Marshall, Andy orcid.org/0000-0003-4877-1018, Coates, Michael A., Archer, Jennifer et al. (6 more authors) (2016) Liana cutting for restoring tropical forests : a rare palaeotropical trial. African Journal of Ecology. ISSN 0141-6707
Abstract
Liana growth following forest disturbance is threatening the tropical carbon sink by delaying or preventing recov ery. Tree growth can be stimulated by liana cutting; however, its applicability for conservation management remains uncertain, particularly in Africa (the least-studied continent for ecological restoration) and against pervasive barriers such as wildfires. We conducted a small-scale trial to investigate tree sapling regeneration following liana cutting in a lowland African forest prone to low intensity wildfires. We employed a BACI design comprising eighteen 25 m² plots of sapling trees in liana-infested areas. After 5 years of liana cutting, we saw greater recruitment, stem growth and net biomass. Wildfires caused 51% mortality and probably masked liana cutting influences on species and survival, but may have encouraged stem recruitment through interaction with liana cutting. Incorporating our data into a first quantitative review of previous studies, we found that tree growth, recruitment and net growth rates were all consistently higher where lianas were either absent or removed (respectively: 80%, 215%, 633%; n = 14, 3, 4). Tree growth impacts were approximately equivalent across size-classes and continents. We give recommendations for improved plot and sample sizes, but conclude that liana cutting is a promising restoration method for lowland tropical forests, including Africa.
Metadata
Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 The Authors | ||||
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Institution: | The University of York | ||||
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Environment and Geography (York) | ||||
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Depositing User: | Pure (York) | ||||
Date Deposited: | 27 Jul 2016 08:39 | ||||
Last Modified: | 04 Feb 2024 00:36 | ||||
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12349 | ||||
Status: | Published online | ||||
Refereed: | Yes | ||||
Identification Number: | https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12349 | ||||
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