Abstract

TORRES-RODRIGUEZ, Selene et al. Ecological diagnostics, formulation and implementation of strategies for the restoration of an interandean dry tropical forest (Huila, Colombia). Caldasia [online]. 2019, vol.41, n.1, pp.42-59. ISSN 0366-5232.  https://doi.org/10.15446/caldasia.v41n1.71275.

Ecological diagnostics at a regional level is fundamental for planning processes of ecological restoration (ER), especially in poorly known and threatened ecosystems such as the Dry Tropical Forest (DTF). Based on ecological diagnostics of a DTF in the department of Huila, Colombia, strategies for its restoration were formulated and implemented, and monitoring of those strategies were initiated. For restoration scenarios barriers for natural regeneration and its enhancers were identified, also reference ecosystems were defined, and key species for restoration process were selected. Related to this information, six strategies were formulated: i) nucleation in pastureland with nuclei between 2x2 m and 32x32 m with variation in species number (3-30), individuals density (9-196), species assemblages (1-4) and soil management, ii) plantations under nurse trees in wooded pastures with 37 individuals from six species, iii) plantations under tree clusters with 57 individuals of eleven species, iv) expansion of forests and shrublands edges with strips of 10x5 m with 17 individuals of five species, v) enrichment in shrublands and forests with monospecific hexagonal modules of 7 individuals, and vi) spontaneous restoration. A total of 54 300 individuals were planted, and the greatest effort was made in nucleation strategy that was implemented in 32x32 m completing 159 replicates and 21 676 individuals. Monitoring will allow evaluation of successional trajectories development according to references, also to determine cost-effectiveness of strategies. This methodological process of ecological diagnostics, formulation, implementation and monitoring of strategies can serve as an important guide for DTF ecological restoration in other locations.

Keywords : Ecological analysis; landscape; nucleation; restoration barriers; restoration.

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