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SPECIES DIVERSITY IN TROPICAL DRY FORESTS OF ECUADOR:
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE REGENERATED ECOSYSTEMS?
Grover A. García-Saltos
Maestría en Ingeniería Agrícola con mención en Agroecología y Cambio Climático
Facultad de Posgrado. Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Portoviejo, Ecuador
ggarcia0360@utm.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9924-1415
Ezequiel Zamora-Ledezma
Laboratory of Agroecosystems Functioning and Climate Change FAGROCLIM.
Department of Agriculture Science, Faculty of Agriculture Engineering
Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Santa Ana, Lodana, Ecuador
ezequiel.zamora@utm.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5315-2708
Juan M. Moreira-Castro
Jardín Botánico. Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Vía Portoviejo-Crucita,
Portoviejo, Ecuador
juan.moreira@utm.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3558-7272
Karime Montes-Escobar
Departamento de Matemáticas y Estadística. Facultad de Ciencias Básicas
Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Ecuador
karime.montes@utm.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9555-0392
Josselyn Muentes-Vélez
Carrera de Ingeniería Ambiental. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y de la
Agricultura. Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí. Jipijapa, Ecuador
josellyn.muentes@unesum.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5362-8008
Carlos A. Salas-Macias
Laboratory of Agroecosystems Functioning and Climate Change - FAGROCLIM
Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas. Facultad de Ingeniería Agronómica
Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Lodana, Ecuador
carlos.salas@utm.edu.ec
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1641-1571
Autor para correspondencia: ezequiel.zamora@utm.edu.ec
Recibido: 17/03/2025 Aceptado: 30/06/2025 Publicado: 07/07/2025
RESUMEN
Los bosques secos tropicales son ecosistemas altamente vulnerables a la
degradación, cuya restauración requiere estrategias efectivas de conservación.
Este estudio evaluó la biodiversidad de un bosque seco tropical en estado natural
y un bosque en regeneración asistida, comparando riqueza de especies, equidad y
estructura comunitaria. Se establecieron cuatro parcelas de muestreo, de 20 x 50
metros cada una, en ambos ecosistemas y se analizaron índices de diversidad
utilizando iNEXT.4steps y el software PAST. Los resultados muestran que el bosque
natural presenta una mayor riqueza de especies (54) en comparación con el bosque
regenerado (28), así como una distribución más equitativa de las abundancias. La
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dominancia de especies pioneras en el bosque regenerado indica que aún se
encuentra en una etapa temprana de sucesión ecológica. La extrapolación de
diversidad sugiere que el ecosistema restaurado difícilmente alcanzará la
complejidad del bosque natural en el mediano plazo. Estos hallazgos resaltan la
importancia de estrategias de restauración complementarias, como la introducción
de especies tardío-sucesionales, para acelerar la convergencia estructural y
funcional. El estudio subraya la necesidad de monitoreos a largo plazo para evaluar
la efectividad de la regeneración asistida en bosques secos tropicales y sugiere que
enfoques de restauración más integrales podrían mejorar la resiliencia y
estabilidad de estos ecosistemas.
Palabras clave: Bosque seco tropical, regeneración asistida, biodiversidad,
sucesión ecológica, restauración ecológica
DIVERSIDAD DE ESPECIES EN BOSQUES SECOS TROPICALES
DEL ECUADOR: ¿QUÉ TAN EFECTIVOS SON LOS
ECOSISTEMAS REGENERADOS?
ABSTRACT
Tropical dry forests are ecosystems highly vulnerable to degradation, whose
restoration requires effective conservation strategies. This study assessed the
biodiversity of a tropical dry forest in its natural state and a forest under assisted
regeneration, comparing species richness, equity, and community structure. Four
sample plots of 20 x 50 meters each were established in ecosystems, and diversity
indices were analyzed using iNEXT.4steps and PAST software. The results show that
the natural forest has a higher species richness (54) than the regenerated forest
(28) and a more even abundance distribution. The predominance of fast-growing,
light-demanding pioneer species in the regenerating forest indicates an early-to-
mid successional stage, while the balanced distribution of functional groups in the
natural forest reflects greater ecological complexity and resilience. These findings
highlight the importance of complementary restoration strategies. The study
underscores the need for long-term monitoring to assess the effectiveness of
assisted regeneration in tropical dry forests. More holistic restoration approaches
could improve the resilience and stability of these ecosystems.
Keywords: Tropical dry forest, assisted regeneration, biodiversity, ecological
succession, ecological restoration.
1. INTRODUCTION
Tropical dry forests harbor high biological diversity and play a crucial role in
ecological stability (Miles et al., 2006; Murphy & Lugo, 2012). However, these
ecosystems have experienced accelerated degradation due to human activities
such as agricultural expansion, deforestation, and the effects of climate change
(Blackie et al., 2014). Faced with this problem, assisted regeneration has emerged
as a key strategy for ecological restoration, facilitating the recovery of biodiversity
and ecosystem functionality through interventions such as planting native species,
controlling invasive species, and protecting recovering areas. (Oluwajuwon et al.,
2024; Holl & Aide, 2011; Chazdon et al., 2020)
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Knowledge about the differences in biodiversity between natural dry forests and
those undergoing assisted regeneration remains limited (Mesa-Sierra et al., 2024;
Oliveira et al., 2024; Reid et al., 2015). In particular, few studies evaluate the
effectiveness of assisted regeneration over the medium term, which hinders
understanding the ecological processes that determine the recovery of these
ecosystems (Elliott et al., 2013). Assessing biodiversity in this context allows for
identifying patterns of convergence or divergence in the composition and structure
of biological communities compared to natural forests, providing fundamental
information for improving restoration strategies. (Letcher & Chazdon, 2009; Meli
et al., 2017)
Likewise, understanding these differences is essential for designing effective
conservation and restoration strategies to optimize natural area management. This
improved management takes on greater relevance, as the composition and
structure of biological communities directly influence the capacity of ecosystems
to provide services such as hydrological cycle regulation, carbon sequestration,
pollination, and erosion control (Poorter et al., 2016). Thus, the restoration of
these services represents a tangible benefit to local communities by improving
their food security, access to water, and sustainable economic opportunities (Kumi
et al., 2024; Gao et al., 2024; Aryee et al., 2024; Rath et al., 2024). Additionally,
it strengthens the socioecological resilience of these communities to extreme
climate events. (Cantarello et al., 2024; Mahjoubi et al., 2022; Hong & Chongjian,
2024)
The main objective of this study is to compare biodiversity indicators between a
natural dry forest and one undergoing assisted regeneration. To this end, species
richness and abundance were assessed in both ecosystems and species composition
and distribution within the community. Furthermore, differences in dominance,
evenness, and functional diversity in forest structure were analyzed to determine
the recovery status of the regenerated ecosystem relative to the natural forest. It
is hypothesized that the regenerated forest will have lower species richness and
composition than the natural dry forest but with a tendency toward convergence
in structure and ecological functionality.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Study area
The study was conducted in two nature reserves located in northwestern Ecuador:
the Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve, which houses the dry forest plots (TDF), and the
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Jama-Coaque Nature Reserve, where the forest regenerated 10 years ago is
located (ESF). The Jama-Coaque Reserve, managed by the nonprofit Third
Millennium Alliance (TMA), protects 850 hectares of forest in the coastal mountain
range of the same name and is part of the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena biodiversity
hotspot. Located less than 8 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, it presents an
altitudinal gradient in which the tropical moist evergreen forest of the lowlands
transforms into cloud forest at higher altitudes. Its climate is tropical monsoon,
with a rainy season from December to May, recording between 1,000 and 1,500
mm of annual precipitation, while the cloud forest zone can exceed 2,000 mm.
The Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve is located less than 2 kilometers west of the
Jama-Coaque Reserve, to which it is connected via the Three Forest Trail
ecotourism trail. This reserve protects 201 hectares of lowland forest and is
managed by its owner and the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation. Its
altitude ranges from 41 to 414 meters above sea level, less than 1.4 kilometers
from the Pacific Ocean. The lowland areas are dominated by tropical dry deciduous
forests, transforming into semi-deciduous forests with increasing altitude. The
reserve's climate is tropical monsoon, with an average annual rainfall of 1,000 mm
or less. The field sampling was conducted in October and November of 2022.
2.2. Sampling Design
Four sampling plots were established for each vegetation type to capture the
structural and compositional variability of the studied ecosystems. Each plot was
20 x 50 meters in size. Within these plots, all individuals of tree species with a
diameter at breast height (DBH) equal to or greater than 5 cm were recorded. The
location of the plots was randomly determined within each forest, ensuring a
representative spatial distribution that would capture the environmental and
ecological heterogeneity present in both ecosystems. Additionally, the plots were
georeferenced using a high-precision GPS to facilitate their location in future
monitoring.
2.3. Species Identification
Each species was identified with the support of experts from the Botanical Garden
of the Technical University of Manabí, who provided specialized taxonomic advice.
The initial identification was made in situ, based on key morphological
characteristics such as the shape of the leaves, bark, flowers, and fruits. To ensure
the accuracy of the determinations, records were cross-referenced with
recognized international taxonomic databases, such as The World Flora Online
(WFO), the International Plant Names Index (IPNI), and Tropicos (Missouri Botanical
257
Garden). In cases where identification could not be confirmed in the field due to
the lack of reproductive structures or similarity between species, botanical
samples (leaves, flowers, or fruits) were collected following standardized
protocols. These samples were pressed, dried, and transported to the laboratory
for detailed analysis under controlled conditions using specialized taxonomic keys
and comparisons with herbarium specimens.
2.4. Biodiversity Analysis
To comprehensively assess biological diversity, the Shannon (H'), Simpson
dominance (D), and Pielou evenness (J) indices were calculated using PAST version
5.1 software (Hammer et al., 2001). These indices allowed for the analysis of
different dimensions of biodiversity: species richness, defined as the total number
of species recorded in the community; evenness, which measures how evenly
individuals are distributed among species; and dominance, which indicates the
degree to which one or a few species predominate in abundance within the
ecosystem (Table 1).
Table 1. Indices and equations used to estimate biodiversity at each study site.
Index
Equation
Description
Abr.
Shannon



Measures the unpredictability in
identifying a randomly chosen
individual's species. It is
particularly responsive to
changes in the abundance of
uncommon species.
H’
Simpson
󰇛
󰇜

󰇛 󰇜
Assesses the likelihood that two
randomly selected individuals
belong to the same species. It is
particularly sensitive to changes
in the abundance of common
species.
D
Pielou

󰇛󰇜
The equivalence among species
in a community
J
Source: Shannon 1948, Simpson 1949, Pielou 1966.
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Additionally, to ensure a more accurate and representative assessment of
biodiversity, the iNEXT.4steps software (Chao & Hu, 2023; Chao et al., 2020) was
used. This tool is based on Hill numbers and integrates a four-step approach to
biological diversity analysis.
This software allowed for estimating sample completeness, assessing whether the
sampling effort was sufficient to capture the true diversity of the analyzed system.
Furthermore, it facilitated the interpolation and extrapolation of observed
diversity, allowing for standardized comparisons between the studied ecosystems,
even in situations where sample size or sampling effort varied between sites.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
A total of 72 species were recorded, comprising 39 families and 63 genera; 54 of
these were found in the natural forest and 28 in the regenerated forest (Table 2).
The observed richness indicates that the natural ecosystem hosts a greater
diversity of tree species, suggesting that, despite restoration efforts, the
regenerated forest assemblage still differs significantly from the reference
ecosystem.
Table 2. Species and abundance information recorded at each of the sampling sites
Species
Family
Abundance
TDF
Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schltdl.
Solanaceae
0
Agonandra silvatica Ducke
Opiliaceae
1
Alseis eggersii Standl.
Rubiaceae
27
Ambelania occidentalis Zarucchi
Apocynaceae
8
Annona manabiensis Saff. ex R.E. Fr.
Annonaceae
1
Arbutus unedo L.
Ericaceae
1
Baccharis latifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers.
Asteraceae
0
Bauhinia aculeata L.
Fabaceae
44
Brosimum alicastrum Sw.
Moraceae
2
Brownea multijuga Britton & Killip
Fabaceae
18
Caesalpinia glabrata Kunth
Fabaceae
4
259
Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess.
Calophyllaceae
0
Calycolpus surinamensis McVaugh
Myrtaceae
2
Carapa grandiflora Sprague
Meliaceae
28
Caryocar glabrum (Aubl.) Pers.
Caryocaraceae
4
Cassia moschata Kunth
Fabaceae
0
Castilla elastica Sessé ex Cerv.
Moraceae
2
Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg.
Cannabaceae
4
Centrolobium ochroxylum Rose ex Rudd
Fabaceae
1
Chromolucuma baehniana Monach.
Sapotaceae
21
Chrysochlamys dependens Planch. & Triana
Clusiaceae
1
Clusia stenophylla Standl.
Clusiaceae
2
Cochlospermum vitifolium (Willd.) Spreng.
Bixaceae
12
Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav.) Oken
Cordiaceae
2
Cordia hebeclada I.M. Johnst.
Cordiaceae
2
Cordia macrantha Chodat
Cordiaceae
0
Croton eggersii Pax
Euphorbiaceae
4
Cupania vernalis Cambess.
Sapindaceae
0
Faramea occidentalis (L.) A. Rich.
Rubiaceae
0
Ficus insipida Willd.
Moraceae
3
Ficus obtusifolia Kunth
Moraceae
0
Ficus trigonata L.
Moraceae
1
Grias peruviana Miers
Lecythidaceae
2
Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.
Malvaceae
0
Guettarda acreana K. Krause
Rubiaceae
1
Humiriastrum procerum (Little) Cuatrec.
Humiriaceae
3
Inga chocoensis Killip ex T.S. Elias
Fabaceae
1
Inga jaunechensis A.H. Gentry
Fabaceae
0
Inga sapindoides Willd.
Fabaceae
0
260
Ladenbergia pavonii (Lamb.) Standl.
Rubiaceae
43
Leucaena trichodes (Jacq.) Benth.
Fabaceae
1
Machaerium millei Standl.
Fabaceae
15
Malouetia albiflora Miq.
Apocynaceae
1
Mora oleifera (Triana ex Hemsl.) Ducke
Fabaceae
1
Myrcia fallax (Rich.) DC.
Myrtaceae
1
Nectandra obtusata Rohwer
Lauraceae
3
Neoptychocarpus chocoensis A.H. Gentry & Forero
Salicaceae
6
Phyllanthus juglandifolius Willd.
Phyllanthaceae
0
Piper corrugatum Kuntze
Piperaceae
0
Piper eriopodon (Miq.) C. DC.
Piperaceae
1
Pisonia aculeata L.
Nyctaginaceae
1
Pisonia floribunda Hook. f.
Nyctaginaceae
5
Pseudobombax millei (Standl.) A. Robyns
Malvaceae
6
Pseudolmedia eggersii Standl.
Moraceae
9
Pseudosamanea guachapele (Kunth) Harms
Fabaceae
0
Psidium guajava L.
Myrtaceae
0
Rauvolfia littoralis Rusby
Apocynaceae
0
Siparuna muricata (Ruiz & Pav.) A. DC.
iparunaceae
1
Spondias mombin L.
Anacardiaceae
2
Stryphnodendron porcatum D.A. Neill & Occhioni f.
Fabaceae
0
Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum (Willd.) Hochr.
Fabaceae
4
Swartzia polita (R.S. Cowan) Torke
Fabaceae
2
Tabebuia sp.
Bignoniaceae
16
Tapura angulata Little
Dichapetalaceae
7
Trichillia sp.
Meliaceae
1
Triplaris cumingiana Fisch. & C.A. Mey.
Polygonaceae
1
Turpinia paniculata Vent.
Staphyleaceae
2
261
Vismia baccifera (L.) Triana & Planch.
Hypericaceae
1
Vitex gigantea Kunth
Lamiaceae
5
Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm.
Vochysiaceae
60
Ximenia americana L.
Ximeniaceae
6
Zanthoxylum sp.
Rutaceae
1
TDF = Tropical dry forest, ESF = Early successional forest
The results of the calculated diversity indices are shown in Table 3. The Shannon
index (H') showed higher values in the natural forest (H' = 3.25) compared to the
regenerated forest (H' = 2.39), indicating higher species diversity and a more
equitable distribution of abundances in the uninterrupted ecosystem.
Simpson's dominance (D) was higher in the regenerated forest (D = 0.1433),
suggesting that some species dominate the community. In comparison, in the
natural forest (D = 0.0639) the dominance was lower, reflecting a more diverse
and equitable community. These results agree with previous studies indicating that
regenerating forests may present a more homogeneous community structure in
their first decades of recovery. (Arroyo-Rodríguez et al., 2017)
Table 3. Diversity indices calculated for each sampling site
ESF
TDF
Taxa_S
28
54
Individuals
392
404
Dominance_D
0,1433
0,0639
Shannon_H
2,391
3,25
Equitability_J
0,7072
0,7982
TDF = Tropical dry forest, ESF = Early successional forest
Pielou's evenness (J) was higher in the natural forest (J = 0.7982) than in the
regenerated forest (J = 0.7072), indicating that species distribution in the restored
ecosystem is less even. This could be because certain pioneer species dominate
regeneration in the early stages of the successional process, while evenness
increases as the ecosystem matures. (Ma et al., 2024)
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The results of the sample completeness analysis with iNEXT.4steps showed a
sampling coverage of 0.982 in the regenerated forest and 0.958 in the natural
forest. The sample completeness profile (Figure 1a) showed that the proportion of
diversity captured varied according to the q order. For q = 0 (species richness),
completeness was lower, suggesting that not all species, especially rare ones, were
detected.
Figure 1. Biodiversity analysis using iNEXT.4steps. a) Sample completeness profile.
b) Size-based rarefaction and extrapolation curves. c) Asymptotic and empirical
diversity profiles. d) Coverage-based rarefaction and extrapolation curves. e)
Evenness profiles. TDF = Tropical dry forest, ESF = Early successional forest
This finding is consistent with previous studies that highlight the difficulty of
sampling rare species in tropical ecosystems, where environmental heterogeneity
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and low density of individuals can limit their detection. (Chao et al., 2020; Hortal
et al., 2015)
On the other hand, for q = 1 (Shannon diversity) and q = 2 (Simpson diversity),
completeness was high, indicating that the most abundant or frequent species
were well represented in the sample. This reflects that, although species richness
may be underestimated, the functional and structural diversity of the ecosystem,
based on dominant species, is adequately captured (Chao & Jost, 2015).
Size-based rarefaction and extrapolation curves (Figure 1b) confirmed these
findings. For q = 0, the curve did not reach a plateau, suggesting that species
richness was not fully captured, a typical result in biodiversity studies where
sampling effort is limited (Gotelli & Colwell, 2011). In contrast, the curves
stabilized for q = 1 and 2, reflecting a reasonable Shannon and Simpson diversity
estimate. This indicates that the most common species contribute significantly to
biomass and ecosystem processes and are well represented in the sample (Chao et
al., 2014). Furthermore, asymptotic and empirical diversity profiles (Figure 1c)
showed that, although species richness could be underestimated, diversity
estimates for higher orders were accurate. This fact highlights the importance of
using approaches that consider multiple dimensions of diversity, such as Hill numbers, to
obtain a more complete view of community structure (Chao et al., 2020).
Coverage-based rarefaction and extrapolation curves (Figure 1d) allowed for
standardized comparisons between samples, ensuring that differences in sampling
effort did not bias the results. This approach is instrumental in comparative
studies, where sampling effort can vary significantly between sites (Chao & Jost,
2012). Finally, the evenness profiles (Figure 1e) indicated a relatively balanced
distribution of abundances among species, with high values for q = 1 and 2. This
suggests that the studied communities have a lower dominance of a few species,
which could be associated with greater resilience to environmental disturbances.
(Chao & Ricotta, 2019)
The results underscore the importance of considering multiple dimensions of
diversity (richness, diversity, and evenness) to understand biological communities'
structure comprehensively. The lower sample completeness for q = 0 suggests that
rare, yet ecologically important, species are challenging to detect with
conventional sampling methods. This could affect conservation, as these species
are often more vulnerable to environmental disturbances (Hortal et al., 2015). On
the other hand, the high completeness for q = 1 and 2 reflects that the dominant
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species are well represented, which is relevant to maintaining the stability of the
ecosystem and the associated ecosystem services. (Chao & Jost, 2015)
The stabilization of the rarefaction and extrapolation curves for higher orders
(Figure 1b) confirms that the sampling effort was adequate to capture the diversity
of the most common species but also highlights the need to increase the sampling
effort or employ complementary techniques to improve the detection of rare
species (Gotelli & Colwell, 2011). The observed evenness suggests that the studied
communities have a relatively balanced distribution of abundance, which could
indicate a lower dominance of a few species and, therefore, greater resilience to
disturbances (Chao & Ricotta, 2019). However, it is important to consider that
these patterns could vary depending on environmental factors, such as climate,
resource availability, or land-use history, which opens new lines of research to
explore the mechanisms underlying the structure of these communities. (Chao et
al., 2020)
The results reinforce the importance of considering long-term ecological processes
in restoring tropical dry forests. Although assisted regeneration has favored the
establishment of a diverse tree community, the species composition and structure
of the regenerated forest continue to differ from that of the natural forest. The
lower evenness and greater dominance of certain species in the regenerated forest
suggest that this ecosystem is still in its early recovery phase. Longer-term
assessments are needed to determine whether the regenerated forest converges
with the natural ecosystem in terms of biodiversity and community structure.
Complementary restoration strategies, such as facilitating seed dispersal or
enriching late-successional species, could accelerate this process and improve the
resilience of the restored ecosystem. (Holl & Aide, 2011)
4. CONCLUSIONS
This study compared biodiversity between a natural tropical dry forest and one
undergoing a 10-year assisted regeneration process, revealing significant
differences in species richness, evenness, and community structure. Greater
diversity was recorded in the natural forest. Furthermore, the Pielou index
reflected a more equitable species distribution in the natural ecosystem, while the
regenerated forest presented greater species dominance. The observed patterns
indicate that assisted regeneration has facilitated the establishment of a tree
community, but with less evenness and a structure dominated by few species,
suggesting that the ecosystem is in an early stage of ecological succession.
Extrapolation of diversity suggests that, even with a more significant sampling
265
effort, the richness of the regenerated forest would not reach that of the natural
forest in the medium term.
This study contributes to the knowledge of regeneration processes in tropical dry
forests, providing empirical evidence on the differences in biodiversity between
natural and restored ecosystems. The findings support theoretical models of
ecological succession, highlighting that recovering forests can remain structurally
distinct from mature ecosystems for decades. Furthermore, the information
obtained can be used to refine theories about the resilience of these ecosystems
and the factors that influence their recovery trajectories.
From an applied perspective, the results underscore the need for complementary
restoration strategies to accelerate the convergence of regenerated forests toward
a state more similar to the natural ecosystem. Actions such as introducing late-
successional species and promoting seed dispersal can improve the resilience of
the restored ecosystem. Furthermore, the findings can be used in designing
conservation policies to restore tropical dry forests and mitigate biodiversity loss.
The recovery of these ecosystems also has implications for local communities,
given their role in providing essential ecosystem services, such as water regulation
and carbon sequestration.
Our results strongly support the development of public policies that integrate a
longer time horizon for tropical dry forest restoration projects. Specifically,
policymakers should establish regulatory frameworks that require post-restoration
monitoring for at least 15-20 years, implement financial incentives for landowners
who maintain assisted regeneration areas beyond the typical 5-10 year funding
cycles, and develop cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms between forestry,
agriculture, and environmental departments. Such policies would recognize that
ecological recovery requires sustained intervention and support, particularly in the
crucial transition from early to late-successional stages, thereby enhancing
biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision in these threatened
ecosystems.
While this study provides valuable information, it has certain methodological
limitations. The analysis's sample size and time scale may not fully capture the
recovery dynamics of regenerated forests. Long-term monitoring studies assessing
biodiversity evolution in these ecosystems are recommended. Future research
could include the analysis of key ecological interactions, such as seed dispersal by
fauna and competition among species. Furthermore, integrating ecological
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modeling tools would allow for predicting the recovery trajectory of regenerated
forests under different management and climate change scenarios.
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