Forest Restoration and Rehabilitation in the Tropics

Abstract

Restoration and rehabilitation are already an inherent part of forestry management not only in the tropics but also in temperate environments. But it gains particular importance at the management of tropical forests due to the increased forest destruction and degradation. Definitions, dynamics and types of light, medium and heavy stages of forest degradation in tropical rain forest, and deciduous forests are described with the corresponding restoration options. The adequate enrichment planting techniques as the main restoration tool of forests are described. The rehabilitation of mining sites is dealt with the necessary detail to enable the natural resource manager take the corresponding decisions. Finally, the main species for rehabilitation, enrichment planting, and mining sites are listed for the tropics according to rainfall regimes.