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Species

Promoting Biodiversity: Advances in Evaluating Native Species for Reforestation

background

This article describes the design of a long-term species screening trial conducted at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica.

Research Goals & Methods

Growth and survivability data is presented for 84 species (17 popular exotics used for timber and 67 little-known local species with timber potential) at 3 years of age.

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Restoration of dry tropical forests in Central America: A review of pattern and process

Background

Much information on restoration and management exists for wet tropical forests of Central America but comparatively little work has been done in the dry forests of this region. Such information is critical for reforestation efforts that are now occurring throughout Central America. This paper describes processes of degradation due to land use and provides a conceptual framework for the restoration of dry tropical forest, of which less than 2% remains intact.

Open access copy available

The Agua Salud Project, Central Panama

Background

The Agua Salud Project is located in the watershed that includes and surrounds the Panama Canal, an engineering feat that largely relies on natural hydrological systems. Much of this watershed has been deforested, thus an official policy has been put into place to reforest and regain ecosystem services. This project seeks to utilize the globalize role of the canal to bring attention to the ecosystem services of the region. 

Open access copy available

Attempting Restoration of Wet Tropical Forests in Costa Rica

Background

This article describes a reforestation effort of the Tropical Forestry Initiative using mixed stands of native species to recover abandoned pastureland in the tropical wet forest of Costa Rica.

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The Structure and Composition of a Tropical Dry Forest Landscape After Land Clearance; Azuero Peninsula, Panama

background

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Pure and Mixed Forest Plantations with Native Species of the Dry Tropics of Costa Rica: A Comparison of Growth and Productivity

background

This research monitored the growth and survival of 13 natives species in pure and mixed-species plantations, and compared the results to measurements of T. grandis, an exotic species commonly planted in the area.

Open access copy available

Restoring abandoned pasture land with native tree species in Costa Rica: Effects of exotic grass competition and light

Background

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Reforestation with Native Species in the Dry Lands of Panama

BACKGROUND

Natural 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

Foliar herbivory and leaf traits of five native tree species in a young plantation of Central Panama

Background

Timber 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

Crecimiento Comparativo de Especies Nativas y Teca plantadas en parcelas puras y mix

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antecedentes

El interés por la reforestación como una alternativa a la deforestación se ha incrementado en los últimos años en Panamá. Sin embargo, en las iniciativas de reforestación las exigencias de las plantas no son usualmente consideradas y las mas utilizadas son especies introducidas.

Open access copy available

Artisan Non-Timber Forest Products in Darien Province in Panama: The Importance of Context

Background

Open access copy available

Directrices de restauración ecológica en cuencas hidrográficas andinas: “Plan de manejo ambiental de la cuenca hidrográfica La Floresta – La Novita” (Guidelines for ecological restoration in Andean watersheds)

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antecedentes

El estudio forma parte del proyecto que tiene por objetivo la realización de un Plan de Manejo Ambiental de la Cuenca Hidrográfica La Floresta – La Novita para prevenir y controlar el proceso erosivo actual y recuperar el equilibrio ecológico de los ecosistemas nativos.

Open access copy available

Restauración ecológica en una cuenca de la zona andina, un esfuerzo colectivo para el mantenimiento de los servicios ecosistémicos (Ecological restoration in a watershed of the Andes)

Full resource not available online

Estrategias para la restauración ecológica del bosque altoandino. El caso de la reserva municipal de Cogua. (Strategies for the ecological restoration of the high Andean forest - the case of the municipal reserve of Cogua)

Entre los años 2002-2006 se realizó una restauración de potreros degradados en la reserva forestal municipal de Cogua (departamento de Cundinamarca - páramo alto - 2900-3630 m). Se hizo la restauración con 1) remoción de Chusquea scandens; 2) creación de perchas artificiales para aves (para facilitar lluvia de semillas); 3) siembras de especies selectivas Se notó invasión de Ulex europaeus y la herbivoría por Cavia porcellus (curí) como barreras para la restauración. Aún no se ha realizado una evaluación cuantitativa.

Open access copy available

Laguna Pedro Palo - Reserva Tenasuca, Colombia

This project is located in a community reserve outside of Bogota, Colombia, in montane Andean oak forest. Plantings are performed by members of the reserve association, which includes a small NGO and local landowners.

2-3 hectares were planted around a lake in 1998, these plantings were predominantly Andean oak (Quercus humboltii), this forest area reached canopy closure in 2010-2013. Reserve managers believe that this oak buffer area helps to maintain a constant water level of the lake, by recharging a continuous supply of groundwater throughout the year.

Open access copy available