Vascular epiphytes loss in exploited trees of the semi deciduous managed forest of Ndelele,East Cameroon

ABSTRACT

Forest Management Unit (FMU) is a growing phenomenon in Cameroon, impacting biodiversity negatively. This study was initiated to assess vascular epiphytes’ species loss on exploited trees to suggest conservation strategies. We hypothesized that: 1) epiphyte loss in this managed forest was significantly high and different with respect to phorophyte species; 2) epiphyte diversity loss has threatened status. Epiphyte survey was conducted on four most exploited trees in this study area. 63 exploited trees (Phorophytes) were surveyed. Shannon, Chao1 and Sorensen’s similarity indexes were used. Kruskal–wallis test was used to test the hypotheses. We recorded (70 epiphyte species, 33 genera and 12 families). Orchidaceae constituted highest epiphyte species with 43 species (61.4%). Epiphytes diversity was similar with respect to different phorophyte species (Sorensen?50%). Shannon’s index (3.36) showed a high epiphyte diversity loss. Kruskal–wallis showed no significant difference in epiphyte loss between phorophytes but a significant difference between zones, with canopies losing the highest epiphytes. With one epiphyte species’ status almost threatened and epiphyte diversity loss (significant); strict sustainable conservation methods like: epiphyte shade-houses and relocation are solicited. More data are needed from similar and different managed forest strata for epiphyte conservation policy enactment in Cameroon.     

Growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euterpe edulis</Emphasis> Mart. (Arecaceae) under forest and agroforestry in southern Brazil

The palm Euterpe edulis has high ecological and economic importance in Brazil. Currently, this species is being cultivated and managed for spontaneous regeneration in banana plantations. However, there are no data comparing its plantation growth performance to its native forest growth. We evaluated growth and mortality (M) of individuals of E. edulis planted in secondary dense ombrophilous forest and in banana plantations, as well as their relationships with site variables (canopy opening, soil nutrient availability, density of existing E. edulis, and herbivory). Twelve banana plantation sites and 12 sites in secondary dense ombrophilous forests were selected. At each site, 25 young individuals of E. edulis were planted in 2003. Annually until 2008, morphometric, herbivory, and M of the individuals were evaluated. In 2008, canopy and soil variables were measured at each plot. E. edulis growth was five times higher in banana plots compared to forest plots; current annual increment on height reached 38.9 cm in banana plots, compared to 7.3 cm in forest plots. M was relatively low and similar at both sites, presenting an intraspecific density-dependence pattern. Significant correlations were found between morphometric variables, M, and herbivory of E. edulis and canopy and soil variables. Euterpe edulis presented plasticity that allows for its establishment in banana plantations, indicating high potential for management in agroforestry consortia. Such management may be a useful conservation strategy for this and other shade-tolerant species.     

Assessing the Quality of Seedlings in Small-scale Nurseries in the Highlands of Cameroon: The Use of Growth Characteristics and Quality Thresholds as Indicators

In developing countries seedlings are often produced in small-scale nurseries as a means to raise tree planting materials and, provided they are of high quality, these can form the basis for successful forest plantation initiatives. This study uses morphological characteristics to assess the quality of seedlings of three tree species (Persea americana, Cola acuminata and Dacryodes edulis) in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. The growth characteristics and quality indicators of seedlings produced in two nursery categories were compared—three nurseries collaborating with the tree domestication program implemented by the World Agroforestry Centre (Category 1) and three nurseries collaborating with government and non-governmental projects (Category 2). Seedlings produced in nurseries in the first nursery category were found to be uniform in terms of growth characteristics and quality indicators. In the second category, there were relatively higher seedling proportions having measured parameters out of threshold standards for root to shoot ratio and for sturdiness quotient. Significant differences between nursery categories (at α = 0.05) were detected in root collar diameter of C. acuminata and D. edulis and in shoot dry weight of D. edulis. These differences could be attributed to better nursery management as a results of training and technical backstopping received by nursery operators in Category 1. The level of experience of nursery operators in both categories was found to be insufficient and greater exposure to skills and knowledge could enhance the production of high quality seedlings.     

Evidence that subsistence farmers have domesticated indigenous fruits (Dacryodes edulis and Irvingia gabonensis) in Cameroon and Nigeria

Ten fruit and kernel traits were measured in 152 Irvingia gabonensis and 293 Dacryodes edulis trees from 6 villages in Cameroon and Nigeria. Frequency distribution curves were used to examine the range of variation of each trait of each species in each village and aggregated into national and regional populations. There were differences between the village sub-populations, with regard to the normality (e.g., mean kernel mass of D. edulis) or skewness (e.g., mean flesh depth of D. edulis) of the distribution curves and in the degree of separation between the individual village populations along the x axis, resulting in the development of a bimodal distribution in the regional population. For all traits, populations of both species differed significantly between countries, but only in D. edulis were there significant differences between the Cameroon populations. On the basis of the results of this study, D. edulis can be said to be virtually wild in Nigeria but semi-domesticated in Cameroon, while I. gabonensis is wild in Cameroon and semi-domesticated in Nigeria. These results are discussed with regard to a hypothesis that the range and frequency of variation in the different populations can be used to identify five stages of domestication. From a comparison of the frequency distribution curves of desirable versus undesirable traits, and statistically identifyable changes in skewness and kurtosis, it is concluded that as a result of the farmers’ own efforts by truncated selection, D. edulis is between Stages 2 and 3 of domestication (with a 67% relative gain in flesh depth) in Cameroon, while I. gabonensis in Nigeria is at Stage 2 (with a 44% relative gain in flesh depth). In this study, genetic diversity seems to have been increased, and not reduced, by domestication. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Response of vascular epiphyte diversity to different land-use intensities in a neotropical montane wet forest

Although vascular epiphytes contribute substantially to the biodiversity of tropical montane forests, it is unclear how their diversity and community composition is affected by forest alteration. We studied the response of vascular epiphyte assemblages to different intensities of land-use in a montane wet forest of northeastern Ecuador: (1) unmanaged mature forest; (2) mature forest with mid- and understorey opened for cattle grazing; and (3) isolated remnant trees in cattle pastures. The numbers of individuals and species of epiphytes per host tree did not differ significantly between land-use types, neither did total epiphyte species richness (n = 30 trees). However, total species richness of pteridophytes was significantly lower on isolated remnant trees compared to unmanaged forest, whereas several taxa rich in xerotolerant species (Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae, Piperaceae) exhibited the opposite trend. An analysis of floristic composition using ordination (NMS) and randomisation techniques (MRPP) showed that epiphyte assemblages on isolated remnant trees were significantly distinct from unmanaged forest while managed forest was intermediate between those two vegetation types. Ordination analysis further indicated reduced floristic heterogeneity in disturbed habitats. These results suggest considerable, rapid species turnover since land-use change 6 years prior to study, with pteridophytes being replaced by more xerotolerant taxa. We attribute this floristic turnover primarily to changes in microclimate towards higher levels of light and desiccation stress associated with forest disturbance. Our results support the notion that community composition offers a more sensitive indicator of human disturbance than species richness.     

Frost resistance in the tropical palm Euterpe edulis and its pattern of distribution in the Atlantic Forest of Argentina

Frost resistance and subzero temperature effects on photosynthesis, survival and distribution were studied in Euterpe edulis, a tree palm species of the Atlantic Forest, near the southern limit of the species distribution. E. edulis grows under the forest canopy and is absent from forest stands located near bottom valleys. This palm species has been commercially exploited for palm hearts, making it the most important non-timber forest species in North-Eastern Argentina. Its distribution was studied in relation to the frequency and intensity of subzero temperatures along a topographic gradient. E. edulis abundance was higher at the highest site and decreased or became absent towards the lowest site. Subzero temperatures during each of three winter seasons were observed in the lowest site. The medium and high elevation sites never experienced absolute minimum temperatures below 0 °C. Forest structure, fraction of solar radiation transmitted through the canopy and soil water potentials did not change substantially along the gradient. After a low temperature period in winter, the maximum quantum yield in E. edulis leaflets was relatively low in individuals at the low elevation site while having normal values at the medium and high elevation sites. Thermal analysis indicated that E. edulis saplings can supercool down to about −10 °C and do not tolerate extracellular ice formation. Ice formation was observed at about −4 °C, relatively close to the equilibrium freezing temperature, only after an increase in ambient humidity resulted in dew formation on the plant surface. Dew formation is commonly observed in valleys during the winter season. This observation gives further support to the hypothesis that strong infrequent frost events could be an important environmental factor determining the spatial distribution pattern of E. edulis in the Atlantic Forest of Argentina.     

A protocol to estimate epiphyte biomass in a forest management unit: case of Cameroon

Vascular epiphyte biomass is poorly studied in Congo Basin forest. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol to estimate epiphyte biomass. Epiphytes were collected on 77 phorophytes of diameter 57–169.5 cm, oven-dried for biomass. Allometric equations for epiphyte biomass were developed with diameter and phorophyte height as predictor variables using regression analysis. The mean epiphyte biomass was 24.48 kg/phorophyte with a standard deviation of ±49.99. Cylicodiscus gabunensis and Triplochiton scleroxylon hosted the greatest epiphyte biomass with a mean vascular epiphyte biomass of 71.65 and 62.3 kg/phorophyte, respectively. Kruskal–Wallis test (p = 0.005) showed that there was a significant difference between epiphyte biomass with respect to phorophyte species. The relationship found between epiphyte biomass and dendrometric variables of the phorophytes were intermediate (Adj.R² < 0.630) meaning epiphyte biomass increased with increasing tree diameter. However, models with diameter input variables had greater prediction than input variables of total height. Based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), the allometry lnY = ?21.37 + 5.21 x ln(D) ?0.35 x ln(H) with AIC (183) was the best equation for the prediction of epiphyte biomass. These findings shall contribute to REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) strategy for climate change mitigation in Congo Basin.     

Allozyme variation and recent evolutionary history of eastern hemlock (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tsuga canadensis</Emphasis>) in the southeastern United States

Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis [L.] Carr.) is a widespread and ecologically important conifer species of eastern North America that is threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand), a pest introduced into the United States from Asia in the 1920s. Information about the genetic composition of eastern hemlock is necessary to guide ex situ conservation efforts in the southeastern United States, where the species is expected to harbor relatively high amounts of genetic variation in areas of Pleistocene glacial refuge. Nineteen allozyme markers were used to quantify the genetic variation present in 20 eastern hemlock populations in the southeastern United States. Results indicate that the species has low levels of genetic diversity in the region compared to most other conifers, but greater population differentiation (F _ST = 0.126). Populations along the eastern periphery and in the Appalachian interior exhibited higher levels of diversity than those along the western periphery of its geographic range. The results suggest that the glacial refuge area for eastern hemlock was likely located east of the southern Appalachian Mountains, and indicate that ex situ conservation seed collections should be concentrated in these areas of higher diversity.     

The role of indigenous trees for the conservation of biocultural diversity in traditional agroforestry land use systems: The Bungoma case study: In-situ conservation of indigenous tree species

In order to precisely assess the role of agroforestry for the conservation of (agro-)biological diversity there is a need to adjust sampling methods used in plant sociology. This study is on the contribution of agroforestry land use to the in-situ conservation of indigenous trees within a typical East-African smallholder farming system in Western Kenya. A modified approach to measuring species richness and abundance is presented. The selection of tree-rich structures was done according to management patterns rather than considering syntaxonomic classifications from the vegetation science point of view. This approach, which is better suited to the strongly human-influenced vegetation of agroecosystems, employs between-management unit diversity measures to help evaluate abundance and constancy of species in particular management units. The predominant off-farm vegetation patterns are riverine forests, rocky hillsides, hedgerows, wooded grassland relicts, woodlands or colline forest relicts and tree groves whereas the noticeable tree-rich on-farm management units are homegardens, homesteads, life fences, coffee- and banana-groves and annual cropping fields. 98% out of all indigenous tree species known from Bungoma, occur in off-farm lands. 53% of the indigenous tree species occur in tree rich on-farm management units while 47% of the indigenous trees are dependent on the maintenance of off-farm lands. Hedgerows embody the most promising secondary vegetation structure that shows ample potential to accommodate a wide range of indigenous perennial species outside the natural vegetation formations. The pattern of distribution of various vegetation structures, and the mixture with diverse tree-based on-farm plots are interesting features in regard to floristic and eco-diversity on a landscape level. In this respect, three areas that show different population densities and distinct agro-historical conditions were compared. In regions of particular high population density the degree of association of various functional land use forms and woodland structures – each characterised by its own floristic make-up – is comparatively high. In contrast, in regions with less population but that were settled at a later date, one encounters fewer stands of woody plants with lower numbers of species. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fruitcrops in the cashew-coconut system of Kenya: their use,management and agroforestry potential

The cashew-coconut system in the Coast Province of Kenya was appraised to determine the efficacy and adoption potential of a fruitcrop based agroforestry intervention designed to increase the productivity of the system. Fruitcrops on farmers plots ranged between 16–22 species. They featured mainly as understorey trees in cashew-coconut plots and upper storey of foodcrop plots. Fruit tree management was generally poor.Between 67–100% of farmers interviewed were interested in planting more fruit trees on their farms. Envisaged cash generation was a major reason for their interest. Preferred species were generally adapted exotics. Preference was in the order ofMangifera indica, Citrus sinensis, C. reticulata > Cocos nucifera, Anacardium occidentalis, Carica papaya > Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa,Ananas comosus, Syzygium cumini, Citrus limon, Musa sapientum, Persea americana > Musa paradisiaca, Citrus aurantifolia Annona spp. Locational differences existed in exact order of preference within the groupings. Constraints to fruit production included lack of improved fruit tree seedlings, low proficiency in fruit seedling production, transportation, no capital for initial investment, damage by wild animals, prolonged dry spells, and frequent die back of fruit trees. Based on its high adoption potential, a fruitcrop based agroforestry intervention is recommended for increasing the productivity of the cashew-coconut system of Kenya.Possible agroforestry technologies in which fruitcrops could feature are discussed.     

Notes on Ectotrophic Mycorrhizae of Pinus patula in South Africa

The discovery of ectotrophic mycorrhizae of Pinus patula Schlecht. et Cham. formed by Boletus edulis Bull, ex Fr., Amanita muscaria (L. ex Fr.) Pers. ex Hooker and possibly Tuber rapaeodorum Tul. et Tul. and Lycoperdon umbrinum Pers. is described. Aseptic culturing of mycorrhizae was carried out with A. muscaria and B. edulis, and chemical tests employed in agaricology, applied to these species and L. umbrinum to determine their association with natural mycorrhizae.     

兼性互利关系影响地表蚂蚁群落多样性的特点

[目的]为探讨兼性互利关系在生物多样性保护方面的作用,[方法]于2015年5月和10月,采用陷阱法对云南墨江县雅邑镇4种类型样地地表蚂蚁群落进行调查。[结果]显示:(1)物种组成及多度:纯砂仁地(样地I)采集蚂蚁400头,23种;从未放养紫胶虫的紫胶-砂仁混农林样地(样地II)采集蚂蚁382头,15种;曾经放养过紫胶虫的紫胶-砂仁混农林样地(样地III)采集蚂蚁406头,18种;放养紫胶虫的紫胶-砂仁混农林样地(样地IV)采集蚂蚁655头,23种。(2)多样性:4种类型样地地表蚂蚁群落物种丰富度和相对多度存在显著差异,兼性互利关系可以提高地表蚂蚁的物种丰富度和相对多度,物种丰富度大小为IVIIIIII,相对多度排序为IIIIVIII。(3)群落结构相似性:样地III、IV和样地II、I不相似。(4)指示物种:样地I指示物种为毛发铺道蚁,样地II指示物种为卡泼林大头蚁和茸毛铺道蚁,样地III、IV中指示物种为巴瑞弓背蚁。[结论]互利关系对蚂蚁群落的物种丰富度、相对多度和群落结构具有明显的积极影响,并且这种兼性互利关系对生物多样性保护有一定的时空效应。     

Response of swamp bay,Persea palustris,and redbay,P. borbonia,to Raffaelea spp. isolated from Xyleborus glabratus

Laurel wilt is a devastating invasive disease of members of the Lauraceae plant family. It is caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, which is a nutritional symbiont of its ambrosia beetle vector, Xyleborus glabratus. In the United States, six Raffaelea spp., in addition to R. lauricola, have been recovered from mycangia of X. glabratus. We compared the response of two laurel wilt suspects, swamp bay (Persea palustris) and redbay (Persea borbonia), to five of these species, another undescribed Raffaelea sp., and R. lauricola. Six weeks after inoculation, only R. lauricola caused significantly greater symptoms than water inoculations. The fungi varied in their ability to move systemically and be recovered from the host at the end of the experiment. Stem hydraulic conductivity was decreased by R. lauricola, but none of the other taxa. Although the roles these fungi play in the life cycle of X. glabratus are not known, they do not appear to be pathogens on these host tree species.     

Strategic studies on the biodiversity sustainability in Yunnan Province, Southwest China

With an area of 394,000 km2 (4.1% of China's total area) and specific diversified geographical environments, Yunnan houses over 18,000 species of higher plants (51.6% of China's total), 1,836 vertebrate species (54.8% of China's total) and multitu-dinous species of rare, endemic and epibiotic wildlife, ranking first in species richness value and endemicity rate of China's biodiver-sity, thus becoming a rare gene bank of wildlife species with the most concentrated distribution of important wildlife taxa and a key terrestrial biodiversity region of global significance. Despite its evident abundance and endemism, however, the biodiversity is faced with threats of ecological fragility and human disturbances in socioeconomic development resulting in attenuation of biodiversity, degradation of ecosystems and serious loss of species, thus, it needs to be carefully studied for its sustainability. Based on the analy-ses of the geographical diversity, the macro material bases of Yunnan's biodiversity were reviewed and six characteristics of the pro-vincial biodiversity were described in the ecosystems, forest types, species compositions, endemic species, genetic resources, etc. By appraising the present status of the provincial biodiversity conservation, the facts that the biodiversity coexisted with fragility were revealed so that eight key disadvantageous factors in the provincial ecological fragility causing serious biodiversity loss were sum-marized and described in this paper. In order to satisfy the two-fold needs of biodiversity sustainability and socioeconomic develop-ment, eight strategies for the sustainable development were intensively elaborated by borrowing certain theories in modern conserva-tion biology, recycling economics and some successful innovations, and by giving comprehensive consideration to the ecological fragility mechanism, nature reserve construction, environmental protection and the exploitability of resources for biodiversity sus-tainability and socioeconomic development. Accordingly, relevant targets, principles, tactics and measures for effective biodiversity conservation and sustainability were suggested to lay a solid theoretical foundation and reliable scientific basis for the biodiversity and socioeconomic sustainable development.     

Fodder production responses to pruning height and fodder quality of some trees and shrubs in a forest-savanna transition zone in southwestern Nigeria

Seasonal fodder production responses of five shrubs (Centrosema arenarium, Desmodium strigillosum, Desmodium velutinum, Phyllodium pulchellum, and Tadehagi triquetrum)and five trees (Albizia gummifera, Berlinia grandiflora, Albizia niopoides, Bauhinia monandra, and Inga edulis) to pruning heights ranging from 15 to 75 cm were evaluated during the main-wet, minor-wet, and dry seasons of 1993 and 1994 in the forest-savanna transition zone of West Africa. Fodder from the main-wet season was analysed for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and dry matter degradation characteristics after 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation in rumen-fistulated N'Dama steers. In the minor-wet season, fodder production of all species increased in response to increasing pruning height with the exception of P. pulchellum and A. gummifera. Highest fodder production was attained at a pruning height of 45 cm for the Desmodium species, 50 cm for P. pulchellum, and 75 cm for the rest of the species. Concentrations of N and P varied significantly among the species; for N the ranges were 28.7–38.8 g kg^–1 (shrubs) and 25.3–44.5 g kg^–1 (trees), while for P the ranges were 3.26–7.04 g mg^–1 (shrubs) and 3.58–6.76 g mg^–1 (trees). Dry matter degradation characteristics differed significantly among shrubs and trees; ranges for shrubs were: soluble fraction (a), 128–185; degradable fraction (b), 664–703; potential degradability (PD), 793–857, as g kg^–1; rate of degradation (c), 0.0241–0.0308 as % h^–1 while for trees ranges were: (a), 139–160; (b), 651–826; (PD), 824–970, as g kg^–1; (c), 0.0143–0.0227 as % h^–1. Based on fodder production and quality, C. arenarium, D. strigillosum, D. velutinum, B. monandra, I. edulis, and A. niopoides were the most promising species for the development of animal agroforestry technologies in the west African forest-savanna transition zone and similar environments in the tropics.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

南滚河国家级自然保护区珍稀濒危植物的分布特征

采用样地调查、线路调查的方法,对云南省南滚河国家级自然保护区珍稀濒危植物的资源状况及分布特征进行了研究。结果表明,（1）南滚河国家级自然保护区珍稀濒危植物共计206种,隶属于44科108属。其中,国家重点保护野生植物21种,云南省重点保护野生植物36种, IUCN红色名录植物17种, CITES附录植物143种。（2）发现新分布种长蕊木兰、水青树和逸生种喜树。（3）珍稀濒危种子植物区系联系广泛,属级水平上具有极强的热带性质;种级水平上具有热带成分向温带成分过渡的特征,且特有现象突出,与滇西南、滇南分布联系密切。（4）海拔510～2977 m,珍稀濒危植物的丰富度随海拔的增加呈先增后减的趋势,集中分布在海拔1000～1500 m的季风常绿阔叶林中。该保护区珍稀濒危植物面临的主要威胁是人为破坏,并针对所受威胁提出了保护建议。     

滇西南旱冬瓜天然林的林分特征研究

为探讨速生乡土树种旱冬瓜生长特性,对滇西南864株旱冬瓜优良植株生长情况进行调查及统计分析,并选择宁洱县松山自然保护区旱冬瓜天然林开展群落调查。结果表明,旱冬瓜优良资源主要分布于阴坡及半阴、半阳坡,其生活习性偏向于阴性,25°以下的平缓坡面适宜旱冬瓜植株的自然生长;旱冬瓜占优势的自然群落具有乔木层、灌木层、草本层和层间附生植物,群落植物种类丰富,区系成分复杂,主要以热带和温带成分组成为主,其中热带分布属占绝对优势,并呈现出一定的过渡性特征。     

Rapid degradation of carbaryl by two novel strains ofArthrobacter spp. isolated from forest soil

Carbaryl is one of the carbamate insecticides widely used in agricultural fields and forests. To restore the environment contaminated with carbaryl application, it is suggested that microbial degradation of carbaryl could be an effective method. Two novel bacterial strains degrading rapidly carbaryl were isolated from forest soil. These strains designated as 19B and 19C were identified as novel species ofArthrobacter, respectively based on main bacterial properties including GC-content, major fatty acid composition, major menaquinone isoprenologue and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Strain 19B started to degrade carbaryl within several hours and completely degraded 50μg/ml carbaryl in a mineral salt medium within a day. Similarly, strain 19C showed a high degradation ability. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that the major degradation metabolite is 1-naphthol (M=144) and minor metabolites are 1,4-naphthalenedione (M=158) and 1,4-naphthalenediol (M=160), suggesting a pathway of carbaryl degradation by both strains. This research was supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan.     

尼加拉瓜废弃农田的森林恢复年代序列分析

对废弃4年、9年和14年的3块废弃农田的木本植物物种组成、植物密度和种群结构的恢复情况进行了表征.在每块废弃地上,建立70个100 m2样地,鉴别和计数幼苗、幼树和成年树.在4年龄林分中有13科17物种,9年龄林分中有29科48物种,14年龄林分中有22科44物种.在不同的演替阶段,林分中优势种不同.Lonchocarpus acuminatus在4年龄林分中重要值最高,Myrospermun frutescens、榆梧桐和破布木在9年龄林分中重要值最高;Caesaeria cotymbosa、南美假樱桃、墨西哥丁香和红花风铃木在14年龄林分中重要值最高.从4年龄到14年龄的废弃地,总的立木度从5011株/hm2增加到9631株/hm2.胸径在1cm以上的植株总的基面积也随废弃农田年龄增加而增加.总的来讲,小的植株(胸径小于10cm)的基面积超过总的基面积的一半.9年龄林分物种丰富度最高,14年龄和4年龄林分次之.总之,相比于林分结构属性,次生林植物种类构成可以快速恢复到成熟林水平,这与热带干旱森林总的演替趋势是相一致的.     

Fallow enrichment of a traditional slash/mulch system in southern Costa Rica: comparisons of biomass production and crop yield

The slash and mulch system of frijol tapado or covered bean is a pre-hispanic system of bean production found throughout much of Central America. However, land use pressures have forced farmers to shorten the traditional fallow period, thus resulting in decreasing productivity. A potential solution is to enrich the fallow by using leguminous nitrogen-fixing trees. The enriched fallow systems evaluated in this study include both single and mixed species treatments: 1) Erythrina poeppigiana; 2) Calliandra colothrysus; 3) Gliricidia sepium; 4) Inga edulis; 5) Inga edulis and Erythrina poeppigiana; 6) Inga edulis and Calliandra calothrysus; and 7) Inga edulis and Gliricidia sepium. Biomass production of the fallow vegetation is shown to be of greater quality and quantity in all fallow enrichment treatments. However, bean yields did not show a significant response to the fallow enrichment treatments.