Fellowship Year:
2026
Degree:
PhD
Research Country:
Sri Lanka
Research Continent:
Asia
Project Title:
Investigating the impact of land-use history on vegetation succession in dry tropical forest in South Asia
Abstract:
Using swidden and gravel mining sites within a seasonal dry forest system in Sri Lanka, this project examines how different land uses influence ecological succession and forest recovery. Drawing on a 15-year chronosequence, the study evaluates plant diversity, species composition, soil seed banks and soil properties across regenerating sites. The research also assesses the effectiveness of topsoil replacement and direct seeding as strategies for active gravel mining restoration.