Costa Rica
Methods of Facilitating Reforestation of Tropical Degraded Land with the Native Timber Tree, Terminalia amazoniabackgroundIn tropical dry regions, like Costa Rica, it is critical to reforest degraded farms in order to reduce erosion and increase soil fertility. This paper explores the results of an 8-year long experiment in Southern Costa Rica that sought to identify ways to reforest such land economically. Available with subscription or purchase |
The Bigger Picture: Tropical Forest Change in Context, Concept and PracticebackgroundThis article discusses differing concepts of reforestation between the fields of forest science and land change science. Most data from the field of forest science is small in scale and evaluates growth and production from the perspective of use of wood products. Available with subscription or purchase |
Growth, carbon sequestration, and management of native tree plantations in humid regions of Costa RicaBackgroundThe Costa Rican government has provided incentives for reforestation programs since 1986 and initiated a Payment for Environmental Services program in 1996. These incentives yielded native species reforestation programs throughout the country. This study examines growth, carbon sequestration, and management of seven native tree species (Vochysia guatemalensis, Vochysia ferruginea, Hyeronima alchorneoides, Calophyllum brasiliense, Terminalia amazonia, Virola koschnyi, and Dipteryx panamensis) in single-species plantations managed by small landowners. Available with subscription or purchase |
Forest Expansion in Northwest Costa Rica: Conjuncture of the Global Market, Land-Use Intensification, and Forest ProtectionbackgroundThis article examines the land cover conversion trends in Costa Rica, a topic that is widely studied in developed coutries but less so in developing. Available with subscription or purchase |
Early Woody Invasion Under Tree Plantations in Costa Rica: Implications for Forest RestorationBackgroundThis study evaluates the regeneration of woody plants, the amount of herbaceous cover, and the light conditions in the understory of 3-year-old mixed and single-species plantations in Costa Rica. Research Goals & MethodsSingle species plots included the native species Jacaranda copaia and Vochysia guatemalensis. Available with subscription or purchase |
Facilitating Regeneration of Secondary Forests with the Use of Mixed and Pure Plantations of Indigenous Tree SpeciesbackgroundThis research presents the abundance and diversity of woody species regenerating under tropical plantations (mixed and single-species) and a control of natural regeneration at La Selva Biological Station in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Available with subscription or purchase |
The Role of Native Species Plantations in Recovery of Understory Woody Diversity in Degraded Pasturelands of Costa RicabackgroundThis study analyzes the understory recruitment success of tropical timber plantations in order to understand biodiversity recovery on degraded lands through the use of fast-growing timber plantations. The study takes place in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Open access copy available |
Promoting Biodiversity: Advances in Evaluating Native Species for ReforestationbackgroundThis article describes the design of a long-term species screening trial conducted at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Research Goals & MethodsGrowth and survivability data is presented for 84 species (17 popular exotics used for timber and 67 little-known local species with timber potential) at 3 years of age. Available with subscription or purchase |
Leaf Litter Decomposition and Mulch Performance from Mixed and Monospecific Plantations of Native Tree Species in Costa RicabackgroundThis research looks at leaf litter decomposition rates and mulch performance of four native tree species in mixed and monospecific plantations at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. The four species considered were Callophylum brasiliense, Jacaranda copaia, Vochysia guatemalensis, and Strypnodendron microstachyum. The faster the decomposition, the faster the nutrient transfer from the trees into the soils for uptake by other trees or by crops when the leaves are used as mulch. Available with subscription or purchase |
