Дисертації з теми "Center for Tropical Forest Science"

In tropical regions, climate change is predicted to lead to increased drought frequency and intensity. The extent to which this will shift the functional diversity of tropical tree communities is unknown due to a limited understanding about the response of seedlings to variable soil moisture. We addressed this issue using an experimental approach in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. We exposed seedlings of eight tree species, representing different successional stages, to an experimental soil moisture gradient. We evaluated (1) How species mean trait values relate to species-specific demographic responses to drought, (2) How intraspecific variation in functional traits relates to a soil moisture gradient, (3) The extent to which demographic response to short-term experimental drought mirrored long-term demographic response of seedlings to natural variation in soil moisture. Growth and survival of species with more `conservative` functional strategies tended to be more sensitive to a change in soil moisture and more tolerant to drought compared to species with more `acquisitive` strategies. In addition, traits of individual seedlings within species varied with respect to soil moisture, suggesting a potential role for phenotypic plasticity in response to drought. Specifically, this response was significant for three species (Inga laurina, Guarea guidonia, Schefflera morototoni) and was primarily associated with relative carbon investment in leaves and roots. Species demographic responses to soil moisture in experimental and long-term studies were weakly positively correlated but more variables are at play under natural conditions, which partly decouples these responses. Overall, our results suggest that tree species with `conservative` functional strategies are likely to become more common under increasing drought frequency and intensity in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. However, understanding the broader implications of our findings will require considering the effects of other disturbances, including hurricanes, which may have contrasting effects. Furthermore, intraspecific variation in functional traits is likely to influence how the seedlings of tropical tree species cope with drought.

This study performed an assessment of the representational accuracy of the forest class of the GlobeLand30 (GL30) global land cover data sets for the country of Mexico using a robust geographically distributed forest inventory survey of the forests in Mexico. The representational accuracy assessment was carried out for both the 2000 and 2010 GL30 data sets. The detailed attribute data associated with the validation set demonstrates how GL30 classifies specific forest types and how canopy coverage and number for trees per site influence the likelihood of GL30 identifying the sites correctly as forests. The results indicate that producers accuracies range from 72.3% to 97.3%. The tropical forests (89.1%) were better represented by the GL30 forest class than the temperate forest (73.9%). The most poorly represented classes from the temperate (oak: 72.3%) and tropical (low dry deciduous jungle: 74.9%) groups were deciduous. Receiver Operator Curve and Area Under the Curve analyses show that canopy coverage of a site is a better predictor of GL30, correctly identifying the site as forest for temperate forest, and that the number of the trees per site is a better predictor of GL30 correctly identifying a site as forest for tropical forests. The results also indicate a distinct spatial variability in the location of the sample sites that are misidentified as forests by GL30. The results of this thesis will help researchers and professionals better understand the representational accuracy of the GL30 data sets for the forests in Mexico.

The relationship of building to site is the most fundamental aspect in the creation of architecture. As man is a product of nature and his environment the way in which he chooses to after that environment in the process of building reveals not only his attitude towards his physical surroundings, but his purpose and justification for dwelling there. Not all attitudes will be the same, just as purpose will vary from person to person and structure to structure. Mario Botta has said, “The first step in the architectural act is taking possession of the site. It is a conscious act of transforming a unicum, an awareness that grounds the new intervention in the geography, history, and culture of a particular site. The architecture is the constriction of this site. There can be no indifference toward the site. It is the very territory of architecture as well as the primary condition determining the laws by which one must build.” Within the scope of my project I hoped to define this awareness within myself, this conscious act of defining and creating architecture against a background that demands the site be recognized as a primary generator of architectural form and attitude.
Master of Architecture

Thesis (PhD(For))--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Widdringtonia whytei is a tropical endemic, fire-adapted pioneer coniferous tree species within natural fire-fragmented Afromontane forest patches in a confined area on Mulanje Mountain in Malawi. Natural and anthropogenic fires within the surrounding fire-prone landscape, insect attacks, and uncontrolled harvesting of mature trees for timber threaten the survival of W. whytei. This study investigated the effects of population fragmentation on the reproductive biology of W. whytei, through four specific studies: effects of population size, tree size and crown position on viable seed output; seed rain variation among population sizes; effects of temperature and light on viability and germination of W. whytei seeds; and the influence of population size on natural regeneration patterns. The study was conducted during 2008 and 2009 on three sites using three W. whytei population sizes: small (≤10 reproductively mature cone-bearing W. whytei trees), medium (11-20 cone-bearing trees) and large (>20 cone-bearing trees). Data were collected using field and laboratory experiments and a review of secondary information. The effect of fragment size and crown position on viable seed output and seed rain pattern was tested with a nested linear mixed model. The influence of stem diameter (dbh) on viable seed output was tested using a separate data set. The variation in seed rain was explored with a generalised linear model (GLM) with a negative binomial link function. Variations in seed germination was analysed with a Weibull regression model. The influence of fragment size on seedling regeneration was tested with a GLM (binary logistic regression). Viable seed output from W. whytei cones was very low (23%) and was not affected by population size, tree diameter or crown position. W. whytei population size influenced seed rain with large fragments having higher seed rain densities. Number of dispersed seeds was generally very low and poorly dispersed. W. whytei cones are semiserotinous and depends on moderate to severe fires for heavy seedfall and wider dispersal. Such fires did not occur during the study period. Temperature is a critical factor for seed germination. Seeds germinate between 15 and 25°C with the optimum at ~ 20°C either under light or dark conditions. Regeneration density followed the seed rain pattern indicating that seed availability is a critical factor for regeneration. Regular cool fires outside the forest patches and along the edges during the hot dry season, and the thick litter layer and shady conditions inside forest patches, caused most of the seedling mortality. This study highlighted the difficulties W. whytei experiences with low output of viable seed, limited seed dispersal and low seedling regeneration in and around forest patches, i.e. factors important for conservation management of this species. It is recommended that gaps with diameter equal to canopy height and occasional spot fires would promote seed dispersal onto exposed mineral soil for rapid seedling establishment and subsequent population growth. Such natural fire disturbance events may show the true seed rain and seedling establishment patterns in this species.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Widdringtonia whytei is ‘n tropiese endemiese, vuuraangepaste pionier naaldhoutagtige boomsoort binne die natuurlike vuurgefragmenteerde Afromontane woudkolle binne ‘n beperkte area op Mulanje berg in Malawi. Natuurlike en menslike vure binne die omringende vuurgeneigde landskap, insekaanvalle, en onbeheerde kap van volwasse bome vir hout bedreig die voortbestaan van W. whytei. Hierdie studie het die effek van populasiefragmentasie op die voortplantingsbiologie van W. whytei ondersoek, deur vier spesifieke studies: die effek van populasiegrootte, boomgrootte en kroonposisie op produksie van lewenskragtige saad; saadreënvariasie tussen populasiegroottes; die effek van temperatuur en lig op lewenskragtigheid en ontkieming van W. whytei saad; en die invloed van populasiegrootte op natuurlike verjongingspatrone. Die studie is gedurende 2008 en 2009 uitgevoer op drie groeiplekke met drie W. whytei populasiegroottes: klein (≤10 keëldraende (volwasse) W. whytei bome), medium (11-20 keëldraende bome) en groot (>20 keëldraende bome). Data is versamel in veld- en laboratorium eksperimente asook 'n oorsig van sekondêre inligting. Die invloed van populasie fragmentgrootte en kroonposisie van bome op saadproduksie en die saadreënpatroon is getoets met ‘n geneste liniêre gemengde model. Die invloed van boomstamdeursnee op die produksie van kiemkragtige saad is met ‘n aparte datastel getoets. Die variasie in saadreënpatroon is met 'n algemene liniêre model (GLM) met 'n negatiewe binomiese skakelfunksie getoets. Variasies in ontkiemingspersentasie van sade is met 'n Weibull regressiemodel ontleed. Die invloed van fragmentgrootte op saailingverjonging is met 'n algemene linêre model (binêre logistiese regressie) getoets. Produksie van lewenskragtige saad in W. whytei keëls was baie lag (23%) en was nie deur populasiegrootte, boomstamdeursnee of kroonposisie beïnvloed nie. W. whytei populasiegrootte het saadreën beïnvloed en groot fragmente het groter saadreëndigthede gehad. Die aantal verspreide sade was in die algemeen baie laag en swak versprei. W. whytei keëls is semi-saadhoudend (serotinous) en is afhanklik van matige tot intense vure vir massiewe saadvrystelling en wyer saadverspreiding. Sulke vure het nie gedurende die studieperiode voorgekom nie. Temperatuur is ‘n kritiese factor vir saadontkieming. Sade ontkiem goed tussen 15 en 25°C met die optimum rondom ~ 20°C onder beide lig en donker toestande. Fragmentgrootte het nie die saailingverjonging in W. whytei beïnvloed nie. Verjongingsdigtheid het die saadreënpatroon gevolg, wat daarop dui dat saadbeskikbaarheid ‘n kritiese factor is vir saailingverjonging. Gereelde koel vure buite die woudkolle en langs die woudrand gedurende die droë warm seisoen, en die dik lae blaarval (litter) en skadutoestande binne ‘n woud, het meeste van die saailingmortaliteit veroorsaak. Hierdie studie het die probleme beklemtoon wat W. whytei ondervind met die lae produksie van kiemkragtige saad, saadverspreiding en saailingverjonging binne en rondom die woudkolle, m.a.w. faktore wat belangrik is vir bewaringsbestuur van hierdie boomsoort. Die aanbeveling word gemaak dat kroonopeninge met ‘n deursnee gelyk aan minstens die kroonhoogte, en sporadiese kolbrande binne die woudkolle kan saadverspreiding op blootgestelde minerale grond vir vinnige saailingvestiging en gevolglike populasiegroei bevorder. Sodanige vuurversteuringsgeleenthede mag die werklike patrone in saadreën en saailingvestiging in hierdie species toon.

Habitat fragmentation impacts on bird communities are relatively well studied in the temperate zone, where brood parasites and non-forest predators are the main causes of declining avian biodiversity. However, life history traits of tropical species suggest different and more diverse effects of habitat fragmentation on tropical bird communities. This dissertation used historical data and quantitative comparisons of fragmented and control sites to infer causes and patterns of tropical avian community response to fragmentation in Central America. Particular ecological guilds, namely forest understory insectivores, mixed-species flock participants, and birds that nest on or near the ground declined or disappeared from La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica since the 1950s as the site became increasingly isolated from other forest. Spot-maps of twenty-two insectivorous bird species at La Selva in the 1970s indicate that insectivore populations were probably never large enough to be viable, emphasizing the need for larger reserves given the low density of many tropical forest species. Comparisons of four forest sites (24.6-1200 ha) to an non-fragmented control site in southeastern Nicaragua show significant reduction in biodiversity, corresponding decline in total bird abundance, and changes in community composition, even in the larger sites. Lack of change in the Nicaraguan control site suggests landscape changes rather than climate change is the most parsimonious explanation for community changes in the fragments. Finally, comparison of community changes in two large isolated forest reserves, La Selva and Barro Colorado Island, Panama, demonstrate similar patterns of losses of insectivores and low nesting species. However, landscape level and climatic differences between the two sites also affect the ability of some species to persist in remaining forest. Overall, this dissertation suggests that deterministic factors, especially ecological characteristics, put particular species at risk to landscape changes. No single mechanism appears to explain all the patterns, but small population size, poor dispersal ability, and increase in nest depredation are implicated by this study. Further investigation is needed to assess the relative importance of these and other mechanisms. Moreover, trophic cascades involving other taxa are predicted as a result of the lack of ecological replacement of disappearing specialized forest insectivores
acase@tulane.edu

abstract: Invasive plants harm the ecological properties of natural systems, human health, and local economies. However, the negative impacts of invasive species are not always immediately visible and may be disregarded by local communities if social benefits of control efforts are not clear. In this dissertation, I use a mixed-methods approach to investigate the drivers of invasive plant distribution, potential financially feasible management techniques to control invasion, and community forest user perceptions of those techniques. In this work, I aim to incorporate the diverse perspectives of local people and increase the long-term success of invasive species control activities in socio economically vulnerable populations. Integrating a spatially and temporally diverse data set, I explore the social and ecological drivers of invasive plant abundance across 21 buffer zone community forests in the Western Chitwan Valley of Nepal. I evaluate to what extent forest user and collective manager activities, the legacies of historic activities, and ecological properties influence present-day invasive plant abundance. I built upon this study to identify areas with critically high levels of invasion then initiated a three-year, community-based management intervention to evaluate traditional and adaptive land management approaches to control invasive plants. I found that both approaches reduced invasive plant abundance relative to the surrounding, untreated forest. I then interviewed focus groups to investigate their perceived efficacy of the various treatment types and found that almost all forest users and managers preferred the adaptive approach over the traditional management approach. Notably, forest users cited the importance of the availability of forest resources and lack of harmful plants in the plots that had undergone this method. Understanding how forest users relate to and experience invasive plants has been relatively understudied but can influence forest user engagement in different management approaches. For this reason, I performed in-depth ethnoecological interviews to explore how forest users perceive, how they utilize, and to what extent they value invasive plants. This mixed-methods approach contributes to a more holistic understanding of the role that local people play in invasive plant management and restoration activities.
Dissertation/Thesis
Doctoral Dissertation Environmental and Resource Management 2020

La degradación del bosque tropical causada por la agricultura indigena tradicional y la explotación forestal comercial fue evaluada, en el sector central de la Reserva Forestal Imataca en la Guayana venezolana.El enfoque conceptual de paisajes permitió combinar dos niveles de análisis, local y paisajes, con el objeto de detectar las relaciones espaciales que forman patrones, gradientes y estructuras, útiles para el seguimiento y control de los usos del bosque tropical y su estado de conservación. La evaluación integró varios métodos orientados a describir y analizar la composición, estructura y distribución de las comunidades arbóreas, tomando en cuenta su condición: no perturbado o perturbado.Se levantó información social relativa a los usos de la tierra considerados, a través de visitas y mediciones en las áreas de producción de las comunidades Kariñas, al igual que en concesiones forestales tomadas como muestra. Un inventario forestal en parcelas muestra, permitió colectar datos sobre algunos parámetros estructurales del bosque, los cuales sirvieron de base para calcular índices tales como diversidad alfa y beta, complejidad estructural y otros. La detección y cartografía de los bosques no perturbados y perturbados segun el uso considerado, se hizo sobre imagenes de satélite Landsat, a las cuales se aplicó técnicas de percepción remota tales como analisis textural, indices de vegetación y cobertura fraccional.Se estimaron áreas de superposición entre territorios tradicionales Kariña y concesiones forestales comerciales, las cuales probablemente serán objeto de nuevos conflictos que pueden ser graves, considerando el proceso de demarcación de territorios indígenas tradicionales en curso, y la explotación minera próxima a comenzar.El interés de estudiar la compleja situación de la Reserva Forestal Imataca se debe a la necesidad de promover un modelo sustentable de manejo y conservación de bosques para la Guayana venezolana.

Folgende Themenkomplexe wurden behandelt: Biogeographie, Pflanzendiversität, Verbreitungsmuster von Lebensformen und Arten in Mikrohabitaten sowie entlang ökologischer Gradienten, Epiphyt-Porophyt-Beziehungen, Vergesellschaftung, Sekundärsukzession und die Auswahl von Indikatorarten. Zum ersten Mal wird bei einer derartigen Untersuchung die sekundäre Sukzession von Kryptogamengesellschaften in tropischen Bergregenwäldern voll berücksichtigt. Die Untersuchung wurde im Einzugsgebiet des Río Savegre auf der pazifikseitigen Abdachung der westlichen Cordillera de Talamanca (Costa Rica) durchgeführt.Kapitel 1 gibt eine generelle Einführung in Tropische Bergregenwälder und die Bedeutung von Moosen und Makroflechten als wichtige Komponenten dieser Ökosysteme. Der Leser wird in das Untersuchungsgebiet, sein Klima, seine Geologie und seine Vegetation eingeführt.Im Kapitel 2 werden die pflanzengeographischen Muster der Moose montaner Eichenwälder der Cordillera de Talamanca dargestellt und diskutiert.Kapitel 3 diskutiert Diversität, Mikrohabitatdifferenzierung und Lebensformenspektren der Moose in einem hochmontanen Eichenwald Costa Ricas. Es wurde versucht, die Moosflora aller Mikrohabitate eines Eichenwaldes, inklusive der Strauch- und Bodenschicht zu erfassen. Kapitel 4 und 5 beinhalten die Beschreibung epiphytischer Kryptogamengesellschaften (Moose und Makroflechten) in Primär- und Sekundärwäldern. Mit Hilfe einer aus dem Alpinismus abgeleiteten Klettertechnik wurden Bäume von der Stammbasis bis in die Zweige der äußeren Krone beprobt. Die Vegetationsaufnahmen repräsentieren die Variation der epiphytischen Vegetation. Prozentuale Deckungsgrade der rindenbewohnenden Moose und Makroflechten wurden geschätzt und mit Hilfe einer Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA)' und nicht-metrischer Multi-response Permutation Procedure (MRPP)' verglichen. Rindenproben der untersuchten Bäume wurden mit deionisiertem Wasser extrahiert und der pH-Wert bestimmt.Kapitel 4 behandelt die epiphytischen Kryptogamengemeinschaften auf den dominierenden Baumarten (Quercus copeyensis und Q. costaricensis) primärer, hochmontaner Eichenwälder Costa Ricas. Kapitel 5 vergleicht Artenreichtum, Vergesellschaftung und Ökologie der epiphytischen Kryptogamen in primären und sekundären hochmontanen Eichenwäldern Costa Ricas. Quercus copeyensis-Bäume der oberen Baumschicht von Primär- und Sekundärwäldern wurden beprobt mit dem Ziel einen Einblick in Regenerationspotential, -muster und -prozesse der Epiphytensukzession nach anthropogener Störung zu erhalten.