Browsing by Autor "Andrea Soliz"

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Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment
(Frontiers Media, 2025) Cecilia L. López; César Mayta; Andrea Soliz; Isabell Hensen; Silvia C. Gallegos
Introduction Tropical montane forests are diverse ecosystems increasingly threatened by land-use change and frequent uncontrolled fires caused by humans. After these fires, affected areas are often dominated by ferns of the genus Pteridium (bracken), delaying the rate of forest regeneration. This study examined the facilitative and competitive roles of bracken fronds and litter on seedling establishment, recruitment success, and growth after 36 months, and the extent to which these effects depend on seed size in early plant development processes. Methods At eight sites, we conducted seed addition and seedling-transplant experiments in plots established in bracken-dominated areas, using the following treatments: (a) fronds and litter intact (F+L+); (b) fronds intact and litter removed (F+L−); (c) fronds removed and litter intact (F−L+); and (d) fronds and litter removed (F−L−). Results A total of 46,640 seeds from 24 tree species were sown and 1,070 nursery-raised seedlings transplanted. In treatments with fronds and litter, seedling establishment and recruitment success increased with seed size. In contrast, in the treatment without fronds and litter all the species had low performance. Fronds proved to be highly beneficial for all seed sizes and for all early development processes. Litter, on the other hand, had negative effects on small-seeded species during establishment, but had neutral to positive effects on the recruitment and growth of all species. Discussion The disadvantage of small seeds under bracken litter may be related to the high light requirements of seedlings, as litter accumulation reduces light transmission. Species with large seeds and shade tolerance benefit from bracken frond cover, suggesting that restoration strategies in bracken-dominated areas should prioritize these species. Moreover, planting seeds or seedlings shortly after fire, in the presence of bracken fronds and before litter accumulation would be most beneficial for tree species. Additionally, seed dispersers play a crucial role in transporting large seeds into bracken-dominated areas, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach that considers biotic and abiotic factors for effective forest recovery.
Trait‐based species selection for restoration: A case study from tropical landscapes dominated by bracken
(Wiley, 2025) Silvia C. Gallegos; Cecilia L. López; Kazuya Naoki; Andrea Soliz; A C.; César Mayta; Leslie Cayola; J. Sebastián Tello; Isabell Hensen
Abstract Deforestation leads to non‐forested areas that often need active ecological restoration to promote forest succession. Here, we developed a trait‐based approach to guide the design of restoration projects and tested our approach in tropical areas deforested by fires and dominated by bracken. Deforestation caused by human‐induced fires creates complex conservation problems in tropical areas. After fire, montane tropical deforested areas are often dominated by bracken fern ( Pteridium spp.), which prevents the establishment of many species of trees. This means that effective ecological restoration strategies are needed for forest recovery. We explored whether a trait‐based approach could be used to guide the selection of tree species in active restoration projects in deforested areas. We first tested whether traits could be used to predict which species can overcome bracken‐associated filters. We then tested the relationship between the trait‐based predictions for each species and their abundance in a reference old‐growth forest. To identify key traits, we conducted a seed addition experiment in bracken‐dominated areas that had developed 5–15 years after a fire, using 23 tree species common in the Bolivian montane forests, and monitored seedling establishment, survival and growth for 36 months. We then related seedling performance to the functional traits of adults and seedlings. We found that six functional traits improved tree seedling performance in bracken‐dominated areas, and that only one third of the species evaluated exceed a 25% probability of recruitment. Most of the favoured traits correspond to conservative strategies. The species dispersed by birds and with large seeds were the most likely to overcome the filters created by bracken. Based on the trait predictions, we found that the species predicted to overcome bracken are not common in old‐growth forests. Synthesis and applications . Our results can be used by stakeholders to select the species best suited for active restoration projects in bracken‐dominated areas throughout the tropical region. Furthermore, our trait‐based approach, which considers seedling performance in disturbed areas, can serve as a guide for species selection in restoration programmes in other disturbed systems.