Twelve native tree species grown in mixed and pure plantations on degraded pasturelands at La Selva Biological Station in the Caribbean Lowlands of Costa Rica were evaluated at 15-16 years of age. Mixed plantations performed considerably better than pure plantations. The best performing species...

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the esthetic and structural characteristics, as well as the wood decay resistance of Terminalia amazonia, Vochysia guatemalensis, and Hyeronima alchorneoides trees from fast-growth condition in a tropical humid region of Costa Rica. A total of 10 trees...

Acacia plantation establishment might cause soil acidification in strongly weathered soils in the wet tropics because the base cations in the soil are translocated rapidly to plant biomass during Acacia growth. We examined whether soils under an Acacia plantation were acidified, as well as the...

Pontoscolex corethrurus (Glossoscolecidae, Oligochaeta) is an invasive endogeic earthworm that has colonized most land transformed by human activities in the humid tropics. When installed, populations can change soil physical properties, biogeochemical processes and microbial communities. The aim...

The Costa Rican government has provided incentives for reforestation programs since 1986 and initiated a Payment for Environmental Services program in 1996. These incentives yielded native species reforestation programs throughout the country. This research aims to provide information about growth, ...

Lack of seed dispersal can be an important obstacle to natural regeneration (NR) of degraded pastures in the humid tropics. Tree plantations can facilitate secondary forest succession by attracting seed dispersal agents from nearby forests. We studied seed rain and seed dispersal agents in 12-13...

Ten percent of the world's forest consists of plantations, yet these plantations supply 37% of the world's timber. While plantations proliferate, local communities are looking for suitable native species to cultivate in plantations. This paper is a component of a larger project - trying to restore...

This bulletin provides information on the taxonomy, reproductive biology and seed production, seed collection and propagation, utilization and management (for fodder, green manure, fuel, shade, land rehabilitation, and honey and shellac production), provenance trials, molecular analysis of...

For many soils of the tropics, inputs of organic materials are essential to sustain soil fertility and crop production. Research in the quality of organic inputs, a key factor controlling rates of decomposition and nutrient release, continues to guide selection and use of organic materials as...

The introductory part of this report features four case studies which highlight ICRAF's role in making a positive impact on people's lives, and outlines the other levels at which the organization has had a positive impact in the past year, ranging from a global scientific level, through...