Litterfall and nutrient dynamics shift in tropical forest restoration sites after a decade of recovery

Abstract

Multi‐year studies comparing changes in litterfall biomass and nutrient inputs in sites under different restoration practices are lacking. We evaluated litterfall dynamics and nutrient inputs at 5 yr and after a decade of recovery in four treatments (natural regeneration—no planting, plantation—entire area planted, tree islands—planting in patches, and reference forest) at multiple sites in an agricultural landscape in southern Costa Rica. We inter‐planted two native species (Terminalia amazonia and Vochysia guatemalensis) and two naturalized N‐fixing species (Inga edulis and Erythrina poeppigiana) in plantation and island treatments. Although litterfall N was higher in plantations in the first sampling period, litter production and overall inputs of C, N, Ca, Mg, P, Cu, Mn, and Fe did not differ between island, plantation, or reference forest after a decade; however, all were greater than in natural regeneration. Potassium inputs were lower in the natural regeneration, intermediate in island and plantation, and greater in reference forest. The percentage of litterfall comprised by the N‐fixing planted species declined by nearly two‐thirds in both plantations and islands between sampling periods, while the percentage of V. guatemalensis more than doubled, and the percentage from naturally regenerated species increased from 27 to 47 percent in islands. Island and plantation treatments were equally effective at restoring litterfall and nutrient inputs to levels similar to the reference system. The nutrient input changed substantially over the 7‐yr interval between measurements, reflecting shifts in vegetation composition and demonstrating how rapidly nutrient cycling dynamics can change in recovering forests.

Leaf litter stoichiometry affects decomposition rates and nutrient dynamics in tropical forests under restoration in Costa Rica

“…Finally, the choice of planted species in active restoration projects has an important role in the restoration of ecological processes. Trees can accelerate leaf litter production and nutrient cycling, and have the potential to enhance soil properties (Celentano et al ; Lanuza et al ). Two out of the four species planted in our study were N 2 ‐fixing legumes, I. edulis and E. poeppigiana .…”

“…The production and turnover of leaf litter is an important ecological process because of the associated carbon and nutrient fluxes (see e.g. Huang & Spohn ), and has recently been studied in restoration sites in Costa Rica (Celentano et al ; Lanuza et al ). Nevertheless, the dynamics of litter decomposition and the pattern of nutrient release have been given little attention in these restoration systems.…”

Growth Performance of Dipterocarp Species Planted on Abandoned Mining Area in Southern Thailand

“…Forest plantations do not only provide wood, but also simultaneously improve the ecosystems. Soil properties, nutrient cycling and biodiversity have been reportedly improved and restored after plantation establishment (Parrotta 1999;Lanuza et al 2018), particularly under A. mangium plantation. Soil nutrients and organic matter contents were remarkably increased (Kongchum et al 2016).…”

Are litterfall and litter decomposition processes indicators of forest regeneration in the neotropics? Insights from a case study in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Tropical forests play an important role in global nutrient cycling (Lanuza et al, 2018). Although a vast amount of tropical forests has been cleared (FAO, 2015) and their nutrient cycling services have been significantly disrupted (Lanuza et al, 2018), the cover of tropical secondary forests has increased in some regions as a result of changing land uses (Aide et al, 2013;Chazdon, 2014). Moreover, there has been a dramatic increase in large-scale forest restoration (Chazdon et al, 2017;Lanuza et al, 2018).…”

“…Although a vast amount of tropical forests has been cleared (FAO, 2015) and their nutrient cycling services have been significantly disrupted (Lanuza et al, 2018), the cover of tropical secondary forests has increased in some regions as a result of changing land uses (Aide et al, 2013;Chazdon, 2014). Moreover, there has been a dramatic increase in large-scale forest restoration (Chazdon et al, 2017;Lanuza et al, 2018). Regenerating secondary forest is an increasingly common forest type in the tropics, creating a patchy distribution of disturbance histories and stand ages across the landscape (Schilling et al, 2016).…”