Data from: Timber and trails: Low-intensity selective logging and elephant trails shape seedling dynamics in an Afrotropical forest

Very low-intensity logging can be a compromise between strict conservation
and income-generating land use in tropical forests. Investigating how
selective logging influences the understory environment and seedling
dynamics as the forest regenerates offers insights into whether logging
negatively impacts forest dynamics, influencing the composition and
structure of future forests. We explored how very low-intensity logging
(<2 trees ha-1) influences understory factors and seedling dynamics
across a logging chronosequence (unlogged forest vs. forest actively
logged and forest logged four and fourteen years prior). To do this, we
assessed (i) how light levels, prevalence of vegetation damage, and
elephant trails differ in logged forests at different recovery stages
compared to unlogged forest; (ii) how these understory factors influence
seedling dynamics; (iii) how seedling dynamics differ across the logging
chronosequence; and (iv) how logging impacts liana vs. tree seedlings
across the chronosequence. We observed higher light availability and
vegetation damage in logged forests up to four years after logging and
higher elephant trail prevalence at fourteen years after logging compared
to unlogged forests. Seedling survival was lower in plots with vegetation
damage, elephant trails, or lower light, while seedling growth rates were
higher in vegetation-damaged areas. Selectively logged forests initially
had lower seedling survival and recruitment, but higher growth rates
compared to unlogged forests. However, 14 years after logging, seedling
dynamics were similar to patterns in unlogged forests. Lianas had a slight
seedling growth advantage over trees in all logged forests compared to
unlogged forests. Results from our study suggest that logging causes
temporary shifts in understory dynamics rather than long-term shifts in
forest recovery trajectories. These managed areas have potential as land
that can contribute to OECM targets – functioning as mixed-use corridors,
connecting protected areas across a landscape and contributing to
biodiversity and wildlife conservation – especially in high forest cover,
low deforestation countries.