Secondary forests are regenerated forests from disturbances of natural or anthropic causes. They house great biodiversity, from trees and small plants to large carnivorous mammals and small birds and insects. These wooded extensions contribute to the mitigation of climate change and provide numerous ecosystem services, among many other functions.
Forests are ecosystems characterized by a relatively continuous tree stratum, whose structural complexity and diversity increases according to moisture and temperature. The components that constitute the forests make up multiple interaction networks indispensable for its operation. Human beings are part of these relationships and we must assume an extremely important role as promoters of conservation actions if we want to protect these ecosystems that we depend so much. For this reason, from Ecology Verde, we provide information about What are secondary forests, their characteristics and their flora and fauna.
What are secondary forests
While there are numerous definitions, secondary forests have a main characteristic: The presence of a disturbance or disturbance generated by natural causessuch as atmospheric or geological factors, or by The deliberate action of human beings. The latter disturbances are more common and frequent than those of natural origin and generate a greater impact on land use and the conservation of natural resources.
According to CATIE (Tropical Research and Teaching Center), secondary forests refer to the presence of Successional woody vegetation which develops on lands whose original vegetation was destroyed by anthropic activities. The degree of forest recovery will depend mainly on the duration and intensity of the use of previous land by agricultural crops or pastures, as well as the proximity of propagulous sources to recolonize the disturbed area. Here you can read about ecological succession: definition, stages and examples.
Characteristics of secondary forests
- Contribute to climate change mitigation: Secondary forests accumulate biomass quickly during the first 20 to 30 years, transforming into an important atmospheric carbon reservoir.
- They are biodiversity reservoirs and promote landscape connectivity: This is because they provide refuge to numerous species, especially in those places where the habitat has been severely fragmented in isolated patches.
- They provide numerous ecosystem services: Some of these services are direct such as the supply of wood, fiber and firewood, and others are indirect through the influence on the processes of ecosystems, essential for life. In this other post you can read about ecosystem services: what are, types and examples.
- Reduce soil erosion for reducing the impact of strong winds. Know here what is the erosion of the soil: causes and consequences.
- Improve soil quality and structure for the contribution of organic matter rich in nutrients.
- Contribute to conserve and reduce pressure on primary forests (“Virgins” or residual) since secondary forests can be used as transition or damping areas.
- They serve as forest rehabilitation strategies models.
- Its structure and composition is heterogeneous and varies depending on soil fertility, the previous use of the earth and the distance to seed banks.
Flora and fauna of secondary forests
The composition of the flora and fauna in the secondary forests varies depending on the geographical location, the climatic conditions and the history of soil use in the region. However, certain generalizations can be made.
Flora of secondary forests
Secondary forests are regenerated through a Secondary ecological succession process in which a different community is installed than that existed prior to the disturbance.
The species that are installed sprout or germinate from propagulos that are buried in the soil. Others come from neighboring sites, since propagulos access is easier due to the disappearance of vegetation. Therefore, the result is a very heterogeneous community, of great wealth and diversity, of Short cycle plantsannual, and with great dispersion capacity. This community is very ephemeral since in two or three years it is replaced by another (generally annual pastures).
Later, the Longer cycle perennial species And the process ends with the regeneration of the community that existed before that the disturbance occurs. The woody species They are usually installed in the early stages of the succession, but they go unnoticed because they take a long time to grow and develop.
Fauna of secondary forests
As for animal species, it is common that in tropical or subtropical forests the presence of large herbivorous mammals is scarce. It is more frequent to find arborícola specieslike monkeys and other herbivores that seek food on the ground, such as tapirs, deer and rodentsalthough the group of vertebrates that stand out are Birds.
Large carnivorous mammals are not abundant either, but we can find species such as Yaguareté or Jaguar in humid forests of South America, The tiger in Asian jungles and certain smaller cats species.
Insects They inhabit different strata of secondary forests and are a group that presents a great wealth and diversity of species.
Examples of secondary forests
- Brazil Atlantic Forest: The Brazilian Atlantic forest is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world but has undergone important changes in land use due to the expansion of the livestock agricultural border and urbanization. At present, efforts are being carried out to restore these forests such as the Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest, a multi -actor restoration project in Brazil.
- Secondary forests in Indonesia: Indonesia has experienced an important deforestation in recent decades due to the expansion of the palm oil industry and illegal felling. However, efforts are being carried out to restore secondary forests in areas such as Sumatra and Kalimantan. The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation organization has established a sanctuary for the orangutans in a secondary forest area in the province of Kalimantan Central.
- Secondary forests in Mexico: Mexico has a large number of secondary forests regenerated in areas previously used for agriculture and livestock. In the Tuxtlas region, in the state of Veracruz, a biosphere reserve has been established that protects a large number of secondary forests and other ecosystems.
- Secondary forests in Africa: In many parts of Africa, secondary forests have regenerated such as in southern Tanzania, where the Uluguru forest reserve is located, which protects a large surface of secondary forests and is home to a wide variety of species of animals and plants.
These are just some examples of the many secondary forests that exist in the world. These forests are essential to maintain the health of the planet and, therefore, must continue investigating and working on their protection and restoration.
Now that you have learned more about secondary forests, we encourage you to read these other article on primary forests: what are, characteristics, flora and fauna and the different types of forests.
If you want to read more articles similar to Secondary forests: what are, characteristics, flora and faunawe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
Smith, J., Sabogal, C., W. de Jong, & Kaimowitz, D. (1997). “Secondary forests as a resource for rural development and environmental conservation in the tropics of Latin America.”
