Species Characteristics

Is Tree Diversity an Important Driver for Phosphorus and Nitrogen Acquisition of a Young Tropical Plantation?

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This article presents the effect of native species diversity on the nitrogen and phosphorous pools above-ground in a plantation in the Canal Zone of Panama.

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Restoration of a Restinga Sandy Coastal Plain in Brazil: Survival and Growth of Planted Woody Species

Background

Restingas – coastal sandy vegetation – have been affected by human impact for about 8,000 years. Human use of these sites for housing, tourism, and recreation has recently increased in such a way that there is a need for conservation of remnant patches and restoration of degraded areas throughout the coast to protect biodiversity. This study reports the results of an experiment introducing 17 native shrub and tree species into a degraded Brazilian restinga.

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Rehabilitating Degraded Forest Land in Central Vietnam with Mixed Native Species Plantings

Background

This study considers the imepdiments to reforestation presented by grasses such as Imperata cylindrica. It specifically examined the use of Acacia as a nurse crop to overcome some of the ecological and economic impediments to reforestation of degraded areas dominated by grasses.

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Effects of Above- and Below-Ground Competition of Shrubs and Grass on Calophyllum brasiliense (Camb.) Seedling Growth in Abandoned Tropical Pasture

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This article evaluates the above and below-ground competition between grasses, shrubs, and woody seedlings in abandoned pastures in montane Costa Rica.

Research Goals & Methods

One-year-old seedlings of Calophyllum brasilense, a native early-successional tree species, were planted in patches of shrub growth and grass coverage. Seedlings were treated in one of four ways: reduction of root competition, reduction of above-ground competition, reduction of both forms of competition, and control (untreated).

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Experimental Tree Assemblages on the Ecological Rehabilitation of a Cloud Forest in Veracruz, Mexico

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This research evaluates the survival of 10 native tree species planted in a heavily degraded montane forest in Veracruz, Mexico.

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Canopy development in tropical tree plantations: a comparison of species mixtures and monocultures

Background

The establishment of plantation monocultures has dominated much of the intensive forest management practiced in the humid tropics of the Americas, with most forestry research and practice concentrating on a small number of non-indigenous species. Growing interest exists in modifying these practices both by creating mixed-species plantations and by making greater use of native tree species.

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Restoration of Pasture to Forest in Brazil's Mata Atlântica: The Roles of Herbivory, Seedling Defenses, and Plot Design in Reforestation

Background

In this study, seedling growth and herbivory were monitored during the first 4 years of plot development in a large-scale reforestation experiment in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlantica).

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Conifer Conservation and Reforestation Project

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Forest Carbon Project in the Quirino Provience, Philippines

Background

Over a 7 year span from 2003 to 2010, Conservation International Phillipines and ICRAF have conducted studies and developed initiatives to address carbon sequestration in the Sierra Madre Biodiversity Corridor region, which is a 1.4 million hectare forested region that is critical for biodiversity, hydrology, and other ecosystem services.  

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Native Species: A Resource for the Diversification of Forestry Production in the Lowland Humid Tropics

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This research evaluates the success of native species for reforestation plantings in Costa Rica in comparison with exotic species.

Research Goals & Methods

At La Selva Biological Station, 80 species were planted in mixed stands of 8-12 species between 1987 and 1990. Growth characteristics and form for timber quality were collected for each species at 3 and 6 years after planting.

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