Cruz Aguilar, Rey E.

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    Growth and survival of juvenile trees of primary forest species in enrichment plantings in novel forests of north-western Puerto Rico
    (2022-12-13) Cruz Aguilar, Rey E.; Abelleira Martínez, Oscar J.; College of Agricultural Sciences; Sánchez De León, Yaniria; Lugo, Ariel E.; Department of Crops and Agro-Environmental Sciences; López Méndez, Hector O.
    Anthropogenic changes have modified the world ecosystems. For example, the island of Puerto Rico has been modified by anthropogenic changes that have reduced the geographical distribution of native tree species found in primary forests. Restoration attempts aimed to increase the geographical distribution of the species have encountered limitations, such as high maintenance costs and competition from herbaceous plant species. This research aims to answer the following questions: (1) Is there a difference in growth and survival among Pterocarpus officinalis trees planted on floodplain and levee landforms within riparian forest wetlands dominated by Spathodea campanulata? (2) Is there an effect of dominant canopy tree species on the growth and survival of juvenile trees of primary forest species planted in novel forest stands? In the first chapter, eighteen juvenile trees of the species were planted per each levee and floodplain landform on at each of three sites in 2011. Planted tree height and survival were sampled in the year 2011, 2012 and 2018. In the second chapter, twenty-one novel forest sites dominated by Spathodea campanulata (tulipán africano), the Fabaceae species Albizia procera (siris blanco), Senna siamea (cassia de siam) and Delonix regia (flamboyán) were selected to establish enrichment plantings of the primary forest species Coccoloba rugosa (ortegón), Dacryodes excelsa (tabonuco), Libidibia monosperma (cobana negra) and Manilkara bidentata (ausubo). Five individuals of each species were planted on each study site, and height increment and survival were sampled six months after planting. No significant differences in growth and survival were found among tree planted on floodplain and levee landforms. Juvenile trees planted in forests dominated by Spathodea campanulata had higher height increment (10.1 %) (n = 9, SD = 22.6) and vertical growth rate (14.8 cm/yr) (n = 9, SD = 32.5) compared to those planted in forests dominated by Fabaceae. Enrichment plantings in novel forests can overcome some of the limitations encountered by traditional restoration methods that consists in reforestation plantings on open areas.