Title
Assessing success of forest restoration efforts in degraded montane cloud forests in southern Mexico
Date of Award
2012
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Forest Ecology and Management (MS)
College, School or Department Name
School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
Advisor
Linda Marie Nagel
Co-Advisor
Rodney A Chimner
Abstract
Montane cloud forests are home to great biodiversity. However, non-sustainable anthropogenic activities have led to the loss of forest cover in southern Mexico. Increasing conservation, restoration and sustainable use of forest resources prevents the loss of cloud forests. In this study, success of forest restoration was evaluated in a degraded forest of Highlands Chiapas. The goal of this study was to assess the structure and composition of native tree species. We evaluated vegetation composition at three sites that had undergone enrichment plantings. Floristic composition and structure of the herbaceous, seedling, sapling, and overstory layers were measured. A total of sixty-six native tree species were recorded. Enrichment planting was found to have increased tree diversity. Moreover, 54% of the planted species were found in the understory, indicating that they were successfully recruiting. In conclusion, enrichment planting can aid in the conservation of forest cover in degraded areas.
Recommended Citation
Jimenez Vazquez, Rocio Elizabeth, "Assessing success of forest restoration efforts in degraded montane cloud forests in southern Mexico", Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2012.