Biology Forums - Study Force

11. If agriculture on a once virgin tropical forest area were to stop, how could we speed up the process of secondary succession so that the tropical forest returns?

Secondary succession is the process of a community of organisms returning to an area after a disturbance. To speed up the process of secondary succession in a tropical forest, we could introduce species that are adapted to the local environment, such as native plants, insects, and animals. We could also reduce the amount of light and water available to invasive species, and remove any debris or other materials that could be preventing the growth of native species. Additionally, we could use controlled burning to reduce the amount of competition from invasive species and to stimulate the growth of native species. Finally, we could introduce beneficial fungi and bacteria to the soil to help promote the growth of native species.