Island Biogeography and Restoration: The Role of Living Fence Islands as Regeneration Foci in the Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands in Honduras

A total of 543 seedlings of 41 species established in islands. Seedling number did not differ among island types, although a trend toward greater density was apparent in artificial islands. Species richness was greater in Gliricidia islands than in Bursera or open pasture islands. Seedlings were also quantified in a 1m strip surrounding artificial islands, suggesting that islands can expand into surrounding pasture over time. Lastly, artificial islands (notably Gliricidia) created a microenvironment more favorable for seedling establishment by reducing temperature and light extremes as compared to open pasture. Given the problems associated with rehabilitation of tropical pastures, artificial islands present a simple, non-labor intensive technique for facilitating forest regeneration.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Plant Biology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Zahawi, Rakan Ammar

Contributors dc:contributor

• Augspurger, Carol K.

• Biology, Botany

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3102007

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/87038