Restoration and Management Strategies
Monitoring of large-scale forest restoration: Evidence of vegetation recovery and reversing chronic ecosystem degradation in the mountain region of PakistanBACKGROUND:Global forest area has decreased by 4.2% over the past three decades, highlighting the urgent need for effective restoration efforts. In response, Pakistan launched the Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Program (BTAP) in 2014 to restore depleted forest ecosystems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province through extensive afforestation and community involvement. This study evaluates the success of BTAP in reversing forest degradation by analyzing satellite imagery and vegetation growth trends from 2014 to 2021. Available with subscription or purchase |
Role of local communities in forest landscape restoration: Key lessons from the Billion Trees Afforestation Project, PakistanBACKGROUND:Forests in Pakistan have depleted over the years due to anthropogenic disturbances such as illegal logging, urbanization, and agriculture. The Billion Trees Afforestation Project (BTAP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa aims to conserve forests, improve livelihoods, and mitigate climate change by actively involving local communities. This study evaluates the effectiveness of BTAP, the critical role of farmer participation, and the factors influencing their engagement in the project. Available with subscription or purchase |
Restoring Caribbean Dry Forests: Evaluation of Tree Propagation TechniquesBACKGROUND:Germination of seedlings, survival, and establishment are key components of forest restoration. Solar radiation and soil moisture regulate the seedling establishment in tropical dry forests. Unlike tropical wet forests, the role of light for seed germination in tropical dry forests is understudied. The study emphasizes the need for effective restoration strategies, particularly the propagation techniques for native tree species, as these forests serve critical ecological functions and house unique biodiversity. Open access copy available |
Forty Years of Tropical Forest Recovery from Agriculture: Structure and Floristics of Secondary and Old-growth Riparian Forests in the Dominican RepublicBACKGROUND:The value of secondary forests in the tropics has received increased attention in recent years. The recovery of tropical forests from agricultural use, given the increase in abandoned agricultural lands, has gained momentum. Yet, few long-term studies of post-agriculture vegetation recovery in the tropics exist. The study compares 40-year-old secondary forests regenerating naturally after agricultural abandonment with old-growth forests in the Dominican Republic's Cordillera Central. Available with subscription or purchase |
Evaluation of Forest Recovery over Time and Space Using Permanent Plots Monitored over 30 Years in a Jamaican Montane Rain ForestBACKGROUNDAn easily calculated recovery index would be of great value to studies of succession and restoration. The authors discuss the development of a new recovery index to assess the recovery of tropical forests after severe human disturbances. This index addresses current indices' limitations by incorporating the number and size of individuals within a community. The authors also propose a method for assessing recovery over time and space using permanent plots monitored over 30 years in the Jamaican montane forest. This provides more accurate estimates of forest conservation status. Open access copy available |
Restoration of degraded forest ecosystem through non-forestry livelihood supports: experience from the Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary in BangladeshBACKGROUND:Protected areas cover a small percentage of the land despite their importance, with many rural poor depending on them for subsistence. Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary is highlighted as a significant protected area facing severe biodiversity loss due to heavy forest dependency by local communities. The study evaluates a livelihood support program implemented to reduce forest dependency and enhance biodiversity by providing non-forestry income sources to the forest-dependent communities in Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary. Open access copy available |
Characterizing a tropical deforestation wave: a dynamic spatial analysis of a deforestation hotspot in the Colombian AmazonBACKGROUND:Tropical forests, which harbor most of the Earth’s biodiversity, are rapidly diminishing due to land cover changes driven by human activities. This deforestation is particularly severe in concentrated areas, such as the Amazon Basin and Southeast Asia, where human population and resource use increase the likelihood of land clearing. The study focuses on understanding the spatial dynamics of land cover change in a deforestation hotspot in the Colombian Amazon. GOALS AND METHODS: Full resource not available online |
Medición y evaluación de parcelas de restauraciónDentro del marco del programa de reforestación y restauración, se llevan a cabo actividades de evaluación de la mortalidad y mediciones periódicas de las plantas en campo. Estas actividades brindan importante informacion acerca del desempeño de las especies, como por ejemplo supervivencia o crecimiento primario y secundario. Información que es escencial para la restauración de áreas degradadas por la minería. Este documento busca describir en detalle los procedimientos recomendados para llevar a cabo evaluaciones de la mortalidad y desarrollo anual de parcelas de restauración -- Open access copy available |
Restauracion de areas degradas por mineria: Instalación de parcelasEl presente informe detalla el proceso de instalación de parcelas destinadas a la reforestación, abarcando desde la fase inicial de planificación hasta la ejecución de la plantación en terreno, empleando una variedad de especies autóctonas. Estas parcelas representan un hito en Madre de Dios, al ser las primeras establecidas en zonas previamente degradadas por la actividad minera, con el propósito de investigación. -- Open access copy available |
Recuperación de la salud del suelo para la restauración de áreas degradadas por la minería aurífera aluvial en la Amazonía peruanaLa extracción de oro en los ríos de la Amazonía peruana ha provocado la aparición de áreas degradadas caracterizadas por la deforestación, baja fertilidad, contaminacion con mercurio, escasa vida microbiana y ausencia de flora y fauna. Este documento resume el proceso de recuperacion del suelo liderado por el IIAP, que busca restaurar la salud de los suelos utilizando leguminosas, promoviendo la reactivación ecosistémica y productiva de los bosques. Open access copy available |
