Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Research needs for restoring seasonal tropical forests in Thailand: accelerated natural regeneration

  • Published:
New Forests Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Accelerated natural regeneration (ANR) is a relatively cheap method of reforestation, which encourages natural establishment of indigenous trees and shrubs. It requires a low input of labour, but a high input of ecological information. In this paper, the knowledge required to predict and manipulate the natural regeneration of seasonal tropical forest is reviewed and areas in need of further research are identified. Regeneration will be influenced by five groups of potentially limiting factors; site resources (soil and microclimate); competition with weeds; site disturbance; occurrence of established woody plants or their propagules; seed dispersal by wild animals and birds. This paper considers each of these, their interactions with seasons, and each other. Collation of existing information on these topics, combined with the suggested further research, should facilitate the creation of tools that will enable practitioners to judge the regeneration potential of sites and to select the most appropriate ANR techniques.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Blakesley D., Elliott S., Kuarak C., Navakitbumrung P., Zangkum S. and Anusarnsunthorn V. 2002a. Propagating framework tree species to restore seasonally dry tropical forest: implications of seasonal seed dispersal and dormancy. Forest Ecol. Manag. 164: 31–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakesley D., Hardwick K. and Elliott S. 2002b. Research needs for restoring tropical forests in southeast Asia for wildlife conservation: framework species selection and seed propagation. New Forest. 24: 165–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bongers F., Poorter L., Van Rompaey R.S.A.R. and Parren M.P.E. 1999. Distribution of twelve moist forest species in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire: response curves to a climatic gradient. J. Veg. Sci. 10: 371–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheke A.S., Nanakorn W. and Yankoses C. 1979. Dormancy and dispersal of seeds of secondary forest species under the canopy of a primary tropical rain forest in northern Thailand. Biotropica 11: 88–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark J.S. 1998. Why trees migrate so fast: confronting theory with dispersal biology and the paleorecord. Am. Nat. 152: 204–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Condit R., Sukumar R., Hubbell S.P. and Foster R.B. 1998. Predicting population trends from size distributions: a direct test in a tropical tree community. Am. Nat. 152: 495–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell J.H., Tracey J.G. and Webb L.J. 1984. Compensatory recruitment, growth, and mortality as factors maintaining rain forest tree diversity. Ecol. Monogr. 54: 141–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corlett R. and Hau C.H. 2000. Seed dispersal and forest restoration. In: Elliott S., Kerby J., Blakesley D., Hardwick K., Woods K. and Anusarnsunthorn V. (eds) Forest Restoration for Wildlife Conservation. International Tropical Timber Organisation and The Forest Restoration Research Unit, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, pp. 317–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalmacio M. 1987. Assisted Natural Regeneration: A Strategy for Cheap, Fast and Effective Regeneration of Denuded Forest Lands. Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 8, Tacloban City, Philippines.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Rouw A. 1993. Regeneration by sprouting in slash and burn rice cultivation, Tai rain forest, Cote d'Ivoire. J. Trop. Ecol. 9: 387–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dugan P. 2000. Assisted natural regeneration: methods, results and issues relevant to sustained participation by communities. In: Elliott S., Kerby J., Blakesley D., Hardwick K., Woods K. and Anusarnsunthorn V. (eds) Forest Restoration for Wildlife Conservation. International Tropical Timber Organisation and The Forest Restoration Research Unit, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, pp. 195–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott S. (ed.). 2000. The Chiang Mai Research Agenda for the restoration of degraded forest lands for wildlife conservation in Southeast Asia. In: Elliott S., Kerby J., Blakesley D., Hardwick K., Woods K. and Anusarnsunthorn V. (eds) Forest Restoration for Wildlife Conservation. International Tropical Timber Organisation and The Forest Restoration Research Unit, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, pp. 383–411.

  • Elliott S., Kerby J., Blakesley D., Hardwick K., Woods K. and Anusarnsunthorn V. (eds) 2000. Forest Restoration for Wildlife Conservation. Chiang Mai University, 440 pp.

  • Elliott S., Navakitbumrung P., Kuarak C., Zangkum S., Anusarnsunthorn V. and Blakesley D. 2003. Selecting framework species for restoring seasonally dry tropical forests in northern Thailand based on field performance. For. Ecol. Manage. in press.

  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2001. State of the World's Forests 2001. FAO, Rome, 200 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forest Restoration Research Unit. 2000. Tree Seeds and Seedlings for Restoring Forests in Northern Thailand. Kerby J., Elliott S., Maxwell J.F., Blakesley D. and Anusarnsunthorn V. (eds) 152 pp.

  • Giardina C.P., Sandford R.L., Dockersmith I.C. and Jaramillo V.J. 2000a. The effects of slash and bruning on ecosystem nutrients during the land preparation phase of shifting cultivation. Plant Soil 220: 247–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giardina C.P., Sandford R.L. and Dockersmith I.C. 2000b. Changes in soil phosphorus and nitrogen during slash-and-burn clearing of a dry tropical forest. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 64: 399–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goosem S.P. and Tucker N.I.J. 1995. Repairing the Rainforest — Theory and Practice of Rainforest Re-establishment in North Queensland's Wet Topics. Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns, 71 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grubb P.J. 1985. Plant populations and vegetation in relation to habitat, disturbance and competition: problems of generalization. In: White J. (ed.) The Population Structure of Vegetation. Junk, Dordrecht, pp. 595–621.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grubb P.J. 1998. A reassessment of the strategies of plants which cope with shortages of resources. Perspect. Plant Ecol. Evol. Syst. 1: 3–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggar J., Wightman K. and Fisher R. 1997. The potential of plantations to foster woody regeneration within a deforested landscape in lowland Costa Rica. Forest Ecol. Manag. 99: 55–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond D.S. 1995. Post-dispersal seed and seedling mortality of tropical dry forest trees after shifting agriculture, Chiapas, Mexico. J. Trop. Ecol. 11: 295–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harcombe P.A. 1987. Tree life tables. Bioscience 37: 557–568.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardwick K.A. 1999. Tree colonization of abandoned agricultural clearings in seasonal tropical montane forest in northern Thailand. PhD Thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, UK, 165 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardwick K., Healey J., Elliott S., Garwood N. and Anusarnsunthorn V. 1997. Understanding and assisting natural regeneration processes in degraded seasonal evergreen forests in northern Thailand. Forest Ecol. Manag. 99: 203–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harley J.L. and Smith S.E. 1983. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. Academic Press, London, 483 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hau C.H. 1997. Tree seed predation on degraded hillsides in Hong Kong. Forest Ecol. Manag. 106: 195–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill J.D., Canham C.D. and Wood D.M. 1995. Patterns and causes of resistance to tree invasion in rights-of-way. Ecol. Appl. 5: 459–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holl K.D. 1998. Do bird perching structures elevate seed rain and seedling establishment in abandoned tropical pasture? Restor. Ecol. 6: 253–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janzen D.H. 1988. Tropical ecological and biocultural restoration. Science 239: 243–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson T. 1992. Sprouting of 2-to 5-year-old birches (Betula pubescens Ehrh. and Betula pendula Roth.) in relation to stump height and felling time. Forest Ecol. Manag. 53: 263–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan C.F. (ed.). 1989. An Amazonian Rain Forest: The Structure and Function of Nutrient Stressed Ecosystems and the Impact of Slash and Burn Agriculture. UNESCO, Paris, 176 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kammesheidt L. 1998. The role of tree sprouts in the restoration of stand structure and species diversity in tropical moist forest after slash-and-burn agriculture in eastern Paraguay. Plant Ecol. 139: 155–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennard D.K., Gould K., Putz F.E., Fredericken T.S. and Morales F. 2002. Effect of disturbance intensity on regeneration mechanisms in a tropical dry forest. Forest Ecol. Manag. 162: 197–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan M.L. and Tripathi R.S. 1989. Effects of stump diameter, stump height and sprout density on the sprout growth of four tree species in burnt and unburnt forest plots. Acta Oecol. 10: 303–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitajima K. 2002. Do shade-tolerant tropical tree seedlings depend longer on seed reserves? Functional growth analysis of three Bignoniaceae species. Funct. Ecol. 16: 433–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles O.H. and Parrotta J.A. 1995. Amazonian forest restoration: an innovative system for native species selection based on phenological data and field performance indices. Commonw. Forest Rev. 74: 230–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leungaramsri P. and Rajesh N. 1992. The Future of People and Forests in Thailand After the Logging Ban. Project for Ecological Recovery, Bangkok, Thailand, 202 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugo A.E. 1997. The apparent paradox of reestablishing species richness on degraded lands with tree monocultures. Forest Ecol. Manag. 99: 9–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur R.H. and MacArthur J.M. 1961. On bird species diversity. Ecology 42: 594–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell J.F. and Elliott S. 2001. Vegetation and Vascular Flora of Doi Sutep-Pui National Park, Northern Thailand. Thai Studies in Biodiversity No. 5. 205 pp.

  • McClanahan T.R. and Wolfe R.W. 1993. Accelerating forest succession in a fragmented landscape: the role of birds and perches. Conserv. Biol. 7: 279–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald M.A. and Healey J.R. 2000. Nutrient cycling in secondary forests in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Forest Ecol. Manag. 139: 257–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller P.M. and Kauffman J.B. 1998. Effects of slash and burn agriculture on species abundance and compositions of a tropical deciduous forest. Forest Ecol. Manag. 103: 191–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra P.N., Tewari S.K., Katiyar R.S. and Singh D. 1995. Effect of coppicing height on the regeneration and productivity of certain firewood shrubs in alkaline soils of north Indian plains. Biomass Bioenerg. 9: 459–463

    Google Scholar 

  • Musoko M., Last F.T. and Mason P.A. 1994. Populations of spores of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in undisturbed soils of secondary semideciduous moist-tropical forest in Cameroon. Forest Ecol. Manag. 63: 359–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Negreros-Castillo P. and Hall R.B. 2000. Sprouting capability of 17 tropical tree species after overstorey removal in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Forest Ecol. Manag. 126: 399–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nepstad D., Uhl C. and Serrao E.A. 1990. Surmounting barriers to forest regeneration in abandoned, highly degraded pastures: a case study from Paragominas, Para, Brazil. In: Andersson A. (ed.) Alternatives to Deforestation: Steps Towards Sustainable Use of the Amazon Rain Forest. Columbia University Press, New York, pp. 215–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nepstad D.C., Uhl C., Pereira C.A. and da Silva J.M.C. 1996. A comparative study of tree establishment in abandoned pasture and mature forest of eastern Amazonia. Oikos 76: 25–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ndam N. 1998. Tree regeneration, vegetation dynamics and the maintenance of biodiversity on Mount Cameroon: the relative impact of natural and human disturbance. PhD Thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, UK, 278 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osunkoya O. 1994. Postdispersal survivorship of north Queensland rainforest seeds and fruits: effects of forest, habitat and species. Aust. J. Ecol. 19: 52–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrotta J.A. 1993. Secondary forest regeneration on degraded tropical lands. The role of plantations as ‘foster ecosystems’. In: Leith H. and Lohmann M. (eds) Restoration of Tropical Forest Ecosytems. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp. 63–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrotta J.A., Turnbull J.W. and Jones N. 1997. Catalyzing native forest regeneration on degraded tropical lands. Forest Ecol. Manag. 99: 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paudel K.C., Pandit R., Amatya L.K., Gurung D.B., Bhandari H.S., Harding A.H. and Bhattarai S.P. 1997. Agroforestry Research Strategy for Lumle Agricultural Research Centre 1997–2001. 37 pp.

  • Poorter L. 1999. Growth responses of 15 rain-forest tree species to a light gradient: the relative importance of morphological and physiological traits. Funct. Ecol. 13: 396–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pywell R.F. and Cox R. 1998. The Decision Support System for Habitat Restoration. NERC/MAFF, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Read D.J., Lewis D.H., Fitter A.H. and Alexander I.J. 1992. Mycorrhizas in Ecosystems. CAB International, Wallingford, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribbens E., Silander J.A. and Pacala S.W. 1994. Seedling recruitment in forests — calibrating models to predict patterns of tree seedling dispersion. Ecology 75: 1794–1806.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rijks M.H., Malta E.J. and Zagt R.J. 1998. Regeneration through sprout formation in Chlorocardium rodiei (Lauraceae) in Guyana. J. Trop. Ecol. 14: 463–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sajise P.E., Arenas C.V., Duma J.C., Florece L.M., Gruezo W.S. and Lansigan F.P. 1989. Assisted Natural Regeneration: Working with Nature Reforestation Strategy. Circular #17. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott R., Pattanakaew P., Maxwell J.F., Elliott S. and Gale G. 2000. The effect of artificial perches and local vegetation on bird-dispersed seed deposition into regenerating sites. In: Elliott S., Kerby J., Blakesley D., Hardwick K., Woods K. and Anusarnsunthorn V. (eds) Forest Restoration for Wildlife Conservation. International Tropical Timber Organisation and The Forest Restoration Research Unit, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, pp. 326–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Setiadi Y. 2000. Mycorrhizal seedling production for enhancing rehabilitation of degraded forest in Indonesia. In: Elliott S., Kerby J., Blakesley D., Hardwick K., Woods K. and Anusarnsunthorn V. (eds) Forest Restoration for Wildlife Conservation. International Tropical Timber Organisation and The Forest Restoration Research Unit, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, pp. 235–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw M.W.L. 1968. Factors affecting the natural regeneration of Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) in North Wales. II. Acorn losses and germination under field conditions. J. Ecol. 56: 647–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegert F., Ruecker G., Hinrich A. and Hoffmann A.A. 2001. Increased damage from fires in logged forests during droughts caused by El Nino. Nature 414: 437–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair F.L. and Walker D.L. 1999. A utilitarian approach to the incorporation of local knowledge in agroforestry research and extension. In: Buck L.E., Lassoie J.P. and Fernandes E.C.N. (eds) Agroforestry in Sustainable Agricultural Systems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, pp. 245–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stott P. 1986. The spatial pattern of dry season fires in the savanna forests of Thailand. J. Biogeogr. 13: 345–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun D. and Dickinson G. 1995. Direct seeding for rehabilitation of degraded lands in north-east Queensland. Aust. J. Soil Water Conserv. 8: 14–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun C., Ives A.R., Kraeuter H.J. and Moermond T.C. 1997. Effectiveness of three turacos as seed dispersers in a tropical montane forest. Oecologia 112: 94–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Svasti S. 2000. Rivers in jeopardy: a village community's response to the destruction of their upper watershed forests in the Mae Soi Valley catchment, Northern Thailand. In: Elliott S., Kerby J., Blakesley D., Hardwick K., Woods K. and Anusarnsunthorn V. (eds) Forest Restoration for Wildlife Conservation. International Tropical Timber Organisation and The Forest Restoration Research Unit, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, pp. 123–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toh I., Gillespie M. and Lamb D. 1999. The role of isolated trees in facilitating tree seedling recruitment at a degraded sub-tropical rainforest site. Rest. Ecol. 7: 288–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhl C. 1987. Factors controlling succession following slash-and-burn agriculture in Amazonia. J. Ecol. 75: 377–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Nieuwstadt M.G.L., Sheil D. and Kartawinata K. 2001. The ecological consequences of logging in the burned forests of east Kalimantan, Indonesia. Conserv. Biol. 15: 1183–1186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vieira I.C.G., Uhl C. and Nepstad D. 1994. The role of the shrub Cordia multispicata Cham. as a succession facilitator in an abandoned pasture, Paragominas, Amazonia. Vegetatio 115: 91–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whigham D.F., Dickinson M.B. and Brokaw N.V.T. 1999. Tropical forest treefalls and windstorms. In: Walker L. (ed) Ecosystems of Disturbed Ground. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 223–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitney K.D., Fogiel M.K., Lamperti A.M., Holbrook K.M., Stauffer D.J., Hardesty B.D., Parker V.T. and Smith T.B. 1998. Seed dispersal by Ceratogymna hornbills in the Dja Reserve, Cameroon. J. Trop. Ecol. 14: 351–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson M.F. and Crome F.H.J. 1989. Patterns of seed rain at the edge of a tropical Queensland rainforest. J. Trop. Ecol. 5: 301–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson J., Munro R.C., Ingleby K., Mason P.A., Jefwa J., Muthodka P.N., Dick J.M., Leakey R.R.B. and Jarvis P.G. 1991. Tree establishment in semi-arid lands of Kenya-role of mycorrhizal inoculation and water-retaining polymer. Forest Ecol. Manag. 45: 153–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyatt-Smith J. and Panton W.P. 1995. Manual of Malayan Silviculture for Inland Forest, Vol. II, Part III, Chapters 9–15 (Natural Regeneration). Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 477 pp.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK

    Kate Hardwick

  2. School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK

    John R. Healey

  3. Forest Restoration Research Unit, Biology Department, Science Faculty, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 50200

    Stephen Elliott

  4. Horticulture Research International, East Malling, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UK

    David Blakesley

Authors
  1. Kate Hardwick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John R. Healey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Stephen Elliott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David Blakesley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Blakesley.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hardwick, K., Healey, J.R., Elliott, S. et al. Research needs for restoring seasonal tropical forests in Thailand: accelerated natural regeneration. New Forests 27, 285–302 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NEFO.0000022228.08887.d2

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NEFO.0000022228.08887.d2

Search

Navigation