Restoration of tropical montane cloud forests: a six‐prong strategy

Abstract

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.

Is applied nucleation a straightforward, cost‐effective forest restoration approach? Counter‐response to Holl and Zahawi (2018)

“…In their response to our recent paper (Ramírez‐Soto et al ), Holl and Zahawi () raise some points of agreement with our applied nucleation restoration approach. Our paper offers a six‐prong strategy for restoring tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) based on our experience in Mexico.…”

The use of spatially patterned methods for vegetation restoration and management across systems

“…Applied nucleation studies were often conducted in tropical forests, and strip‐seeding and slot‐seeding studies most commonly occurred in temperate grasslands or pastures (Table S1). While methods of spatially patterned restoration are commonly described as “cost‐saving,” only two applied nucleation studies (Holl et al 2011; Ramírez‐Soto et al 2018) and one strip‐seeding study (Fry et al 2007) calculated costs of implementation. There were no studies that conducted a cost–benefit analysis.…”

“…Only one applied nucleation study specifically focused on the effects of management on restoration outcomes and found that fertilization and trimming of herbaceous vegetation increased sapling growth rate, rate of expansion into the unplanted matrix, and species diversity (Dendy et al 2015). Only two studies reported costs, which were associated with planting and management (Holl et al 2011; Ramírez‐Soto et al 2018).…”

Applied nucleation is a straightforward, cost‐effective forest restoration approach: reply to Ramírez‐Soto et al. (2018)

“…Ramírez‐Soto et al () describe a multipronged strategy to restore tropical montane cloud forest, focusing on the applied nucleation approach to forest restoration (Corbin & Holl ). We agree with Ramírez‐Soto et al () that all tropical forest restoration should include a careful diagnosis of the degree of land degradation prior to selecting a restoration strategy and the species to plant, monitoring of the efficacy of efforts, and active dissemination of information to and training of stakeholders. We write to highlight a factual error in one point and provide contrasting perspectives on two points in the article.…”