Ecosystem Services and Ecological Processes
Site and species selection — Changing perspectivesBackgroundPlantation forestry in the tropics today is characterized by increasing refinement of matching species with site and increasing emphasis on non-industrial purposes for growing trees. This perspective comments on the increased number of objectives that a tropical forester or scientist is called upon to fulfill. Available with subscription or purchase |
Rationale and Methods for Conserving Biodiversity in Plantation ForestsbackgroundWhen compared to degraded lands, developed lands, or areas of intensive industrial agriculture, forest plantations can positively contribute to biodiversity conservation. However, when monoculture stands of exotic trees, or native trees not typically found in single-species stands are used for plantations, they have been found to have impoverished flora and fauna compared with natural forest. Open access copy available |
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. Reserach Goals & MethodsThis study sampled plantations of Cordia alliodora in monoculture plots and in polyculture plots with trees interplanted with monocots (Euterpe macrospadix, Euterpe oleracea, and Heliconia imbricata). Available with subscription or purchase |
Tropical Forest Restoration: Tree Islands As Recruitment Foci In Degraded Lands Of HondurasBackgroundMethods to accelerate forest recovery must address a number of impediments including limits on seed dispersal and microclimactic extremes. This study evaluates the ability of tree islands to serve as recruitment foci for additional seeds in a two-year study in northern Honduras. Available with subscription or purchase |
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 |
Tropical forest recovery: Legacies of human impact and natural disturbancesBackgroundLand-use history interacts with natural forces to influence the severity of disturbance events and the rate and nature of recovery processes in tropical forests. This perspective article highlights several trends in tropical forest recovery processes emerging from recent literature. Open access copy available |
Natural History, Seed Predation, and Germination of Prosopis juliflora Relative to a Reforestation Project in Southwestern EcuadorbackgroundThis article provides information on the natural history of Prosopis juliflora in Ecuador and describes the efforts to use this native species in reforestation of tropical dry forest in the Proyecto Eduardo Aspiazu Estrata project. Research Goals & MethodsOver 200 sacks of pods (around 15-20 kg) of seeds were collected in March-May 1994 and examined at the seed bank. Open access copy available |
Seed rain and seed limitation in a planted gallery forest in BrazilBackgroundSeed dispersal by wind (anemochorous) and animals, usually birds and bats (zoochorous), is an important driver of succession. This study examines seed rain in a planted gallery forest (riparian corridor) in Brazil. Available with subscription or purchase |
Propagating Framework Tree Species to Restore Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest: Implications of Seasonal Seed Dispersal and DormancybackgroundThis paper evaluates the seed germination characteristics of native tree species selected for reforestation in Thailand and cultivated in nurseries. Open access copy available |
