Tropical Dry Forest
Afforestation for Reclaiming Degraded Village Common Land: A Case StudybackgroundIn India, population growth and agriculture put a strain on natural resources, often resulting in "wastelands" where the soil is no longer productive - often either affected by either salt or alkilinity. Using soil amendments to restore these lands to productivity can be cost-prohibitive for the small villages that own these lands. Afforestation is one possible method for restoring the health of these in a cost-effective and scalable way. Available with subscription or purchase |
The Rain–Runoff Response of Tropical Humid Forest Ecosystems to Use and Reforestation in the Western Ghats of IndiaBackgroundThis study expands on a previous study in the Western Ghats of India (Uttar Kannada, Karnataka State), that suggested a greater occurrence of infiltration-excess and potentially higher streamflow in degraded and reforested areas. Analyzing rainfall–streamflow data, the authors attempt to determine the impacts of different land cover types on stream discharge hydrograph components (viz, total flow, quickflow and delayed flow), the dominant stormflow pathways, and the impact of reforestation efforts on these processes. Available with subscription or purchase |
Towards recovery of native dry forest in the Colombian Andes: a plantation experiment for ecological restorationBackgroundRegeneration of native forest after disturbances, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, often progresses slowly or is arrested at a successional stage. This study evaluates the effectiveness of native tree plantings as a restoration strategy in a semi-arid Andean valley. Open access copy available |
Changes in litter decomposition and soil organic carbon in a reforested tropical deciduous cover (India)BackgroundSoil organic carbon is built over time by vegetative decomposition. This study explores potential changes in soil organic carbon in India due to changing patterns of vegetation, such as deforestation, agricultural use, and reforestation with novel species compositions and disturbance cycles. Open access copy available |
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 |
The Role of Revegetation for Rehabilitation of Sodic soils in Semiarid Subtropical Forest, IndiabackgroundThis study relies on a case study evaluate the rehabilitation of barren land within a larger forest ecosystem. The article indicates that restoration opportunities exist even with severely degraded land where natural succession does not occur without management practices. Available with subscription or purchase |
Modified Taungya System in Ghana: A Win–Win Practice for Forestry and Adaptation to Climate Change?backgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Germinación de semillas de seis especies de Bursera del centro de MéxicoEste artículo evaluó la influencia de la temperatura y el almacenamiento en la germinación de seis especies de Bursera nativas a México (B. bicolor, B. bipinnata, B. cipallifera, B. fagaroides, B. glabrifolia, B. grandifolia). Encontraron alta proporciones de semillas vanas en tres especies. Había un aumento en la germinación dentro de condiciones con una temperatura fluctuante (32-18 °C) en comparación con las semillas expuestos a una temperatura constante (25 °C). No hubo diferencias significativas en la germinación entre las especies con semillas almacenadas durante seis meses a temperatura ambiente y en refrigeración (25 °C). Después de cuatro meses, la germinación de Bursera glabrifolia, B. copallifera y B. bicolor fue del 30 a 60%. Open access copy available |
Facilitation of Forest Landscape Restoration on Abandoned Swidden Fallows in Laos using Mixed-Species Planting and Biochar ApplicationbackgroundThis article aims to assess the feasibility of a plantation with eight mixed native species fertilized with rice husk biochar as a technique for soil amendment at a specific site in Laos. Research Goals & MethodsThe use of biochar was compared to inorganic (NPK) fertilizer and to no fertilization. The effects on the planted seedlings establishment and growth were monitored for four years. Open access copy available |
Cost-Effectiveness of Dryland Forest Restoration Evaluated by Spatial Analysis of Ecosystem ServicesbackgroundThis study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of dryland forest restoration through a comparative analysis of four study areas in Latin America. Research Goals & MethodsThe authors model multiple ecosystem services to estimate costs and benefits of restoring dryland forests under a range of economic valuation conditions. Open access copy available |
