Disrupted montane forest recovery hinders biodiversity conservation in the tropical Andes

Disrupted montane forest recovery hinders biodiversity conservation in the tropical Andes

Background

In the U.N. Decade on Restoration, recovering degraded forests is a high priority. Andean montane forests are a biodiversity hotspot, storing large quantities of carbon, and providing many sources for human livelihood. Many parts of the Andean forests are recovering after agriculture abandonment, but it is not yet known how the dynamics of these recovery processes progress over time. Knowledge of forest regeneration trajectory is crucial for further restoration planning.

Goals and Methods

The authors conduct a remote study to find areas that are suitable for potential recovery and areas that are in the process of recovery. Several analyses of vegetation types paired with disturbance regimes and climatic conditions are performed using satellite maps.

Conclusions and Takeaways

The authors determine that across the tropical Andes, most areas that have potential to recover are experiencing barriers or disruptions to that recovery. Long-term satellite analyses can aid in forest monitoring across large landscapes and help inform practitioners of conditions prior to conducting field studies. The authors also suggest additional active restoration efforts to combat recovery disruption.

Reference: 

Christmann T, Palomeque X, Armenteras D, Wilson SJane, Malhi Y, Menor IOliveras. Disrupted montane forest recovery hinders biodiversity conservation in the tropical Andes. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 2023;32(5):793 - 808. doi:10.1111/geb.13666.