Costa Rica

Farmer Participation in Reforestation Incentive Programs in Costa Rica

background

This article evaluates the participation of farm households in reforestation incentive programs in Costa Rica from 1988 to 1995. The Forestry Bond Certificate in Advance (CAFa) was started in 1988 as a grant of 100,000 colones per hectare (it increased to 120,000 colones per hectare) for reforestation to be disbursed over 5 years of plantation establishment. The Forestry Development Fund (FDF) was initiated in 1989 and offers 58,000 colones per hectare over 3 years for reforestation.

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The Effect of Rabbit Herbivory on Reforestation of Abandoned Pasture in Southern Costa Rica

background

This study considers how mammalian seedling herbivory may limit forest seedling growth abandonded pasture in southern Costa Rica.

Research Goals & Methods

Trees were planted in open pasture and under remnant pasture trees of Inga edulis and Inga punctata.

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Effects of Management Practices on Coffee Productivity and Herbaceous Species Diversity in Agroforestry Systems

background

This article discusses how to manage an agroforestry coffee system to maintain crop productivity while also promoting biodiversity in Costa Rica.

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Effects of Above- and Below-Ground Competition of Shrubs and Grass on Calophyllum brasiliense (Camb.) Seedling Growth in Abandoned Tropical Pasture

background

This article evaluates the above and below-ground competition between grasses, shrubs, and woody seedlings in abandoned pastures in montane Costa Rica.

Research Goals & Methods

One-year-old seedlings of Calophyllum brasilense, a native early-successional tree species, were planted in patches of shrub growth and grass coverage. Seedlings were treated in one of four ways: reduction of root competition, reduction of above-ground competition, reduction of both forms of competition, and control (untreated).

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Canopy development in tropical tree plantations: a comparison of species mixtures and monocultures

Background

The establishment of plantation monocultures has dominated much of the intensive forest management practiced in the humid tropics of the Americas, with most forestry research and practice concentrating on a small number of non-indigenous species. Growing interest exists in modifying these practices both by creating mixed-species plantations and by making greater use of native tree species.

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Native Species: A Resource for the Diversification of Forestry Production in the Lowland Humid Tropics

background

This research evaluates the success of native species for reforestation plantings in Costa Rica in comparison with exotic species.

Research Goals & Methods

At La Selva Biological Station, 80 species were planted in mixed stands of 8-12 species between 1987 and 1990. Growth characteristics and form for timber quality were collected for each species at 3 and 6 years after planting.

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A Financial Analysis of Small-Scale Tropical Reforestation with Native Species in Costa Rica

Background

This article describes the financial expenses and revenues incurred by the 15th year of a small native species plantation in Costa Rica.

research goals & methods

Forecasting models incorporate growth patterns, production costs, and wood prices to determine the net present value and internal rate of return for the project.

Open access copy available

Cloudbridge Reforestation Project

background

The mission of the Cloudbridge Reforestation Project is to rebuild a deforested part of tropical cloud forest using native trees to bridge a gap between two mountainside forests.  Local people as well as tree consultants are hired to plant the native species.  

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Growth of native forest species planted on abandoned pasture land in Costa Rica

Background

Reforestation programs in Costa Rica have largely utilized only four tree species. This study tests growth rates and form of eleven additional tree species native to the humid tropics, including five N-fixing species and six non-N-fixing species.

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Early Growth Performance of Native and Introduced Fast Growing Tree Species in Wet to Sub-Humid Climates of the Southern Region of Costa Rica

background

The authors present information on the growth of seven-year-old native tree species planted in abandoned pasture with low fertility acidic soils in the southern pacific region of Costa Rica.

Research Goals & Methods

The study evalutes trees in four ecoregions of varying elevation and precipitation.

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