Latin America and Caribbean
Canopy development in tropical tree plantations: a comparison of species mixtures and monoculturesBackgroundThe 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. Available with subscription or purchase |
Enriching the Tropical Rain Forest with Native Fruit Trees: A Biological and Economic Analysis in Los Tuxtlas (Veracruz, Mexico)backgroundThis doctoral thesis compares the net present value of planting three native tree species in comparison with cattle pasture in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. Research Goals & MethodsThe author evaluates two native fruit species Pouteriasapota (mamey) and Diospyrosdigyna (black sapote) and the timber species Cedrelaodorata (Spanish cedar). The author evaluates the correlation between fruit yield and diameter growth for the two fruit species. Open access copy available |
Effects of Management Practices on Coffee Productivity and Herbaceous Species Diversity in Agroforestry SystemsbackgroundThis article discusses how to manage an agroforestry coffee system to maintain crop productivity while also promoting biodiversity in Costa Rica. Open access copy available |
Experimental Tree Assemblages on the Ecological Rehabilitation of a Cloud Forest in Veracruz, MexicobackgroundThis research evaluates the survival of 10 native tree species planted in a heavily degraded montane forest in Veracruz, Mexico. Available with subscription or purchase |
Restoration of a Restinga Sandy Coastal Plain in Brazil: Survival and Growth of Planted Woody SpeciesBackgroundRestingas – coastal sandy vegetation – have been affected by human impact for about 8,000 years. Human use of these sites for housing, tourism, and recreation has recently increased in such a way that there is a need for conservation of remnant patches and restoration of degraded areas throughout the coast to protect biodiversity. This study reports the results of an experiment introducing 17 native shrub and tree species into a degraded Brazilian restinga. Available with subscription or purchase |
Is Tree Diversity an Important Driver for Phosphorus and Nitrogen Acquisition of a Young Tropical Plantation?backgroundThis article presents the effect of native species diversity on the nitrogen and phosphorous pools above-ground in a plantation in the Canal Zone of Panama. Available with subscription or purchase |
Sustainable Harvest International Reforestation: Annual Report FY2008BackgroundThe mission of Sustainable Harvest International's reforestation work is to empower local farmers by giving them the knowledge and equipment to improve degraded lands, rebuild diversity in the forest ecosystems, and benefit from the planting of trees. Open access copy available |
ArBolivia Reforestation ProjectBACKGROUNDArBolivia is a social enterprise solution to deforestation in the Bolivian Amazon, which is driven by poverty and poor land management in the form of slash and burn subsistence farming. The mission of the ArBolivia Reforestation project was to reforest 6000 ha of farmland to restore forest, sequester carbon, and provide a new source of income for rural people. The project began in 2007 through a partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reforestation pilot, the Dutch investment company Sicirec, and a Bolivian sustainable agroforestry NGO called CETEFOR. Open access copy available |
Genesis Forest ProjectBackgroundThis is a project design document that describes the plan for a reforestation project in Brazilian Cerrado in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. Open access copy available |
Awacachi Biological Corridor ReforestationBACKGROUNDThe mission of the project is to propagate native trees species along the Awacachi biological corridor as well as the agroforestry areas in the buffer zone. The project to conserve and restore in the corridor was established in 2000 and spans 10,000 hectares. The Awacachi Corridor is a key strategic site which along with adjoining areas, reinforces the conservation of humid tropical forest of the Chocó biogeographic region. Open access copy available |

