A cost-benefit evaluation of direct seeding with and without protector for two native tree species in a tropical rainforest
Por:
Prieto-Rodao, Elena, Ricker, Martin, Siebe, Christina
Publicada:
1 mar 2019
Resumen:
A priority in restoration research is to seek methods that reach high
levels of plant establishment at the lowest possible cost. Here, we test
how direct seeding works with and without a plastic protector that
covers seeds and seedlings in an early-successional rainforest in
Veracruz (Mexico). Two native species, Calophyllum brasiliense (bari)
and Vochysia guatemalensis (corpo), at three topographic positions, were
used. Germination rates with and without the protector were 84 versus
79% for C. brasiliense, and 98 versus 89% for V. guatemalensis,
respectively. The protector significantly improved the germination only
of V. guatemalensis. Plant survivorship of V. guatemalensis 27 months
after seeding was significantly higher with the protector (78%) than
without it (46%). For C. brasiliense, there were no differences in
survivorship after 22 months with (61%) and without (54%) protector.
In both species, the protector had no effect on height growth, which was
significantly larger for seedlings located at the toeslope position. We
developed a cost-benefit model that provides a threshold value at which
the investment for protectors is justified by a resulting higher
survivorship: If 27 months after seeding a treelet of V. guatemalensis
is worth at least 0.83 USD on our sites, then the effect of the
protector is worth the cost of its implementation (for C. brasiliense,
survivorship was statistically undistinguishable with and without
protector). We suggest that direct seeding with a plastic protector
could be a promising alternative for forest restoration with suitable
tree species.
Filiaciones:
Prieto-Rodao, Elena:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Biol, Circuito Exterior S-N,Ciudad Univ, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Ricker, Martin:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Biol, Circuito Exterior S-N,Ciudad Univ, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Siebe, Christina:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geol, Circuito Invest, Ciudad Univ, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
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