Species Characteristics
Tropical Dry Forest Recovery: Processes and Causes of ChangeBACKGROUNDThis paper aims at unraveling processes and pathways of tropical dry forest (TDF) secondary succession occurring after traditional shifting-cultivation practices. It focuses on the study of community dynamics, the development of forest structure, and changes in floristic composition, to understand what makes a group of species to be present, dominant, and eventually disappear, at a certain space and time. The work begins with a section on the use of tree rings to determine the ages of fallows. Open access copy available |
Public Awareness Generation for the Reforestation in Amazon Tropical Lowland RegionbackgroundThis study compares two plots of native tree species, one that was planted with small numbers of species representing potential natural vegetation and another that was planted with many species, including fast-growing pioneers. Research Goals & MethodsAfter 9 years, tree height, DBH, species composition, stand volume, tree density and species diversity were measured in both plots. Open access copy available |
Agroforestry for Ecosystem Services and Environmental Benefits: An OverviewbackgroundThis article reviews research on the ecosystem services and environmental benefits of agroforestry, focusing on the following: 1) carbon sequestration, 2) biodiversity conservation, 3) soil enrichment, and 4) air and water quality. Open access copy available |
Restoration of a Sri-Lankan rainforest: Using Caribbean Pine Pinus caribaea as a nurse for establishing late-successional tree speciesBackgroundIn the moist tropics, studies have demonstrated poor seedling establishment of late-successional trees on lands cleared of forest. This study examines the potential for establishing late-successional tree species that dominate the canopy of rainforest by planting within and adjacent to experimental openings that were created within a Pinus caribaea plantation. Available with subscription or purchase |
Assisted Natural Regeneration: Methods, Results and Issues Relevant to Sustained Participation by CommunitiesBackgroundThis article describes forest restoration in Kandis village on Palawan Island, Philippines, an assisted natural regeneration (ANR) project, and focuses on the social issues that affect success of ANR projects. research goals & methodsThe ANR approached used includes fire prevention, ring-weeding, and flattening of grasses. Open access copy available |
Helping Forests to Help Themselves—Accelerating Natural RegenerationbackgroundThis chapter walks through the basic techniques of accelerated (or assisted) natural regeneration (ANR), describing when it is appropriate, when it should be combined with other techniques, how to increase the seed rain, and areas of needed research. Open access copy available |
Sustaining Tropical Forest Resources: Reforestation of Degraded LandsbackgroundThis government report provides background material on tropical reforestation and discusses techniques to reforest degraded tropical lands. It considers species planting issues such as: native v. exotic species, monoculture v. polyculture, single purpose v. multipurpose trees, and genetic improvement and plant breeding. Open access copy available |
Monitoring of Black Mangrove Restoration with Nursery-Reared Seedlings on an Arid Coastal LagoonbackgroundThis paper describes a reforestation experiment with black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) in an arid mangrove forest of Baja California Sur, Mexico. In arid mangrove systems, natural regeneration and small-scale reforestation are not adequate to restore mangrove forests, as they may be in the humid tropics. Thus, alternative nursery techniques for arid mangroves must be developed. Available with subscription or purchase |
Forest Plantations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Performance of Species and Preferences of FarmersbackgroundThis paper presents data on the survival and growth of mixed native and exotic forest plantations established on abandoned pastures in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The article also includes information on farmer species preference and socioeconomic information. Open access copy available |
Restoring abandoned pasture land with native tree species in Costa Rica: Effects of exotic grass competition and lightBackgroundUnderstanding the early establishment requirements and performance of tropical tree seedlings is essential to ensuring the success of restoration plantings. This study characterizes growth and light requirements of six common neotropical tree species: Pseudosamanea guachapele (Fabaceae), Tabebuia impetiginosa (Bignoniaceae), Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae), Pachira quinata (Bombacaceae), Dalbergia retusa (Fabaceae), and Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae). Available with subscription or purchase |
