Dry tropical forests on the Dutch Caribbean islands mainly consist of cacti. Dry tropical forests can adapt several climate related risks. For example, they retain sediment and so prevent erosion, and they increase the retention of freshwater. In safeguarding critical functions, dry forests need to be preserved. Therefore, these areas should be identified, demarcated and taken into consideration in land-use planning and zoning.
Measures to restore tropical dry forests can include:
- Fencing of vulnerable plots to protect vegetation from grazing animals
- Reducing/regulating the number of grazing animals
- Alternate grazing areas with reforested plots to balance fodder needs and vegetation recovery.
- Creating nurseries for native trees, for reforestation efforts
- Replanting or reintroducing native species.
- Using pioneer species and fruit-bearing trees to attract animals that strengthen ecosystem functions (e.g. birds for seed dispersal)
- Integrating water management to increase soil moisture for planted trees
Feasibility & Local Applicability
Restoration of dry forests is highly relevant and feasible, especially on Curacao and Aruba. Limiting factors include the need for sustained finance, as restoration efforts may take a lot of time. Increasing droughts make reforestation efforts more difficult as it degrades soil health. Therefore, restoration efforts should incorporate climate smart water harvesting and irrigation techniques. Competition for space is another limiting factor.
Reforesting small plots is useful, but scaling up to larger area's or connecting small plots may be challenging.
Co-benefits
- Ecosystem conservation & increased biodiversity
- Shade
- Improved soil health
- Opportunities for eco-tourism
- Preserving cultural heritage
Equity & Vulnerability Considerations
Raising public awareness and engaged stakeholder management and activities to nurture local buy-in/support. Close collaboration with stakeholders including communities, youth, women, farmers is essential. Engaging local people in restoration efforts (e.g. planting, clean-ups) can increase acceptance and support. Communities should be included in the governance of dry forest area's and participate in decision making processes.
Restoration efforts may conflict with issues related to access to land, grazing rights, water rights, and the use of other resources such as wood. these should be taken into consideration, and communities should be supported where needed. Benefits from dry forests should be shared equitably.
Costs
Medium
Case studies & Examples
Literature
- Debrot, A. O., & Bugter, R. J. F. (2010). Climate change effects on the biodiversity of the BES islands : assessment of the possible consequences for the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Dutch Antilles and the options for adaptation measures. (IMARES-report; No. C118/10). Alterra.
- Dimson, M., & Gillespie, T. W. (2020). Trends in active restoration of tropical dry forest: Methods, metrics, and outcomes. Forest Ecology and Management, 467, 118150.
- Nelson, H. P., Devenish-Nelson, E. S., Rusk, B. L., Geary, M., & Lawrence, A. J. (2018). A call to action for climate change research on Caribbean dry forests. Regional environmental change, 18, 1337-1342.
- Palma, A. C., & Laurance, S. G. (2015). A review of the use of direct seeding and seedling plantings in restoration: what do we know and where should we go?. Applied Vegetation Science, 18(4), 561-568.
- Smith‐Martin, C. M., Muscarella, R., Ankori‐Karlinsky, R., Delzon, S., Farrar, S. L., Salva‐Sauri, M., ... & Uriarte, M. (2022). Hurricanes increase tropical forest vulnerability to drought. New Phytologist, 235(3), 1005-1017.
- Vieira, D. L., & Scariot, A. (2006). Principles of natural regeneration of tropical dry forests for restoration. Restoration ecology, 14(1), 11-20.