Tropical forests in Panama take a long time to recover after being abandoned. Even after 120 years, some rare tree species are still missing. The forests' diversity and structure can bounce back within 40-90 years, but the original mix of species may not fully return for centuries. This is because certain fast-growing trees dominate early on, affecting the forest's development. Protecting old-growth and older secondary forests is crucial for preserving biodiversity in the long run.