Return of forest structure and diversity in tropical restoration plantings

Stepping-stone restoration plantings can reconcile conservation goals and local land-use needs in highly fragmented ecosystems. We explored how initial planting composition influences recruiting plant species density, diversity, abundance, forest structure a 13-year-old experiment Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. Treatments included eight fenced with animal-dispersed species, wind-dispersed unplanted plots to favor natural succession, the primary as reference sites. predicted that by attracting more seed dispersers, would most closely resemble forest. A census of trees taller than 2 m showed while had recruits, resembled pioneer density abundance biotically dispersed abiotically plants, individual tree basal area (in square meters per hectare), vertical structure. The approximated non-pioneer community composition. However, treatments were similar each other did not differ diversity. Animal-dispersed matched total plot area. Higher wind-plantings is explained lower establishment limitations, legacy effects, rapid reproduction few planted species. As continues, we expect treatment effects on dispersers will strongly influence community, leading diversity