Panama
Changing gears during succession: shifting functional strategies in young tropical secondary forestsBackgroundAdaptations toresource availability strongly shape patterns of community composition along successional gradients in environmental conditions. This study examines the extent to which variation in functional composition explains shifts in trait-based functional strategies in young tropical secondary forests during the most dynamic stage of succession (0–20 years). Open access copy available |
Foliar herbivory and leaf traits of five native tree species in a young plantation of Central PanamaBackgroundTimber plantations often provide economic incentives for land owners to restore abandoned pastures or agricultural land to forest, yet the threat of insect herbivory can diminish these new plantations and compromise the efforts. This study seeks to understand the extent of these threats on tree plantations in Panama. Open access copy available |
Changes in vegetation structure and composition along a tropical forest chronosequence: implications for wildlifeBackgroundChanges in tropical forest structure and species composition that occur during regeneration following land abandonment may have important consequences for wildlife populations. Many animals rely on forest resources as sites for foraging, nesting, and protection that may vary in abundance in forests of different ages. This study examines aspects of forest composition and structure thought to be important to wildlife along a tropical moist forest chronosequence in the Barro Colorado Nature Monument of central Panama. Available with subscription or purchase |
Neotropical Secondary Forest Succession: Changes in Structural and Functional CharacteristicsBackgroundThis paper reiviews the main biotic and abiotic factors that influence patterns of secondary forest succession in the Neotropics after complete forest clearance due to human activities. Research Goals & MethodsThe authors look at patterns of species replacement and various processes that occur during succession and suggest that the sequence of processes may be predictable even if species composition is not. Open access copy available |
ANCON, ANARAP, CCIAP: PanamaEspañolAntecedentesPara el 2014, Panamá había perdido mas del 65% de sus áreas forestales, con una tasa anual de deforestación de mas de 20 mil hectáreas. Hasta el 2009, esfuerzos de restauración forestal solo habían logrado regenerar aproximadamente 75 mil hectáreas, correspondiendo a 14% de lo destruido. La economía de Panamá es altamente dependiente de bosques y servicios forestales por lo cual es imprescindible la restauración sostenible de las areas restantes. Open access copy available |
Reforestation with Native Species in the Dry Lands of PanamaBACKGROUNDNatural populations of precious timber species in Panama are being overexploited, and some have been registered in the IUCN Red List in recent years. Within the overall framework of natural resource scarcity and mounting effects of climate change, the need for sustainable production of native trees that offer added values of water cycle regulation, soil improvement, and biodiversity conservation is stressed. Open access copy available |
Smallholder perceptions of agroforestry projects in PanamaBackgroundPanama’s history of shifting slash-and-burn cultivation methods has resulted in rapid deforestation and declines in land fertility in the latter 20th C with an increased population and increased resource extraction pressures. Agroforestry has been promoted in Central America, initially for fuelwood and then for more diverse usages and supplemental income for smallholders. Available with subscription or purchase |
Identifying Fast-Growing Native Trees from the Neotropics using Data from a Large, Permanent Census PlotbackgroundThis paper results from data collected over a decade from 160 trees in a 50 ha plot in BCI Panama. Research Goals & MethodsGrowth in dbh was calculated and a projection (trajectory) was estimated for the life of the tree (using regression). Available with subscription or purchase |
A Survey of Small-Scale Farmers Using Trees in Pastures in Herrera Province, PanamabackgroundThe Herrera Province on the Azuero Peninsula of Panamá has experienced significant deforestation for the purpose of cattle ranching. research goal & methodsThe goal of the study was to determine more information about the use of trees in smallholder cow pastures. Herreran pasture owners were interviewed about the different uses for trees in their pastures as well as the variety of tree species. Available with subscription or purchase |
Tree Atlas of Panama: Trees, Shrubs, and PalmsAboutThe Tree Atlas of Panama is a digital database established by the Center for Tropical Forest Science and the Smithsonian Tropical Resource Institute that aims to help with the identification of trees, shrubs, and palms of Panama. Open access copy available |
