Effect of stocking on juvenile wood stiffness for three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> species

The effects of stocking on wood stiffness (MoE) for three Eucalyptus species are quantified using a 6-year-old trial established in New South Wales, Australia. An acoustic time-of-flight tool measured the velocity between two probes in the outerwood, from which the stiffness was estimated. Four stocking levels (714, 1,250, 1,667 and 3,333 sph) were examined. Stiffness varied significantly between all species, with E. cloeziana showing the highest stiffness (14.2–15.7 GPa), followed by E. pilularis (12.2–13.5 GPa) and E. dunnii (10.7–12.6 GPa). There was a stiffness increase (around 11%) between 714 and 1,250 stems/ha for all species but thereafter differences between stockings were not always significant. Trees were also assessed for basic density, dbh, total height, crown area, green crown height and stem slenderness (height/dbh). Only stem slenderness had a significant association (0.41 ± 0.17) with stiffness. These findings suggest that, where stiffness is a priority, forest managers could reduce establishment costs with low stockings (around 1,250 stems/ha).

A comparative assessment on regeneration status of indigenous woody plants in Eucalyptus grandis plantation and adjacent natural forest

Diversity, density and species composition of naturally regenerated woody plants under Eucalyptus grandis plantation and the adjacent natural forest were investigated and compared. Twenty plots, with an area of 20 m × 20 m for each, were established in both of E. grandis plantation and adjacent natural forest, independently. In each plot, species name, abundance, diameter and height were recorded. Numbers of seedling were collected in five sub-plots (4 m²) within each major plot. A total of 46 species in the plantation, and 52 species in the natural forest, which belongs to 36 families were recorded. The diversity of species (H′) is 2.19 in the plantation and 2.74 in the natural forest. The density of understory woody plant was 3842 stems/ha in the plantation and 4122 stems/ha in the natural forest. The densities of seedlings in the natural forest and the plantation were 8101 stems/ha and 4151 stems/ha, respectively. High similarity of woody species composition was found between the natural forest and the plantation. The E. grandis plantation was found favoring the regeneration and growth of Millitia ferruginia and Coffea arabica in a much better way than other underneath woody species.     

Inter-crown versus under-crown area: contribution of local configuration of trees to variation in topsoil morphology, pH and moisture in Abies alba Mill. forests

This investigation of three Abies alba stands differing in stem density (338–715 per ha) and vertical structure (one-storeyed or multi-layered) explored the relations between distance from neighbouring tree stems and local canopy openness and selected topsoil properties. The null hypothesis was that in relatively densely stocked forests of close–random stem distribution topsoil morphology, pH and moisture do not differ in inter-crown and under-crown patches. In three plots 1.1 ha in area, soil samples were taken in a square grid 5.0 × 5.0 m and analysed using semivariogram estimation and spatial autocorrelation. The local configuration of trees around the sampled locations was characterised using hemispheral photography and a local stand density index based on tree locations and diameters. The largest portion of the total variation in the soil variables analysed (68–100%) was attributable to small-scale variation in scales <5 m. In all stands, irrespective of density and vertical structure, local stand density/canopy openness correlated positively/negatively with ectohumus layer thickness but negatively/positively with upper soil pH and moisture. Variation in the local configuration of trees explained up to 17% of the total variation in organic horizon thickness, up to 22–29% in topsoil pH (depending on the horizon) and up to 19–27% in topsoil moisture. The results indicate that even in stands of random tree patterning, stem neighbourhood and small-scale variation in canopy density may contribute significantly to topsoil heterogeneity and potentially affect the functioning and structure of forest floor vegetation.     

Growing stock variation in different teak （Tectona grandis） forest stands of Mizoram,India

The growing stock assessment of three different teak forest stands （Tuirial： 500 m asl, Sairang： 200 m asl and Phunchawng： 550 m asl） was done in 2006 in Mizoram, India. Five diameter classes were arbitrarily established for knowing the volume attribute data and population structure, viz. a （10-20 cm）, b （20-30 cm）, c （30-40 cm）, d （40-50 cm）, and e （50-60 cm）. Results revealed that the density of the individuals among the studied stands varied from 280 stems/ha to 620 stems/ha. The average diameter of all the individuals ranged between 27.48 cm and 35.43 cm. Similarly, the average height was oscillated between 17.87 m and 22.24 m. The total basal area was recorded between 24.28 m2.ha-1 and 45.80 m2.ha＂l. The maximum and minimum values of total growing stock under all the diameter classes were 669.01 m3.ha-1 and 284.7 m3.ha-1, respectively. The representation of population structure of different stands explained that the perpetuation of this species was ensured for a quite long time.     

How well does Kirtland's warbler management emulate the effects of natural disturbance on stand structure in Michigan jack pine forests?

Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) forests in parts of northern Lower Michigan have been managed with 30 years of extensive clearcut harvesting followed by planted stand establishment in order to maintain habitat for the endangered Kirtland's warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii). We used two, parallel chronosequences to study how this management has affected the structural development of jack pine stands relative to the historically dominant disturbance regime of stand-replacing wildfire. Each chronosequence consisted of three young stands (age range 3–6 years), three intermediate-aged stands (age range of 12–17 years) and three mature stands (age range of 39–69 years). Average stem density in young plantations (2300 stems/ha) was lower than the average for young, fire-origin stands (11,000) and varied over a much narrower range among stands (1403–2667 for plantations and 1552–24,192 in fire stands). In addition, within-stand patchiness of stem density was also much higher in the wildfire sites for young and intermediate ages. Plantation sites possessed very little dead wood at young ages (averaging 3 snags/ha and 12 m³/ha CWD) compared to young fire-origin stands (averaging 252 snags/ha and 49 m³/ha CWD). In contrast, mature plantations had similar levels of dead wood (averaging 269 snags/ha and 22 m³/ha CWD) as mature fire-origin stands (averaging 557 snags/ha and 12 m³/ha CWD). Differences between the plantation and fire-origin chronosequences were driven mainly by young- and intermediate-aged stands, whereas mature stands were typically quite similar in all structural features. Our results show clearly that forest management aimed at preserving and enhancing the population of a single endangered species results in greatly simplified habitat structure at the stand level, and suggest that this simplification is perpetuated across the landscape as well. Of particular concern are the effects of extensive harvesting and planting on the availability of snags and CWD.     

Variation in vegetation structure and soil properties related to land use history of old-growth and secondary tropical dry forests in northwestern Mexico

The objective of this study was to compare the vegetation structure and soil properties among old-growth tropical dry forests representing three categories of grazing intensity by cattle (light, moderate and heavy grazing) and a category of 20–30-yr-old secondary forest experiencing occasional grazing in a locality in northwestern Mexico. Within each forest type, three 0.1 ha plots located in different grazing ranges (“potreros”) were used as replicates. All woody plants (stem ≥ 2.0 cm diameter at 1.30 m height, DBH) were identified and measured in each plot. Mean basal area and above-ground biomass (AGB) were significantly higher in the moderately grazed old-growth forest. Species density was significantly lower in the secondary forest, where a leguminous tree species was dominant. Accumulation of AGB after 20–30 yr of secondary forest recovery accounted for 43% of the old-growth forest AGB. Soil properties varied among forest categories but did not follow a consistent pattern: mean total N and organic matter content were highest in the old-growth forest with moderate grazing; cation exchange capacity (CEC) was similar among the three old-growth forests categories, but it was significantly lower in the secondary forest compared to the old-growth forest with low grazing. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed that CEC was highly correlated with the actual species distribution in the study area, especially with Acacia cochliacantha the dominant species of the secondary forest category. Resprouting capacity of the persisting species in the old-growth forests experiencing chronic disturbance could have contributed to the maintenance of some of the structural characteristics of a mature forest. Tropical secondary forests seem to accumulate AGB relatively fast, reflecting their potential for carbon storage and provision for other ecosystem services; therefore, they deserve urgent protection measures.     

Characterisation of Afzelia africana Sm. habitat in the Lama forest reserve of Benin

A study was carried out in the Lama forest reserve of Benin to characterize the habitat of Afzelia africana Sm., an endangered multipurpose tree species (found in African humid, dry forests and woodlands), in order to define a sustainable management strategy for its conservation. An estimation of species density was done on 100 square plots of 1 ha each, while tree height and dbh of all the species were measured on subplots of 50 m × 30 m within the 1 ha plots. The regenerations of A. africana (dbh < 10 cm) were counted in the diagonal quadrats of the principal plots. Presence–absence data of the species was subjected to multidimensional scaling and results showed four vegetation communities including: young fallow, old fallow, typical dense forest and degraded dense forest. Significant differences were noted between the four communities with respect to dendrometric parameters of the species. High values of these parameters were noted for the species in typical dense forest (5.2 stems/ha, 66.7 cm, 17.9 m, 7.9 m²/ha and 38.8% for the tree-density, the mean diameter, the mean height, basal area and basal area contribution of the species, respectively) whereas the lowest values were obtained for the old preforest fallow as far as the mean diameter (59.7 cm), the mean height (15.7 m) and the basal area contribution (27.7%) of the species were concerned. In general, the basal area of A. africana in the over vegetation types was less than 3 m²/ha. No A. africana tree was found in the young preforest fallow while more than 80% of A. africana trees were found in the typical dense forest community. Stem diameter and height structures of the species in all the four communities showed a left dissymmetric Gaussian shape and were well adjusted to Weibull distribution.     

Allometric model of the maximum size–density relationship between stem surface area and stand density

An allometric model of the maximum size–density relationship between mean stem surface area and stand density is proposed, and is fitted to data for even-aged pure stands of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.). To derive the model, the biomass density was defined as the ratio of the mean stem surface area to the side area of an imaginary column, of which radius and height were equal to the radius of the mean area occupied by a tree and mean tree height, respectively. According to the model, the slope of the maximum size–density relationship on logarithmic coordinates can be estimated from the allometric power relationships of mean tree height and biomass density to mean stem surface area. The resulting slope was −1.089 for the cedar and −0.974 for the cypress. The estimated maximum size–density relationship corresponded well with the combinations of mean stem surface area and stand density for the overcrowded stands of cedar and cypress. The steeper slope for cedar was attributed to the allocation of more resources to height growth compared to cypress. The maximum total stem surface area was approximated to be 1.483 ha/ha for cedar and 0.949 ha/ha for cypress stands. The difference in the maximum total stem surface area between the two species was produced by the characteristics related to tree height and stem biomass packing into space already occupied.     

Seedling growth response of two tropical tree species to nitrogen deposition in southern China

Seedling growth response of two tropical tree species (Schima superba and Cryptocarya concinna) to simulated N deposition was studied during a period of 11 months. One-year-old seedlings were grown in forest soil treated with N as NH₄NO₃ at Control–no N addition, N5–5, N10–10, N15–15, and N30–30 g N m⁻² year⁻¹. The objective was to examine the effects of N addition on seedling growth and compare this effect between the two tropical tree species of different species-N-requirement. Results showed that both species responded significantly to N addition and exhibited positive effect to lower rate of N addition and negative effect to higher rate of N addition on growth parameters (height and stem base diameter, biomass production, and net photosynthetic rate). The highest values were observed in the N10 plots for S. superba and in the N15 plots for C. concinna, but the lowest values were observed in the N30 plots for both species. However, the reduction in the N30 plots was more pronounced for S. superba than for C. concinna relative to the control plots. Our findings suggest that response of seedling growth of tropical tree species to atmospheric N deposition may vary depending on rate of N deposition and species-N-requirement.     

Effects of agroforestry-pasture associations on groundwater level and salinity

Stream and land salinisation brought about by rising groundwater levels due to the clearing of native forest for agricultural development is a major environmental and resource problem in Western Australia and several other semi-arid regions of the world. One potential approach to reclamation with simultaneous economic benefits is agroforestry. To determine the effects of agroforestry on groundwater level and salinity, two experiments were carried out in Western Australia. In Experiment I a pinius-pasture agroforestry covering 58% of the cleared area with final stem densities of 75–225 stems ha⁻¹ was successful in lowering a saline groundwater table. Over the period 1979–1989, groundwater levels decliend by 1.0 m relative to groundwater levels beneath a nearby pasture site. In Experiment II the eucalyptus-pasture agroforestry covering 57% of farmland at a final density of 150–625 stems ha⁻¹ was found to successfully lower the yearly minimum groundwater level by 2.0 m relative to a pasture site over seven years. The salinity of the groundwater beneath agroforestry decreased by 9% and 6% for Experiments I and II respectively, which was contrary to some early expectations. The design of agroforestry for controlling saline groundwater tables needs further evaluation with respect to species, stem densities and proportion of cleared area planted.     

Structure and species diversity of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in northern Okinawa Island, Japan

The structure and tree species diversity of a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in northern Okinawa Island, Japan, were studied. Enumeration of the six sampling plots revealed an average density of 5,580 individuals with DBH≧3.0 cm/ha, having an average basal area of 55 m². The large-size trees of DBH≧20 cm contributed 10% of the total individuals, and 49% of the total basal area. The forest showed a high diversity of tree species, which is comparable to some tropical rain forests. A total of 54 over-story species of 24 families and a total of 63 understory species of 26 families were identified in the six sampling plots. Fagaceae and Theaceae were the most important families;Castanopsis sieboldii, Schima wallichii andDistylium racemosum were the most important species. The diversity index and equitability index of species were 4.15 and 0.72 for the overstory plots, and 4.72 and 0.79 for the understory subplots, respectively. The diversity index for the overstory was significantly correlated to the total basal area of trees over 20 cm DBH (p<0.05) and the importance value ofC. sieboldii (p<0.001), while for understory, the diversity index was not correlated to the structural parameters (allp>0.16). The size distribution pattern and age structure indicated differences in regeneration strategies for canopy dominants. In population dynamics of the succession process,C. sieboldii andD. racemosum were self-maintaining types, andS. wallichii was a gap- or opening-dependent type. This study was made possible by support from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Sciences, Sports and Culture, which provided a Monbusho scholarship to X.N. Xu.     

Stand structure and establishment process of an old-growth stand in the mixed deciduous broadleaf/conifer forest of Mt. Moiwa Forest Reserve, central Hokkaido, Northern Japan

Stand structure of an old-growth forest was studied by tree (≥4.0 cm in DBH) census in a main plot of 1.3 ha and 8 additional plots (0.525 ha in total) located in the Mt. Moiwa Forest Reserve, central Hokkaido, northern Japan. Major tree species with ≥1.0% of the relative basal area and of relative number of trees (Acer mono, A. mono var.mayrii, Kalopanax pictus, Magnolia kobus var.borealis, M. obovata, Prunus ssiori, Tilia japonica, andUlmus laciniata) have positive values of skewness in DBH, which shows the abundance of smaller-sized stems. All stems over 1.3 m high in the main plot were mapped to clarify the relationship between stem densities and canopy states. Although advances from sapling (>1.3 m tall and <4.0 cm DBH) to small tree (10.0 cm ≤ DBH <25 cm) for all major component species, exceptP. ssiori andU. laciniata, were independent of canopy states, those ofP. ssiori andU. laciniata depended on canopy gaps.Betula spp. was the most abundant gap makers, butT. japonica andA. mono (including var.mayrii) were dominant species in the main plot. This suggests the shift of dominant species in the forest of the study site. Historical records of disturbance demonstrated that selective cuttings of conifers during the late 19th century were responsible for the dominance ofBetula spp. and the subsequent shift of dominant species. This fact suggests that artificial disturbance plays an important role in the establishment ofTilia japonica-Acer mono forest considered to be a climax of the mixed deciduous broadleaf/conifer forests.     

Recovery process of a mountain forest after shifting cultivation in Northwestern Vietnam

The recovery process of fallow stands in the mountainous region of Northwestern Vietnam was studied, based on a chronosequence of 1–26-year-old secondary forests after intensive shifting cultivation. The number of species present in a 26-year-old secondary forest attained 49% of the 72 species present in an old-growth forest. Total stem density decreased gradually from 172,500 ha⁻¹ in a 3-year-old forest to 24,600 ha⁻¹ in the 26-year-old stand, but stem density of larger trees (diameter at breast height (D) ≥ 5 cm) increased from 60 ha⁻¹ in a 7-year-old to 960 ha⁻¹ in the 26-year-old forests, which was similar to that of an old-growth forest. Annual biomass increment of the 26-year-old stand was 4.2 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. A saturation curve was fitted to biomass accumulation in secondary forests. After an estimated time of 60 years, a secondary forest can achieve 80% of the biomass of old-growth forests (240 Mg ha⁻¹). Species diversity expressed by Shannon Index shows that it takes 60 years for a secondary forest in fallow to achieve a plant species diversity similar to that of old-growth forests.     

Effects of forest canopy gap on biomass of Abies faxoniana seedlings and its allocation in subalpine coniferous forests of western Sichuan

Using a strip transect sampling method, the density, height (≤ 100 cm), basal diameter and components of biomass of Abies faxoniana seedlings, living in a forest gap (FG) and under the forest canopy (FC) of subalpine natural coniferous forests in western Sichuan, were investigated and the relationships among different components of biomass analyzed. The results indicated that the density and average height (H) of A. faxoniana seedlings were significantly different in the FG and under the FC, with the values being 12903 and 2017 per hm², and 26.6 and 24.3 cm. No significant differences were found in the average basal diameter (D) and biomass. The biomass allocation in seedling components was significantly affected by forest gap. In the FG, the biomass ratio of branch to stem reached a maximum of 1.54 at age 12 and then declined and fluctuated around 0.69. Under the FC, the biomass ratio of branch to stem increased with seedling growth and exceeded 1.0 at about age 15. The total biomass and the biomass of leaves, stems, shoots and roots grown in the FG and under the FC were significantly correlated with D ² H. There were significant and positive correlations among the biomass of different components. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007, 18(4): 721–727 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

Lianas and self-supporting plants during tropical forest succession

Lianas (woody vines) are an important component of tropical forests, with a strong impact on forest dynamics, but their responses during forest succession have received relatively little attention. Here, we present an analysis of the changes in stem density, biomass, and species richness of lianas and self-supporting plants during tropical forest succession. We surveyed lianas ≥0.5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) and self-supporting plants ≥2.5 cm dbh in 0.1 ha inventory plots in a chronosequence of 30 sites in northeastern Costa Rica, 23 sites on abandoned pastures 10–44 years of age, and seven sites in old-growth forest. Stem density of self-supporting plants showed no predictable chronosequence trend, but liana stem density declined significantly with forest age. Aboveground biomass of self-supporting vegetation increased rapidly during succession, with forests 31–44 years exhibiting higher levels of biomass than old-growth forests. Liana biomass accumulated more slowly, with the highest levels in old-growth sites. Species richness of self-supporting vegetation increased significantly during succession, but species richness of lianas showed no change or a slight decline with forest age, depending on the method of assessment. The differences between tree and liana responses during succession stem from the unique physiology and life history traits of lianas.     

Changes in species composition and diversity in the restoration process of sub-alpine dark brown coniferous forests in western Sichuan Province, China

By adopting the concept of space as a substitute for time, we analyzed the dynamics of species composition and diversity of different restoration sequences (20, 30, 40, 50 years) in two secondary forest types in western Sichuan Province, distributed in a northerly or northwesterly direction. The analysis was based on the results of measurements of 50 plots located at elevations between 3100–3600 m. The forests originated from natural regeneration in combination with reforestation of spruce when the old-growth bamboo-dark brown coniferous forests and moss-dark brown coniferous old growth forests were harvested. Similar old-growth dark brown coniferous forests at ages ranging between 160 and 200 years were selected as the reference forests for comparisons. We recorded 167 species of vascular plants from 44 families and 117 genera. There was no significant difference in terms of the number of species among secondary forests. But the importance values of dominant species varied during the restoration processes. The dominant species in the secondary forests is Betula albo-sinensis, while Abies faxoniana is the dominant species in old-growth dark brown coniferous forests. Species richness increased significantly with restoration processes. It increased quickly in secondary forests during the period from 30 to 40 years, but decreased significantly in the old-growth dark brown coniferous forests. The species richness among growth forms decreased in the following order: herb layer > shrub layer > tree layer. The maximum value of the evenness index occurred in secondary forests at age 40 and remained relatively stable in the bamboo-birch forests, but the evenness index tended to decrease in moss-birch forests and slightly increased in the old-growth mossdark brown coniferous forests. There was a statistically significant difference in the eveness index between the tree and shrub layers as well as between the tree layer and the herb layer, but there was no significant difference between the shrub layer and the herb layer. The value of the Shannon index increased over restoration time. In bamboo-birch forests, the maximum value of the Shannon index was 3.80, recorded at age 50. In moss-birch forests, the maximal value was 3.65, reached in this forest at age 30. The value of the Shannon index of old-growth dark brown coniferous forests was recorded between younger secondary and older secondary forests. The value of the dominance index of communities varied. At the first stage of restoration, it increased, and at the end it was decreased. The dominance index of the tree layer had a similar trend as that of the community dominance index, but was more variable. The minimum value of the dominance index of the tree layer in the moss-birch forests reached 20 years earlier than that of the bamboo-birch forests. There was a significant difference among restoration sequences in the α diversity indices except for the dominance index. No significant differences between the two secondary forest types were detected. Over age, the value of the Bray-Curtis index between secondary forest and old-growth dark brown coniferous forest increased. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2007, 43(5): 17–23 [译自: 林业科学]     

Manipulating phenology and water relations in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Senna spectabilis</Emphasis> in a water limited environment in Kenya

The effect of shoot pruning on leaf phenology, stem wood anatomy and sap flow was investigated on Senna spectabilis (DC.) Irwin and Barneby in Machakos, Kenya. Unpruned trees (single stem) were compared to hedges (two to four stems), pruned 4 times a year during two rainy seasons (April–June, 1997 and November, 1997–January, 1998) separated by a dry season (July–October 1997). Trees attained peak leaf area of 55 m² plant⁻¹ during the rainy seasons, and shed all their leaves naturally during the dry season. Maximum hedge leaf area was 4 m² plant⁻¹ between pruning events and 5.2 m² plant⁻¹ during the dry season. Pruning induced multiple stems and narrow xylem vessels with low hydraulic conductivity. Average cross sectional area of conducting wood per plant was at least 1.8 times greater in trees than in hedges. Xylem lumen diameter at 5 mm depth below the cambium was significantly (P < 0.001) larger in trees (53.6 ± 6.21 μm) than that in hedges (36.2 ± 8.21 μm). Maximum sap flow occurred in the wet season for trees (4800 g d⁻¹ plant⁻¹) and in the dry season for hedges (1400 g d⁻¹ plant⁻¹). Wet season pruning suppressed crown expansion and modified the natural phenology of senna, reducing transpiration rate and therefore soil water depletion, causing crowns to grow. This enhanced the ecological combining ability of senna managed as hedges with annual crops.     

Effects of grazing on natural regeneration of tree and herb species of Kheyroud forest in northern Iran

We investigated the effects of grazing on natural regeneration, quantity, and diversity of woody species and dominant herb species in Kheyroud forest in northern Iran. We sampled vegetation in 5m2 plots in custom units, which are demarcated resource areas traditionally used by local livestock producers. The authors quantified number of species, height of seedlings, and diameter of seedlings. Height classes were 0-30 cm, 30-130 cm, and >130 cm, and diameter classes were 0-2.5 cm, 2.5-5 cm and 5-7.5 cm. The density of seedlings declined with distance from corral until reaching the custom unit boundary. Most seedlings had diameters of 0-2.5 cm and heights of 0-30 cm. Predominant species, Carpinus betulus and Acer capadocicum, were in plots near the centers of custom units, Fagus orientalis, Acer velutinum, Quercus castanifolia species were dominant in plots near the custom unit boundary. Plant species such as Oplismenus undulatifolius, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Rubus fruticos and Pteridium aquilinum were dominant in plots nearer to forest corral. Healthy seedlings were more numerous in plots nearest the corral, while defective and deformed seedlings were more abundant away from the corral. We conclude that grazing had negative effects on the quantity and quality of vegetative regeneration. Continuation of overgrazing will not only endanger the sustainability of forest ecosystems, but also will increase the challenge of sustainable forest management.     

Degrading uplands in the rainforest region of Madagascar: Fallow biomass,nutrient stocks,and soil nutrient availability

Soil fertility restoration depends on natural fallows in the slash-and-burn system of eastern Madagascar. In the Beforona-Vohidrazana study zone, none of the fallow species are able to withstand the slashing, burning and cropping frequencies of 3–5 years. Eventually soils are abandoned for agriculture. Along the degradation sequence, this study quantifies fallow biomass, nutrient stocks and soil nutrient availability of four dominant fallow species Trema orientalis, Psiadia altissima, Rubus moluccanus, and Imperata cylindrica. At 3 years, the shrubs Psiadia and Rubus were more productive (11–14.4 t/ha aboveground biomass or AGB) than the tree species Trema (8.5 t/ha). Only after 5 years did tree productivity (24.7 t/ha) exceed that of shrubs (17–20 t/ha). Imperata’s biomass stagnated at 5.5 t/ha after 3 years. A sharp decline in fallow productivity was observed with advancing fallow cycles after deforestation. While Psiadia produced highest AGB in the second fallow cycle (C2) being 100%, C1 achieved 89% of that, C3 74%, and C4 only 29%. With the ability to propagate vegetatively and to accumulate important amounts of nutrients in roots, Rubus and Imperata, both exotic and invasive species, showed improved adaptation mechanisms towards frequent disturbances compared to the two indigenous species Trema and Psiadia. Available soil nutrients P, K, Mg were highest under forest and declined rapidly with increasing fallow cycles. Ca and pH rose momentarily in the first fallow cycle before declining with advanced soil use. Al concentrations increased steadily with time. As lengthened fallow periods are not practical, there is a need to intensify upland systems based on improved nutrient cycling, targeted inputs, fire-less land management, and land use diversification. Allowing regrading tree and bush fallows to accumulate biomass (above- and belowground carbon) will significantly improve Madagascar's greenhouse gas mitigation contribution.