Island Biogeography and Restoration: The Role of Living Fence Islands as Regeneration Foci in the Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands in Honduras

Abstract

A total of 543 seedlings of 41 species established in islands. Seedling number did not differ among island types, although a trend toward greater density was apparent in artificial islands. Species richness was greater in Gliricidia islands than in Bursera or open pasture islands. Seedlings were also quantified in a 1m strip surrounding artificial islands, suggesting that islands can expand into surrounding pasture over time. Lastly, artificial islands (notably Gliricidia) created a microenvironment more favorable for seedling establishment by reducing temperature and light extremes as compared to open pasture. Given the problems associated with rehabilitation of tropical pastures, artificial islands present a simple, non-labor intensive technique for facilitating forest regeneration.