Dissertation Research: Forest Regeneration in Agricultural Windbreaks: Effects of Connectivity and Remnant Trees

本研究的目的是表征热带森林树木对防风林的定植动态，并研究景观中防风林的定位如何影响定植过程。特别是对防风林连通性和防风林内残树的影响进行了评价。初步研究表明，防护林连通性和残树增加了防护林树木的丰度和丰富度。据推测，这些因素通过增加种子向防风林的传播来促进森林更新。为了了解森林再生的动态，将在哥斯达黎加蒙特韦德的防风林和牧场进行植被调查、种子捕获、土壤种子库研究和种子捕食试验。利用种子陷阱对进入不同风林类型（连通、非连通和残树）和牧场的种子雨进行为期一年的特征分析。采用出苗技术对防风林和牧场土壤种子库进行评价。通过种子清除实验，评价风林和牧场的种子捕食情况。该研究将增强我们对农业生态系统中森林更新动态的理解，并为热带地区的再造林和保护计划提供有用的信息。

9700906 Dawson The goal of this research is to characterize the dynamics of windbreak colonization by tropical forest trees and to examine how the positioning of windbreaks within the landscape influences the colonization process. In particular, the effects of windbreak connectivity and remnant trees within the windbreaks will be evaluated. Preliminary research indicates that windbreak connectivity and remnant trees increase the abundance and richness of forest trees in windbreaks. It is hypothesized that these factors enhance forest regeneration by increasing seed dispersal into the windbreaks. To understand the dynamics of forest regeneration, a combination of vegetation surveys, seed trapping, soil seed bank studies, and seed predation trials will be conducted in windbreaks and pastures in Monteverde, Costa Rica. The seed rain entering different windbreak types (connected, non-connected, and with remnant trees) and pastures will be characterized for a one-year period using seed traps. The soil seed banks of windbreaks and pastures will be assessed using the seedling emergence technique. Seed predation in windbreaks and pastures will be evaluated through seed removal experiments. This research will enhance our understanding of the dynamics of forest regeneration in agroecosystems and also provide useful information for reforestation and conservation programs in the tropics.