title: Biomass resilience of Neotropical secondary forests.
abstract: Land-use change occurs nowhere more rapidly than in the tropics, where the imbalance between deforestation and forest regrowth has large consequences for the global carbon cycle. However, considerable uncertainty remains about the rate of biomass recovery in secondary forests, and how these rates are influenced by climate, landscape, and prior land use. Here we analyse aboveground biomass recovery during secondary succession in 45 forest sites and about 1,500 forest plots covering the major environmental gradients in the Neotropics. The studied secondary forests are highly productive and resilient. Aboveground biomass recovery after 20 years was on average 122 megagrams per hectare (Mg ha(-1)), corresponding to a net carbon uptake of 3.05 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1), 11 times the uptake rate of old-growth forests. Aboveground biomass stocks took a median time of 66 years to recover to 90% of old-growth values. Aboveground biomass recovery after 20 years varied 11.3-fold (from 20 to 225 Mg ha(-1)) across sites, and this recovery increased with water availability (higher local rainfall and lower climatic water deficit). We present a biomass recovery map of Latin America, which illustrates geographical and climatic variation in carbon sequestration potential during forest regrowth. The map will support policies to minimize forest loss in areas where biomass resilience is naturally low (such as seasonally dry forest regions) and promote forest regeneration and restoration in humid tropical lowland areas with high biomass resilience.
authors: Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Lourens
authors: L
authors: Poorter
authors: Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Frans
authors: F
authors: Bongers
authors: PO Box 23360, Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00931-3360, Puerto Rico.
authors: T Mitchell
authors: TM
authors: Aide
authors: Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab, Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, USA.
authors: Angélica M
authors: AM
authors: Almeyda Zambrano
authors: Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP58190, Morelia, Michoacán, México.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Balvanera
authors: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
authors: Justin M
authors: JM
authors: Becknell
authors: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Boukili
authors: Department of Forest Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Avenida Pádua Dias 11, 13418-900, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Pedro H S
authors: PH
authors: Brancalion
authors: Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab, Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, USA.
authors: Eben N
authors: EN
authors: Broadbent
authors: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.
authors: Robin L
authors: RL
authors: Chazdon
authors: SI ForestGEO, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Roosevelt Avenue, Tupper Building - 401, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, Panamá|German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.|Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Dylan
authors: D
authors: Craven
authors: Departamento de Botanica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, CEP 50670-901, Brazil.
authors: Jarcilene S
authors: JS
authors: de Almeida-Cortez
authors: Departamento de Botanica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, CEP 50670-901, Brazil.
authors: George A L
authors: GA
authors: Cabral
authors: Department of Sustainability Science, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Av. Rancho Polígono 2A, Parque Industrial Lerma, Campeche, Campeche, CP 24500, México.
authors: Ben H J
authors: BH
authors: de Jong
authors: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, USA.
authors: Julie S
authors: JS
authors: Denslow
authors: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Roosevelt Avenue, Tupper Building - 401, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, Panamá|Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.
authors: Daisy H
authors: DH
authors: Dent
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 132 Long Hall, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, USA.
authors: Saara J
authors: SJ
authors: DeWalt
authors: Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, AC, Unidad de Recursos Naturales, Calle 43 No. 130, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, CP 97200, Mérida, Yucatán, México.
authors: Juan M
authors: JM
authors: Dupuy
authors: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada.
authors: Sandra M
authors: SM
authors: Durán
authors: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil.
authors: Mario M
authors: MM
authors: Espírito-Santo
authors: Fondo Patrimonio Natural para la Biodiversidad y Areas Protegidas, Calle 72 No. 12-65 piso 6, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors: María C
authors: MC
authors: Fandino
authors: Department of Forest Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Avenida Pádua Dias 11, 13418-900, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Ricardo G
authors: RG
authors: César
authors: SI ForestGEO, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Roosevelt Avenue, Tupper Building - 401, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, Panamá
authors: Jefferson S
authors: JS
authors: Hall
authors: Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, AC, Unidad de Recursos Naturales, Calle 43 No. 130, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, CP 97200, Mérida, Yucatán, México.
authors: José Luis
authors: JL
authors: Hernandez-Stefanoni
authors: Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, Environmental Dynamics Research Coordination, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP 69067-375, Brazil.
authors: Catarina C
authors: CC
authors: Jakovac
authors: Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University, PO Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Coordenação de Tecnologia e Inovação, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Avenida André Araújo, 2936 - Aleixo, 69060-001 Manaus, Brazil.
authors: André B
authors: AB
authors: Junqueira
authors: Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, USA.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Kennard
authors: Department of Environmental Studies, Purchase College (State University of New York), Purchase, New York 10577, USA.
authors: Susan G
authors: SG
authors: Letcher
authors: Instituto Boliviano de Investigación Forestal (IBIF), FCA-UAGRM, Casilla 6204, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
authors: Juan-Carlos
authors: JC
authors: Licona
authors: Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.|World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), PO Box 30677 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Madelon
authors: M
authors: Lohbeck
authors: Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 550 North Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Marín-Spiotta
authors: Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP58190, Morelia, Michoacán, México.
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Martínez-Ramos
authors: Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, Environmental Dynamics Research Coordination, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP 69067-375, Brazil.
authors: Paulo
authors: P
authors: Massoca
authors: Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México 04510 DF, México.
authors: Jorge A
authors: JA
authors: Meave
authors: Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, Environmental Dynamics Research Coordination, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP 69067-375, Brazil.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Mesquita
authors: Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP58190, Morelia, Michoacán, México.|Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México 04510 DF, México.
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Mora
authors: Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México 04510 DF, México.
authors: Rodrigo
authors: R
authors: Muñoz
authors: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA.|Section of Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Muscarella
authors: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil.
authors: Yule R F
authors: YR
authors: Nunes
authors: Department of Sustainability Science, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Av. Rancho Polígono 2A, Parque Industrial Lerma, Campeche, Campeche, CP 24500, México.
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Ochoa-Gaona
authors: Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, travessa 14, No. 321, São Paulo, CEP 05508-090, Brazil.
authors: Alexandre A
authors: AA
authors: de Oliveira
authors: Department of Sustainability Science, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Av. Rancho Polígono 2A, Parque Industrial Lerma, Campeche, Campeche, CP 24500, México.
authors: Edith
authors: E
authors: Orihuela-Belmonte
authors: Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Marielos
authors: M
authors: Peña-Claros
authors: Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México 04510 DF, México.
authors: Eduardo A
authors: EA
authors: Pérez-García
authors: Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Centro de Formação em Ciências Agroflorestais, Itabuna-BA, 45613-204, Brazil.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Piotto
authors: Department of Ecology, Evolution, &Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.|Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
authors: Jennifer S
authors: JS
authors: Powers
authors: Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP58190, Morelia, Michoacán, México.
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Rodríguez-Velázquez
authors: Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México 04510 DF, México.
authors: I Eunice
authors: IE
authors: Romero-Pérez
authors: School of Social Sciences, Geography Area, Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia (UPTC), Tunja, Colombia.|Department of Geography, 4841 Ellison Hall, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Ruíz
authors: Juan G
authors: JG
authors: Saldarriaga
authors: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada.
authors: Arturo
authors: A
authors: Sanchez-Azofeifa
authors: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA.
authors: Naomi B
authors: NB
authors: Schwartz
authors: Marc K
authors: MK
authors: Steininger
authors: Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors: Nathan G
authors: NG
authors: Swenson
authors: Instituto Boliviano de Investigación Forestal (IBIF), FCA-UAGRM, Casilla 6204, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
authors: Marisol
authors: M
authors: Toledo
authors: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Uriarte
authors: SI ForestGEO, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Roosevelt Avenue, Tupper Building - 401, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, Panamá|Yale-NUS College, 12 College Avenue West, Singapore 138610.|Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 11754.
authors: Michiel
authors: M
authors: van Breugel
authors: Departamento de Agricultura, Sociedad y Ambiente, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur - Unidad Villahermosa, 86280 Centro, Tabasco, México.
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: van der Wal
authors: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, CEP 39401-089, Brazil.
authors: Maria D M
authors: MD
authors: Veloso
authors: Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94248, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|Bonhoeffer College, Bruggertstraat 60, 7545 AX Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors: Hans F M
authors: HF
authors: Vester
authors: Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, Environmental Dynamics Research Coordination, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP 69067-375, Brazil.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Vicentini
authors: Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, CP 399, CEP 66040-170, Belém, Brazil.
authors: Ima C G
authors: IC
authors: Vieira
authors: Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, Environmental Dynamics Research Coordination, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP 69067-375, Brazil.
authors: Tony Vizcarra
authors: TV
authors: Bentos
authors: Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, Environmental Dynamics Research Coordination, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP 69067-375, Brazil.|Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-1705, USA.
authors: G Bruce
authors: GB
authors: Williamson
authors: Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.|Department of Biology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada.
authors: Danaë M A
authors: DM
authors: Rozendaal
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D057486:Carbon Cycle; D057965:Carbon Sequestration; D004463:Ecology; D065928:Forests; D006813:Humidity; D007843:Latin America; D011891:Rain; D013997:Time Factors; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon