Tropical Ecology 

About: Tropical Ecology is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Biology & Species richness. It has an ISSN identifier of 0564-3295. Over the lifetime, 872 publications have been published receiving 10774 citations.

Tropical forest cover density mapping

Abstract: Forest canopy density is one of the most useful parameters to consider in the planning and implementation of rehabilitation program. This study is development of bio- physical analysis model for obtaining of Forest Canopy Density (FCD) using LANDSAT TM data image analysis. The components of FCD model are four factors; vegetation, bare soil, thermal and shadow. This work is implemented under the research project; PD32/93Rev2(F) of International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). Resumen: La densidad de dosel forestal es uno de los parametros cuya inclusion tiene mas utilidad en la planeacion e instrumentacion de programas de rehabilitacion. Este estudio con- siste en el desarrollo de un modelo de analisis biofisico para la obtencion de Densidad de Dosel Forestal (FCD por sus siglas en ingles) por medio del analisis de datos de imagenes LANDSAT TM. Los componentes del modelo FCD son cuatro factores; vegetacion, suelo desnudo, tempera- tura y sombra. Este trabajo forma parte del proyecto de investigacion PD32/93Rev2(F) de la Organizacion Internacional de Maderas Tropicales (ITTO). Resumo: A densidade do copado florestal e um dos parâmetros mais uteis a serem consid- erados no planeamento e implementacao de programas de reabilitacao. Este estudo apresenta o desenvolvimento do modelo de analise biofisica para obtencao da Densidade de Copado Flore- stal (FCD) usando a analise de imagem do LANDSAT TM. As componentes do modelo FCD eram: vegetacao, solo nu, temperatura e sombra. Este trabalho foi implementado pelo projecto de investigacao PD32/93Rev2(F) da Organizacao Internacional para a Madeira Tropical (ITTO).

Conservation of wetlands of India - a review

Abstract: Wetlands of India, estimated to be 58.2 million hectares, are important repositories of aquatic biodiversity. The diverse ecoclimatic regimes extant in the country resulted in a variety of wetland systems ranging from high altitude cold desert wetlands to hot and humid wetlands in coastal zones with its diverse flora and fauna. The review deals with the status and distribution of wetlands and causes and consequences of wetland losses. It also provides an overview of the use of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools in flood zonation mapping, in monitoring irrigation and cropping patterns, water quality analysis and modelling, change analyses and in mapping of surface water bodies and wetlands. The review provides a methodology and an action plan for evolving a nationwide network of conservation preserves of wetlands. The major elements of this methodology involve use of IRS LISS III sensors for delineating turbidity, aquatic vegetation and major geomorphological classes of wetlands. An extensive fieldwork to generate attribute information on biodiversity and socioeconomic themes is a significant component of the suggested methodology. GIS tools to integrate habitat information with the field information are envisaged to be the final component in evolving a conservation network of wetlands for the entire country.

Distribution pattern of aboveground biomass in natural and plantation forests of humid tropics in northeast India

Abstract: Tree aboveground biomass (AGB) distribution and carbon storage in different DBH (diameter at breast height) classes were compared between natural semi-evergreen forest and sal plantation forest in the humid tropical region of northeast India. The natural forest had lower AGB (323.9 Mg ha-1) than the plantation forest (406.4 Mg ha-1). About 49% of the AGB was present in > 60 cm dbh trees in the natural forest against 24% in the plantation forest. The carbon storage was highest in 60-80 cm and 40-60 cm dbh classes in the natural forest and plantation forest, respectively. The differential AGB and carbon distribution pattern has been related to past disturbance history and age of the forests. Although both the forests had potential for carbon sequestration due to presence of large number of trees belonging to small dbh classes, the plantation forest had an edge over the natural forest because of better silvicultural practices.

Regeneration of indigenous woody species under the canopies of tree plantations in Central Ethiopia

Abstract: The hypothesis that tree plantations may foster the regeneration of native woody species, was tested through studies of understory floristic composition, height-class dis- tribution of naturally regenerated seedlings and saplings of indigenous woody species, and soil seed banks in the native and exotic tree plantations in Central Ethiopia. A total of 70 plots, having 10 x 10 m area each, were studied in six monoculture plantation stands of four exotic species, i.e. Cupressus lusitanica (2 stands of different age), Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus patula, P. radiata and Juniperus procera, an indigenous coniferous species. Ages of the plantations ranged between 14 and 42 years. Soil seed bank analysis was also undertaken from soil sam- ples collected in each of the 70 plots to examine the similarity between the soil seed flora and aboveground vegetation. Vegetation diversity was assessed through analyses of floristic compo- sition, species richness and abundance. A total of 37 naturally regenerated indigenous woody species were recorded beneath all plantation stands, with densities ranging between 1630 and 18270 individuals ha-1. There was considerable variation among plantation stands/species with respect to the density of naturally regenerated native woody species. Generally, seedling popu- lations were the most abundant components of the regeneration in most of the plantation stands, forming 85% of the total regeneration count. A total of 68 plant species represented by 53 herbs, eight woody species and seven grasses were recorded in the soil seed bank from all stands. Similarity between the soil seed banks and aboveground flora (both seedlings and lar- ger plants) was very low implying that the role of soil seed banks in the regeneration is low and dispersal of seeds from the adjacent natural forest plays an important role in the process. These results support the concept that forest plantations can foster the regeneration of native woody species and increase biodiversity in the plantation stands, if seed sources are available in the vicinity of the plantations. Resumen: Con el fin de probar la hipotesis de que las plantaciones de arboles pueden fo- mentar la regeneracion de especies lenosas nativas, se estudio la composicion floristica del so- tobosque, la distribucion de clases de altura de plantulas y juveniles resultantes de la regen- eracion natural de especies lenosas nativas, y los bancos de semillas en el suelo de plantaciones de arboles nativos y exoticos en el centro de Etiopia. En total se estudiaron 70 parcelas de 10 × 10 m en rodales de plantaciones monoespecificas de cuatro especies exoticas: Cupressus lusi- tanica (dos rodales de diferente edad), Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus patula, P. radiata, y de la conifera nativa Juniperus procera. Las edades de las plantaciones fluctuaron entre 14 y 42 anos. El banco de semillas en el suelo fue analizado con base en muestras tambien recolectadas en cada una de las 70 parcelas con el fin de examinar la similitud entre la flora del banco de semillas y la vegetacion establecida. La diversidad de la vegetacion fue evaluada por medio de analisis de la composicion floristica, la riqueza de especies y la abundancia. Se registraron en total 37 especies nativas lenosas naturalmente regeneradas bajo todos los rodales de las