Wageningen University & Research
Tropical forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity. However, the increase in deforestation has resulted in the conversion of land for agriculture, leading to the expansion of secondary forests that cover over 70% of the forested areas in the tropics. As the landscape becomes increasingly human-modified, the predictability of successional pathways declines. Therefore, it is essential to understand the key factors that shape secondary succession. This research aims to investigate how vegetation recovery is influenced by the surrounding landscape and biophysical patch properties. Fieldwork was carried out in the wet tropical forests of the Atherton Tablelands (Australia), which has been extensively cleared and converted into abandoned land and pastures. Forty-one plots measuring 25 by 25 meters were established, and several vegetation attributes were measured (e.g., height, density, DBH). By analysing structure, composition, and vegetation diversity, and by
constructing a landscape matrix that considers both forest landscape composition and connectivity, I hope to provide more insights into the factors that either encourage or hinder the process of succession, in order to accurately assess the conservation significance of secondary forests and pinpoint locations where restoration efforts are necessary
