Resource Library Search

Type any text into the search box. Narrow your search using the dropdown boxes or the filters in the sidebar. If there are no results, try using fewer filters or broder dropdown options. 

Human Ecological Questions for Tropical Restoration: Experiences from Planting Native Upland Trees and Mangroves in the Philippines

Background

This article evaluates the human ecology of reforestation in the Philippines under the Bais Bay Development Action Program. Reforestation is considered in upland riparian as well as coastal mangrove areas.

Open access copy available

Methods of Facilitating Reforestation of Tropical Degraded Land with the Native Timber Tree, Terminalia amazonia

background

In tropical dry regions, like Costa Rica, it is critical to reforest degraded farms in order to reduce erosion and increase soil fertility. This paper explores the results of an 8-year long experiment in Southern Costa Rica that sought to identify ways to reforest such land economically.

Available with subscription or purchase

Species-Specific Tree Water Use Characteristics in Reforestation Stands in the Philippines

Background

The need for reforestation is becoming increasingly evident in countries like the Philippines where deforestation has lead to a scarcity of wood and other forest commodities. One concern with reforestation is the reduction in streamflow and groundwater recharge as trees move water from the ground into the atmosphere.

Available with subscription or purchase

Determinants for Successful Reforestation of Abandoned Pastures in the Andes: Soil Conditions and Vegetation Cover

Background

This article compares the growth of native and exotic species seedlings planted in abandoned pasture and among brachen ferns and shrubs in Andean Ecuador over three years.

Available with subscription or purchase

Soil compaction and topsoil removal effects on soil properties and seedling growth in Amazonian Ecuador

Background

Soil properties affect plant growth including during germination and establishment. Topsoil loss, nutrient loss, and compaction due to industrial activity in forest may impact forest regeneration. This study reports on soil properties and seedling growth following topsoil removal in Amazonian Ecuador.

Available with subscription or purchase

Early Species Selection for Tropical Reforestation: A Consideration of Stability

background

This study describes a screening of timber species planted in abandoned pasture sites to understand the effect of different site conditions on tree growth and to determine the species that grew with the highest variation.

Available with subscription or purchase

Screening trial of 14 tropical hardwoods with an emphasis on species native to Costa Rica: Fourth year results

Background

Commercial forestry plantations have consistently relied on a limitd number of species, often favoring exotic species over native ones. This is mainly due to a lack of information or understanding related to the silviculture of native species plantations. This article uses a long-term experiement site in Costa Rica's La Selva Biological Station to work towards filling this knowledge gap. 

Available with subscription or purchase

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.

Available with subscription or purchase

Effect of Nurse Tree Species on Early Growth of Anisoptera marginata Korth. (Dipterocarpaceae) on an Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. Grassland Site in South Kalimantan, Indonesia

background

This study evaluates the survival of Anisoptera marginata, a native dipterocarp species, underplanted in four year old plantations of fast-growing exotics: Acadia crassicarpa, Acacia mangium, Gmelina arborea, Paraserianthes falcataria.

Available with subscription or purchase

Mangrove reforestation in Vietnam: the effect of sediment physicochemical properties on nutrient cycling

Background

Open access copy available

Survival and Growth of Under-Planted Trees: A Meta-Analysis Across four Biomes

background

This article is a meta-analysis synthesizing the results of survival and growth of under-planted trees in forests in tropical, temperate coastal, boreal, and temperate deciduous forests. Additionally, the survival and growth of these underplanted trees are evaluated according to the silvicultural treatment affecting density of the overstory: uncut, dense shelterwood, intermediate density shelterwood, light density shelterwood, clear cut.

Open access copy available

Root architecture and allocation patterns of eight native tropical species with different successional status used in open-grown mixed plantations in Panama

Background

While an increasing number of native tropical trees are under study for reforestation and commercial plantations, the majority of studies on trees in the tropics have concentrated on the aboveground aspects of tree growth. This study investigates biomass allocation and root architecture of eight tropical species with different successional status.

Open access copy available

Carbon Sequestration and Plant Community Dynamics Following Reforestation of Tropical Pasture

Background

Conversion of abandoned cattle pasture to secondary forest in the tropics is a potential means to increase carbon sequestration as well as to enhance local biodiversity. This study uses data from a long-term tropical reforestation project – Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico – to estimate rates of above- and belowground carbon sequestration.

Open access copy available

Species-Rich but Distinct Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Communities in Reforestation Plots on Degraded Pastures and in Neighboring Pristine Tropical Mountain Rain Forest

background

This study compares the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of 4 native species saplings growing in three types of fire-degraded pasture (recently abandoned, bracken covered, and shrub covered pasture) to the AMF richness and composition of 30 adult tree species in neighboring primary forest.

Open access copy available

Between and Within-Site Comparisons of Structural and Physiological Characteristics and Foliar Nutrient Content of 14 Tree Species at a Wet, Fertile Site and a Dry, Infertile Site in Panama

background

Available with subscription or purchase

Impacts of Herbicide Application and Mechanical Cleanings on Growth and Mortality of Two Timber Species in Saccharum spontaneum Grasslands of the Panama Canal Watershed

background

This study evaluates the effectiveness of weed control treatments (herbicide application and mechanical cleanings) in promoting the growth and survival of the exotic tree species Tectona grandis and the native tree species Terminalia amazonia.

Available with subscription or purchase

Community Based Ecological Mangrove Rehabilitation (CBEMR) in Indonesia

Background

While large-scale wetland/mangrove restoration projects have been successful worldwide efforts in Indonesia have largely failed. This is due to technical issues but also tenure issues. Considering pass projects and attempts, Ecological Mangrove Rehabilitation (EMR) has been identified as a potential best practice for Indonesia.  

Open access copy available

Selecting framework tree species for restoring seasonally dry tropical forests in northern Thailand based on field performance

Background

Framework tree species are indigenous forest tree species, planted to complement and accelerate natural regeneration of forest ecosystems and encourage biodiversity recovery, on degraded sites. This study tests the extent to which 37 native forest tree species might act as framework tree species to accelerate recovery of evergreen, seasonal forest in a degraded upper watershed in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park in northern Thailand.

Open access copy available

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.

Available with subscription or purchase

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