FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN THE NATURAL REGENERATION OF TROPICAL DRY FOREST IN NICARAGUA

Abstract

The present study the soil seed bank was analyzed in an ecosystem of secondary dry forest in Nandarola, Nandaime, department of Granada. The main objectives were to determine floristic composition, and density of the soil seeds bank. The soil sampling was systematic and included the litter layer and three mineral layers successive (0-3, 3-6 and 6-9 cms). The number of species found was 33 species and 23 families. Another study was carried out in dry forest of Chacocente Wildlife Reserve (11º36’–11º 30’ N and 86º 08’–86º 15’ W) located on the Pacific coast in the department of Carazo. The study includes the natural regeneration of three forest species: Lysiloma divaricatum (Jacq.), Tabebuia ochracea (Cham.) and Lonchocarpus minimiflorus (Donn. Sm.) . The results show that the density of naturally regenerated individuals varied significantly among species, as well as over time. We concluded that natural regeneration alone is not sufficient to maintain the desired number of stocks of these species, and an immediate restoration measure should be taken to assist the natural regeneration process.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v11i16.747

La Calera Vol. 11, No 16 p. 5-11/junio 2011