Advancing ecosystem recovery with diverse species plantings in tropical forest restoration
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Tropical forest restoration has increased in the past decades, with possible advancements given the UN declaration of the “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration”. However, robust assessments to compare ecosystem functions among restored forest stages are essential. We evaluated 13 actively restored forest stands ranging from 3 to 21 years of age and compared measures of forest biodiversity, structure, and ecosystem function to four 70+ year old “reference” stands that serve as restoration “targets” in the study region of the Premontane wet forest of Costa Rica. The restored stands were planted with an average of 13 tree species on abandoned pastures that were fallow for at least two years. Sixteen tree-stand attributes and six ecosystem function estimates were assessed, including: annual biomass (C) accumulation, N-fixation potential, threatened species conservation, and the provision of avian frugivore forage, insect habitat, and insect pollination. Using Principal Component Analysis, linear modeling, and Mahalanobis distance analyses, we learned that planting a diversity of tree species sets the stage for forest recovery at early restoration ages, with an inflection point at 15 years towards older reference forest characteristics and functions. Given that all restoration ages provided tree diversity and some level of ecosystem functions, the value of all restored stands in the landscape is notable. The assessment methods are easily employed, thereby providing an accessible tool to restoration practitioners.
Suggested Citation
Hamilton, D.A., Rojas, V.M., and Donovan, T.M., 2026, Advancing ecosystem recovery with diverse species plantings in tropical forest restoration: Forests, v. 17, no. 5, 617, 29 p., https://doi.org/10.3390/f17050617.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Advancing ecosystem recovery with diverse species plantings in tropical forest restoration |
| Series title | Forests |
| DOI | 10.3390/f17050617 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Publication Date | May 20, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Leetown |
| Description | 617, 29 p. |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Other Geospatial | Monteverde |