Trees, Forests and People最新文献

{"title":"Willingness and motivation of residents to pay for the conservation of urban green spaces: A case study from the city of Puerto Maldonado, southeastern Peruvian Amazon","authors":"Gabriel Alarcón-Aguirre ,&nbsp;Alida Venus Hurtado Lima ,&nbsp;Mauro Vela-Da-Fonseca ,&nbsp;Telesforo Vásquez Zavaleta ,&nbsp;Percy Amílcar Zevallos Pollito ,&nbsp;Victor Pareja Auquipata ,&nbsp;Rembrandt Canahuire-Robles ,&nbsp;Jorge Garate-Quispe","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100984","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100984","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assessed the conservation value of urban green spaces (UGS) in Puerto Maldonado city, in the southeast Peruvian Amazon by using a contingent valuation method. It also explored the motives behind payment and identified residents' recreational patterns in the use of UGS. A total of 343 residents were interviewed using simple random probability sampling in different regions of the city. 69.39% of the respondents were willing to pay (WTP) for UGS conservation. 47.52% access the UGS with a family member and 37.61% with a friend, while 11.66% visit alone. The average value of WTP was US$ 2.63 per resident or household per month. Low trust in government institutions was the primary factor contributing to the 31% of respondents who would not pay for UGS conservation. According to logistic regression analysis (logit), the value of WTP is related to monthly income, age, education and satisfaction. The results suggested that the payment intention of individual residents is primarily linked to existence value, followed by option value and bequest value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100984"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nitrogen enrichment slows leaf litter decomposition rate in a mixed plantation of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Phoebe bournei: From the perspective of the leaf litter stoichiometric ratio","authors":"Ying Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhengyang Zheng ,&nbsp;Gongxiu He ,&nbsp;Jianguo Zhang ,&nbsp;Zehao Li ,&nbsp;Lili Yang ,&nbsp;Chuxiang Chen ,&nbsp;Xinyu Tao ,&nbsp;Longchi Chen ,&nbsp;Honggang Sun ,&nbsp;Xie Zhang ,&nbsp;Hui Li ,&nbsp;Li Ji","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100986","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100986","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leaf litter decomposition mediates critical ecosystem nutrient cycling processes and plays a pivotal role in regulating nutrient dynamics processes in subtropical forests. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which mixed plantation leaf litter quality regulates decomposition under nitrogen (N) deposition remain poorly understood, particularly in subtropical forests experiencing chronic high nitrogen deposition. Herein, we conducted a one-year field litterbag experiment in a mixed planation of <em>Cunninghamia lanceolata</em> and <em>Phoebe bournei</em>. Five levels of N addition: control (0 g N m² <em>y</em>⁻¹), N1 (7 g N m² <em>y</em>⁻¹), N2 (14 g N m² <em>y</em>⁻¹), N3 (28 g N m² <em>y</em>⁻¹), and N4 (56 g N m² <em>y</em>⁻¹) were applied. N addition reduced the release rates of leaf litter carbon (C), N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). N addition accelerated cellulose degradation of <em>P. bournei</em> leaf litter during the early stage but inhibited it in the late stage, whereas cellulose degradation in <em>C. lanceolata</em> leaf litter was generally enhanced throughout the whole decomposition period. In contrast, lignin degradation was consistently inhibited by N addition during the decomposition process. The decomposition rate of two leaf litter was significantly reduced by N addition, with the strength of this effect being strongly dependent on the N addition rate. The control (CK) treatment exhibited higher decomposition rates compared to N addition. In addition, the decomposition rate of <em>P. bournei</em> leaf litter was faster than that of <em>C. lanceolata</em> leaf litter. The results were further revealed that N addition decreased decomposition rate indirectly by altering leaf litter stoichiometric ratios such as C: N, N: P, and lignin: N ratios. The research brings to light that the stoichiometric ratio of leaf litter should be considered a significant factor in regulating decomposition dynamics of leaf litter and nutrient cycling, particularly in the context of increasing N deposition intensification in subtropical forests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100986"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144913002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resilience pathways through community- based forest management for navigating the triple planetary crisis","authors":"Sony Baral ,&nbsp;Samrat Subedi ,&nbsp;Rebecca Ford ,&nbsp;Rajesh K Rai ,&nbsp;Bir B Khanal Chhetri ,&nbsp;Susil Ojha ,&nbsp;Krishna R Tiwari ,&nbsp;Gandiv Kafle ,&nbsp;Lila Puri ,&nbsp;Dikshya Rai","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100972","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100972","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rural communities and ecosystems are interlinked parts of social ecological systems. However, these relationships are witnessing changes because of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. Ecosystems and the human communities that rely on them are both sensitive and resilient to change. There is a need to understand the autonomous processes involved in complex change, including resilience and adaptive capacity in response to external shocks. Taking Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) as a case, in this study we reviewed empirical research with the dual aims of understanding the state of literature about resilience in CBFM and synthesizing findings about how CBFM produces social, economic, ecological and disaster resilience. The review process involved systematic selection and screening of articles based on clear criteria and a defined review protocol. The 51 selected articles were analysed for changing themes over time, geographical coverage and pathways to resilience. This study demonstrates how CBFM fosters resilience through diverse social, economic, ecological, and disaster resilience pathways that are intertwined and enabled by the close coupling of people and nature in CBFM. The local activity in CBFM contributes to achieving broader global goals of sustainable forest management and adaptation to climate change. The study concludes that CBFM needs to be viewed from the perspective that it enables resilience for communities and ecosystems in changing contexts. Despite many external factors that hinder its implementation, CBFM remains one of the best strategies for enabling the adaptive capacity of forest dependent communities. This contribution of CBFM should be better recognized and should be supported by building on existing resilience processes and attending to social justice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100972"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chloroplast DNA phylogeography of Osmanthus cooperi: Diversity, Refugia, and conservation","authors":"Lin Chen ,&nbsp;Zhirun Yu ,&nbsp;Zheng Yan ,&nbsp;Zhibei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100983","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100983","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climatic and geographical factors shape genetic diversity and distribution patterns of species. <em>Osmanthus cooperi</em>, a wild companion plant in China’s subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests, exhibits complex phylogeographic structure but faces threats from low competitiveness and anthropogenic pressures, necessitating further investigation. To clarify its phylogeographic history and population dynamics, we analyzed chloroplast DNA (<em>psbA-trnH</em> and <em>trnL-F</em>) from 204 samples across 12 populations. The combined 1064 bp fragments revealed 14 haplotypes (16 mutation sites), indicating high genetic diversity (<em>Hd</em> = 0.868, <em>π</em> = 2.54 × 10⁻³) but low interpopulation genetic differentiation (<em>G_ST</em> = 0.392). SAMOVA grouped populations into three groups (A-C), with Group A (population NJ with unique haplotype, H14) and Group B (population WCS with two haplotypes, H9 and H10) contributing significantly to overall genetic diversity. AMOVA confirmed that genetic variation primarily occurred within populations, while species distribution modeling (AUC = 0.979) identified Xingdou and Tianmu Mountains as glacial refugia with post-Last Glacial Maximum expansion. Divergence dating placed the differentiation of <em>O. cooperi</em> at approximately 9.61 Ma in the late Miocene, coinciding with intensified Asian monsoon. During the expansion from the Xingdou Mountains eastward, haplotype diversity declined, potentially due to genetic drift, while new haplotypes emerged, possibly involving founder effects and monsoon-glacial cycle interactions. These findings inform conservation strategies for <em>Osmanthus</em> germplasm, supporting sustainable management of this ecologically important species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100983"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144895471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Local perceptions of the cultural and ecological significance of Southern Mistbelt Forests in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa","authors":"Siboniso Magoso,&nbsp;Mfundo S.T. Maseko,&nbsp;Lindiswa Buthelezi,&nbsp;Colleen T. Downs","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100982","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100982","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Globally, forests are threatened by multiple disturbance factors. These include anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, often driven by poverty and rapid population expansion. In eastern South Africa, many rural communities are located near natural forest patches, and if not, are within travelling distance. We investigated people’s perceptions of Southern Mistbelt Forests’ value, cultural and ecological services, and importance with varying degrees of anthropogenic disturbance. Using structured questionnaires, we surveyed selected communities residing near the natural forests in southern KwaZulu-Natal during 2023–2024 to (1) document their perceptions, values, and forest use, (2) understand how forest anthropogenic disturbances affect them, and (3) provide conservation implications. We administered 360 questionnaires across seven selected rural communities and collected data on forest use, value, and perceptions. We used generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs) to assess the effects of predictor variables on our response variables. The Mistbelt Forests provided various ecosystem services to local communities. Over 90% beneficiaries appreciated the forest services. Most of the individuals (69%) were elders (&gt; 60 years), with an extended residency period within the community. Firewood, medicinal plants, timber, as well as the cultural ecosystem accounted for a deep interconnection between people and the forest. Hence, over 90% individuals supported the conservation and management of forest ecosystems. Indigenous ecological knowledge is important for managing forest ecosystems, provided people have a nexus with natural environments, particularly natural forests. Therefore, understanding people’s perceptions is crucial to acknowledging spiritual, cultural, and religious values associated with the forests. When these values are integrated with management and conservation, they can inform policy implications. Our study highlighted the nexus between forest ecosystem services and sociocultural-economic values, as well as the traditional ecological knowledge of rural communities with nearby Southern Mistbelt Forests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100982"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144887131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genome-wide SNP association analysis reveals the genomic signature of local adaptation in natural populations of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)","authors":"Cesare Garosi ,&nbsp;Cristina Vettori ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Arcidiaco ,&nbsp;Marko Bajc ,&nbsp;Hojka Kraigher ,&nbsp;Marjana Westergren ,&nbsp;Davide Travaglini ,&nbsp;Rok Damjanić ,&nbsp;Kristina Sever ,&nbsp;Andrej Breznikar ,&nbsp;Andreja Gregoric ,&nbsp;Miran Lanšćak ,&nbsp;Mladen Ivankovic ,&nbsp;Sanja Bogunović ,&nbsp;Donatella Paffetti","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100981","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100981","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the dynamics and mechanisms of local adaptation in natural populations provides the basis for predicting responses to environmental changes, including those associated to global climate change. European beech <em>(Fagus sylvatica</em> L.) is one of the most economically and ecologically important deciduous trees in Europe. Nevertheless, little is known about its genomic adaptive diversity and adaptive potential. Genetic differentiation in beech sites associated with environmental adaptation was assessed by genotyping 1384 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes. The study included 153 beech individuals from 12 populations located in Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, with diverse bio-geoclimatic conditions. PCA-based and the <em>Fst</em>-based method of differentiation (PCAdapt and LEA) and two different Environmental Association Analysis approaches (Latent Factor Mixed Model and Samβada) were used to identify loci with significant correlations with bioclimatic indicators. The results obtained in this study allowed us to identify signature of regional and local environment adaptation. Specific patterns of local adaptation were observed for each studied population. We identified allelic variants associated with the response to precipitation fluctuations and drought periods during the growing season. Particularly interesting is the observation of differences in the presence and effect of allelic variants among different sites, likely due to adaptation to the local environment and the different silvicultural history of each observed population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100981"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144887227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Afforestation with River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) drives biotic homogenization in coastal sand dunes","authors":"Aviv Avisar ,&nbsp;James Aronson ,&nbsp;Tamar Dayan","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100979","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100979","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Afforestation in naturally open ecosystems is increasingly promoted as a climate mitigation strategy. However, its ecological consequences, particularly in terms of biodiversity, community composition and biotic homogenization - remain underexplored. This process, contributing to convergence in species assemblages in different regions, landscapes, and ecosystems, is widely documented in human-modified ecosystems but rarely studied in the context of afforestation. Here, we assessed the long-term ecological impacts of <em>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</em> afforestation in a coastal dune grassland in Israel using a multi-taxa approach over three years. We sampled vascular plants, ground-dwelling arthropods, and lizards in afforested and adjacent unplanted plots. We found strong evidence of biotic and functional homogenization, with significantly lower richness and abundance across all taxa, and altered community composition characterized by the loss of psammophilic and endemic species and a rise in generalist and alien taxa. We observed a marked decline in annual and perennial herbaceous plant richness and cover under Eucalyptus. These shifts in vegetation structure reflect a transition from open, herbaceous-dominated habitats to shaded, woody vegetation, with cascading impacts on microclimate and ground-level biodiversity. Eucalyptus litter, rich in allelopathic substances, further reduces habitat suitability for specialist taxa. Structural habitat modification altered the prey community, replacing typical psammophile arthropod taxa with litter-associated detritivores, that in turn caused trophic shift from specialist lizards toward arthropod mesopredators like spiders and centipedes. These findings challenge the assumption that afforestation in open ecosystems offers net ecological benefits. We urge policymakers to distinguish afforestation from ecological restoration and avoid tree planting in naturally open habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100979"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of Ethiopian Coffee Value Chain for Compliance with European Union Deforestation Regulation","authors":"Berihun Tefera ,&nbsp;Habtemariam Kassa ,&nbsp;Tigest Zelalem","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100978","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100978","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The coffee sector is of crucial importance to Ethiopia, directly impacting about one-fifth to one-quarter of the population and contributing around one-third of the country's export revenue. Notably, nearly one-third of these export earnings are from European countries. However, this trade is increasingly challenged by the enforcement of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which seeks to curb deforestation and forest degradation associated with the consumption of certain commodities, including coffee. A core requirement of the EUDR is traceability of coffee to ensure it is produced and marketed free from deforestation. Despite its growing relevance, there remains a paucity of studies examining the implications of the EUDR, particularly with regard to its potential impact on Ethiopia’s coffee export value chain and the country’s level of preparedness. This study was undertaken to assess the compliance of the Ethiopian coffee value chain with the EUDR by collecting data from both primary and supporting value chain actors and stakeholders. The analysis employed the Structure-Conduct-Performance framework. The findings reveal that forest and semi-forest coffee production systems, as well as coffee value chain channels involving investors, cooperatives/unions, and processor-exporters, demonstrate greater alignment with EUDR requirements, owing to their product uniformity and traceability. Four categories of incompliance were identified: \"Information,\" \"Product,\" \"Market,\" and \"Procedural\". To address this, Ethiopia should consider adopting a phase-based compliance approach, expanding cooperative membership and outgrower schemes, enhancing oversight of product aggregation, developing technological support systems for EU operators, strengthening the national taskforce, and providing incentives to smallholder producers. By implementing these measures and reinforcing collaboration with the EU, Ethiopia can maintain access to EU markets. Furthermore, the insights from this study may inform the compliance strategies of other commodities within Ethiopia and offer lessons for other countries with similar regulatory contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article 100978"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A trade-off analysis of deforestation and economic growth in East Africa","authors":"Mohamed Mwanga","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100980","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100980","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deforestation remains a pressing environmental challenge across East Africa, driven largely by agricultural expansion, energy consumption, and infrastructural development. This study investigates the dynamic relationship between deforestation and economic growth using panel data from 1990 to 2023 across eight East African countries: The Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania. A Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (P-ARDL) model was employed, incorporating variables such as GDP growth, agricultural value added, gross capital formation, and energy consumption. The findings reveal that while GDP growth and capital investment are associated with a reduction in deforestation over the long run, agricultural expansion and energy consumption significantly contribute to forest loss. These results highlight the need for regionally harmonized sustainable development strategies that balance economic progress with ecological preservation. The study recommends policy interventions focusing on sustainable agriculture, energy diversification, and regional forest governance frameworks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100980"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144829171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mat making from Cyperus articulatus in mangrove areas: a value chain analysis and economic insights in Benin (West Africa)","authors":"Setondé Constant Gnansounou ,&nbsp;Kolawolé Valère Salako ,&nbsp;Alice Bonou ,&nbsp;Rodrigue Castro Gbedomon ,&nbsp;Léger Denon ,&nbsp;Achille E. Assogbadjo ,&nbsp;Romain Glèlè Kakaï","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal zones offer more than fishery and wood. They also harbour overlooked resources vital to economic and social development. This study highlights <em>Cyperus articulatus</em>, a plant species thriving in Benin’s mangrove areas and mainly used for artisanal mat-making, a product essential to millions across West Africa. The main aim was to analyse the value chain and the economic performance of the species’ mat making sector. More specifically, the study used the case of the “<em>la Bouche du Roy</em>” protected area to map the value chain of the species’ mat making sector and assess its economic performance, as well as key factors that influence its exploitation for appropriate decision-making. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining literature reviews, focus groups (<em>n</em> = 18), interviews (<em>n</em> = 20), and surveys (<em>n</em> = 602), while the data was collected from 2023 to 2024. Findings show that the collection of <em>C. articulatus</em> alone contributes 1.21 % to Benin’s artisanal GDP. Among all sectors, only collection significantly reduces poverty, with collector profits surpassing the national poverty line. Annually, collectors earn €2.6 million, substantially more than processors (€1.5 million), dried plant sellers (€1.1 million), and mat sellers (€880,402). Furthermore, geographical location (village), age, gender and household size influenced both the rate of exploitation, and the benefits derived from <em>C. articulatus.</em> As a predominantly women-led activity, <em>C. articulatus</em> exploitation presents a strong opportunity for empowering women. The study urges policymakers to implement conservation strategies to sustain this resource which strengthens the blue economy and enhances local livelihoods and resilience in coastal Benin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100976"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144842742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}