Natural Regeneration After Gold Mining in the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for Restoration of Tropical Forests

Context: Gold mining is the most destructive activity in natural forests of Madre de Dios region southeastern Peruvian Amazon. Understanding regeneration process these degraded areas necessary to develop forest restoration projects such conditions. Aims: We aimed evaluate recovery and identify successional structure patterns vegetation governing over time. Methods: Structure, composition, richness, diversity, status were evaluated abandoned artisanal gold mine Dios, Peru. Vegetation data recorded 61 plots 250 m 2 established five sites varying from 1 19 years abandonment. was compared with six undisturbed previous inventories. Results: In lands, tree density basal area recovered quickly, while species richness composition slow. Forest an initial stage transition pioneer early secondary until at least after The abundant frequent fast-growing Ochroma pyramidale Cecropia engleriana. These could be considered potential candidates promote plans. Pioneer represented 63% number 1–4 years, 57% 5–7 50% 8–19 years. Early late 34 16%, respectively, Abandoned reference present less than 5% common. Conclusion: Our results highlight a slow for up mining. Species different statuses identified as recovering areas. findings may have important implications further research focusing on ecological tropical severely by