Restoration pathways for rain forest in southwest Sri Lanka: a review of concepts and models

In the last 10 years the Sri Lankan government has changed its policy regarding its remaining rain forest from one that promoted commercial exploitation to one of conservation. The growing importance of uplands as catchments for water production, biodiversity conservation and other downstream services has been recognized by the Sri Lankan government. It is therefore timely that we review 15 years of research investigating rain forest dynamics of southwest Sri Lanka with the objective of using this knowledge for forest restoration. We provide six common principles for understanding the integrity of rain forest dynamics in southwest Sri Lanka. The principles are: (i) disturbances provide the simultaneous initiation and/or release of a new forest stand; (ii) that disturbances are generally non-lethal to the groundstory vegetation; (iii) disturbances are variable in severity, type and extent across rain forest topography; (iv) guild diversity (habitat diversity) is dependent upon “advance regeneration”; (v) tree canopy stratification is based on both “static” and “dynamic” processes; and (vi) canopy dominant late-successional tree species are site specialists restricted to particular topographic positions of the rain forest. These principles are applied to determine effects of two rain forest degradation processes that have been characterized as chronic (continuous detrimental impacts) and acute (one-time detrimental impacts). Restoration pathways are suggested that range from: (i) the simple prevention of disturbance to promote release of rain forest succession; (ii) site-specific enrichment planting protocols for canopy trees; (iii) sequential amelioration of arrested fern and grasslands by use of plantation analogs of old field pine to facilitate secondary succession of rain forest, and plantings of late-seral rain forest tree species; and (iv) establishment and release of successionally compatible mixed-species plantations. We summarize with a synthesis of the restoration techniques proposed for reforestation using native vegetation on cleared conservation areas and parks, and for the stabilization of eroded upland watersheds. We conclude with a comparative analysis with restoration work done in other tropical forest regions.     

Carbon dynamics and stability between native Masson pine and exotic slash pine plantations in subtropical China

Afforestation and ecological restoration have often been carried out with fast-growing exotic tree species because of their high apparent growth and yield. Moreover, fast-growing forest plantations have become an important component of mitigation measures to offset greenhouse gas emissions. However, information on the long-term performance of exotic and fast-growing species is often lacking especially with respect to their vulnerability to disturbance compared to native species. We compared carbon (C) storage and C accumulation rates in vegetation (above- and belowground) and soil in 21-year-old exotic slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) and native Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) plantations, as well as their responses to a severe ice storm in 2008. Our results showed that mean C storage was 116.77 ± 7.49 t C ha^?1 in slash pine plantation and 117.89 ± 8.27 t C ha^?1 in Masson pine plantation. The aboveground C increased at a rate of 2.18 t C ha^?1 year^?1 in Masson pine and 2.23 t C ha^?1 year^?1 in slash pine plantation, and there was no significant difference in C storage accumulation between the two plantation types. However, we observed significant differences in ice storm damage with nearly 7.5 % of aboveground biomass loss in slash pine plantation compared with only 0.3 % loss in Masson pine plantation. Our findings indicated that the native pine species was more resistant to ice storm because of their adaptive biological traits (tree shape, crown structure, and leaf surface area). Overall, the native pine species might be a safer choice for both afforestation and ecological restoration in our study region.     

上海半自然森林更新苗物种组成与多样性研究

城市半自然森林具有独特的群落结构和生物多样性特征,研究城市化影响的半自然森林更新特征,可以为城市生物多样性保育与地带性植被恢复重建提供借鉴。文章以上海辰山残存半自然森林1 hm^2固定监测样地为对象,调查分析半自然森林更新苗的物种组成特征。结果表明:1 hm^2样地更新苗共5 937株,分属22科32属37种,其中上海自然分布的乡土种占57.89%,明显高于城市人工林的乡土树种比例;香樟、构树、天竺桂、朴树和小蜡等5种更新苗占总数的57.2%,聚集性分布格局明显;在11个植被群落类型中,各类型更新苗的丰富度普遍较高,不同树种的更新苗存活和发育潜力存在差异。     

Effects of planting food crops on survival and early growth of timber trees in eastern Panama

Restoration of degraded pasture lands in the tropics through afforestation is widely supported. The greatest obstacle to afforestation, however, is the long delay before initial financial returns from wood harvesting are realized. Interplanting young trees with food or energy crops has been proposed as a strategy to help overcome this obstacle. We investigated the impact of this practice on the survival and growth performance of young tropical tree seedlings in Panama. Five native timber tree species and the exotic species Tectona grandis were interplanted with four different crop rotations and monitored over 2 years. Survival of young tree seedlings was up to eight times higher when planted in association with Manihot esculenta. Only during the first 3 months after maize sowing was a significant negative effect of intercropping on tree seedling survival found. Here, survival rate of tree seedlings was up to four times lower than in the pure plantation. Tree growth was not adversely affected by crops. In fact, Astronium graveolens, Cedrela odorata and Terminalia amazonia showed significantly superior growth performance in association with both Zea mays and Cajanus cajan. When combined with the latter, the height increment of these tree species was up to four times that achieved in pure plantations. We conclude that intercropping can be an important silvicultural practice to facilitate forest restoration. Multi-purpose shrubby crop species with cropping cycles of more than 6 months are particularly beneficial, as they quickly shade out grasses, thus reducing the need for herbicides.     

Establishment success in a forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning experiment in subtropical China (BEF-China)

Experimental forest plantations to study biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships have recently been established in different regions of the world, but subtropical biomes have not been covered so far. Here, we report about the initial survivorship of 26 tree species in the first such experiment in subtropical China. In the context of the joint Sino–German–Swiss Research Unit “BEF-China,” 271 experimental forest plots were established using 24 naturally occurring tree species and two native commercial conifers. Based on the survival inventories carried out in November 2009 and June 2010, the overall survival rate was 87 % after the first 14 months. Generalized mixed-effects models showed that survival rates of seedlings were significantly affected by species richness, the species’ leaf habit (deciduous or evergreen), species identity, planting date, and altitude. In the first survey, seedling establishment success decreased with increasing richness levels, a tendency that disappeared in the second survey after replanting. Though evergreen species performed less well than deciduous species with establishment rates of 84 versus 93 % in the second survey, their planting success exceeded the general expectation for subtropical broad-leaved evergreen species. These results have important implications for establishing mixed-species plantations for diversity conservation and improvement of ecosystem functioning in the Chinese subtropics and elsewhere. Additional costs associated with mixed-species plantations as compared to conventional plantations also demonstrate the potential of upscaling BEF experiments to large-scale afforestation projects.     

Intensive tree planting facilitates tropical forest biodiversity and biomass accumulation in Kibale National Park, Uganda

The extensive area of degraded tropical land and the calls to conserve forest biodiversity and sequester carbon to offset climate change demonstrate the need to restore forest in the tropics. Deforested land is sometimes replanted with fast-growing trees; however, the consequences of intensive replanting on biomass accumulation or plant and animal diversity are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine how intensive replanting affected tropical forest regeneration and biomass accumulation over ten years. We studied reforested sites in Kibale National Park, Uganda, that were degraded in the 1970s and replanted with five native tree species in 1995. We identified and measured the size of planted versus naturally regenerating trees, and felled and weighed matched trees outside the park to calculate region-specific allometric equations for above-ground tree biomass. The role of shrubs and grasses in facilitating or hindering the establishment of trees was evaluated by correlating observed estimates of percent cover to tree biomass. We found 39 tree species naturally regenerating in the restored area in addition to the five originally planted species. Biomass was much higher for planted (15,675 kg/ha) than naturally regenerated trees (4560 kg/ha), but naturally regenerating tree regrowth was an important element of the landscape. The establishment of tree seedlings initially appeared to be facilitated by shrubs, primarily Acanthus pubescens and the invasive Lantana camara; however, both are expected to hinder tree recruitment in the long-term. Large and small-seeded tree species were found in the replanted area, indicating that bird and mammal dispersers contributed to natural forest restoration. These results demonstrate that intensive replanting can accelerate the natural accumulation of biomass and biodiversity and facilitate the restoration of tropical forest communities. However, the long-term financial costs and ecological benefits of planting and maintaining reforested areas need to be weighed against other potential restoration strategies.     

桤木、马褂木在鄂西山区水土保持建设中的应用

摘要：为了增加鄂西山区水土保持林树种,促进区域林业项目建设和林种结构调整,本文选择桤木、马褂木、多土树种营建水土保持试验林,以生长量、郁闭度、根系生长量、地表枯枝落叶量等因子进行对比分析。结果表明：桤木、马褂木适应鄂西山区造林环境,成活率高,生长较快,林分郁闭快,根系发达,地表枯枝落叶量大,有良好水土保持和水源涵养能力;抚育管理难和成本低,经济效益较显著,能在鄂西山区水土保持建设中发挥示范作用。     

人工林在生物多样性保护中的作用

综述了近年来世界人工林的发展动态以及人工林在生物多样性保护方面的最新研究进展; 从人工林与乡土森林的比较中, 表明了多数情况下人工林支持的物种多样性并不少于乡土森林植被, 同时表明了人工林已经成为一些稀有、濒危物种的重要庇护所和替代生境, 在很大程度上支持了人工林并不是生物多样性〝沙漠〞的观点; 分析了影响人工林生物多样性的因素及保护人工林生物多样性的途径。     

Rationale and methods for conserving biodiversity in plantation forests

Industrial forest managers and conservation biologists agree on at least two things: (1) plantation forests can play a role in conserving biodiversity, and (2) plantations will occupy an increasing proportion of future landscapes. I review literature from around the world on the relationship between biodiversity and plantation management, structure, and yield. The dynamics of plantation ecology and management necessarily differ by landscape, geographic area, ecosystem type, etc. This review provides a broad array of management recommendations, most of which apply to most regions, and many patterns are evident. I suggest a new plantation forest paradigm based on the hypothesis that minor improvements in design and management can better conserve biodiversity, often with little or no reduction in fiber production. There is ample evidence that these methods do benefit biodiversity, and can also entail various economic benefits. Adherence to these recommendations should vary by plantation type, and depending on the proportion of the surrounding landscape or region that is or will be planted. Stand-level variables to consider include socio-economic factors, native community type and structure, crop species composition, and pest dynamics. During establishment, managers should consider innovations in snag and reserve tree management (e.g. leave strips), where mature native trees and/or understory vegetation are left unharvested or allowed to regenerate. Polycultures should be favored over monocultures by planting multiple crop species and/or leaving some native trees unharvested. Native species should generally be favored over exotics. Site-preparation should favor methods that reflect natural disturbances and conserve coarse woody debris. Plantations that have already been established by traditional design can also conserve biodiversity via small modifications to operations. Earlier thinning schedules or longer rotations can strongly affect biodiversity, as can reserve trees left after plantation harvest to remain through a second rotation.     

Producing Framework Tree Species for Restoring Forest Ecosystems in Northern Thailand

Since 1994, the Forest Restoration Research Unit of Chiang Mai University’s Biology Department (FORRU-CMU) has been developing methods to restore forest ecosystems to deforested sites within protected areas, for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection in northern Thailand. With support from WWF Greater Mekong Thailand Country Programme and corporate sponsor King Power Duty Free, the unit is working with Hmong hill tribe villagers from Baan Mae Sa Mai, in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, to expand a demonstration site for the “framework species method” of forest restoration. The technique entails planting 20 to 30 indigenous forest tree species, capable of rapidly shading out weeds and attracting seed-dispersing animals from nearby forest remnants. This results in rapid increase in tree species richness, progressing towards the species composition of the original forest, as well as overall biodiversity recovery. FORRU-CMU operates a research tree nursery, where innovative tree propagation techniques are developed, and a community-based nursery and education centre, where the practicability of those techniques is tested by local villagers. The nurseries and the demonstration field trials have become a popular training facility where visiting foresters and conservationists, both from Thailand and neighbouring countries, can learn effective forest restoration methods. FORRU-CMU provides a model for formulating a strategy to apply the framework species method to restore larger degraded sites within Thailand’s protected areas system.     

Managing small remnants of native forest to increase biodiversity within plantation landscapes in the south west of Western Australia

Recent expansion of industrial-scale plantations into agricultural areas in Australia has the potential to assist biodiversity conservation by rehabilitating ecosystems at the landscape scale and reducing edge effects, isolation and disturbance within remnants of native vegetation. However, the efficient management of remnants for biodiversity within a plantation estate requires knowledge of both the causes and the consequences of remnant degradation. With this in mind, we examined key ecosystem features and processes relating to soil chemistry, decomposition, native tree health and regeneration and vertebrate abundance, within small forest remnants (1-4 ha) embedded within Eucalyptus globulus plantations in south west Western Australia. Soil nutrient enrichment was significantly associated with a scale of vegetation modification in order from: (1) intact forest, (2) remnants with native understorey (UDN), (3) remnants with exotic understorey (UDE), (4) plantation and (5) pasture. We propose that, in this region, UDE remnants will often remain in a degraded state even after plantation establishment and the cessation of stock grazing. This is due, in part, to more rapid rates of nutrient turnover sustaining higher nutrient availability in the soil following the replacement of ligneous understorey plants with annual ones. Cotton strips placed in surface soils were often disintegrated in UDE remnants and largely intact in UDN remnants, indicating that decomposition was accelerated in the former. Continued tree decline and regeneration failure within UDE remnants will also reinforce the UDE condition. There was less canopy seed set and little or no seedling establishment in UDE remnants compared to UDN remnants. Therefore, management interventions to assist native tree regeneration in UDE remnants are needed. Fauna trapping highlighted the desirability of retaining, and preferably restoring, small remnants in plantations. Small native mammals were found exclusively in remnants and fewer introduced Mus musculus were present in UDN remnants. Higher numbers of native lizards were found in UDN remnants, but this result was not significant (marginally).     

Species richness and guild composition in rubber plantations compared to secondary forest on Hainan Island, China

Currently, the one of great threats to tropical biodiversity is the conversion of natural ecosystems to agriculture, and this threat is particularly critical on Hainan, the largest tropical island in China and a global biodiversity hotspot. Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) has been planted on Hainan since the 1950s, resulting in extensive replacement of native forest, and the rate of this transformation has increased with latex prices since the 1990s. Rubber plantations now cover ca. 506,680 ha on Hainan and reach ca 1,000 m in elevation. To investigate the effect of this land-use change, we compared avian communities between a rubber plantation and a native secondary semi-deciduous monsoon forest. We found that species richness was higher in the native forest than in rubber, and that community composition differed greatly between the two habitats. No strict frugivores were recorded in rubber and no granivores in semi-deciduous monsoon forest. In both richness and abundance, more nectarivores and fewer insectivores occurred in rubber than in the native forest. Some common forest species, as well as protected species, were found only in native forest, including Hainan Partridge (Arborophila ardens), Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica), Black-browed Barbet (Megalaima oorti), Blue-rumped Pitta (Pitta soror), Puff-throated Bulbul (Alophoixus pallidus), and Chestnut Bulbul (Hemixos castanonotus). Although ten babbler species were found in the native forest, only two were in rubber. Among the species missing in rubber was the endemic Hainan species Grey Laughingthrush (Garrulax maesi). Its endangerment through habitat conversion is of particular conservation concern.     

Tree species growth under a rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantation: native restoration via enrichment planting in southern Bahia,Brazil

Enrichment planting is a technique that is gaining recognition for its potential to restore native forests. Due to the steep economic trade-offs involved and dearth of silvicultural and ecological knowledge about native flora, however, it remains unclear whether it has promise for widespread application. Focusing on growth performance, this study explores the restoration potential of twenty-one native tree species 3 years after planting in the understory of a rubber plantation in southern Bahia, Brazil. We tested the effects of slope, aspect, successional guild and basal area of the overstory rubber trees on the enriched species’ height, root collar diameter, and diameter at breast height. Height was the growth parameter that most differentiated species, with Parkia pendula, Sloanea monosperma, and Tachigali densiflora being three of the most successful species. Pioneer species grew faster than the non-pioneer species. Overstory basal area was the most important variable influencing the performance of the planted tree seedlings, while aspect and slope were less important. For every additional unit of basal area per hectare of rubber, there was an incremental decrease in the growth rates of the enrichment species. This suggests that the tree species are likely limited by available light, and that there are distinct trade-offs between overstory rubber density and understory tree species growth that are important to consider when accelerating forest recovery by using enrichment planting techniques.     

The effect of thinning on ground spider diversity and microenvironmental factors of a subtropical spruce plantation forest in East Asia

Currently, information about the effect of forest management on biodiversity of subtropical plantation forests in Asia is quite limited. In this study, we compared the spider community structures and guild compositions of subtropical Cryptomeria japonica plantation forests receiving different degree of thinning (0, 25 and 50 %) in central Taiwan. The ground spider diversities and environmental variables were sampled/measured once every 3 months for 1 year before thinning and 2 years after thinning. Results showed that before thinning spider compositions did not differ significantly among three plantation forest types. Two years after thinning, spider species and family compositions of three plantation forest types differed significantly. In all three plantation forest types, the spider composition differed from year to year, indicating existence of temporal variations in spider diversity. Ground hunters (increased 200–600 % in thinned forests), sheet web weavers (increased 50–300 % in thinned forests) and space web weavers (decreased 30–50 % in thinned forests) were the major contributors of the observed spider composition differences among plantation forests receiving different treatments. The stands receiving thinning treatments also had higher illumination, litter decomposition rate, temperature and understory vegetation density. Thinning treatments might have changed the structures of understory vegetation and canopy cover and consequently resulted in abundance and diversity changes of these guilds. Moreover, the heterogeneity in understory vegetation recovery rate and temporal variation of spider composition might further generate spider diversity variations in subtropical forests receiving different degree of thinning.     

Initial vegetation recovery following a blowdown of a conifer plantation in monsoonal East Asia: Impacts of legacy retention, salvaging, site preparation, and weeding

All or a part of a sequence of forest practices (i.e., salvage logging, site preparation, planting crop trees, and weeding) has been implemented after natural disturbances for the rapid re-establishment of tree cover. Forest policies in Japan have recently changed from monocultural planting of coniferous crop trees to planting native broadleaved trees to restore forests and nurture local biodiversity following large windthrows. However, the effects of this new practice on preserving biodiversity, as well as the effects of legacy retention, have never been verified in Asia. Thus, the objective of our research was to compare the effects of legacy retention with plantation after salvaging on the initial stage of vegetation recovery in a blowdown area, specifically focusing on plant species diversity, the occurrence of alien species, and the composition of plant species. Following the analysis of our results, we finally describe appropriate practices to alter disturbed coniferous plantations to bring the species composition closer to that of the original natural mixed forests.A control (A, legacy retention) and three experimental treatment sites (B, salvage logged, site prepared, and Quercus crispula seedlings planted; C, same as B, but weeded once during the summer; and D, residual rows that emerged after establishing sites for planting) were prepared, and quadrats were set. Eleven indicators of the ground condition and the number of vascular plant species, including ferns, were quantified, and the number and abundance of residual and newly colonized plants of the main woody species were estimated.Our main findings were as follows: (1) in unsalvaged sites and residual rows, the diversity of plant species was poor, but a variety of plant species compositions were observed due to the heterogeneous conditions of the ground and ample residual plants; (2) in the planting site, many species appeared, but little variety of the species composition was observed due to the homogeneous condition of the ground and the destruction of residual plants; (3) a large number of alien species emerged in broad, unvegetated areas; (4) the impact of site preparation overwhelmed the impact of salvage logging on the initial recovery of plant species; and (5) to restore a natural mixed forest, a combination of legacy retention and plantation after salvaging would be the most appropriate.     

Secondary forest regeneration under fast-growing forest plantations on degraded Imperata cylindrica grasslands

Natural regeneration of native tree species in the understoreys of fast-growing plantation tree species (Acacia mangium, Gmelina arborea and Paraserianthes falcataria) and in adjacent natural riverine forest and non-cultivated grassland areas were studied on Imperata cylindrica grassland sites in Riam Kiwa plantation area, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Seedling and sapling densities as well as species composition and richness were assessed in a total of 35 ha by a systematic line plot survey.Floristic composition was similar in A. mangium and P. falcataria stands which differed distinctly from G. arborea stands and Imperata grassland area. Riverine forest was characterized by later successional species. In A. mangium and P. falcataria stands, a total of 63 species from 24 families were recorded. Seedling stock consisted merely of pioneer and secondary species, but also several fairly commonly occurring primary forest species. Euphorbiaceae was the most common family representing 42% of sapling and 29% of seedling densities. The most abundant regeneration occurred in A. mangium stands (4,706 seedling/sapling ha^-1), followed by P. falcataria (2,242 ha^-1) and G. arborea (554 ha^-1). Seedling recruitment was significantly lower in plots dominated by grass vegetation than those dominated by no vegetation or shrub vegetation. Breast height diameter and basal area of canopy trees as well as coverage and height of ground vegetation did not explain seedling/sapling density. Results show that plantation establishment with suitable fast-growing tree species facilitates recruitment of a variety of native tree species. This provides potential for rapid restoration of forest ecosystem and for further development of the mixed stands of fast-growing exotics and naturally regenerated native species.     

Floristic regeneration in five types of teak plantations in Thailand

Teak is the most important timber species in northern Thailand, and as such, large areas of teak forest have been disturbed or become highly degraded. Teak plantations have been established on this highly degraded land, where the rate of natural recovery is relatively slow. At the study site, five mixed or pure teak plantation types have been established to ameliorate limiting soil properties in order that long-term productivity is maintained. Observations within these plantations in northern Thailand have suggested that native species become established naturally under the shade of a “nurse” plantation, one that shades out early successional species. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the number of species in nurse plantations on the diversity and number of seedlings representative of mature native forests that become established within the plantations. Five types of plantations were investigated: (1) Tectona grandis L.f. (T); (2) T.grandis and Tamarindus indica L. (TT); (3) T.grandis and Gmelina arborea Roxb. (TG); (4) T.grandis, T. indica and G. arborea (TTG); (5) T.grandis, T.indica and Anacardium occidentale L. (TTA). These plantations were established primarily for the production of T.grandis (teak), with the other species introduced as economic trees. The plantations were surrounded by native stands of species representative of late successional and mature teak forests. In each of the plantations studies measurements were made on species density, species diversity, and evenness of plants regenerating in the understorey. Results showed that plantations consisting of several species in the overstorey had a higher diversity of native forest species in the understorey than the single-species plantation. Mixed plantation types were also found to reduce the density of the grass Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. Consideration of the establishment of woody species found that TG and TTA had high densities of trees and shrubs. This suggested that if the goal of management was to regenerate forest with a high diversity of tree species similar to that found in native mature forests, multiple-species plantations, especially TG and TTA, would be more effective nurse communities than the single-species plantation in providing an environment into which seeds of native species could disperse and germinate. In addition, several climax species, such as Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. var. kerrii (Craib & Hutch) I.C. Nielsen, Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurz, Largerstroemia sp., Afzelia xylocarpa (Kurz) Craib, Lannea coromandelica (Houtt) Merr., Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz, Garuya pinnata Roxb., Terminalia mucronata Craib & Hutchison, Diospyoros mollis Griff., Irvingia malayana Oliv. ex Benn., Milletia leucantha Kurz, Dalbergia oliviri Gamble ex Prain, Chukrasia tabularis A. Juss and Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken, were found in the early stages of succession, thus indicating that some may be suitable for planting in future restoration processes in order to accelerate natural succession and provide economic returns to managers.     

Responses of labile soil organic carbon and enzyme activity in mineral soils to forest conversion in the subtropics

Aims

Globally, extensive areas of native forest have been almost replaced by plantations to meet the demands for timber, fuel material and other forest products. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of forest conversion on labile soil organic C (SOC), soil respiration, and enzyme activity, and to quantify their relationship in subtropical forest ecosystems.

Methods

Surface mineral soil (0–20 cm) was collected from a Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook. plantation, Pinus massoniana Lamb. plantation, Michelia macclurei Dandy plantation, and an undisturbed native broadleaf forest. Soil microbial biomass C, dissolved organic C, permanganate-oxidizable C, basal respiration, and six enzyme activities were investigated.

Results

Soil microbial biomass C was higher by 45.9 % in native broadleaf forest than that in M. macclurei Dandy plantation. The ratio of soil microbial biomass C to total SOC was 27.6 % higher in the M. macclurei Dandy plantation than in the native broadleaf forest. The soil respiration increased by 25.2 % and 21.7 % after conversion from native broadleaf forest to P. massoniana Lamb. and M. macclurei Dandy plantations respectively. The effects of forest conversion on the soil enzyme activities differed among the tree species. Soil microbial biomass C had higher correlation with soil respiration than with the other SOC fractions. Moreover, soil microbial biomass C was positively correlated with urease and negatively correlated with cellulase activity. Soil respiration had higher correlation with soil microbial biomass C, dissolved organic C and permanganate-oxidizable C.

Conclusion

Forest conversion affected the soil microbial biomass C, soil respiration, invertase, cellulase, urease, catalase, acid phosphatase, and polyphenol oxidase activities, but their response depended on tree species. Soil respiration was mainly controlled by labile SOC, not by total SOC.     

Research needs for restoring tropical forests in Southeast Asia for wildlife conservation: framework species selection and seed propagation

Some governments in Southeast Asia, such as those of Thailand and Vietnam have clear policies to restore large areas of degraded land to native forest. However, knowledge needed for the success of these ambitious programmes is still inadequate, and considerable further research is required. Furthermore, very little literature is available to conservation practitioners about the restoration of tropical forests for biodiversity conservation. This paper introduces the framework species method of forest restoration, which is being developed to restore forests in Thailand. The paper examines the potential for adoption of this technique in different forest types across the Southeast Asia region, and identifies priorities for future research needed before the method can be widely implemented. These include the identification of forest types, the selection of candidate framework species, maintenance of genetic diversity, and development of methods of seed collection and germination.     

Contributions of root and stump sprouts to natural regeneration of a logged tropical dry forest in Bolivia

A major impediment to the sustainable management of tropical dry forests in Bolivia is the scarcity of natural regeneration of commercial timber tree species. Where regeneration is present, true seedlings of many species are outnumbered by vegetative sprouts from roots, broken stems, and the stumps of felled trees. This study evaluates the importance of resprouts promoted by logging operations for the regeneration of commercially important canopy tree species. The objectives of the study were: (1) to characterize stump and root sprouting behaviors of canopy tree species harvested for timber; (2) to quantify the effect of logging on relative abundances and growth rates of stump sprouts, root sprouts, and true seedlings; (3) to relate the species-specific probabilities of stump sprouting to stump diameter and stump height; and (4) to explore how sprouting varies with the ecological requirements of canopy tree species. The study was carried out 1–5 years after logging of a privately owned land in a Bolivian tropical dry forest. Twenty-seven of the 31 species monitored resprouted at least occasionally, among which Centrolobium microchaete (Leguminosae-Fabaceae) and Zeyheria tuberculosa (Bignoniaceae) were the most frequent stump sprouters, and Acosmium cardenasii (Leguminosae-Fabaceae) and C. microchaete were the most frequent root sprouters. In all species the number of sprouts declined with increasing stump diameter and stump height. The probability of stump resprouting differed among species but did not vary consistently with stump diameter, except in Z. tuberculosa in which it declined. Approximately 45% of juveniles <2 m tall of canopy tree species originated from root or stem sprouts. Light-demanding species tended to regenerate more from seeds and root sprouts than from stumps. Seedling densities were higher in microsites opened by logging, while root and stem sprouts were equally common across microsites. Given their abundance and the fact that root and stem sprouts at least initially grew faster than true seedlings, we conclude that vegetative regeneration in this tropical dry forest is an important mode of post-logging regeneration especially for species that regenerate poorly from seed. Resprout management should be considered as a potentially effective strategy for the procurement of regeneration following logging, especially for species that do not readily recruit from seed.