Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jocelyn M. Briseno-Tellez, Maria Teresa Pulido Silva, Karen Bautista, Amairani Garcia Mera, Omar Larios-Lozano, Berenice Nathaly Lopez Gutierrez, Yazmin Alejandra Lopez Lopez, Yesenia Mendoza Cruz, Rene Monzalvo, Daniela Ortega-Meza, Edith Carmina Sanchez Trejo, Zeltzin K. Zepeda-Hernandez
Summary: This ethnobotanical study examines the cultural, biological, and socioeconomic aspects associated with Domingo de Ramos in central Mexico. The study reveals that ramos are not only used for religious purposes but also have multiple uses in daily life, primarily for protection. The ramos are made from a variety of plant species and are primarily sold by indigenous women who are heads of their families.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sabah Merrium, Zulfiqar Ali, Muhammad Hammad Nadeem Tahir, Muhammad Habib-ur-Rahman, Sadia Hakeem
Summary: Plant species in arid regions have developed novel leaf features to collect atmospheric water, and a similar mechanism can be found in wheat plants. This study evaluated the leaf rolling dynamics among wheat genotypes and their relationship with moisture harvesting. The results show that leaf rolling type affects water use efficiency and soil moisture difference. The wetting property of the leaf surface is positively associated with atmospheric water collection.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Tarin Toledo-Aceves, Sven Guenter, Manuel R. Guariguata, Martin Garcia-Diaz, Eliza Zhunusova
Summary: Secondary forests, especially cloud forests, are crucial for biodiversity and hydrological regulation. However, sustainable timber production in these forests is currently limited. A pilot study in Mexico revealed challenges faced by small landowners in harvesting timber sustainably in a 20-year-old secondary cloud forest. Forest policy instruments and economic incentives are needed to support small-scale landowners in meeting restoration and climate mitigation goals.
Article
Forestry
Piotr Tadeusz Golos, Joanna Ukalska, Emilia Wysocka-Fijorek, Wojciech Gil
Summary: The study surveyed 1003 forest landowners to determine the average expected economic compensation under timber harvesting restrictions, with expectations influenced by timber-selling farmers and those with larger agricultural areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jamhuri Jamaluddin, Norizah Kamarudin, Mohd Hasmadi Ismail, Siti Azfanizam Ahmad
Summary: Suitable extraction technique and least cost with reduced environmental impact are the main concerns in timber transportation planning in undulate topography. Two types of extraction machines are combined for timber harvesting in Malaysia, aiming for each machine to extract timber suitable to their ability. A Bees Algorithm (BA) is proposed to find the optimal TTP for timber extraction, forest road, and landing locations with grid cell-sized 10 m x 10 m and assigned fixed and variable costs. The results favor the log fisher as a preferable extraction technique with lower total cost compared to the crawler tractor. The model identifies a suitable timber extraction technique and estimates the extraction costs, while further studies are required for comparing BA with other optimization methods to achieve better results.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Forestry
Daniel DeArmond, Fabiano Emmert, Alberto C. M. Pinto, Adriano J. N. Lima, Niro Higuchi
Summary: Logging in the Amazon biome, the largest tropical forest in the world, continues every year, causing significant impacts on the residual forest, wildlife, and streams. This review examines the current state of research on logging impacts in the Amazonia and finds that logging intensity and cycle play crucial roles in determining the extent of damage. Lowering logging intensity and implementing longer logging cycles are suggested for sustainable forest management in the region.
Article
Ecology
Yuichi Yamaura, Yusuke Yamada, Toshiya Matsuura, Koji Tamai, Hisatomo Taki, Tamotsu Sato, Shoji Hashimoto, Wataru Murakami, Kenichiro Toda, Hitoshi Saito, Kazuki Nanko, Eriko Ito, Norimasa Takayama, Nobuyuki Tsuzuki, Masayoshi Takahashi, Kazushige Yamaki, Makoto Sano
Summary: The study in central Japan evaluated effects of plantation forestry on ecosystem services, showing that some services are greatly reduced when natural forests are replaced with plantations, while others show small changes or even increase when stand age is accounted for. Management decisions will impact whether plantations can provide net benefits to current and future generations.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anil Raj Kizha, Evan Nahor, Noah Coogen, Libin T. Louis, Alex K. George
Summary: This study evaluated residual stand damage under different harvesting methods and silvicultural prescriptions, with bole damage being the most frequent across all treatments. The hybrid cut-to-length method had lower damage density and severity compared to whole-tree harvesting. There were no significant differences in the height of the damages from the ground level between treatments within each study site, but there was a significant difference between the study sites.
Article
Economics
Angelina R. O. Martins, Charlie M. Shackleton
Summary: In most low-income countries, rural households engage in a variety of economic activities to generate income and achieve livelihood objectives. This study examines the role of diversification, particularly income from palm products, on rural livelihoods in southern Mozambique.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amelie Saunier, Stephane Greff, James D. Blande, Caroline Lecareux, Virginie Baldy, Catherine Fernandez, Elena Ormeno
Summary: This experiment studied the metabolome changes in Quercus pubescens leaves exposed to amplified drought conditions, showing that 75% of metabolites were upregulated in springs while 60 to 73% were downregulated in summers/autumns, with some metabolites demonstrating antioxidant ability.
Article
Plant Sciences
Craig C. Brelsford, M. Trasser, T. Paris, Saara M. Hartikainen, T. Matthew Robson
Summary: Forest understorey plants show different responses to blue light and UV radiation based on their functional strategies. Species with higher light demand are more sensitive to seasonal changes in light quality and have a stronger response to blue light. A reduction in understorey blue light and UV radiation delays leaf senescence in autumn niche species.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Ana Paula Rosa, Lucia Barao, Lelia Chambel, Cristina Cruz, Margarida Maria Santana
Summary: This study evaluated the response of tomato plants to water scarcity by analyzing changes in leaf reflectance and identifying spectral reflectance indices (SRIs) for the early detection of drought stress. The researchers found 12 SRIs that showed significant differences between treatments, with 6 of them already significantly different within 7 or 9 days after the experiment started. These findings suggest that these SRIs could be used as promising proxies for the early detection of invisible responses to drought onset.
Article
Forestry
Cristina Baldauf, Arildo S. Dias, Christiane E. Correa, Flavio A. M. Santos
Summary: Theoretical models of allometric scaling provide a framework for understanding how organism morphology and function vary with scale. However, the predictions for vascular plants fail to consider different environments and disturbances like bark harvesting, leading to divergence from theoretical predictions. Bark harvesting affects tree allometry and height growth, highlighting the importance of including this disturbance in management strategies to maintain tree height growth.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Economics
Ahmad Maryudi, Dwi Laraswati, Muhammad A. K. Sahide, Lukas Giessen
Summary: The Indonesian government has implemented a Timber Legality Verification System to enhance forest governance and facilitate trade with foreign markets. The mandatory legality licensing for exports has been a topic of debate in the past decade due to changing export policies. While there are arguments for and against the licensing, it is necessary to address the challenges faced by different types of forest industries, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Diego Oliveira Brandao, Lauro Euclides Soares Barata, Carlos Afonso Nobre
Summary: This article reviews the impact of human-induced environmental changes on forest products and forest-dependent communities in the Amazon region. The study finds that populations of species associated with forest products are decreasing due to deforestation and selective logging, leading to changes in species composition and loss of valuable species. Over 1 billion native trees and palms are being lost every two years, resulting in economic losses estimated between US$1-17 billion. This loss of native plant species has long-lasting effects on the economic opportunities of forest-dependent communities. However, investments in science and technology offer potential solutions for recovering deforested and degraded lands and engaging companies that use forest products.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sinara Oliveira de Aquino, Catherine Kiwuka, Remi Tournebize, Clement Gain, Pierre Marraccini, Cedric Mariac, Kevin Bethune, Marie Couderc, Philippe Cubry, Alan C. Andrade, Maud Lepelley, Olivier Darracq, Dominique Crouzillat, Niels Anten, Pascal Musoli, Yves Vigouroux, Alexandre de Kochko, Stephanie Manel, Olivier Francois, Valerie Poncet
Summary: Understanding vulnerabilities of plant populations to climate change can help protect their biodiversity and identify potential parents for breeding programs. In this study, we used landscape genomics to assess the potential adaptations of Coffea canephora trees to future climate conditions. By sequencing candidate genes related to key metabolic and defense pathways, we identified 71 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with bioclimatic variables. These climate-associated SNPs were linked to important candidate genes controlling plant responses to abiotic stresses and caffeine biosynthesis. Using these genetic markers, we estimated the genetic offsets and found significant levels of genetic differentiation between present and future populations. The findings suggest that populations in certain regions of Uganda have lower genetic offsets and may be more resilient to climate change. The implications of these findings for ex situ conservation strategies are discussed.
Article
Agronomy
Khalid Anwar, Rohit Joshi, Alejandro Morales, Gourab Das, Xinyou Yin, Niels P. R. Anten, Saurabh Raghuvanshi, Rajeev N. Bahuguna, Madan Pal Singh, Rakesh K. Singh, Martijn Zanten, Rashmi Sasidharan, Sneh L. Singla-Pareek, Ashwani Pareek
Summary: This study evaluates the contribution of morphological and physiological traits to rice yield using a mini-core collection of 362 rice genotypes. The research highlights the diversity in rice and reveals the possibility of improving yield in modern cultivars. The findings have important implications for rice breeding and improving crop productivity under a changing climate.
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
German Wies, Armando Navarrete-Segueda, Eliane Ceccon, John Larsen, Miguel Martinez-Ramos
Summary: This study investigated various factors influencing maize cropping systems and grain yield, including the differences between traditional and conventional systems, soil characteristics, agronomic factors, and socioeconomic drivers. The findings reveal the inconsistent effectiveness of modern agronomic management and highlight the need for new theoretical models incorporating socioeconomic and cultural drivers to better predict maize grain yield.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ricard Arasa-Gisbert, Victor Arroyo-Rodriguez, Jorge A. Meave, Miguel Martinez-Ramos, Madelon Lohbeck
Summary: This study examines the effects of forest cover, matrix openness, and forest patch density on the functional composition and diversity of tropical regenerating trees. The results show that forest loss and matrix openness reduce functional richness and evenness, while fragmentation has contrasting effects on functional diversity and composition.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
David E. Davila-Molina, Cuauhtemoc Saenz-Romero, Oscar Alberto Aguirre-Calderon, Leonel Lopez-Toledo
Summary: Sectional equations and mathematical volume models were used to estimate stem volume in a commercial forest plantation in Western Mexico. The study identified the most suitable mathematical model for volume estimation and emphasized the importance of stem volume estimation for forest management and carbon sequestration studies.
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Martin Auliz-Ortiz, Victor Arroyo-Rodriguez, Eduardo Mendoza, Miguel Martinez-Ramos
Summary: This study assessed the impact of biosphere reserves on forest loss and fragmentation in the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot and found that reserves can reduce forest loss and preserve less-fragmented configurations. However, they do not decrease the fragmentation rate or promote forest regrowth. Increasing non-farm occupation and planning rural settlements around reserves can improve their effectiveness for forest conservation.
PERSPECTIVES IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Madelon Lohbeck, Ben DeVries, Frans Bongers, Miguel Martinez-Ramos, Armando Navarrete-Segueda, Sergio Nicasio-Arzeta, Christina Siebe, Aline Pingarroni, German Wies, Mathieu Decuyper
Summary: Forest regrowth is crucial for achieving restoration commitments, but a lack of understanding about its occurrence and persistence hampers effective upscaling. This study in southern Mexico examined the spatiotemporal dynamics of forest in a recently colonized agricultural frontier, and investigated the factors influencing forest disturbance, regrowth, and secondary forest persistence. The results showed widespread forest loss and relatively constant secondary forest cover, indicating a shift away from shifting cultivation. Climate variation and land ownership were found to be important drivers of disturbance, while soil quality influenced forest characteristics. The findings highlight the importance of considering community-specific dynamics and promoting equitable conservation initiatives to ensure successful forest restoration.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Paulina A. Asante, Eric Rahn, Pieter A. Zuidema, Danae M. A. Rozendaal, Maris E. G. van der Baan, Peter Laderach, Richard Asare, Nicholas C. Cryer, Niels P. R. Anten
Summary: This study quantifies the cocoa yield gaps in Ghana and identifies factors that can help bridge the gap.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Jesus Eduardo Saenz-Ceja, Miguel Martinez-Ramos, Manuel E. Mendoza, Diego R. Perez-Salicrup
Summary: This study describes the fire scar patterns in two conifer species in Mexican temperate forests. The results suggest that the absence of visible fire scars in smooth-bark Mexican pines does not imply the absence of fire, and sacred firs can exhibit external fire scars like pines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WILDLAND FIRE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Teresa Pulido-Silva, Hermilo Quero, Donald Hodel, Leonel Lopez-Toledo
Summary: The Arecaceae family is ecologically, ethnobotanically and floristically important in Mexico, but an updated review is required. Mexico hosts 99 species of palms, with 37.7% being endemic. Arecaceae presents intermediate diversity in Mexico, with 62.7% of the species considered rare. Arecaceae is one of the most threatened families in the country.
Article
Ecology
Catherine Kiwuka, Jan Vos, Jacob C. Douma, Pascal Musoli, John W. Mulumba, Valerie Poncet, Niels P. R. Anten
Summary: Uganda, located in the drier part of Coffea canephora's natural distribution range, possesses unexplored genetic material that could be useful in developing climate-resilient coffee varieties. The study investigated the impact of water treatment on 148 genotypes of wild, feral, and cultivated C. canephora and found that restricted-water reduced growth and performance across genetic groups and locations. The findings suggest that there is a trade-off between growth tolerance and drought tolerance in this tropical tree species.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
E. Mugi-Ngenga, L. Bastiaans, N. P. R. Anten, S. Zingore, F. Baijukya, K. E. Giller
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the water competition between maize and pigeonpea and lablab in intercropping systems. The experimental data and simulation results showed that the deep root system played a key role in the success of maize-legume intercropping, as it helped the legumes to better utilize water stored in deeper soil layers, alleviating the water shortage problem for maize.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ambra Tosto, Alejandro Morales, Eric Rahn, Jochem B. Evers, Pieter A. Zuidema, Niels P. R. Anten
Summary: Cocoa is an important crop and source of income for many farmers, but there are still unanswered questions regarding cocoa tree functioning, best management practices, and climate change responses. Modelling can help address these questions, but the availability of data for model design, calibration, and validation is currently a major bottleneck in cocoa model development.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Daniel Martin Auliz-Ortiz, Victor Arroyo-Rodriguez, Eduardo Mendoza, Miguel Martinez-Ramos
Summary: Restricted policies in protected areas may worsen poverty, but less restrictive areas may be better at alleviating poverty. However, this permissibility may reduce the effectiveness of preventing forest loss.
Article
Plant Sciences
Abdieel Quisehuatl-Medina, Campbell O. Webb, Moises Mendez-Toribio, Clementina Gonzalez, Stephen P. Hubbell, Leonel Lopez-Toledo
Summary: The study found that slope orientation has a significant impact on the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic community composition of woody plant species, while topographic position does not show a clear influence. 68% of the species showed a strong habitat preference, with both juveniles and adults favoring the same habitats. The functional and evolutionary structure of tree species differs between north-facing and south-facing slopes, but remains similar within each slope.
PLANT ECOLOGY & DIVERSITY
(2023)