Post-Agricultural Succession in the Neotropics (eBook)

Randall W. Myster (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: PDF

2007 | 2008
XIV, 308 Seiten
Springer New York (Verlag)
978-0-387-33642-8 (ISBN)

Infos

This timely work draws implications from scientific studies for the wise management of old field ecosystems in the neotropics, where conversion of land to cropping systems is the most common kind of disturbance and many landscapes are defined by areas recovering from agriculture. Understanding old field succession can help us address important scientific and social issues, such as deforestation and forest regeneration, forest restoration, sustainability of agriculture, maintenance of biodiversity, and impacts of global climate change on forest dynamics. This book provides restoration and management strategies, as well as new farming methodologies for practical application.

Randall W. Myster is Assistant Professor in the Biology Department of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK, USA.

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Post-agricultural studies have been central to the development of both the science of plant ecology and ecology in general. The study of old field succession allows us to observe the development of the structure and function of communities, as well as understand the role of history and initial conditions in that process. Understanding old field succession can help the public address important scientific and social issues, such as deforestation and forest regeneration, forest restoration, sustainability of agriculture, maintenance of biodiversity, and impacts of global climate change on forest dynamics.Post-Agricultural Succession in the Neotropics draws implications from scientific studies for the wise management of old field ecosystems in the neotropics, where conversion of land to cropping systems is the most common kind of disturbance and many landscapes are defined by areas recovering from agriculture. Written for researchers, professionals, and students of ecology, the book provides a background in old field ecosystems and proposes restoration strategies and a trajectory for future research. Farmers and decision makers can also benefit from new farming methodologies and management strategies that are proposed.

Inhalt

Preface 7
Contents 8
Patterns of Living and Non-living Components of Old Fields After Abandonment 13
Introduction 14
1.1 Rationale 14
1.2 Species Associations in Permanent Plots 20
1.3 About this Book 25
References 29
Trends in Above and Belowground Carbon with Forest Regrowth After Agricultural Abandonment in the Neotropics 33
2.1 Introduction 33
2.2 Reforestation in the Neotropics 34
2.3 Tropical Forest Carbon Stocks and Their Measurement 35
2.4 Trends in Carbon Stocks with Reforestation: Data Analysis 37
2.5 Land-Use Change and Tropical Forest Carbon 43
2.6 Trends in Aboveground Carbon 44
2.7 Trends in Belowground Carbon 49
2.8 Advances in Methods to Study Effects of Land-Use Change on Soil Carbon 52
2.9 Future of Secondary Forests 54
2.10 Summary and Recommendations for Future Studies 55
Appendices 57
References 72
Post Sugar Cane Succession in Moist Alluvial Sites in Puerto Rico 84
3.1 Introduction 85
3.2 The Alluvial Environment 86
3.3 Site Selection and Methods 87
3.4 Forest Development After Abandonment 89
3.5 Ecological Comparisons and Implications 93
References 101
Soil Fungi and Macrofauna in the Neotropics 104
4.1 Introduction 104
4.2 Fungi 104
4.3 Soil Macrofauna 106
4.4 Discussion 109
References 120
Earthworms and Post-Agricultural Succession 126
5.1 Introduction 126
5.2 Discussion 129
5.3 Summary 144
5.4 Future Research Directions 145
References 146
Mechanisms and Tolerances that Cause Plant- Plant Replacements, Producing Old Field Vegetation Patterns 150
Factors Affecting the Species Richness and Composition of Neotropical Secondary Succession: A Case Study of Abandoned Agricultural Land in Panama 151
6.1 Neotropical Secondary Succession 151
6.2 Factors Constraining Secondary Succession in the Neotropics 152
6.3 Measuring Floristic Recovery During Succession 154
6.4 Species Richness and Composition on Sites with Heavy and Prolonged Disturbance: a Case History from Panama 159
References 170
Seed Dispersal by Cattle: Natural History and Applications to Neotropical Forest Restoration and Agroforestry 175
7.1 Introduction 175
7.2 Methods 176
7.3 Results 177
7.4 Discussion 187
7.5 Conclusions 191
Appendix 192
References 197
The Roles of Disperser Behavior and Physical Habitat Structure in Regeneration of Post- Agricultural Fields 202
8.1 Introduction 202
8.2 Study Site and Methods 203
8.3 Results 206
8.4 Discussion 215
References 222
Neotropic Post-Dispersal Seed Predation 226
9.1 Introduction 226
9.2 Results from Past Experiments in Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian Old Fields 227
9.3 Discussion 228
References 229
Facilitation Versus Competition in Neotropical Old- Fields: A Case Study After Pinus taeda Cultivation in Brazil 231
10.1 Facilitation and Competition in Neotropical Old-Fields 231
10.2 Old Field Succession After Pinus Plantation: A Study Case in Southern Brazil 233
10.3 Methods 234
10.4 Results 235
10.5 Discussion 237
10.6 Concluding remarks 239
References 239
Recruitment of Dry Forest Tree Species in Central Brazil Pastures 241
11.1 Introduction 241
11.2 The Case of Paranã River Valley in Central Brazil 242
11.3 Seed Germination in Pastures 243
11.4 Seedling Establishment 246
11.5 Resprouting Ability 248
References 250
Restoration, Management, and the Future of Post- Agricultural Areas 255
Microbial Biomass in Native Amazonian Ecosystems and its Adaptation to Deforestation and Pasture Introduction and Management 256
12.1 Introduction 256
12.2 The Role of Soil Microbial Biomass in Amazonian Native Ecosystems 257
12.3 Alteration of Soil Microbial Biomass During Deforestation Process 260
12.4 Evolution of Soil Microbial Biomass Content Under Aging Pastures 263
12.5 Pasture Soil Management Practices (Plowing, Crop Desiccation, Fertilization) Influencing Soil Microbial Biomass 265
12.6 Simulating Total Soil C and Microbial Biomass C in a Forest to Pasture Chronosequence Using the Century Model 267
12.7 Final Considerations 270
References 270
Management for Sustainability and Restoration of Degraded Pastures in the Neotropics 274
13.1 Introduction 274
13.2 Pasture Degradation and Regeneration Following Abandonment 275
13.3 Pasture Restoration 281
13.4 Techniques for Restoration of Degraded Pastures: Soils, Biodiversity, Forest Structure and Function 281
13.5 Alternatives to Delay Pasture Degradation and Increase Pasture Productivity 291
13.6 Conclusions 300
References 301
Conclusions, Synthesis, and Future Directions 305
14.1 Conclusions 305
14.2 Synthesis 306
14.3 Future Directions 311
References 312
Index 314

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 23.10.2007
• Zusatzinfo: XIV, 308 p.
• Verlagsort: New York
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Natur / Technik ► Natur / Ökologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Botanik
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Ökologie / Naturschutz
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geografie / Kartografie
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Themenwelt: Weitere Fachgebiete ► Land- / Forstwirtschaft / Fischerei
• Schlagworte: Agriculture • biodiversity • conservation • deforestation • Development • Ecology • ecosystem • Fauna • Latin America • Neotropics • old field • pasture • Regeneration • restoration • Species richness • succession • sustainability • the species richness • Vegetation
• ISBN-10: 0-387-33642-7 / 0387336427
• ISBN-13: 978-0-387-33642-8 / 9780387336428