Forest regeneration and seed rain in the conversion of a stand of Pinus sp. into native forest

In Southern Brazil, the National Forests (NF) are protected areas of sustainable use; however, most of them present a significant cover with old plantations of Pinus spp. established to foster commercial forestry. Nowadays, the NF management plans propose the conversion of Pinus stands into native forests. Pinus spp. are worrisome invasive plants whose spontaneous recruitment is a challenge to forest restoration. This paper aims to analyze seed rain and woody community composition in a stand where Pinus trees were eliminated to drive spontaneous regeneration (REG) in an NF in the Southern Atlantic Forest. The seed rain was measured in the restoring area and inside an adjacent Pinus stand (PIN). The tree community structure was analyzed comparatively in REG, PIN, and in a Native Araucaria Forest (NAT). One year after Pinus cutting, the seed rain of woody species was 1,802 and 1,502 seeds m-2.year-1 in REG and PIN, respectively. REG’s seed rain had higher diversity than PIN and absence of Pinus seeds. REG and NAT presented higher diversity of tree species than PIN, although REG had the lowest basal area and tree density. Nevertheless, 188 Pinus seedlings.ha-1 were observed in REG, which indicates that complementary restoration actions are needed.

Download Full-text

Distance effect from cloud forest fragments on plant community structure in abandoned pastures in Veracruz, Mexico

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467406003221 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 431-440 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Miguel Angel Muñiz-Castro ◽

Guadalupe Williams-Linera ◽

José María Rey Benayas

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Vegetation Structure ◽

Forest Restoration ◽

Cloud Forest ◽

Distance Effect ◽

Basal Area ◽

Woody Species ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Forest Region

Secondary succession was studied in a Mexican cloud forest region along a chronosequence of 15 abandoned pastures (0.25–80 y). Our objective was to determine the effects of distance from the forest border on successional vegetation structure and woody species richness along the chronosequence. Vegetation structure similar to that of mature forests recovered over 40–50 y, both close to (0–10 m) and away from (40–50 m) the border. Total woody species richness was similar for both distances but species composition differed significantly. When primary forest species were analysed separately, basal area, height, abundance and richness were all significantly higher close to the forest border. Primary species such as Quercus spp. (barochorous-synzoochorous) and Carpinus caroliniana (anemochorous) had lower basal area, density and height away from the border than close to it. Secondary species such as Lippia myriocephala (anemochorous) and Myrsine coriacea (endozoochorous) did not differ in their rate of colonization between distances. The limitation of seed dispersal and establishment for primary woody species away from forest borders suggests that propagules need to be introduced to accelerate forest restoration.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Natural Regeneration in Natural Grassland and Pine Plantations across an Elevational Gradient in the Páramo Ecosystem of Southern Ecuador

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10090745 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 745 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dahik ◽

Marín ◽

Arias ◽

Crespo ◽

Weber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Regeneration ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Basal Area ◽

Woody Species ◽

Elevational Gradient ◽

Pine Plantations ◽

Shade Tolerant Species ◽

Elevational Range ◽

Pinus Spp ◽

Natural Grassland

During the 1980s, reforestation programs using exotic species (Pinus spp.) were established in the páramo ecosystem of Ecuador. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the natural regeneration between pine plantations (Pi) and natural grassland (NG) across an elevational gradient and (2) to identify the attributes of Pi and soil properties that were influencing herbaceous and woody plant composition and their plant cover. In total, six independent Pinus patula (Schltdl. & Cham. plantations (two per each elevation) were selected and distributed in an elevational range (3200–3400, 3400–3600, 3600–3800 m a.s.l.). Adjacent to Pi, plots in NG were established for recording natural regeneration. Both, namely the attributes and the soil samples, were measured in Pi. The results showed that natural regeneration differs significantly between both types of vegetation. As expected, NG holds more plant diversity than Pi; the elevational range showed a clear tendency that there was more herbaceous richness when elevation range increases, while the opposite was found for woody species. Moreover, attributes of Pi influenced herbaceous and woody vegetation, when saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) in the soil, basal area (BA) and canopy density (CD) increased, herbaceous species richness and its cover decreseased; and when Ksat and the acidity in the soil increased, woody plants richness and its cover decreased. The plantations have facilitated the establishment of shade tolerant species. More studies are needed to evaluate if removal with adequate management of pine plantations can improve the restoration and conservation of the native vegetation of the páramo ecosystem.

Download Full-text

The Effects of Landscape Change on Plant Diversity and Structure in the Bale Mountains National Park, Southeastern Ethiopia

International Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1155/2021/6628282 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Annissa Muhammed ◽

Eyasu Elias

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Landscape Change ◽

National Park ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Basal Area ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Woody Species ◽

Economic Benefits

Bale Mountains National Park is one of the protected areas in Ethiopia that holds the largest area of Afroalpine habitat in Africa and the second largest stand of moist tropical forest. Nevertheless, human settlements, overgrazing, and recurrent fire are the main problems in the park. This study aimed to determine the effects of human-induced landscape change in floristic composition and structure in the park. The vegetation data were collected systematically from 96 sample plots laid along 24 line transects in the edge and interior habitats of the six land cover types. Vegetation composition and landscape structural analysis were made using R software version 3.5.2 and FRAGSTATS version 4.2.1, respectively. Patch number was strong and positively affected species richness (r = −0.90, p < 0.05 ), diversity (r = −0.96, p < 0.01 ), and basal area (r = −0.96, p < 0.001 ), whereas mean patch size was strong and negatively influenced species richness (r = 0.95, p < 0.05 ), diversity (r = 0.87, p < 0.05 ), and basal area (r = 0.82, p < 0.05 ). The overall species richness, Shannon diversity index, and Margalef index were significantly higher in the edge habitat; however, the mean basal area of woody species was significantly higher in the interior habitat at p < 0.05 . This study uncovered that the park is floristically rich and diverse, and it provides a variety of ecological and economic benefits to the surrounding community and to the nation at large. However, these benefits are gradually declining due to the high level of anthropogenic activities in the park. Thus, integrated environmental management strategy that blends with sustainable use of natural resources should be implemented to minimize the threats.

Download Full-text

Koalas continue to occupy their previous home-ranges after selective logging in Callitris - Eucalyptus forest

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr06126 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 94 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Rodney P. Kavanagh ◽

Matthew A. Stanton ◽

Traecey E. Brassil

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Basal Area ◽

Selective Logging ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽

Eucalyptus Forest ◽

South Wales ◽

Callitris Glaucophylla ◽

One Year ◽

Cypress Pine

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a charismatic, high-profile species whose conservation needs are commonly perceived to be incompatible with logging. However, koala biology and the results of chronosequence studies elsewhere suggest that this species may tolerate a degree of habitat alteration caused by logging. In this study, 30 koalas, five in each of six areas available for logging within a mixed white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla)–Eucalyptus forest in north-western New South Wales, were radio-tracked for one year during 1997–1998 to determine their movements, home-range sizes and tree preferences. Five months after the study began, three of these areas were logged selectively for sawlogs and thinnings of the white cypress pine, a tree that is important to koalas for daytime shelter. This removed about one-quarter of the stand basal area, but the eucalypt component was unaffected. The remaining three areas were left undisturbed as controls. Radio-tracking continued in all six areas for another seven months. Koalas continued to occupy all or part of their previous home-ranges after selective logging, and home-range sizes remained similar between logged and unlogged areas. Home-ranges for both sexes overlapped and were ~12 ha for males and 9 ha for females. Koala survival and the proportions of breeding females were similar in logged and unlogged areas. The principal food trees of the koala were red gums, mainly Eucalyptus blakelyi and E. chloroclada, and the pilliga box (E. pilligaensis), none of which were logged in this study. These results suggest that selective logging for white cypress pine does not appear to adversely affect koala populations and that koalas may not be as sensitive to logging as previously thought. Further work is required to determine thresholds in the level of retention of koala food trees in logging operations.

Download Full-text

Tree Species Diversity and Composition of Miombo Woodlands in South-Central Angola: A Chronosequence of Forest Recovery after Shifting Cultivation

International Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1155/2017/6202093 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Francisco M. P. Gonçalves ◽

Rasmus Revermann ◽

Amândio L. Gomes ◽

Marcos P. M. Aidar ◽

Manfred Finckh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Shifting Cultivation ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Woody Species ◽

Distinct Group ◽

Forest Recovery ◽

Miombo Woodlands ◽

Principal Coordinates Analysis ◽

South Central ◽

Principal Coordinates ◽

Management Plans

The study was carried out in the Cusseque area of the Municipality of Chitembo in south-central Angola. Our objectives were to assess the floristic diversity, the species composition, and stand structure of Miombo woodlands during regeneration after shifting cultivation. A total of 40 plots of 1000 m2were surveyed and analyzed, corresponding to mature forests/woodlands and three fallow types of different age. The analyses were based on plot inventories of all trees with DBH ≥ 5 cm. A total of 51 woody species, 38 genera, and 19 families were recorded. The dominant family was Fabaceae, with subfamily Caesalpinioideae being very abundant. Shannon Diversity and Evenness were highest in mature forests and young fallows, while the mature forest stands showed the highest species richness. A Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) showed many species shared between the intermediate fallow types, but only few species were shared with young fallows. Mature forests formed a clearly distinct group. This study shows potential pathways of forest recovery in terms of faster regeneration after agricultural abandonment and, thus, the results presented here can be used in future conservation and management plans in order to reduce the pressure on mature forests.

Download Full-text

STRUCTURAL AND FLORISTIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE OULED BECHIH FOREST (ALGERIA)

10.32008/geolinks2021/b2/v3/22 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Touafchia Boutheyna ◽

Kadi Zahia ◽

Redjaimia Lilia ◽

Rached-Kanouni Malika

Keyword(s):

Diversity Index ◽

Basal Area ◽

Woody Species ◽

Quercus Suber ◽

Average Density ◽

Quercus Canariensis ◽

Rational Management ◽

Sustainable Conservation ◽

Total Structure

The objective of this study is the rational management of forest ecosystems for sustainable conservation of floristic biodiversity. Two types of analysis are carried out: structural analysis and analysis of the main species. A total of 22 families were identified, divided among 32 species. The dominant woody species are Quercus suber and Quercus canariensis. Fagaceae is the most represented family. The average values of species richness and Shannon diversity index are 4 ± 1.8 and 0.9 ± 0.30 species/plot respectively. The average density of woody species in the Oueld Bechih forest was 158 ± 28 tree/ha with an average basal area of 32.67 ± 0.74m²/ha. The height structure shows that trees in height classes is ≥ 6 has very high density, evidence of almost no natural regeneration. The total structure indicates that larger trees are more abundant. In effect, this work provides a database for the forest, but it represents only one facet to be considered in protecting and restoring it.

Download Full-text

Temporal change in wood quality attributes in standing dead beetle-killed lodgepole pine

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc84392-3 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 392-400

Author(s):

Steen Magnussen ◽

Dave Harrison

Keyword(s):

Moisture Content ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Basal Area ◽

Wood Moisture ◽

Moisture Regimes ◽

Standing Dead ◽

Blue Stain ◽

Lodgepole Pines ◽

Ring Analysis ◽

One Year

The number and size of checks, wood moisture content, extent of blue-stain, rot and decay was examined by stem analysis in 360 mature standing beetle-killed lodgepole pines. Trees came from three areas (Burns Lake, Quesnel, and Vanderhoof) in Central British Columbia. Each area was represented by 14 to 16 sampling areas (stands) distributed evenly across three soil moisture regimes (dry, mesic, wet). Year of death was estimated from tree ring-analysis, local knowledge and insect and disease survey maps. An approximately equal number of trees had been dead for one or two years, three or four years, or for five or more years. During the first five years since death by beetle attack the number of checks per tree increased from 2.5 to 10.2 and the average depth of checks increased from 4.3 cm to 5.1 cm. Checks were deeper, wider, and longer on the drier sites than on mesic and wet sites. Moisture content of sapwood and heartwood was near the fibre saturation point (ca 30%) one year after death and continued to decrease at a rate of approximately 1.7% per year. Both the incidence and the extent (relative to basal area) of rot and decay increased significantly with time since death. All trees had an extensive blue-stain discoloration. Deterioration of wood quality was fastest during the first two years after a beetle attack. Key words: wood checks, moisture content, blue-stain, wood quality, spiral grain, bark beetle

Download Full-text

EVALUATION OF SUBSTRATES AND AMF SPORULATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF SEEDLINGS OF NATIVE FOREST SPECIES

Revista Árvore ◽

10.1590/0100-67622016000200007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 245-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Luciana de Moura Gonzaga ◽

Sarah Santos da Silva ◽

Silvane de Almeida Campos ◽

Rodrigo de Paula Ferreira ◽

André Narvaes da Rocha Campos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Forest Restoration ◽

Rubber Tree ◽

Poultry Manure ◽

Native Forest ◽

Organic Substrates ◽

Forest Species ◽

Hymenaea Courbaril ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Potential Use

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate organic substrates in the production of canafistula (Peltophorum dubium) (Spreng.) Taub, cutieira (Joannesiaprinceps Vell.), jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) and rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis M. Arg.) seedlings, native trees with potential use in forest restoration programs. The design was completely randomized with 10 substrate formulations with 4 repetitions of 3 plants for the four species. The evaluated substrates consisted of soil, bovine manure (BM), poultry manure (PM), chemical fertilizer (CF) and sand, in different proportions. The experiment was concluded at the end of 180 days for canafistula, cutieira and rubber and 210 days for jatoba. At the end of these periods, the root (RDM), shoot (SDM) and total (TDM) the dry matters of the seedlings were determined. Quantification of AMF spores and normalization between samples through SPORES/RDM correction were also performed. The Scott-Knott test at 5% probability was applied. Regarding biomass production, only canafistula had significant difference among the tested substrates. In relation to sporulation, the highest values were observed in cutieira and rubber tree in substrate containing PM. The substrates composed of 40 or 50% soil + 20% sand + 30% or 40 PM for canafistula; 50% soil + 20% sand + 30% PM for cutieira; and for jatoba and rubber tree 60% soil + 20% sand + 20% PM, enabled the best results in terms of biomass production in seedlings and AMF sporulation.

Download Full-text

ANALYZING TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL TRENDS IN MANAGEMENT PLANS OF FEDERAL PROTECTED AREAS IN BRAZIL

Oecologia Australis ◽

10.4257/oeco.2021.2504.05 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (04) ◽

pp. 846-854

Author(s):

Alessandro Ribeiro Morais ◽

◽

Mariana Nascimento Siqueira ◽

Roniel Freitas-Oliveira ◽

Daniel Brito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Protected Area ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Management Plan ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Effective Management ◽

Management Plans ◽

Group A ◽

The Creation ◽

Group B

Protected areas are the most frequently used tool for the mitigation of threats to biodiversity. However, without effective management, the creation of new protected areas may be ineffective. In Brazil, protected areas must have both a governing body (consultative or deliberative council) and an official management plan. Here, we analyzed general trends and patterns in the approval of the management plans for Brazilian federal protected areas. We considered all federal protected areas, and compiled data on (i) the year the area was created, (ii) the type of protected area (integral protection vs. sustainable use), (iii) year its management plan was approved, (iv) year in which the management plan was revised after its approval, (v) total area (in hectares), and (vi) the biome in which the area is located. We stablished three groups of protected area: 1) Group A: protected areas created prior to 1979, 2) Group B: protected areas created between 1979 and 1999, and 3) Group C: protected areas created between 2000 to the present time. Finally, we tested whether time for the approval of the management plan suffered a simultaneous effect of the type of biome and type of categories of protected area (strictly protected vs. sustainable use areas). We found 211 (63.17% of the 334) protected areas with management plan. On average, the time taken for the creation and approval of a management plan far exceeds the deadlines (5 yrs.) defined under current Brazilian law. All Brazilian biomes are poorly covered by protected areas with effective management plans, with the highest and lowest value observed in the Pantanal (100%) and Caatinga (46.42%), respectively. Our results suggest that the effectiveness of many federal protected areas in Brazil can be reduced considerably by the lack of a management plan, with deleterious consequences for the country’s principal conservation strategies.

Download Full-text

Slow-release fertilizers and possibilities of their utilizing in nursery

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun200452020155 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 155-164

Author(s):

Petr Salaš

Keyword(s):

Slow Release ◽

Ornamental Plants ◽

Woody Species ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Berberis Thunbergii ◽

Slow Release Fertilizers ◽

Picea Omorika ◽

One Year ◽

Two Stages

Reserve, slow-release fertilizers (SRF) enable to simplify the whole system of plant nutrition and fertilisation. Tabletted fertilizers of the Silvamix series represent a prospective product of Czech provenience. At our university, these fertilizers have been tested and used since the year 1991. Ornamental woody species grown in containers were investigated in two stages. Experiments with ornamental plants were established using one-year-old cuttings and seedlings of the following deciduous and evergreen woody species:Cotoneaster dammeri Skogholm,Berberis thunbergii,Potentilla fruticosa Snowflake,Ligustrum vulgare AtrovirensandPicea omorika. After planting into containers, fertilizers in the dose of 1 tablet (i.e. 10 g) per litre of substrate were applied either to roots level or on the soil surface in the container. Silvamix in the dose of 5 g.l-1was used as the tested fertilizer in the second stage. It was applied during the planting in the form of tablets and/or a powder. Control plants were fertilized in the course of growing season using a common agricultural fertilizer Cererit Z. The annual plants increments were measured. These experiments demonstrated a long-term optimum effect of this product on woody species and an equal quality and efficiency of its tabletted and powdered forms.

Download Full-text