Forest plantations in Puerto Rico
Many facets of forest plantation establishment and management have been explored during the 50-year history of the Institute of Tropical Forestry. Little was known until recently about the extent and nature of forest plantations in Puerto Rico. About 4000 ha of plantations located largely on state and federal lands have been noted. About one-third of the total area was in mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla, S. mahogany, and S. macrophylla x mahagoni), and nearly all of the rest was divided among teak (Tectona grandis), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis), maria (Calophyllum brasiliense), and mahoe (Hibiscus elatus). Most of the plantations are mature or nearing maturity; little new plantation area is being established. Current harvest of plantation timber is a tiny fraction of net growth, and prospects of increasing harvests substantially in the near future or adding much plantation area are dim. In an increasingly urban environment, research on and promotion of plantations for urban amenities, watershed protection, and habitat enhancement for endangered species should be encouraged.
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
New York, NY (EUA) Springer-Verlag
1995
|
| Subjects: | SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA, TECTONA GRANDIS, HIBISCUS ELATUS, CALOPHYLLUM BRASILIENSE, EUCALYPTUS, PINUS CARIBAEA, PLANTACION FORESTAL, PUERTO RICO, |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|