South Asia
Climate Resilient Participatory Afforestation and Reforestation ProjectBACKGROUNDThe project takes place in one of the most densely-populated agrarian countries in the world, Bangladesh, which has also been facing the problem of high rates of deforestation. In the last three decades, Bangladesh’s forest cover has declined by 2.1 percent per year. On the other hand, the country is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as storms, floods and drought. The lower part of Bangladesh adjoining the Bay of Bengal is particularly prone to frequent tropical cyclones, storm surges and salinity intrusion. Climate change models suggest that the intensity of super cyclonic events will further increase over the coming decades. Open access copy available |
Identifying Biological Constraints in Natural Regeneration of Native Tree Species in Abandoned Tea and Coffee Plantation of the Western Ghats, IndiaBACKGROUNDAll over India tea plantations had taken a large part of the forest area in the early 1900’s. These plantations have come up in private lands or in government lands that have been leased out. With expiry of lease, these lands go to the government who are in a dilemma of retaining tea or bring back the forest. The project aims to restore these abandoned small and large-scale tea and coffee plantations in Western Ghats with native tree species for potential ecotourism or sustainable NTFP harvesting. Open access copy available |
Nature Conservation Foundation, GEF: Southern Western Ghats, IndiaBackgroundThis project, funded by the GEF small grants program, utilized restoration and conservation efforts in order to improve the degraded rainforests of western Ghats, India. The project occurred over a four-year span from 2004 to 2008. Open access copy available |
Understanding Forest-Water Connections in IndiaBackgroundThe community in East Khasi Hills region of Indian expressed concern about water scarcity. In response, WeForest, the FAO's Forest and Water Programme, held a 5-day workshop in 2017 with the Ka Synjuk Ki Hima Arliang Wah Umiam Mawphlang Welfare Society. The workshop was designed to increase local capacity and decision-making of natural resource management in regards to the East Khasi Hills Forest Restoration Project. Fifteen to eighteen individuals attended the workshop who represented various leadership teams on the project. Open access copy available |
Taking Back the Land: Factors Aiding or Constraining Regeneration of Damaged Mangrove Forests in South Andaman IslandBackgroundThe mangrove forests in the Andaman Islands of India have suffered severe decline, which has only been enhanced by the 2004 tsunami season. While there has been numerous resources and efforts put into restoring and reforesting these mangroves, much of them have been futile. This study seeks to understand why. Open access copy available |
Overcoming Ecological Barriers to Tropical Lower Montane Forest Succession on Anthropogenic Grasslands: Synthesis and Future ProspectsBackgroundThis review attempts to address the difficulty in restoring grasslands to secondary tropical forest through reforestation. Proposed strategies are discussed for future recruitment methods for woody vegetation. Research Goals & MethodsThis study examines work conducted in Knuckles Forest Reserve (KFR) in the lower montane tropical rainforest and grasslands of Sri Lanka. Available with subscription or purchase |
Differences in Seedling Survival and Growth among Tropical Rain Forest Pioneers in Relation to Canopy Openness and Herbivory.BackgroundThe study monitored the effect of canopy openness and herbivore damage on seedling survival and growth of 960 individuals of six pioneer tree species: Dillenia triquetra, Macaranga indica, Macaranga peltata, Schumacheria castaneifolia, Trema orientalis, and Wendlandia bicuspidata. Available with subscription or purchase |
Restoring working forests in human dominated landscapes of tropical South Asia: An introductionBackgroundThe resource issues around restoring human dominated landscapes in tropical South Asia are complex and can be divided into topics concerning forest fragmentation and restoration. This review article discusses key subjects in forest fragmentation and restoration in South Asia. Available with subscription or purchase |
Human Hydrographical Changes Interact with Propagule Predation Behaviour in Sri Lankan Mangrove ForestsBackgroundThis article describes the relation between propagule predators and vegetation structure and environmental factors on a forest path. It also considers how human influence affects these interactions. Open access copy available |
Mangrove forests: Resilience, protection from tsunamis, and responses to global climate changebackgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
