The Conservation and Restoration of Riparian Forests along Caribbean Riverbanks Using Legume Trees

Eléonore Mira, Alain Rousteau, Régis Tournebize, Lucie Labbouz, Marie Robert and André Evette
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Eléonore Mira: Laboratoire Ecosystèmes et Sociétés En Montagne, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38402 Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France
Alain Rousteau: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Unité Mixte de Recherche Écologie des Forêts de Guyane, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, Université des Antilles, 97159 Pointe à Pitre, France
Régis Tournebize: Unité de Recherche Agrosystèmes Tropicaux, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, 97170 Petit-Bourg, France
Lucie Labbouz: Parc National de la Guadeloupe, Habitation Beausoleil, Montéran, 97120 Saint Claude, France
Marie Robert: Parc National de la Guadeloupe, Habitation Beausoleil, Montéran, 97120 Saint Claude, France
André Evette: Laboratoire Ecosystèmes et Sociétés En Montagne, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38402 Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: In the actual context of global change and biodiversity depletion, soil bioengineering represents an important tool for riparian ecosystem restoration and species conservation. Various techniques have already been implemented, but their adaptation still must be carried out in Caribbean Islands biodiversity hotspots, where suitable species remains unknown. Nitrogen-fixing legumes are particularly relevant for ecological restoration and the diversity of native Caribbean legume trees is promising in the search for suitable species for soil bioengineering. We hypothesized that Caribbean legume tree species present a growth performance and set of biotechnical traits compatible with their use in soil bioengineering. We selected five native legume trees, adapted to riparian environments, in different ecosystems (swamp forest, evergreen seasonal forest, rainforest) based on their ecology, resistance to disturbance and seed production characteristics. We measured root traits relevant for soil bioengineering on nursery grown 3-month-old seedlings. Despite their differences in sensitivity to herbivory and in growth strategies, the selected species have a high potential for use in soil bioengineering, with high seed production, high germination rates—from 88 to 100%—, and 100% survival rates, and are therefore compatible with large scale plant material production. We provided practical guidance tools for their integration into soil bioengineering techniques.

Keywords: nitrogen-fixing legumes; tropical riparian ecosystem; nature based solutions; soil bioengineering; Inga ingoides (Rich.) Willd.; Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd.; Lonchocarpus heptaphyllus (Poir.) DC.; Lonchocarpus roseus (Mill.) DC.; Pterocarpus officinalis (Jacq.) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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