小規模な樹木群植による熱帯河畔回廊の生態系回復を実証（Planting Small Tree Patches Restores Tropical Riparian Corridors in China）

2026-06-08 中国科学院（CAS）

＜関連情報＞

• https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research-news/202606/t20260609_1161411.shtml
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rec.70456

応用核形成が劣化した熱帯河畔回廊における多スケール回復を誘発する：中国における20年間の多スケール評価 Applied nucleation triggers cross-scale recovery in degraded tropical riparian corridors: a 20-year multi-scale assessment in China

Qian Dai, Hao Yuan, Yu-Xuan Mo, Yan-Chang Li, Jun-Peng He, Zhao-Peng Jing, Liang Liu, Zi-Yan Chen, Yu-Jia Zhang, Yang Bai, Xian-Meng Shi, Sujan Balami, Yun-Xue Xiao, Su Li, …
Restoration Ecology  Published: 01 June 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.70456

Abstract

Introduction

The applied nucleation method is a cost-effective forest restoration strategy, but its long-term, multi-scale effectiveness is inadequately assessed in the tropics. Evaluating it in degraded tropical region is critical for guiding restoration.

Objectives

We conducted a 20-year study (2003–2023) of applied nucleation in a degraded tropical riparian corridor in China. We aim to quantify its effectiveness at community and landscape scales and to evaluate planted Ficus spp. as foundational species.

Methods

Restoration was initiated by planting nuclei of Ficus spp. and nine other native trees. We assessed community-scale recovery (tree diversity, functional composition, biomass) and landscape-scale recovery (forest cover expansion, shoreline retention, connectivity) by comparing three forest types: the planted nucleation area (NA), the naturally expanded area (EA) that regenerated from NA, and a reference tropical seasonal rainforest.

Results

After 20 years, restored forests (NA and EA) reached 19–30% of reference levels in tree diversity and biomass. Ficus spp. contributed 76.8% of tree biomass in NA. Species composition in restored forests was dominated by pioneer species (≥75% light-demanding), differing from the reference forest and indicating an early successional stage. At the landscape scale, forest cover increased by 36% (+ 64 ha), natural shoreline retention rose from 38% to 90%, and connectivity increased by 119%, scoring “excellent” on China’s Ecological Restoration Index.

Conclusions

Applied nucleation successfully initiated a multi-scale riparian corridor recovery. However, pioneer dominance reveals a successional bottleneck, where biodiversity recovery lags behind structural and functional recovery.