Natural or assisted succession as approach of forest recovery on abandoned lands with different land use history in the Andes of Southern Ecuador

The role of land‐use history in driving successional pathways and its implications for the restoration of tropical forests

“…According to reviewed studies, dispersal limitation is one of the most important constraints to regeneration in pastures and agricultural fields (e.g. Holl et al ., 2000 ; Hooper et al ., 2004 ; Palomeque et al ., 2017 ). The conversion of native vegetation into different types of land use inevitably modifies the sources of seed rain by transforming landscape configuration and composition through forest fragmentation, reduction of forest cover, expansion of young secondary forests and the presence of isolated trees in the agricultural matrix (Lawrence, Peart & Leighton, 1998 ; Metzger, 2002 ; Robiglio & Sinclair, 2011 ; Arroyo‐Rodrigues et al ., 2017 ; N'Guessan et al ., 2019 ).…”

“…Previous land‐use practices affect seed germination, seedling establishment and the performance of tree species by strengthening biotic interactions such as competition. Recurrent fire events and continuous cultivation favour colonization by weeds, lianas and invasive species (de Rouw, 1995 ; Jakovac et al ., 2016 b ; Palomeque et al ., 2017 ), which rapidly cover the ground and reduce light availability at ground level. This environment may restrict the germination of many pioneer species with germination triggered by light (Alvarez‐Buylla & Martinez‐Ramos, 1992 ; Benítez‐Malvido et al ., 2001 ; Bentos, Nascimento & Williamson, 2013 ), such as Cecropia and Trema , for example (Suazo‐Ortuño et al ., 2015 ).…”

“…Invasive species can spread easily and densely across agricultural landscapes, competing for space, light and nutrients with native species and potentially reducing their establishment success and performance (Colón & Lugo, 2006 ; Catterall, 2016 ; Palomeque et al ., 2017 ). For instance, Leucaena leucocephala is a pan‐tropical invasive tree native to central America, in which high resistance to fire, rapid growth rates and high continuous production of seeds allow it to outcompete native successional species in tropical rain and dry forests (Erickson, Davidson & Keller, 2002 ; Colón & Lugo, 2006 ; Wolfe & van Bloem, 2012 ).…”

“…in the Neotropics (e.g. Silva & Matos, 2006 ; Schneider & Fernando, 2010 ; Suazo‐Ortuño et al ., 2015 ; Palomeque et al ., 2017 ) and exotic pasture grasses across the tropics (e.g. Guariguata et al ., 1995 ; Holl et al ., 2000 ; Hooper et al ., 2004 ; Palomeque et al ., 2017 ).…”

“…Silva & Matos, 2006 ; Schneider & Fernando, 2010 ; Suazo‐Ortuño et al ., 2015 ; Palomeque et al ., 2017 ) and exotic pasture grasses across the tropics (e.g. Guariguata et al ., 1995 ; Holl et al ., 2000 ; Hooper et al ., 2004 ; Palomeque et al ., 2017 ). Differential density and species composition of competitors may, therefore, contribute to the divergence of successional pathways.…”