Reforestation
Know How
Our partners on the front lines have learned through experience how to ensure the best results based on the condition of the area and the intended results.
Case Study in Colombia: Goal Based Restoration
Our partner in Colombia has refined their active restoration methods over the years, depending on whether they are expanding forest habitat for critical species (biological corridors or enlargement of forest area) or restoring habitat to protect water bodies. Here we interview Fernando Arbelaez about the process his team at Fundación Biodiversa Colombia is using to protecting the Magdalena Valley of Colombia. In this important region for biodiversity, commercial logging and cattle-ranching is consuming the last of its forests.
SN: What has been your approach to reforestation in the area?
FA: We sometimes combine active and passive restoration strategies, such as in our restoration project in San Bartolo. With this approach, we first isolate the area, then plant fast growth species that can compete with the grass. Then, we let regeneration occur. Once the trees win competition to the grass, we plant certain forest species to promote them (such as threatened hardwood trees) where vegetation cover is sufficient.
When restoring forest corridors, we also encourage species that offer food to key species, such as curassows and monkeys, to provide incentives for using the corridors. Although we still do not have proof that spider monkeys and curassows are moving through the new corridors, we have evidence of tamarins, howlers, capuchins and several bird species using the reforested areas (as well as the passive restoration areas). Most of the trees come from our nursery at El Silencio, which have been reproduced from local parental trees or from the other two partner nurseries we have supported in the area (one in the community, one in San Bartolo).
Most of the passive restoration started in 2012 when we purchased the land and took out the cattle, and in 2018 in the new expansion area. Our active restoration at El Silencio started in 2014 in the first plot, then 2016 and 2017.
SN: What has been the progress in the last three years?
FA: In the last three years, we have realized succession happens exponentially. Once, there is food for mammals and birds and perches in the restoration areas, diversity and growth occur more rapidly. We have been monitoring this at El Silencio, since it is easier for us. The active restoration plots from 2016 and 2017 are where the most change has occurred in a short period of time (with trees already above 20m).
Passive regeneration also occurs very fast, since there are abundant natural seed sources that disperse close to the restoration areas. In more isolated areas, we have also used artificial perches for birds, with interesting results. We also want to experiment with artificial bat roosts (in particular for Carolias) which have proven to be successful in other areas, and dispersing howler monkeys latrines, which have been successfully tested in a neighboring area across the Magdalena River by a partner organization. We have not made proper inventories of species that grow in these passive restoration areas (something we need to do) but they are normally pioneer species that are dispersed by birds and mammals.