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
Forestry
Musse Tesfaye, Ashenafi Manaye, Berihu Tesfamariam, Zenebe Mekonnen, Shibire Bekele Eshetu, Katharina Loehr, Stefan Sieber
Summary: Dry forests' contribution to climate change adaptation is often overlooked, but in Tigray Region, the overall dry forest income contributes to 16.8% of total household income. Different types of dry forest users are significantly impacted by dry forest income in various ways.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
So-Hee Park, Youn Yeo-Chang
Summary: This study explores the factors influencing rural communities' participation in the CFM program in South Korea, as well as the impact of participation on livelihood strategies and income levels. The research found that households participating in CFM tend to pursue diversified livelihood strategies, leading to higher income levels compared to non-participating households. It suggests expanding the CFM program as a policy option to enhance rural livelihoods dependent on forests.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
P. Andrew Konyak, Khikeya Semy, Neizo Puro
Summary: The Konyaks in Nagaland, India, have historically relied on forest resources for sustenance and economic growth. The study identifies 43 plant species from 26 families used by the tribes in Mon district, with non-timber forest products meeting the diverse needs of the Naga tribe. The traditional knowledge passed down through generations plays a key role in the utilization of these resources.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanto Rochmayanto, Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat, Bramasto Nugroho, Dudung Darusman, Arif Satria, Thorkil Casse, James Thomas Erbaugh, Donny Wicaksono
Summary: Law 11/2020 has transformed a partial forest business license into a multi-purpose forest business and decentralized some forest management authorities to local communities. The study examines the factors influencing deforestation reduction and focuses on two village forest organizations in East Kalimantan. It finds that the devolution of forest management does not consistently lead to reduced forest cover loss, highlighting the complex interaction between institutional robustness and economic preferences in controlling deforestation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Eve Bohnett, Sanju Lamichhane, Yanjing Tracy Liu, Scott Yabiku, Digambar Singh Dahal, Siraj Mammo, Kossi Fandjinou, Bilal Ahmad, Li An
Summary: Community forestry is a participatory strategy where communities manage forests to ensure socioeconomic resilience and biological sustainability. The research examines the impact of timber income and forest-regeneration costs on the viability of community forests in Chitwan, Nepal. Lower timber-income areas are less economically stable, leading to restrictions on wood harvesting and poorer levels of forest regeneration, economic sustainability, and community rights. The study highlights the income and expenditure gap in community forests, emphasizing the need for balanced management approaches.
Article
Economics
Jinyu Shen, Yijing Zhang, Wei Zhou, Zhenjiang Song, Wei Duan
Summary: Although the contributions of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to poverty alleviation and resource conservation are widely acknowledged, NTFP collection is still one of the leading human activities threatening the habitats of giant pandas. This study explores the dynamics and determinants of household's participation in, income from, and reliance on NTFP collection in the panda reserves. The findings highlight the importance of NTFP collection as a livelihood strategy for many households and provide insights for improving its linkage with poverty reduction and wildlife conservation.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2022)
Review
Entomology
Lincah Andadari, Dhany Yuniati, Bambang Supriyanto, Murniati, Sri Suharti, Asmanah Widarti, Eden Steven, Andi Sadapotto, Bondan Winarno, Minarningsih, Retno Agustarini, Nurhaedah Muin, Wahyudi Isnan, Yetti Heryati, Yelin Adalina, Irma Yeny, Rosita Dewi, Ari Nurlia, Septiantina Dyah Riendriasari, Kun Estri Maharani, Luthfan Meilana Nugraha, Budi Hadi Narendra
Summary: Sericulture is a labor-intensive agro-industry business that can benefit the community's welfare and environmental improvement. In Indonesia, silk as a non-timber forest product has potential benefits for livelihoods and the forest ecosystem. However, there are challenges in the development of the sericulture industry, including the availability of quality eggs, cultivation efficiency, policy support, and competition with imported products. Improvement in technical and social-economic aspects can support the development of sericulture in Indonesia.
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Rui Sun, Jianing Mi, Shu Cao, Tianyi Zhang
Summary: The study found that Chinese rural households exhibit clear transitions in livelihood strategies, with some households shifting from farming-oriented strategies to non-farming sectors, and the half-farming-and-half-employment strategy showing strong mobility.
SOCIAL INDICATORS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiquan Peng, Juan Chen, Lili Chen, Zihao Zhao
Summary: Machinery is crucial for the modernization of agricultural industries and poverty alleviation among farmers. This study examines the effects of agricultural machinery on farmers' relative poverty, considering livelihood factors and resource (in)divisibility. The results show that increasing agricultural machinery leads to higher income and reduced relative poverty among farmers, with plowing machinery having the largest effect. Additionally, a threshold analysis suggests that farmers are influenced more when their farms exceed a scale of 1.12 hm(2). This study provides insights for policymakers to invest in agricultural machinery, promote farmland integration, and facilitate resource divisibility.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Prospere Sabo, Kolawole Valere Salako, Johnson Stephen, Romain Glele Kakai, Amade Ouedraogo
Summary: Boswellia dalzielii Hutch. is a valuable frankincense tree species native to West Africa, with high traditional medicinal value and economic potential. However, it is an underutilized species and faces threats from anthropogenic pressure and climate change. Research on its population biology, genetics, propagation methods, and sustainable resin harvesting practices is urgently needed.
GENETIC RESOURCES AND CROP EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Beytollah Mahmoudi, Eric Zenner, Davood Mafi-Gholami, Fatemeh Eshaghi
Summary: The livelihoods of many households and communities in the Central Zagros of Iran heavily rely on income from forests, leading to over-utilization and high levels of poverty. This study aimed to understand forest utilization by households and the extent to which forests contribute to income and poverty alleviation, in order to develop strategies for poverty reduction and sustainable development. Semi-structured interviews, poverty indices, socio-economic indicators, and an inferential model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that households earned income from various strategies involving forests, with the second highest economic share. Forest-dependent strategies moved 12% of households out of poverty, but the majority still remained below the poverty line. Without forest income, poverty decreased but income inequality and poverty depth increased. The low rural development index indicated heavy dependence on forests for livelihoods. The study suggests different development strategies based on household dependence on forests or supplemental income.
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
Eko Nugroho, Rico Ihle, Wim Heijman, Simon J. Oosting
Summary: This study aims to assess the relationship between income source diversification, poverty, and livelihood capital for smallholder farm households combining cattle farming with forest extraction. The findings show no correlation between poverty and income diversification. Cattle breeders rely heavily on forest resources, while feeders exhibit increased income diversification.
SMALL-SCALE FORESTRY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Sujoy Hazari, Mamoni Kalita, Biswajit Lahiri
Summary: Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) play a significant role in improving rural livelihoods and providing employment opportunities in India. These products are used for various purposes, including food, fodder, fiber, traditional medicine, etc., and are often linked to local culture. Promoting and domesticating NTFPs, as well as implementing appropriate policy frameworks and processing techniques, are crucial for enhancing food security, reducing poverty, and improving livelihoods.
INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellen Desie, Juan Zuo, Kris Verheyen, Ika Djukic, Koenraad Van Meerbeek, Harald Auge, Nadia Barsoum, Christel Baum, Helge Bruelheide, Nico Eisenhauer, Heike Feldhaar, Olga Ferlian, Dominique Gravel, Herve Jactel, Inger Kappel Schmidt, Sebastian Kepfer-Rojas, Celine Meredieu, Simone Mereu, Christian Messier, Lourdes Morillas, Charles Nock, Alain Paquette, Quentin Ponette, Peter B. Reich, Javier Roales, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Steffen Seitz, Anja Schmidt, Artur Stefanski, Stefan Trogisch, Inge van Halder, Martin Weih, Laura J. Williams, Bo Yang, Bart Muys
Summary: Tree species diversity has a significant impact on litter decomposition in forests. Our study, conducted in 15 tree diversity experiments across three continents, found that tree identity has a significant effect on decomposition, while tree species richness does not. Additionally, litter quality, stand age, and density also influence decomposition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Ashenafi Duguma Feyisa, Miet Maertens, Yann de Mey
Summary: This paper explores the diversity in risk perception and risk preferences of Ethiopian households by combining incentivized field experiments with detailed primary household survey data. The study finds that the respondents are exposed to multiple past and future agricultural risks, and exhibit characteristics of relative risk aversion, loss aversion, and overweighting of unlikely extreme outcomes. The findings highlight the significant association between risk preferences and risk perception, providing valuable insights for better informed and targeted risk management policy interventions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Erika De Keyser, Erik Mathijs
Summary: As a method for sustainable development, circular business models are being increasingly developed. However, many circular business models tend to focus on environmental or technological contributions to sustainability, without considering all dimensions of sustainability simultaneously. Based on existing sustainable business model archetypes, a hierarchical business model typology is created to explore sustainable business model innovation opportunities step by step, incorporating environmental, social, and economic dimensions. A closer analysis of business model components reveals six newly defined Sustainable Circular Business Models. Finally, a conceptual application for organic waste valorization technologies, supported by examples from literature, provides a practical view on implementing these business models in the bio-economy. The typology offers guidance for sustainable business model design or innovation opportunities centered around technologies that create value from waste.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Erika De Keyser, Anke De Dobbelaere, Jan Leenknegt, Erik Meers, Erik Mathijs, Liesbet Vranken
Summary: To reduce dependency on non-renewable resources, valuable bio-based fertilizer components can be recovered through the valorization of organic waste streams. Optimization research in the fertilizer domain focuses on minimizing costs while ensuring crop nutrient uptake. This paper develops a model to minimize fertilizer costs for vegetable farmers by considering the use of bio-based fertilizer through composting and anaerobic digestion, as well as leaving crop residues on the field.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Nikinmaa, Marcus Lindner, Elena Cantarello, Barry Gardiner, Jette Bredahl Jacobsen, Alistair S. Jump, Constanza Parra, Tobias Plieninger, Andreas Schuck, Rupert Seidl, Thomas Timberlake, Kristen Waring, Georg Winkel, Bart Muys
Summary: Against the backdrop of increasing climate-induced disturbances, there is an urgent need to enhance the resilience of forests and forest management. However, current methods for assessing resilience lack considerations for trade-offs. This study proposes a hierarchical framework that considers trade-offs between mechanisms, social-ecological system components, ecosystem services, and spatial and temporal scales to assess resilience.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lysander Fockaert, Erik Mathijs, Liesbet Vranken
Summary: This study examines citizen preferences for specific agri-environmental measures in a rural area in Flanders, Belgium. The results show that citizens support all measures and are willing to pay for them, with mechanical weeding and increasing nesting opportunities for bees and birds being particularly favored. The study also finds that environmental attitude has limited influence on citizen preferences, while cognitive factors have even less relevance.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dalia Fadly, Francisco Fontes, Miet Maertens
Summary: This paper examines the impact of using biomass fuels on the daily number of meals consumed in India. The study finds that using dirty fuel as primary cooking fuel decreases the number of meals per day by an estimated 1.5%. Additionally, the use of dirty cooking fuel is associated with increased cooking time, higher frequency of fuelwood collection, and lower satisfaction with the cooking arrangement, which partially explains the negative effect on nutrition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nick Gutkin, Valens Uwizeyimana, Ben Somers, Bart Muys, Bruno Verbist
Summary: Eastern Rwanda has diverse land cover types including agroforestry, forest patches, and shrubland, all of which have tree cover. The use of automated methods and satellite imagery, such as Google Earth Engine and the random forests algorithm, allows for cost-effective and time-efficient mapping and monitoring of the landscape. This study combined Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with various vegetation indices, texture metrics, principal components, and non-spectral layers to classify land cover types in the study area. The results showed high classification accuracies for forest, shrubland, and agroforestry, with non-spectral layers and texture metrics being important for accurate classification.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiangbo Xu, Yan Xu, Jing LI, Yonglong lU, Alan Jenkins, Robert C. Ferrier, Hong Li, Nils Chr Stenseth, Dag O. Hessen, Linxiu Zhang, Chang Li, Baojing Gu, Shuqin Jin, Mingxing Sun, Zhu Ouyang, Erik Mathijs
Summary: Ensuring global food security and environmental sustainability requires understanding the contribution of smallholder farms to global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, a localized agricultural life cycle assessment database was developed to evaluate GHG emissions from smallholder farms in China. By incorporating sustainable practices, such as crop and livestock production, GHG emission intensity could be reduced by 17.67%. Scenario analysis suggested that greater emission reductions (28.09%-41.32%) could be achieved through restructuring farming practices. This research highlights the potential of mixed farming to provide sustainable agricultural practices for reducing GHG emissions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mesfin Tilahun, Stein T. Holden
Summary: Youth unemployment is a significant issue in Ethiopia. Efforts have been made to rehabilitate degraded communal lands and allocate them to landless and land-poor youth for agriculture. This study investigates whether rural youth will remain in agriculture or choose other livelihood options, and how trust and other factors influence their choices. The results suggest that owning more oxen is associated with a higher likelihood of choosing agriculture as a livelihood, while higher levels of trust are linked to a greater likelihood of choosing off-farm employment.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Koen De Vos, Charlotte Janssens, Liesbet Jacobs, Benjamin Campforts, Esther Boere, Marta Kozicka, Petr Havlik, Christian Folberth, Juraj Balkovic, Miet Maertens, Gerard Govers
Summary: African rice production is affected by high variability in yields and uncertain supply chains. This study proposes a framework to assess the future impacts of socio-economic development and climate change on rice availability and stability in Africa. The study highlights the importance of both local and trade-related climatic variabilities in identifying future challenges.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Janne Bemelmans, Daniele Curzi, Alessandro Olper, Miet Maertens
Summary: This article examines the trade implications of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) in tropical commodity sectors. It finds that VSS can enhance trade, with an increase in VSS coverage leading to an increase in export value. However, the impact varies among different commodities, with significant effects observed for banana, coffee, and tea, but not for cocoa and palm oil. The study also suggests that the effectiveness of VSS in promoting trade depends on the income level of the importer and the income gap between trading partners.
Article
Demography
Kaat Van Hoyweghen, Janne Bemelmans, Hendrik Feyaerts, Goedele van den Broeck, Miet Maertens
Summary: In order to design family planning policies in Sub-Saharan Africa that focus on reproductive empowerment instead of reproductive control, it is important to understand fertility preferences and the trade-offs between the number of children and the quality of child-rearing. This study examines fertility decisions and the quantity-quality trade-off theory using a novel discrete choice experimental method. The results show that rural households in Senegal and Uganda prefer to have many children, but there are differences between men and women and between poor and non-poor respondents. The study also confirms the existence of a trade-off between quantity and quality, with the caveat that quantity and quality can be complementary when all children in the household have access to education. These findings suggest that improving living conditions and access to education in rural areas may lead to lower fertility rates. The study emphasizes the importance of reproductive empowerment and preference-based family planning programs in aligning with reproductive justice.
POPULATION RESEARCH AND POLICY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Ellen Desie, Bart Muys, Jan den Ouden, Bart Nyssen, Rita Sousa-Silva, Leon van den Berg, Arnold van den Burg, Gert-Jan van Duinen, Koenraad Van Meerbeek, Maaike Weijters, Karen Vancampenhout
Summary: The vitality of European forests is declining due to various factors, including pests, diseases, climate change, and nitrogen deposition. Deteriorating soil health is a major reason for the low vitality of West-European forests. This study evaluated the impact of black cherry on the vitality of neighboring pedunculate oak in mixed forests in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The findings suggest that while black cherry admixture has negative effects on oak foliar nutrient concentrations, it can also reduce defoliation caused by herbivory. The study also highlighted the limited indirect effects of black cherry on oak vitality via improved soil health.
Article
Forestry
Bart Muys, Christian Messier
Summary: The UNFCCC COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh confirmed that climate policies heavily rely on forest mitigation instead of transitioning away from fossil fuels to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C. However, the decline in forest vitality highlights the urgent need for forest adaptation, which is not being adequately addressed by foresters. This letter explores the reasons for this inaction and proposes a diversity-based no-regret approach as a way forward.
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Economics
Sara Lorenzini, Nadia von Jacobi
Summary: This paper fills the gap in the literature on polycentric governance by focusing on the micro-processes of conflict that precede its establishment. Through a comparative analysis of four case studies, the authors find that conflict can lead to negotiations and the eventual establishment of common procedural rules, which can sustain polycentric governance.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Hubert Palus, Lenka Marcinekova, Jaroslav Salka
Summary: The complexity and comprehensiveness of sustainability issues in forest certification schemes require knowledge based and transparent decision-making processes, which involve open and multi-stakeholder participation. This study examines the latest PEFC national sustainable forest management standard revision process in Slovakia from the viewpoint of stakeholder participation. The results highlight the importance of stakeholder understanding, trust, and satisfaction in the effectiveness of the revision process.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Nicholas Palaschuk, Jason Gauthier, Ryan Bullock
Summary: Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important for the spiritual and cultural identity of Indigenous communities, but current forest policies in Canada do not adequately protect these resources. This research used a participatory approach and community interviews to document local criteria, elements, and values related to NTFP development and conservation. The resulting framework can guide decision making and promote socio-economic benefits for the Missanabie Cree First Nation.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Laila Berning, Metodi Sotirov
Summary: This paper analyzes the coalition politics driven by beliefs and interests in the new European Union Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR). The study identifies pro-regulation and contra-regulation coalitions and highlights the strategic alliance formed between pro-EUDR business actors and other pro-coalitions. Despite opposition from a weaker contra-regulation coalition, the EUDR was ultimately institutionalized as a compromise solution accommodating different beliefs and interests of state and non-state actors.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Mehwish Zuberi, Michael Spies, Jonas o. Nielsen
Summary: Smallholder farmers play a crucial role in agrarian value chains in the Global South, but they are often neglected in technology-oriented agricultural interventions. However, they face challenges such as lack of resources, established crop rotation patterns, and market and climatic factors.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
James Chamberlain, Carsten Smith-Hall
Summary: More countries are adopting novel approaches to transition to a forest-based bioeconomy, which can address global challenges such as sustainable forest management, poverty alleviation, and climate change mitigation. Utilizing non-timber forest products is crucial for the realization of a forest-based bioeconomy.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Keith Barney
Summary: The social impacts of industrial wood plantations in Southeast Asia, specifically in Laos, are debated. This study finds that under certain conditions, these plantations can positively contribute to local livelihoods, but there are still issues of land dispossession and inadequate compensation.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
