CATIE Launches Long-Term Ecological Research Network in Areas Under Early Secondary Succession

• Its objective is to generate knowledge through monitoring early succession areas for the management of forest restoration with high biodiversity values, ecosystem services, and adaptation to climate change.

With the aim of generating knowledge for forest restoration in the humid tropics, the Forests and Biodiversity in Productive Landscapes Unit (UBBPP) of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) presented the new Long-Term Ecological Research Network in areas under early secondary succession.

This socialization event took place at the Orton Memorial Library and was attended by researchers, representatives of state institutions and public environmental companies, as well as private farm owners committed to biodiversity conservation within the Central Volcanic-Talamanca Biological Corridor (CBVCT).

The network, unique in its kind in the Central American and Caribbean region, was established in 2024 within the CBVCT and consists of 39 plots of 0.25 ha each. To date, the first vegetation measurement has been conducted, and in the coming years, other taxa, processes, and ecosystem services are planned to be evaluated. The network's plots are located on private farms belonging to both small and large producers, as well as institutional farms, including, among others, the Aquiares, Guaitil, Assukkar, Belgravia, and Monte Claro farms, and areas of the Administrative Board of the Cartago Electric Service (JASEC) and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE).

Aiming to Close Knowledge Gaps

Diego Delgado, a researcher at UBBPP, explained that the initiative arises as a response to the lack of information on secondary successions in their early regeneration stages (2 to 15 years after farm abandonment). "Early succession areas, known as charrales or tacotales, are often undervalued due to the lack of knowledge about their biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. We want to improve people's perception of these areas and propose management strategies to foster future forests with high biodiversity values and ecosystem services," he stated.

One of the major challenges the network faces is ensuring the continuity of long-term monitoring and maintaining the commitment of farm owners to avoid land-use changes in these early succession areas. "Identifying the areas and obtaining the owners' permission to research them has been a significant challenge. However, we have received positive responses and have found individuals and institutions committed not only to research but also to forest conservation in the region," Delgado added.

A Key Contribution to Landscape Restoration

During the event, various experts shared their perspectives on the importance of this network for the restoration of humid tropical forests. Adina Chain Guadarrama, a researcher at UBBPP, presented CATIE's vision and highlighted the institutional commitment to generating knowledge for sustainable landscape management.

"The Latin American Chair of Ecology in Natural Forest Management at UBBPP has been conducting long-term research on natural forests in Costa Rica for over 35 years. This network contributes to continuing to answer questions about human impact on forests and wildlife, using rigorous and standardized sampling methods," Adina noted. One of the key moments was her presentation on the network, its objectives, and its design.

Additionally, representatives from the Central Conservation Area and the Central Volcanic-Talamanca Biological Corridor discussed the relevance of these areas in national conservation strategies, highlighting the work carried out by SINAC for forest and biodiversity protection, always in collaboration with local communities.

Finally, Laura Brito, who collaborated in establishing the network as part of her master's thesis work, detailed the process of setting up the plots, the methodologies for measuring vegetation, and the state of diversity and composition of plant communities resulting from the network’s first measurement.

The event concluded with discussions on the next steps to consolidate the network, expand its reach, and implement silvicultural interventions to accelerate the forest restoration process.

With this initiative, CATIE and UBBPP reaffirm their commitment to applied ecological research and landscape restoration in the humid tropics, contributing to informed decision-making for forest conservation in the region. The intention to expand the network remains, and new sites are being sought for long-term research.