Intercropping legume trees with native timber trees rapidly restores cover to eroded tropical pasture without fertilization

摘要: As tropical deforestation progresses, increasing areas of land are being degraded through erosion, overgrazing and other processes, leading subsequently to soil infertility loss agricultural productivity. Reforestation is a potential way rehabilitate some these lands. We planted commercially valuable native timber species on pasture in southwestern Costa Rica test methods forest establishment that would enhance tree growth without inorganic fertilizer provide diverse economic ecological benefits. In addition an unmanipulated control fertilized plots, we mixed the (Terminalia amazonia) with two nitrogen-fixing trees, cover crops, or edible beans. beans treatment, height T. amazonia at end 4 years was significantly lower than any treatments, bean production poor. first year trees grew faster all treatments. At 2 years, were still taller six seven The crops did not establish one legume suffered high mortality. Fastest occurred when interplanted especially Inga edulis. Plots I. edulis closed canopy first, saved effort hand-weeding, provided large amounts litter biomass as well fruit pods. Block effects probably related factors which plots correlated, particular, degree erosion plot topography. Our results showed wasted investment this site because grows minimal input even eroded land. Importantly, species-diverse plantations can perform least monocultures. more systems benefits including nitrogen fixation multiple products for humans.