Article
Biology
Catarina C. Jakovac, Andre B. Junqueira, Renato Crouzeilles, Marielos Pena-Claros, Rita C. G. Mesquita, Frans Bongers
Summary: Secondary forests are becoming increasingly important in human-modified landscapes in the tropics. The successional pathways of these forests vary greatly across regions and within landscapes, influenced by climatic and edaphic conditions as well as land-use history. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of land use on tropical forest succession is crucial for effective forest restoration efforts.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Milena F. F. Rosenfield, Catarina C. C. Jakovac, Daniel L. M. Vieira, Lourens Poorter, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Ima C. G. Vieira, Danilo R. A. de Almeida, Paulo Massoca, Juliana Schietti, Ana Luisa M. Albernaz, Marciel J. J. Ferreira, Rita C. G. Mesquita
Summary: Naturally regenerating forests or secondary forests are a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial strategy for restoring tropical forests. Assessing the ecological integrity of these forests is essential for conservation, restoration, and ecosystem service provision. This study proposes a concept and indicators for evaluating the ecological integrity of secondary forests.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
K. J. Wallace, Bruce D. Clarkson, Bridgette Farnworth
Summary: Successfully reconstructing functioning forest ecosystems from early-successional tree plantings is a long-term process. However, many projects lack monitoring and observations of critical successional information, such as the restoration trajectory of key ecosystem attributes and ecological thresholds. This study presents results from a 14-year urban temperate rainforest restoration project in New Zealand, showing relationships between key ecosystem attributes and forest age, as well as the occurrence of ecological thresholds.
Article
Forestry
Madhab Chandra Behera, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Tanmay Lalitendu Mohanty, Piotr Prus, Laura Smuleac, Raul Pascalau
Summary: This study used quantitative ecological tools to investigate the species composition, diversity, distribution patterns, and regeneration status of trees in a Tropical Moist Sal Forest in Eastern Ghats, India. The results showed that tree and shrub species density, richness, and diversity decreased with increasing levels of disturbance, while herb diversity increased. The diameter class and basal area of trees also varied with disturbance levels.
Article
Ecology
Nohemi Huanca Nunez, Robin L. Chazdon, Sabrina E. Russo
Summary: Seed-rain-successional feedbacks play a deterministic role in shaping successional trajectories in secondary wet forests, with increasing strength as the forest ages. The composition of seed rain becomes more similar to that of mature forests as successional niches and seed-rain-successional feedbacks shape successional trajectories.
Article
Forestry
Subekti Rahayu, Sidiq Pambudi, Dikdik Permadi, Hesti L. Tata, Endri Martini, Saida Rasnovi, Hani S. Nuroniah, Roeland Kindt, Mohamad Nugraha, Sonya Dewi, Meine van Noordwijk
Summary: Research indicates that tree diversity in secondary forests may be high, mainly consisting of newcomer species with low wood density and long-distance dispersal modes, which are mainly dispersed by birds, bats, and primates.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Renato Crouzeilles, Daniel Maurenza, Pablo V. Prieto, Felipe S. M. Barros, Catarina Jakovac, Mariana S. Ferreira, Robin L. Chazdon, David B. Lindenmayer, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Eliane Ceccon, Cristina Adams, Elena Lazos-Chavero, Lara Monteiro, Andre B. Junqueira, Bernardo B. N. Strassburg, Manuel R. Guariguata
Summary: The study finds that the recovery of biodiversity in naturally regenerating forests is influenced by various factors, including socio-economic, biophysical, and ecological factors, with landscapes showing low deviation having higher chances of successful biodiversity recovery compared to reference forests.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Julieta Benitez-Malvido
Summary: This study investigated the size, composition, and persistence of the seed-bank in different successional stages in southern Mexico. The seed-bank provided a greater number of plants in old-fields compared to other propagule sources. Forest modification altered the input of propagules in the seed-bank for different plant growth-forms.
Article
Ecology
Sergio Estrada-Villegas, Jefferson S. Hall, Michiel van Breugel, Stefan A. Schnitzer
Summary: Despite the common presence of lianas in tropical dry forests, removing them did not have a significant impact on overall biomass accumulation in the forest. The removal of lianas did not benefit smaller or larger trees, and had a negative effect on only a small number of tree species.
Article
Geography
Jennyfer Ruiz, Orlando Vargas, Nelly Rodriguez
Summary: Infrastructure projects in Colombia need to incorporate successional dynamics and prioritize restoration areas. A case study at El Quimbo Hydroelectric Power Plant showed a predominance of advanced and early intermediate successional trajectories, slow ecosystem recovery, and identified priority areas for restoration based on resilience levels. Habitat availability and proximity to areas with advanced successional trajectories were important factors for restoration prioritization. The study highlights the importance of landscape resilience approaches in identifying suitable areas for ecological restoration in infrastructure projects.
Article
Forestry
Xueqin Zeng, Gunter A. Fischer
Summary: Forest restoration with multi-seedlot planting strategy showed higher genetic recovery, greater genetic diversity, and larger effective population size compared to single seedlot planting and natural populations, indicating its efficacy in capturing genetic variation and eliminating seed shadow effects. High levels of genetic diversity in propagule collection are crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of forest restoration, especially when only a few parental trees are available.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Sybille Haeussler, Richard Kabzems, John McClarnon, Lorne Bedford
Summary: Long-term study on vegetation succession in boreal mixedwood vegetation community revealed the resilience, diversity, and composition of the community. The research showed that different restoration efforts could lead to a change in dominant vegetation types and an increase in diversity over time.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Roger Chambi-Legoas, Daigard Ricardo Ortega Rodriguez, Francisco de Marques de Figueiredo, Joel Pena Valdeiglesias, Percy Amilcar Zevallos Pollito, Jose Luis Marcelo-Pena, Debora Cristina Rother
Summary: Gold mining is highly destructive in the Madre de Dios region of the Amazon, leading to slow natural regeneration in forests for up to 19 years. Potential candidate species from different successional statuses have been identified for recovering vegetation in these degraded areas, highlighting the importance of ecological restoration research in tropical forests impacted by gold mining.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Sofia Cortes-Calderon, Francisco Mora, Felipe Arreola-Villa, Patricia Balvanera
Summary: Secondary forests are expected to dominate future tropical landscapes, providing crucial ecosystem services to humanity. A study in a Mexican Pacific coast site showed rapid recovery of multiple forest resources provision, microclimate regulation, and carbon storage within the first two decades of succession. While carbon sequestration slightly increased over time, the supply of forage did not show a clear trend. The interactions among different ecosystem services varied over time, with higher strength in farmlands and old-growth forests. These findings highlight the importance of adaptive forest management practices to recover critical ecosystem services in tropical dry forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Natalia Mesa-Sierra, Marines de la Pena-Domene, Julio Campo, Christian P. Giardina
Summary: Deforestation poses a significant threat to tropical dry forests in Mexico, and active restoration measures are required to reintroduce tree cover. Through synthesizing restoration literature, we found that the Yucatan Peninsula had the highest number of restoration sites, and planting seedlings was the most commonly used strategy. Plant survival was influenced by factors such as maximum annual temperature and aridity index.
Article
Ecology
Enock Ssekuubwa, Leif E. Loe, Douglas Sheil, Mnason Tweheyo, Stein R. Moe
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Ecology
Enock Ssekuubwa, Vincent B. Muwanika, Josephine Esaete, John R. S. Tabuti, Mnason Tweheyo
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Mnason Tweheyo, Bruce Kacebonaho Amanya, Nelson Turyahabwe
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2010)
Article
Ecology
Joseph Ndawula, Mnason Tweheyo, David M. Tumusiime, Gerald Eilu
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2011)
Article
Entomology
Mnason Tweheyo, David Mwesigye Tumusiime, Nelson Turyahabwe, Asaph Asiimwe, Lawrence Orikiriza
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEST MANAGEMENT
(2012)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Harold Turinawe, Paul Mugabi, Mnason Tweheyo
MADERAS-CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA
(2014)
Article
Zoology
Moreen Uwimbabazi, David Raubenheimer, Mnason Tweheyo, Gilbert Basuta, Nancy L. Conklin-Brittain, Richard W. Wrangham, Jessica M. Rothman
Summary: The study focused on the foraging behavior of female chimpanzees, finding that they maintained a stable intake of protein while the intake of non-protein energy varied depending on their daily diet. Like other frugivorous primates, chimpanzees prioritize protein intake. The findings may shed light on aspects of human dietary evolution.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Davis Mark Ssemanda, Enock Ssekuubwa
Summary: This study aimed to understand the impact of B. papyrifera invasion on native timber producing species in afrotropical forests. The results showed that the invasion significantly reduced the abundance and basal area of selected native timber species, and suppressed tree regeneration.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Enock Ssekuubwa, Wouter van Goor, Martijn Snoep, Kars Riemer, Fredrick Wanyama, Daniel Waiswa, Fred Yikii, Mnason Tweheyo
Summary: This study examined the changes in functional composition, diversity, and aboveground biomass (AGB) of a secondary forest restored through assisted natural regeneration in Uganda. The results showed that after 16-22 years, the secondary forest had not yet reached equivalent values of functional composition, diversity, and AGB compared to an old-growth forest. The distance to forests had a significant effect on the functional composition and diversity of the secondary forest.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Enock Ssekuubwa, Wouter van Goor, Martijn Snoep, Kars Riemer, Fredrick Wanyama, Daniel Waiswa, Fred Yikii, Mnason Tweheyo
Summary: This study examines successional patterns for different plant sizes in active and passive restoration, and finds that restoration communities approach old-growth forests over time. The restoration of small and medium trees is successful, but the recovery of large trees is limited. Presence of remnant banana plants and shrubs, as well as proximity to old-growth forests, contribute to better restoration outcomes.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Fred Babweteera, Enock Ssekuubwa
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2017)