Species Characteristics
Monitoring of Carbon Abatement in Forestry Projects - Case Study of Western Ghat ProjectBackgroundThe forestry sector is increasingly being turned to as a means to address greenhouse gases, particularly in the tropics. Due to this, it is critical to conduct monitoring that measures, records, and verifies the amount of carbon sequestered or emmissions avoided through these forestry schemes. Open access copy available |
Biomass production of trees and grasses in a silvopasture system on marginal lands of Doon Valley of north-west IndiabackgroundThis paper shares the results of a 14-year study of silvopastoral systems in the Doon Valley of Northwest India. The study compared growth of two grass species – Chrysopogon fulvus and Eulaliopsis binata – under four tree species – Albizia lebbek, Bauhinia purpurea, Grewia optiva, and Leucaena leucocephala – finding that grass biomass was highest under B. purpurea and G. optiva with the grass E. binata. Available with subscription or purchase |
Designing Pest-Suppressive Multistrata Perennial Crop Systems: Shade-Grown Coffee in Central AmericabackgroundThis paper analyzes opportunities to realize the benefits of the presence microflora and fauna in coffee plantations by considering species selection, complimentary characteristics, density, and spatial arrangement of tree species . This study addresses reducing the presence of pests and pathogens such as leaf rust, coffee leaf minor, berry borer, and the American leaf spot. The authors hypothesize that for every soil and climate for coffee, a multistrata system creates a micro-environment that can create a complex ecosystem to resist pests as a whole as opposed to a pest-by-pest strategy. Open access copy available |
The role of species mixtures in plantation forestryBackgroundForest plantations are increasingly being established around the world, yet many are often monocultures. While the paper recognizes that all plantations are beneficial in terms of restoration, it specifically seeks to explore the advantages of mixed-species plantations. Available with subscription or purchase |
Growth in pure and mixed plantations of tree species used in reforesting rural areas of the humid region of Costa Rica, Central AmericaBackgroundDespite government incentives in Costa Rica for establishing and maintaining native tree plantations since the 1990s, farmers and small landowners often lack adequate knowledge about plantation management. Yield and rotation periods for each of the ten most common species grown in monoculture have previously been published. This paper compares productivity in monoculture and mixtures at La Selva Biological Station in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. Open access copy available |
Restoration Ecology of Lowland Tropical Peatlands in Southeast Asia: Current Knowledge and Future Research DirectionsBackgroundWhile there has been extensive research on northern peatlands, there has been limited studies that have studied tropical peatlands. Southeast Asia in particular has experienced significant deforestation and degradation of peatlands, thus resulting in a rise of landscape-scale restoration projects. Open access copy available |
Paying for the Environmental Services of Silvopastoral Practices in NicaraguaBackgroundThe Regional Integrated Silvopastoral Ecosystem Management Project uses funds from the Global Environmental Facility(GEF) in piloting the use of payment for ecosystem services to encourage adoption of silvopastoral practices in Nicaragua, Colombia, and Costa Rica. This paper presents the results of the project implemented in Nicaragua. Available with subscription or purchase |
Influence of Tree cover on Diversity, Carbon Sequestration and Productivity of Cocoa Systems in the Ecuadorian AmazonBackgroundThis study evaluates the relationship between richness and floristic diversity, carbon storage, ecosystem services, agricultural productivity, and forest use potential under three land use systems in the Ecuadorian Amazon: cocoa-based agroforestry, cocoa monoculture and primary forest. In this region, one of the most important cultivation systems is the “Chakra”, a traditional organic farming production system, mainly practiced by indigenous peoples, that consists of the cultivation of staple crops in combination with commercial valuable species such as cocoa, obtaining multiple benefits. Open access copy available |
Foliar herbivory and leaf traits of five native tree species in a young plantation of Central PanamaBackgroundTimber plantations often provide economic incentives for land owners to restore abandoned pastures or agricultural land to forest, yet the threat of insect herbivory can diminish these new plantations and compromise the efforts. This study seeks to understand the extent of these threats on tree plantations in Panama. Open access copy available |
Mangrove restoration without plantingBackgroundMangrove planting is the most common method of restoring mangrove forests. However, this approach is not often successful, especially when the causes of mangrove degradation were not removed prior to planting new seedlings or propagules. A successful mangrove restoration project may not necessarily include a planting phase. When the stressors are removed and suitable environmental conditions are present, natural regeneration processes could recover mangroves from degradation. Open access copy available |
