Trees, Forests and People最新文献

{"title":"Forest fire risk under climate change in Austria and comparable European regions","authors":"Dagmar N. Henner ,&nbsp;Gottfried Kirchengast","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100889","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100889","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forest fires in the European Alpine region tend to increase under current climate change. This research assesses the degree of increase since the 1990s, the causes of the forest fires and the implications for the affected areas. European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) data were used to identify the number of fires, and past and current periods were compared based on the data since 1993. A qualitative multi-criteria framework analysis and impact assessment were used to compile the causes of the forest fires. Climate change indicators were used to help frame causes and link them to climate conditions and the likelihood of fires. The assessment was done for Austria, Slovenia, and Slovakia, which have comparable sizes and topography but somewhat different climates. The main ignition causes for forest fires in all these study regions are human-made (open fires, cigarettes, exhausts from cars), followed by lightning and storms that cause electricity lines to break down. Both the severity (size of fires/burnt area) and the frequency of occurrence have been found to increase under recent climate change. Inherent fire danger was found to increase as well. This underpins the conclusion that climate change will negatively affect forest safety in Austria and the adjacent regions. Their impacts on humans and ecosystems will become more severe, and by decreasing the forested area and increasing the greenhouse gas emissions from burning, climate change itself is further enhanced.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100889"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144148106","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":"Climate change reduces and shifts suitable habitats of Uapaca kirkiana Müll. Arg. to higher altitudes in Malawi","authors":"Bruno Kokouvi Kokou ,&nbsp;Msiska Ulemu ,&nbsp;Wouyo Atakpama ,&nbsp;Séverin Biaou ,&nbsp;Soloum Clément Teteli ,&nbsp;Kouagou Raoul Sambieni ,&nbsp;Frank Mnthambala ,&nbsp;Tembo Mavuto ,&nbsp;Paul Munyenyembe ,&nbsp;Florent Noulèkoun","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100884","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100884","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is expected to affect the distribution of species worldwide. Understanding how these changes impact species distribution is essential for designing conservation strategies and sustainable management approaches. <em>Uapaca kirkiana</em> Müll. Arg. holds significant ecological and socio-economic importance in Malawi but is highly threatened in its natural habitat. We investigated the impact of climate change on the ecological niche of <em>U. kirkiana</em> and identify both suitable and priority habitats for its conservation and cultivation in Malawi. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm was used to model the current and future distribution of the species based on 21 environmental variables and 480 species occurrences. Habitat prioritization was performed using Zonation software. Our results showed that only temperature-related variables including isothermality (percent contribution of 15 %), mean temperature of the coldest quarter (12 %), mean temperature of the driest quarter (10 %), and maximum temperature of the warmest month (8 %) determined the current distribution of <em>U. kirkiana</em>. Overall, 9.29 % of Malawi was predicted as highly suitable for <em>U. kirkiana</em> occurrence, 17.39 % moderately suitable and 25.20 % poorly suitable. This suitable habitat is projected to decrease in the future climate scenarios, from 9.29 % under the current conditions to 8.01 % under the SSP3-7.0 scenario and to 6.21 % under the SSP5-8.5, respectively, by 2055. Priority areas for the conservation and cultivation of <em>U. kirkiana</em> were mainly located in the northern (21 %) and central (13 %) regions. Our findings suggest that climate change will lead to a reduction in the species' suitable habitat and a shift along the South-North gradient toward higher elevations. Our study further highlights the urgent need to incorporate climate change projections into conservation planning for the species. Effective conservation and sustainability efforts should prioritize suitable habitats in the northern and central regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100884"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144131254","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":"Assessing the socio-spatial effects of forest degradation in Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar, India","authors":"Shashi Bhushan ,&nbsp;Sucharita Sen","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100882","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100882","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forests are central to livelihoods in rural India, especially among marginalized groups living adjacent to protected areas. Socio-economic inequalities in accessing forest resources, however, are poorly understood, particularly between caste groups. This research investigates forest dependence and land use dynamics during the last four decades (1977–2022) of the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar, India. Mixed methods combine remote sensing and GIS-based land use and land cover (LULC) analysis with socioeconomic surveys of 327 household samples, randomly selected using stratified random sampling. Results indicate a considerable loss of 382.68 km² (30.37 %) of forest cover, largely converted to fallow and agricultural land. Scheduled Tribes (ST) families have the highest forest dependence (&gt;70 %), followed by Scheduled Castes (SC) (50 %), while Non-SC-ST groups depend more on agriculture. Statistical tests (<em>p</em> &lt; &lt; 0.05) reveal strong correlations among caste, land ownership, and forest dependence, with marginalized groups having lower access to resources because of forest degradation. Households in zones of moderate degradation have higher incomes from forest resources than those in high or low degradation, showing an inverted U-shaped dependency trend. When forest resources are in decline, marginalized groups are more pushed toward wage work and travel for longer distances to collect resources. The research highlights the imperative to ensure inclusive forest management policies, participatory conservation plans, and sustainable livelihood options. By addressing socio-economic disparities in forest access, this study adds to the wider literature on how to balance conservation and rural development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100882"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144148107","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":"Assessing the diversity and seasonal availability of honeybee floral resources in Amhara-Sayint district, northern Ethiopia","authors":"Girma Demis ,&nbsp;Tewodros Alemu ,&nbsp;Seid Hassen","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100886","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100886","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ethiopia's diverse ecological conditions support abundant honeybee colonies, yet the sector's productivity remains low despite its potential. Furthermore, the limited knowledge of honeybee flora in Amhara-Sayint hinders effective beekeeping development and sustainable honey production. The study aimed to identify the major honeybee flora resources to guide conservation strategies in Amhara-Sayint district, northern Ethiopia. Data were collected from surveying 238 beekeeping households across three agro-ecologies (highland, midland, &amp; lowland) and microscopic pollen analyzing from 20 honey samples. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and microscopic pollen analysis revealed 28 honeybee forage species from 18 plant families, with shrubs (32 %) and trees (25 %) dominating the flora. Key honeybee forage species, including <em>Trifolium spp.</em> (94.9 ± 42) and <em>Eucalyptus spp.</em> (81.4 ± 53) contributed significantly to pollen counts (<em>p</em> = 0.04), while four families (<em>Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Asteraceae</em> and <em>Ericaceae</em>) accounted for 95 % of pollen in the honey samples. Flowering peaked between September and November, with a forage dearth from December to August. Unifloral honeys, such as <em>Erica abrorea</em> (100 %) and <em>Trifolium spp.</em> (95.7 %) pollen contributions highlighted the potential for niche honey production. To enhance honey productivity and sustainability and bridge seasonal feed gap in the study area, the major identified honeybee floral species like <em>Trifolium</em> spp. should be multiplied to disseminate to beekeepers for extensive plantation through the participation of stakeholders, including government agencies and local communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100886"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144169582","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":"An investigation on the local community's traditional knowledge of Iranian mountain forests using a qualitative assessment","authors":"Mehdi Zandebasiri ,&nbsp;Mehdi Pourhashemi ,&nbsp;Chabi A.M.S. Djagoun ,&nbsp;Sayed Vahid Sayedena ,&nbsp;Zohreh Mosleh Ghahfarokhi ,&nbsp;Hossein Azadi ,&nbsp;Frank Witlox","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100883","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100883","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Identifying the role and position of local communities in forest management, both in terms of different forms of harvesting and indigenous knowledge, is essential for proper forest planning. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the role of local communities in the management of mountain forests in the Zagros region of Iran that local communities are the most important factor in forest planning. In forests that have public ownership and simultaneously local communities are highly dependent on forest resources, it is necessary to consider the role of local communities in goal-setting for forest management. Concepts and principles of social or community-based forestry can be used for such situations in forests that have public ownership. In this condition, local communities try to manage the ecosystem with their indigenous knowledge. Accordingly, a traditional system for forest management needs to be formed in these ecosystems. This study examines the evidence of forest management in the Zagros forests of Iran which have mountainous heights with traditional knowledge of local communities. Participatory rural appraisal and interties with critical informants of local communities are applied in this study. Systematic analysis and PEST (Political, Economic, Social, Technological) framework strengthened these methods. Indigenous knowledge of resource management was registered for policy-making in forest management. Results show this indigenous knowledge has the capability of cooperative planning by the forest managers so that local community benefit from the ecosystems with some controls and adjustments in their relationship with the ecosystems, and the sustainability of the ecosystems is also maintained. Setting goals in managing such forests should be subject to both the demands of the public sector and local communities. We conclude appropriate policies to forest resources such as making contracts between forest management and local communities as well as modifying the social demands of local communities towards sustainable resource management in these forests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100883"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144291057","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":"Eucalyptus plantations and gender dynamics: Analyzing Women's empowerment in Northwest Ethiopia","authors":"Fasika Belay ,&nbsp;Messay Mulugeta ,&nbsp;Teferee Makonnen","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100881","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100881","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Men and women often play distinct roles in forest management, each experiencing varying levels of empowerment. This study investigates the effect of eucalyptus plantations on women's empowerment in the Senan District of Northwest Ethiopia. It employed a mixed approach and a multistage sampling method. The data were collected using questionnaire surveys administered to 328 households, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. The Abbreviated Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) and the Abbreviated Women Empowerment in Eucalyptus plantations Index (A-WEEI) questionnaires were administered to both men and women within the same households. A probit model was used to identify the major determinants of women’s empowerment. The findings reveal significant disparities in empowerment levels between households with eucalyptus plantations and those without. While women across both types of households experience considerable disempowerment, those in eucalyptus-owning households face greater challenges, marked by heightened inadequacy and reduced empowerment. Lack of control over income (27.4 % for owners, 24.1 % for non-owners) is identified as the leading contributor to women's disempowerment in both household types, with a greater impact in eucalyptus-owning households. The estimated probit model found that women's age, residential area, and educational levels (including their husbands’ educational attainment), and mobile phone ownership positively and significantly affect women's empowerment. In contrast, the age difference between spouses and the academic disparity between them negatively and significantly affect women's empowerment. Thus, interventions must prioritize empowering women's income control by promoting individual savings accounts with competitive interest rates, alongside mandatory gender-responsive capacity-building programs (financial literacy, leadership, and negotiation training) at local and regional levels.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100881"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144099156","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":"SFI fiber sourcing certification associated with suspended sediment load reductions in Georgia, USA","authors":"Catherine Cooper ,&nbsp;Parag Kadam ,&nbsp;C. Rhett Jackson ,&nbsp;Gary L. Hawkins ,&nbsp;Puneet Dwivedi","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100880","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100880","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Fiber Sourcing Standard (SFI-FSS) is a market-based certification that promotes responsible forestry by requiring certified mills to procure wood only from trained loggers and suppliers who are implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) across the supply chain. None of the previous studies have analyzed the association of the degree of SFI-FSS adoption with improved water quality. This study examines the impact of increased coverage of SFI-FSS certified mill sourcing areas (wood baskets) on suspended sediment concentration (SSC, mg/L) and sediment load (kg/ha/yr) in watersheds across Georgia, USA. Using a spatially explicit methodology, we analyzed data from 28 United States Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring stations, incorporating information on mill certification status, land cover (forest/crop), and hydrological discharge (cubic feet per second, cfs) over a 19-year period (2001–2019). A multiple linear regression model with area and time-fixed effects was used to assess the relationship between SFI-FSS mill presence and sediment load in watersheds overlapping the mill wood baskets. A 1 % increase in SFI-FSS certified mill sourcing area within a watershed is associated with a 3.5 kg/ha/yr reduction in median suspended sediment load (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). This relationship indicates that increasing SFI-FSS certification coverage correlates with improved water quality by reducing sedimentation. Forest cover (%) also exhibited a significant inverse relationship with sediment load, reinforcing the well-documented role of forests in water filtration and sediment retention. These findings provide empirical support for the role of SFI-FSS certification programs in promoting water quality benefits. As certification programs continue to expand, their potential to contribute to sustainable watershed management should be further explored.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100880"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143943166","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":"Examining the impacts of converting commercial Eucalyptus woodlots into cropland on rural households’ income and income diversification in Northwestern Ethiopia","authors":"Messie Assefa Teka ,&nbsp;Asmamaw Alemu Abtew ,&nbsp;Tefera Berihun Taw ,&nbsp;Demamu Mesfin","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100879","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100879","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Farmers in the Northwestern highlands of Ethiopia have begun converting commercial <em>Eucalyptus</em> woodlots into cropland. However, the impact of this transition on rural households' income and income diversification remains unclear. To fill this gap, this study investigates the impacts of this shift on farmers' income and income diversification level with the endogenous switching regression model and Simpson’s diversification index (SDI) approach, respectively. Data were collected through household interviews (n = 362), key informant interviews (n = 36), and focus group discussions (n = 7). A multistage sampling method was employed to select households, while snowball and purposive sampling techniques were used for FGDs and KIIs. Endogenous switching regression analysis shows that shifting woodlots into cropland has a significant income difference between woodlot converters, who earn an average annual income of $4313.45, compared to $2564.42 for non-converters. The income gap ($1744.98) is significant at a t-value of 10.6. Simpson’s Index of Diversity (SID) also reveals that converters exhibit higher income diversification (SID = 0.7611) compared to non-converters (SID = 0.6602), reflecting a strategic shift toward a multi-sectoral livelihood portfolio. Converters' income increased significantly, influenced by several factors, including gender (p = 0.049), landholding size (p = 0.000), total livestock units (p = 0.001), negative perception of <em>Eucalyptus</em> commercialization (p = 0.001), market access (p = 0.019), comparative benefits of crop farming (p = 0.006), and cropland size (p = 0.017). Although this conversion has positive benefits for increasing income and serves as a diversified livelihood strategy, it also presents ecological trade-offs. Findings emphasize the need for context-specific strategies and provide a framework for sustainable land use conversion in Ethiopia. Further research should focus on interdisciplinary research to assess sustainability, explore alternative land-use models, and examine market dynamics and policy incentives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100879"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144106041","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":"Standardization of tree species in agroforestry systems of Coffea arabica L. at different altitudes in Amazonas, Peru","authors":"Nixon Haro ,&nbsp;Gerson Meza-Mori ,&nbsp;Jaqueline Llomeli Zuta Lopez ,&nbsp;Elí Pariente ,&nbsp;Heyton Deyvi Garcia Cruz ,&nbsp;Lily Juarez-Contreras ,&nbsp;Elver Coronel Castro ,&nbsp;Rosalynn Yohanna Rivera Lopez ,&nbsp;Manuel Oliva-Cruz","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100878","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100878","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coffee is a key crop for the Peruvian economy, and agroforestry systems (AFS) have been promoted as a sustainable strategy for its production. However, the selection of optimal tree species remains a challenge. This study evaluated the impact of different tree species on coffee productivity, sensory quality and edaphic properties in AFS with <em>Coffea arabica L.</em> in the Amazon region, Peru. The research was carried out in three altitudinal levels: low (1200–1500 masl), intermedium (1500–1800 masl) and high (&gt;1800 masl), in plots located in Lonya Grande, Rodriguez de Mendoza, Camporredondo and Pisuquia. Thirty-one species were analyzed in terms of canopy cover provided, pest incidence (<em>Hemileia vastatrix</em> and <em>Hypothenemus hampei</em>), soil characteristics (pH, N, P, K, C) organic matter (O.M), cation exchange capacity (C. E. C), electrical conductivity (E. C) and coffee yield. For the analysis, Random Forest was used to determine the importance of the variables, followed by the TOPSIS method to prioritize the most suitable species at each altitude. At low altitudes, <em>Mespilodaphne quixos</em> and <em>Psidium guajava</em> presented canopy cover of 21 % and 35 %, pH of 6.04 and 5.56, and yields above 80 %. At intermedium altitude, <em>Inga densiflora</em> stood out with 52 % canopy cover, C.E.C of 32 meq/100 g and a yield of 83.25 %. At high altitudes, <em>Inga edulis</em> and <em>Cedrela fissilis</em> provided average canopy cover of 40 % and 56 %, respectively. These species were also associated with soil carbon content above 3 % and cup scores above 82 points. The results ort the identification of key tree species for the implementation of sustainable coffee agroforestry systems, contributing to improve productivity and ecosystem conservation in the Amazon region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100878"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927677","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":"Factors influencing low-income households in substituting traditional charcoal with alternative energy sources for cooking in Northwestern and Lusaka Province, Zambia","authors":"Chilombo Mulima ,&nbsp;Amekawa Yuichiro ,&nbsp;Girma Gezimu Gebre ,&nbsp;Stefan Sieber","doi":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100876","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100876","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A study analyzed data from 324 households in Zambia from Lusaka and Northwestern provinces to understand factors influencing the shift from traditional fuels like firewood and traditional charcoal to alternative energy sources. In rural areas of Northwestern Province, the education level of the household head and cooking duration significantly impacted energy choices. Conversely, in urban areas of Lusaka Province, wealthier and more educated households showed a higher propensity to adopt cleaner cooking fuels. However, despite higher income levels and access to grid electricity, many urban households in Lusaka continued using traditional charcoal. Beyond income, factors such as load shedding and cooking time considerations also influenced energy decisions. The study recommends promoting diverse cooking energy options—such as solar energy, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and briquettes or pellets—especially in urban areas with higher incomes, to serve as backups during electricity crises or complement fuelwood. Additionally, it emphasizes considering location-specific factors when advocating for these alternatives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36104,"journal":{"name":"Trees, Forests and People","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100876"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144105973","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}