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Madagascan tropical forests return thanks to better management and well-defined ownership
May 02, 2007A study published in the May 2nd issue of the online, open-access journal PLoS ONE, shows that although loss of tropical dry forests occurs in southern Madagascar, there are also large areas of forests regenerating. The return of forest cover was found to be substantial in the study area, with an overall net increase of 4 % during the period 1993-2000. These dry forests have the highest level of plant endemism (species found only in a particular region) in all of Madagascar and are listed as one of the 200 most important "ecoregions" of the world. The study also shows that the relationship between human population density and deforestation is much more complex than previously thought.
"We were surprised to find the highest deforestation rates in an area with low human population density and large distance to markets, while the area with highest population density had stable forest cover," says Thomas Elmqvist, Professor at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sweden.
The results, based on analyses of satellite images and vegetation on the ground, surprised the team of scientists from Sweden and the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar. As a result, they went further and also made a social inventory based on interviews with local forest officials and villagers. This inventory revealed that loss of forest occurred mainly in areas with insecure property rights, while areas with well-defined local norms, rules and property rights for forest management showed either regenerating or stable forest cover.
"Regeneration of tropical forests has so far mostly been studied by ecologists trying to understand factors like seed dispersal and soil quality, our study clearly shows the importance of an increased understanding also of the social context behind forest regeneration," says Elmqvist. The loss of tropical forests is a concern worldwide since these forests harbor more than 50 % of the terrestrial species richness in the world and have a large importance in global climate regulation. Estimates of tropical forest loss are still uncertain and a 50 % margin of error appears possible. However, scientists know even less about regeneration of tropical forests.
"We now know a fair amount about the human social context in which tropical forest loss is embedded, but very little is known about the role of social institutions in influencing regeneration of tropical forests," says Maria Tengö from Stockholm university and one of the authors behind the new study.
The new study points to the large capacity of dry tropical forests to spontaneously regenerate if existing local rules and norms (including well-defined property rights) mitigate other drivers of deforestation and alternative land-use.
Public Library of Science
"Regeneration of tropical forests has so far mostly been studied by ecologists trying to understand factors like seed dispersal and soil quality, our study clearly shows the importance of an increased understanding also of the social context behind forest regeneration," says Elmqvist. The loss of tropical forests is a concern worldwide since these forests harbor more than 50 % of the terrestrial species richness in the world and have a large importance in global climate regulation. Estimates of tropical forest loss are still uncertain and a 50 % margin of error appears possible. However, scientists know even less about regeneration of tropical forests.
"We now know a fair amount about the human social context in which tropical forest loss is embedded, but very little is known about the role of social institutions in influencing regeneration of tropical forests," says Maria Tengö from Stockholm university and one of the authors behind the new study.
The new study points to the large capacity of dry tropical forests to spontaneously regenerate if existing local rules and norms (including well-defined property rights) mitigate other drivers of deforestation and alternative land-use.
Public Library of Science
Tropical Forests Current Events and Tropical Forests News RSSBeyond sunlight: Explorers census 17,650 ocean species between edge of darkness and black abyss
Census of Marine Life scientists have inventoried an astonishing abundance, diversity and distribution of deep sea species that have never known sunlight - creatures that somehow manage a living in a frigid black world down to 5,000 meters (~3 miles) below the ocean waves.
TEEB report released on the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity for policy makers
Policy makers who factor the planet's multi-trillion dollar ecosystem services into their national and international investment strategies are likely to see far higher rates of return and stronger economic growth in the 21st century.
What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million per hectare, per year: experts
Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the "ecosystem services" of biomes like forests and coral reefs - including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation.
Killer bees may increase food supplies for native bees
Aggressive African bees were accidentally released in Brazil in 1957. As "killer bees" spread northward, David Roubik, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, began a 17-year study that revealed that Africanized bees caused less damage to native bees than changes in the weather and may have increased the availability of their food plants.
World's last great forest under threat: new study
The world's last remaining "pristine" forest - the boreal forest across large stretches of Russia, Canada and other northern countries - is under increasing threat, a team of international researchers has found.
Humans
Mounting evidence that human activity is changing the world's oceans in profound and damaging ways is outlined in a new scientific discussion paper released today.
Orangutans unique in movement through tree tops
Movement through a complex meshwork of small branches at the heights of tropical forests presents a unique challenge to animals wanting to forage for food safely.
NASA study says climate adds fuel to Asian wildfire emissions
In the last decade, Asian farmers have cleared tens of thousands of square miles of forests to accommodate the world's growing demand for palm oil, an increasingly popular food ingredient.
Tropical forest seed banks: a blast from the past
Seeds of some tree species in the Panamanian tropical forest can survive for more than 30 years before germinating.
Atmospheric scientists trace the human role in Indonesian forest fires
Severe fires in Indonesia - responsible for some of the worst air quality conditions worldwide - are linked not only to drought, but also to changes in land use and population density, according to a new study in Nature Geoscience led by Robert Field of the University of Toronto.
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Tropical Forests (Jones and Bartlett's Series on Ecosystems and Biomes) by Bernard Marcus (Author) The first text in a series of single topic ecology books, Tropical Forests is an ideal text or supplement for introductory biology, ecology, and environmental science courses. It provides students with an accurate, easy to read, and easy to understand account of this important biome that is often covered too briefly in general texts. This guide provides a compact picture of the world's tropical forests with overviews on the meteorological and geological influences on the biology of the ecosystem. It describes many of the interactions of plants and animals of the tropics in an evolutionary context. It's narrative style and clear illustrations and diagrams engage students, and paint a clear picture of the important concepts presented throughout the text. |
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The High Montain Tropical Forest The High Montain Tropical Forest (Primary Contributor) |
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Rain Forest waterfall POSTER environment tropical RARE 16" x 20" by Poster Revolution Rain Forest waterfall POSTER environment tropical RARE 16" x 20" |
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Can Tropical Rain Forests Be Saved? (Home Use) Directed By: Robert Richter Also With: Robert Richter (Producer), Robert Richter (Writer) |
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Tropical Rain Forest: Sounds Of Nature by Various Artists |
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National Geographic: Really Wild Animals - Totally Tropical Rain Forest Starring: Dudley Moore Also With: Alan O'Day (Composer), Janis Liebhart (Composer), Darryl Kubian (Composer), Kief Davidson (Editor), Philip Falcone (Editor), Sean McAll (Editor) Take a totally tropical trip to the rain forest and meet spotted jaguars, colorful poison-arrow frogs, slow-moving sloths, and loud-mouthed howler monkeys - all captured by the world's finest filmmakers. |
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Mona Lisa - Katina Marie "Tropical Forest" Short Sleeve, Rhinestone Studded, Pre-Washed, Printed Cotton Top Aqua (Large) by Mona Lisa Katina Marie - Mona Lisa Casual tops are designed for comfort and style starting with a loose fit, accented with beautifully patterned color prints in a variety of colors and subtle shading. The fabrics is pre-washed several times then tumble dried to assure you won't suffer from fabric shrinkage plus providing a more comfortable fit that's sure to keep it good looks and sizing for a very long time. As an added bonus these tops are made with a water-based print not an oil based printing process so that you'll get a much smoother, more comfortable feel versus a less breathable more stiffer oil based print that over time may have a tendency to harden and restrict air flow through the fabric | |
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Tropical Rain Forest (River & Waterfall) Black Wood-Mounted Art Poster Print - 16" X 20" by Adam Hersh Posters |
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Rainforest Eco Expedition by Wild Republic This moveable play action set includes an orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, tree frog, Bengal tiger, jaguar, toucan, Indian rhinoceros, Emerald tree boa, and Eco Ranger with binoculars and walking stick. Ages 3+ |
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Native Forest Organic Tropical Fruit Salad, 14-Ounce Cans (Pack of 6) by Native Forest USDA organic. In organic pineapple & passion fruit juices. Vegan. Native Fruit Organic Fruits are conscientiously grown and packed according to principals of organic agriculture. Our mission is to offer you the most delicious and healthful natural fruits, while renewing the fertility of the soil using time tested, organic methods. We believe organic practices make sense for the land, the people, and the product. We hand select ripe organic fruits, cutting and packing them in organic juice at the peak of freshness. You and your family will love the great flavor of Native Forest Organic Tropical Fruit Salad: consistently sweet, tender, and delicious. The quality that you taste is only a hint of the care and expertise behind every Native Forest product. Enjoy! Product of Sri Lanka. |
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