Data from: Trait-based species selection for restoration: A case study from tropical landscapes dominated by bracken

Deforestation leads to non-forested areas that often need active
ecological restoration to promote forest succession. Here, we developed a
trait-based approach to guide the design of restoration projects and
tested our approach in tropical areas deforested by fires and dominated by
bracken. Deforestation caused by human-induced fires creates complex
conservation problems in tropical areas. After fire, montane tropical
deforested areas are often dominated by bracken fern (Pteridium spp.),
which prevents the establishment of many species of trees. This means that
effective ecological restoration strategies are needed for forest
recovery. We explored whether a trait-based approach could be used to
guide the selection of tree species in active restoration projects in
deforested areas. We first tested whether traits could be used to predict
which species can overcome bracken-associated filters. We then tested the
relationship between the trait-based predictions for each species and
their abundance in a reference old-growth forest. To identify key traits,
we conducted a seed addition experiment in bracken-dominated areas that
had developed 5-15 years after a fire, using 23 tree species common in the
Bolivian montane forests, and monitored seedling establishment, survival,
and growth for 36 months. We then related seedling performance to the
functional traits of adults and seedlings. We found that six functional
traits improved tree seedling performance in bracken-dominated areas, and
that only one-third of the species evaluated exceeded a 25% probability of
recruitment. Most of the favored traits correspond to conservative
strategies. The species dispersed by birds and with large seeds were the
most likely to overcome the filters created by bracken. Based on the trait
predictions, we found that the species predicted to overcome bracken are
not common in old-growth forests. Our results can be used by stakeholders
to select the species best suited for active restoration projects in
bracken-dominated areas throughout the tropical region. Furthermore, our
trait-based approach, which considers seedling performance in disturbed
areas, can serve as a guide for species selection in restoration programs
in other disturbed systems.