Exploring Land Use History Effects on Biodiversity and Biomass (EHLUBB)
Utrecht University Botanic Gardens’ Quantitative Biodiversity Dynamics research unit (QBD) is working in Costa Rica, Central-America, to monitor biodiversity of a secondary rainforest in collaboration with a local association to understand the Effect of Historic Land Use on Biodiversity and Biomass (EHLUBB)
Introducing Project EHLUBB
In collaboration with the association Adopteer Regenwoud and Work With Nature, Utrecht University and specifically the research unit of Quantitative Biodiversity Dynamics have started a collaboration to study patterns of biodiversity in relationship to land use history (LUH) in a secondary rainforest reserve in Costa Rica. This project aims to investigate the effect of different land use histories on secondary forest succession, primarily by examining the relationship between these histories and the biodiversity and biomass of the forest trees. The overall aims of this project are to (1) analyse changes in forest species composition, species diversity and biomass over time; (2) to evaluate differences in successional pathways between secondary forests with different land use histories and (3) to translate findings to effective strategies aiming to promote tropical forest conservation and regeneration, adjusting management practices to their respective land use histories.
Currently, the reserve is approximately 240 hectares in size with five different types of LUHs recognized: Old Growth (OG), Natural Regeneration (NR), Selective Logging (SL), Vochysia Plantation (VP), and Reforestation of Cattle pasture (CR). The climate is moist tropical rainforest and the wet season is generally from May until November, with the dry season generally from December until April.The average annual precipitation is ± 3500 mm and mean annual temperatures range from 22.5-30 ℃.
By establishing and inventorying permanent sampling plots, changes in local biodiversity and vegetation can be studied, contributing to answering both practical and fundamental scientific questions. And to meet the aims as specified above, a minimum of five permanent plots (PP) are established in each different land use history which are monitored on a yearly basis. All the trees within this plot with a diameter at breast height (1.30 m; DBH) larger than 10 cm will be included in the inventory for determination and measurements following protocols based on RAINFOR. These inventories are combined with inventories on birds and reptiles/amphibians with future inventories focused on (small) mammals are also planned. The figure below shows a schematic representation of the current reserve, with the land use histories indicated. A grid overlay indicates one hectare size rasters in which quarter hectare size plots are placed.
For the upcoming years, each November/December QBD researchers and potentially also Master students have the option to go to the field site. During these visits, students of other institutes are also present at the facilities of Work With Nature that collaborate within this project to share their knowledge and fieldwork experience. The first MSc students started to work on the project as of 2023 with currently planned internships for 2024 and 2025.