South Asia
Role of Legumes in Release of Successionally Arrested Grasslands inthe Central Hills of Sri LankaBackgroundMany cleared and abandoned forest areas have changed to successionally arrested grasslands, shrublands, or fernlands maintained by frequent fires and high herbivore populations. Many studies have shown that herbaceous legumes can protect soil surfaces, retain soil moisture, improve soil fertility, and retard ground fires. This study evaluates whether some of these species can satisfactorily establish in these arrested grassland areas to aid in the trajectory towards reforestation. Available with subscription or purchase |
Releasing Rain Forest Succession: A Case Study in the Dicranopteris linearis Fernlands of Sri LankabackgroundThis study evaluates the effectiveness of different site treatments for controlling the invasive fern Dicranopteris linearis which has arrested forest succession in areas of the Sinharaja Man and Biosphere (MAB) reserve in lowland Sri Lanka. The fernlands, which had existed in the reserve for 10-20 years before this study, are favored by forest clearance for swidden agriculture and periodic fires. Available with subscription or purchase |
Rainforest Restoration: A Guide to Principles and PracticebackgroundThis document provides an introduction to tropical forest restoration with applications and a detailed description of reforestation experiences in the Whestern Ghats of India. Open access copy available |
Impact of Plantation on Ecosystem Development in Disturbed Coal Mine Overburden SpoilsbackgroundThis study evaluates the growth, survival, understory composition, and soil conditions in a plantation established on a mine site in India. Available with subscription or purchase |
Release from Root Competition Promotes Tree Seedling Survival and Growth Following Transplantation into Human-Induced Grasslands in Sri LankabackgroundThis study evaluates the growth and survival of four native tree species planted as seedlings in grasslands situated in previously abandoned tea plantations. Research Goals & MethodsEach seedling underwent one of eight different treatments based the various combinations of: with or without root competition, shoot competition, and vertebrate herbivory. Seedlings that died within the first month were replaced. Growth and survival was evaluated at 18 and 28 months. Available with subscription or purchase |
Effects of fire on the recruitment of rain forest vegetation beneath Pinus caribaea plantations, Sri LankaBackgroundGroundstory fires burn forest understories and can impact advance regeneration, contributing to conversion of forests to fire-sustained grasslands or fernlands. While plantations of fire-tolerant trees have been successfully established on these sites, managing fire in the newly developing understory remains an issue of concern. Available with subscription or purchase |
What Does it Take? The Role of Incentives in Forest Plantation Development in Asia and the PacificbackgroundThis document is a compilation of case studies from different countries on the incentives and their impact on plantation development in South and Southeast Asia. The countries addressed are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, The Philippines, Sabah (Malaysia), Thailand, and the United States. Open access copy available |
Participatory Forestry as a Strategy for Reforestation in BangladeshbackgroundThis article describes Bangladesh's history of reforestation programs, notes the rarity of their success, and provides suggestions for future programs. Available with subscription or purchase |
Enrichment Planting of Dipterocarps in Logged-Over Secondary Forests: Effect of Width, Direction and Maintenance Method of Planting Line on Selected Shorea SpeciesbackgroundIn this study, three different planting design experiements were conducted using three Dipterocarp tree species planted in a heavily logged area of South Kalimantan. The area was logged in 1979 and used for shifting cultivation until 1988. Available with subscription or purchase |
Dalbergia Sissoo Mortality in Bangladesh Plantations: Correlations with Environmental and Management ParametersbackgroundThis research seeks to correlate environmental and plantation conditions with the widespread mortality of Dalbergia sissoo trees planted in Bangladesh. Goals & MethodsIn order to understand the relationship between D. sissoo mortality and environmental and plantation characteristics, the authors examined 72 mixed plantations across five districts in Bangladesh. Available with subscription or purchase |
