STRI hosts Mesoamerican conference on reforestation with native trees
January 25, 2010
Teak, Caribbean pine and other fast-growing, non-native trees have been the species of choice for reforestation and restoration projects in Latin America in the past
Teak, Caribbean pine and other fast-growing, non-native trees have been the species of choice for reforestation and restoration projects in Latin America in the past. However, native tree species are often better suited to local conditions, more resistant to pests and disease, and of equal or greater timber value.
The Environmental Leadership & Training Initiative (ELTI), and the Native Species Reforestation Project (PRORENA), projects of STRI and Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, hosted a group of experts from Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil and others countries of the region from January 21-22, to share experiences with native species, a growing business in Panama.
"This conference celebrates the coming of age of reforestation with native species in Panama and the region. We had ideas about how this would work, but now we have actually had time to see them take root. The presentations will sum up experiences from around Mesoamerica and will highlight important initiatives in the Canal area and elsewhere," said Jefferson Hall, director of applied ecology at STRI's Center for Tropical Forest Science. Eva Garen, coordinator of ELTI's Neotropics Training Program, adds that "the conference will also explore the human dimensions of native species reforestation efforts, recognizing the fundamental role that rural communities play in transforming, managing and restoring forested and agricultural landscapes and their ecosystem services."
The conference, held at STRI´s Tupper Center, consisted of four panel presentations: "Where, When, Why and How?" shared experiences from field experiments in the region; "Restoring Environmental Services" considered the implications of reforestation projects in the restoration of water cycles, carbon sequestration and biodiversity; "Native Trees in Agroforestry and Silvopastoral Systems" explored the role of native trees in small-scale agriculture and cattle ranching; and the cultural aspects of reforestation with native species were examined in "The Use and Management of Native Trees by Rural Landholders."
"Our job is to translate the scientific results we have from experimental work with native trees into information that can be used by decision-makers, conservationists and land holders," said Javier Mateo-Vego, ELTI director.
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