The tree planting and protecting culture of cattle ranchers and small-scale agriculturalists in rural Panama: Opportunities for reforestation and land restoration
Background
Deforestation and habitat fragmentation threaten biodiversity and rural livelihoods across Mesoamerica, with agriculture driving the conversion of native vegetation into farmland. Tropical dry forests face particularly high risks, as they host many endemic species and trees vital to local livelihoods. Since less than five percent of these forests exist within protected areas, local efforts play a key role in conserving the small forest remnants and scattered trees outside of formal protection. Conservation strategies increasingly focus on integrating biodiversity goals into farming systems by promoting agroforestry, silvopastoral practices, and diverse agricultural landscapes that support habitats and resources. In Panama, reforestation initiatives aim to restore degraded lands, but their reliance on fast-growing exotic timber species reduces their ecological and social effectiveness. Encouraging the use of native species in reforestation projects can enhance biodiversity and improve rural livelihoods. However, researchers must gather more data to understand farmers' tree preferences and management practices.
Goals and Methods
The authors aim to examine the potential for increasing native tree cover in agricultural landscapes in Panama by how to increase native tree cover in agricultural landscapes in Panama by focusing on farmer practices and preferences in two regions, Coclé and Los Santos. Between 2004 and 2006, the researchers collaborated with farmers in a trial project to plant native tree species on their farms, allowing researchers to evaluate tree performance under diverse conditions and learn directly from farmers’ experiences. In 2007, researchers surveyed both trial participants and non-participants to investigate the tree species farmers planted, used, and protected; their reasons for these practices; and their interest in planting more trees.
Conclusions and Takeaways
Farmers showed a strong preference for multipurpose trees that serve diverse livelihood needs, such as construction, furniture, fruit production, and livestock fodder. Although exotic species exist in the landscape, farmers expressed a clear interest in planting native timber species, highlighting significant potential for reforestation programs focused on valuable native trees. To improve these efforts, researchers recommend assessing the economic value of trees on farms, expanding research to include diverse agricultural contexts, integrating local knowledge into project design, prioritizing multipurpose species, and tailoring initiatives to meet the specific conditions and needs of each region.
Reference:
The tree planting and protecting culture of cattle ranchers and small-scale agriculturalists in rural Panama: Opportunities for reforestation and land restoration. Forest Ecology and Management. 2011;261:1684–1695. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.10.011.
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