{"title":"Impacts of watershed management and topographic positions on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks in Northeast highlands of Ethiopia","authors":"Andualem Belay , Assefa Abegaz , Mohammed Assen","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100750","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100750","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stock changes is crucial for designing effective strategies that sequester carbon and enhance soil fertility. This study examined the effects of slope aspect, watershed management practices, and slope position on SOC and TN stocks in the Upper Gelana watershed of Ethiopia. Sixty auger samples and sixty undisturbed core samples (0–30 cm) were collected. Data were subjected to a three-way general linear model. The results showed that watershed management practices and slope positions significantly influenced SOC and TN stock distributions (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Carbon-to-nitrogen ratios were affected considerably by slope aspect and slope position (<em>p</em> < 0.01). SOC stocks ranged from 20.65 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> in open grazing lands to 51.32 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> in natural forests, while TN stocks varied from 1.77 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> in traditional farming to 4.5 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> in controlled grazing systems. Both SOC and TN stock losses in open grazing and traditional farming reached 60 % and 59 %, respectively. Annual SOC stock gains in controlled grazing, agroforestry, and stabilized bund systems were 1.13, 0.82, and 0.51 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>, respectively, with a 24-year restoration period. Natural forests had higher SOC and TN stocks in the east-facing aspect, while controlled grazing showed better results in the west-facing aspect. These findings emphasize the importance of expanding controlled grazing and agroforestry systems, alongside forest restoration, as an integrated watershed management approach for enhancing soil fertility and carbon sequestration. The results underscore the importance of considering topographic factors in land use planning to optimize nutrient dynamics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100750"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143128476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. David Huayta-Hinojosa , Harold Rusbelth Quispe-Melgar , Katherine Lucero Lagones Poma , Yashira Stefani Llacua-Tineo , Fressia Nathalie Ames-Martínez , Daniel Renison
{"title":"Low seed viability and germination in Polylepis flavipila hinder forest restoration: The role of seed mass and maternal effects","authors":"L. David Huayta-Hinojosa , Harold Rusbelth Quispe-Melgar , Katherine Lucero Lagones Poma , Yashira Stefani Llacua-Tineo , Fressia Nathalie Ames-Martínez , Daniel Renison","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100746","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100746","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seed physiological quality is usually determined by the interaction between genetics and the mother tree's environment, as well as by intrinsic characteristics, such as seed mass. In the Andean highlands, massive sapling production for forest restoration projects is constrained by seed availability and quality. There, species of the genus <em>Polylepis</em> dominate the remnant forests. The associations of seed viability with seed mass and maternal effects were evaluated in <em>P. flavipila</em>, a threatened tree species endemic to the Peruvian Andes. The characteristics and environments of 18 mother trees from two sites were measured, and seed quality was assessed in three tests. Seed mass was 3.49 ± 1.76 mg (range: 0.5–16 mg) and showed the greatest variability within mother trees, followed by variability among trees and among sites. Viability rates, standard germination and greenhouse germination (2.06 ± 1.35 %, 0.59 ± 0.89 % and 0.64 ± 1.11 %; respectively) were low at both sites. These results were attributed to the presence of seeds with non-viable or absent embryos. Seed viability increased with seed mass and mother tree height, and was positively associated with number of seedlings (<em>r</em> = 0.56). The deficient seed viability and germination found in <em>P. flavipila</em> are the lowest reported for the genus. The low seed physiological quality detected is a risk factor that exacerbates the species' degree of threat, posing a challenge for sapling production. The reported associations of <em>P. flavipila</em> seed viability with seed mass and maternal characteristics and environment may guide the selection of better seed quality and serve as a basis for future studies on the challenges and limitations of the reproductive biology of this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100746"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143093248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Growth and yield responses of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to tree lopping and organic manure under Morus-based agri-silvicultural system","authors":"Saakshi , Chaman Lal Thakur , Daulat Ram Bhardwaj , Umesh Sharma , Avinash Kumar Bhatia , Shilpa Sharma , Sunny Sharma , Kasahun Gudeta , Saleh AlNadhari , Saleh Alansi","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable land management targets climate change by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, bolstering resilience against climate-related disasters and advocating sustainable practices. India has significantly contributed to shaping the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, in which agroforestry has emerged as a critical component. The tree-based intercropping practices implemented in agroforestry reduce competitive associations between woody and non-woody components, at the same time obtaining advantage of interactions that are beneficial. The present investigation was accomplished during the year 2019–20. The research trial was structured using a split-plot design to explore the possibilities of successfully cultivating <em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> as an intercrop under <em>Morus alba.</em> The study incorporated 4 different levels of tree lopping (T<sub>0</sub>: 0%; T<sub>1</sub>: 25%; T<sub>2</sub>: 50%; T<sub>3</sub>: 75%) and 5 dosages of manure (S<sub>0</sub>: No manure; S<sub>1</sub>; FYM, S<sub>2</sub>: Jeevamrutha 5%; S<sub>3</sub>: Jeevamrutha 10%; S<sub>4</sub>: RDF+FYM). The results revealed that maximum values for above and below-ground growth parameters were recorded in treatment T<sub>3</sub> (75% lopping intensity) and treatment S<sub>4</sub> (RDF + FYM). The treatments S<sub>1</sub> (FYM) and S<sub>4</sub> also significantly influenced soil parameters. Based on this investigation, it was inference that the integration of <em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> with <em>Morus alba</em> provides the best possibility for diversity and enhanced profitability compared to a single species, if lopping is performed scientifically and a combination of manures are applied appropriately, besides offering numerous additional environmental gains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100745"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143093241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Benjamin Rushakoff , Tamara L. Cushing , Jeffrey D. Kline , Olli-Pekka Kuusela
{"title":"Factors influencing forest landowner enrollment in preferential property tax programs","authors":"Benjamin Rushakoff , Tamara L. Cushing , Jeffrey D. Kline , Olli-Pekka Kuusela","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100684","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100684","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One of the most common approaches to conserving forestland in the US are state-run programs offering reduced property taxes on forestland. Although some form of preferential forest property tax program exists in all 50 states of the US, few studies have examined factors associated with landowners’ enrollment in such programs. As interest increases in incentivizing forestland owners to address various environmental or ecological goals, such as enhancing carbon storage or ecosystem services via private forest management, the need for improved knowledge about factors that influence landowners to participate in such programs grows. We examined factors associated with NIPF owner enrollment in preferential property tax programs in Oregon (US). Oregon currently has two primary preferential forest property tax programs. The Forestland Program is the default program for most forestland owners, and the Small Tract Forestland Option (STF), which is a voluntary program wherein landowners pay reduced annual property taxes and an additional timber harvest severance tax. We used a survey to gather information from 1190 Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA) members owning between 10 and 5000 acres of forestland in western Oregon. Respondents were asked about their socio-demographic characteristics and forest management, as well as their enrollment status in Oregon's preferential property tax programs. Our econometric analysis of survey data indicate that preferential property tax programs enable long-term forest ownership, extended rotation ages, and investment in stewardship activities, suggesting that these programs are likely an effective tool for encouraging environmental or ecological goals among NIPF owners in Oregon.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100684"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142748813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impacts and legacies of warfare on forest ecosystems","authors":"Alexander James Fricke Martin","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100696","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100696","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100696"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142748812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino , Saskia D. Keesstra , Nieves Fernandez-Anez
{"title":"Editorial: Fire and environment. Issues and challenges","authors":"Jesús Rodrigo-Comino , Saskia D. Keesstra , Nieves Fernandez-Anez","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100693","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100693","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100693"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142748811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md Sahadat Hossan , Masud Ibn Afjal , Md.Faruq Hasan , Md.Abu Hanif
{"title":"Assessment of land dynamics transformation into tea plantations using support vector machine","authors":"Md Sahadat Hossan , Masud Ibn Afjal , Md.Faruq Hasan , Md.Abu Hanif","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100703","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100703","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Precisely monitoring land use dynamics and spatial distributions is essential for sustainable development and long-term land management. Tea is one of the leading beverage crops cultivated in Bangladesh, expanding rapidly in northern districts and forcing land use change. This study aims to decipher the expansion of tea cultivation and land dynamics transformation to tea land areas in the northern region of Bangladesh by using Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS surface reflectance images. The supervised support vector machine (SVM) method was used for classification purposes, resulting in three classified maps for the years 2004, 2013 and 2022, having overall accuracies of 91.43 %, 98.67 %, and 98.48 % and kappa coefficients of 89.51, 98.37, and 98.13, respectively. The images were classified into six land use classes: agriculture, tea cultivation area, settlement, waterbody, bare land, and forest. Land transformation results reveal that overall tea land increased by 41.08 % from 2004 to 2022, experiencing a downward trend during 2004–2013, while from 2013 to 2022, a dramatic rise of 70.01 % (equal to 4683.60 ha) tea cultivation area was found in Panchagarh district. The bare land was among the most highly transformed land classes into tea plantations, followed by the forest area. This study provides evidence of transforming underutilized land class into a profitable land use practice, i.e., tea plantation. Thus, cutting-edge technologies would be imperative in land transformation detection for sustainable land management and policy implications for the sustainable development of small landholding livelihoods and the tea industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100703"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142748694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"One hundred years of piñon nuts, a largely forgotten wild food crop from the American Southwest (1850–1950)","authors":"Christopher H. Briand","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100705","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100705","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This is the first paper to intensively examine the history of piñon nuts, the seeds of the piñon pine (<em>Pinus edulis</em>), which Indigenous Americans have harvested in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest for millennia. The history of the piñon nut industry is reconstructed from its inception in the mid-19th century in the New Mexico Territory to its heyday in the early 20th century until consumption began to decline in the mid-20th century. Additionally, this paper provides some suggestions for reviving this iconic Southwestern American food. The commercial harvest of piñon nuts primarily involved Native and Mexican Americans. While the economic benefits of piñon nut harvesting were significant, the work was often dangerous, with reports of deaths due to exposure, accidents, and violence. Piñon nut production varied yearly due to the trees’ masting behavior, where trees produce large seed crops intermittently. Although there was considerable interest in cultivation during the early 20th century, slow growth and delayed nut-bearing limited cultivation efforts. Piñon nuts were popular throughout the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, gaining popularity, especially among immigrant communities in New York. In 1918, Fannie Spitz patented a piñon nut-shelling machine, significantly improving processing efficiency and impacting the industry by enabling quicker and more effective removal of kernels. Shelled piñon nuts were now sold for consumption out of hand and also for use in candy production. Farmers experimented with feeding hogs and chickens piñon nuts. However, this practice did not become widespread due to the availability of cheaper corn. Piñon wood was also valued for its use as firewood and in mining as props, though it had limited application as lumber for railroad ties. At the same time, smaller piñon trees gained popularity as Christmas trees. Piñon resin was chewed and also used medicinally in salves. By the mid-20th century, piñon nuts lost popularity to peanuts (<em>Arachis hypogaea</em>), which were marketed more aggressively and produced in higher quantities at lower prices. The piñon industry has struggled with crop variability, low supply, and high prices. Still, it might be revived with improved marketing, working cooperatively and through the construction of a strategic reserve to ensure a steady supply of piñon nuts every year, through both good and bad harvests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100705"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142748695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Potential impacts of future climate on twelve key multipurpose tree species in Benin: Insights from species distribution modeling for biodiversity conservation","authors":"Sèdoami Flora Dogbo , Kolawolé Valère Salako , Gafarou Agoundé , Kangbéni Dimobe , Adjo Estelle Geneviève Adiko , Jens Gebauer , Constant Yves Adou Yao , Romain Glèlè Kakaï","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100744","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100744","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global decline of biodiversity threatens ecosystem stability and human well-being. This study modeled the future suitable habitats of twelve key multipurpose tree species (MPTS) in Benin under two climate scenarios, Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 245 (SSP245) and 585 (SSP585), based on a 2070 horizon. The research focused on peri‑urban areas (Cotonou, Abomey, Savalou, Parakou, Natitingou, and Kandi) and the protected areas network in Benin. We evaluated environmental variables influencing MPTS distribution, projected habitat changes, identified hotspots, and compared impacts on native versus non-native species. Four modelling algorithms—Generalized Additive Models, Generalized Linear Models, Maximum Entropy, and Random Forest—were used. Climate factors, particularly isothermality (Bio3) and annual precipitation (Bio12), predominantly influenced the distribution of the studied species. The models performed well, with a mean Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.88 and a mean True Skill Statistic (TSS) of 0.64. Projections indicated a decline in suitable habitats for 67 % of species, minor changes for 8 %, and increases for 25 %. The effectiveness of protected areas was mixed, with species showing varied responses. Savalou and Abomey peri‑urban areas emerged as key conservation hotspots, underscoring the need to shift conservation focus to these areas. Native species showed greater resilience to future climate conditions, emphasizing the importance of native species and species-specific conservation strategies under changing climates. These findings are relevant for promoting MPTS in Sub-Saharan Africa for sustainable ecological and socio-economic development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100744"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143093240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}