Tropical Montane Cloud Forests (TMCFs) are among the vegetation types facing the greatest threats, both globally and in Mexico. Ecological restoration of TMCFs is a priority in several tropical countries. In this paper, we propose that restoration of TMCFs based on applied nucleation methods should be accompanied by a set of additional mechanisms that form a six-prong strategy. In our experience, the essential set of tools to ensure positive results is composed of (1) a diagnostic-prescriptive stage;(2) species selection and nursery management of native species for restoring the tree strata; (3) the use of a set of biological indicators to monitor its progression; (4) restoration training for local and government stakeholders; (5) active dissemination of information through a network of private landowners; and (6) voluntary land protection. The proposed framework is based on a decade of interdisciplinary work of the Mexican conservation nonprofit organization Pronatura Veracruz. Although nucleation has been proposed and used to accelerate the natural succession of other tropical forests, there is no detailed documentation of concurring elements to achieve its long-term success.
Se estudiaron la diversidad y la estacionalidad de las arañas arborícolas de 2 cacaotales con diferente manejo agronómico en Chiapas, México, mediante recolectas directas sobre árboles seleccionados al azar. Los especímenes recolectados (8,394) representan 28 familias, 66 géneros y 89 morfoespecies, de las cuales 57 se identificaron a nivel de especie. El inventario incluye 1 especie nueva; 1 género y 9 especies como registros nuevos para México; 1 género y 4 especies como registros nuevos para Chiapas. La integridad (completeness) de todos los muestreos rebasó el 89% de las especies estimadas (Chao1). La mayor riqueza de especies correspondió al sitio con manejo tradicional en la época seca y al sitio con manejo tecnificado en la época de lluvias y para todo el periodo de muestreos. Este último sitio tuvo los valores más altos de heterogeneidad (índice de Shannon) en todos los muestreos, pero su equitabilidad y riqueza difirieron entre los sitios en cada época. La similitud cualitativa (índice de Chao-Sorensen) entre los 2 sitios fue muy elevada (> 0.9), pero los análisis de conglomerados revelaron una marcada separación entre los sitos. La similitud cuantitativa (índice de Bray-Curtis) fue solo moderada y sin una clara separación entre los sitos.
Holl and Zahawi (2018) agree on a number of approaches that we describe in a local case study of tropical montane cloud forest restoration in Mexico. However, they contend our argument that most applied nucleation projects have taken place in tropical lowlands as a mistake. They also provide data on the per‐hectare cost of restoration projects in Costa Rica and compare it to a higher cost figure of plantation‐style reforestation, a view contrary to ours. Last, Holl and Zahawi recognize that applied nucleation requires specialized personnel, but imply that the amount of training needed for this endeavor is not very different than what is required to implement other forest recovery projects. In this counter‐response, we provide some refinements to our original opinion and offer further information in support to our perspective.
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