Trees, Forests and People最新文献

Plantation forestry is pivotal in meeting global timber and fiber demands while promoting sustainable practices. Eucalyptus plantations, renowned for their rapid growth and adaptability, have significantly expanded in tropical regions such as Thailand. Improved Eucalyptus clones have enhanced productivity, emphasizing the role of genetic improvement programs. Accurate biomass estimation in these plantations is crucial for sustainable management and bioenergy production. This study employs a nonlinear mixed model approach to evaluate tree variables combined with rotation, clones, and region on aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation. The results showed that the "rotation, clones, region" model emerged as the most precise, achieving the highest R² and the lowest SEE, ASE, and MPSE values. However, over-parameterization is a concern. The more straightforward "clone" model performed well, achieving a high R² and relatively low prediction error, with no systematic bias and comparable ASE, MPE, and MPSE values, making it a strong choice when fewer predictor variables are preferred. Our results revealed that clones H4 and K7 for the northeastern region and K58 for the eastern region show the highest annual productivity, with growth rates up to 20 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The rapid AGB increment in clones K58, K62, and K7 during the first rotation suggests improved performance in subsequent rotations. As in eastern Thailand, selecting less arid sites can enhance these clones' AGB productivity. Additionally, intensive silvicultural practices could further boost their productive efficiency.

Maple syrup is an important part of the economy in various regions of the United States. Studies on maple syrup production potential mostly use climatic factors as determinants and, therefore, fail to account for non-climatic factors. In this study, we applied a stochastic production function framework to establish a relationship between maple syrup yield and a set of climatic (temperature and tapping season length) and non-climatic determining factors, such as the number of maple trees and utilization rate of the potential number of taps. Tree characteristics, climatic, and other factors had mixed effects on syrup yield. The number of maple trees, the number of taps, and the minimum temperature had marginal negative effects on average syrup yield, while the length of the season and the maximum temperature had positive effects. A predictive model was developed and used to estimate the potential production of maple syrup under low, medium and high utilization levels in Kentucky, a likely region for maple syrup production. This model could be useful for maple syrup research, education, and extension in maple-producing states.

Forests are crucial for climate change mitigation as they absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide. In Finland, ash fertilization of drained peatland forests has been identified as part of the climate change mitigation strategy, yet it is implemented notably less than it could be. Therefore, this study aimed to identify most effective nudges, nudge+ and boosts that could steer Finnish non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners to adopt ash fertilization in their forest. Semi-structured interviews with 19 NIPF owners were analyzed using the Behaviour change wheel to identify key factors influencing owners’ willingness to engage in ash fertilization. Most factors raised by forest owners were related to reflective motivation encompassing both drivers and barriers to practicing ash fertilization. We also identified possible cognitive biases that were influencing decisions. The suggested nudges, nudge+ and boosts address both the specific concerns of the forest owners and the underlying heuristics. For example, framing ash fertilization as a standard procedure of professional forest management and including it into forest management plans could facilitate overcoming status quo bias that may hinder the adoption of novel forest management practices. These findings are directly applicable for creating nudges, nudge+ and boosts on ash fertilization for experienced, professionally managing NIPF owners with larger forest estates. Our study also offers an approach that can be adapted for broader application in environmental and climate-friendly decision-making, contributing to the growing body of literature on the intersection of behavioral science and environmental management.

Push-pull technology is a companion cropping system whose success in soil fertility improvement and management of agricultural pests has been established in cereal-based systems. Push-pull has also been proposed as a template for the sustainable intensification of agriculture in Africa. However, the application of the technology has remained on a field scale and is restricted to cereal-based systems. Trees in agricultural landscapes are considered a strategy for climate change mitigation by storing carbon in soils and woody biomass. However, their potential has not been quantified in push-pull systems. This study characterized 45 smallholder farms in western Kenya to establish the land use categories within which push-pull is integrated, the diversity and structure of perennials on the farms, and the aboveground carbon stored within those farms. The area of each land use category varied depending on the size of the land use category on each farm. The amount of carbon stored in aboveground biomass was estimated using an existing allometric equation. This study found that trees are integrated on farms with push-pull in homesteads (45), cropland (38), woodlots (26), boundaries (4), and grazing land (2) farms. A total of 9159 trees from 97 different species were recorded over 34 ha. Farms in Vihiga and Kisumu had more trees (38 % and 37 % of all trees recorded) than those in Siaya (25 %). There were more trees in woodlots (total=4518) and homesteads (total=3327), and the least in grazing land (total=18). Overall, the highest species richness, Shannon, and Simpson diversity were observed in the homestead (86 species, H’=2.52 and D = 0.86). Farms in Kisumu, Vihiga, and Siaya stocked an average of 12.1, 9.4, and 7.3 Mg C ha⁻¹ in aboveground biomass respectively. Variations were observed in land use categories, where woodlots had the greatest amount of carbon (55.5 Mg C ha⁻¹) while grazing land had the least (2.4 Mg C ha⁻¹). Eucalyptus spp., Grevillea robusta, and Markhamia lutea were the most dominant trees in abundance at 50 %, 16 %, and 11 % respectively. Conservation of trees on farms should be encouraged, as they protect biodiversity and store carbon thus contributing to climate change mitigation. This study's findings contribute to knowledge valuable to farmers and policymakers in making decisions on tree species and land use categories that have a high potential to sequester carbon in agroforestry systems.

Adansonia digitata L., commonly known as the African baobab, is an important plant within the Malvaceae family. It is a highly nutritious forest tree and holds a special place in several African countries. Despite its prevalence in Africa, its presence is very limited in India, and only a few individual plants of this species are reported from different parts of India, including Kerala. This study focuses on the plants growing at Ajanur and Thalassery in the Kasaragod and Kannur districts of Kerala, respectively. This study reports natural variation in phytochemicals, minerals, and the proximate components of its flowers and leaves at these locations. The results of this study show that total carbohydrate (28.79 %), crude fibre (10.76 %), and protein (53.09 %) content was higher in leaves at Ajanur. In contrast, chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid content were highest in leaves at Thalassery and showed a value of 39.03 mg/g, 16.65 mg/g, and 13.21 mg/g, respectively. The highest quantity of elements viz. Ca, Zn, K, Fe, Cu, Ni, and Cr were reported in leaves from Thalassery, whereas Mg and Mn were abundant in the leaves from Ajanur. Flowers from Ajanur demonstrated a superior nutritional index, while Thalassery leaves exhibited a higher mineral index. Assessment of antioxidant activity indicated the highest DPPH scavenging activity in the leaves from Ajanur (IC₅₀ = 102.57 μg/mL) and the highest ABTS scavenging activity in its flowers from Thalassery (IC₅₀ = 62.74 μg/mL). The differences in nutritional components and antioxidant properties of the baobab from these two ecological sites underscore the role of ecological factors in its natural variation. Although it is an important forest food tree in the African continent, its potential contribution towards food security from the Indian subcontinent remains untapped.

Tropical forests play a significant role in climate change by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, deforestation and forest degradation adversely affect these forests’ carbon stocks. Reports indicate that anthropogenic activities have led to forest degradation and deforestation in Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (BFMS) and Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve (KSNR). This study assessed the effects of these activities on the carbon stocks of BFMS and KSNR. Using satellite imagery, field measurements and allometric models, carbon stocks of the study area were assessed from 1992 to 2023. The assessment revealed significant losses attributed to anthropogenic activities, such as hunting, farming and charcoal burning. BFMS experienced a total loss of 40,236 Mg C, while KSNR lost 272,109 Mg C. The closed forests had the highest carbon stock amongst the different vegetation types, with soil representing the most significant carbon pool in the protected areas, revealing the influence of vegetation structure on carbon sequestration and the need for soil conservation. The substantial carbon sequestration potential observed in the different vegetation types of the study area indicates that the Forest-Savannah Transition Zone is a prospective area for climate change mitigation aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (Goals 13 and 15) and the National Climate Change Policy of Ghana. These findings provide valuable insights for carbon trading and biodiversity conservation, emphasizing the potential of nature-based solutions in addressing global climate challenges.

In recent years, agroforestry technologies have emerged as promising alternative measures for addressing major environmental crises. However, their use in Africa remains below anticipated levels. Therefore, this systematic review aims to investigate the underlying reasons for the low adoption and limited use of such technologies in Africa. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses protocol (PRISMA), we conducted a comprehensive search for relevant scientific papers in databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 351 articles were initially identified. Following the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 36 articles were selected from which data were manually extracted for inclusion in this review. Descriptive statistics were employed to assess the farmers’ perceptions of agroforestry technologies and the constraints they face when adopting them. Several constraints were identified, and the top five constraints were pests, problems of land access, lack of knowledge and skills, lack of capital and lack of seeds. To maximise the adoption of agroforestry technologies in Africa, it is imperative to introduce the technologies by considering the local context, the specific needs of farmers and the existing socio-economic dynamics. Such initiatives must include robust training and education programmes, accessible financing solutions, appropriate land tenure reforms and effective support mechanisms for access to seed and pest management. These factors could considerably improve the adoption and effectiveness of agroforestry technologies in Africa, thereby contributing to more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.

Agroforestry is a land-use system integrating trees, crops, and sometimes livestock, offering a promising solution for both environment and agricultural resilience. The primary objectives of the study were to examine the determinants of market choice and quantity of market supply of pineapple in the agroforestry system in the Sal-forest under Tangail district in Bangladesh. Data were collected by using stratified randomly selected 200 pineapple farmers of Madhupur sub-district in Bangladesh and conducted 15 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 2 In-depth Interviews (IDIs). The study employed a multivariate probit model and multivariate linear regression. The pineapple farmers simultaneously selected 3 markets to maximize their profit: local market, district market and central market. Small and medium farmers are more likely to sell their products in local markets, and large farms are more likely to sell products in central and district markets. Multivariate probit regression analysis showed that training, farm size, and farmer ambition negatively influence local market selection by farmers. Ethnicity, training, experience, farm size, and knowledge of quality requirements had a positive influence on district market selection. Investment in production and uncertainty in buyers’ stability had a negative influence on central market selection. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that the age of respondents, total production, and association involvement positively impacted quantity of supply in the local market. Training, total production, and farmers’ ambition positively impacted district market supply. Farm size and average price of the pineapple positively impacted the quantity supply in the central market. The district and central markets offered better returns although several obstacles limited pineapple producers’ access to these markets. The uncertainty of buyers in accessing the central market (more profitable markets) needs to be addressed by stakeholders to encourage more agroforestry pineapple-based producers to select the right markets.

The degradation of swamp forest ecosystem services due to the adverse effects of climate change has already been observed. Ratargul Swamp Forest (RSF), the only swamp forest in Bangladesh, provides livelihood and ecotourism opportunities for millions. It forms a crucial nexus between the community's economic well-being and the preservation of a unique, ecologically significant natural habitat. However, this ecosystem has experienced severe degradation due to various climatic and anthropogenic factors. Conservation of this unique ecosystem is expected to play a crucial role in addressing climate change and achieving the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to estimate household Willingness to Pay (WTP) and total economic value for this ecosystem using the contingent valuation under a climate change scenario. The mean WTP is estimated to be 7,360.00 BDT, while the total annual benefit of the RSF conservation program is estimated to be 31,798,129.50 BDT per year using a parametric approach. Our result shows that individuals with higher incomes whose primary livelihood depends on this ecosystem, receive benefits from this ecosystem, and have a good understanding of climate change are likely to pay more for the RSF conservation program. Therefore, implementing a communication policy to increase knowledge about climate change would significantly contribute to conserving this unique ecosystem and thus achieve the country's SDGs and the United Nations REED+ program in developing countries.

Agroforestry systems play a dynamic role in sequestering atmospheric carbon to keep the environment safe and provide various benefits such as food, fodder, fuel wood, increased farm income, biodiversity maintenance, and soil conservation. The present study assessed agroforestry's status, services, and role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration in three districts of Punjab, Pakistan: Chiniot, Faisalabad, and Sargodha. In the current study, the administrative geographical division, which is the village, union council, Tehsil, and district, was considered for sampling. Field visits were carried out in 175 rural union councils of 14 Tehsils of selected districts to collect socio-economic data through validated questionnaires and tree inventory data to estimate carbon stocks. Research results revealed that most of the respondents in the study area were middle-aged, had about 8–10 years of education, and had less than 5 hectares of landholding. Nearly 34 % to 36 % of farmers earned 359.59 to 1438.37 USD annually, with farming as a major income source. Linear planting was the dominant form of agroforestry, with P. deltoides, D. sissoo, and E. camaldulensis being major tree species. The current number of trees ha^-1 was 19–25, while the potential trees ha^-1 could be 57–72 in the study area. Across 14 tehsils of selected districts, the maximum total tree carbon stock (8.97 Mg ha^-1) and total tree CO₂ sequestration (32.21 Mg ha^-1) was estimated in Tehsil Lalian of district Chiniot while the lowest total tree carbon stock (1.82 Mg ha^-1) and total tree CO₂ sequestration (7.34 Mg ha^-1) were estimated in Tehsil Faisalabad of district Faisalabad. The results of this study highlight that the eco-friendly advantages of agroforestry can be used to improve approvals and strategies on the selection and management of tree species, along with land use systems for designing effective carbon sequestration projects in Pakistan.