Combining Climber Cutting and Tree Seedling Planting Improves Structural Attributes of a Seasonal Semideciduous Forest in Southeastern Brazil

• Published in: Biotropica Vol. 57; no. 2
• Main Authors: Santos, Guilherme Aparecido Melo, Martins, Valéria Forni, Oliveira, Ana Carolina Cardoso, José, Marina Pérola Zerbinato, Viani, Ricardo Augusto Gorne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2025
• Subjects: Area; basal area; biodiversity; Brazil; climber management; Cutting; Cuttings; Dead wood; Density; ecosystem restoration; ecosystem services; forest restoration; Forests; Fragments; Habitat fragmentation; Height; Indigenous species; lianas; natural regeneration; Plant species; Planting; Regeneration; Regeneration (biological); Restoration strategies; Seedlings; tree and stand measurements; Trees; Tropical forests; Brazil
• ISSN: 0006-3606; 1744-7429
• DOI: 10.1111/btp.70023

ABSTRACT Management of degraded tropical forest fragments is usually done by cutting climbers (cutting). However, it is still necessary to understand the outcomes of cutting in combination with planting native tree species' seedlings (cutting + planting), especially on the edges of fragments, which are subject to higher disturbance than the forest interior. We tested whether cutting + planting is the restoration strategy that most improves structural attributes of a degraded edge of a tropical seasonal semideciduous forest fragment in southeastern Brazil, relative to cutting and the absence of management (control). Linear mixed models revealed that, after an eight‐year period, cutting + planting resulted in the highest decrease in the density and basal area of climbers longer than 1 m, and in the highest increase in the density of large living trees (diameter at breast height, DBH, ≥ 4.8 cm). Although cutting + planting decreased the percentage of large dead trees and increased tree sapling (DBH < 4.8 cm and total height ≥ 50 cm) richness, these variables were more affected by cutting. Management had no effect on the basal area of large living trees and tree sapling density. Because most structural attributes of the degraded edge studied were improved by cutting + planting, we advocate that it is the best strategy tested here for restoring tropical seasonal forests. We hypothesize that seedling planting improves forest conditions and stimulates recruitment, facilitating the regeneration of tree species. Thus, an interesting future avenue is to elucidate the mechanisms by which seedling planting affects regeneration and its long‐lasting effects on forest structural attributes. RESUMO O manejo de fragmentos degradados de florestas tropicais geralmente consiste no corte de trepadeiras (corte). Porém, ainda é necessário entender os resultados do corte em combinação ao plantio de mudas de espécies arbóreas nativas (corte + plantio), principalmente nas bordas dos fragmentos, as quais são sujeitas a maior perturbação do que o interior florestal. Nós testamos se corte+plantio é a estratégia de restauração que traz mais melhorias à estrutura da borda degradada de um fragmento de floresta tropical estacional semidecídua no sudeste do Brasil, em comparação ao corte e à ausência de manejo (controle). Modelos lineares mistos mostraram que, após oito anos, corte + plantio resultou na maior diminuição da densidade e área basal de trepadeiras mais longas do que 1 m, e no maior aumento da densidade de árvores grandes vivas (diâmetro à altura do peito, DAP, ≥ 4.8 cm). Apesar do corte+plantio diminuir a porcentagem de árvores grandes mortas e aumentar a riqueza de juvenis (DAP < 4.8 cm e altura total ≥ 50 cm) de espécies arbóreas, essas variáveis foram mais afetadas pelo corte. O manejo não teve efeito sobre a área basal de árvores grandes vivas e a densidade de juvenis. Como o corte+plantio trouxe mais melhorias à maioria dos atributos estruturais da borda degradada, nós defendemos que essa é a melhor estratégia testada para a restauração de florestas tropicais estacionais semidecíduas. Temos como hipótese que o plantio de mudas melhora as condições florestais e estimula o recrutamento, facilitando a regeneração de espécies arbóreas. Assim, uma direção futura interessante é elucidar os mecanismos pelos quais o plantio de mudas afeta a regeneração e seus efeitos a longo prazo sobre a estrutura das florestas. We tested climber cutting (cutting) in combination or not with tree planting (planting) for restoring a degraded edge of a tropical seasonal forest in southeastern Brazil. Both treatments increased tree sapling richness and the density of large trees and decreased the density and basal area of climbers, but only cutting + planting prevented the mortality of large trees over time. Thus, we advocate that cutting + planting is a better strategy for restoring tropical seasonal forests.