NATURAL REGENERATION IN ABANDONED FIELDS FOLLOWING INTENSIVE AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN AN ATLANTIC FOREST ISLAND, BRAZIL

The time required to regrowth a forest in degraded areas depends on how the forest is removed and on the type of land use following removal. Natural regeneration was studied in abandoned old fields after intensive agricultural land use in areas originally covered by Brazilian Atlantic Forests of the Anchieta Island, Brazil in order to understand how plant communities reassemble following human disturbances as well as to determine suitable strategies of forest restoration. The fields were classified into three vegetation types according to the dominant plant species in: 1) Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana (Melastomataceae) fields, 2) Dicranopteris flexuosa (Schrader) Underw. (Gleicheniaceae) thickets, and 3) Gleichenella pectinata (Willd.) Ching. (Gleicheniaceae) thickets. Both composition and structure of natural regeneration were compared among the three dominant vegetation types by establishing randomly three plots of 1 x 3 m in five sites of the island. A gradient in composition and abundance of species in natural regeneration could be observed along vegetation types from Dicranopteris fern thickets to Miconia fields. The gradient did not accurately follow the pattern of spatial distribution of the three dominant vegetation types in the island regarding their proximity of the remnant forests. A complex association of biotic and abiotic factors seems to be affecting the seedling recruitment and establishment in the study plots. The lowest plant regeneration found in Dicranopteris and Gleichenella thickets suggests that the ferns inhibit the recruitment of woody and herbaceous species. Otherwise, we could not distinguish different patterns of tree regeneration among the three vegetation types. Our results showed that forest recovery following severe anthropogenic disturbances is not direct, predictable or even achievable on its own. Appropriated actions and methods such as fern removal, planting ground covers, and enrichment planting with tree species were suggested in order to restore the natural forest regeneration process in the abandoned old fields.

Natural regeneration in abandoned fields following intensive agricultural land use in an Atlantic Forest Island, Brazil

The time required to regrowth a forest in degraded areas depends on how the forest is removed and on the type of land use following removal. Natural regeneration was studied in abandoned old fields after intensive agricultural land use in areas originally covered by Brazilian Atlantic Forests of the Anchieta Island, Brazil in order to understand how plant communities reassemble following human disturbances as well as to determine suitable strategies of forest restoration. The fields were classified into three vegetation types according to the dominant plant species in: 1) Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana (Melastomataceae) fields, 2) Dicranopteris flexuosa (Schrader) Underw. (Gleicheniaceae) thickets, and 3) Gleichenella pectinata (Willd.) Ching. (Gleicheniaceae) thickets. Both composition and structure of natural regeneration were compared among the three dominant vegetation types by establishing randomly three plots of 1 x 3 m in five sites of the island. A gradient in composition and abundance of species in natural regeneration could be observed along vegetation types from Dicranopteris fern thickets to Miconia fields. The gradient did not accurately follow the pattern of spatial distribution of the three dominant vegetation types in the island regarding their proximity of the remnant forests. A complex association of biotic and abiotic factors seems to be affecting the seedling recruitment and establishment in the study plots. The lowest plant regeneration found in Dicranopteris and Gleichenella thickets suggests that the ferns inhibit the recruitment of woody and herbaceous species. Otherwise, we could not distinguish different patterns of tree regeneration among the three vegetation types. Our results showed that forest recovery following severe anthropogenic disturbances is not direct, predictable or even achievable on its own. Appropriated actions and methods such as fern removal, planting ground covers, and enrichment planting with tree species were suggested in order to restore the natural forest regeneration process in the abandoned old fields.

Rhode Island, 1795 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: The state of Rhode Island, compiled from the surveys and observations of Caleb Harris by Harding Harris ; J. Smither, sculp. It was published in 1795 for Carey's American atlas. Scale [ca. 1:281,600]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, drainage, county and town boundaries and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Rhode Island, 1855 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations : from surveys, under the direction of Henry F. Walling, civil engineer. It was published in 1855 by L.H. Bradford & Co.'s Lith. Scale 1:63,360. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, railroads, drainage, public buildings, schools, churches, cemeteries, industry locations (e.g. mills, factories, mines, etc.), private buildings with names of property owners, town and county boundaries and more. Relief shown by hachures. Depths shown by soundings. Includes insets: Woonsocket -- Pawtucket -- Warren -- Bristol -- Westerly Village -- Block Island -- Greenwich -- City of Newport -- City of Providence. Also includes tables of statistics and note. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Rhode Island, 1795 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: A map of the state of Rhode Island, taken mainly from surveys by Caleb Harris ; Harding Harris, delineavt. ; Saml. Hill, sculpt. It was published in 1795 by Carter & Wilkinson. Scale [ca. 1:160,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, drainage, county and town boundaries and more. Relief shown by hachures. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Rhode Island, 1898 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Rhode Island. It was published in 1898 by Geo. H. Walker & Co. Scale [ca. 1:112,000]. Covers Rhode Island and portions of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, railroads, bicycle routes (shown in red), drainage, county and town boundaries, and more. Includes inset: [Block Island]. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Rhode Island, 1887 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. It was compiled and published by J.C. Thompson in 1887. Scale 1:95,000. Source map and image missing bottom panels, including part of title; description based partly on published bibliography. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, railroads, drainage, public buildings, schools, churches, cemeteries, industry locations (e.g. mills, factories, mines, etc.), selected private residences, town and county boundaries and more. Relief shown by hachures. Includes population statistics from the census of 1875 and 1885. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, 1777 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: A topographical chart of the bay of Narraganset in the province of New England : with all the isles contained therein, among which Rhode Island and Connonicut have been particularly surveyed, shewing the true position & bearings of the banks, shoals, rocks &c. as likewise the soundings, to which have been added the several works & batteries raised by the Americans, taken by order of the principal farmers on Rhode Island, by Charles Blaskowitz. It was published in 1777 by Wm. Faden. Scale [ca. 1:50,000]. Nautical chart showing American Revolution military defenses and points of interest. Covers the Narraganset Bay region, Rhode Island. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, selected buildings, farms, military defenses and structures, drainage, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Depths shown by soundings and form lines. Includes text, "References to the batteries," and "A list of the principal farms in Rhode Island." This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, 1832 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Chart of Narraganset Bay : surveyed in 1832 by Capt. Alex. S. Wadsworth ... [et al.] of the U.S. Navy, by order of the Honr. Levi Woodbury, secretary of the Navy. It was published by the U.S. Navy ca. 1832. Scale [1:24,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (NAD 1983 in Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows coastal features such as lighthouses, buoys, beacons, rocks, channels, points, coves, islands, bottom soil types, wharves, and more. Includes also selected land features such as roads, drainage, land cover, selected buildings, towns, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Depths shown by soundings. Includes notes.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Newport, Rhode Island, ca. 1892 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of Newport, R.I., surveyed by N.W. Eayrs, c.e. ; under the direction of J.P. Cotton, c.e. ; J. Bergner, del. It was published ca. 1892 by Simon Hart. Scale [ca. 1:13,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, railroads, drainage, city ward boundaries, selected property boundaries, buildings, and names of property owners, and more. Includes inset: Road map of island of Rhode Island and Conanicut Island, surveyed by C.E. Hammett, Jr. Scale [ca. 1:85,000]. Also includes index to points of interest (churches, schools, hotels, libraries, mills, etc.), tables of elevation and distances, and shows radial distances. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Newport, Rhode Island, 1777 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: A plan of the town of Newport in Rhode Island, surveyed by Charles Blaskowitz. It was published in 1777 by Willm. Faden. Scale [ca. 1:6,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, buildings, wharves, American Revolution military defenses and structures, drainage, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Indexed for points of interest. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Providence, Rhode Island, 1823 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of the town of Providence : from actual survey, [by] Daniel Anthony. It was published in 1823. Scale not given. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, drainage, selected points of interest, and more. Selected buildings are shown pictorially. Includes inset views: [View of Harbor] -- Hope College and University Hall. Also includes index to points of interest (schools, churches, banks, etc.). This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Newport, Rhode Island, 1782 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Plan de la position de l'armée française au tour de Newport dans Rhode jsland et du mouillage de l'escadre dans la rade de cette ville. It was published in 1782 Chéz le Rouge. Scale [ca. 1:22,200]. Covers the Newport, Rhode Island region including a portion of Narragansett Bay. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, drainage, selected buildings, American Revolution military fortifications, French army camps, French naval vessels with lines of fire, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Includes "legende." This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Providence, Rhode Island, 1849 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: A map of the city of Providence : from actual survey, by Cushing & Walling. It was published in 1849. Scale [ca. 1:12,500]. Covers Providence, Rhode Island and portions of East Providence. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, railroads, drainage, city districts, selected buildings, cemeteries, parks, radial distances, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Includes two views and index to points of interest (churches, public buildings, hotels, mills, factories, etc.). This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Providence, Rhode Island, 1908 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of Providence, Rhode Island. It was published by Geo. H. Walker & Co. in 1908. Scale [ca. 1:14,400]. Covers Providence and portions of Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, North Providence, and Warwick. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Rhode Island State Plane Coordinate System NAD83 (in Feet) (Fipszone 3800). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, railroads, drainage, selected public buildings, schools, parks, cemeteries, city ward boundaries, and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from The Harvard Map Collection as part of the Imaging the Urban Environment project. Maps selected for this project represent major urban areas and cities of the world, at various time periods. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features at a large scale. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.