The potential to restore native woody plant richness and composition in a reforesting landscape: a modeling approach in the Ecuadorian Andes

摘要: Natural regenerating forests are rapidly expanding in the tropics. Forest transitions have potential to restore biodiversity. Spatial targeting of land use policies could improve biodiversity benefits reforesting landscapes. We explored relative importance landscape attributes influencing tree cover increase native woody plant at scale. developed scenarios that differed spatial patterns reforestation, using Pangor watershed Ecuadorian Andes as a case study. distinguished between reforestation through natural regeneration vegetation abandoned fallows and planted managed plantations exotic species on previously cultivated land. simulated restoration for each scenario LANDIS-II, process-based model forest dynamics. A pair-case comparison was conducted against random scenario. Species richness considerably higher when occurring in: (i) close proximity remnant forests; (ii) areas with high percentage surrounding cover; (iii) compositional heterogeneous Reforestation intermediate altitudes also positively affected species. Planted pine negatively restoration. Our research contributes better understanding recolonization processes forests. provide guidelines aim conserve by accounting attributes.