Tropical Wet Forest
The Ecophysiology of Pioneer Tree Species in Relation to their Disturbance Ecology in a Wet Lowland Rainforest, Sri LankaBackgroundThis dissertation evaluates pioneers species and their response to light availability and disturbance characteristics in the Shorea-Mesua vegetation type (an aseasonal, mixed dipterocarp forest) around the Sinharaja World Heritage Forest Reserve in southwest Sri Lanka. Open access copy available |
Arboles de Centroamerica: un Manual para Extensionistas (Trees of Central America: a Manual for Extentionists)EspañolAntecedentesLos agricultores de Centro América afrontan una compleja realidad que usualmente no es considerada en las iniciativas de manejo sostenible, lo que repercute en la falta de éxito de estas. En un esfuerzo por insertar las necesidades reales de los agricultores a estas actividades, este manual busca cubrir la brecha de información relacionada a especies arbóreas nativas de América Central. Available with subscription or purchase |
Shade management in coffee and cacao plantationsBackgroundShade trees reduce the stress of coffee (Coffea spp.) and cacao (Theobroma cacao) by ameliorating adverse climatic conditions and nutritional imbalances and increase the biodiversity of coffee farms, but they may also compete for growth resources. This review summarizes the literature on ecological aspects of shade-grown coffee and cacao and on management of shade trees, but does not address economic and social aspects of shade-grown coffee and cacao. Available with subscription or purchase |
Biodiversity Conservation in Traditional Coffee Systems of MexicoBackgroundThis article discusses the capacity of traditional coffee agroforestry systems for maintaining biodiversity levels. Research Goals & MethodsThe authors describe five coffee plantation systems based on differing vegetational and structural complexity: (1) traditional rustic, (2) traditional polyculture, (3) commercial polyculture, (4) shaded monoculture, and (5) unshaded monoculture. Open access copy available |
The Role of Rustic Coffee Plantations in the Conservation of Wild Tree Diversity in the Chinantec Region of MexicobackgroundThis study examines the potential of shade coffee systems to promote native tree diversity across the landscape of southern Mexico. Research Goals & MethodsTwenty-two coffee plantations, representing a range of elevation and age of development, were sampled to assess their species compositions. In total, 45 species (34 tree species) were recorded in the plantations, and 77% of them were native species. Open access copy available |
Performance of an Improved Fallow System in the Peruvian Amazon—Modelling ApproachbackgroundThis research compares the ecological and economic potential of an improved leguminous tree fallow (using Inga edulis) to the traditional grass fallow (dominated by Imperata brasiliensis) in central Peru. Available with subscription or purchase |
Use of the Amazonian Tree Species Inga edulis for Soil Regeneration and Weed ControlbackgroundThis article presents research on leguminous tree-based fallows using Inga edulis in Peru. Research Goals & MethodsFour treatments were compared over a period of nearly 3 years: 1) natural fallow, 2) fallow with I. edulis, 3) fallow with I. edulis combined with a cover crop of kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides), and 4) continuous cropping of cassava. Open access copy available |
Biomass Growth and Farmer Knowledge of Inga edulis in Peruvian AmazonbackgroundThis study develops an equation for diameter-based biomass estimation of Inga edulis. The tree is widely grown in the Peruvian Amazon as a naturally occurring early-successional tree and in small farms and gardens for fruit and fuelwood. Open access copy available |
How to Improve Adoption of Agroforestry Systems Among Small Farmers in Peruvian AmazonbackgroundThis article surveys factors affecting the acceptibility rate of a multistrata agroforestry system. Research Goals & MethodsSmall farmers from three communities in central Peru were surveyed and data was collected on farm and houshold characteristics, cultivated crops and tree species, and agroforestry practices. Open access copy available |
Public Awareness Generation for the Reforestation in Amazon Tropical Lowland RegionbackgroundThis study compares two plots of native tree species, one that was planted with small numbers of species representing potential natural vegetation and another that was planted with many species, including fast-growing pioneers. Research Goals & MethodsAfter 9 years, tree height, DBH, species composition, stand volume, tree density and species diversity were measured in both plots. Open access copy available |
