Trees, Forests and People最新文献

{"title":"Integrating millets into agroforestry systems: A climate-smart strategy for sustainable land use and livelihood improvement with special emphasis on India","authors":"Jyotiraditya Das ,&nbsp;Umesh Sharma ,&nbsp;Neeraj Sankhyan ,&nbsp;Shilpa Sharma ,&nbsp;Vinay Chauhan ,&nbsp;Subhasmita Parida ,&nbsp;Aiswaryalakshmi A R","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101087","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101087","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Conventional monocropping practices often characterized by limited inputs, declining soil health, and vulnerability to climate extremes pose significant challenges to sustainable food production and land management across dryland and rainfed agro-ecosystems. In this context, the integration of millets into agroforestry systems is gradually emerging as a viable strategy to enhance ecological stability, crop productivity, and rural livelihoods. Millets such as <em>Eleusine coracana, Pennisetum glaucum, Setaria italica</em> are hardy, nutrient-dense, and climate-resilient cereals requiring minimal external inputs which makes them particularly suited for diversified agroforestry models. This review synthesizes global and regional evidence particularly from India on the performance, sustainability benefits, and agronomic viability of millet-based agroforestry systems. Studies indicate that combining millets with multipurpose tree species improves soil organic carbon, nitrogen availability, and moisture retention, while supporting higher land-use efficiency and biodiversity conservation. Millet-based intercropping with legumes, oilseeds, and fruit trees under agroforestry enhances nutrient cycling and economic returns by optimizing land equivalent ratios and benefit-cost ratios. Recent advances in millet improvement through molecular breeding, genomics, and genome editing are accelerating varietal development for intercropping suitability and stress resilience. Additionally, the review highlights the crucial role of traditional ecological knowledge and indigenous land-use practices in shaping successful millet-tree integrations. Despite promising outcomes, research gaps remain in optimizing tree-crop combinations, planting densities, and input regimes for different agro-ecological zones. Strategic policy interventions, participatory research, and institutional support are needed to mainstream these systems into national and regional agricultural development frameworks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101087"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145576365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identifying indicators of sustainable management of urban forests: A qualitative approach","authors":"Davood Vafadari Komarolya ,&nbsp;Rahim Maleknia","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101084","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101084","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban forests are vital components of sustainable cities, providing critical ecological services and enhancing the physical and mental well-being of citizens. Their long-term preservation depends on sustainable management, yet a significant gap exists in the availability of a prioritized, empirically-grounded set of indicators for evaluating Sustainable Management of Urban Forests (SMUF). This study addresses this gap by developing and prioritizing a comprehensive set of indicators to establish a robust framework for SMUF assessment. A qualitative approach was employed, involving a two-phase process of semi-structured interviews with 32 domain experts. The first phase identified a preliminary set of indicators through thematic analysis. In the second phase, these indicators were prioritized using a direct influence matrix, where experts scored their importance. The matrices were subsequently analyzed using the MACTOR software to calculate influence weights and convergence between professional disciplines. The results identified and ranked 15 key indicators, revealing that diversity in plant species, presence of native species, conditions for citizen participation, and creation of safety and security were the most frequent, important, and convergent. In contrast, indicators such as soil conservation management and pruning damaged trees were assigned lower priority. A significant finding was the strongest convergence in perspectives between landscape architects and natural resource engineers, highlighting a shared professional consensus. This study provides a novel, structured, and actionable framework for urban planners, designers, and policymakers. The methodological approach is replicable and adaptable to diverse urban contexts. By integrating these prioritized indicators into urban forest management strategies, stakeholders can enhance civic engagement, strengthen ecological infrastructure, and advance urban sustainability goals more effectively, ultimately contributing to more livable and resilient cities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101084"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of forest fires on soil physicochemical properties in Himalayan forest ecosystems of Uttarakhand, western Himalaya","authors":"Himanshu Bargali ,&nbsp;Neha Tiwari ,&nbsp;Dinesh Bhatt ,&nbsp;R.C. Sundriyal ,&nbsp;V.P. Uniyal","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101083","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101083","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forest fire represents a recurrent disturbance in the Himalayan Forest ecosystems of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. The repeated occurrence of large-scale fire events in these forests exerts profound ecological, economic, and socio-cultural impacts. Soil is considered one of the most important natural resource and wildfire alter the nutrient status and composition of the soil. Little information is available on how soil properties such as moisture and pH level, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium stock vary along depth-wise before and after fire. In order to address this research problem, soil samples were collected from 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths before and after forest fires from mixed, sal, and chir-pine forests of Uttarakhand, India. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to explore the relationship among these different parameters. Before the fire, soil moisture content and organic carbon was highest in mixed forest followed by sal and chir-pine forest and after the fire, both moisture and organic carbon reduced across all forest types. Soil pH was initially slightly acidic in all forest type and after the fire pH of all forest type increased. Nitrogen and Phosphorus content was highest in mixed forest followed by chir-pine and sal forest but after fire, both the nutrients decreased. Potassium content increased after the fire due to ash deposition, and an increase in soil pH and potassium suggests nutrient redistribution. Overall, present study suggested that management of forest fire is essential to mitigate these impacts and restoration efforts to safeguard soil health and maintain ecosystem productivity in the Himalayan region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101083"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regeneration potentials of tree species in a degraded protected area on the Southeastern Coast of Bangladesh","authors":"Bipul Krishna Das ,&nbsp;Mohammad Firoj Jaman ,&nbsp;Mohammed Jashimuddin ,&nbsp;Ummey Habiba ,&nbsp;Mohini Das ,&nbsp;Babla Mohajan ,&nbsp;Pradip Kumar Sarker","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101082","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101082","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding natural regeneration dynamics is critical for forest conservation and restoration. This study assessed tree species regeneration, diversity, and structure in Inani National Park (INP), Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Stratified random sampling was employed across 131 plots (19.64 m² each) within four land cover strata: <em>Shrub with Scattered Trees, Hill Forest, Forest Plantation,</em> and <em>Others</em>. A total of 90 regenerating species were recorded, comprising 71 seedlings and 63 saplings. Regeneration varied markedly across land cover strata, with <em>Shrub with Scattered Trees</em> exhibiting the highest species richness, diversity, and recruitment, while <em>Forest Plantation</em> and <em>Other</em> strata showed limited regeneration. Seedlings were more abundant than saplings, reflecting high early-stage recruitment but lower survival to later stages. Species dominance and family composition were habitat-specific, with pioneer and generalist species such as <em>Acacia auriculiformis</em> and members of Fabaceae family showing strong recruitment, whereas several late-successional and specialized species exhibited limited regeneration. Human-induced disturbances—including logging, grazing, and pole extraction—alongside environmental stressors, influenced species composition, height-class distribution, and regeneration potential. The findings provide a baseline for conservation planning, supporting biodiversity management and sustainable forest restoration in INP. Targeted interventions, including assisted natural regeneration and enrichment planting, are recommended to enhance recruitment of underrepresented native species and strengthen the long-term resilience and ecological integrity of the forest.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101082"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Degradation of oak forests in the Himalaya: impacts on diversity, carbon stock, and regeneration","authors":"Shruti Shah ,&nbsp;Nandan Singh ,&nbsp;Ashish Tewari ,&nbsp;Richa Mishra ,&nbsp;Lalit M. Tewari ,&nbsp;Mohd. Tariq ,&nbsp;Pankaj Sah ,&nbsp;Tabarak Malik","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101080","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101080","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the Himalayan region, relentless extraction of forest products has led to modified forest structure, species composition, and productivity of the forests. Degradation is a slow process and becomes evident generally after a long time, when recovery is difficult. The Himalayan Forests are depleting at a very fast rate, 0.36 km² year^-1. In the IHF (Indian Himalayan Forest), deforestation is less evident, but human-induced anthropogenic activities like lopping, livestock grazing, and wildfires can lead to the complete disappearance of the tree canopy, and only the stump remains. The oak-dominated forests in the Indian Himalayan region sustained the agro-pastoral communities, and as a result, finding unexploited oak forests is becoming difficult. In the present study, we compared the regeneration, plant diversity, carbon stock, and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in highly disturbed (HD) forests with less disturbed forests (LD) of three dominant oaks, namely <em>Quercus leucotrichophora, Q. floribunda</em>, and <em>Q. semecarpifolia</em>, between an elevation of 1800 and 2700 m. A total of six sites were selected (3 HD and 3LD) for each oak forest site (a total of 18 sites). Regeneration is a problem in all three oaks in the HD sites, but even the LD sites seem to be at risk. The seedling to sapling conversion percent was less than 30 % in all three oak species. Among the oak species the seedling density was highest in <em>Q. floribunda</em> LD site (196–311 indi/ha) and lowest in <em>Q. semecarpifolia</em> HD site (38–34indi/ha). Both Shannon diversity and richness were consistently higher in LD forest sites 1.48 in <em>Q. leucotrichophora</em> forest, 1.10 <em>Q. floribunda</em> forest and 1.05 in <em>Q. semecarpifolia</em> forest than in HD forests. The tree biomass was maximum in <em>Q. floribunda</em> LD site (S6) 849.8(t ha^-1) and minimum 234.8(t ha^-1) in <em>Q. leucotrichophora</em> HD (S1) site<strong>.</strong> The biomass and carbon stock varied significantly across forest (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and disturbance level (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001); however, there was no significant variation in the biomass and carbon stock of all three <em>Quercus</em> species. The SOC also varied significantly with soil depths (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) and was highest at the top layer (0–10 cm) and decreased with the soil depth. The soil organic carbon stock was maximum in <em>Q. leucotrichophora</em> forests, 73.4 t C ha^-1 (LD), and minimum in 29.1 t C ha^-1 in <em>Q. semecarpifolia</em> HD sites up to 30 cm depth. There is an urgent need for the Conservation of the oak of the Himalayan region, along with long-term assessment of the sustainable level of resource utilization from the oak forest by the local communities. Alternate sources of energy and green fodder can be promoted to fulfill the requirements of the dependent communities on these forests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101080"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biomass and carbon sequestration in four sub-montane forest types: Insights from multiple-year monitoring data in Indonesia","authors":"Laode Alhamd ,&nbsp;Joeni Setijo Rahajoe ,&nbsp;Amandita Lintang Rumondang ,&nbsp;Tika Dewi Atikah ,&nbsp;Bayu Arief Pratama ,&nbsp;Siti Sundari ,&nbsp;Asep Sadili ,&nbsp;Kusuma Rahmawati ,&nbsp;Dewi Handayani ,&nbsp;Edi Mirmanto","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101078","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101078","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Indonesian forests, encompassing approximately 95.5 million hectares, are vital for climate change mitigation through carbon storage and sequestration. This study assessed biomass dynamics, carbon stocks, and CO₂ sequestration across four sub-montane forest types: sub-montane natural secondary forest (SMSF), sub-montane pine forest (SMPF), sub-montane liquidambar forest (SMLF), and sub-montane agathis forest (SMAF), within Bodogol Resort, Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (GGPNP). Four one-hectare permanent plots were monitored over three measurement periods to evaluate tree growth, regeneration, species composition, total biomass, and carbon sequestration. The results reveal that SMPF exhibited the highest biomass and carbon stock (528.91 Mg ha⁻¹, 264.46 MgC ha⁻¹), followed by SMAF (518.70 Mg ha⁻¹, 259.35 MgC ha⁻¹), SMLF (426.47 Mg ha⁻¹, 213.23 MgC ha⁻¹), and SMSF (327.36 Mg ha⁻¹, 163.68 MgC ha⁻¹). Biomass and carbon were strongly linked to forest characteristics, including basal area (BA) and tree height (stand structure) in SMAF and SMPF, species diversity and richness (species composition) in SMSF, while SMLF reflected the balanced influence of stand structure and species composition. Carbon sequestration rates declined as stands approached ecological climax, underscoring the role of stand development in regulating carbon dynamics. These findings highlight that forest type, stand structure, and species composition are key determinants of carbon storage capacity and that well-managed plantation forests offer significant contributions for sustainable forest management and climate change mitigation strategies in Indonesia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101078"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative analysis of carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry systems in Habro District, Eastern Ethiopia","authors":"Yosef Fantaye Haile","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101077","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101077","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agroforestry systems offer a promising nature-based solution for climate change mitigation by enhancing carbon (C) sequestration in both biomass and soils. This study was conducted in Habro District, West Hararghe Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia, to assess and compare the carbon stock potential of parkland and coffee-based agroforestry systems. Habro District was purposefully selected due to its prevalent agroforestry practices. A total of 32 farm plots (16 from each system) were randomly selected from two kebeles. Field measurements included vegetation inventory, soil sampling at two depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm), and biomass assessment using species-specific and general allometric equations. Results indicated that coffee-based agroforestry systems had significantly higher total biomass carbon stock (33.94 ± 3.11 Mg C ha⁻¹) compared to parkland systems (10.28 ± 0.83 Mg C ha⁻¹). Similarly, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks were higher under coffee-based systems, with a mean value of 158.1 ± 8.24 Mg C ha⁻¹, compared to 114.44 ± 6.5 Mg C ha⁻¹ in parkland systems (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). The total ecosystem carbon stock in coffee-based systems reached 192.64 ± 10.9 Mg C ha⁻¹, significantly surpassing the 124.72 ± 8.01 Mg C ha⁻¹ recorded in parkland systems. The superior performance of coffee-based systems is attributed to denser tree cover, lower soil disturbance, and greater litter input. The study confirms the critical role of agroforestry, particularly coffee-based systems, in enhancing carbon sequestration while supporting local livelihoods. These agroforestry systems act as nature-based solutions (NbS), sequestering substantial carbon in both biomass and soils while simultaneously supporting local livelihoods and farm resilience. It highlights the opportunity for integrating agroforestry into national climate strategies such as Ethiopia’s NDCs, REDD+, and AFR100. Furthermore, the findings provide baseline data for carbon accounting essential for linking smallholder farmers to carbon finance mechanisms under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and voluntary carbon markets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101077"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of household participation in natural forest regeneration: Evidence from a model forest in Dedza, Central Malawi","authors":"Jabulani Nyengere,&nbsp;Precious Masuku,&nbsp;Weston Mwase,&nbsp;Msaiwale Kathewera,&nbsp;Allena Laura Njala,&nbsp;Wilson Tchongwe,&nbsp;Richard Lizwe Steven Mvula,&nbsp;Isaac Tchuwa,&nbsp;Billy Kachingwe,&nbsp;Ellasy Chimimba,&nbsp;Macdolad Mtonda,&nbsp;Steven Gonde,&nbsp;Dickson Mbeya,&nbsp;Chikondi Chisenga,&nbsp;Emmanuel Chinkaka,&nbsp;Harineck Mayamiko Tholo","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101076","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101076","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deforestation remains a prominent issue in Malawi's forest reserves and village forest areas. The Kapirimutu village forest has exhibited a significant increase in forest cover over the previous decade due to community involvement in natural forest regeneration (NFR) initiatives. This study investigates the determinants of household participation in the successful NFR initiatives in the Kapirimutu village forest, a model forest in central Malawi, which has witnessed a substantial increase in forest cover (12 % to &gt; 65 % between 2003 and 2023). Analyzing socio-demographic, institutional, and economic factors using a logistic regression model, the findings reveal that institutional support, particularly NFR incentives and group membership, are strong positive predictors of participation. Environmental awareness and social capital also significantly enhance engagement. Conversely, higher education levels and income diversification negatively influence participation, suggesting potential trade-offs with alternative livelihood strategies. Economic factors such as livestock ownership and forest dependency positively correlate with participation, while greater market distance and perceived opportunity costs act as deterrents. Notably, the sex of the household head and household size were not significant predictors. These results underscore the critical role of institutional mechanisms and economic context in driving community-led forest restoration, highlighting the need for tailored incentives and strategies to engage diverse household profiles and ensure the long-term sustainability of NFR efforts in the area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101076"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ongoing forest degradation in Tara Gedam dry Afromontane church and communal forest, northern Ethiopia","authors":"Liesa Cosman ,&nbsp;Zora Sabisch ,&nbsp;Habtamu Assaye ,&nbsp;Solomon Girmay ,&nbsp;Solomon Addisu Legesse ,&nbsp;Christine B. Schmitt","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101075","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101075","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Ethiopia, the dry Afromontane forests have long been deforested and degraded, and remnant patches are mostly found around the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches. This study investigated woody species composition and live woody aboveground biomass (AGB) at Tara Gedam church and communal forest (northern Ethiopia), in order to follow up on a past assessment and provide insights for conservation and management planning. Woody vegetation and environmental data were collected in 30 circular plots (<em>r</em> = 15 m), using a systematic sampling design. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and height were measured for trees (DBH ≥ 5 cm) and saplings (DBH &lt; 5 cm, height ≥ 1.3 m); seedlings (height &lt; 1.3 m) were counted. Multivariate analyses of species composition, population structure and AGB were performed. In total, 9769 individuals and 91 woody plant species were recorded, <em>Gymnosporia serrata</em> being the most abundant species. Many characteristic dry Afromontane forest species, such as <em>Olea europaea</em> subsp<em>. cuspidata</em> showed limited regeneration, and one species, <em>Juniperus procera</em>, was only recorded once. Mean AGB was 157.3 ± 111.0 Mg ha⁻¹, with <em>O. europaea</em> subsp<em>. cuspidata</em> accounting for 43 % of the total. Biomass and species composition varied significantly between remnants of <em>old-growth forest</em> and <em>secondary forest</em>, as well as <em>plantation forest</em>. The forest near the monastery was best conserved, as indicated by characteristic old-growth species and the highest AGB stock (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001), with the remaining forest area being highly degraded. The results underline persistent degradation over the past decades and implicate a need to enhance forest management and conservation to sustain this natural heritage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101075"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of forest product manufacturers on forestland attributes across South Carolina, United States","authors":"Kavi Raj Awasthi,&nbsp;Nilesh Timilsina,&nbsp;Patrick Hiesl,&nbsp;Patricia Layton,&nbsp;Puskar Khanal","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101074","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101074","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intensive resource consumption and competition change the spatial distribution of forest product manufacturers (FPM). While raw material utilization is crucial for economic growth, intensive consumption often conflicts with the carbon stock levels of forests. Moreover, expanding harvesting rates driven by concentrated resource extraction may have a disproportionate impact on forestland attributes. This study assessed the decadal, 2011–2021, change in the spatial distribution of four types of primary FPMs and quantified the effect on the forestland attributes such as trees, volume, removals, and aboveground carbon across three ecoregions of South Carolina. Kernel density analysis identified two clusters of FPMs across South Carolina, one overlapping the Piedmont and Southern Plains and another overlapping the Southern Plains and Coastal Plains, with the latter migrating towards the urban areas of the Coastal Plains by 2021. The total production capacity of biomass FPMs increased by 822 metric tons, with the Piedmont region experiencing the most significant growth between the years. Meanwhile, the production capacity of the pulp &amp; paper industry decreased by 641 metric tons between 2011 and 2021. Conversely, the overall production capacity of other FPM industries has shifted across the ecological regions of South Carolina. As expected, northwestern counties in the Piedmont region were identified as hotspots for aboveground carbon (AGC). Interestingly, hotspots of harvest volume (HV) shifted from counties in the Coastal Plains to the Piedmont region, suggesting an increase in harvesting intensity with the growth of FPM capacity. Our mixed model observed increased effects of biomass mills on HV (estimate = 0.32; confidence interval = [0.1, 0.55]). Additionally, live tree density declined by &gt;10 % despite an increase in merchantable volume (MV) across the state, indicating the aging of wood and lower recruitment in the region. Newer FPMs around high MV areas will minimize transportation costs, while the establishment of FPMs may limit the co-benefits of carbon markets in areas with high AGB. Given the uncertainty over the carbon and climate policies, landowners may prioritize forest harvesting for higher-bidding mills over carbon sequestration in the future. Moreover, the purchasing power of mills should be analyzed, given the evolving dynamics of harvesting patterns across the Piedmont.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 101074"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}