Article
Forestry
Elisabeth Johann
Summary: Coppice is the oldest form of systematic forest utilization, providing a wide range of products and services to rural communities in a sustainable manner. However, the decline of coppice forestry began in the second half of the 19th century due to advanced agricultural and industrial techniques. With changing societal demands, local farmers are rediscovering and utilizing wood as a renewable resource from coppice forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alpy Sharma, Sanjay Kr Uniyal, Daizy Rani Batish, Harminder P. Singh
Summary: The present study examined the fuelwood use and knowledge variations among the Bhangalis, a resident community in Chhota Bhangal, Himachal Pradesh. The findings revealed that the number of fuelwood species known by the Bhangalis was significantly different from the ones they actually used. The study also found variations in fuelwood knowledge based on gender, age, and family size.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Samuel Assefa, Aad Kessler, Luuk Fleskens
Summary: The study found that farmers prefer collectively working on private farmlands rather than communal land, and their participation was higher under a default scenario compared to a willingness scenario. Farmers tended to follow the decisions of more knowledgeable fellow farmers in deciding their level of participation in campaign works. The commitment of local government actors was crucial in enforcing and encouraging farmers to participate in the program.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jun Wang, Dafeng Hui, Zhanfeng Liu, Yongbiao Lin, Faming Wang, Jing Long, Zhijian Mou, Hongfang Lu, Hai Ren
Summary: This study investigates the resorption of foliar nutrients in different plant growth forms and forest ages in subtropical plantations. The results show that nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are generally resorbed from senescing leaves, while calcium and manganese are not. The resorption efficiency of phosphorus is higher than that of nitrogen, indicating that phosphorus is more limiting in subtropical plantations. The resorption efficiencies do not differ with plantation age, but the resorption proficiencies are generally lower in younger plantations.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Cloe X. Perez-Valladares, Ana I. Moreno-Calles, Jean F. Mas, Alejandro Velazquez
Summary: This study used species distribution modeling to analyze the impact of social factors on the distribution of plant communities, using the palm-stands of Brahea dulcis in central-southern Mexico as a case study. The results showed that social factors had the greatest influence on palm-stand distribution, verifying a strong association with their presence. The research revealed the importance of social factors in palm-stand distribution, emphasizing the significance of long-standing human actions in forming palm-stands.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nora Papp, Dragica Purger, Szilvia Czigle, Dora Czegenyi, Szilvia Stranczinger, Monika Toth, Tunde Denes, Marianna Kocsis, Anna Takacsi-Nagy, Rita Filep
Summary: This study surveyed the ethnobotanical and traditional use of pine species among Hungarian-speaking ethnic groups in Transylvania and compared the findings with previous reports from Transylvania and other countries in the Carpathian Basin. The results showed that pine species, such as Abies alba, Picea abies, Pinus nigra, and Pinus sylvestris, were commonly used for treating respiratory diseases and dental problems. The cones of these species were used to make syrup and decoction, with Picea abies being the most frequently documented and mentioned in the treatment of various diseases. The study also discovered new uses for Picea abies, such as for dyspnoea, thyroid glands, and kidney disorders, which were not previously reported in ethnobotanical literature.
Article
Fisheries
William Higgisson, Breanna Reynolds, Yasmin Cross, Fiona Dyer
Summary: This study aims to investigate the relationship between seed germination and seedling establishment of Acacia stenophylla and hydrological conditions, as well as the seed's ability to disperse through water. The results show that A. stenophylla establishes during and following flooding, and requires a period of flooding followed by flood recession to maximize seed germination.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessika Priscila Costa da Silva, Paulo Henrique Goncalves, Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque, Rafael Ricardo Vasconcelos da Silva, Patricia Muniz de Medeiros
Summary: The study reveals that the medicinal use of certain plant species can protect them from harmful wood uses. Perceived availability and efficiency are important variables in determining wood uses. Therefore, maintaining the medicinal importance of plants can be a strategy to protect them from misuse.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Juliane Souza Luiz Hora, Ivanilda Soares Feitosa, Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque, Marcelo Alves Ramos, Patricia Muniz Medeiros
Summary: Efforts have been made to understand the criteria for selecting plants for various purposes, but there is still disagreement on the processes that drive fuelwood use. Wood quality and its availability in the environment have been identified as main determinants in predictions, while biological and ecological aspects also influence fuelwood use.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ludovica Dessi, Lina Podda, Giuseppe Brundu, Vanessa Lozano, Antoine Carrouee, Elizabete Marchante, Helia Marchante, Yohan Petit, Marco Porceddu, Gianluigi Bacchetta
Summary: Acacia dealbata and A. mearnsii are two invasive species found in Mediterranean habitats, with seeds exhibiting physical dormancy that can be overcome through scarification. Scarified seeds show higher germination rates at different temperatures and photoperiod regimes, contributing to a better understanding of their invasive behavior.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Innocent Uzochukwu Okagu, Joseph Chinedum Ndefo, Emmanuel Chigozie Aham, Chibuike C. Udenigwe
Summary: Plants in the Zanthoxylum genus contain a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals with potential health benefits such as anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. However, further research is needed to explore their practical application in functional foods and drug development.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Abdou Madjid Olatounde Amoussa, Latifou Lagnika, Valerie Jullian, Francois Chassagne
Summary: This study explored the potential of 24 plants used in Benin folk medicine for treating non-typhoidal invasive Salmonella diseases. It found that 18 of the plants exhibited antibacterial activity against Salmonella strains, and some showed promise in treating salmonellosis in a rat model of infection.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Orlanda Povoa, Violeta Lopes, Ana Maria Barata, Noemia Farinha
Summary: The main goal of this study was to assess the genetic erosion risk of plants with aromatic, medicinal and gastronomic applications in Portugal, particularly in the Alentejo region. The methodology involved direct observations and surveys, using the GE formula applied in Hammer's studies. The results showed a reduction in individuals per species in Alentejo, with cultivated accessions having a higher genetic erosion risk than wild accessions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marula Rasethe, Martin Potgieter, Michele Pfab
Summary: This study investigated the utilization of threatened or protected plant-listed species by traditional health practitioners and community members in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The results showed that these species are mainly used for medicinal purposes, with their underground parts being widely utilized. Scarcity of these plants in local lands led to the majority of participants purchasing materials from specialized shops, while a smaller percentage harvested from open access areas.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jerald J. Nair, Johannes van Staden
Summary: The Amaryllidaceae family of plants in southern Africa has garnered attention due to the interesting biological properties of its alkaloid constituents. Extensive research has been conducted on the biological activities of extracts from various genera, revealing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, among others. Mechanistic studies have been conducted to understand the underlying mechanisms of these activities.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Amsalu Tolessa, Jean-Francois Belieres, Paulo Salgado, Sitrakiniaina Raharimalala, Tobias M. Louw, Neill J. Goosen
Summary: This study estimates the potential of using agricultural residue biomass for biogas generation in smallholder farming systems in the rural Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar. The findings show that animal manure and crop residue can produce methane for energy production, as well as recoverable nitrogen for crop fertilization. This has the potential to meet energy needs and provide fertilizer for on-farm use for smallholder farmers in the region.
BIOENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amsalu Tolessa, Tobias M. M. Louw, Neill J. J. Goosen
Summary: This paper presents a probabilistic techno-economic assessment tool for anaerobic digestion technology, and demonstrates the financial and economic feasibility of smallholder farm-based anaerobic digesters through a case study.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amsalu Tolessa, Neill J. Goosen, Tobias M. Louw
Summary: Anaerobic co-digestion is an effective method to overcome limitations in individual substrate digestion, but finding suitable substrate combinations requires extensive experimentation. In this study, a probabilistic framework using Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 was developed to estimate methane production potential from mixed substrates, and the framework was validated using agricultural residues as a case study. The results showed that co-digestion can increase mean methane content by up to 8% compared to mono-digestion. However, the predicted probability distributions were multimodal, highlighting the need for a probabilistic approach in anaerobic digestion modeling for accurate decision making.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amsalu Tolessa
Summary: Using crop statistics and publicly accessible data, this study estimated the bioenergy potential of crop biomass residues in Ethiopia. The country generates a significant amount of recoverable crop residue, with cereals and fruit crops being the highest contributors. The bioenergy potential varies by region, with Oromia having the highest potential. The study emphasizes the importance of decentralized energy planning, research and development, and stakeholder participation for Ethiopia's sustainable bioenergy sector.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mahelete Tsegaye, Tewabech Alemu, Abraham Dilnessa, Amsalu Tolessa, Tegene Tantu, Yihunie Bekalu, Fikremariam Haile
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of temperature and time on the nutritional and anti-nutritional qualities of Ziziphus mauritiana fruit and found that storing the fruit in plastic bags and deep-freezing had the best effect on preserving its freshness for up to 45 days.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Amsalu Tolessa, Siphe Zantsi, Tobias M. Louw, Jan C. Greyling, Neill J. Goosen
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2020)