scholarly journals Certification of açaí agroforestry increases the conservation potential of the Amazonian tree flora

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Damasco ◽  
Mandy Anhalt ◽  
Ricardo O. Perdiz ◽  
Florian Wittmann ◽  
Rafael L. de Assis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe harvesting of açaí berries (palm fruits from the genus Euterpe) in Amazonia has increased over the last 20 years due to a high local and global market demand and triggered by their widely acclaimed health benefits as a ‘superfood’. Although such increase represents a financial boom for local communities, unregulated extraction in Amazonia risks negative environmental effects including biodiversity loss through açai intensification and deforestation. Alternatively, the introduction of certified sustainable agroforestry production programs of açaí has been strategically applied to reduce the exploitation of Amazonian forests. Local açaí producers are required to follow principles of defined sustainable management practices, environmental guidelines, and social behaviors, paying specific attention to fair trade and human rights. In this study we investigate whether sustainable agroforestry and certification effectively promotes biodiversity conservation in Amazonia. To address this question, we conducted a forestry inventory in two hectares of long-term certified açai harvesting areas to gain further knowledge on the plant diversity and forest structure in açaí managed forests and to understand the contribution of certification towards sustainable forest management. On average, we found that certified managed forests harbor 50% more tree species than non-certified açaí groves. Trees in certified areas also have significantly higher mean basal area, meaning larger and hence older individuals are more likely to be protected. Certified harvesting sites also harbor dense populations of threatened species as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (e.g. Virola surinamensis, classified as ‘endangered’). Besides increasing the knowledge of plant diversity in açaí managed areas, we present baseline information for monitoring the impact of harvesting activities in natural ecosystems in Amazonia.

scholarly journals Assessing the Potential of Nontraditional Water Sources for Landscape Irrigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul I. Cabrera ◽  
James E. Altland ◽  
Genhua Niu
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
The Impact

Scarcity and competition for good quality and potable water resources are limiting their use for urban landscape irrigation, with several nontraditional sources being potentially available for these activities. Some of these alternative sources include rainwater, stormwater, brackish aquifer water, municipal reclaimed water (MRW), air-conditioning (A/C) condensates, and residential graywater. Knowledge on their inherent chemical profile and properties, and associated regional and temporal variability, is needed to assess their irrigation quality and potential short- and long-term effects on landscape plants and soils and to implement best management practices that successfully deal with their quality issues. The primary challenges with the use of these sources are largely associated with high concentrations of total salts and undesirable specific ions [sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), boron (B), and bicarbonate (HCO3−) alkalinity]. Although the impact of these alternative water sources has been largely devoted to human health, plant growth and aesthetic quality, and soil physicochemical properties, there is emergent interest in evaluating their effects on soil biological properties and in natural ecosystems neighboring the urban areas where they are applied.

scholarly journals Modelling tree growth to determine the sustainability of current off-take from miombo woodland: a case study from rural villages in Malawi

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
EMMA L. GREEN ◽  
FELIX EIGENBROD ◽  
KATE SCHRECKENBERG ◽  
SIMON WILLCOCK
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Vegetation Dynamics ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Miombo Woodlands ◽  
Yield Model ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYMiombo woodlands supply ecosystem services to support livelihoods in southern Africa, however, rapid deforestation has necessitated greater knowledge of tree growth and off-take rates to understand the sustainability of miombo exploitation. We established 48 tree inventory plots within four villages in southern Malawi, interviewed representatives in these same villages about tree management practices and investigated the impact of climate on vegetation dynamics in the region using the ecosystem modelling framework LPJ-GUESS. Combining our data with the forest yield model MYRLIN revealed considerable variation in growth rates across different land uses; forested lands showed the highest growth rates (1639 [95% confidence interval 1594–1684] kg ha–1 year–1), followed by settlement areas (1453 [95% confidence interval 1376–1530] kg ha–1 year–1). Based on the modelled MYRLIN results, we found that 50% of the villages had insufficient growth rates to meet estimated off-take. Furthermore, the results from LPJ-GUESS indicated that sustainable off-take approaches zero in drought years. Local people have recognized the unsustainable use of natural resources and have begun planting activities in order to ensure that ecosystem services derived from miombo woodlands are available for future generations. Future models should incorporate the impacts of human disturbance and climatic variation on vegetation dynamics; such models should be used to support the development and implementation of sustainable forest management.

scholarly journals Effects of forest management practices on red-shouldered hawks in Ontario

2004 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J Naylor ◽  
James A Baker ◽  
Kandyd J Szuba
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nest Success ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Forest Management Practices ◽  
Effectiveness Monitoring ◽  
Hardwood Trees ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Special Concern ◽  
The Impact

The red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a species of special concern throughout its northern range. It is considered to be sensitive to forest management practices because it requires dense mature hardwood forest for nesting. In Ontario, guidelines that prescribe spatial and temporal buffers were developed in about 1990 to mitigate the potential impacts of harvesting. We monitored 84 nesting areas of red-shouldered hawks in central and southeastern Ontario from 1988 to 1995 to describe the effects of forest management practices on the occupancy and productivity of nesting areas, to evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines, and recommend modifications as appropriate. The number of years nesting areas had been used previously had a significant negative effect on activity status, but not on nest success. Nesting areas harvested with application of the guidelines had a similar probability of being active to those in uncut forest but nesting areas harvested without application of the guidelines did not. Neither the area nor proximity of selection cuts with a moderate to high residual basal area ( ≥18 m2/ha) affected the activity status of nesting areas. In contrast, the area and proximity of heavy cuts (shelterwood cuts or selection cuts with a residual basal area of 14–16 m2/ha) appeared to have a negative effect on activity status. When nesting areas were active, the proximity and amount of harvesting did not influence nest success. We concluded that the impact of harvesting on the activity status of nesting areas could be mitigated by prohibiting heavy cuts within 300 m of active nests and retaining ≥20 ha of forest dominated by tolerant and mid-tolerant hardwood trees, ≥18 m tall, with ≥70% canopy closure around nests. Key words: Buteo lineatus, effectiveness monitoring, habitat guidelines, nest success, Ontario, red-shouldered hawk, forest management, selection, shelterwood, tolerant hardwoods

scholarly journals From Fish Waste to Value: An Overview of the Sustainable Recovery of Omega-3 for Food Supplements

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1002
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Gabriele Alfio ◽  
Cosimo Manzo ◽  
Raffaella Micillo
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Food Supplement ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Fish Waste ◽  
The Impact

The disposal of food waste is a current and pressing issue, urging novel solutions to implement sustainable waste management practices. Fish leftovers and their processing byproducts represent a significant portion of the original fish, and their disposal has a high environmental and economic impact. The utilization of waste as raw materials for the production of different classes of biofuels and high-value chemicals, a concept known as “biorefinery”, is gaining interest in a vision of circular economy and zero waste policies. In this context, an interesting route of valorization is the extraction of omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) for nutraceutical application. These fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have received attention over the last decades due to their beneficial effects on human health. Their sustainable production is a key process for matching the increased market demand while reducing the pressure on marine ecosystems and lowering the impact of waste production. The high resale value of the products makes this waste a powerful tool that simultaneously protects the environment and benefits the global economy. This review aims to provide a complete overview of the sustainable exploitation of fish waste to recover ω-3 FAs for food supplement applications, covering composition, storage, and processing of the raw material.

scholarly journals Participatory forestry improves mangrove forest management in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54
Author(s):  
A. Kairu ◽  
K. Kotut ◽  
R. Mbeche ◽  
J. Kairo
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Mangrove Forest ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Mangrove Forests ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Participatory Forest Management ◽  
Tropical Forest Management ◽  
Western Block ◽  
Participatory Forestry

Participatory forestry has been recognized as a tool for improving tropical forest management. The current study assessed the impacts of participatory forest management (PFM) on the structure and regeneration of a mangrove forest at Gazi Bay, Kenya. Data were collected along belt transects perpendicular to the waterline in both co-managed and state-managed mangrove forests. Basal area and standing density were significantly higher in the co-managed mangrove forests (16 m2/ha and 4 341 tree/ha) as compared to the state forests (eastern block 10.3 m2/ha and 2 673 trees/ha; western block 6.2 m2/ha and 2 436 trees/ha). There were significantly higher (p = 0.0068) densities of merchantable poles in community-managed as compared to state-managed forests. Natural regeneration patterns in community-managed and state-managed forests were deemed adequate to support the recovery of both forests. The results demonstrate that community participation contributes to improved management of mangrove forests and is in agreement with the principles of sustainable forest management.

scholarly journals Recovery Times and Sustainability in Logged-Over Natural Forests in the Caribbean

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Gräfe ◽  
Claus-Martin Eckelmann ◽  
Maureen Playfair ◽  
Mike P. Oatham ◽  
Ramon Pacheco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Timber Production ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Private Forests ◽  
Recovery Times

Despite the widespread use and strong promotion of the sustainable forest management approach, there are still uncertainties about the actual contribution of current forest management practices to sustainability. We studied the problem of sustainable timber production in four tropical countries (Belize, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago). Data assessed on experimental plots covering 10 km2 were used to compare management practices of four forest tenure types that commonly exist in the study countries: large scale concessions (LSC), private forests (PR), periodic block system forests (PBS), and community managed forests (CM). As an indicator of sustainable timber production, we calculated the recovery times expected under the initial condition of the stands and compared them with currently practiced cutting cycles. Three growth scenarios were simulated using diameter growth rates (1.6/2.7/4.5 mm year−1) from empirical data from studies in the region. Initial volumes were determined for all commercial trees as well as for commercial trees with a DBH-threshold ≥45 cm. Highest initial volumes were found in LSC and PBS managed forests. Lowest volumes were found in CM and PR forests. Assuming the lowest growth rate for all commercial trees, none of the stands studied reached the initial pre-harvest volumes within the currently practiced cutting cycles. Assuming the highest growth rate for all trees, LSC, PBS, and PR forests reach the initial pre-harvest volume. Looking at the subset of commercial trees with a DBH ≥45 cm, all stands will reach the initial volume within 30 years only if the highest growth rate is assumed. We show that general harvest codes do not guarantee sustainable forest management in the tropics. Local stand conditions must always be one of the guiding principles of sustainable timber utilization. Applying the rigid rules, which do not take into account the current conditions of the stands, entails long-term risk of forest degradation.

The impact of forest science in Chile: history, contribution, and challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Fuentealba ◽  
Leonardo Duran ◽  
Narkis S. Morales
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Distribution Of Wealth ◽  
Native Forests ◽  
Forest Science ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Productive Model

In this article we describe Chile’s transition from an agriculture productive model that originated in the 19th century into a more complex economic model that incorporates forest production, explaining the role of forest sciences in this process. Forest science has made great contributions to the country especially in terms of improving forestation and forest management techniques that have allowed the rapid expansion of the forestry industry and prevented soil erosion on degraded lands. However, native forests have been neglected and vast areas of forest have been replaced with exotic plantations. This process has highlighted the imperative need for developing a new productive model to assure not only a fair distribution of wealth but also the use of science-based sustainable forest management practices to protect native forest ecosystems nationwide. A national strategic plan for managing, conserving, and restoring native forests is needed not only to align the forest industry with sustainable development but also to develop sound climate change strategies to allow the country’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Under this scenario forest science can play an important role by producing much needed evidence-based knowledge.

scholarly journals An Overview on the Current Status and Conservation Practices of Forest Land and Plant Diversity of Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Md. Iqbal Hossain ◽  
Zabid Al Riyadh ◽  
Md. Abiar Rahman ◽  
Satya Ranjan Saha ◽  
Jannatul Ferdousi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Flora Diversity ◽  
Effective Conservation

The study is based on intensive survey of relevant literature which reviews the present status, threats, conservation initiatives and major legislation related to conservation of forest ecosystems and plant diversity. The three natural forests (Hill, Sal and mangrove forest) are the key habitats of plant diversity and cover about 2 million hectares of land. Despite a flora diversity rich country, the existence of many plant species is currently under threat as evident by continuous degradation of natural forest in Bangladesh. There is an increasing pressure on the biodiversity of this country to meet the needs of the increasing population of Bangladesh. As a result, many plant species are gradually declining and are facing extinction. Over exploitation of natural ecosystems, land use changes, permanent infrastructures in natural ecosystems, illegal logging, natural disasters, climate change effects and limited forest protected areas (FPAs) are key threats to plant diversity. Government has made some initiative to conserve the remaining plant diversity including declaration of FPAs, national conservation strategies and establishment of environment related acts. At present 47 FPAs are established as in-situ and ex-situ conservation approaches to preserve plant diversity. Several preservation plots, clone banks and arboreta are also functioning as conservation approaches. The country has several laws that address forest and biodiversity conservation, several of which has been amended in last decade. Recently the country has taken some policies and projects in small scale to ensure effective conservation of plant diversity through sustainable management practices. Although co-management by FPAs authority and local participant has some advantageous effects, the existing conservation practices are still poor to effective conservation of flora diversity.

scholarly journals Simulating Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze Timber Stocks With Liocourt’s Law in a Natural Forest in Southern Brazil

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
Emanuel Arnoni Costa ◽  
Veraldo Liesenberg ◽  
André Felipe Hess ◽  
César Augusto Guimarães Finger ◽  
Paulo Renato Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Araucaria Angustifolia ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Canopy Layer

This paper presents a simulation of the regulation of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze timber stocks using Liocourt’s law. Although this species is currently protected by law, recent government initiatives are being considered to propose sustainable forest management practices by selecting small rural properties in Southern Brazil. Here, we simulate the applicability of Liocourt’s law in a typical rural property, the size of which is approximately 85 ha. Forest inventory measurements were conducted by estimating the diameter at the breast height (d), total height (h), and annual diameter increments of 308 trees that fit the criteria of d ≥ 10 cm, distributed on 35 permanent plots of 400 m2 each. As a result, a reverse J-shaped d distribution was found. On average, 303 trees can be found per hectare (ha). Local allometric equations showed their basal area (G) to be 21.9 m2∙ha−1, and their commercial volume (V) to be 172 m3∙ha−1, whereas Liocourt’s quotient (q) was 1.31. Based on these attributes, nine different forest management scenarios were proposed by simulating a remaining basal area (Grem) of 10.0, 14.0, and 18.0 m2∙ha−1, and Liocourt’s quotient was changed to 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5. All scenarios consider a d of 62.5 cm. In the less intensive scenario (i.e., q value = 1.5 and larger basal area of 18.0 m2·ha−1) there is greater optimization of space, and higher economic return is ensured to rural producers due to the definition of shorter cutting cycles. This also allows a faster growth rate in both d and h for smaller trees, due to the higher incidence of light onto the lower canopy layer, increasing the natural regeneration implementation of other native species. Forest management should thus be considered a goal in addition to consumer market characteristics for defining the ideal timber stock scenario.

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