Feasibility of Sustainable Management of Secondary Atlantic Forest: Recovery and Mortality Rates of Damaged Trees Two Years After Harvesting

Subject to overexploitation in past centuries, the Atlantic Forest is now strictly protected, including a ban on timber harvesting. However, this strict protection is a very controversial issue. It resulted in a lack of willingness of landholders to conserve and possibly even expand native forest areas. The lack of knowledge on impacts of potential timber-harvesting causes conflicts between conservation and management of the remnant Atlantic Forest. We believe that sustainable forest management, with reduced harvesting impact, has the potential to generate income for the landowners while sustaining important ecological services of the forest. Therefore, we assessed the harvesting impact of a conventional harvesting method (CM) and compared it to an alternative harvesting method (AM) in three different stands. We measured damage intensities of all remnant trees directly after harvesting and two years after harvesting. Tree damages were recorded in three different tree zones (crown, bole and leaning) and rated in three different intensity classes (minor, moderate and severe). Furthermore, we assessed the recovery and mortality rates of each damaged tree two years after harvesting. Improved AM harvesting reduced the impacts on trees with multiple damages, in particular to crown and bole damages combined. There is a strong relationship between steep terrains and crown damage. High mortality rates were related to stands with a high density of smaller trees and also to trees with leaning damage. Moreover, completely recovered trees were related to trees with light bole damage.

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Impact Assessment of Timber Harvesting Operations for Enhancing Sustainable Management in a Secondary Atlantic Forest

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11226272 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (22) ◽

pp. 6272

Author(s):

Pedro C. Britto ◽

Dirk Jaeger ◽

Stephan Hoffmann ◽

Renato C. G. Robert ◽

Alexander C. Vibrans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Tree Species ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Basal Area ◽

Timber Harvesting ◽

Damage Maps ◽

Harvesting Method ◽

Environmentally Sound ◽

Forest Biome

Conservation and management of forest ecosystems are currently largely conflicting goals in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome. At present, all parts of the Atlantic Forest are protected and commercial logging is highly restricted. However, sustainable forest management systems can offer significant income opportunities for landholders, and thereby actively support the process of ecosystem rehabilitation and protection of the Atlantic Forest. This research is intended to contribute to enhancing the development of environmentally sound forest management alternatives in the Atlantic Forest biome. Through a case study, the harvesting impact of a conventional harvesting method (CM) was evaluated and compared with an alternative and improved harvesting method (AM), performed by a well-trained professional chainsaw operator experienced in reduced impact logging techniques, and included the use of a snatch block and a skidding cone. Following a full pre-harvest inventory, 110 different tree species were identified. The harvesting impact on the residual stand was classified and evaluated through a successive post-harvest inventory. Damage maps were developed based on interpolation of tree damage intensities with the triangular irregular networks (TIN) methodology. Our results showed noticeable high rates of tree hang-ups, observed for both harvesting methods. Furthermore, the harvesting damaged trees mainly in the lower diameter at breast height (DBH) classes. In comparison to winching, the felling process caused most of the damage to remnant trees for both methods, at 87% (CM) and 88% (AM). The number of damaged trees (above 11.9 cm DBH) per harvested tree, for CM, ranged from 0.8 trees to 2.5 trees and, for AM, ranged from 0.6 trees to 2.2 trees. Improvements of the AM method (operator skills, skidding cone and snatch block) over CM allowed for a reduction of the damaged basal area, a reduction of the “high damaged area” per plot, and a reduction of the winching disturbed ground area. Nonetheless, a suitable harvesting system should consider further improvements in the felling technique, and additionally integrate the local knowledge of CM regarding forest and tree species with the technical improvements of AM.

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Performance of Five Native Atlantic Forest Species Planted in Containers of Different Size for Restoring Degraded Areas in Minas Gerais

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11090937 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 937

Author(s):

Vicente Toledo Machado de Morais Junior ◽

Laércio Antônio Gonçalves Jacovine ◽

Klisman Oliveira ◽

Thaynara Pereira Albuquerque ◽

Isabella Salgado Faustino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Native Species ◽

Forest Restoration ◽

Species Level ◽

Forest Recovery ◽

Plant Performance ◽

Native Forest ◽

Forest Species ◽

Hymenaea Courbaril ◽

Plastic Bags

Forest restoration in Brazil has gained relevance in the country’s environmental agenda, due to the need for forest recovery of large liabilities of existing forests and participation in several international vegetation restoration agreements. However, forest restoration management faces challenges, it being necessary to create a database of species-level performances to increase the success of these projects. The objective was to evaluate the survival and growth of five Atlantic Forest native species (Anadenanthera macrocarpa; Ceiba speciosa; Cytharexyllum myrianthum; Hymenaea courbaril; and Peltophorum dubium) in plastic bags (1177 cm3) and tubes (180 cm3). Ninety seedlings (18 of each species) were planted per container. Plant performance in the field consisted of evaluating the increase in the diameter and height of seedlings of the native forest species. Diameter at soil level (DSL) and plant height (H) were measured at 42 months after transplanting, and the monthly periodic increments (MPI) of the DSL and H were calculated. Plant survival (SV) of seedlings was affected by the type of container, registering the highest SV rates in those planted in plastic bags. Cytharexyllum myrianthum and H. courbaril presented high SV rates in tubes. The growth rate of the species at 42 months differed according to the containers tested. Cytharexyllum myrianthum presented the lowest SV rates (16.7–27.8%), regardless of the container used in this experiment. Ceiba speciosa was sensitive to the reduction in size of the container, showing low SV in tubes (27%) compared with plastic bags (61%); i.e., this species did not tolerate conditions with root growth restriction. Anadenathera macrocarpa and H. courbaril showed no differences in SV, regardless of the container used. The results assist the production of native species of the Atlantic Forest, reinforcing the need to understand performances in the field at the species level.

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Making the Case for Reforms of Forestry Policy and Law: Lessons and Experiences from Nigeria

Environmental Policy and Law ◽

10.3233/epl-201004 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Bola Fajemirokun

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Forest Management ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽

Forestry Policy ◽

2030 Agenda ◽

Forestry Sector ◽

Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development incorporates 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 15 (SDG 15) focuses on terrestrial ecosystems. Regarding forests, it sets targets requiring signatories to promote the implementation of the sustainable management of all types of forests by 2020 and further mobilize significant resources from all sources to achieve sustainable forest management. The United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017 – 2030 advances the vision of SDG 15. Nigeria’s high demographic growth rate has led to the surging demand for land to support settlements and farming. Coupled with extensive illegal or uncontrolled logging, the annual forest net loss of 5% is one of the highest rates globally in percentage terms. This paper is a critical analysis of the policy-law interface of the forestry sector in Nigeria. It examines the country’s trajectory or state of preparedness for sustainable forest management, and it concludes that forestry policy and law in Nigeria must undergo urgent reforms so that the forest commitments such as those under SDG 15 and other regional and global instruments can be ultimately achieved.

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Operationalization of Remote Sensing Solutions for Sustainable Forest Management

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13040572 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 572

Author(s):

Gintautas Mozgeris ◽

Ivan Balenović

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Forest Management ◽

Natural Resources ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Development Trends ◽

Comprehensive Information ◽

The Status

The pre-requisite for sustainable management of natural resources is the availability of timely, cost-effective, and comprehensive information on the status and development trends of the management object [...]

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Atlantic Forest recovery after long-term eucalyptus plantations: The role of zoochoric and shade-tolerant tree species on carbon stock

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119789 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 503 ◽

pp. 119789

Author(s):

Alex Josélio Pires Coelho ◽

Pedro Manuel Villa ◽

Fabio Antônio Ribeiro Matos ◽

Gustavo Heringer ◽

Marcelo Leandro Bueno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Tree Species ◽

Carbon Stock ◽

Forest Recovery ◽

Eucalyptus Plantations

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Ticks infesting birds in Atlantic Forest fragments in Rio Claro, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612013000100003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 6-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gustavo Seron Sanches ◽

Thiago Fernandes Martins ◽

Ileyne Tenório Lopes ◽

Luís Flávio da Silva Costa ◽

Pablo Henrique Nunes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Tick Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

Native Forest ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

São Paulo ◽

Eucalyptus Tereticornis ◽

New Host ◽

New Host Records

In the present study, we report tick infestations on wild birds in plots of the Atlantic Forest reforested fragments with native species and plots reforested with Eucalyptus tereticornis in the municipality of Rio Claro, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A total of 256 birds were captured: 137 individuals of 33 species, in planted native forest; and 128 individuals of 37 species, in planted Eucalyptus tereticornis forest. Nymphs of two tick species were found on the birds: Amblyomma calcaratumand Amblyomma longirostre, the former was more abundant in the fragments reforested with Atlantic forest native species, and the latter in the fragment reforested with E. tereticornis. New host records were presented for A. calcaratum.

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The impacts of COVID-19 on the sustainable management of the forestry sector in Southern Africa

International Forestry Review ◽

10.1505/146554821833992785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 298-308

Author(s):

P.W. Chirwa ◽

J.M. Kamwi ◽

G. Kabia ◽

L. Makhubele ◽

W. Sagona ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Land Uses ◽

Illegal Logging ◽

Forest Production ◽

Forestry Sector ◽

The Impact ◽

Targeted Approach

The objective of the study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sustainable forest management in southern Africa. The study employed a targeted approach, also referred to as purposive sampling, to select respondents from the various sectors. The results show that COVID-19 had an 80% impact on forest management operations. The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant effect on the conversion of land from forest to other land uses. However, there was severe illegal logging and moderate to severe fires. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a severe impact on the agriculture, environment and ecotourism sectors, with nature reserves completely closed. From the forest production perspective, the impact of COVID-19 on production, supply, demand and the price of timber was generally low due to the commercial nature of the forestry sector in South Africa; the largest economy in SADC being classified as an essential sector.

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Ecology of the Atlantic Forest

Ecology ◽

10.1093/obo/9780199830060-0233 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elise Damstra ◽

Cristina Banks-Leite

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Time Lag ◽

Native Forest ◽

Important Species ◽

Habitat Transformation ◽

Golden Lion Tamarin ◽

Palm Heart ◽

In The Wild ◽

Unique Domain

Extending along the southern coast of Brazil, into Argentina and Paraguay, the Atlantic Forest is a domain that once covered 150 Mha and includes many distinct forest subtypes and ecosystems. Its large latitudinal (29˚) and altitudinal (0–2,800 m above sea level) range, as well as complex topography in the region, has created microclimates within forest subtypes, which has led to biodiversity specifically adapted to narrow ecological ranges. The region is incredibly species-rich and is home to charismatic or economically important species such as the black and golden lion tamarin, the red-browned Amazon parrot, and the highly prized palm heart from Euterpe edulis. Through widespread human-driven change dating back to the arrival of European settlers in 1500, this realm has been extensively reduced, fragmented, and modified. Nowadays, this region is home to about 130 million people (60 percent of the Brazilian population) and is responsible for producing 70 percent of Brazil’s GDP, putting a strain on natural resources and providing challenges to conservation. Due to its high levels of endemic species coupled with a high threat of habitat loss and fragmentation, the Atlantic Forest has been identified as a “biodiversity hotspot.” Numerous studies have assessed the effects of habitat transformation on biodiversity and the consensus is that the majority of species are negatively affected. It is puzzling however that few species have actually gone extinct in the wild, even if some extinctions might have gone undetected. Extinctions do not immediately follow habitat change, there is often a time lag of many decades between habitat transformation and extinction. This may suggest that many species in the Atlantic Forest are “living deads,” as despite their presence the available habitat no longer supports their requirements. It also suggests that there is a window of opportunity to restoring the domain to avert extinctions before they are realized. Current research and policy actions are geared toward optimizing restoration and increasing the extent of native forest cover, bringing hope to the conservation of this unique domain.

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Sustainable Forest Management for Nontimber Products

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11092670 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 2670 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

James Chamberlain ◽

Christine Small ◽

Michelle Baumflek

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Forest Management ◽

Cultural Values ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Forest Products ◽

The United States ◽

Nontimber Forest Products ◽

Medicinal Species

Many of the plants and fungi that are harvested for nontimber products (e.g., foods, medicines, crafts) are critical to healthy forest ecosystems. These products also are essential to rural societies, contributing to the material and nonmaterial composition of communities and cultures. Product sales make important contributions at all economic scales, from household to national economies. Nontimber forest products (NTFPs) have been harvested for generations, sometimes centuries, yet they are seldom integrated into forest management. Few methods exist for inventory and assessment, and there is little evidence that harvests are sustainable. This article examines three elements of sustainable forest management for nontimber products: sociocultural, economic, and ecological, and elaborates with detailed examples of edible and medicinal species from United States (U.S.) forests. We synthesize the state of knowledge and emerging issues, and identify research priorities that are needed to advance sustainable management of NTFPs in the United States. Despite their social, economic, and ecological values, many of these species and resources are threatened by the overuse and lack of management and market integration. Sustainable management for nontimber products is attainable, but much research and development is needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of these resources and their cultural values, and to realize their economic potentials.

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Modeling Subtropical Forest Changes under Climate Change and Close-to-Nature Silviculture: Is There a Tipping Point in an Uncertain Future in Southern China?

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12176992 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (17) ◽

pp. 6992

Author(s):

Zhuo Wu ◽

Erfu Dai ◽

Wenchuan Guan

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Southern China ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Timber Harvesting ◽

Forest Harvesting ◽

Tipping Point ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Climate Change Scenarios ◽

Harvesting Intensity

Subtropical forests face pressure from both rapidly changing climate and increasing harvest activity in southern China. However, the interactive effects of various spatial processes on forests are not well known. The objective of the present study was to answer the question of how forest aboveground biomass (AGB) changes under alternative climate change and harvesting scenarios and to determine whether there will be a tipping point for forest AGB before 2300. Our simulation results show that, although total forest AGB did not reach a tipping point before 2300 under possible climate change and harvesting scenarios, the slope of the total forest AGB showed a decreasing trend around 2100 and 2200. Moderate climate warming was conducive to AGB accumulation, except for in the high emissions Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP8.5) scenario. Our results also indicate that timber harvesting is adaptable to the accumulation of biomass under climate change scenarios. Harvesting intensity was a key variable affecting forest AGB more than harvesting frequency. Our findings will help develop more sustainable forest management strategies that can adapt to potential climate change scenarios, as well as determining the effectiveness of implementing alternative forest harvesting policies.

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