@article {164800, title = {Partial recovery of large seed arrival following ecological restoration in fragmented tropical rainforests}, journal = {Nordic Society Oikos}, year = {2026}, month = {24 February 2026}, abstract = {

Forest restoration success depends crucially on the reinitiation of ecological processes such as seed arrival that drive natural regeneration. We know little about whether, by increasing and diversifying local seed sources to alleviate seed limitation, and attracting animal frugivores to alleviate dispersal limitation, restoration could shift seed arrival rates and species composition in the direction of mature rainforests, particularly for large-seeded species in degraded fragments. We tested this by examining seed arrival over a year in 189 1-m2\ seed fall traps within 63 seed trapping stations across sites ecologically restored (through maximum diversity mixed-native species planting 13{\textendash}21 years ago) and those left unrestored within degraded rainforests fragments, and in mature {\textquoteleft}benchmark{\textquoteright} rainforests, in India{\textquoteright}s Western Ghats. We found that overall, large-seeded species arrival rates in restored sites was comparable with benchmark, and was higher than unrestored sites. Seeds arriving through dispersal (from fruiting trees absent in the overstory) also showed a recovery towards benchmark levels, but were dominated by alien species abundant in the matrix habitat. Restoration also had no effect on species richness and composition of all arriving seeds, with restored sites closely resembling unrestored sites and remaining distinct from benchmark sites. Further, restoration did not alleviate the effect of fragment isolation on large seed arrival rates, which declined with distance from benchmark forests similarly in restored and unrestored sites. Our results suggest that restoration can increase local availability and dispersal of large seeds, and highlights the value of diverse native species restoration plantings within degraded forests and promoting their use instead of alien tree species in the surrounding matrix. However, our findings also show that recovery of natural regeneration can remain slow or uncertain in restored forest fragments, and underscore the need for sustained monitoring and evaluation of restoration over multiple decades.

}, doi = {10.1002/oik.11945}, url = {https://nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oik.11945}, author = {Aparna Krishnan and Jyotsna Nag and S. Arun and Divya Mudappa and T. R. Shankar Raman and Mahesh Sankaran and Anand M. Osuri} } @article {157497, title = {Structure and dynamics of secondary and mature rainforests: insights from South Asian long-term monitoring plots}, journal = {Plant Ecology \& Diversity}, year = {2025}, month = {30 April 2025}, type = {Research Article}, abstract = {

Background

Tropical forests play a critical role in global biodiversity conservation and carbon storage. In human-modified landscapes, secondary forests are becoming increasingly common, yet their ecological functioning remains underexplored. Comparing the forest dynamics in mature and regenerating forests offers insights into forest recovery and carbon dynamics.

Aims

To compare forest structure, floristic composition, stand dynamics and carbon of a mature and secondary tropical rainforest.

Methods

We assessed tree community and carbon dynamics over 5 years in two 1-ha long-term ecosystem monitoring plots, one each in mature tropical rainforests (MR) and 10-year post-agroforestry secondary rainforests (SR) in India{\textquoteright}s Western Ghats mountains. Both plots were established in 2017 and monitored annually. We expected (1) higher tree diversity, differences in species composition, and greater carbon stock in MR; (2) higher carbon sequestration rates in SR; and (3) carbon dynamics shaped by growth and mortality in SR and MR, respectively.

Results

The SR plot had fewer species (67 vs. 84), stored substantially less carbon (76 vs. 193 Mg), and comprised a distinct community with fewer late-successional species than MR. SR gained 5.8 Mg carbon, due to tree growth exceeding losses from mortality, while in MR mortality exceeded growth and recruitment resulting in a 3.3 Mg carbon decline over five years.

Conclusion

While MR had higher tree diversity, carbon stocks and relatively intact composition, the high rates of biodiversity and carbon accrual in SR highlight the conservation and climate significance of post-agroforestry secondary forests. Moderate carbon losses noted here in MR, as in other mature South Asian tropical forests, is a cause for concern under ongoing climate change.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2025.2494204}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17550874.2025.2494204?src=$\#$abstract}, author = {Akhil MuraliORCID Icon,ORCID Icon,ORCID Icon,ORCID Icon,ORCID Icon,ORCID Icon,ORCID Icon \& and Srinivasan Kasinathan and Kshama Bhat and Jayashree Ratnam and Mahesh Sankaran and Divya Mudappa and T. R. Shankar Raman and Anand M. Osuri} }