Restoring the Chocó: Growth and Survival of Native Chocoan Trees Using Different Propagation Methods

Abstract

The Chocó region is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and has been identified as a priority area for conservation due to its high levels of endemism and diversity, currently threatened by the ongoing loss of forest cover. In this context, establishing baseline data on the survival and growth rates of native species can contribute to the design of effective ecological restoration strategies in the region. With this objective, we evaluated the establishment capacity of 28 native species propagated from large cuttings. The results showed that survival depended primarily on species identity, suggesting that propagation capacity by this method is associated with intrinsic adaptations. Although the use of large cuttings is a more economical method than using seedlings, there are certain limitations, such as the fact that not all species can be propagated by this method or the requirement of a high number of donors in order not to affect genetic variability. Additionally, the survival and growth rates of 23 native species (seven of them endemic to the Ecuadorian Chocó) were documented in a restoration experiment based on the applied nucleation strategy. The results showed high variability among species, while edaphic factors such as more acidic, less dense soils with gentle slopes and eastward exposure favored growth and survival. Pioneer species such as Castilla elastica, Ficus tonduzii, and Cecropia sp. promoted the development of highly diverse plantations, possibly by acting as nurse species. Finally, plantations with a higher density of islands (each composed of 25 individuals) showed increased growth rates, which could reflect competitive or facilitative interactions between individuals. This thesis presents key insights into the performance of various propagation methods and provides a scientific foundation to inform future forest restoration efforts in the Ecuadorian Chocó.