Center for Tropical Forest Science-Arnold Arboretum Asia Program
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Center for Tropical Forest Science-Arnold Arboretum Asia Program
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About CTFS-AA Asia Jump to: Introduction: The Global CTFS Network
The CTFS-AA Asia Program forms part of a global initiative in long-term tropical forest research, coordinated by the Center for Tropical Forest Science of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in conjunction with scientific collaborators around the world.
The broad objectives of the CTFS research program are: (1) to develop a general theory of tropical forest diversity and dynamics, providing explanations of the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors in controlling species distributions and the regulation of population and community dynamics, and (2) to develop models incorporating ecological and economic analyses for predicting human impacts on and optimizing sustainable utilization of tropical forests. We believe that these and many other fundamental ecological questions concerning tropical forests are best addressed by a comparative approach involving long-term, individual-based, mapped, permanent forest plots.
The consortium of researchers and institutions collaborating with CTFS has established a pantropical network of 17 large-scale (50 ha) permanent plots in 14 countries representing the diversity of tropical forests in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The information and research infrastructure available through the CTFS program provides a wealth of opportunities for local and international scientists to conduct research, and unparalleled opportunities for the education and training of students at all stages.
The central feature of the CTFS network, present at each site, is the standardized Forest Dynamics Plot. Forest Dynamics Plots are unique due to their large size and intensive sampling methods. Within each plot, every tree over one centimeter in diameter is marked, measured, plotted on a map, and identified according to species. The typical Forest Dynamics Plot is 50 hectares in size and may contain as many as 360,000 individual trees. An initial tree census and periodic follow-up censuses yield long-term information on species growth, mortality, regeneration, distribution, and productivity. Utilizing the data from the standardized, intensive Forest Dynamics Plots throughout the tropics, CTFS researchers are exploring tropical forest species diversity and dynamics at a global scale.
The CTFS-AA Asia Program includes eight core sites, each with a large-scale research plot. The sites were chosen to represent the major biogeographical areas of Southeast and South Asia. The plots are found across a gradient of climates, soil types, and natural disturbance regimes. Each research site has developed through partnerships of CTFS-AA with local institutions and other international universities and research groups. Current CTFS-AA core sites are in Malaysia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Singapore. CTFS-AA also collaborates in associate sites in Taiwan and Thailand.
On our web site, you can find:
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CTFS-AA Asia Program, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 · Tel: 1-617-495-1494 · Fax: 1-617-495-9484 · E-mail: ctfs@oeb.harvard.edu |