Agricultural land-use diversity and forest regeneration potential in human- modified tropical landscapes

Zermeño‐Hernández, Isela; Pingarroni, Aline; Martı́nez-Ramos, Miguel

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2016.06.007

Cited by 49 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…13%; Zermeño‐Hernánez et al . ), which may favor the persistence of high levels of ant diversity. More studies are needed to assess the extent to which TD and FD recover in landscapes with differing proportions of old growth forest cover.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Taxonomic and functional ant diversity along a secondary successional gradient in a tropical forest

et al. 2017

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The taxonomic diversity (TD) of tropical flora and fauna tends to increase during secondary succession. This increase may be accompanied by changes in functional diversity (FD), although the relationship between TD and FD is not well understood. To explore this relationship, we examined the correlations between the TD and FD of ants and forest age in secondary forests at the α‐ and β‐diversity levels using single‐ and multi‐trait‐based approaches. Our objectives were to understand ant diversity patterns and to evaluate the role of secondary forests in the conservation of biodiversity and in the resilience of tropical forests. Ant assemblages were sampled across a chronosequence in the Lacandon region, Mexico. All species were characterized according to 12 functional ecomorphological traits relevant to their feeding behavior. We found that TD and FD were related to forest age at the alpha level, but not at the beta level. α‐functional richness and divergence increased linearly with species richness and diversity, respectively. Also, the relationship between taxonomic and functional turnover was linear and positive. Our results indicated that functional traits were complementary across the chronosequence. The increase in FD was mainly driven by the addition of rare species with relevant traits. The older secondary forests did not recover all of the functions of old growth forest but did show a tendency to recovery. Because older successional stages support more TD and FD, we suggest developing agriculture and forestry management practices that facilitate rapid post‐agricultural succession and thereby better preserve the functionality of tropical forests.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the area surrounding Loma Bonita, 65 percent is used for agricultural activity, while 13 percent is composed of old growth forest fragments and 22 percent of secondary forests (Zermeño‐Hernández et al . ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Taxonomic and functional ant diversity along a secondary successional gradient in a tropical forest

et al. 2017

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“…In Marqués de Comillas, Southeastern Mexico, we compared forest regeneration dynamics in abandoned cornfields (van Breugel et al . , ) and cattle pastures, which are the dominant agricultural land uses in that region (Zermeño‐Hernández & Martínez‐Ramos ) and in many HMLs throughout Mesoamerica. Pastures were larger in size, more severe (including burning events) in agricultural practices and longer lasting than cornfields (Tables S1 & S2), but were located within the same geomorphology unit and landscape matrix (see Methods Appendix S2).…”

Section: Effects Of Land Use Legacies On Forest Regenerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We developed the EDI ‐based Ecological Disturbance Landscape Index ( EDI L , Zermeño‐Hernández & Martínez‐Ramos ) for this purpose and tested the hypothesis that structural attributes (stem density, species density, species diversity, and biomass) of second growth forests are reduced with increasing disturbance regimes, associated with the mosaic of land uses in the landscape. EDI L is calculated as EDI L = EDI i * p i , where EDI i is the average EDI value for all fields with land use type i , and p i is the cover proportion of that land use type in the landscape.…”

Section: Effects Of Land Use Legacies On Forest Regenerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Natural forest regeneration and ecological restoration in human‐modified tropical landscapes

et al. 2016

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In human-modified tropical landscapes (HMLs) the conservation of biodiversity, functions and services of forest ecosystems depends on persistence of old growth forest remnants, forest regeneration in abandoned agricultural fields, and restoration of degraded lands. Understanding the impacts of agricultural land uses (ALUs) on forest regeneration is critical for biodiversity conservation in HMLs. Here, we develop a conceptual framework that considers the availability of propagules and the environment prevailing after field abandonment as two major determinants of forest regeneration in HMLs. The framework proposes that regeneration potential decreases with size, duration and severity of agricultural disturbance, reducing propagule availability and creating ill-suited environmental conditions for regeneration. We used studies from Southern Mexico to assess this framework. First, we identify regeneration bottlenecks that trees face during transit from seed to follow-up life stages, using demographic analysis of dominant pioneer species in recently abandoned fields. Then, we explore effects of ALUs on forest regeneration at the field and landscape scales, addressing major legacies. Finally, we integrate agricultural disturbance with landscape composition to predict attributes of successful second growth forests in HMLs, and provide indicators useful to select tree native species for active restoration. An indicator of disturbance inflicted by ALUs, based on farmers' information, predicted better regeneration potential than measurements of soil and microclimate conditions at time of abandonment. Cover of cattle pastures in the landscape was a stronger indicator of forest regenerating attributes than cover of old growth forest remnants. To conclude, we offer recommendations to promote forest regeneration and biodiversity conservation in HMLs.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

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Carbon contents and fine root production in tropical silvopastoral systems

et al. 2020

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Owing to the increasing extension of land for livestock production, silvopastoral practices have been among the promising approaches to enhance carbon (C) sequestration. However, the extent of C sequestration in different silvopastoral systems (SPS) and their relationship with fine root production (FRP) is not well understood. The objective of this research was to evaluate the changes in C storage, FRP, and turnover in a part of tropical SPS. We evaluated above‐ and belowground C storage, FRP and turnover in live fences (LF), dispersed tree (DT) silvopasture, and compared these with open pasturelands (OP) in Southeastern Mexico. We applied the stock change approach to calculate biomass growth rates and the ingrowth monolith method for FRP. Biomass stocks in the same plots are re‐measured over time in the stock change approach. Woody biomass stocks differed significantly between SPS (DT: 37.2, LF: 9.8 Mg ha−1) and the accumulation rates in both SPS were significantly higher than zero (0.2–2.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Soil organic carbon (SOC) contents were significantly higher in SPS (LF: 2.4%, DT: 3.1%) compared to OP (1.6%). FRP significantly differed between SPS (LF: 27.8, DT: 45.4, and OP: 9.4 g m−2 yr−1) and correlated positively with SOC content. Higher SOC reduced soil compaction in silvopastoral lands as indicated by lower soil bulk density. The results on C stocks change and fine root dynamics contribute to understanding C sequestration potential of tropical SPS, identifying ecologically sound strategies to mitigate greenhouse gases from the livestock sector, and aid restoration of ecosystem services for degraded pasturelands.

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Agricultural land-use diversity and forest regeneration potential in human- modified tropical landscapes

Cited by 49 publications

References 83 publications

Taxonomic and functional ant diversity along a secondary successional gradient in a tropical forest

Taxonomic and functional ant diversity along a secondary successional gradient in a tropical forest

Natural forest regeneration and ecological restoration in human‐modified tropical landscapes

Carbon contents and fine root production in tropical silvopastoral systems

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