoil and fertility losses. To combat this problem, the government implemented a USAID-funded agroforestry program to encourage reforestation strategies such as hedgerows, tree seedlings, and top grafting on smallholder farms. Available with subscription or purchase |
"Where's our development?" Landowner aspirations and envrionmentalist agendas in Western Solomon IslandsBackgroundThis article is an evaluation of a five-year conservation and development project, "The Solomon Islands Community Resource and Development Project" initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly the WWF). The project was intended to educate local landowners on the importance of biodiversity, the rainforest, and on protecting these resources from logging. The focus of the project was primarily educational but also provided assistance and incetives to pursue more sustianable "ecotourism" projects. Available with subscription or purchase |
Connecting sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation: Does shade coffee provide habitat for mammals?BackgroundShade coffee systems are believed to support diverse wildlife. However, most research on wildlife in shade coffee has focused on bird and insect diversity, with few studies that have focused on mammals living within coffee-dominated landscapes. Available with subscription or purchase |
Establishment of Tree Seedlings in the Understory of Restoration Plantations: Natural Regeneration and Enrichment PlantingsBackgroundThis study investigates how seedling establishment is affected in the understory of restoration sites of different ages (10,22 and 55 year-old) within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. It also assesses some of the environmental microsite conditions that influenced the stand dynamics process. Available with subscription or purchase |
Forest Cover and Deforestation Patterns in the Northern Andes (Lake Maracaibo Basin): A Synoptic Assessment using MODIS and Landsat ImageryBackgroundSouth America has the highest deforestation rates in the tropics. Yet, the science is often questioned when determining these rates. For example, Venezuela, which has the second highest rate in the region, produces government reports on deforestation that are continually questioned by third parties. This paper stresses the need for more accurate and consistent data on forest cover and greenhouse gase emissions from deforestation. Available with subscription or purchase |
