Abstract
Tree plantations used for carbon sequestration or forest restoration often support diverse plant communities. However, it is unknown how rates of successional change in tree plantations compare to secondary forests. In this study, we compared the successional trajectory of tree plantations to that of secondary forests that were between 8 and 23 years old. Censuses of woody plants (≥2 cm dbh) in seven tree plantation plots and seven secondary forest plots (30 x 30 m) were conducted over three years (May 2013 – July 2016) in a lowland tropical forest. Secondary forests were naturally regenerating from abandoned cattle pastures. Tree plantations were monocultures of two different native species (Vochysia guatemalensis and Hieronyma alchorneoides) planted for carbon sequestration. We measured the change in stem density, basal area, species density, rarefied species richness, and relative abundance of different functional groups. We found that differences between these two forests types in stem density and basal area were declining. We did not find evidence for differences between forest types in the rate of accumulation of species richness when accounting for sample size. Although, the successional trajectory in tree plantations was very similar to secondary forests, there were differences between forest types in species composition. The rate of change in relative abundance of different functional groups was similar in both forest types. Overall, our results suggest that structural but not compositional differences between tree plantations and secondary forests are converging during the second decade of succession.
Highlights
A choice facing many land managers in the tropics is whether to reforest agricultural land by planting trees or by allowing natural secondary forest to grow
We found that differences between tree plantations and secondary forests in stem density and basal area declined over time
The increase in species richness did not differ between forest types when accounting for number of individuals, and the species composition followed a similar successional trajectory in tree plantations and secondary forests without leading towards convergence of forest types
Summary
A choice facing many land managers in the tropics is whether to reforest agricultural land by planting trees or by allowing natural secondary forest to grow. We evaluated changes in woody vegetation in secondary forests (abandoned cattle pastures) and monoculture tree plantations over a three-year period at sites ranging from 8 to 23 years old Previous research at these sites had shown that species composition of natural regeneration differed between these two forest types (Longworth & Williamson, 2018). With this investigation, we incorporated a second survey to evaluate changes over time in the following characteristics: stem density, basal area, species richness, and species composition. We made general predictions based on previous findings of other researchers For both forest types, we expected stem density, basal area and species richness to increase between censuses where three years is adequate to observe changes. In both forest types, we expected relative abundance of understory species and short-lived pioneers to decline, and relative abundance of canopy trees, long-lived pioneers and shade-tolerant species to increase
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
