Trees, Forests and People最新文献

{"title":"Guiding sustainable land use planning in Ethiopia: A decision support framework using analytic hierarchy process","authors":"Shibire Bekele Eshetu ,&nbsp;Katharina Löhr ,&nbsp;Mahlet Degefu Awoke ,&nbsp;Marcos Lana ,&nbsp;Stefan Sieber","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Land use planning in countries like Ethiopia faces persistent challenges, including outdated technical standards, fragmented institutional coordination, and limited community participation. These issues are particularly pronounced in land use and watershed development initiatives. In the implementation of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), emphasis is often placed on restoring ecological functions, mitigating land degradation, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing carbon sequestration than local community well-being. Therefore, adopting a holistic approach is essential when approaching land use decisions, carefully considering various factors that influence land use decisions. This study seeks to develop a multi-stakeholder land use decision support framework that integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions to inform land use planning decision-making processes in Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model, a Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method, is applied. We organized four workshops with different stakeholders, including farmers and experts from woreda, zonal, and federal levels. In the workshops, land use decision factors at the indicator and sub-indicator levels were developed, and a ranking of these decision factors was applied using the AHP matrix. Results show that a higher degree of consistency is achieved in the matrix with a Consistency Ratio (CR) of 0.01, as determined by federal-level experts. A tolerable CR of 0.01 is also achieved with farmers’ criteria ranking. Although respective stakeholders have varying priorities, in general, climatic, economic, and environmental factors are among the top three, showing high priority weights above 0.4. A sensitivity analysis of the priority weights is conducted, and sensitive factors are identified, which are then used to develop a decision support tree for land use factor prioritization. The decision tree highlights seven critical sub-factors that hold a priority weight above 0.4 and are sensitive at the threshold level of 0.01. Selecting well-defined and compelling indicators will help align stakeholder perspectives and foster consensus in decision-making.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101106"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691863","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":"N-fixing species outperform non-N-fixing species in promoting soil organic carbon stability via enhancing edaphic-litter nitrogen availability in Eucalyptus plantations","authors":"Daihan Fu ,&nbsp;Angang Ming ,&nbsp;Haoyang Cao ,&nbsp;Runxia Huang ,&nbsp;Hao Fu ,&nbsp;Weiwei Shu ,&nbsp;Zhichao Wang ,&nbsp;Wankuan Zhu ,&nbsp;Apeng Du ,&nbsp;Yuxing Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101108","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101108","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aims</h3><div>Mixed planting is a more favorable approach than monocultures for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration; however, due to the diversity in mixed-species assemblages, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, hindering afforestation schemes that protect SOC stocks.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A 13-year mixed-species experiment was conducted in a subtropical region, focusing on a <em>Eucalyptus urophylla</em> × <em>E. grandis</em> pure plantation (PP), a <em>Eucalyptus</em> and nitrogen-fixer <em>Erythrophleum fordii</em> mixed plantation (EE), and <em>Eucalyptus</em> and non-nitrogen-fixer <em>Castanopsis hystrix</em> mixed plantation (EC), by measuring SOC in bulk soil and aggregates, followed by partitioning SOC into active carbon pools (labile carbon pool I [LPI-C] and labile carbon pool II [LPII-C]) and a recalcitrant carbon pool (RP-C). The present study considered various environmental factors, including plants, soil, microflora, and enzyme activities, to analyze the processes and factors underlying SOC sequestration within different mixed plantation modes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mixed forests improved SOC sequestration by optimizing soil aggregate stability, increasing fertility, relieving phosphorus limitation, and stimulating microbial activity. SOC sequestration in EE soils was driven by both fine root biomass and litter quality, whereas SOC sequestration in EC soils relied on fine root elongation. Only nitrogen-fixing mixtures enhanced SOC stability, favoring long-term carbon storage. The high carbon (C)/nitrogen (N) ratio in the soil and the nitrogen-rich environment promoted an increase in Gram-negative bacteria, achieving stable SOC storage by forming large aggregates.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The present study highlights the advantages of mixed-species afforestation in SOC sequestration and reveals the unique value of nitrogen-fixing species in long-term carbon storage. The present findings offer theoretical and practical guidance for scientific afforestation and enhancing the carbon sink function of forest ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101108"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691864","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":"The influence of orchard and forest management on rainfall-induced landslides: A study of Hiraenoki Community in southwestern Japan","authors":"Ken-ichiro Shimizu ,&nbsp;Kazuo Asahiro","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall pose significant risks to mountainous communities worldwide, and their frequency is expected to increase due to climate change. Vegetation and land management are known to influence slope stability, but their effects in rural landscapes remain understudied. This study evaluates the influence of forest and orchard vegetation, along with topography, rainfall, and geology, on shallow landslide occurrence in the Hiraenoki Community, Asakura City, southwestern Japan, which experienced severe rainfall-induced disasters in July 2017. Landslide areas were identified using pre- and post-disaster digital elevation models, and vegetation and orchard data were compiled from forest registers, aerial photographs, and local interviews. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted with landslide presence as the dependent variable and explanatory variables including vegetation type, orchard type, slope angle, slope aspect, elevation, rainfall, surface geology, and topographic position index (TPI). The final model revealed that mixed secondary forests and 50–59-year-old <em>sugi</em> cedar (<em>Cryptomeria japonica</em>) plantations exhibited higher landslide probabilities. Rainfall, slope angle, elevation, and TPI also significantly influenced landslide occurrence, with valleys and lower elevations being particularly vulnerable. The results suggest that overtopped <em>arakashi</em> (<em>Quercus glauca</em>) and <em>sudajii</em> (<em>Castanopsis sieboldii</em>) in mixed secondary forests and old <em>sugi</em> cedar are considered to have acted as triggers that increased the probability of landslides. Periodic thinning of canopy trees is proposed to enhance root anchorage and promote natural regeneration. These findings provide guidance for the conservation of <em>satoyama</em> landscapes with consideration of disaster risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101103"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691781","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":"A comprehensive analysis of the use of modelling and remote sensing techniques for monitoring and managing rangelands","authors":"Renaud Kévin Houinato ,&nbsp;Rodrigue Idohou ,&nbsp;Romain Lucas Glèlè Kakaï ,&nbsp;Yves Brostaux","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable rangeland management supports livestock production, food security, and key ecological services such as carbon sequestration and water regulation. However, rangelands face increasing pressure from climate change, land degradation, and agricultural expansion, requiring effective management strategies. This review follows the PRISMA guidelines and systematically examines 102 peer-reviewed publications selected from 511 initially identified studies across multiple databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, AJOL and Web of Science. This review explores the latest tools enabling accurate monitoring and prediction of rangeland dynamics. The results show that key technologies include machine learning algorithms, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and multispectral sensors, all of which have revolutionized biomass estimation. Satellite remote sensing, particularly Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8/9, represents a transformative advancement by delivering consistent, scalable, and repeatable observations from regional to global scales. Methods such as Deep Neural Networks (DNN), Random Forest (RF), and Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) have outperformed conventional algorithms, achieving performance metrics such as <span><math><mrow><msup><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup><mo>&gt;</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>85</mn></mrow></math></span>. Generalized Linear Models (GLM) have also been widely applied, particularly for environmental impact assessment. The development of multispectral sensors, especially bands such as NIR and red-edge, has improved vegetation index calculations, while LiDAR technology has enhanced biomass prediction by incorporating terrain structure and canopy height data. Despite these advances, challenges remain, including issues related to data quality, sensor integration, and harmonizing datasets for predictive modelling. This review highlights both the strengths and limitations of current approaches and emphasizes the need for further integration of advanced technologies such as hyperspectral sensors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101102"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624855","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":"Local Ecological Knowledge and forest inventories reveal Afzelia africana Sm. decline in Benin, West Africa","authors":"Agbatan Marc Koutchoro ,&nbsp;Laurent Gbenato Houessou ,&nbsp;Amah Akodewou ,&nbsp;Narcisse Yehouenou ,&nbsp;Ogoudje Isidore Amahowe","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Afzelia africana</em> is a key forest species in West Africa, particularly in Benin, where it supports both ecological stability and local livelihoods. However, the species has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2019 due to increasing human pressure. This study combines Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) with forest inventory data to provide a comprehensive assessment of its conservation status in Benin. LEK revealed that the species is declining mainly due to logging, with additional pressures from branch pruning, agricultural expansion, vegetation fires, and drought. Forest inventories confirmed these perceptions, showing populations dominated by small-diameter trees (5–30 cm) and very few large individuals (&gt;60 cm). Adults were present in about 74.55 % of plots, while regenerating and subadult trees occurred in fewer plots (&lt;38.79 % and 23.03 %, respectively), indicating an overall imbalance in life stages and limited successful recruitment. Communities reported several traditional conservation measures, including assisted natural regeneration, targeted reforestation, planting <em>A. africana</em> as a shade tree in house courtyards, and preserving it as a sacred species. Integrating LEK with quantitative data yields a nuanced understanding of threats to <em>A. afri</em>cana. It not only confirms its population decline but also reveals regeneration bottlenecks and highlights community-led strategies that support its persistence. It provides critical added value by uncovering the complex social-ecological drivers behind observed trends. This biocultural approach represents the first assessment of <em>A. africana</em> in Benin that explicitly links population structure with local conservation practices, offering a transferable framework for managing threatened tree species in tropical regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101097"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691780","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":"Quantifying tree species effects on soil organic carbon using machine learning algorithm: A case study in tropical agroforestry system of gayo coffee, Indonesia","authors":"Rahmat Pramulya ,&nbsp;Rahmat Asy’Ari ,&nbsp;Nihawa Hajar Pudjawati ,&nbsp;Abd Malik A Madinu ,&nbsp;Azelia Dwi Rahmawati ,&nbsp;Fachruddin Fachruddin ,&nbsp;Muhammad Reza Aulia ,&nbsp;Dahlan Dahlan ,&nbsp;Tarmizi Tarmizi ,&nbsp;Fakhruddin Fakhruddin ,&nbsp;Elida Novita ,&nbsp;Adi Sutrisno ,&nbsp;Devi Maulida Rahmah ,&nbsp;Moh Zulfajrin ,&nbsp;Heru Bagus Pulunggono ,&nbsp;Fitria Yuliasmara ,&nbsp;Rika Ratna Sari ,&nbsp;Danny Dwi Saputra ,&nbsp;Yudi Setiawan","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gayo coffee based on tropical agroforestry systems in Aceh plays an ecological role in mitigating climate change and a socio-economic role as a social livelihood in Indonesia. Ecologically, coffee agroforestry systems can increase soil carbon stocks through complex vegetation that produces litter as a source of nutrients. However, studies on measuring the contribution of vegetation to soil carbon dynamics in agroforestry lands using advanced machine learning-based statistical models in Indonesia are still very rare. Therefore, this study involved 18 complex vegetation variables to prove their contribution to soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics using machine learning-based predictions with the random forest (RF) algorithm and hyperparameter tuning settings. The SOC available in the study area reached 173.46 ± 60.34 Mg ha^-1, with 9.20 % ± 3.87 % organic C, in agroforestry systems characterized by vegetation density of 1752.94 ± 459.20 trees ha^-1 (range: 850–2850 trees ha^-1), and consisted of 11 overstory species. Based on two RF model tests (rf and ranger model), SOC dynamics were influenced by vegetation by 95 % (R-squared) with an error rate of 0.05 (RMSE) and 0.04 (MAE). The contribution of vegetation focuses on the variable of agroforestry richness as the most important factor in predicting SOC, even though the species <em>Leucaena leucocephala</em> dominates around 88 % of the species composition. These results recommend that increasing agroforestry species diversity is key to increasing SOC in coffee agroforestry. This information is expected to strengthen the implementation of SFA policies and enhance the sustainability of climate change mitigation-based social livelihoods in tropical Indonesia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101098"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747973","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":"Perceptions of international forest certification in ejidos of Durango, Mexico: Between continuity and non-renewal","authors":"Aide Heredia Telles ,&nbsp;Christian Wehenkel ,&nbsp;Gustavo Perez-Verdin","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study analyzes perceptions of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) international certification system, specifically knowledge of the scheme and perceptions of social, economic, and environmental benefits among members of currently certified ejidos and ejidos that have discontinued certification in Durango, Mexico. Two hundred surveys were administered in 20 ejidos in order to compare the two groups. The results show that there are no significant differences in knowledge of the international FSC system between the two groups. However, certified ejidos reported more favorable perceptions of social and environmental benefits. In contrast, the perception of economic benefits was low and did not differ between groups, suggesting a limited perceived economic value of certification. Classification accuracy by Random Forest identified property size as the main predictor of certification status. These findings highlight the need to strengthen community knowledge about international certification, address economic barriers, and delve deeper into the factors that influence the continuity of the process in community forest management contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101100"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691784","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 climate and topographic factors for Korean Fir (Abies koreana) of Mt. Hallasan using machine learning under projected climate change scenarios","authors":"Ah Reum Han ,&nbsp;Kim Jong-gap ,&nbsp;Minwoo Oh ,&nbsp;Jieun Oh ,&nbsp;Seungbum Hong","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Korean fir (<em>Abies koreana</em>), an endemic species that exists in isolated populations on certain high-elevation mountains in South Korea, has been experiencing a steady decline in recent years. This study aimed to predict future suitable habitats of Korean fir on Mt. Hallasan, which marks the southernmost limit of the species’ distribution, and to identify the key environmental factors influencing its presence and spatial distribution. A total of 36 variables, including bioclimatic, topographic, and soil characteristics, were utilized to predict species occurrence and density at a spatial resolution of 100 meters. The analytical methods employed comprised logistic or lasso regression, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, LightGBM, and an ensemble modeling approach. Furthermore, a hurdle model was constructed using these variables. The relative importance of each predictor and its influence on the response variables were evaluated through Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis. Among the models tested, XGBoost showed the best performance for predicting species occurrence (AUC&gt;0.9), while LightGBM was most effective for modeling density (R²=0.69). Projections under future climate scenarios, specifically SSP3–7.0 and more severe pathways, more than half of the suitable habitat and over 90 % of the population will be lost by the end of the 21st century, with faster declines occurring in areas of higher population density. Both the presence and density models were primarily influenced by the <em>Snow Average</em>, a derived variable, preceding the start of growth, showing a marked increase once a critical threshold of 290 mm, which is the insulation standard, was surpassed. The second key variable, <em>bio03</em>, was associated with values below this critical threshold. Other important predictors in the presence model included <em>bio15</em> and <em>Positive Openness</em>, while the density model was more strongly affected by topographic variables. The research highlights that successful conservation and management of Korean fir populations depend on minimizing drought stress before the growth season and enhancing the physical stability of their habitats. Achieving this necessitates ongoing habitat monitoring and thorough observation to identify critical thresholds for essential environmental factors, particularly microtopographic characteristics and snow cover patterns.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101099"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691783","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":"Adaptive strategies of Rhododendron campanulatum and Rhododendron anthopogon subsp. hypenanthum in the alpine ecosystem of Central Himalaya, India","authors":"Swati Naidu,&nbsp;Kiran Bargali,&nbsp;Archana Fartyal,&nbsp;Surendra Singh Bargali","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Rhododendron campanulatum</em> and <em>Rhododendron anthopogon</em> subsp. <em>hypenanthum</em> are significant species of the alpine ecosystem of the Central Himalaya, India where they not only constitute the important ecological associations but have also been integrated within the culture of the local residential population. This study investigated their adaptive strategies against the alpine environmental stress through ecological and morphological assessments along an altitudinal gradient. Ecological data were collected from 10 quadrats (plot size 10 m x 10 m each) laid per site, while morphological traits were measured from 100 healthy and mature leaves (10 from each of 10 randomly selected individuals) from each sampling site of the study area. Results of Importance Value Index and Provenance Value showed that both species became increasingly dominant at higher altitudes. <em>R. campanulatum</em> exhibited IVI of 62.7 at Site 2, 193.3 at Site 3 and 268.1 at Site 4. <em>R. anthopogon</em> subsp. <em>hypenanthum</em> showed PV of 35.7 at Site 2, 55.5 at Site 3 and 98.4 at Site 4 confirming their dominancy in upper zones. Leaf morphology analyses, based on 10 mature leaves collected from each site, showed Leaf area (<em>r</em>= -0.93^⁎⁎), Specific leaf area (<em>r</em> = -0.88^⁎⁎) and Leaf shape index (<em>r</em>= -0.812^⁎⁎) significantly decreased with increasing altitude and varied along the altitude at <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05 level of significance. It was also observed that <em>R. campanulatum</em> was shrinking in size and transforming to woody thickets with increasing altitude. The obtained results showed the survival of both the species of <em>Rhododendron</em> L. in the study area as an attribute of their plasticity against the tough environmental conditions of the alpine ecosystem.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101095"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145584352","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":"Can urban forests alleviate eye strain? Evidence from eye-tracking metrics","authors":"Yihao Lu ,&nbsp;Hui Liu ,&nbsp;Bingqing Liu ,&nbsp;Han Diao ,&nbsp;Jianan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the surge in digital screen use, eye strain has become a growing public health concern. While urban forests are known to support psychological and physiological restoration, their capacity to alleviate eye strain remains underexplored. This study investigates whether short-term exposure to different types of urban forests can facilitate ocular recovery from screen-induced eye strain, using objective eye-tracking metrics. A total of 30 participants were fitted with wearable eye-tracking glasses and watched a 20-minute high-intensity video to induce eye strain before spending 10 min in a designated environment (open green space, semi-open green space, enclosed green space, green space with large water area, green space with small water area, and an indoor control). Eye metrics including blink rate, pupil size, fixation count/duration, and saccade count/duration were recorded at baseline, post-stress, and post-recovery. Significant recovery was observed in participants exposed to open green spaces and water-area settings, with reductions in pupil size and blink rate (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). In contrast, the indoor environment failed to improve and even exacerbated eye strain. Among all indicators, pupil size change emerged as the strongest correlate of composite recovery. Urban blue-green spaces, especially those that are open and feature water elements, can effectively promote ocular recovery from acute eye strain. These findings underscore the value of incorporating open and water-rich natural elements into urban forestry design and management strategies that promote public well-being.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101096"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145584353","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}