Showing papers in "Journal of Sustainable Forestry in 2017"
TL;DR: An overview of all known tree species by scientific name and country level distribution is presented, for the first time, and an online database—GlobalTreeSearch—that provides access to this information is described that will be used as the basis of the Global Tree Assessment.
Abstract: This article presents, for the first time, an overview of all known tree species by scientific name and country level distribution, and describes an online database—GlobalTreeSearch—that provides access to this information. Based on our comprehensive analysis of published data sources and expert input, the number of tree species currently known to science is 60,065, representing 20% of all angiosperm and gymnosperm plant species. Nearly half of all tree species (45%) are found in just 10 families, with the 3 most tree-rich families being Leguminosae, Rubiaceae, and Myrtaceae. Geographically, Brazil, Colombia, and Indonesia are the countries with the most tree species. The countries with the most country-endemic tree species reflect broader plant diversity trends (Brazil, Australia, China) or islands where isolation has resulted in speciation (Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia). Nearly 58% of all tree species are single-country endemics. Our intention is for GlobalTreeSearch to be used as a t...
262 citations
TL;DR: Inoculation with A. chroococcum more favorably affected on and was also more compatible with Dodonaea viscosa seedlings leading to considerably improved seedlings growth parameters as well as seed germination under salinity stress.
Abstract: Reduced physiological efficiency as well as low and irregular germination rate under environmental stress conditions (e.g., salinity) are among the major factors affecting the propagation of numerous plants, in particular medicinal ones. A factorial experiment using a completely randomized design was employed to evaluate the effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on hopbush seed germination and seedling growth under salinity stress. After the seeds were inoculated with the Azospirillum lipoferum, Azotobacter chroococcum, and Azospirillum + Azotobacter and exposed to salinity stress at six levels, they were placed into a germinator at 20°C temperature and 65% relative humidity with a photoperiodic regime of 16 h light/8 h dark at 1,000 lux fluorescent light. The seeds inoculated with the bacterial strains could tolerate salinity levels of up to 50 dS/m and germinate. The combined treatment of Azospirillum + Azotobacter increased germination percentage at 20 and 50 dS/m levels by 21.6...
44 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors estimate the carbon stock of Banja Forest which is natural and dry Afromontane forest type in Banja District, northwest of Ethiopia using a systematic sampling method.
Abstract: This study estimates the carbon stock of Banja Forest which is natural and dry Afromontane forest type in Banja District, northwest of Ethiopia. A systematic sampling method was used to identify ea...
33 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the changes in the five major types of capital for Hutan Kemasyarakatan (HKm) farmers and found that HKm to have contributed positively to the improvement of natural, physical, and human capital.
Abstract: The global to local-level importance of Indonesian forests for the environment and development is now very well documented. However, how to govern these forests to achieve the diverse and, at times, conflicting interests is still an open question. Hutan Kemasyarakatan (HKm) is a community forest (CF) that is being implemented to contribute to local development while creating sufficient incentives for conserving the forest. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of HKm to conserve forests. This study analyzed the changes in the five major types of capital for HKm farmers. The results indicated HKm to have contributed positively to the improvement of natural, physical, and human capital. In addition to its direct impact, HKm was also found to improve the financial capital of the farmers by avoiding patron–client relationships and side payments between the pre-HKm illegal encroacher farmers (now legal land cultivators) and government officers. Although the results support the possibility of...
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted an urban forest assessment for Bangkok and pilot the appropriateness of adapting the i-Tree Eco International software in Thailand to estimate urban forest structure, function, and value.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to conduct an urban forest assessment for Bangkok and pilot the appropriateness of adapting the i-Tree Eco International software in Thailand. Urban forest structure, function, and value were estimated from 184 stratified random sample plots. A total 48 tree species were encountered and the three most common that contributed 34.1% of total tree population were Polyalthia longifolia Sonn. (15.7%), Mangifera indica L. (13.0%), and Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. (5.4%). The majority of trees (approximately 70%) were <23 cm in diameter. An estimated 2.5 (0.4 SEM) million trees with a canopy cover of 8.6% (1.3 SEM) exist in the Bangkok study area. These trees store an approximate total of 309,700 (73,726 SEM) metric tons of carbon and sequester 16,271 (2965 SEM) metric tons of CO2 annually. Additional research is needed to develop functional relationships for urban trees in Thailand to overcome a current limitation for using i-Tree Eco in Thailand to estimate struct...
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared two different sampling methods to estimate the volume of lying deadwood: the fixed-area sampling (FAS) method and the line intersect sampling (LIS) method.
Abstract: In the Sustainable Forest Management, deadwood is a fundamental substrate for numerous species, and a key factor in carbon and nutrient cycles. The main aim of the paper is to estimate the amount of deadwood in two Calabrian pine forests (Monte Morello in Italy; Xanthi in Greece) characterized by different stand conditions and management practices. The second aim is to compare two different sampling methods to estimate the volume of lying deadwood: the fixed-area sampling (FAS) method and the line intersect sampling (LIS) method. The results show that the Monte Morello peri-urban forest is characterized by a high quantity of deadwood (75.1 m3 ha−1) divided in 80% of lying deadwood, 18% of standing dead trees, and 2% of stumps. The Xanthi peri-urban forest is characterized by a total amount of deadwood of 9.21 m3 ha−1 divided in 34% of lying deadwood, 18% of standing dead trees and 48% of stumps. The mean volume of lying deadwood in Monte Morello estimated using the FAS is 59.91 m3 ha−1, while usin...
23 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assessed the contribution of TFCAs and their institutional framework for peace and cooperation efforts in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by using field experience and the archival method, using 131 journal articles, books and reports on natural resources and conflict management.
Abstract: Contests over scarce and shared natural resources continue to headline conflicts across the world’s geographic regions. The transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) concept gained widespread acceptance as one of the promising conflict management strategies. However, following the establishment of TFCAs by various countries, questions about their contribution to conflict management and resolution are emerging. Motivated by the institutional work concept, the contribution of TFCAs and their institutional framework for peace and cooperation efforts was assessed. Using field experience and the archival method, 131 journal articles, books and reports on natural resources and conflict management were reviewed between 2010 and 2016. The review process focused mainly, but not limited to TFCAs and their institutional frameworks in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Findings indicate that TFCAs and their institutional frameworks are relevant to peace and cooperation efforts in SADC provided ...
19 citations
TL;DR: For example, the authors showed that mesophication can reverse due to increased drought and fire frequency, and earthworm invasion, which enhances the understory environment for oak seedlings.
Abstract: Historically, oak forests and woodlands intergraded with southern boreal forest, temperate mesic forest, and grassland biomes, forming complex fire-mediated relationships in the Great Lakes region of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, USA. Variability in fire recurrence intervals allowed oaks to mix with grasses or with mesic forest species in areas with high (2–10 yr) or moderate (several decades) fire frequencies, respectively. In the southern boreal forest, oak colonization was limited by cold climate. In recent decades former savannas have been largely converted to agricultural fields and the fate of oak remnants is controlled by human fire use. In mesic temperate forests, fire exclusion, wetter climate, and deer browsing have led to mesophication and increasing maple dominance. With ongoing warming, however, mesophication could reverse due to increased drought and fire frequency, and earthworm invasion, which enhances the understory environment for oak seedlings. Oaks are also likely to inva...
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate how the introduction of participatory forest management (PFM) in Kenya has changed the various actors' ability to benefit from the forest resources of Eastern Mau Forest Reserve.
Abstract: The study espoused the access analytical framework to investigate how introduction of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) in Kenya has changed the various actors’ ability to benefit from the forest resources of Eastern Mau Forest Reserve. Data collected through key informant interviews, and a household survey showed that implementation of PFM has triggered new income opportunities for forest adjacent communities in seedling production and beekeeping. However, PFM bestowed no real decision-making powers to the established Community Forest Associations (CFAs) over important forest resources such as timber and firewood. Members of the local communities and other actors have continued to access these resources through various structural and relational means, in the same way as before the introduction of PFM. Further, it is documented that PFM has introduced additional burdens on the local communities, especially the poorest households, as a result of increased enforcement of rules. Based on these fi...
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined rural peoples' intention to adopt sustainability practices in communally managed forests in Vhembe district, South Africa, using the theory of planned behavior as a conceptual framework.
Abstract: This study examined rural peoples’ intention to adopt sustainability practices in communally managed forests in Vhembe district, South Africa, using the theory of planned behavior as a conceptual framework. A total of 155 respondents were surveyed. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that rural people have a strong intention to adopt sustainable forest-use and management practices. Out of the three constructs comprising the theory of planned behavior, subjective norm (SN) and attitude to behavior (AB) positively correlated with intention, with SN having the strongest influence on intention. Perceived behavioral control (PBC), which is the third construct, negatively correlated with intention. The study indicates that respondents’ subjective belief about the approval or disapproval of sustainable forest management (SFM) practices by other relevant people mainly influenced their intention to adopt or not adopt such practices. Thus, strategies and polici...
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the major reservoirs of atmospheric carbon in both coniferous and broad-leaved forest ecosystems and thus play an important role in regulating the regional and global carbon levels.
Abstract: Forest biomass pools are the major reservoirs of atmospheric carbon in both coniferous and broad-leaved forest ecosystems and thus play an important role in regulating the regional and global carbo...
TL;DR: Interdisciplinarity is a means to integrate knowledge and action for people seeking sustainable natural resource science, management, and policy as mentioned in this paper, and they suggest that professionals who integrate via int
Abstract: Interdisciplinarity is a means to integrate knowledge and action for people seeking sustainable natural resource science, management, and policy We suggest that professionals who integrate via int
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on farmers' perceptions and attitudes toward forest watershed conservation in the North West Selangor Peat Swamp forest of Malaysia and conclude that farmers have generally positive attitudes toward watershed conservation.
Abstract: Over the past several decades, the management of forest ecosystem functions through policies such as “command and control” has not been successful, largely because existing policies and legislation for natural resource management are inadequate and often formulated without consulting local communities such as farmers. However, farmers’ decisions to participate in natural resource conservation or watershed conservation more particularly are generally influenced by their knowledge of the problems and perceived benefits of conservation. This study focuses on farmers’ perceptions and attitudes toward forest watershed conservation in the North West Selangor Peat Swamp forest of Malaysia. A survey questionnaire was administered to 380 paddy farmers at the North West Selangor irrigation scheme. Dates were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the theory of value and social psychology constructs. The study concludes that farmers have generally positive attitudes toward forest watershed cons...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the value chain of sengon in Indonesia to determine who the stakeholders were and how each added value, and how the benefits were distributed among stakeholders.
Abstract: The commercial opportunities for sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria L. Nielsen) are expanding rapidly in Indonesia, but there remains a lack of supply for the processing industry of the desired volume and quality of timber for processing from this fast-grown tree. This article discusses recent analysis of the value chain of sengon in Indonesia to determine (i) who the stakeholders were and how each added value, and (ii) how the benefits were distributed among stakeholders. Information was collected from a mix of farmers (as tree growers) and other actors involved in the value chain. The research revealed two broad types of value chains for sengon–‘direct’ and ‘traditional’, with the potential increased income for farmers being as high as 35% when they use the direct approach, compared to the traditional approach. As expected, the further ‘downstream’ the position of the stakeholder in the value chain, the greater the monetary value added to the sengon timber and subsequent products. If farmers were to acquire a greater understanding of the market dynamics for sengon, they could better target the sale of their forest products to specific market segments and make forestry a more profitable enterprise. While village traders in the traditional value chain play an important role connecting small-scale tree growers to commercial markets, the sustained viability of their role is uncertain if more farmers adopt the ‘direct’ approach.
TL;DR: Agroecosystems are not only recognized by their high capacity of carbon storage and sequestration, they could also offer an opportunity of financial benefits in the event of payment for environment degradation.
Abstract: Agroecosystems are not only recognized by their high capacity of carbon storage and sequestration, they could also offer an opportunity of financial benefits in the event of payment for environment...
TL;DR: This paper reviewed new global uses for some woody leguminous crops, highlighting new nutraceutical and pharmacological properties, their uses as bioenergy sources, and their ecological uses for bioremediation opening new possibilities of management.
Abstract: Woody leguminous species are valuable crops because of their nutritional, economic, and ecological characteristics. Such crops have aided in the recovery of marginal lands for agricultural development due to their ability to fix nitrogen, control erosion, and act as a refuge for other species, in addition to their capacity to improve soil mineral composition and microbial biodiversity. Nevertheless, some leguminous trees are recognized to be one of the worst invasive species that affect negatively biodiversity and the entire ecosystem balance. In this study, we review new global uses for some woody leguminous crops, highlighting new nutraceutical and pharmacological properties, their uses as bioenergy sources, and their ecological uses for bioremediation opening new possibilities of management. We aim to bring knowledge on the multiple benefits that these woody plants continue to provide to humans from economic, social, and environmental standpoints.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented the effectiveness of using the Johnson SB function for modeling diameter distributions of a Gmelina arborea plantation in Omo Forest Reserve, Nigeria.
Abstract: Diameter distribution modeling is an essential tool for obtaining reliable information on the structure, growth, and yield of forests. However, this tool has not been duly utilized in many forest plantations, especially in Nigeria. Thus, this article presents the effectiveness of using the Johnson SB function for modeling diameter distributions of a Gmelina arborea plantation in Omo Forest Reserve, Nigeria. Fifty plots of 0.04 ha were randomly selected across three age series. All trees with DBH ≥ 5.0 cm in the selected plots were measured. Three fitting methods for the SB distribution were compared: conditional maximum likelihood (CML), moments (MOM), and Knoebel and Burkhart (KB) methods. The parameter recovery model (PRM) was used to recover the parameters of the distribution. The assessment was based on Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S), mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and bias. The results showed that the underlying diameter distribution of the Gmelina arborea followed the Johnson’...
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of co-management approaches on forest conditions in Zomba-Malosa and Ntchisi forest reserves in Malawi using a multiple-site, plot-based, and control-intervention design was assessed.
Abstract: Forest co-management programs aim to conserve forest resources. However, there is little evidence of its effectiveness. We assess the impact of co-management approaches on forest conditions in Zomba-Malosa and Ntchisi forest reserves in Malawi using a multiple-site, plot-based, and control-intervention design. We used tree density and species richness as indicators of forest condition. Evidence of human activities was used as potential indicators of current and future impacts. Local peoples’ perceptions of the impact of co-management on forest were also sought to validate the inventory information. Co-managed plots have higher tree density than state managed plots. Indicators of human activities including felled trees, farming and settlement plots, and grazing, were observed in both co-managed and state managed forest block. A majority of respondents, 84% in Zomba-Malosa and 73% in Ntchisi, perceive the co-management program to have a positive impact on forest conditions against a general worsenin...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identified the patterns of legal timber harvesting in the Ecuadorian Amazon and determined current trends with respect to mostly harvested forest species, considering the surface and volume of logging, significant differences were detected between logging procedures and ecosystems.
Abstract: The Amazon rainforest lies within the most diverse forest ecosystem in the world. However, a large part of the tropical rainforest is being degraded because of timber harvesting without any sustainability criteria and owing to a limited understanding of the effects of forest exploitation. The Ecuadorian Amazon (EA) is part of the Andes Amazon (AA), an area covered by five countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia). This research identified the patterns of legal timber harvesting in the EA and determined current trends with respect to mostly harvested forest species. Two harvesting programs aimed at small farmers prevail in the EA: first, naturally regenerated trees felling program, and simplified timber harvesting programs in native forests. Considering the surface and volume of logging, significant differences were detected between logging procedures and ecosystems in the region. Two hundred and thirty-two genera are registered for harvest and, 51.93% of the total harvesting volum...
TL;DR: In this article, a cross-section data from 61 countries in 2010 showed that wood outputs have positive effects on wood consumption and that trade liberalization can promote the allocation efficiency of timber resources across the global, which can improve the utilization efficiency and reduce the wood consumption.
Abstract: Trade barriers of forest products are often advocated in the name of protecting forest resources. Whether the promoting of trade of forest products will increase or decrease the global forest resources is still a matter of debate. We offer an assessment of how forest product trade helps shape observed forest change, by relating wood consumption change to trade of forest products based on cross-section data from 61 countries in 2010. The result shows that wood outputs have positive effects on wood consumption. Compared to domestic production, the result suggests that imports of forest products can help reduce wood consumption. This may indicate that trade liberalization can promote the allocation efficiency of timber resources across the global, which can improve the utilization efficiency and reduce the wood consumption in the world to protect the global forest resources. It is suggested that the high-efficient harvest and wood-processing technological transfer should be advocated in the internati...
TL;DR: In this article, the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock was quantified on a large scale (30 1-ha plots) in the dry deciduous forest of the Sathanur reserve forest of Eastern Ghats.
Abstract: Climate change and carbon mitigation through forest ecosystems are some of the important topics in global perspective. Tropical dry forests are one of the most widely distributed ecosystems in tropics, which remain neglected in research. The soil organic carbon (SOC) stock was quantified on a large scale (30 1-ha plots) in the dry deciduous forest of the Sathanur reserve forest of Eastern Ghats. The SOC stock ranged from 16.92 to 44.65 Mg/ha with a mean value of 28.26 ± 1.35 Mg/ha. SOC exhibited a negative trend with an increase in soil depth. A significant positive correlation was obtained between SOC stocks and vegetation characteristics viz. tree density, shrub basal area, and herb species richness, while a significant negative correlation was observed with bulk density. The variation in SOC stock among the plots obtained in the present study could be due to differences in tree abundance, herb species richness, shrub basal area, soil pH, soil bulk density, soil texture etc. The present study ge...
TL;DR: In this article, a systematic review of results shows a portion of visitors finding conditions desirable in the initial years following moderate burn, common individual traits and other site characteristics are also found to have significant effect on recreational trip demand.
Abstract: Wildfires play an integral role in forest ecosystems of western North America. In an attempt to measure the level and value of ecosystem damage caused by wildfires, papers employing nonmarket valuation techniques—stated preference, revealed preference, and combined methods—are reviewed. A systematic review of results shows a portion of visitors finding conditions desirable in the initial years following moderate burn. Common individual traits and other site characteristics are also found to have significant effect on recreational trip demand. The conclusions reached in this study may assist in providing future guidance to forest and natural resource management programs on the role of fire in influencing value for recreational services derived from national forestlands.
TL;DR: In this paper, a taper equation was developed to predict diameters at specific height for Larix kaempferi species in the Central Region of South Korea in order to predict tree diameters.
Abstract: Taper equation was developed to predict diameters at specific height for Larix kaempferi species in the Central Region of South Korea. The sampled trees that were collected through destructive sampling ranged from 0.60 to 47.90 cm DBH with total height ranging from 2.00 to 33.00 m. The dataset was randomly split into two: 80% for initial model fitting and 20% for model validation. The combined that means 100% dataset was used for final model fitting. Statistics of fit were used as criteria, including the coefficient of determination (R2), standard error of the estimate (SEE), bias (Ē), the absolute mean difference (AMD), and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) values and weight (AICw), with a rank analysis being applied. Initial model fitting utilized a total of nine taper equations, with the three segmented taper equations and another three non-segmented determined for model validation and final model fitting. Kozak02 equation, which had not yet been evaluated for L. kaempferi species, indicat...
TL;DR: Three tree marking methods used to implement spatially heterogeneous restoration treatments on Colorado’s Front Range were investigated, and neither the quantitative nor the qualitative study methods found a single marking method that was superior to the others in all respects.
Abstract: Silviculturists are increasingly focused on the development of structurally complex forests through spatially heterogeneous treatments; however, the implementation of these treatments is challenging. We investigated the effectiveness of three tree marking methods used to implement spatially heterogeneous restoration treatments on Colorado’s Front Range: Individual Tree Marking (ITM) physically marks all trees that are either to be cut or left; Designation by Description (DxD) provides a description of the trees that are to be removed based on specific tree characteristics; and Designation by Prescription (DxP) provides the operator with a description of the desired outcomes of the treatment. We employed a mixed methods approach by (a) quantitatively comparing the heterogeneity of stands that have been treated; and (b) interviewing personnel involved in the implementation of these treatments to qualitatively evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness. Neither the quantitative nor the qualitative s...
TL;DR: Forest institution personnel, forest conservation officers or rangers, and forest workers who are directly related to forest management certification (FMC) practices indicate that FMC is a public, regional, and stakeholder problem in the implementation process.
Abstract: In this study, we tried to identify and define problems encountered by forest institution personnel (forest engineers, FEN), forest conservation officers or rangers (R), and forest workers (FW) who are directly related to forest management certification (FMC) practices. We also tried to determine problems by defining them from the viewpoint and perspectives of the practitioners and trying to reveal the diverse views between the groups. Within this scope, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the 50 FEN, 57 R, and 80 FW working in certified forest enterprises. The data were obtained using close-ended questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, and the Mann–Whitney U test. As a result, FENs, Rs, and FWs indicate that FMC is a public, regional, and stakeholder problem in the implementation process. Public-based problems are the most common problems in the certification process, followed by region- and stakeholder-based problems, respectively. However,...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors posed the following questions: (1) what opportunities do industrial forest plantations bring to local communities? and (2) what benefits are lost with the establishment of Industrial Forest plantations?
Abstract: Industrial forest plantations are both hailed and vilified for their socio-economic effects on local communities. As such, we posed the following questions: (1) what opportunities do industrial forest plantations bring to local communities? and (2) what benefits are lost with the establishment of industrial forest plantations?Households neighboring industrial forest plantations in five villages of mid-western Uganda were surveyed. A large majority of the respondents (92.6%) stated that they had benefited from forest plantations, while a minority (7.4%) stated they did not. Fuelwood and employment were the most mentioned benefits. Approximately 47.9% of respondents stated that they had lost certain benefits due to the establishment of industrial forest plantations, while 52.1% stated they lost no benefits. Occupation, the number of people in a household and the length of residence in the area influenced responses on whether participants had lost certain benefits.Access to land was the most mentione...
TL;DR: The results of the study indicated that except for Na the amount of soil nutrients under A. tortilis were significantly varied (P < 0.05)...
Abstract: Among several agroforestry practices in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia, Acacia tortilis-dominated Parkland agroforestry systems are common. Utilizable information regarding the effects of the tree species on soil conditions in Ethiopia is very scarce to be of use for improved agricultural productivity. This study was conducted in three land use types in CRV areas in Oromia National Regional State in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of A. tortilis on soil fertility variations along a gradient from the tree base to open area in different land use types. Soil samples from surface layers (0–15 cm) were taken at four concentric transects distances from tree base (0.5, 2 and 4 m), compared with soil samples from the adjacent open areas (15 m distance from the tree canopy cover), and then analyzed following the standard procedures. The results of the study indicated that except for Na the amount of soil nutrients under A. tortilis were significantly varied (P < 0.05)...
TL;DR: In this article, a comparative analysis of forest policies, technologies, and management practices between Kenya and Japan is presented, showing that Kenya's forest policies do not place adequate emphasis on silvicultural practices and the establishment of forest plantations, and rarely focus on sustainable biomass utilization.
Abstract: Forests are one of the most important ecosystems on earth that require careful management, conservation, and sustainable exploitation. As countries have their own guideline systems, each may learn and borrow from one another’s experience. One of such countries is Japan, which has elaborate forest policies, and rich in forest cover (67%) with its forest history dating many years back. On the other hand, Kenya, with a forest cover of just 7% and its policies demonstrating notable weaknesses, has a lot to learn from Japan. Therefore, we have attempted to do a comparative analysis of forest policies, technologies, and management practices between Kenya and Japan. Results indicate that Kenya’s forest policies do not place adequate emphasis on silvicultural practices and the establishment of forest plantations, and rarely focus on sustainable biomass utilization—factors that contributed significantly to forest growth and development in Japan. Additionally, policy legislation, revision, and implementatio...
TL;DR: Evaluating pioneer tree distribution in the Pindorama Biological Reserve, Brazil, with respect to altitude, soil attributes, and non-arborous species in 65,400-m2 plots in two toposequences of semi-deciduous forest found five similar groups among sampling plots.
Abstract: The occurrence of pioneer tree species inside tropical forests is usually associated with canopy openness due to disturbances. The distribution of these species under different environmental conditions, aside from light presence, can be influenced by other variables such as soil attributes, water availability, and non-arborous species presence. This work evaluates pioneer tree distribution in the Pindorama Biological Reserve, Brazil, with respect to altitude, soil attributes, and non-arborous species in 65,400-m2 plots in two toposequences of semi-deciduous forest. We evaluated the physical and chemical soil attributes altitude, basal area, height, and number of individuals of tree species with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥5 cm in a randomly chosen quadrant in each plot. Pioneer trees were characterized by the following higher occurrence species: Acacia polyphylla, Aloysia virgata, Casearia sylvestris, and Croton floribundus. Cluster analysis suggested five similar groups among sampling plots....
TL;DR: In this paper, the optimal choices of a forest owner, in terms of his combined decision of choosing when to protect his forest, and the deforestation rate prior to it, given his option to enter an irreversible REDD scheme that provides him with uncertain cash flows under different risk aversion scenarios, are assessed.
Abstract: The central role played by deforestation in the increase in global CO2 emissions has recently justified the development of new schemes which offer compensation in exchange for reductions in emissions from deforestation (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, REDD). The design of REDD projects can be based on market prices to set how deforesters are compensated for avoiding deforestation. With limited experiments involving a true market integration of REDD, it remains however difficult to assess the potential impact market price uncertainties may have on the targets of the protective scheme. The goal of this article is to assess the optimal choices of a forest owner, in terms of his combined decision of choosing when to protect his forest, and the deforestation rate prior to it, given his option to enter an irreversible REDD scheme that provides him with uncertain cash flows under different risk aversion scenarios.