Faloak (Sterculia quadrifida R.Br.) bark harvesting for curing hepatitis in Kupang City: Herbal medicine in the urban environment

Trees in an urban environment play an important role. Studies have shown that the presence of trees can improve human physical and mental health. People in Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, Indonesia, harvest Sterculia quadrifida R.Br. (faloak) bark for medicinal decoction for hepatitis and energy booster. Hepatitis cases in Kupang City continue to increase, from 40 cases in 2016 to 147 cases in 2017 and 220 cases in 2018. This study aimed to assess S. quadrifida bark harvesting intensity and its utilization in Kupang City. This study was conducted in five sub-districts in Kupang, namely Alak, Kelapa Lima, Kota Raja, Maulafa, and Oebobo. In each district, 20 faloak trees were selected to be observed. Parameters observed included: diameter, height, trees that were recently debarked and have recovered bark, distance from the road, and the presence of seedlings around the tree. The data were tabulated and analyzed descriptively. There were 98 trees observed because, in Kota Raja, only 18 faloak trees were found. The recently debarked trees in Kota Raja, Alak, and Maulafa were 54.12%, 49%, and 41.05%, respectively. Meanwhile, trees with recovered bark were found mainly in Kelapa Lima (50%), Oebobo (38.95%), and Kota Raja (31%). Most debarked faloak trees were those closest to roads and settlements with a diameter ranging from 10.38 to 89.17 cm. The distance from the road to the trees was 1-203 m. A large number of debarked faloak trees indicates a high demand for faloak bark.

Using a Simple Model to Determine the Best Management Regimes for Plantations at the Stand Level: A Case Study of Moshao Forest Farm in the Red-Soil Hilly Region of Southern China

Plantations in Southern China are experiencing several major problems concerning even-aged forest structures and dwindling ecosystem services under traditional forest management. The objective of this study was to determine the best management regimes (BMRs) for sustainable forest management using the Moshao forest farm as a case study. We constructed a framework for BMR modeling characterized by highly scheduled timber production (STP), low fluctuations in periodically scheduled timber harvest levels (FPS), and age class structure (ACS) at the end of the planning horizon. A paired analysis was conducted between the three indicators to identify suitable management planning for long-term timber production. Our results suggest that STP, FPS, and ACS are correlated, enabling the control of these forest performance indicators by setting various harvesting intensities in a planning horizon. We found that management regimes (MRS) with cutting area percentages from 20% to 40% and a cutting period of 10 years combined with small-area clear-cutting (≤5 ha) are optimal (MR6–MR10) for the Moshao forest farm in Southern China. In particular, MR with a cutting area percentage of 35% is the best option (MR9). These findings suggest that an applicable MR is designed by identifying the optimal harvesting intensity. The current local harvesting intensity can be properly increased to balance between timber production and ecological impacts on plantations.

The intensity of kelp harvesting shapes the population structure of the foundation species Lessonia trabeculata along the Chilean coastline

Kelp are foundation species that support high levels of biodiversity and, either directly or indirectly provide a wide range of ecological goods and services to human society. In recent decades, due to the high demand for kelp-derived products such as alginate, commercial wild harvesting has increased, leading to declines of kelp biomass in some regions. Chile accounts for 40% of the global kelp harvest, with the subtidal kelp, Lessonia trabeculata being one of the main target species. Currently, however, there is a lack of information on how different degrees of harvesting intensity, governed by distinct management regimes and their enforcement influences L. trabeculata populations. Here we examined the effect different management regimes, characterised by distinct levels of exploitation of kelp and kelp-associated fauna, have on L. trabeculata density and morphology along ~ 1600 km of the Chilean coastline. The findings demonstrated that harvesting intensity likely influences both L. trabeculata density and morphology. Juvenile density of L. trabeculata was five times higher in the most harvesting-affected areas, while kelp morphology values, including holdfast diameter, number of stipes and total length, were always higher in the less-intensively harvested areas. Our study suggests that different degrees of protection can influence density and morphology of subtidal L. trabeculata populations, which in turn has important implications for the conservation of the kelp forest ecosystems and management of this important fishery.

Partial Retention of Legacy Trees Protect Mycorrhizal Inoculum Potential, Biodiversity, and Soil Resources While Promoting Natural Regeneration of Interior Douglas-Fir

Clearcutting reduces proximity to seed sources and mycorrhizal inoculum potential for regenerating seedlings. Partial retention of legacy trees and protection of refuge plants, as well as preservation of the forest floor, can maintain mycorrhizal networks that colonize germinants and improve nutrient supply. However, little is known of overstory retention levels that best protect mycorrhizal inoculum while also providing sufficient light and soil resources for seedling establishment. To quantify the effect of tree retention on seedling regeneration, refuge plants, and resource availability, we compared five harvesting methods with increasing retention of overstory trees (clearcutting (0% retention), seed tree (10% retention), 30% patch retention, 60% patch retention, and 100% retention in uncut controls) in an interior Douglas-fir-dominated forest in British Columbia. Regeneration increased with proximity to legacy trees in partially cut forests, with increasing densities of interior Douglas-fir, western redcedar, grand fir, and western hemlock seedlings with overstory tree retention. Clearcutting reduced cover of ectomycorrhizal refuge plants (from 80 to 5%) while promoting arbuscular mycorrhizal plants the year after harvest. Richness of shrubs, herbs, and mosses declined with increasing harvesting intensity, but tree richness remained at control levels. The presence of legacy trees in all partially cut treatments mitigated these losses. Light availability declined with increasing overstory cover and proximity to leave trees, but it still exceeded 1,000 W m−2 in the clearcut, seed tree and 30% retention treatments. Increasing harvesting intensity reduced aboveground and belowground C stocks, particularly in live trees and the forest floor, although forest floor losses were also substantial where thinning took place in the 60% retention treatment. The loss of forest floor carbon, along with understory plant richness with intense harvesting was likely associated with a loss of ectomycorrhizal inoculum potential. This study suggests that dispersed retention of overstory trees where seed trees are spaced ~10–20 m apart, and aggregated retention where openings are <60 m (2 tree-lengths) in width, will result in an optimal balance of seed source proximity, inoculum potential, and resource availability where seedling regeneration, plant biodiversity, and carbon stocks are protected.

Long-term effects of timber harvesting on coarse woody debris dynamics and marten habitat

At a long-term experimental trial in northern British Columbia, Canada, I analysed the impact of varying amounts of timber retention: 0% (clearcut), 40%, 70%, 100% (unharvested) on CWD volume, decay class, and inputs from windthrow over 27 years. I used attributes (diameter, length, decay class, and height above the ground) known to be favourable to marten to create an index for assessing the impact of harvesting intensity on CWD habitat features. I then used airborne laser scanning (ALS) to predict CWD volume, habitat value, and piece attributes over the landscape. Stands with 70% retention had CWD attributes that resulted in CWD habitat features similar to unharvested stands. Clearcuts contained pieces that were smaller, more decayed, and closer to the ground, which contributed less valuable habitat, compared to stands with higher retention. Windthrown trees were the majority of CWD inputs and volume change was positively related to percent retention.

Developing the forest conservation index (FCI) to evaluate the forest conservation at Tam Lanh commune, Phu Ninh district, Quang Nam province

In recent decades, forest conservation and development have been recognized as the decisive issues at both national and local levels. It is important to evaluate the impact of the local communal activities on the forest and to come up with a conservation and development solution for the forest. Our research developed the Forest Conservation Index (FCI) based on four criteria. Namely forest coverage, harvesting intensity, ratio of natural forest and replanting period after harvesting. The contributing level of each criterion in FCI were examined by consulting forest experts. Based on there, the classification of forest sustainability and the assessment of forest conservation were conducted. FCI was built using the same approach of the US water quality index. The FCI is used to evaluate forest conservation of a specific case, Tam Lanh commune. Tam Lanh was a mountainous commune of Phu Ninh district, Quang Nam province, with over fifty percent of household's livelihoods depending on the forest and its service. The result showed the forest resource of Tam Lanh commune was conserved at an average level. The area covered with forest increased due to econmomical benefit of combining of household benefit and forest resources development. However, the forest quality tended to decrease and the forest ecosystem in the commune was gradually simpler.

Residual Trees Response to Selective Cutting Operations in Caspian Forests

Damages to residual trees caused by felling operation were assessed in the stands of a Caspian hardwood forest. Following the felling operation, a field survey was done to collect data of all residual trees (species, DBH, height) and of tree wounds (size class, location, intensity of damage). Different harvesting intensities were studied, and treatments were replicated three times. The results showed that the treatment with the medium and high harvest intensity was found to cause the highest percentage of damage and the largest stem wounds. It is concluded that harvesting intensity should be limited to 3 trees/ha during each harvesting operation to reduce the extent of tree damage and thus future financial loss.