Publication:
The Structure and Composition of a Tropical Dry Forest Landscape After Land Clearance : Azuero Peninsula, Panama

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files in English
English PDF (393.88 KB)
314 downloads
Date
2011-11-14
ISSN
1054-9811
Published
2011-11-14
Editor(s)
Abstract
Characterization of preexisting flora is an essential preliminary step for successful land rehabilitation projects. This descriptive study was undertaken in a fragmented, dry tropical forest region in Panama. Five different habitat types were selected: active pasture, 2-yr and 5-yr abandoned pastures, forested riparian zones, and a forest fragment. Species richness, density, basal area, dispersal modes, and phenology of trees as well as their uses were determined. Diversity of preexisting seed resources as well as natural regeneration was poor after 2- and 5-yr postcattle removal, suggesting that at an early successional stage, enrichment planting is necessary. Guazuma ulmifolia and Cordia alliodora dominated the pastoral landscape, representing 63% of all inventoried trees in the active pasture. More than half the trees within pastures (76%) had some use, with shade for cattle as the most common reason for leaving trees in the landscape. The largest trees and the greatest diversity were found within the less managed forested riparian zones because of inaccessibility and water conservation. The pastoral landscape is largely shaped by farm management as well as ecological selection process which will in turn affect successional processes.
Link to Data Set
Associated content
Report Series
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Publication
    Combating Land Degradation in Production Landscapes : Learning from GEF Projects Applying Integrated Approaches
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2014-10) Global Environment Facility
    During the Fifth Replenishment Phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-5), portfolio monitoring and learning review were introduced as key components of knowledge management in the GEF Secretariat. These strategies were intended to address the need to generate knowledge on innovative practices, experiences, and lessons from projects financed by the GEF. In that regard, the Land Degradation focal area strategy for GEF-5 specifically included a learning objective on the catalytic effect of the GEF integrated Approaches, practices focused on integrating the management of land, soil, water, biodiversity, and biomass, in production systems (agriculture, rangelands, and forest landscapes). The focal area strategy embodies the landscape approach and integrated ecosystem management principles to maximize the global environmental benefits of combating land degradation. As a result of that focus, the strategy also addresses the need to harness and safeguard ecosystem services (carbon cycling, biodiversity, hydrological flows, and healthy soils). This report synthesizes the review of the catalytic role of the GEF in promoting integrated approaches in production systems, which are the primary focus of the Land Degradation focal area. The report highlights the context and rationale for GEF financing under OP 12 and OP 15, the catalytic role of GEF financing in promoting integrated approaches, and lessons from the application of integrated approaches to combat land degradation. Because the focus was entirely on learning, this report offers no specific judgments or interpretations about environmental or development impacts of GEF investments. Rather, it highlights the processes, practices, tools, and knowledge innovations embodied in projects that apply integrated approaches.
  • Publication
    Sustainable Land Management for Mitigation of and Adaptation to Climate Change
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-06-29) World Bank
    The climate change (CC) caused by increase in atmospheric concentration of CO2 and other Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), can be addressed through adaptation and mitigation strategies. Adaptation consists of strategies which minimize vulnerability to CC. The objective is to increase resilience of the ecosystems and communities through adoption of specific sustainable land management (SLM) techniques that have adaptive benefits. On the other hand, the goal of mitigation strategies is to enhance soil and vegetation (land) sinks for absorbing atmospheric CO2 and to minimize net emissions. In the context of the resource-poor and small landholders of the developing countries, adaptation to CC is essential. Adaptation strategies are needed to enhance the positive and reduce the negative effects of CC. Adaptation is also needed because complete mitigation of CC may never occur. The strategy is to adopt those SLM technologies which have both adaptation and mitigation impacts at multiple scales (household, community, and watershed, national, global). There are four major areas in the tropics and sub-tropics where adoption of SLM technologies can help to both adapt to and mitigate CC: (i) tropical forest ecosystems (TFEs), (ii) tropical savannah and rangeland ecosystems (TSREs), (iii) world cropland soils, and (iv) salinized and degraded/desertified lands. Nonetheless, adoption of SLM technologies in the temperate regions (North America, Europe, Australia, Japan) is also important to adapting to CC. However, this report focuses on SLM options for developing countries of the tropics and sub-tropics.
  • Publication
    Biodiversity Conservation in the Context of Tropical Forest Management
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2000-09) Putz, Francis E.; Redford, Kent H.; Robinson, John G.; Fimbel, Robert; Blate, Geoffrey M.
    This paper disaggregates the term "biodiversity" into components (landscapes, ecosystems, communities, species/populations, and genes) and attributes (structure, composition, and function). It then disaggrgates "logging" by detailing the vast range of activities subsumed under the term including variation of logging intensities, logging methods, collateral damage, and silvicultural approaches. Using the richness present in both terms, a framework for considering the impacts of logging and other forest management activities on the various components and attributes of biodiversity is presented. This framework is, in turn, used to evaluate the extensive literature covering different studies of logging in tropical forests. This paper does not conclude with uncritical support for sustainable forest managmement of timber as a conservation strategy. Such an endorsement is unwarranted given widespread illegal logging in the tropics, widespread frontier logging and logging of areas of high priority for biodiversity protection, the persistence of poor logging practices despite substantial efforts in research and training, and the generally slow rate at which most loggers are transforming themselves from timber exploiters into forest managers. Rather the authors assert, from a biodiversity maintenance perspective, that natural forest management is preferable to virtually all land-use practices other than complete protection.
  • Publication
    Panama - Country Note on Climate Change Aspects in Agriculture
    (Washington, DC, 2009-12) World Bank
    This country note briefly summarizes information relevant to both climate change and agriculture in Panama, with focus on policy developments (including action plans and programs) and institutional make-up. Like most countries in Latin America, Panama has submitted one national communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with a second one under preparation. Land use change and forestry are by far the largest contributors to green house gas (GHG) emissions in the country. The emission reduction potential of the sector is large, but not sufficiently explored. Panama counts with only five Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, none of which are in the agricultural sector. It is estimated that Central America produces less than 0.5 percent of global carbon emissions, but it is one the most vulnerable regions to climate change related impacts on the planet. Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate variability and weather extremes, this coupled with problems of land degradation in the country. A greater emphasis on reducing soil degradation, reforestation and developing and applying adequate insurance mechanisms can be placed for better management of public resources in light of natural disasters in the agriculture sector.
  • Publication
    Romania : Forest Sector Rapid Assessment
    (Washington, DC, 2014-01) World Bank
    Romania relies on the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) to achieve its commitments to the European Union (EU) 2020 targets. The use of the European Agriculture and Rural Development Fund (EARDF) requires that at least 30 percent of the budget allocated for rural development as part of the National Rural Development Plan (NRDP) be spent on the environment and addressing climate change. The forest sector rapid assessment reviews key issues in the forest sector to determine how the sector can contribute to mitigating and adapting to climate change. The assessment reviews the sector ministries measures for the 2014-2020 structural operational programs (SOPs) and NRDP to determine whether they are climate positive. The latter is an important condition for using EU structural cohesion funds (SCF) for 2014-2020. The assessment identifies operational programs and sector plans that can support the climate change objectives and fulfill the EU ex ante conditionalities for the SCF (2014-2020). The assessment also provides a basis for refining the measures in order to respond to the climate change requirement. The reimbursable advisory service phase will involve more in-depth work on the sector, offering more specific recommendations.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Publication
    The Mexican Social Protection System in Health
    (World Bank, Washington DC, 2013-01) Bonilla-Chacín, M.E.; Aguilera, Nelly
    With a population of 113 million and a per-capita Gross Domestic Product, or GDP of US$10,064 (current U.S. dollars), Mexico is one of the largest and highest-income countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The country has benefited from sustained economic growth during the last decade, which was temporarily interrupted by the financial and economic crisis. Real GDP is projected to grow 3.8 percent and 3.6 percent in 2012 and 2013, respectively (International Monetary Fund, or IMF 2012). Despite this growth, poverty in the country remains high; with half of the population living below the national poverty line. The country is also highly heterogeneous, with large socioeconomic differences across states and across urban and rural areas. In 2010, while the extreme poverty ratio in the Federal District and the states of Colima and Nuevo Leon was below 3 percent, in Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca it was 25 percent or higher. These large regional differences are also found in other indicators of well-being, such as years of schooling, housing conditions, and access to social services. This case study assesses key features and achievements of the Social Protection System in Health (Sistema de Proteccion Social en Salud) in Mexico, and particularly of its main pillar, Popular Health Insurance (Seguro Popular, PHI). It analyzes the contribution of this policy to the establishment and implementation of universal health coverage in Mexico. In 2003, with the reform of the General Health Law, the PHI was institutionalized as a subsidized health insurance scheme open to the population not covered by the social security schemes. Today, the PHI covers all of its intended affiliates, about 52 million people
  • Publication
    Argentina Country Climate and Development Report
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-11) World Bank Group
    The Argentina Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) explores opportunities and identifies trade-offs for aligning Argentina’s growth and poverty reduction policies with its commitments on, and its ability to withstand, climate change. It assesses how the country can: reduce its vulnerability to climate shocks through targeted public and private investments and adequation of social protection. The report also shows how Argentina can seize the benefits of a global decarbonization path to sustain a more robust economic growth through further development of Argentina’s potential for renewable energy, energy efficiency actions, the lithium value chain, as well as climate-smart agriculture (and land use) options. Given Argentina’s context, this CCDR focuses on win-win policies and investments, which have large co-benefits or can contribute to raising the country’s growth while helping to adapt the economy, also considering how human capital actions can accompany a just transition.
  • Publication
    Crime and Violence in Central America : A Development Challenge - Main Report
    (World Bank, 2011-01-01) World Bank
    Crime and violence are now a key development issue for Central American countries. In three nations El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras crime rates are among the top five in Latin America. This report argues that successful strategies require actions along multiple fronts, combining prevention and criminal justice reform, together with regional approaches in the areas of drug trafficking and firearms. It also argues that interventions should be evidence based, starting with a clear understanding of the risk factors involved and ending with a careful evaluation of how any planned action might affect future options. In addition, the design of national crime reduction plans and the establishment of national cross-sectoral crime commissions are important steps to coordinate the actions of different government branches, ease cross-sectoral collaboration and prioritize resource allocation. Of equal importance is the fact that national plans offer a vehicle for the involvement of civil society organizations, in which much of the expertise in violence prevention and rehabilitation resides. Prevention efforts need to be complemented by effective law enforcement. The required reforms are no longer primarily legislative in nature because all six countries have advanced toward more transparent adversarial criminal procedures. The second-generation reforms should instead help deliver on the promises of previous reforms by: (i) strengthening key institutions and improving the quality and timeliness of the services they provide to citizens; (ii) improving efficiency and effectiveness while respecting due process and human rights; (iii) ensuring accountability and addressing corruption; (iv) increasing inter-agency collaboration; and (v) improving access to justice, especially for poor and disenfranchised groups. Specific interventions reviewed in the report include: information systems and performance indicators as a prerequisite to improve inter-institutional coordination and information sharing mechanisms; an internal overhaul of court administration and case management to create rapid reaction, one-stop shops; the strengthening of entities that provide legal counseling to the poor and to women; and the promotion of alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms and the implementation of community policing programs.
  • Publication
    Classroom Assessment to Support Foundational Literacy
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-03-21) Luna-Bazaldua, Diego; Levin, Victoria; Liberman, Julia; Gala, Priyal Mukesh
    This document focuses primarily on how classroom assessment activities can measure students’ literacy skills as they progress along a learning trajectory towards reading fluently and with comprehension by the end of primary school grades. The document addresses considerations regarding the design and implementation of early grade reading classroom assessment, provides examples of assessment activities from a variety of countries and contexts, and discusses the importance of incorporating classroom assessment practices into teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers. The structure of the document is as follows. The first section presents definitions and addresses basic questions on classroom assessment. Section 2 covers the intersection between assessment and early grade reading by discussing how learning assessment can measure early grade reading skills following the reading learning trajectory. Section 3 compares some of the most common early grade literacy assessment tools with respect to the early grade reading skills and developmental phases. Section 4 of the document addresses teacher training considerations in developing, scoring, and using early grade reading assessment. Additional issues in assessing reading skills in the classroom and using assessment results to improve teaching and learning are reviewed in section 5. Throughout the document, country cases are presented to demonstrate how assessment activities can be implemented in the classroom in different contexts.
  • Publication
    Guide to the Debt Management Performance Assessment Tool
    (Washington, DC, 2008-02-05) World Bank
    The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and supplemental information to assist with country assessments of debt management performance, using the Debt Management Performance Assessment (DeMPA) tool. The DeMPA is a methodology used for assessing public debt management performance through a comprehensive set of 15 performance indicators spanning the full range of government Debt Management (DeM) functions. It is based on the principles set out in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank guidelines for public debt management, initially published in 2001 and updated in 2003. It is modeled after the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) framework for performance measurement of public financial management. The DeMPA has been designed to be a user-friendly tool to undertake an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses in government DeM practices. This guide provides additional background and supporting information so that a no specialist in the area of debt management may undertake a country assessment effectively. The guide can be used by assessors in preparing for and undertaking an assessment. It is particularly useful for understanding the rationale for the inclusion of the indicators, the scoring methodology, and the list of supporting documents or evidence required, and the questions that could be asked for the assessment.