In
August 1999, a total of 739 individuals of 21 native trees
and shrubs species were planted at a density of approximately 2,000
plants/ha in an area of approximately 0.36 ha. Virtually all species had
survivorship greater than 90%. To reduce the competition with grasses and vines
in the immediate vicinity of the plants we placed 1 x 1 m ground cloth around
each plant. We also constructed debris barriers to reduce the damage to plants
during flooding events.
Plant growth was very good during the first year. The mean initial height of
all individuals at the beginning of the study was 120 cm. The average height
increased to 146 cm after 6 months and 181 cm after 12 months. Six of the 23
species had average heights greater than 200 cm and the canopy of many trees are
converging, which will begin to shade out the grass.
List of species (family) planted in the project
Ardisia obovata (Myrsinaceae)
Hura crepitans (Euphorbiaceae)
Andira inermis (Leguminosae)
Inga fagifolia (Leguminosae)
Byrsonima spicata (Malpighiaceae)
Manilkara bidentata (Sapotaceae)
Calophyllum brasiliense (Guttiferae)
Petitia domingensis (Verbenaceae)
Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae)
Picramnia pentandra (Simaroubaceae)
Clusia rosea (Guttiferae)
Prunus occidentalis (Rosaceae)
Cordia alliodora (Boraginaceae)
Pterocarpus officinalis (Leguminosae)
Citharexylum fruticosum (Verbenaceae) Roystonea
borinquena (Palmae)
Eugenia monticola (Myrtaceae)
Stahlia monosperma (Leguminosae)
Guapira fragans (Nyctaginaceae)
Tabebuia heterophylla (Bignoniaceae)
Guarea guidonia (Meliaceae)
Thespesia grandiflora (Malvaceae)
Helicteres jamaicensis (Sterculiaceae)
Projects