Tempo and Mode in Secondary Succession: Above-Ground Biomass, and Forest Structure on the Coiba Island, Panama (1919-2023)

Research on Coiba Island, Panama, reveals distinct successional pathways shaped by land-use history, challenging traditional views of ecological succession. The study found strong gradients (R² ≥ 0.87) linking above-ground biomass and basal area to past human activity, from unused to still-in-use sites, spanning 1919–2023. Three primary successional trajectories emerged: one from meadows, another from shifting agriculture, and a third from an ancient (>400-year-old) forest, with additional pathways tied to rivers and camps. These findings clarify debates on convergence vs. divergence in succession and offer land-use history-based strategies for conservation, providing actionable insights for protecting this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Garrido-Perez, E. I., Mali-Mali Bastidas, N., & Justo, S. C. (2024). Tempo and Mode in Secondary Succession: Above-Ground Biomass, and Forest Structure on the Coiba Island, Panama (1919-2023). Vegueta: Anuario de La Facultad de Geografía E Historia, 629–674. https://doi.org/10.51349/veg.2024.2.03