Regrowing tropical forests naturally push out non-native trees over time
Resende AF, Poorter L, Matos FAR, Bongers F, César R
Invasive Species
If you've ever watched a weedy, fast-growing tree take over a cleared lot only to see it thin out years later as other trees fill in, this study explains why that happens and shows it's a pattern gardeners and land stewards can lean on.
Scientists tracked nearly 1,600 forest plots across ten tropical countries to see what happens to non-native trees after farmland is abandoned and forest starts growing back. Early on, these outsider trees can make up almost a third of all young trees, especially in humid areas, but as the canopy closes and shade increases, their numbers steadily shrink. The takeaway is that simply letting forests regrow naturally, rather than intervening, is a surprisingly effective way to squeeze out unwanted tree invaders over time.
Key Findings
Non-native woody species appeared in 81% of chronosequences studied, making up 18% of dry forest plots and 41% of moist forest plots.
In early succession (first 10-20 years), non-native species peaked at 28% of stems and 22% of species in moist forests, then declined substantially as canopy closed.
Non-native species richness rose with human development index but fell with greater surrounding forest cover, precipitation, and proximity to agriculture, while soil organic carbon favored their persistence.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Non-native trees quickly colonize abandoned farmland in tropical forests but fade away as the forest regrows, meaning letting land regenerate naturally is one of the best tools for keeping invasive trees in check.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Non-native and invasive tree species are abundant in neotropical secondary forest but decline over time.
Non-native and invasive species are among the leading causes of global biodiversity loss and could therefore compromise the recovery of native forests after disturbance, such as on abandoned agricu...
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