Cupressus lusitanica

Plantation Forestry in Sub Saharan Africa: Silvicultural, Ecological and Economic Aspects

BACKGROUND

Plantation forestry in Africa is practiced using exotic species to supply timber and non- timber forest products, which are for industrial and non- industrial purposes. Ownership of the plantations extends from governments and large industrial corporations to individual farmers. Private plantations are performing well, with a better supply compared to the public ones. Plantation programs in Africa have undergone various challenges leading to a decline in production in the past two decades.

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Efecto de la zona de vida y la altitud en la mortalidad y adaptabilidad al primer año de especies forestales en la Cordillera Volcánica Central de Costa Rica

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Antecedentes

El entendimiento comprensivo de la restauración de bosques requiere de la comprensión del fenómeno de la mortalidad incluyendo su magnitud y ubicación espacial. En Costa Rica, no existe suficiente información capturando los efectos de climas pluviales sobre la mortalidad de especies forestales, especialmente en zonas altas.

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Diversity of Naturally-Regenerated Native Woody Species in Forest Plantations in the Ethiopian Highlands

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This paper examines woody species diversity and understory vegetation of naturally regenerated native tree and shrub species in 4-plantation forests and adjacent natural forests in Wono Genet in Ethiopia.

Research Goals & Methods

Understory woody species richness, abundance and herbaceous ground cover were recorded in plantations of Pinus patula, Cupressus lusitanica, Grevillea robusta and Juniperus procera.

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Expediting Reforestation in Tropical Forests Grasslands: Distance and Isolation from Seed Sources in Plantations

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This study investigates the potential use of tree plantations to facilitate regeneration of indigenous trees in successionally arrested grassland. It focuses on how characteristics of the plantations and native species can determine the type of regeneration occurring in Kibale National Park, Uganda.

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Effects of Canopy Cover and Understory Environment of Tree Plantations on Richness, Density and Size of Colonizing Woody Species in Southern Ethiopia

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This study investigates the effects of canopy characteristics and associated understory environmental factors of tree plantations on native woody species colonization in two broadleaved and two coniferous plantations in southern Ethiopia. The plantation forests investigated are surrounded by dry Afromontane natural forest.

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Consequences of plantation harvest during tropical forest restoration in Uganda

Background

Timber plantations have recently received considerable attention as a forest restoration strategy for heavily degraded lands in the humid tropics. Plantations can facilitate secondary forest regrowth by providing an understory environment more favorable for native plant recruitment than unmanaged degraded habitats. This study explores how using plantations as a restoration tool affects forest succession; how initial floristics affect successional pathways; and the effect of fire exclusion or other interventions.

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Native Woody Species Regeneration in Exotic Tree Plantations at Munessa-Shashemene Forest, Southern Ethiopia

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This study investigates native woody species regeneration in 4 exotic species monoculture plantations in Munessa-Shashemene Forest Project Area in southern Ethiopia. The plantation ages ranged from 9 to 28 years.

Research Goals & Methods

To sample for vegetation diversity and analyses of floristic composition, species richness, and abundance, 60 sample plots were established in the study area.  48 of these plots were in plantations and 12 were in adjacent natural forests.

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Does Weeding Promote Regeneration of an Indigenous Tree Community in Felled Pine Plantations in Uganda

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This study evaluates a management scheme to cut vines, grasses, and shrubs to promote regeneration of indigenous trees subsequent to removal of plantation softwoods over a period of 3 years in Kibale National Park, Uganda.

Research Goals & Methods

Sampling of tree species from seedlings to adults were identified to species. The diameter of all stems more than 1.2m tall were measured at that height (DBH). The plots were subjected to subsequent cutting of weeds on average once every 7 months.

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Status of Indigenous Tree Species Regeneration under Exotic Plantations in Belete Forest, South West Ethiopia

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This study assesses the diversity and density of naturally regenerated woody species under the canopies of exotic plantations adjacent to natural forests in a moist montane forest type in Southwest Ethiopia.

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Exotic Trees as Nurse-Trees for the Regeneration of Natural Tropical Forests

Background

This article challenges widely-held views that the presence of exotic tree plantations in the tropics harm the environment. Through collecting evidence from experiences in tropical countries, the authors argue that exotic tree canopies exert protective functions - a nurse effect - for the regeneration of natural forest. 

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