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Promoting Biodiversity: Advances in Evaluating Native Species for ReforestationbackgroundThis article describes the design of a long-term species screening trial conducted at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Research Goals & MethodsGrowth 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. Available with subscription or purchase |
Leaf Litter Decomposition and Mulch Performance from Mixed and Monospecific Plantations of Native Tree Species in Costa RicabackgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Soil organic matter dynamics during 80 years of reforestation of tropical pasturesBackgroundLand disturbance affects soil physical and chemical properties. Some properties may be recovered over long periods of reforestation. Mosaic-pattern landscapes with shifting usages over time, common in the mountainous tropics, can reveal dynamic soil properties. This study reports on changes in soil carbon over 80 years of secondary forest growth on abandoned pasture over a chronosequence in Puerto Rico. Open access copy available |
Facilitating Regeneration of Secondary Forests with the Use of Mixed and Pure Plantations of Indigenous Tree SpeciesbackgroundThis research presents the abundance and diversity of woody species regenerating under tropical plantations (mixed and single-species) and a control of natural regeneration at La Selva Biological Station in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Available with subscription or purchase |
The Role of Native Species Plantations in Recovery of Understory Woody Diversity in Degraded Pasturelands of Costa RicabackgroundThis study analyzes the understory recruitment success of tropical timber plantations in order to understand biodiversity recovery on degraded lands through the use of fast-growing timber plantations. The study takes place in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Open access copy available |
Early Woody Invasion Under Tree Plantations in Costa Rica: Implications for Forest RestorationBackgroundThis study evaluates the regeneration of woody plants, the amount of herbaceous cover, and the light conditions in the understory of 3-year-old mixed and single-species plantations in Costa Rica. Available with subscription or purchase |
Growth, carbon sequestration, and management of native tree plantations in humid regions of Costa RicaBackgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Methods of Facilitating Reforestation of Tropical Degraded Land with the Native Timber Tree, Terminalia amazoniabackgroundIn 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 |
Early Species Selection for Tropical Reforestation: A Consideration of StabilitybackgroundThis 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 resultsBackgroundCommercial 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 RicabackgroundThe 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 & MethodsThe study evalutes trees in four ecoregions of varying elevation and precipitation. Available with subscription or purchase |
Growth of native forest species planted on abandoned pasture land in Costa RicaBackgroundReforestation 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 |
Native Species: A Resource for the Diversification of Forestry Production in the Lowland Humid TropicsbackgroundThis research evaluates the success of native species for reforestation plantings in Costa Rica in comparison with exotic species. Available with subscription or purchase |
Canopy development in tropical tree plantations: a comparison of species mixtures and monoculturesBackgroundThe establishment of plantation monocultures has dominated much of the intensive forest management practiced in the humid tropics of the Americas, with most forestry research and practice concentrating on a small number of non-indigenous species. Growing interest exists in modifying these practices both by creating mixed-species plantations and by making greater use of native tree species. Available with subscription or purchase |
Factors Limiting Tropical Rain Forest Regeneration in Abandoned Pasture: Seed Rain, Seed Germination, Microclimate, and SoilbackgroundThis research evaluates the ability of seeds to be dispersed into and germinate in areas of abandoned pasture. Available with subscription or purchase |
Tropical Montane Forest Restoration in Costa Rica: Overcoming Barriers to Dispersal and EstablishmentbackgroundOpen access copy available |
Effects of Artificial Roosts for Frugivorous Bats on Seed Dispersal in a Neotropical Forest Pasture MosaicbackgroundThis article evaluates whether the installation of bat roosts into abandoned pasture sites can attract frigivorous bats into pasture areas and encourage seed rain of early-successional plant species. Available with subscription or purchase |
Postdispersal Seed Fate of Tropical Montane Trees in an Agricultural Landscape, Southern Costa RicabackgroundThis study seeks to understand postdispersal seed fate in Montane Costa Rica in order to better identify factors driving forest regeneration. Available with subscription or purchase |
Understory Development in Young Cordia alliodora PlantationsbackgroundThis article presents the findings of a study evaluating the biomass and composition of understory plants in 1- and 5- year old plantations at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Available with subscription or purchase |
Growth characteristics of some native tree species used in silvopastoral systems in the humid lowlands of Costa RicaBackgroundDegraded pastures established throughout Central America in the latter 20th C are gradually transitioning to silvopasture or secondary forest. Understanding growth characteristics of trees on these lands is important for proper management. Available with subscription or purchase |