Degraded forest lands and pine plantations in homogeneous ecological areas

Abstract

Objectives: i) to determine the total land degradation areas from HEZ across the country, ii) to estimate the main land degradation areas for establishing restoration plantations, and iii) to know the species and planted areas of the genus Pinus and if they were within its range of natural distribution.

Design/methodology/approach: To determine the total degradation areas of the ZEH, the Germplasm Movement Zones and the Forest Zoning for Restoration were used. The definition of priority degraded areas for restoration plantations was done considering the types of forest land degradation. For the estimation of planted areas within their natural distribution range, the three-year National Forestry Commission records (2016 to 2018) were used.

Results: Three HEZ had greater area, six had medium area and 32 had reduced area, two types of degradation (III.C and III.D) were priority to carry out plantations for restoration purposes; four species (23%) were established outside their natural distribution range while ten (59%) were within, and three species were not defined.

Limitations on study/implications: For the restoration of areas it is necessary to avoid high initial mortality of plants and poor growth.

Findings/conclusions: The north of the country has the largest areas with forest land degradation, while in the center, north and south there are areas with medium and low degradation; planting species outside their range of distribution could lead to problems of plant adaptation.