BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) 33 GESTION FORESTIÈRE / LE POINT SUR…

Environmentally-friendly forestry systems in

This paper presents examples of sustainable forest management research by CATIE (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Center). Studies cover timber harvesting practices as well as research on uses of non- timber forest products and valuation of environmental services provided by forests. In addition, they consider strategies for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, including reforestation with native species. The studies described are part of larger programs to design techniques for sustainable forest management throughout the Central American region.

Florencia Montagnini José Joaquín Campos Jonathan Cornelius Bryan Finegan Manuel Guariguata Daniel Marmillod Francisco Mesén Luis Ugalde

Area of Management and Conservation of Forests and Biodiversity, Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) 7170 Turrialba Costa Rica

The forest at La Selva Biological Station, in Costa Rica, is protected from hunting and connected to a national park. Seed dispersal by mammals and seedling survival were higher than at Tirimbina (a nearby, unprotected forest). La forêt entourant la station biologique de La Selva, au Costa Rica, est interdite à la chasse et jouxte un parc national. La dispersion des semences par les mammifères et le taux de réussite des jeunes y sont plus élevés qu’à Tirimbina (une forêt proche, non protégée). Photo F. Montagnini. 34 BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) FOCUS / FORESTRY SYSTEMS

RÉSUMÉ ABSTRACT RESUMEN

GESTION FORESTIÈRE RESPECTUEUSE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY FORESTRY MANEJO DE BOSQUES TROPICALES DE L’ENVIRONNEMENT EN AMÉRIQUE SYSTEMS IN CENTRAL AMERICA FAVORABLE PARA EL AMBIENTE EN CENTRALE AMÉRICA CENTRAL Sustainable logging practices can result in Comparées aux techniques classiques, les higher seedling regeneration, and higher Los bosques cosechados utilizando prácti- techniques d’exploitation forestière à understory biodiversity than in forests cas sostenibles pueden tener mayor rege- faible impact favorisent la régénération logged by conventional methods. Post- neración arbórea, y mayor biodiversidad des arbres et la biodiversité du sous-bois. harvest silvicultural treatments increase en el sotobosque, que bosques cortados Les traitements sylvicoles post-récolte the diameter growth of crop trees, utilizando métodos convencionales. Los augmentent le diamètre des arbres ; il although the consequences of their effects tratamientos silviculturales post-cosecha reste à évaluer l’effet de ces traitements on forest composition need to be aumentan el crecimiento diamétrico de sur la composition floristique de la forêt. assessed. Management operations affect árboles deseables, aunque las consecuen- En général, les opérations sylvicoles modi- diversity in different ways, over dif- cias sobre la composición del bosque fient la diversité floristique. Cependant, ferent time scales, but there is no evi- deben aún ser evaluadas. Las operaciones avant la première coupe, il n’apparaît pas dence of drastic changes in diversity dur- de manejo afectan la diversidad de dife- de changement important de la composi- ing the first felling cycle, even in stands rentes maneras, pero no existe evidencia tion, y compris dans les peuplements dont whose structure is altered by refine- de cambios drásticos en la diversidad la structure est modifiée par les traite- ment/liberation treatments. Seed disper- durante el primer ciclo de corta, aun en ments d’éclaircie. La dispersion et la ger- sal and germination can also be affected rodales alterados por tratamientos de refi- mination des semences évoluent suite à la as a result of loss of fauna and changes in namiento/liberación. La dispersión de diminution de la faune et au changement the forest microenvironment. In addition semillas y la germinación también pueden des conditions micro-environnementales. to research on technologies for sustain- ser afectadas por la defaunación y cam- Outre des recherches sur les techniques able management of tropical forests and bios en el microambiente. Además de la de gestion durable des forêts tropicales et their biodiversity, CATIE is also involved in investigación en tecnologías para el mane- de leur biodiversité, le Catie participe à la designing systems for diversified forest jo sostenible de bosques tropicales y su mise en place de systèmes de gestion management, which includes studies on biodiversidad, el CATIE también esta dise- forestière diversifiée et il réalise des the ecology and management of non-tim- ñando sistemas de manejo diversificado études sur l’écologie et la sylviculture ber forest species. Many forest manage- del bosque, incluyendo estudios de ecolo- d’espèces ligneuses non productrices de ment practices are best suited to small gía y manejo de especies no maderables. bois d’œuvre. De nombreuses pratiques farmers, farmer cooperatives, or commu- Muchas prácticas de manejo de bosques de gestion forestière sont très bien adap- nity forest users. Some farmers’coopera- son más adecuadas para pequeños agri- tées aux petits agriculteurs, aux coopéra- tives in Costa Rica manage forests for eco- cultores, cooperativas o bosques comuna- tives et aux communautés forestières. Au tourism and non-timber forest products, les. Algunas cooperativas de agricultores Costa Rica, des coopératives gèrent leur and also cultivate other portions of their en Costa Rica manejan los bosques para el forêt pour l’écotourisme et les produits land as well as reforesting degraded land eco-turismo y productos no maderables, non ligneux, elles pratiquent l’agriculture with native or exotic species, often as cultivan otras porciones de sus tierras y sur d’autres portions de terre et reboisent mixed-species planting schemes. Tropical reforestan tierras degradadas con espe- les terres dégradées avec des espèces plantations can supply wood products, cies nativas o exóticas, a menudo en plan- locales souvent plantées en mélange. Tout contribute to carbon sequestration and taciones mixtas. Las plantaciones tropica- en fournissant des produits ligneux, les land reclamation, as well as accelerating les proveen productos maderables, plantations tropicales contribuent à la natural regeneration. Domestication of contribuyen a la acumulación del carbono, séquestration du carbone et à la restaura- promising species for plantations involves recuperación de tierras y aceleración de la tion des terres dégradées. Elles favorisent selecting outstanding trees, evaluating regeneración natural. La domesticación de également la régénération naturelle. La genetic variability, seed germination and especies promisorias para plantaciones domestication d’espèces prometteuses storage, evaluating the performance of incluye selección de árboles sobresalien- suppose de sélectionner des arbres remar- species under different silvicultural sys- tes, evaluación de variabilidad genética, quables, d’évaluer la variabilité géné- tems, and developing seed orchards for germinación y almacenamiento de semi- tique, de contrôler la germination et le the production of genetically improved llas, evaluación del comportamiento de stockage des graines, d’évaluer le com- seeds. especies bajo diferentes sistemas silvicul- portement de l’espèce selon des scéna- turales y desarrollo de huertos semilleros rios sylvicoles et de développer des Keywords: biodiversity, diversified forest para la producción de semillas genética- vergers à graines pour produire des management, genetic improvement, mente mejoradas. semences génétiquement améliorées. mixed plantations, ecosystem restoration. Palabras clave: biodiversidad, manejo Mots-clés : biodiversité, gestion forestière diversificado de bosques, mejoramiento diversifiée, amélioration génétique, planta- genético, plantaciones mixtas, restaura- tion mixte, restauration des écosystèmes. ción de ecosistemas. BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) 35 GESTION FORESTIÈRE / LE POINT SUR…

Introduction Long-term studies on ecological and Most current forest manage- financial suitability commercial species. Simulations using ment schemes for the production of SIRENA, a growth and yield model (De timber result in physical disruption of of natural forest Camino, 1997), suggested that sus- the forest structure and its plant and management tainable management can be achieved animal life. However, various prac- when harvesting is kept to moderate tices can greatly diminish the impacts At CATIE, long-term research has levels, when post-harvesting treat- of forest management on biodiversity. focused on developing technologies ments are applied to maintain an Many tropical countries have recently for sustainable management of natu- appropriate composition of commer- changed forest management regula- ral forests and their biodiversity. cial species, and when a cutting cycle tions to make them compatible with Researchers have recently created of 20 years is selected. the principles of sustainable yields models to predict and simulate Research and experience on sus- and biodiversity preservation. growth and yields in primary and sec- tainable forest management at CATIE Specific guidelines are needed to ondary forests. CATIE has generated go hand in hand with the development cover a vast array of forest conditions the most complete body of quantita- and validation of criteria and indicators at both large and small scales. These tive and qualitative information avail- of sustainable forest management, guidelines should be adjusted to suit able on ecological and economic fea- and with the establishment of local the scale and objectives of manage- sibility in the region. procedures for forest certification. ment as well as the resource require- For example, a financial analysis CATIE´s leadership in Forest Certifi- ments of the species involved. of sustainable management in a har- cation in Central America has been To make systems more “environ- vested forest was recently conducted strengthened during the last couple of mentally friendly”, silvicultural and at the Tirimbina Rain Forest Research years. CATIE personnel are also management schemes have concen- Center, located in Costa Rica’s Atlantic involved in similar activities in the host trated on decreasing forest damage zone. The Tirimbina forest is part of a country of Costa Rica (Comisión Nacio- by lowering the intensity of timber network of key sites for long-term nal de Certificación Forestal, 1999). harvests and by improving logging research on sustainable forest man- practices (Bertault, Sist, 1997; Sist agement in tropical America. Based on et al., 1998). However, not much has studies on economic feasibility and Farmers of Coope San Juan, an agricultural cooperative located in Aguas Zarcas, NE Costa Rica, been done to standardize procedures impacts on plant biodiversity, it was grow a medicinal plant, “raicilla” or “ipecacuana” for the selection of remnant seed found that at least 30 hectares, and 10- (Cephaelis ipecacuana), in the natural forest 3 trees, or to avoid disruption of polli- 15 m per hectare should be harvested understory. nators and seed dispersers. Additio- if management is to be economically Les fermiers de la Coope San Juan, une coopérative nally, forest management schemes attractive (Campos et al., 1998). In agricole située à Aguas Zarcas, au nord-est du Costa often function in isolation with these forests, post-harvesting treat- Rica, font pousser une plante médicinale appelée respect to the rest of the landscape. ments increased growth, especially for raicilla ou ipecacuana (Cephaelis ipecacuana) dans les sous-bois d’une forêt naturelle. Photo F. Montagnini. 36 BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) FOCUS / FORESTRY SYSTEMS

Effects of silvicultural intervention on tree diameter increments and forest diversity

As part of CATIE’s ongoing research on biophysical aspects of for- est management, work is being con- ducted on the effects of timber har- vesting and silvicultural treatments on stand productivity and dynamics, and plant species diversity and composi- A young plantation of Vochysia guatemalensis, one of the native species used for tion in a managed Pentaclethra-domi- reforestation of degraded agricultural land in Coope San Juan. nated rain forest typical of Central Jeune plantation de Vochysia guatemalensis, une des essences indigènes utilisées America’s Atlantic coast. Timber was pour le reboisement des terres agricoles dégradées de la Coope San Juan. Photo F. Montagnini. harvested from the whole area under strict planning and control in 1989 and 1990 (Finegan et al., 1999). The total harvestable volume was 23 m3/ha but in 1996, even though there were small show net declines after silvicultural actual harvest intensity was 42% of net declines in silviculturally treated treatment, because in a given plot, a this (10.1 m3/ha). Three different plots in the first years after treatment, proportion of the individuals eliminat- regimes of post-harvest silvicultural while control plots showed net ed are bound to be the only represen- intervention were applied during 1991- increases. There were no statistically tatives of their species. The lack of 1992: control (timber harvest only), a significant effects of treatment on significant differences between the treatment combining refinement (gen- diversity in the understory either. refinement/liberation treatment and eral removal of weeds, defectives and There were, however, significant dif- the control plots in the Pentaclethra other undesirable trees in the interests ferences in understory diversity at forest, however, indicates that varia- of better utilization of the site by the small scales, in the habitat mosaic tion in species richness is affected by desired crop) and liberation (freeing formed by timber harvesting: undis- many factors and that silvicultural potential crop trees from competing turbed patches, canopy gaps and treatment like that applied, despite overtopping and neighbouring trees); trails. the drastic modification of forest and a shelterwood (thinning of the Many previous studies have structure it brings about, is not the middle stories of the forest to create demonstrated forest structure recov- single most important factor. conditions for the regeneration of ery and increased diameter incre- However, the felling and extraction of more light-demanding commercial ments of potential crop trees follow- timber, which disturbs the understory species) (Finegan, Camacho, 1999). ing liberation and refinement directly, showed marked, though The three different regimes treatments in tropical forests, but few localised, effects on stem density and brought about marked differences in have focused on changes in overall species richness in the understory. stand structure, and diameter incre- plant diversity. The preliminary results The short-term effects of forest man- ments of potential crop trees were of the study in the managed Pentacle- agement on plant diversity clearly higher under the refinement-libera- thra forest show different forest depend on the size-class under con- tion treatment than in the control dur- responses, in different size-classes, at sideration and the nature of the oper- ing the 1993-1998 period (Finegan, different scales of space and time. It is ation, and full understanding of plant Camacho, 1999). Abundances of char- important to understand the causes diversity changes in managed forests acteristic tree species were reduced and nature of species loss from per- will probably only be achieved by the refinement/liberation treat- manent sample plots in such studies, through the wider application of sam- ment. Species richness/ha, equal or in order to identify the implications of pling protocols or experimental superior to 10 cm diameter at breast these results in terms of the relation- designs which permit the individual height (dbh), did not differ signifi- ship between silvicultural treatment assessment of each operation. Long- cantly between silviculturally treated and tree species diversity. In species- term follow-up is clearly needed to (mean 100/ha, s.d. 7.5, n=3) and con- rich forests, species richness equal or assess overall changes in forest diver- trol plots (mean 111/ha, s.d. 6.2, n=3) superior to 10 cm dbh in 1.0 ha can sity. BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) 37 GESTION FORESTIÈRE / LE POINT SUR…

Loss of fauna, seed Sustainable dispersal and management of seedling secondary forests establishment in logged forest with Throughout the lowland neotro- pics, secondary forest ecosystems different levels of are receiving increased attention as a protection timber source. Particularly in Central America, the area under secondary forest is rapidly growing on aban- At CATIE, the effects of loss of doned pasture lands (Kaimowitz, Abundant woody and herbaceous fauna on the dispersal, predation and vegetation growing under the 1996). Although a large body of eco- survival of seeds and seedlings were canopy of a nine-year-old mixed logical information exists on second- recently studied in two selectively- plantation of native species at La ary forest succession, few forestry- logged forests with contrasting levels Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. based experimental approaches have of protection (Guariguata et al., Une végétation ligneuse et been implemented to investigate how 2000). This is one of the first studies herbacée abondante se développe secondary forests react to manage- that suggest, through direct research, sous la canopée d’une plantation ment practices. CATIE researchers are the potential role of fauna in the bio- mixte d’essences indigènes âgées characterizing secondary forest struc- logical sustainability of some species de neuf ans à la station biologique tures and floristics and developing de La Selva, Costa Rica. that are animal-dispersed in managed guidelines for sustainable manage- Photo F. Montagnini. forests of the neotropics. La Selva ment in Costa Rica, , Brazil Biological Station, owned and operat- populations of plants and animals, and Peru (Current et al., 1998; ed by the Organization for Tropical given the assumption that human Guariguata, 1999). Studies (OTS), is protected from hunt- intrusion is also controlled. Even if In Costa Rica, CATIE is investi- ing and connected to a national park, forests are logged with minimal stand gating the effects of silvicultural prac- whereas Tirimbina remains unprotect- and soil disturbance, sustained tices such as liberation thinning, ed and is not connected to a park. recruitment of at least mammal-dis- whole-canopy removal, and substrate Seed dispersal rates by mammals persed timber species appears less preparation techniques on stand were highest in the protected site. likely if loss of habitat connectivity and dynamics and regeneration of sec- Seed removal under two protection excessive hunting pressure are com- ondary forests (defined as the woody treatments (caged vs. uncaged) varied bined. This baseline information may vegetation that regrows after the both within species across sites and offer a starting point for developing abandonment of farmland or pasture- within sites across species, as a con- ecological criteria for tree seed reten- land) in order to provide guidelines sequence of differences in the abun- tion, and it may contribute to improv- for sustainable management of tim- dance of vertebrate seed consumers ing ecologically-based management ber (Guariguata, 1999). In the between the two sites (Table I). prescriptions in order to enhance or at Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica, short- Twice as many seeds were dis- least maintain sufficient levels of natu- term growth responses in individuals persed after 50 days of observation at ral regeneration without the need to of four commercial species (Laetia La Selva (the protected forest) than at rely on artificial regeneration. procera, Simarouba amara, Tapirira Tirimbina (unprotected). Seed survival was also higher at La Selva, which is probably related to altered mammal Table I. community composition as a result of Number of sightings of mammalian fauna at the study sites in the hunting pressure and loss of habitat Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica over a 6 month period. connectivity at Tirimbina. These Tirimbina La Selva results confirm earlier findings of Species Number (n/ha) Number (n/ha) other studies on the so called “fauna Alouatta palliata (howler monkey) 4 (0.06) 8 (0.13) loss” hypothesis, which have also Ateles geoffroyi (spider monkey) 2 (0.03) 15 (0.24) shown altered patterns of plant regen- Cebus capuchinus (white-faced monkey) 7 (0.10) 7 (0.11) eration due to truncated trophic chains. In NE Costa Rica, production Dasyprocta punctata (agouti) — 2 (0.03) forests adjacent to parks and conser- Puma concolor (puma) — 2 (0.03) vation areas may be more likely to Tamandua mexicana (tamandua) — 2 (0.03) maintain a wider spectrum of viable Tayassu tajacu (collared peccary) — 4 (0.07) Sciurus variegatoides (squirrel) 1 (0.01) 2 (0.03) Total 14 (0.19) 32 (0.52) 38 BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) FOCUS / FORESTRY SYSTEMS

Identification and quantification of ecological services provided by managed forests

CATIE researchers are involved A mixed plantation of native species at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica: Vochysia in the identification and quantifica- guatemalensis + Jacaranda copia + Calophyllum brasiliense + Stryphnodendron microstachyum. tion of the ecological services provid- Plantation mixte d’essences indigènes à la station biologique de La Selva, Costa Rica : Vochysia ed by managed forests in terms of guatemalensis + Jacaranda copia + Calophyllum brasiliense + Stryphnodendron microstachyum. biodiversity conservation and atmos- Photo F. Montagnini. pheric carbon fixing and storage. Payment for environmental services Designing systems (PSA) provided by forest ecosystems for diversified is an innovative Costa Rican mecha- guianensis, and Vochysia ferruginea) nism that recognizes forest owners’ were evaluated following liberation forest management contributions to the protection of for- thinning in a young secondary forest. est services (Campos, Ortiz, 1999) Liberation thinning significantly Designing systems for diversified (Table IV). increased the diameter growth of forest management involves studies A recent Forestry Act (1996) has future crop trees with respect to on the ecology and management of established financial and institutional unmanipulated counterparts (Table several non-timber species, including mechanisms to implement this pay- II). The study concluded that young trees, herbs and palms used locally or ment system for private farmers who stands in the region may be attractive regionally for medicinal, insecticidal, protect and manage natural forests systems for simple silvicultural ornamental, craftwork and construc- and plantations. CATIE researchers manipulations due to rapid growth tion purposes (Marmillod et al., have recently focused on specific responsiveness, facilitated by man- 1998). Based on CATIE’s experiences, a case studies to evaluate the feasibili- ageable tree size (Guariguata, 1999). methodology was developed to incor- ty of these legal mechanisms for the porate species with non-timber prod- payment of environmental services. ucts in forestry production processes. Some of these current efforts include: The use of these resources is based on ▪ selection and evaluation of cri- a definition of the sustainable supply teria and indicators (CandI) from bio- Table II. of forest products and on silvicultural logical, economic and social perspec- Annual median diameter increment (in cm) criteria for each species, as opposed tives, to determine the benefits and of crop trees of the studied species, two to traditional extraction lacking indica- risks associated with different forest years after thinning in control and thinned tors of capacity and production limita- ecosystems in biodiversity protection subplots in a young secondary forest in the tions. The approach requires initial and carbon sequestration services; Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica knowledge on the biology and uses of ▪ a study on the benefits which (from Guariguata, 2000). the species, development of tools to environmental services offer the pop- characterize its population structure ulation, based on consultations with and estimate the amount of har- experts and owners of natural forests Species Control Thinned vestable product, and development of and plantations; Laetia 0.4 1.0 silvicultural systems and sustainable ▪ studies of carbon fixing and Tapirira 0.5 1.4 management plans. Examples of cur- storage in secondary forests and rent studies by CATIE researchers on wood products. Work in this field is Simarouba 1.7 1.8 non-timber forest products that can be part of the research conducted by the Vochysia 0.7 1.8 incorporated into diversified forest CATIE’s Latin American Chairs in All species 0.7 1.2 management systems in the neotrop- Ecology of Managed Forests and in ics are shown in Table III. Diversified Forest Management. BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) 39 GESTION FORESTIÈRE / LE POINT SUR…

Table III. CATIE research on systems of diversified forest management (Marmillod et al., 1998).

Topic/result Implication

Quassia amara Morphological, histological and molecular characterization of wild populations of Q. amara in Central America Statistically significant morphological and histological This highlights the need for studies on: differences exist among Q. amara populations in diverse Content of active ingredients in different populations ecoregions of Central America Ecological behavior of the species in response to different silvicultural systems Definition of the protocol to extract DNA samples in Provides the opportunity to design molecular Q. amara leaves characterizations of wild populations of Q. Pamara Utility of Q. amara as a natural insecticide Foliage and wood extracts of Q. amara were selected as This result verifies the potential use of this species for the anti-feedant substances for Hypsipyla grandella, the control of tropical pests, and confirms previous results on the meliaceae’s shoot borer, among 29 substances evaluated location of active substances within the individual The anti-feedant effect of wood is higher than foliage Cardulovica palmata Environmental preferences The best environment for C. palmata is low tree canopies C. palmata is an interesting species for multi-strata and high lateral illumination conditions agroforestry systems Guidelines for harvesting young shoots (candles) Productivity of harvesting young C palmata leaves is It is imperative to consider plant size when diagnosing related to size of individuals and decreases during the populations for sustainable management plans. production of inflo and infrutescense. Smaller sized leaves are observed in populations with The study of harvest impact should continue, to prove continuous and traditional harvesting species robustness levels Calyptrogyne ghiesebreghtiana Demography and productivity of C.ghiesbreghtiana Variables to evaluate productivity are the number of This makes it possible to define the sample elements needed leaves, stem diameter, and presence of inflo and for inventories to support sustainable use plans infrutescense Environmental preferences C. ghiesbreghtiana prefers slightly compacted soils in This result partially explains the disappearance of the species lowland and hilly forests with two strata as a result of deforestation Guidelines for harvesting leaves Plants with a stem diameter of less than 80 mm are left It is best to harvest leaves from plants of at least 80 mm in for reproductive development diameter, otherwise flowering will be hampered The harvest of 50 to 75% of the leaves causes an increase in the production of inflo and infrutescense. Zamia skinneri Population characteristics in the natural area Statistically significant differences exist among wild Since the seed is the main product harvested, more studies populations. Larger plants and denser groups are found are needed on phenology of the species in different in the Lower Talamanca/Teribe areas populations 40 BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) FOCUS / FORESTRY SYSTEMS

Hieronyma alchorneoides (pilón), one of the most successful species at La Selva Biological Station experiments, is at present being widely planted by farmers in the region. Hieronyma alchorneoides (pilón), une des essences les plus performantes lors des expériences menées à la station biologique de La Selva, est largement utilisée par les paysans de la région. Photo F. Montagnini.

Sustainable Table IV. forestry options in Total amounts and annual percentages of payments of environmental communal lands services in Costa Rica for different forestry options.

Because of their complexity, Activity Total amount Year and percent of annual many of the more environmentally (US$/ha) payment per ha sound forest management practices 1 2 3 4 5 are best suited to small farmers, agri- Forest management 371.5 50 20 10 10 10 cultural cooperatives or community forest users. Recently, the Smart Forest conservation 237 20 20 20 20 20 Wood Program certified the opera- and regeneration tions of five community concessions Reforestation 608.6 50 20 15 10 5 in Guatemala that have received sup- Established plantations 237 50 20 15 10 5 port from CATIE to prepare the techni- cal/legal framework for granting such Source: Executive Decree, MINAE-No.26977, 26 May 1998. concessions. Some farmers’cooperatives in Costa Rica manage their natural forests for eco-tourism and non-tim- Table V. ber forest products, and carry out Number of trees per hectare, diameter at breast height (dbh), height, other productive activities, including basal area and volume of native tree species in pure and mixed conventional agriculture, in other por- plantations at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. tions of their land. For example, the Coope-San Juan Agricultural Coopera- Species Trees Dbh Total Basal area Volume tive, in Aguas Zarcas, NE Costa Rica, (n/ha) (cm) height (m) (m2/ha) (m3/ha) has 16 members (eleven men and five Plantation 1: 86 months women) who, along with their fami- Calophyllum brasiliense 773 13.73 11.11 11.73 62.21 lies, form a community of about 56 Vochysia guatemalensis 759 21.86 18.39 28.41 244.06 people (Häger, 1998). They collec- tively own 400 hectares of land, half Jacaranda copaia 967 18.37 19.85 25.88 238.26 of which is covered with primary for- Mixture 507 22.82 20.21 21.14 215.99 est. They are keeping their forest Plantation 2: 81 months intact, have marked trails for tourism Virola koschnyi 863 17.76 14.21 21.53 141.35 and are expecting to obtain payment for environmental services from the Dipteryx panamensis 833 11.73 13.30 8.98 53.96 legal system currently in operation in Terminalia amazonia 714 16.69 14.25 16.91 115.13 Costa Rica. In their agricultural land Mixture 878 14.08 13.05 17.21 115.19 they keep a dairy farm and sell the Plantation 3: 70 months milk locally. They also grow cocoa and plantains commercially. Genipa americana 907 10.55 9.00 7.68 33.35 Additionally, they manage non- Vochysia ferruginea 848 17.7 12.72 21.16 122.1 timber forest species for sale, includ- Hieronyma alchorneoides 818 13.00 13.66 11.97 81.01 ing a medicinal plant, “raicilla” or Balizia elegans 1443 11.98 9.68 16.62 86.64 Mixture 952 12.29 11.07 14.33 79.86 BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) 41 GESTION FORESTIÈRE / LE POINT SUR…

“ipecacuana” (Cephaelis ipecacua- seedlings, or potential pest damage. na), which they grow in the natural If planned with consideration for each forest understory. There is an export species’ response to mixed condi- market for ipecacuana (Germany and tions, mixed schemes can be more Belgium). In addition, they have been productive than single-species sys- reforesting portions of degraded agri- tems (Montagnini et al., 1995; cultural land since 1987 with native Montagnini, Porras, 1998). Mixed and exotic species, often using stands may also contribute to higher mixed-species planting schemes. species and landscape diversity Cooperatives such as Coope- (Lamb, 1998). San Juan are a promising model for Since 1990, CATIE researchers more environmentally-friendly fores- have studied growth, productivity, try systems at small to medium biomass accumulation and financial scales. For these systems to be suc- aspects in experimental plantations cessful there may be a need for initial of native tree species in mixed and economic incentives and training pro- pure stands, at La Selva Biological grams in cooperative management Station in the humid Atlantic low- and administration, as well as in the lands of Costa Rica. Of the 12 species technical aspects of sustainable for- tested in these experiments, the most est and agricultural management successful (Vochysia guatemalensis, techniques. Vochysia ferruginea, Hieronyma alchorneoides, Calophyllum brasi- Productivity and liense, Terminalia amazonia, Virola koschnyi) (Table V) are now being feasibility of planted by farmers on degraded pas- mixed and pure tures in the region. With estimated plantations of rotation periods of 15-25 years and expected standing volumes of 250- Training in technical aspects of forest management, native species 300 m3/ha on harvesting, planting of ecotourism, and administration is needed in the initial phases of projects involving communal these species is attractive for farm- forestry practices. Tropical plantations can fulfill a ers. Fuelwood from thinning and Les premières étapes des projets comprenant des variety of functions including sup- pruning would be an additional pratiques forestières communautaires nécessitent plies of wood products, carbon source of farm income. une formation sur les aspects techniques de la sequestration, land reclamation and gestion forestière, l’écotourisme et l’administration. acceleration of natural regeneration Photo F. Montagnini. (Lamb, 1998). Results from a series of trials that were started in the mid-80s Progeny test of Vochysia guatemalensis. The scheme will allow conversion of the trial have identified the most promising plantation into a seed orchard at the end of the evaluation period. native and exotic tree species for Test de descendance de Vochysia guatemalensis. À la fin de la période d’évaluation, le small farm reforestation of degraded plan d’aménagement prévoit la conversion de cette plantation en verger à graines. pastures in the lowland regions of Photo F. Mesén. six Central American countries: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and (Ugalde, 1997). In Costa Rica, recent legislation provides incentives for the establishment of tree plantations, especially on abandoned pastures and other deforested areas. There is increasing interest among local farm- ers in making use of these incentives to plant native species. In small farm reforestation, species diversification may be desir- able because of uncertainties about species performance, scarcity of 42 BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) FOCUS / FORESTRY SYSTEMS

Domestication of Conclusions Acknowledgements native tree species There are several ways of imple- Part of the contents of this article was Over the last twenty years, menting more environmentally- first presented at a sub-plenary ses- CATIE has developed strategies to friendly forest management systems. sion of the International Union of domesticate native species with For the systems to be successful, they Forestry Research Organizations potential reforestation value. Initially, need to be designed with due consid- (IUFRO) World Congress, August 6-12, many of the species used were not eration for the actual technical and 2000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The native to the Central American region. economic capabilities of local users authors thank Jean-Michel Harmand A stronger focus on native species or managers. They also have to be for translating the abstract into has been developed at CATIE over the designed in accordance with their French. last ten years. Strategies for the function in the ecology of the sur- domestication of native species rounding landscape. include selecting outstanding or The projects described in this “plus” trees in natural forests, evalu- article have a number of characteris- ating genetic variability, research on tics in common: Vochysia guatemalensis has been studied at the rooting of young shoots, and ▪ they involve production sys- CATIE and other institutions in Central establishing clonal trials and seed tems that are designed in accordance America, and farmers are willing to plant it germination and storage trials, evalu- with local human needs; because of its fast growth and consistent ating species performance under dif- ▪ they are intended to be finan- response. ferent silvicultural systems, and cially attractive to local farmers; Le Catie ainsi que d’autres institutions en developing seed orchards for the pro- ▪ they are attuned to the prevail- Amérique centrale ont mené des études sur duction of genetically improved ing social systems in each region Vochysia guatemalensis. Les fermiers sont favorables à son utilisation en raison de sa seeds. Examples of recent advances (sometimes involving communal sys- croissance rapide et de sa productivité. in the domestication of important tems or cooperatives); Photo F. Montagnini. reforestation species include studies ▪ they try to reconcile production on Vochysia guatemalensis Sm., J.D., with biodiversity conservation or a fast-growing timber tree, found nat- restoration; urally in the wet lowlands from south- ▪ they aim to make use of local ern Mexico to Panama (Mesén et al., biodiversity, including non-timber for- 1999). Similar work at CATIE with est products, by designing diversified other native species is focusing on forest management systems; Alnus acuminata, Cupressus lusita- ▪ whenever possible, they make nica, Bombacopsis quinata, Albizia use of native species; guachepele and others (Cornelius, ▪ they include strategies to 1997; Cornelius, Mesén, 1997). restore degraded ecosystems; ▪ they make use of the existing legal system (forestry or environmen- tal legislation); Clearing, weeding, site marking and tree planting make ▪ in turn, the projects aim to the initial stages of reforestation expensive. Government advise or modify the local legal sys- subsidies are needed to cover the initial stages of tem regarding such policies. projects to encourage small farmers to undertake These characteristics identify reforestation projects. such projects as “environmentally L’abattage, le nettoyage, le marquage et la plantation friendly”, although we are not advo- rendent coûteuses les premières étapes du reboisement. cating them here as the only possibil- Afin d’encourager les petits fermiers à entreprendre des ities for systems of this type. Under opérations de reboisement, des subventions different ecological, social or eco- gouvernementales sont nécessaires. Photo F. Montagnini. nomic conditions, other characteris- tics may appear as more important for environmentally-friendly forestry systems. BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) 43 GESTION FORESTIÈRE / LE POINT SUR…

References

BERTAULT J. G., SIST P., 1997. An CURRENT D., ROSSI L. M. B., SABO- MARMILLOD D., VILLALOBOS R., ROB- experimental comparison of different GAL C., NALVARTE W., 1998. LES G., 1998. Hacia el manejo harvesting intensities with reduced- Comparación del potencial del mane- sostenible de especies vegetales del impact and conventional logging in jo de la regeneración natural con aso- bosque con productos no mader- East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Forest cio agroforestal y plantaciones puras ables: las experiencias de CATIE en Ecology and Management, 94: 209- para tres especies: estudios de caso esta década. In: Primer Congreso 218. en Brasil, Perú y Costa Rica. In: Primer Latinoamericano IUFRO, Valdivia, Congreso Latinoamericano IUFRO, Chile, 14 p. CAMINO T. DE, 1997. Utilización de Valdivia, Chile, 15 p. sistemas de información para MESÉN F., CORNELIUS J., MONTAGNI- muestreo, procesamiento y análisis FINEGAN B., CAMACHO M., 1999. NI F., 1999. Avances en la domesti- de información. In: Resumen de Stand dynamics in a logged and silvi- cación de Vochysia guatemalensis. IV ponencias III Congreso Forestal de culturally treated Costa Rican rain for- Semana Científica: “Logros de la Costa Rica, 27-29 de agosto de 1997. est, 1988-1996. Forest Ecology and Investigación para el Nuevo Milenio”, San José, Costa Rica. Management, 121: 177-189. 6-9 de abril de 1999. Programa de Investigación, Centro Agronómico FINEGAN B., CAMACHO M., ZAMORA CAMPOS J. J., FINEGAN B., CAMACHO Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza N., 1999. Diameter increment pat- M., QUIRÓS D., 1998. Sostenibilidad (CATIE). Turrialba, Costa Rica, p. 285- terns among 106 tree species in a del manejo de bosques naturales: 290. resultados sobre la factibilidad logged and silviculturally treated ecológica y económica en Costa Rica. Costa Rican rain forest. Forest MONTAGNINI F., GONZÁLEZ E., In: Primer Congreso Latinoamericano Ecology and Management, 12: 159- RHEINGANS R., PORRAS C., 1995. IUFRO, Valdivia, Chile, 12 p. 176. Mixed and pure forest plantations in the humid neotropics: a comparison GUARIGUATA M. R., 1999. Early CAMPOS J. J., ORTÍZ R., 1999. of early growth, pest damage and response of selected tree species to Capacidad y riesgos de actividades establishment costs. Commonwealth liberation thinning in a young second- forestales en el almacenamiento de Forestry Review, 74: 306-314. carbono y conservación de biodiversi- ary forest in Northeastern Costa Rica. dad en fincas privadas del área cen- Forest Ecology and Management, MONTAGNINI F., PORRAS C., 1998. tral de Costa Rica. IV Semana 127: 255-261. Evaluating the role of plantations as carbon sinks: an example of an inte- Científica: “Logros de la Investigación GUARIGUATA M. R., ROSALES A. J. J., grative approach from the humid para el Nuevo Milenio”, 6-9 de abril FINEGAN B., 2000. Seed removal and tropics. Environmental Management, de 1999. Programa de Investigación, fate in two selectively-logged lowland 22:. 459-470. Centro Agronómico Tropical de forests with contrasting protection Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE). levels. Conservation Biology, 14: SIST P., NOLAN T., BERTAULT J. G., Turrialba, Costa Rica, p. 291-294. 1046-1054. DYKSTRA D., 1998. Harvesting inten- sity versus sustainability in COMISIÓN NACIONAL DE CERTIFI- HÄGER N., 1998. Mirando adentro Indonesia. Forest Ecology and CACIÓN FORESTAL, 1999. Estándares desde afuera: Qué podemos apren- Management, 108: 251-260. y procedimientos para el manejo der de la Coope San Juan. Bosques, sostenible y la certificación forestal Arboles y Comunidades Rurales, 29: Manual clearing reduces site damage and increases en Costa Rica. Turrialba, Costa Rica 18-23. PNUDHS/UMBN-CATIE, 59 p. chances of survival of newly planted trees in KAIMOWITZ D., 1996. Livestock and reforestation projects. CORNELIUS J. P., MESÉN F., COREA E. Deforestation. Central America in the Dans les projets de reboisement, le nettoiement par A., HENSON M., 1996. Variation in 1980s and 1990s: A policy perspec- la coupe à blanc manuelle réduit les dommages infligés aux sites et accroît les chances de survie des growth and form of Alnus acuminata tive. CIFOR Special Publication. Kunth. in Costa Rica. Silvae Genetica, arbres nouvellement plantés. Center for International Forestry Photo F. Montagnini. 45: 24-30. Research, Bogor, Indonesia. CORNELIUS J. P., MESÉN F., 1997. LAMB D., 1998. Large scale ecological Provenance and familiy variation in restoration of degraded tropical for- growth rate, stem straightness, and est lands: the potential role of timber foliar mineral concentration in plantations. Restoration Ecology, 6: Vochysia guatemalensis. Canadian 271-279. Journal of Forest Research, 27: 1103- 1109. 44 BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 272 (2) FOCUS / FORESTRY SYSTEMS

Synopsis

SYSTÈMES FORESTIERS variées, mais aucun changement profond tales d’essences indigènes, en peuple- ÉCOLOGIQUES n’a pu être mis en évidence durant le pre- ments purs ou mélangés, à la station bio- EN AMÉRIQUE CENTRALE mier cycle d’abattage, même dans des logique de La Selva, située dans les peuplements dont la structure a été alté- plaines humides de la côte atlantique du F. MONTAGNINI, J. J. CAMPOS, rée par des traitements d’amélioration ou Costa Rica. Des douze essences testées, J. CORNELIUS, B. FINEGAN, de dégagement. L’appauvrissement fau- celles qui ont obtenu les meilleurs résul- M. GUARIGUATA, D. MARMILLOD, nistique et les bouleversements du micro- tats (Vochysia guatemalensis, V. ferrugi- F. MESÉN, L. UGALDE environnement forestier peuvent aussi nea, Hieronyma alchorneoides, Calophyl- affecter l’ensemencement naturel et la lum brasiliense, Terminalia amazonia, La variété des pratiques forestières germination. Virola koschnyi) sont désormais régulière- peut considérablement amoindrir les Les chercheurs du Catie sont également ment utilisées par les fermiers pour reboi- conséquences de l’aménagement des impliqués dans l’étude de plans d’exploi- ser les zones pastorales dégradées de la forêts sur la biodiversité, rendant cette tation forestière diversifiée, comme, par région. Avec des temps de révolution esti- gestion compatible avec le principe de exemple, l’écologie et l’exploitation de més de 15 à 25 ans et des volumes de 3 rendement soutenu et la préservation de produits forestiers non ligneux ou l’éva- coupe attendus de 250 à 300 m /ha, la la biodiversité. Afin de rendre ces pra- luation de services écologiques rendus plantation de ces essences offre un attrait tiques plus « écologiques », les pro- par les forêts. Nombre de ces pratiques certain pour les fermiers. grammes de gestion sylviculturale se sont d’exploitation conviennent aux petits La domestication d’essences promet- concentrés sur la réduction des dom- exploitants, aux coopératives ou aux utili- teuses pour ces plantations implique la mages forestiers en diminuant l’intensité sateurs des forêts d’État. Certaines coopé- sélection d’arbres de première valeur, de l’exploitation et en améliorant ses pra- ratives au Costa Rica exploitent les forêts l’évaluation de la variabilité génétique, le tiques. Nous présentons ici des exemples dans une perspective écotouristique, stockage et la germination des semences, de recherches en aménagement durable tirant des revenus de produits autres que l’évaluation des performances des des forêts effectuées par le Centre agrono- le bois d’œuvre, tout en cultivant des par- essences sous divers systèmes sylvicultu- mique tropical de recherches et d’ensei- celles arables et en reboisant les terres raux et le développement de pépinières gnement (Catie) situé à Turrialba, au Costa dégradées avec des essences indigènes pour la production de semences généti- Rica. Ces études comprennent l’utilisation ou exotiques, souvent dans des planta- quement améliorées. de produits forestiers autres que le bois et tions mixtes. Les projets décrits dans cet article font la mise en valeur des services écologiques appel à des systèmes de production défi- rendus par les forêts. Par ailleurs, elles Productivité et faisabilité de plantations nis en accord avec les aspirations de la envisagent des stratégies de récupération d’essences indigènes pures ou mixtes population locale. Ils se veulent financiè- d’écosystèmes dégradés, y compris le Les plantations tropicales sont en mesure rement attractifs pour les paysans et en reboisement à partir d’essences locales. de fournir du bois d’œuvre, de contribuer harmonie avec le système social qui pré- Les études ici décrites font partie de pro- à la production de carbone, à la restaura- vaut dans les régions concernées, impli- grammes plus larges visant à élaborer de tion des terres et à l’accélération de la quant parfois des fonctionnements com- nouvelles techniques de gestion forestière régénération naturelle. Les chercheurs du munautaires ou coopératifs. Ils concilient durable. Catie ont identifié les essences indigènes les besoins productifs et la conservation et exotiques les plus prometteuses pour le de la biodiversité sur laquelle ils s’ap- Pertinence économique et écologique reboisement par les petits agriculteurs puient, sans exclure les produits forestiers de la gestion forestière des zones pastorales dégradées des autres que le bois, diversifiant ainsi les Au Catie, la recherche à long terme s’est basses terres du Nicaragua, du Costa Rica, plans d’aménagement forestier. Chaque concentrée sur les technologies de ges- du Honduras, du Guatemala, du Salvador fois que c’est possible, ils font appel à des tion durable des forêts tropicales et leur et du Panama. Au Costa Rica, la législation essences indigènes. Pour la récupération biodiversité. À partir d’études sur la faisa- encourage toute nouvelle plantation, en d’écosystèmes dégradés, ces projets bilité économique et les conséquences sur particulier sur les zones pastorales aban- incluent toute une gamme de stratégies et la biodiversité, il a été établi qu’au moins données. ils s’appuient sur le système légal en 30 ha et 10 à 15 m3 par hectare devraient La diversification des essences offre vigueur (législation forestière ou environ- être exploités pour rendre cette gestion maints avantages du fait des incertitudes nementale). Ils peuvent conseiller les économiquement attractive. Les traite- sur les performances de certaines es- acteurs de ce système légal local, voire ments post-abattage améliorent l’accrois- sences, de la rareté de certains plants ou l’amender. sement, en particulier en ce qui concerne des risques de dommages par les rava- Les possibilités d’aménagement forestier les essences commerciales. L’exploitation geurs. Par ailleurs, s’ils sont bien planifiés écologique sont nombreuses. Les plans fondée sur des techniques de gestion et gérés, les systèmes forestiers mixtes mis en place doivent tenir compte des durable permet une meilleure régénéra- peuvent se révéler plus productifs que les capacités techniques et économiques tion des plants et une plus grande biodi- systèmes monospécifiques. Depuis plus réelles des acteurs locaux. Enfin, ils doi- versité des strates inférieures que l’exploi- de dix ans, les chercheurs du Catie étu- vent aussi prendre en compte l’impact tation conventionnelle. L’exploitation dient la croissance, la productivité, la pro- qu’ils peuvent avoir sur l’écologie des pay- forestière affecte la diversité végétale de duction de biomasse et les aspects écono- sages environnants. différentes façons et sur des périodes miques à partir de plantations expérimen-