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Tropical forest recovery: Legacies of human impact and natural disturbances

Background

Land-use history interacts with natural forces to influence the severity of disturbance events and the rate and nature of recovery processes in tropical forests. This perspective article highlights several trends in tropical forest recovery processes emerging from recent literature.

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Beyond Deforestation: Restoring Forests and Ecosystem Services on Degraded Lands

Background

In this review, the author presents the various stages of topical forest restoration. She describes a spectrum of reforestation approaches varying by time, cost, and biodiversity conservation value.

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Seed germination of Loxopterygium guasango, a threatened tree of coastal Northwestern South America

background

Loxopterygium guasango is a tree native to Ecuador with threatened status as of 1993, despite its durable wood, history of timber use, and potential use in reforestation. This study reports on seed germination, a potential cause of its low regeneration rates.

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Natural History, Seed Predation, and Germination of Prosopis juliflora Relative to a Reforestation Project in Southwestern Ecuador

background

This article provides information on the natural history of Prosopis juliflora in Ecuador and describes the efforts to use this native species in reforestation of tropical dry forest in the Proyecto Eduardo Aspiazu Estrata project.

Research Goals & Methods

Over 200 sacks of pods (around 15-20 kg) of seeds were collected in March-May 1994 and examined at the seed bank.

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Seed rain and seed limitation in a planted gallery forest in Brazil

Background

Seed dispersal by wind (anemochorous) and animals, usually birds and bats (zoochorous), is an important driver of succession. This study examines seed rain in a planted gallery forest (riparian corridor) in Brazil.

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Propagating Framework Tree Species to Restore Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest: Implications of Seasonal Seed Dispersal and Dormancy

background

This paper evaluates the seed germination characteristics of native tree species selected for reforestation in Thailand and cultivated in nurseries.

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Direct Seeding to Restore Tropical Mature-Forest Species in Areas of Slash-and-Burn Agriculture

background

Direct seeding of three mature-forest species into areas of slash-and-burn agriculture was conducted to evaluate the germination and establishment of these species.

Research Goals & Methods

Different fallow times were evaluated, less than 5 years, 8-15 years, and greater than 50 years. Germination, survival, and growth for 1-2 years was evaluated for 1800 seeds planted per species (200 on each of three replicate sites per forest age).

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Growth analysis of nine multipurpose woody legumes native from southern Mexico

Background

Deforestation in Mexico has produced significant soil degradation. Reforestation with native leguminous shrubs and trees can contribute to restoration of soil properties. This study evaluates early growth of nine leguminous tree and shrub species in nursery conditions in an ejido (communal agricultural land) in southern Mexico.

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Forests for the Future: Growing and Planting Native Trees for Restoring Forest Ecosystems

background

This book provides an accessible and practical guide to forest restoration. The text focuses on reforestation in Thailand and offers insights into reforestation in other tropical countries.

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Propagating Framework Trees to Restore Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Northern Thailand

background

One issue of concern in native species reforestation is the lack of information on propagation and nursery practices of native seeds and seedlings.

Research Goals & Methods

This research presents data on the germination and performance of ten native species that were formerly classified as possible "framework" species to be used in reforestation in northern Thailand.

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