Tropical Wet Forest
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 |
Optimising Seedling Management: Pouteria sapota, Diospyros digyna, and Cedrela odorata in a Mexican RainforestbackgroundThis study compares the height growth of three native tree species (Pouteria sapota, Diospyros digyna, and Cedrela odorata) during the first two years after transplantation from a nursery in three plot types (primary rainforest, secondary forest, and open pasture) in Veracruz, Mexico. Research Goals & MethodsThe effects of canopy closure, leaf nutrients, initial seedling height and seed mass on the final height of the plant after two years were analyzed. Open access copy available |
Restoration of a Sri-Lankan rainforest: Using Caribbean Pine Pinus caribaea as a nurse for establishing late-successional tree speciesBackgroundIn the moist tropics, studies have demonstrated poor seedling establishment of late-successional trees on lands cleared of forest. This study examines the potential for establishing late-successional tree species that dominate the canopy of rainforest by planting within and adjacent to experimental openings that were created within a Pinus caribaea plantation. Available with subscription or purchase |
Silvicultural and economic aspects of pure and mixed native tree species plantations on degraded pasturelands in humid Costa RicaBackgroundReforestation of degraded land in tropical regions provides one means of restoring ecosystems and improving rural livelihoods. Most plantations in humid tropical regions are established in pure plots using few species of high commercial value, generally exotics. This study compares growth and economic viability of native trees in pure and mixed plantations on degraded land. Available with subscription or purchase |
Strategies for the Recovery of Degraded Ecosystems: Experiences from Latin AmericabackgroundThis paper reviews the rehabilitation potential of native species forest plantations in lowland Costa Rica, the Atlantic Forest of Bahia, Brazil, and sub-tropical Argentina. Native species can improve forest regeneration where soils are degraded and where sources of propagules are limited. While most tropical plantations are dominated by exotic species, native trees may be more appropriate because they are better adapted to the local environment, are already familiar to local farmers, and their propagules are locally available. Open access copy available |
Central Kalimantan Peatlands ProjectBACKGROUNDThe Central Kalimantan Peatlands Project (CKPP) grows out of an increasing recognition at the local, national and international levels of the urgency of halting and reversing degradation of the peatswamp forests of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Drainage, illegal logging and fire devastated the area’s peatswamps in recent decades, and the impacts on local livelihoods, the broader economy and critical wildlife habitats have been staggering. Open access copy available |
Creative Ecology: Restoration of Native Forests by Native TreesbackgroundThis article describes how the "native forests by native trees" restoration method used in Japan was applied to reforestation in Malaysia, and later in Brazil, Chile, and parts of China. Open access copy available |
Helping Forests to Help Themselves—Accelerating Natural RegenerationbackgroundThis chapter walks through the basic techniques of accelerated (or assisted) natural regeneration (ANR), describing when it is appropriate, when it should be combined with other techniques, how to increase the seed rain, and areas of needed research. Open access copy available |
