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Question: Trait‐based ecology is built on the notion that traits impact individual performance, but trait–growth relationships have rarely been tested considering the intraspecific variation, trait interactions, and potential nonlinearity in these relationships. Location: Seven tropical dry forests throughout Colombia. Methods: We examined trait–growth relationships in 263 woody species of tropical dry forests in Colombia, including trait and growth information measured in the same individuals. We measured height, stem, and leaf traits related to growth and hydraulic safety–efficiency in 967 individuals in seven permanent plots (1 ha). We assessed trait–growth relationships using random forest models for each plot with different trait resolutions (individual, plot, area) and complexity of trait interactions (low, medium, high). Results: Trait–growth relationships were generally weak without significant differences among trait resolutions or levels of interactions between traits. However, when considering leaf phenology, the proportion of growth variation explained in deciduous species was almost three times higher than in evergreen species. Finally, we found that the effect of traits on growth was consistent across plots and phenological strategies, with both stem (vessel area and pit diameter aperture) and leaf (leaf area and specific leaf area) traits ranked as important predictors, the relevance of which depended on the species' leaf phenology. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that growth is probably limited by different factors depending on the species' physiology according to the leaf habit considered. However, other factors not included in the analysis, such as microenvironmental variability, might influence trait–growth relationships in tropical dry forests. Overall, our results suggest that a trait coordination approach at the whole‐plant level is needed to better understand plants' performance and demographic rates in this ecosystem. Further studies on the traits of regional flora and consideration of longer growth periods would help to elucidate the dynamics governing trait composition in these forests, which is essential for the design of adequate forest restoration and conservation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating rate of deforestation presents significant challenges to the global economy, including the loss of habitats for endangered species and a decline in biocapacity reserves. This situation also raises concerns about overcrowding and excessive production, which can undermine conservation efforts. Addressing this issue, Sustainable Development Goal 15 of the United Nations emphasizes managing forest resources, preventing habitat loss, combatting desertification, and expanding biodiversity reserves. Its contributions have played a pivotal role in wildlife conservation, mitigating rural-urban migration and preserving land resources. Given the relevance of this problem, this study examines the consequences of ongoing tropical deforestation on the loss of endangered species habitats while controlling for biocapacity reserves, urbanization, economic growth, and industrialization across a large sample of 159 nations, further categorized into low-, middle-, and high-income countries. The findings from cross-sectional and quantile regression analyses reveal that higher deforestation rates, increased ruralurban migration, and greater industrialization threaten endangered species habitats. Conversely, increased biocapacity reserves and economic growth contribute to wildlife restoration. Granger causality estimations highlight unidirectional relationships between deforestation and biodiversity loss (as well as biocapacity reserves), while deforestation and industrialization exhibit bidirectional causality. The results further indicate that sustained economic growth leads to deforestation, biocapacity reserves, and urbanization, while urbanization contributes to deforestation. This underscores the role of deforestation as the primary driver of habitat loss for endangered species and the depletion of biocapacity, thereby fostering mass production. Urbanization and economic growth are shown to be causally linked to deforestation across countries. The study underscores the urgent need to safeguard forest reserves against large-scale land conversion for infrastructure development, industrialization, and settlement of overpopulated urban areas, as these factors contribute to habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. Conserving, restoring, and promoting sustainable utilization of ecosystems are essential measures to address natural uncertainties and advance Sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forests of Central Africa constitute the continent's largest continuous tract of forest, maintained in part by over 200 protected areas across six countries with varying levels of restriction and enforcement. Despite protection, these Central African forests are subject to a multitude of overlapping proximate and underlying drivers of deforestation and degradation, such as conversion to small-scale agriculture. This pilot study explored whether transboundary protected area complexes featuring mixed resource-use restriction categories are effective in reducing the predicted disturbance risk to intact forests attributed to small-scale agriculture. At two transboundary protected area complex sites in Central Africa, we used Google Earth Engine and a suite of earth observation (EO) data, including a dataset derived using a replicable, open-source methodology stemming from a regional collaboration, to predict the increased risk of deforestation and degradation of intact forests caused by small-scale agriculture. For each complex, we then statistically compared the predicted increased risk between protected and unprotected forests for a stratified random sample of 2 km sites (n = 4000). We found varied effectiveness of protected areas for reducing the predicted risk of deforestation and degradation to intact forests attributed to agriculture by both the site and category of protected areas within the complex. Our early results have implications for sustainable agriculture development, forest conservation, and protected areas management and provide a direction for future research into spatial planning. Spatial planning could optimize the configuration of protected area types within transboundary complexes to achieve both forest conservation and sustainable agricultural production outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Old-growth forests provide many ecosystem services and benefits. However, they are becoming increasingly rare and thus are an urgent priority for conservation. Accurately mapping old-growth forests is a critical step in this process. Here, we used LiDAR, an improved individual tree crown delineation algorithm for broadleaved forests, Gaussian mixture modelling, and a rule-based classification key to map the extent and location of old-growth forests across a topographically and ecologically complex landscape of 337,548 ha in southeastern Australia. We found that variation in old growth extent was largely driven by the old growth definition, which is a human construct, rather than by uncertainty in the technical aspect of the work. Current regulations define a stand as old growth if it was recruited prior to 1900 (i.e., >120 years old) and is undisturbed (i.e., <10% regrowth canopy cover and no visible disturbance traces). Only 2.7% (95% confidence intervals ranging from 1.4 to 4.9%) of the forests in the study landscape met these criteria. However, this definition is overly restrictive as it leaves many multi-aged stands with ecologically mature elements (e.g., one or more legacy trees amid regrowth) unprotected. Removing the regrowth filter, an indicator of past disturbances, increased the proportion of old-growth forests from 2.7% to 15% of the landscape. Our analyses also revealed that 60% of giant trees (>250 cm in diameter at breast height) were located within 50 m of cool temperate rainforests and cool temperate mixed forests (i.e., streamlines). We discuss the implication of our findings for the conservation and management of high-conservation-value forests in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study considers the issues of introduction and reintroduction of the Red Book species of checker tree in the system of decorative gardening, forest protection, and forest ecosystems. That is why the purpose of the study was to monitor the green corridors of rural and urban ecosystems of the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine, to investigate and select the best forms of checker tree in terms of morphological characteristics and physiological properties for promising areas of distribution and conservation in the form of pure and mixed plantings. The following methods were used in the research: route, field, biometric, laboratory, comparative analysis, mathematical and statistical. New forms of checker tree were introduced, studied in in situ and ex situ conditions, and selected for the prospects of their further introduction and reintroduction into the ecological network of Ukraine and conservation to activate trophic, phoric, and other types of biotic interactions in a single territorial ecosystem. Sparsely distributed biotypes of Torminalis glaberrima (Gand.) Sennikov & Kurtto f. Intermedia Kossetz were found in the zone of green corridors of rural and urban ecosystems of the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. Some specimens of these biotypes were identified as valuable material for introduction into the system of fruit and ornamental gardening, including parks and monuments of landscape art, as well as natural monuments, protected tracts, sanctuaries and reserves of pure and mixed plantings, alleys, forest reclamation strips, etc. It was established that the elements of originality of the selected forms of checker tree - Eva, Podolianochka and Slavka - are the specificity of the crown shape, which determines the level of productivity, small and medium growth force, normal reaction to pruning (which affects the size and yield of fruits), high degree of flowering (60-80%), increased fruit size (diameter of more than 2 cm), increased fruit weight (1.8-2.1 g), increased number of fruits on the stem (≥20 units), a pleasant and harmonious taste of fruits, high quality of fruits, lack of periodicity in fruiting in nature and in culture, high xenogamy (69-75%), high yield of fruits from the plant, increased winter hardiness (7.5 pt.), high drought resistance (8 pt.) and resistance to pests, including pear leaf blister mite (7-9 pt.). The findings can be used in the future to replenish pure and mixed plantings in the ecological network of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Togo's protected areas have been subject to a worrying process of anthropisation. This has led to a decline in forest ecosystems, their biodiversity and their functions. The general objective of this study is to assess the state of conservation of the classified forest of Amou-Mono between 1986 and 2021. More specifically, it aims to: (i) characterize the dynamics of land use from 1986, 2000, 2013 and 2021 and, (ii) assess the impact of changes in land use on the potential for carbon sequestration. A multi-date classification of Landsat images for the years 1986, 2000, 2013 and 2021 made it possible to quantify and assess changes in occupation. The dynamics of land use between 1986 and 2021 is mainly reflected by a regression of dense/riparian forests (81.40%) and open forests/wooded savannahs (67.79%) and the progression of wooded/shrubby Savannah (172.93%). Anthropogenic formations: Fields/fallow and Agglomerations/Bare soils, absent in 1986, occupy in 2021 respective proportions of 38.1 % and 2.19%. Human activities, particularly logging and agricultural clearing, are causing fragmentation and regression of forest ecosystems. Unless action is taken to reverse the trend, the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions in this classified forest will be increasingly threatened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of new technologies in agro-industrial activities has contributed to the minimization of problems due to soil depletion; however, the management of soil quality for agricultural use has been a neuralgic point due to the processes of infertility due to erosion. The objective of this research is to model soils degraded by agroindustrial interaction using Sentinel images in the municipality of Valledupar, Cesar (Colombia). Different national and international remote sensing images were used to obtain components for the application of the universal soil loss equation RUSLE. The results show a low to very high degree of erosivity - R factor, mainly critical towards the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) and soils of very low erodibility - K factor. The LS factor shows varied length and slopes. Forests, crops and grasslands identified by factor C predominate towards the forest conservation zones of the mountainous landscape, while in the alluvial valley there are crops and shrublands together with sparse and semi-arid vegetation. It was found that the largest percentage of the study area has slight losses while the moderate to very high zones are strongly dominated by high slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preserving the forest ecosystem in Jeneberang watershed is important for sustainability of the Jeneberang River and to ensure water supply for downstream activities. In order to ensure sustainability, forest conservation in the upstream area is significant and this involves participation of local community. However, their participation is not formal; rather it is voluntary effort to protect the area from further damage. Therefore, this paper examined the benefits received by local communities living in Manimbahoi village through forest conservation efforts. It has two objectives, mainly to describe the benefits for local communities' participation in preserving their forest and to analyse the purpose of local communities' voluntarily engagement in forest conservation. Field research was carried out from May to June 2021. Data collection was carried out by in-depth interviews with several key informants, observation, and through literature review. The results of the study show that local communities are encouraged to maintain forest areas for water conservation for rice fields and plantations. In addition, part of the conserved area has become a local community garden. Hence, forest conservation ensures sustainable livelihood of the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this work is to describe the structure and conservation status of the forest of Prosopis flexuosa and Prosopis chilensis around Huaco and in the adjacent basin of the Bermejo River (department of Jáchal, San Juan). Currently, this genus has changed its name to Neltuma. To this end, baseline information for the conservation and sustainable management of these little-studied native forests was generated from an inventory that took into account dasonomic parameters such as conservation status and tree form. This information is linked to a forest typology based on satellite image classifications. The results are expressed in a proposed classification of four native forest types for this locality and its surroundings. This classification includes, in addition to the characteristics of the area covered by native forest, the identification of the different uses and disturbances that have impacted it in recent decades. Finally, different management and land-use planning proposals for these forests in northern San Juan are preliminarily discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the temporal dynamics of the native forest cover in the Guandu River hydrographic basin (GRHB) between the years 1985 and 2020, using landscape ecology metrics. Methodology: The land cover and land use values from the MapBiomas project in the years 1985 and 2020 were used. The native forest fragments were classified according to their size, as C1 (< 5 ha), C2 (5-25 ha), C3 (25.1-50 ha), and C4 (> 50 ha). Landscape ecology metrics were calculated using the V-Late 2.0 extension in ArcGIS®? Originality/Relevance: Study of the temporal dynamics of forest cover of hydrographic basins is essential to define strategic forest conservation and restoration actions aimed at protecting water resources. Results: The native forest cover of the GRHB increased by approximately 12%, with an increase in the number and average area of fragments. In general, the forest remnants became closer to each other and demonstrated a higher edge density. A high number of small fragments (< 5 ha) was verified and the largest fragments (> 50 ha) were the main factor responsible for the expansion of the native forest cover in the basin. Social/management contributions: Forest restoration actions in the GRHB should prioritize the connectivity of smaller fragments. In addition to supporting forest restoration projects, the results contribute to the application of methodologies to implement water resource management instruments, helping to define practices and policies for sustainable water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of Natural Capital of the Romerillo forests (NCR) has been little studied in relation to the Education of this important type of natural capital. However, currently, many researchers have argued that Education can contribute significantly to the teaching and learning of this natural capital. By investigating how the concept has been studied, this article has attempted to establish the direction, understanding and use of Education that the NCR may take in the future, within the context of research into an Intangible Creative Ecological Economy (ICEE). This study used an exploratory research methodology with secondary information, in combination with chronological, conceptual and thematic literature review techniques. The literature review indicates that Education on NCR has been used in three areas of research to explain or address a particular construct: (1) promotion of formal and informal programs for use of the intangible environmental services, (2) development of an ICEE that promotes biotrade of intangible services from the Romerillos forests, and (3) short- and long-term conservation of the Romerillos forests. For future studies, it is recommended to address the concept of Education in “Intangible Forest Natural Capital” as a strategy for the sustainable use of the intangible environmental services of the NCR, aiming to mitigate deforestation and preserve the forests of the Romerillos Andean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the restoration of the holm oak forest ecosystem, which has suffered damage from wildfires, and with the aim of reducing the wildfire risk, the primary threat to these natural habitats, this study seeks to establish a systematic approach to map areas at risk of forest fires. This approach relies on the use of remote sensing data, including Landsat 8 satellite images and digital elevation models using Geographic Information System (GIS). Factors influencing the ignition and spread of forest fires were assessed, including vegetation cover, topography, and human factors. A forest fire risk map has been created for the Holm oak forest in the Al Hassasna region (Saida province), enabling local authorities and forest managers to implement more effective fire prevention and management measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacred forests offer co‐benefits of protecting both cultural traditions and forested areas. However, sacred forests' contribution to biodiversity conservation is often undervalued. Several reviews discuss biodiversity conservation in sacred forests, but large‐scale studies that quantify the effect of sacred forests on biodiversity conservation are scarce. Many studies on the effectiveness of sacred forests in protecting biodiversity are limited to single‐location censuses or lack comparisons against non‐sacred forests that serve as controls. To quantify the impact of sacred forests on biodiversity conservation, we conducted a global meta‐analysis that compares sacred forests with nearby non‐sacred forests (i.e., control areas). Using 35 studies from 17 different countries, we found that sacred forests harbored similar levels of biodiversity as nearby forested areas. When comparing taxonomic groups, we found that the positive benefits to biodiversity in sacred forests compared to non‐sacred forests were higher for plants compared to non‐plant taxa. Our meta‐analysis provides quantitative evidence that sacred forests can be effective areas of biodiversity conservation. Based on our results, we suggest that researchers interested in sacred forest biodiversity compare sacred forests with other land use types, collect standardized metadata from sacred forests and nearby areas that serve as comparisons, and extend monitoring to include more non‐plant taxa. Sacred forests can preserve ecosystem function, provide social benefits, and play a role in fighting against climate change, and should not be overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of various strategies aimed at simultaneously promoting environmental conservation and human development are closely related to sustainable development regionally and globally. However, although the effects of many such strategies have been evaluated by ecologists and sociologists separately, their ability to simultaneously meet these two anticipated goals (i.e., environmental conservation and human development) at the fine spatial scale remains unclear. To answer this fundamental but crucial question, incorporating household and forest change data, we concurrently estimated the ecological and socioeconomic effects of two world-renowned Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs (i.e., the Nature Forest Conservation Program, the Grain to Green Program) and nature-based tourism in 30 protected areas across 8 provinces in China. Here we showed a trade-off between the ecological and economic effects of two PES programs, while synergistic effects exist in the ecological and economic benefits of tourism. Attributes of household and protected areas significantly influenced economic and environmental benefits as well. Our research provides new insights into the complex effects of PES programs and tourism, and crucial information to support their adequate and sustainable implementation in China and the rest of the world. Significance Statement: This work answers a fundamental but crucial question, that is, whether the policies commonly advocated to incorporate environmental conservation and human development can yield positive effects both for conservation and economic development. Our evaluation is also timely to inform some shortness (i.e., negligible economic effects, or the lack of expected positive economic benefits) and provides new insights (e.g., the implication of households and protected-areas attributes in conservation and economic outcomes) of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs and the complex effects of instruments in the context of multiple policies, particularly given the upcoming 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). We expected that implications in this study can provide important lessons for these two instruments, other PES programs, and other conservation and development instruments to support their adequate and sustainable implementation in China and beyond and to contribute to the achievement of relevant SDGs in the remaining years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown-eared woolly opossum (Caluromys lanatus) is an elusive frugivorous Neotropical canopy specialist marsupial considered primarily arboreal, but here we report the first records of individuals from this species captured on the ground in the Cerrado. We hypothesize two main reasons to explain this behavior: first related to canopy openness, which would force the animals to the ground to keep moving across the landscape; and the second related with search for food on the ground during periods of food scarcity due to increased canopy gaps. Our findings can have important implications for the species conservation and understanding forest ecological dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation is one of the main threats to biodiversity in Africa. In this article, we highlight the importance of conserving the Guinean forests of West Africa, which are rich in biodiversity and endemism but threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. The size of forest patches is critical, with larger fragments containing more species than smaller ones. The protection of intact, dense forest patches is vital for any conservation strategy in West Africa, but improving the management of forests that are already used for logging and hunting is also essential. Community forests (CFs) can play a crucial role in conservation, especially if there is a substantial network that can promote ecological connectivity. However, biomonitoring in CFs remains a challenge due to inadequate resources. By developing standardised, easy-to-apply and inexpensive methods for biomonitoring, communities can be involved in biomonitoring instead of relying solely on scientists and expensive equipment. We present a monitoring framework here where we suggest local communities should become the main agents for biomonitoring in their own forests; we highlight a five-step scheme. The importance of the various CFs in terms of conservation should be made through a combination of accurate, standardised face-to-face interviews with selected persons in the target communities and biomonitoring be based on the RAPELD scheme. The latter will be implemented after specifically training local 'wise' persons. We are proposing a kind of 'citizen science' scheme, applied to enhance the ability of local communities to monitor their own biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article focuses on the (dis)continuity of sacred forests' management in the Pare Mountains, Tanzania, and questions the reasons behind the big generational divide when it comes to forest conservation. Studies show that sacred forests in North Pare are better preserved than national forest reserves and scholars suggest that the reasons for such high biodiversity are the communities' local traditions and conservation methods. Because local caretakers enable well-organized conservation with low economic expenditure, sacred forests' management has been thus recently considered a new favoured type of conservation model. However, the results of my ethnographic !eldwork show that at stake in this context, is much more the basic question of how this traditional knowledge can be gained in the first place. While it is commonly accepted that the main causes of forest destruction are farming, the cutting of building poles, etc. this paper highlights that the biggest concern regarding sacred forests' conservation for people in North Pare is the young generations' distance from sacred forests. I suggest therefore that changing worldviews have to be considered in the debate of sacred forest conservation and that knowledge transfer to the next generation of custodians (and mechanisms to ensure this happens) can complement recent conservation efforts, which typically neglect such generational issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The jurisdictional approach concept emerged in response to the widespread failure of sectoral forest conservation projects. Despite its increasing popularity, understanding jurisdictional approach outcomes is challenging, given that many remain in either the formation or implementation stage. Furthermore, diverse stakeholders hold different perspectives on what exactly a jurisdictional approach is intended to pursue. These different perspectives are important to unravel, as having a shared understanding of the outcomes is important to build the critical support needed for it. This study aims to add to the limited evidence with a case study in Sabah, Malaysia, which is committed to addressing a leading deforestation driver (palm oil) through sustainability certification in a jurisdiction. We used Q-methodology to explore stakeholder perceptions, revealing three distinct perspectives regarding what outcomes jurisdictional approaches should pursue. We asked about outcomes achievable within ten years (2022–2032) and considering real-world constraints. We found different perspectives regarding economic, environmental, governance, and smallholders' welfare outcomes. However, we found consensus among stakeholders about some outcomes: (i) that achieving zero-deforestation is untenable, (ii) that issuing compensation or incentives to private land owners to not convert forests into plantations is unrealistic, (iii) that the human well-being of plantation workers could improve through better welfare, and (iv) the free, prior and informed consent given by local communities being required legally. The findings offer insights into key stakeholders' perceptions of the deliverables of jurisdictional approaches and the difficulty of achieving its objectives under real-world constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall are expected to have negative e%ects on ecosystem services causing significant shrinkage or shift in forest distributions particularly in the Mediterranean basin. In this study, we aimed to determine the distribution of Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica Manetti), modeling the current and potential future distributions in Morocco with Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) approach. Modeling was performed using all bioclimatic variables that show a significant relationship to the current distribution of Atlas cedar and that were specifically preferred in the literature by several similar studies. Prediction of warmer future scenarios showed that populations in the potential area would decrease by 21% for RCP 4.5 (2050), by 23% for RCP 4.5 (2070), by 35% for RCP 8.5 (2050), and 41% for RCP 8.5 (2070) and that there would be an impact in all ranges including the Cedar Biosphere Reserve in Morocco. Similarly, the Atlas cedar would lose its isolated-marginal populations in its southern and western extents. The results underline the importance of a genetic conservation program for cedar populations in Morocco. Otherwise, gene pools seem to turn extinct due to climate change. Furthermore, this study is intended to provide a starting point for continuous monitoring of Atlas cedars distributions while observing its climatic migration. Species distribution modeling generates valuable information for conservation management strategies for this endemic, rare, and threatened relict tree species. The results can be used to identify high-priority areas for Atlas cedar restoration and conservation against the expected impact of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive phenology of plants has profound influence on ecosystem dynamics including plant–animal interactions. Broad phenological patterns, especially the timing of reproduction, may result from long‐term climate trends and co‐evolution between plants and their pollinators, dispersers, and predators. Yet, interannual climate variation and local abiotic conditions may also affect the timing and magnitude of plant reproduction. Understanding the patterns of and controls on plant reproduction are crucial for conservation efforts under a changing global climate and rapidly expanding human development. However, phenology studies from the Neotropics are sparse. Here, we examine the relative timing and magnitude of fleshy‐fruited plant reproduction during the winter dry season in subtropical dry forest on Eleuthera, The Bahamas over a nine‐year period. At least 47 species were observed with some dry season reproductive activity, but only 17% showed evidence of a fruiting peak or continuous reproduction. Overall fruit abundance generally declined through the dry season, but flower production increased between mid and late dry season. Variation in fruit and flower abundance among years was related to temperature and rainfall, but local site conditions—particularly successional stage and groundwater availability—explained more variability in reproductive activity than climate variation. Groundwater availability had a particularly strong positive influence on flower and fruit abundance at the end of the dry season, a critical time for migrant frugivores preparing to return to their breeding grounds. This emphasizes the importance of protecting sites with accessible groundwater to conserve biodiversity in the archipelago and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In context of global change, biodiversity loss poses a serious problem in the Mediterranean basin. In Algeria, degradation problems (logging, deforestation, bush fires and agriculture) affect vegetation. Knowledge of vegetation characteristics is necessary to manage disturbed areas. That is why this study focused on demographic structure of main species of Ouled Bechih forest (Quercus canariensis and Quercus suber). On eight plots representing this forest of 900 m2, chosen at random, dendrometric and phytosociological parameters were collected. The results obtained reveal a total specific richness of 41 species. Principal families are Asteraceae (21.95%) and Fabaceae (7.32%). Average woody density is 154 individuals/ha with an average basal area of 27.33 m2/ha. Variance analysis shows that there is a high significant difference between the dendrometric parameters (p<0.001). Diameter and height structures are consistent with Weibull distribution. These structures indicate that trees are moderately stable with predominance of large diameter individuals. The results obtained will allow monitoring the vegetation dynamics and will help foresters to put in place a management plan to preserve this forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims -- The forests of the Congo Basin contain high levels of biodiversity, and are globally important for carbon storage. In order to design effective conservation strategies, and to accurately model carbon stocks, a fine-scale understanding of the different forest types that make up this forest block is needed. Monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest covers large areas of the Congo Basin, but it is currently unclear whether it is sufficiently distinct from adjacent mixed terre firme forest to warrant separate treatment for conservation planning and carbon calculations. This study aimed to compare the structure and diversity of monodominant and mixed forest, and ask whether there is a unique vascular plant community associated with G. dewevrei forest. Material and methods -- We utilised a combination of plot data and herbarium specimens collected in the Sangha Trinational (a network of protect areas in Cameroon, Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo). Plot inventories were used to compare G. dewevrei forest and mixed forest for stem density, basal area, above ground biomass, stem size distribution, species diversity, and species composition. In addition, a database of 3,557 herbarium specimens was used to identify species of vascular plant that are associated with G. dewevrei forest. Key results -- Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest is distinct in both structure and species composition from mixed forest. Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest has a lower stem number (of trees ≥ 10 cm), but a greater proportion of larger trees (> 70 cm), suggesting higher carbon stocks. The species composition is distinct from mixed forest, with 56 species of vascular plant significantly associated with G. dewevrei forest. Conclusion -- Monodominant G. dewevrei forest in the Sangha Trinational is both compositionally and structurally distinct from mixed forest. We therefore recommend this forest type be considered separately from mixed forest for conservation planning and carbon stock calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broad-leaved deciduous forests in the transitional region from temperate to subtropical climate in China exhibit a diverse assemblage of species. The effects of potential biotic and abiotic factors on forest species diversity are currently of great interest. Here, we quantified the diversity of woody plant species across vertical strata in a fully recorded 25-ha permanent forest dynamics plot (500 × 500 m) in the Mts. Qinling of China using 4 indices: Pielou evenness index ( J SW ), Shannon entropy (H ), species richness (S ), and species abundance. Analysis of multivariate linear regression was employed to compare the influences of potential biological, topography, and soil variables on the alpha diversity for each of the 625 sub-plot (20 × 20 m) in the canopy layer, substory layer, and understory layer. The results displayed that the indices of the alpha diversity significantly varied among different forest vertical strata and they were mostly and significantly related to the DBH structure variable, soil available phosphorus (P), and altitude. Despite vertical strata of the studied forest, biological, topographic, and soil factors jointly showed reasonably strong explanatory power for species diversity. More than 12% of the variations of the alpha diversity in canopy layer and 16% in substory layer as well as 8% in understory layer could be collectively explained by biological, topographic, and soil factors. Our findings can contribute to the understanding of how environmental and biological factors interact to affect species diversity and thus are of great implication for the preservation of forest species diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid expansion of tea plantations (Camellia sinensis), which replace local natural forests, decreases the water conservation function in the headwater region and threatens regional water security. However, studies focusing on the comprehensive evaluation and improvement of the water conservation function of natural forests and tea plantations are lacking. In this study, we developed a comprehensive evaluation method for the water conservation function by investigating, monitoring, and conducting process model simulations of 221 tea plantation and natural forest (bamboo forest) samples obtained in the field. We also quantified the trade-off between water conservation and carbon sequestration. The results showed that the tea plantations had lower annual water conservation than the bamboo forests. Slope was the most critical influential variable affecting water conservation in tea plantations. Strict control should be exercised in the development of steep slopes above 20° for tea plantations, to enhance the regional water conservation capacity. Water conservation in bamboo forests increased to the maximum level at a planting density (SD) of approximately 2500–2700 tree/ha and then decreased quickly. The optimal SD values of bamboo forests were 2500, 2600, and 2650 trees/ha at slopes of 10°, 15°, and 20°, respectively, which can maintain higher water conservation and adequate carbon sequestration. Overall, water conservation and carbon sequestration increased by approximately 22.6% and 13.7%, respectively, compared with the average values for bamboo forests. However, at slopes >20°, a strong trade-off was observed between water conservation and carbon sequestration, and competing ecosystem services accompanied those, which were hard to balance and which resulted here in disproportionate water conservation at the cost of carbon sequestration loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and land use/land cover (LULC) change have received widespread attention as the two main factors contributing to the shrinking of plant habitats. However, the different effects of these factors on understory economic tree species are not clear. This is not conducive to the conservation and exploitation of forest resources. Here, we used species distribution modeling to predict the extent to which climate change and LULC change will affect changes in suitable habitats for A. elata under different scenarios in the future. The results showed the suitable habitat to be located in the Changbai Mountain Range in northeast China. The current area is 110,962 km2. The main variables that affect the suitable habitat are annual precipitation, LULC, slope, and mean diurnal range. The percentage contributions are 31.2%, 16.8%, 12.8%, and 12.3%, respectively. In the 2070s, the area of high-quality (moderately and highly) suitable habitat was reduced by an average of 6.05% when climate alone changed, and by an average of 10.21% when land use alone changed. When both factors changed together, there was an average decrease of 9.69%. When climate change and land use change acted together, the shrinking area of suitable habitat did not suddenly increase. These findings help to identify potentially suitable habitats for A. elata and to carry out conservation and exploitation efforts to ensure sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evaluate the effect of fire on natural regeneration and forest species diversity in a medium superennifolia forest in southeastern Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: Natural regeneration was classified into three height categories (0 to 30 cm, 31 cm to 1 m and 1 to 3 m) and trees in three forest sites burned and unburnt by fire. Results: A total of 1193 individuals belonging to 69 species in 29 taxonomic families were recorded. Regeneration from 0 to 30 cm presented significant differences in species diversity in unburnt forest sites, while in regeneration from 1 to 3 m in burned forest sites. Limitations on study/implications: These types of studies are a first approximation to natural regeneration after a fire in tropical forests, so it is important to maintain permanent sites to monitor the recovery of ecosystems and thus be able to establish management strategies for the restoration of these ecosystems. Findings/conclusions: Regeneration after the fire was established with a low but constant number of species, indicating a tendency towards vegetation resilience. This information allows government institutions to make better decisions on the management and prevention of these ecosystems in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the ecological effects on forest conservation before and after changes in Brazilian forest protection, taking a case study of a water source area in Diadema, the municipality with the highest demographic density in São Paulo State. We also evaluated compliance with the laws (Forest Code—FC and Native Vegetation Protection Law—NVPL), considering the reality of land use and land cover (LULC) in the year before the new law NVPL. We created LULC maps of legal scenarios for both laws analyzed based on landscape metrics of optimal resource availability (ORA), distance from the nearest neighbor (ENN), and anthropogenic edge frequency and length (ESD and ED). Our findings revealed that changes to some technical criteria in the NVPL reduced the quantity (220–105 ha) and quality (ORAFC = 0.02 and ORANVPL = 0.005) of Diadema protected forests and altered their neighborhood relationships, stronger influenced by human-modified fields as agents of fragmentation and pressure for further disturbances. The results indicate that the new law does not substantially increase compliance (30–35%), but if it has full compliance, landscape connectivity could be improved (ENNFC = 8.6 and ENNNVPL = 11.2). Our technique to create a LULC map of legal expectation, combined with the application of selected landscape metrics, proves valid for understanding the changes in Brazilian expectative protection regarding forest conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming can cause climate change and have a broad impact on people's lives. The increase in global temperature is caused by increased carbon emissions due to deforestation in various countries. Forests play a very important role in solving the carbon emissions problem. One source of carbon dioxide emissions throughout the world is the existence of Tropical Forests. One of the countries that has the largest tropical forest in the world is Indonesia. Kalimantan Island is one of the largest islands and has the largest forest area in Indonesia. This research was conducted at PT. Asmin Bara Bronang who runs the company's CSR program. The variables are the implementation of CSR programs, the targets of the CSR programs implemented and their impact on changes in community behavior in forest conservation. This research also discusses the relationship between implementing CSR programs with ISO 26000 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. Data collection was carried out through interviews with 43 sources consisting of PT Asmin Bara Bronang employees and community recipients of the CSR program. The collected data was then analyzed using the content analysis method. Research shows PT. Asmin Bara Bronang carries out a CSR program contributes to changes in the behavior of the Dayak Ngaju community in efforts to preserve Kalimantan's forests. It is hoped that this research can complement the literature regarding the implementation of CSR programs in supporting forest conservation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships between species diversity and size structure complexity on above ground biomass (AGB) have theoretical and practical applications for biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management. The relationships become more complex in the high-species diversity of tropical forests and heterogeneous environmental conditions. To disentangle the complicated relationships, structural equation models were applied to examine the relative effects of species and tree size diversity on above ground biomass under different topographical conditions of two tropical evergreen forest stands. Our results showed that: (i) species diversity contributes greater to AGB in the forest stand under homogeneous topography. (ii) Structural diversity positively affected AGB in the heterogeneous topographical stand. (iii) Slope revealed a negative effect on species diversity but positive effects on structural diversity and AGB in both studied plots. We concluded that maintaining high-stand structural diversity enhances above ground biomass and local topographical conditions constrain the relationship between species and size diversity in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations states that more than four million hectares of African forests are being cut down annually. Policies being taken by governments to combat this scourge have continued to hit brick walls. However, in precolonial African societies, forests were significant in the sustenance of the lives of the people, insects, and animals that dwelt therein. The trees in the forests serve as medicinal herbs and also provide shelter for the metaphysical beings believed to determine the existence of the living. People lived in forested terrains as a result of the close relationship between the African and his natural environment. Festivals were celebrated to venerate the forests and solidify man's kinship with the woods. However, a question that is pertinent at this juncture is: what could be responsible for the massive deforestation of trees and the disconnection of the African from his natural environment on the continent? What alternative solutions could be used to replace the top-down approaches instituted by the government? This study examines the trajectory of the disconnection of the African from his natural environment and investigates the factors responsible for this displacement. I argue that policies formulated by the government are not enough to mitigate deforestation and displacement of communities. The contention here is that Threats of fines and other punitive measures were no deterrent to people cutting down trees to sell. Also, with the failure of the government's policies on the preservation of forests, indigenous communities impacted by deforestation should employ traditional festivals to promote the conservation of forests and improve traditional medicine. The Edegberode festival of the Sapele people in Nigeria is used as a paradigm of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Catalana de Dret Ambiental is the property of Universitat Rovira I Virgili and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Recent studies identifying underlying and proximate drivers of tropical deforestation and forest degradation have applied a multitude of methodologies, with varying and sometimes conflicting results. Divergent results can have implications for evidence-informed programs, policy action, and land use planning since these differences can lead to controversy as to which drivers should be addressed by deforestation and emissions-reduction or conservation programs, in addition to mismatch between the scale of study results and the scale of policy and program implementation. To identify and reconcile divergences between results among different scales and methodological approaches, we systematically reviewed 231 articles in the drivers of deforestation literature and found inconsistency in scale applied within studies (e.g., differences between the stated scale of analysis and scale of article recommendations), and variation in the number and type of drivers identified between studies by methodology. Additionally, global and regional studies tended to feature recommendations that would be difficult to implement, or that targeted large-scale problems lacking specificity. This study clarifies common themes in driver identification and what is needed for drawing contextualized, scale-appropriate conclusions relevant to forest conservation policy and sustainable land use planning. We suggest improvements to recommendations drawn from drivers of deforestation studies and avenues to reconcile divergences in approaches and results, which will support efforts to advance forest conservation and sustainable forest management outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses two conferences, including the One Forest Summit held in Libreville, Gabon, in March 2023, and the Regional Post-Graduate Training School's forum in Kinshasa, Congo, from September 18 to 20, 2023. Topics discussed include tropical forest conservation, land rights of Indigenous Peoples, and sustainable management practices in the Congo Basin.

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ABSTRACT The areas of Amazonian floodplains have added ecological value to their multiple ecosystem services, including water supply, local climate regulation, biodiversity with a marked number of endemic species, and diversity of micro-habitat. Considering the importance of conserving these environments, this study aimed to analyze the behavior and delimit the areas of the natural distribution of forest species Alchornea castaneifolia (Willd.) A. Juss and Laetia corymbulosa (lowland low), Maquira coriacea (H.Karst.) C.C. Berg (Moraceae), and Ocotea cymbarum Kunth (high floodplain), besides evaluating the potential impacts of climate change on the future distribution inferring on its conservation. The potential species distribution was modeled using Environmental Modelling & Software, by employing algorithms such as Bioclim, Domain, Maximum Entropy, Random Forests, and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The projections indicate that climate change threatens the occurrence of floodplain species. Under the SSP 585 scenario for both periods, the four species studied will lose areas of climatic adequacy until the end of the 21st century, especially in the Brazilian Amazon. The study shows the need to increase socio-environmental responsibility through conserving current protected areas in freshwater ecosystems and implementing new priority areas for conserving wetlands (Ramsar Sites) in the Amazon. Such measures are essential to ensure in situ conservation and protect them from habitat loss.

Maintaining forest biodiversity and carbon sequestration potential of forest resources enhances the provision capacity of forest ecosystem services. Experience from around the world and in Ethiopia has shown that shifting forest management from state-centred to community-centred arrangement can result in a better forest stock. Therefore, this study examined the status of woody species diversity, regeneration and total living biomass carbon stock of forests under participatory forest management (PFM) and the adjacent state managed non-participatory forest management (Non-PFM) in South eastern Ethiopia and implications to REDD+. Data were collected from 89 (44 PFM and 45 Non-PFM) nested circular plots from four PFM and three Non-PFM selected forest sites with transects laid systematically. Tree DBH and height were measured, the number of saplings, seedlings, mature trees were counted and species names were recorded. Woody species diversity was estimated using shannon, simpson, and evenness diversity indices. A total of 29 and 23 woody species were recorded in PFM and Non-PFM forests, respectively. Woody species diversity did not show significant difference between PFM and Non-PFM forests but it was relatively higher in PFM forest. The density per hectare of seedlings, sapling and mature trees were significantly greater in PFM forest than in Non-PFM forest. The mean aboveground biomass carbon stock of PFM forest (225.50±26.54) was significantly greater than that of the Non-PFM (156.24±15.72) forest. Hence, managing forests through participatory approaches contributes to the enhancement of sustainable management and climate change mitigation potentials through reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation.

Interview with Fangyuan Hua, who studies forest biodiversity and conservation at Peking University. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although recent years have witnessed a considerable increase in studies on the economic value of ecological products, the extant literature has overlooked the multidimensional enhancement of ecological product value from the perspective of farmers’ well-being. This research aims to examine how the Realization of Ecological Product Value (EPVR) serves as a crucial pathway to promoting the overall well-being of farmers in developing countries. Through a case study of a village in southeastern China, this research reveals that EPVR can enhance farmers’ well-being via various mechanisms as follows: (1) Economic solution to enrich farmers’ livelihood diversity, achieved by leveraging rural resource endowments and comparative advantages; (2) Fair social protection program enabling farmers to enjoy ecological benefits and further achieving urban-rural integration; (3) Environmental protection plan that balances production, living, and ecology; and (4) Grassroots governance tool promoting the governance ability to form collaborative governance model in a community of shared interests. This study offers theoretical support for enhancing human well-being through the realization of ecological product value in rural areas.

The agro-industrial grain industry generates a large amount of waste, which is often discarded, leading to environmental problems and the potential loss of valuable resources. However, in recent years an innovative approach has emerged that aims to use this waste to obtain cellulose, a compound with several industrial applications. The process of extracting cellulose from agroindustrial by-products of the food industry involves stages such as harvesting and milling, followed by a chemical and/or enzymatic treatment to obtain pure cellulose. Dependence on primary sources of pulp such as wood is reduced, thus contributing to the conservation of forests and natural ecosystems. In addition, the use of agro-industrial waste for pulp production reduces the amount of waste burned or poorly discarded, thus minimizing the environmental impacts associated with its disposal. Inadequate, in addition to the environmental benefits, the use of agro-industrial waste to obtain cellulose can also generate economic opportunities for many families who can use this medium to grow economically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeting degraded areas in forested landscapes for restoration could deliver rapid climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation, improve resilience of forested lands to future climate change, and potentially reduce the trade‐offs between nature recovery and agriculture. Although the importance of forest restoration for climate mitigation is acknowledged, current estimates of its climate mitigation potential may be underestimated because they focus predominantly on reforesting cleared areas. We built on recent analyses of forest integrity and unrealized forest biomass potential to examine the potential for restoring the integrity of degraded forests. There are over 1.5 billion ha of forests worldwide that retain 50–80% of their potential biomass. Prioritizing restoration in these areas could deliver rapid biodiversity and climate mitigation benefits, relative to restoring forest on cleared land. We applied a spatial planning approach to demonstrate how restoration interventions can be targeted to support the conservation of high‐integrity forest, a potential pathway to the delivery of the 30×30 goal of the Convention on Biodiversity's Global Biodiversity Framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Deal for Nature sets an ambitious goal to protect 30% of Earth's land and ocean by 2030. The 30 × 30 initiative is a way to allocate conservation resources and extend protection to conserve vulnerable and underprotected ecosystems while reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change. However, most prioritization methods for identifying high‐value conservation areas are based on thematic attributes and do not consider vertical habitat structure. Global tall forests represent a rare vertical habitat structure that harbors high species richness in various taxonomic groups and is associated with large amounts of aboveground biomass. Global tall forests should be prioritized when planning global protected areas toward reaching the 30 × 30 goals. We examined the spatial distribution of global tall forests based on the Global Canopy Height 2020 product. We defined global tall forests as areas with the average canopy height above 3 thresholds (20, 25, and 30 m). We quantified the spatial distribution and protection level of global tall forests in high‐protection zones, where the 30 × 30 goals are being met or are within reach, and low‐protection zones, where there is a low chance of reaching 30 × 30 goals. We quantified the protection level by computing the percentage of global tall forest area protected based on the 2017 World Database on Protected Areas. We also determined the global extent and protection level of undisturbed, mature, tall forests based on the 2020 Global Intact Forest Landscapes mask. In most cases, the percentage of protection decreased as forest height reached the top strata. In the low‐protection zones, <30% of forests were protected in almost all tall forest strata. In countries such as Brazil, tall forests had a higher percentage of protection (consistently >30%) compared to forests of lower height, presenting a more effective conservation model than in countries such as the United States, where forest protection was almost uniformly <30% across height strata. Our results show an urgent need to target forest conservation in the greatest height strata, particularly in high‐protection areas, where most global tall forests are found. Vegetation vertical structure can inform the decision‐making process toward the 30 × 30 goals because it can be used to identify areas of high conservation value for biodiversity protection which also contribute to carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of the impact of community-based forest management (CBFM) on conservation outcomes is mixed. Local governance is a key moderating factor, but what constitutes good governance is still up for debate. Desirable institutional features typically arise endogenously, which complicates the analysis of causality. We use an experimental design to analyze the impact on environmental outcomes of adding an externally implemented monitoring regime to an existing CBFM initiative in Ethiopia. We distinguish between bottom-up and top-down monitoring to improve the accountability of local leaders. We find that enhanced bottomup monitoring by community members does not affect forest outcomes, but top-down monitoring promotes forest conservation. We also identify a mechanism linking top-down monitoring to conservation: leaders work harder to protect the forest, which "crowds in" effort by community members. Our results are not about reducing the role of communities in forest management, they are a plea for oversight by the relevant authority to help communities overcome local power asymmetries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study was conducted to estimate the carbon stocks of the Geramo forest. • The biomass of 73 woody species (trees and shrubs) was estimated using appropriate allometric equations. • The four forest carbon pools (AGB, BGB, LHG and SOC) were considered to determine carbon stock density in this study. • The estimated total carbon stock of the Geramo forest was about 57,994 Mg h−1. • The estimated climate change mitigation potential of the study forest was about 212,838.1 Mg h−1. Forests play a vital role in the global carbon balance and combating global climate change by sequestering and retaining carbon from the atmosphere in their biomass and soil. Thus, this study aims to estimate the carbon stocks in the biomass and soil along with various environmental factors in the Geramo forest in southern Ethiopia. Ninety-six plots (20 × 20 m2) were laid at a distance of 250 m along 16 line transects that were laid 300 m apart. Five 1 × 1 m2 subplots (4 at the corner and 1 at the center) were laid inside each main plot for LHG and soil data collection. The results revealed that the estimated total carbon stocks and mean carbon stock densities of the study forest were 57994 Mg h−1and 604 ± 344 Mg h−1, respectively, with a mean CO 2 equivalent of 2217 ± 1262 Mg h−1. This result indicates the remarkable role of the Geramo forest in carbon stock and sequestration potential compared with other remnant forests in Ethiopia. Thus, the Geramo forest plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, and hence, this forest can generate carbon credits as financial benefits to the nearby population in the future. The results also revealed that anthropogenic disturbances were negatively associated with the carbon stocks of the forest. Therefore, sustainable forest conservation activities are needed to conserve forest resources, protect the forest from growing anthropogenic disturbances, and sustain its current global climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global forests are increasingly being threatened by altered climatic conditions and increased attacks by pests and pathogens. The complex ecological interactions among pathogens, microbial communities, tree hosts and the environment are important drivers of forest dynamics. Little is known about the ecology of forest pathology and related microbial communities in temperate forests of the southern hemisphere. In this study, we used next‐generation sequencing to characterize sapwood‐inhabiting fungal communities in North Patagonian Nothofagus forests and assessed patterns of diversity of taxa and ecological guilds across climatic, site and host variables (health condition and compartment) as a contribution to Nothofagus autecology. The diversity patterns inferred through the metabarcoding analysis were similar to those obtained through culture‐dependent approaches. However, we detected additional heterogeneity and greater richness with culture‐free methods. Host species was the strongest driver of fungal community structure and composition, while host health status was the weakest. The relative impacts of site, season, plant compartment and health status were different for each tree species; these differences can be interpreted as a matter of water availability. For Nothofagus dombeyi, which is distributed across a wide range of climatic conditions, site was the strongest driver of community composition. The microbiome of N. pumilio varied more with season and temperature, a relevant factor for forest conservation in the present climate change scenario. Both species carry a number of potential fungal pathogens in their sapwood, whether they exhibit symptoms or not. Our results provide insight into the diversity of fungi associated with the complex pathobiome of the dominant Nothofagus species in southern South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]