Species selection and plantation management in enrichment planting with native timber species in the Panama Canal watershed

Large areas of the Panama Canal Watershed have been converted to monocultures teak ( Tectona grandis ), a non-native timber species that is generally not providing hoped-for economic and ecological benefits Forest Landscape Restoration. Enrichment planting offers potential strategy for revitalizing these underperforming plantations through addition high-value, native understory, but more information needed guide implementation management in this region other tropical areas. We assessed performance six promising Byrsonima crassifolia, Dalbergia retusa, Dipteryx oleifera, Hyeronima alchorneoides, Platymiscium pinnatum, Terminalia amazonia ) as an enrichment plantations, specifically considered how light availability, crowding pressure annual fertilization affected seedling performance, we measured survival growth first 30 months post-planting ∼3,000 seedlings; half received did not. found rate significantly affect among- or within-species, except positive relationship D. oleifera. Overall was high (83%), and, while varied widely, there strong effect light, on survival. In contrast, overall by factors. Across all negatively related positively availability fertilization. There were among-species differences; one oleifera crowding, only responded P. pinnatum , B. crassifolia T. ). Our findings suggest study which suffered unacceptably mortality, use plantations. Among-species differences response growing environment highlight need continued studies establish specific silvicultural guidelines context.