From July to October seeds were collected from at least three
remnant individuals of each species in pastures of the region. Seeds
were germinated directly in 0.7-liter plastic bags filled with soil from
pasture surrounding the fragments. Cavanillesia arborea was germinated
in 1.5-liter bags because its seeds are larger. Seeds remained
in a nursery ∼20 km from outplanting sites from October 2000
to January 2001 under 25 percent shading, a light level intermediate
between forest understory and gap environments. During this
time seedlings received water daily until 1 wk before outplanting,
when they were exposed to full sun and received water every 2 d
to acclimate them to field conditions. Seedlings were planted in the
fragments on 1–2 February 2001 (middle of the rainy season). One
week later all dead seedlings were replaced