Tropical Dry Forest

A tree-based approach to biomass estimation from remote sensing data in a tropical agricultural landscape

background

Due to increased global dominance of agricultural lands in the tropics, methods to establish biomass and carbon in agricultural areas are necessary for monitoring and modeling global C stocks. Since tropical agriculture often includes some tree cover, the study seeks to develop above ground biomass estimates using landscape-scale surveys with LiDAR in comparison to plot-level data.

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Carbon Sequestration in Pastures, Silvo-Pastoral Systems and Forests in Four Regions of the Latin American Tropics

background

77% of agricultural land in the tropical Americas is used for pasture (including silvo-pasture and Argo-silvo-pasture), making carbon stocks in this land type an important consideration. This paper presents three-year research results on the evaluation of soil carbon stocks (SCS) in long-established pasture and silvo-pastoral systems (10-16 years under commercial production), native forests and degraded land in four regions of tropical Americas.

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Carbon stocks in biomass and soils of woody species fodder banks in the dry tropics of Mexico

background

Fodder banks are a common feature of tropical silvopasture. This study evaluates the C concentration and storage in above- and belowground tree biomass and soils of fodder banks of Leucaena leucocephala, Guazuma ulmifolia, and a combination of the both species.

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Spatial and temporal deforestation dynamics in protected and unprotected dry forests: a case study from Myanmar (Burma)

background

This study looks at deforestation impacts and drivers in a tropical dry forest ecosystem of Myanmar (Burma).  The study focuses on the Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), one of the largest protected areas of dry forest in Southeast Asia, and the surrounding areas that serve as habitat for the endangered Eld’s deer.

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Evaluation of Natural Regeneration and Tree species diversity in Miombo woodlands in Malawi

background

This study seeks to determine the best management practices for the miombo woodland in Chongoni Forest Reserve, Malawi.

Research Goals & Methods

The authors used plots with four silvicultural practices-complete coppice, coppice with standard, selective thinning, and a control plot-to determine which method would have the best outcome for tree species diversity and natural regeneration of trees.

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Investir dans la forêt de demain : vers un Programme d'action pour la revitalisation de la foresterie en afrique de l'Ouest (Investing in the forests of tomorrow)

The authors provide an analysis of Sahelian forests and place the state of forests in West Africa into a historical context. They provide case studies of agroforestry and assisted natural regeneration (ANR) in forested areas of Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea. Finally, the authors provide recommendations for smart investments in West African forests.

 

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Understanding the Interaction of Rural People with Ecosystems: A Case Study in a Tropical Dry Forest of Mexico

Background

This paper reports on the effort to understand the relationship between the rural communities and the often-studied tropical dry forest. While many papers from scientists have focused on the biology and ecology of the Chamela-Cuixmala region, relatively few have considered human element to their work.

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Régénération naturelle assistée des forêts villageoises et promotion d’activités génératrices de revenus au profit des populations rurales au Burkina Faso

The authors describe the mission of the nongovernmental organization NewTree, which seeks to support rural populations in their fight against desertification and poverty. They discuss assisted natural regeneration in Burkina Faso in particular, as a means of generating sustainable revenue and state that the program has successfully preserved 225 hectares of land while generating income for rural communities.

 

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Les légumineuses arborescentes dans les systèmes de production des zones sèches de Côte d'Ivoire (Arborescent leguminous plants in the production systems of dry zonesin Côte d’Ivoire)

The authors saught to identify woody legumes adapted to dry conditions of Côte d’Ivoire and to determine their success in reforestation. They describe 18 species of woody plants that were successful seven years after planting while also noting several species that responded well to coppicing under tropical dry conditions.

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La participation communautaire au cœur du modèle de restauration de la Grande muraille verte africaine (Community participation at the heart of the model for restoration of the Great Green Wall)

The authors describe the African initiative of the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel, which is currently in process. Thay note that the initiative is gainaing visibility and includes 110 participating villages. The article concludes by calling for support for these types of initiaties.

 

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