Responses of 20 native tree species to reforestation strategies for abandoned farmland in Panama

Published source details Hooper E., Condit R. & Legendre P. (2002) Responses of 20 native tree species to reforestation strategies for abandoned farmland in Panama. Ecological Applications, 12, 1626-1641.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use shading for planted trees Action Link
	Mechanically remove understory vegetation after tree planting Action Link

Use shading for planted trees

A replicated, controlled study in 1996-1997 in degraded tropical forest in Panama (Hooper, Condit & Legendre 2002) found that shading increased the survival of planted native tree seedlings. The proportion of seedlings that survived out of those that germinated was higher in 75% shaded (74%) and 95% shaded plots (78%) than unshaded plots (39%). Data were collected in July 1997 in three treatment subplots (1×8 m): 95% shaded, 75% shaded and unshaded, in each of five plots, replicated in five sites. Each subplot was planted with 10 seeds of each of 20 native tree species in July 1996-March 1997. In all plots wild sugarcane Saccharum spontaneum was hand-cut three times during the experiment.
Mechanically remove understory vegetation after tree planting

A replicated, controlled study in 1996-1997 in degraded tropical forest in Panama (Hooper, Condit & Legendre 2002) found no effect of mowing of invasive grass wild sugarcane Saccharum spontaneum on the survival of planted native tree seedlings in abandoned farmlands. Seedling survival was similar between treatments (once mown: 62%; three mows: 39%; control: 44%). Data were collected in July 1997 in three subplots (1×8 m): once and three times mown (wild sugarcane was hand-cut once or three times during the experiment) and control (untreated), in each of five plots, replicated in five sites. Each subplot was planted with 10 seeds of each of 20 native tree species in July 1996-March 1997.