Effects of remnant trees in fallows on diversity and structure of forest regrowth in a slash-and-burn agricultural system in southern Cameroon

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie M. Carrière ◽  
Philippe Letourmy ◽  
Doyle B. McKey
Keyword(s):  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Plant Establishment ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Forest Regrowth ◽  
Southern Cameroon ◽  
Rapid Restoration ◽  
Shifting Cultivators ◽  
Animal Dispersed Seeds

Remnant trees in fields may facilitate regeneration in fallows by attracting seed dispersers and creating favourable sites for plant establishment. Ntumu shifting cultivators in Cameroon clearing rain forest spare some trees to provide shade for crops. This study examines their effects on regeneration by comparing vegetation in quadrats beneath and away from their crowns, in fallows of varying age (3-20 y). For fallows of all age classes, plant diversity was not significantly different between positions. Trees accounted for larger proportions of species and stems beneath remnant trees. Herbs, principally large monocots, accounted for larger proportions away from trees. Basal area was much higher in quadrats beneath trees. In all quadrats, the majority of individuals belonged to species with animal-dispersed seeds. These accounted for a larger proportion of individuals beneath trees (75%) than away (64%). Wind-dispersed species accounted for a larger proportion of stems away from trees (23.6%) than beneath (11.7%). These data suggest that enhanced seed rain by attraction of perching animals, demonstrated in a companion study, nfluenced regeneration patterns. Effects on regeneration were similar beneath trees of an animal-dispersed (Pycnanthus angolensis, Myristicaceae) and a wind-dispersed (Triplochiton scleroxylon, Sterculiaceae) species. Remnant trees in fallows may facilitate succession by nucleation, resulting in more rapid restoration of forest and conservation of nutrients in plant biomass.

Evaluation of Nurse Crops for Weed Control and Plant Establishment in Prairie Restoration

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 485b-485
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Barry ◽  
Michael N. Dana
Keyword(s):  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Prairie Restoration ◽  
Plant Establishment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Nurse Crops ◽  
Partridge Pea ◽  
Prairie Plant

Nurse crops are often recommended in prairie restoration planting. This work investigated several alternative nurse crops to determine their utility in prairie planting. Nurse crops were composed of increasing densities (900, 1800, or 2700 seeds/m2) of partridge pea, spring oats, spring barley, Canada wild rye, or equal mixtures of partridge pea and one of the grasses. The experimental design was a randomized complete-block set in two sites with three blocks per site and 48 treatments per block. Each 3 × 3-m plot contained 1 m2 planted in Dec. 1995 or Mar. 1996 with an equal mix of seven prairie species. The nurse crops were sown over each nine square meter area in April 1996. Plots lacking nurse crops served as controls. Evaluated data consisted of weed pressure rankings and weed and prairie plant dry weight. Nurse crop treatments had a significant effect on weed pressure in both sites. Barley (1800 and 2700 seeds/m2) as well as partridge pea + barley (2700 seeds/m2) were most effective at reducing weed pressure. When weed and prairie plant biomass values were compared, a significant difference was observed for site quality and planting season. Prairie plant establishment was significantly greater in the poorly drained, less-fertile site and spring-sown plots in both sites had significantly higher prairie biomass values. Overall, after two seasons, there was no advantage in using nurse crops over the control. Among nurse crop treatments, oats were most effective in reducing weed competition and enhancing prairie plant growth.

scholarly journals Big trees drive forest structure patterns across a lowland Amazon regrowth gradient

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tassiana Maylla Fontoura Caron ◽  
Victor Juan Ulises Rodriguez Chuma ◽  
Alexander Arévalo Sandi ◽  
Darren Norris
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Forest Regrowth ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Amazonian Forests ◽  
Mammal Diversity ◽  
Structure Patterns ◽  
Plot Type

AbstractDegraded Amazonian forests can take decades to recover and the ecological results of natural regeneration are still uncertain. Here we use field data collected across 15 lowland Amazon smallholder properties to examine the relationships between forest structure, mammal diversity, regrowth type, regrowth age, topography and hydrology. Forest structure was quantified together with mammal diversity in 30 paired regrowth-control plots. Forest regrowth stage was classified into three groups: late second-regrowth, early second-regrowth and abandoned pasture. Basal area in regrowth plots remained less than half that recorded in control plots even after 20–25 years. Although basal area did increase in sequence from pasture, early to late-regrowth plots, there was a significant decline in basal area of late-regrowth control plots associated with a decline in the proportion of large trees. Variation in different forest structure responses was explained by contrasting variables, with the proportion of small trees (DBH < 20 cm) most strongly explained by topography (altitude and slope) whereas the proportion of large trees (DBH > 60 cm) was explained by plot type (control vs. regrowth) and regrowth class. These findings support calls for increased efforts to actively conserve large trees to avoid retrogressive succession around edges of degraded Amazon forests.

scholarly journals A New Whole-Stand Model for Unmanaged Loblolly and Slash Pine Plantations in East Texas

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean W. Coble
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Elliottii ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
East Texas ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Yield Model

Abstract A new compatible whole-stand growth-and-yield model to predict total tree cubic-foot volume per acre yield (outside and inside bark) was developed for unmanaged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations in East Texas. This model was compared with the noncompatible whole-stand model of Lenhart (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B15-2127">Lenhart, 1996</xref>, Total and partial stand-level yield prediction for loblolly and slash pine plantations in east Texas, South. J. Appl. For. 20(1):36–41) and the <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B15-2127">Lenhart (1996)</xref> model refit to current data. For the two species, all three models were evaluated with independent observed data. The model developed in this study outperformed both Lenhart models in prediction of future yield and basal area per acre for all age classes combined and by 5-year age classes. The Lenhart models consistently overestimated yield and basal area per acre. All three models predicted surviving trees per acre similarly. An example is also provided to show users how to use the new whole-stand model.

scholarly journals Stimulation of epithelial repair is a likely mechanism for the action of mifepristone in reducing duration of bleeding in users of progestogen-only contraceptives

Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi B Morison ◽  
Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino ◽  
Ian S Fraser ◽  
Lois A Salamonsen
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Luminal Epithelium ◽  
Basal Region ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Rapid Repair ◽  
Decidual Cells ◽  
Pregnant Mice ◽  
Rapid Restoration

Many women using progestogen (P)-only contraceptives experience uterine bleeding problems. In clinical trials, a single low dose of mifepristone, given to Implanon users at the beginning of a bleeding episode reduced the number of bleeding days by ∼50% compared with controls. In this study, a single dose of mifepristone was administered to etonogestrel (ENG)-exposed pseudo-pregnant mice, 5 days after artificial decidualization was induced when the endometrium showed signs of bleeding. Control mice received vehicle alone. Mice were culled 12-, 18-, 24- and 48-h post-treatment. In the continued presence of ENG, a single dose of mifepristone stimulated tissue breakdown followed by very rapid repair: most treated tissues were fully restored to the pre-decidualized state by 48 h post-treatment. During repair, proliferating cells (Ki67 immunostained) were localized to a band of cells around the basal area in breaking down tissues and to the repairing luminal epithelium and glands. Progesterone receptor-positive cells were largely localized to the basal area of the breaking down tissue in treated mice compared with decidual cells in controls. Oestrogen receptor-positive cells were observed in the repairing luminal epithelium and glands compared with the decidua and the basal region in control tissues. It is concluded that mifepristone treatment stimulates rapid restoration of luminal epithelial integrity: such action may be a key event in reducing the number of bleeding days observed in women using Implanon who were treated with a single dose of mifepristone.

The response to moisture and defoliation stresses, and traits for resilience of perennial grasses on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 903 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Boschma ◽  
M. J. Hill ◽  
J. M. Scott ◽  
G. G. Rapp
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Moderate Drought

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of defoliation and moisture stresses on perennial pasture grasses and to identify traits associated with their resilience. The experiment, conducted near Armidale on the Northern Tablelands of NSW, studied 4 introduced perennial grass species (Phalaris aquatica, Festuca arundinacea, Dactylis glomerata, and Lolium perenne) and 2 native grass species (Microlaena stipoides and Austrodanthonia richardsonii) subjected to 3 moisture regimes (non-stress moisture, moderate drought, and severe drought) and 2 defoliation intensities (severe and moderate). Basal area, herbage mass, phenological growth stage, nitrogen concentration, root mass, and rooting depth were compared over 2 independent 6-month periods: spring–summer (1 September 1994–28 February 1995) and summer–autumn (1 December 1994–31 May 1995). Multiple regression was used to determine which traits were important for determining plant resilience.The differences between species and their respective responses were evident in the traits measured. In general, basal area tended to increase over summer and show little change during autumn. Severe defoliation stimulated plant growth, resulting in higher harvested herbage mass than from those moderately defoliated. Reproductive development was suppressed by severe drought and reduced by moderate drought. Severe defoliation suppressed flowering of Dactylis and Lolium at both drought intensities, compared with moderate defoliation. Phalaris, Festuca, and Austrodanthonia were the deepest rooting species during spring–summer, and Dactylis the shallowest. All species had similar rooting depths during summer–autumn, with those under severe and moderate drought having the deepest and shallowest rooting, respectively.Carbohydrate reserves and basal area were important traits for determining plant resilience during spring–summer. During summer–autumn, maintaining basal area and plant biomass through moderate grazing was important for resilience.

scholarly journals Assessing Tree Drought Resistance and Climate-Growth Relationships under Different Tree Age Classes in a Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii Forest

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1161
Author(s):  
Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja ◽  
Arun K. Bose ◽  
Enrique Andivia ◽  
David Candel-Pérez ◽  
Pedro A. Plaza-Álvarez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Drought Resistance ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Nigra ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Black Pine ◽  
Growth Reduction ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Commercial Thinning ◽  
Large Trees

The magnitude of drought impact in forest ecosystems depends on which group of trees are more severely affected; greater mortality of smaller trees can modulate the trajectories of succession, while the mortality of larger trees can disproportionately offset the ecosystem’s carbon balance. Several studies have documented a greater vulnerability of large trees to extreme droughts while some other studies reported a greater growth reduction in smaller trees during droughts. We tested these hypotheses by comparing tree basal area increment (BAI), drought resistance (i.e., magnitude of growth decline during drought), and resilience (i.e., magnitude of growth recovery after drought) across five different age-classes in black pine (Pinus nigra Arn. Ssp salzmannii) forests in Spain. Our results showed that the BAI patterns, drought resistance, and resilience were strongly influenced by tree age-classes. In addition, the effect of climatic water balance (precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration) on BAI significantly varied among age-classes. The effect of water balance on BAI was lower for younger age-classes (1–39 years of age) compared to older age-classes. We observed a greater growth reduction (i.e., lower resistance) in older trees (>40 years of age) during droughts compared to younger trees (<40 years of age). However, all trees, irrespective of their ages, were able to recover the growth rates after the drought. In general, younger trees showed a greater capacity in recovering the growth rate (i.e., more resilient) than older trees. We detected no significant effects of stand basal area and stand density on BAI, drought resistance, and resilience. Overall, our results indicated that growth of older trees was more negatively affected during drought. Therefore, these older/larger trees can be selected for commercial thinning, or can be released from competition, which can minimize the potential impacts of future droughts in black pine forests in Spain.

Removal of Competing Vegetation from Established Loblolly Pine Plantations Increases Growth on Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plain Sites

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 188-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Fortson ◽  
Barry D. Shiver ◽  
Lois Shackelford
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Slope Position ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Competing Vegetation ◽  
Positive Treatment ◽  
The Individual

Abstract A series of paired plots was installed in loblolly pine plantations at 42 locations in Georgia's Piedmont and Alabama's Piedmont and Coastal Plain. One plot of each pair had all competing vegetation eliminated. The other plot was left as an uncontrolled check. Locations were stratified over two age classes (5-9 and 12-16 yr old) and three slope positions (top, midslope, and bottom). Analysis of 33 surviving locations 8 yr after treatment revealed a positive treatment effect for both individual tree (dbh and total height) and stand characteristics (basal area per acre, total volume per acre, and merchantable volume per acre). There was no difference in volume response between age classes. Slope position was not significant for the individual tree variables, but was significant for the stand variables, with midslopes responding most positively followed by bottom and then top slope positions. Over all locations, the average treatment response was approximately ½ cord/ac/yr. Economic analyses indicate that the magnitude of the response will be economical for many stumpage prices, particularly on midslope and bottom slope positions, in plantations where access and species composition make herbicide spraying possible. South J. Appl. For. 20(4):188-192.

Seed rain beneath remnant trees in a slash-and-burn agricultural system in southern Cameroon

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie M. Carrière ◽  
Mathieu André ◽  
Philippe Letourmy ◽  
Isabelle Olivier ◽  
Doyle B. McKey
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Fleshy Fruits ◽  
Slash And Burn ◽  
Pioneer Tree ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Southern Cameroon ◽  
Total Seed

On clearing fields, Ntumu farmers in southern Cameroon leave some large trees. The seed rain beneath 30 such remnant trees (12 species) was compared with that 10 m away from the edges of their crowns. Of a total of 39 765 seeds recorded in 90 seed traps over 2 y, 73.6% were of species different from the tree associated with each set of traps (‘foreign seed rain’). Seed rain included 100 morphospecies, two-thirds of which possessed endozoochorous seeds. Seeds of the pioneer tree Musanga cecropioides accounted for 71.4% of total foreign seed rain; seeds of this and other animal-dispersed species accounted for 94.5% of the total. Seed rain was 25 times higher beneath remnant trees than 10 m away. Mean species richness of monthly seed rain was three times higher beneath remnant trees than 10 m away. Both fleshy-fruited and wind-dispersed species of remnant trees attracted seed-dispersing animals which greatly enhanced the seed rain; attraction thus did not depend solely on presence of fleshy fruits. Seed rain was lower when human activity in fields was intense and increased during the period of growth of the last crops, which were not usually weeded. Heavy seed rain just before fallow may contribute significantly to regeneration, as does the presence of remnant trees.

Does disturbance prevent total basal area and biomass in indigenous forests from being at equilibrium with the local environment?

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 595-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy J. Midgley ◽  
Karl J. Niklas
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Mountain Ash

Understanding the determinants of the amount of biomass in various forests is presently a global imperative because forests may (e.g. Phillips et al. 2002) or may not be carbon sinks (Clark 2002). Presently, the assumption for modelling and empirical studies is that forest biomass and net primary production (NPP) are in equilibrium. For example, Beerling & Woodward (2001) modelled world-wide plant biomass on the basis of how net primary productivity (NPP) and annual transpiration rates affect tree size. They predicted that the largest stands of organic carbon are in the wet tropics. Similarly, in a recent textbook, Chapin et al. (2002) indicate that amongst forests, tropical forests have the greatest biomass and greatest NPP. In contrast, Midgley (2001) drew attention to the negative correlation between basal area and disturbance rates in some tropical forests. Also, Enquist & Niklas (2001) demonstrated that biomass is not correlated with latitude. Indeed, many indigenous forests with exceptionally large total basal areas and thus total standing stem biomass occur in the cool-temperate areas. For example, the Pacific Northwest redwood and Tasmanian mountain-ash forests have a total basal area of 300+ m2 ha−1, which exceeds the mean of many tropical forests (i.e. 35 m2 ha−1) (see Midgley 2001 and references therein).

scholarly journals Big trees drive forest structure patterns across a lowland Amazon regrowth gradient

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tassiana Maylla Fontoura Caron ◽  
Victor Juan Ulises Rodriguez Chuma ◽  
Alexander Arévalo Sandi ◽  
Darren Norris
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Forest Regrowth ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Amazonian Forests ◽  
Mammal Diversity ◽  
Structure Patterns ◽  
Plot Type

AbstractDegraded Amazonian forests can take decades to recover and the ecological results of natural regeneration are still uncertain. Here we use field data collected across 15 lowland Amazon smallholder properties to examine the relationships between forest structure, mammal diversity, regrowth type, regrowth age, topography and hydrography. Forest structure was quantified together with mammal diversity in 30 paired regrowth-control plots. Forest regrowth stage was classified into three groups: late second-regrowth, early second-regrowth and abandoned pasture. Basal area in regrowth plots remained less than half that recorded in control plots even after 20-25 years. Although basal area did increase in sequence from pasture, early to late-regrowth plots, there was a significant decline in basal area of late-regrowth control plots associated with a decline in the proportion of large trees. There was also contrasting support for different non-mutually exclusive hypotheses, with proportion of small trees (DBH <20cm) most strongly supported by topography (altitude and slope) whereas the proportion of large trees (DBH >60cm) supported by plot type and regrowth class. These findings support calls for increased efforts to actively conserve large trees to avoid retrogressive succession around edges of degraded Amazon forests.

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