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Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

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22 pages, 1021 KB  
Review
Forest Education: Past, Present, and Future
by Martin Barker
Forests 2025, 16(12), 1801; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16121801 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1045
Abstract
In this narrative review, the purpose is to summarise the current state of forest education using a range of global examples. The literature on forest education is extensive, but the focus tends to be geographically specific or covers a limited period. This ‘story’ [...] Read more.
In this narrative review, the purpose is to summarise the current state of forest education using a range of global examples. The literature on forest education is extensive, but the focus tends to be geographically specific or covers a limited period. This ‘story’ of forest education was led by academic sources in an iterative process. Context is provided by an overview of historical origins. Forestry has been transformed from a discipline that emphasised technical skills associated with timber production into a multidisciplinary pedagogy that incorporates social, ecological, and other dimensions that recognise the intrinsic value of forests. The main challenges in forest education are uncertainty and change. It is widely agreed in the literature that the pace and direction of change for forest education are not keeping up with demand in some parts of the world. The need for change is sometimes impeded by the status quo and a reluctance to adapt, struggles with recruitment, and insufficient resources to incorporate new technology. Forest education may need to adapt, with the inclusion of more interdisciplinary programmes and diversification. This approach may help with recruitment and a sense of relevance. The conclusion is that those working in forest education are alert to the challenges ahead. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Trends and Challenges in Forest Education)
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17 pages, 6563 KB  
Article
Entomopathogenic Fungi from Minnesota Are Virulent Against Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Adults in a Laboratory Autodissemination Device Assay
by Colin J. Peters, Nickolas N. Rajtar and Robert A. Blanchette
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1742; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111742 - 19 Nov 2025
Viewed by 2157
Abstract
The emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is a deadly pest of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America. Chemical and biological control methods are already in use against EAB, but additional integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are needed to reduce [...] Read more.
The emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is a deadly pest of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America. Chemical and biological control methods are already in use against EAB, but additional integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are needed to reduce EAB populations in remote, northerly forests on the edge of the infestation front, such as those in northern Minnesota, USA. One entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) isolate, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv) Vuill. CFL-A, deployed in autodissemination devices (ADDs) has previously shown promise in reducing EAB population growth. Additionally, EPF has been found to be associated with EAB in Minnesota. This study assessed the suitability of ten Minnesota-indigenous, and one commercial, EPF strains for potential use in ADDs targeting EAB adults. Fungal isolates spanned five genera, including Beauveria, Purpureocillium, Metarhizium, Clonostachys, and Samsoniella. Of those tested, Beauveria pseudobassiana S.A. Rehner and Humber EAB 16.8, Beauveria bassiana GHA, Metarhizium sp. Meta, and Purpureocillium sp. EAB 59-16-2 consistently reduced the mean survival time (MST) and probability of survival over time for EAB adults dropped into an EPF-containing ADD in the laboratory. Furthermore, these fungi were readily recovered from surface-sterilized EAB cadavers. Future ADD field trials using these isolates are warranted to validate their ability to reduce EAB population growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Health)
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29 pages, 11531 KB  
Article
Influence of Urban Greenery on Microclimate Across Temporal and Spatial Scales
by Isidora Simović, Mirjana Radulović, Jelena Dunjić, Stevan Savić and Ivan Šećerov
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1729; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111729 - 14 Nov 2025
Viewed by 576
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of urban greenery on microclimate conditions in Novi Sad, a city characterized by a temperate oceanic climate, by integrating high-resolution remote sensing data with in situ measurements from 12 urban climate stations. Sentinel-2 imagery was used to capture [...] Read more.
This study investigates the influence of urban greenery on microclimate conditions in Novi Sad, a city characterized by a temperate oceanic climate, by integrating high-resolution remote sensing data with in situ measurements from 12 urban climate stations. Sentinel-2 imagery was used to capture vegetation patterns, including tree lines and small green patches, while air temperature data were collected across two climatically contrasting years. Vegetation extent and structural characteristics were quantified using NDVI thresholds (0.6–0.8), capturing variability in vegetation activity and canopy density. Results indicate that high-activity vegetation, particularly dense tree canopies, exerts the strongest cooling effects, significantly influencing air temperatures up to 750 m from measurement sites, whereas total green area alone showed no significant effect. Cooling effects were most pronounced during summer and autumn, with temperature reductions of up to 2 °C in areas dominated by mature trees. Diurnal–nocturnal analyses revealed consistent spatial cooling patterns, while seasonal variability highlighted the role of evergreen and deciduous composition. Findings underscore that urban heat mitigation is driven more by vegetation structure and composition than by green area size, emphasizing the importance of preserving high-canopy trees in urban planning. This multidimensional approach provides actionable insights for optimizing urban greenery to enhance microclimate resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forests and Greening for Sustainable Cities)
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21 pages, 6090 KB  
Article
Interactive Visualizations of Integrated Long-Term Monitoring Data for Forest and Fuels Management on Public Lands
by Kate Jones and Jelena Vukomanovic
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1706; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111706 - 9 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 670
Abstract
Adaptive forest and fire management in parks and protected areas is becoming increasingly complex as climate change alters the frequency and intensity of disturbances (wildfires, pest and disease outbreaks, etc.), while park visitation and the number of people living adjacent to publicly managed [...] Read more.
Adaptive forest and fire management in parks and protected areas is becoming increasingly complex as climate change alters the frequency and intensity of disturbances (wildfires, pest and disease outbreaks, etc.), while park visitation and the number of people living adjacent to publicly managed lands continues to increase. Evidence-based, climate-adaptive forest and fire management practices are critical for the responsible stewardship of public resources and require the continued availability of long-term ecological monitoring data. The US National Park Service has been collecting long-term fire monitoring plot data since 1998, and has continued to add monitoring plots, but these data are housed in databases with limited access and minimal analytic capabilities. To improve the availability and decision support capabilities of this monitoring dataset, we created the Trends in Forest Fuels Dashboard (TFFD), which provides an implementation framework from data collection to web visualization. This easy-to-use and updatable tool incorporates data from multiple years, plot types, and locations. We demonstrate our approach at Rocky Mountain National Park using the ArcGIS Online (AGOL) software platform, which hosts TFFD and allows for efficient data visualizations and analyses customized for the end user. Adopting interactive, web-hosted tools such as TFFD allows the National Park Service to more readily leverage insights from long-term forest monitoring data to support decision making and resource allocation in the context of environmental change. Our approach translates to other data-to-decision workflows where customized visualizations are often the final steps in a pipeline designed to increase the utility and value of collected data and allow easier integration into reporting and decision making. This work provides a template for similar efforts by offering a roadmap for addressing data availability, cleaning, storage, and interactivity that may be adapted or scaled to meet a variety of organizational and management use cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Long-Term Monitoring and Driving Forces of Forest Cover)
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27 pages, 13809 KB  
Article
Full Orthotropic Mechanical Characterization of Pinus radiata Plywood Through Tensile, Compression and Shear Testing with Miniaturized Specimens
by Moisés Sandoval, Masoud Javadi, Paula Soto-Zúñiga, Juan Pablo Cárdenas-Ramírez, Michael Arnett, Angelo Oñate, Rodrigo Cancino, Erick I. Saavedra Flores and Víctor Tuninetti
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1676; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111676 - 3 Nov 2025
Viewed by 665
Abstract
This study introduces and validates a miniaturized testing methodology for the complete orthotropic characterization of structural plywood, including out-of-plane directions that are typically difficult to access. Novel small-scale geometries were developed for tension and shear configurations, with compliance corrections applied to ensure accurate [...] Read more.
This study introduces and validates a miniaturized testing methodology for the complete orthotropic characterization of structural plywood, including out-of-plane directions that are typically difficult to access. Novel small-scale geometries were developed for tension and shear configurations, with compliance corrections applied to ensure accurate stress–strain responses. The method proved reliable and sensitive to mechanical differences arising from veneer architecture, adhesive type, and interfacial bonding. Two sets of 18 mm structural plywood panels—manufactured with distinct adhesive systems, one bio-based (F1) and one phenol-formaldehyde (F2)—were systematically tested under tensile, compressive, and shear loading in ten orthogonal configurations (Tx, Ty, Tz, Cx, Cy, Cz, τxy, τyx, τxz, τyz), following standards NCh 3617, EN 789, and ASTM B831. Tensile moduli were approximately twice the corresponding compressive values, while out-of-plane moduli reached only 6–11% of in-plane values. F1 exhibited higher stiffness in both tension and compression, particularly in transverse directions, due to thicker perpendicular veneers enhancing bending restraint and shear coupling. In contrast, F2 achieved greater peak shear strength owing to its more uniform veneer structure, which improved stress distribution and delayed interlaminar failure. Observed asymmetry between tension and compression reflected microstructural mechanisms such as fiber alignment and cell-wall buckling. The miniature-specimen data provide reliable input for constitutive calibration and finite-element modeling, while revealing clear links between veneer-thickness distribution, shear-transfer efficiency, and macroscopic performance. The proposed framework enables efficient, reproducible orthotropic characterization for optimized, lightweight, and carbon-efficient timber systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Numerical Simulation of Solid Wood and Engineered Wood Products)
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16 pages, 4429 KB  
Article
Formation- and Species-Level Responses of the Atlantic Forest to Climate Change
by Eduardo Vinícius S. Oliveira, Carla Diele Cabral Vieira, Jhonatan Rafael Zárate-Salazar, Wadson de Jesus Correia, Alexandre de Siqueira Pinto and Sidney F. Gouveia
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1674; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111674 - 2 Nov 2025
Viewed by 538
Abstract
The hyper-diverse Atlantic Rainforest on the eastern coast of South America comprises deciduous, semideciduous, and evergreen forest formations. How these formations, both as communities and through their individual species, are responding to climate change remains elusive. Using habitat suitability modeling, we examine the [...] Read more.
The hyper-diverse Atlantic Rainforest on the eastern coast of South America comprises deciduous, semideciduous, and evergreen forest formations. How these formations, both as communities and through their individual species, are responding to climate change remains elusive. Using habitat suitability modeling, we examine the effects of climate change on the distribution of the Atlantic Rainforest assessed both at the species level and the formation level. Additionally, we investigated whether mismatches between species- and formation-level trends are linked to the climatic affinities of species at the formations where they occur. We predicted a decrease in habitat suitability for all deciduous, semideciduous, and evergreen formations, based on individual species models, up to 2100. However, when considering species together as formations, we predicted expansions of deciduous and semideciduous formations and contractions of evergreen formations for the same period. The divergence between the synchronous and individual suitability models for deciduous and semideciduous formations suggests that climate-tolerant species will likely expand their range, replacing those with narrower climate tolerances. This shift may alter the structure and composition of these communities as currently known. Our findings provide valuable insights that can inform strategies for conserving the Atlantic Rainforest, including the development of new regulatory measures, the establishment of protected areas, and the formulation of effective forest management policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling of Forest Dynamics and Species Distribution)
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40 pages, 4882 KB  
Review
Detection of Vegetation Proximity to Power Lines: Critical Review and Research Roadmap
by Fardin Bahreini and Amin Hammad
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1658; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111658 - 30 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1925
Abstract
The resilience of power distribution systems is crucial for maintaining the stability and functionality of modern societies. The proximity of natural vegetation to power lines poses significant risks, particularly when combined with adverse weather events. This review paper examines state-of-the-art methods for detecting [...] Read more.
The resilience of power distribution systems is crucial for maintaining the stability and functionality of modern societies. The proximity of natural vegetation to power lines poses significant risks, particularly when combined with adverse weather events. This review paper examines state-of-the-art methods for detecting and managing tree proximity to power distribution lines using advanced machine learning (ML) techniques, including deep learning (DL) applied to remote sensing data. The complex interactions between adverse weather conditions and power outages caused by tree encroachment are explored. The potential of AI-driven monitoring systems to enhance vegetation management strategies, thereby mitigating the risks associated with tree-related power outages, is underlined. A significant gap in the literature is identified, with few studies specifically addressing the application of ML/DL for dynamic monitoring of tree proximity to power lines. A detailed comparative analysis of existing methodologies is provided, emphasizing the unique contributions and limitations of current approaches. Future research directions, including the development of more sophisticated ML/DL models and the integration of multi-sensor data, are outlined. This review serves as a critical resource for researchers, utility managers, and policymakers aiming to improve the resilience and reliability of power infrastructure management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Inventory, Modeling and Remote Sensing)
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14 pages, 14889 KB  
Article
Canopy-Wind-Induced Pressure Fluctuations Drive Soil CO2 Transport in Forest Ecosystems
by Taolve Chen, Junjie Jiang, Lingxia Feng, Junguo Hu and Yixi Liu
Forests 2025, 16(11), 1637; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16111637 - 26 Oct 2025
Viewed by 520
Abstract
Although accurate quantification of forest soil CO2 emissions is critical for improving global carbon cycle models, traditional chamber and gradient methods often underestimate fluxes under windy conditions. Based on long-term field observations in a subtropical maple forest, we quantified the interaction between [...] Read more.
Although accurate quantification of forest soil CO2 emissions is critical for improving global carbon cycle models, traditional chamber and gradient methods often underestimate fluxes under windy conditions. Based on long-term field observations in a subtropical maple forest, we quantified the interaction between canopy-level winds and soil pore air pressure fluctuations in regulating vertical CO2 profiles. The results demonstrate that canopy winds, rather than subcanopy airflow, dominate deep soil CO2 dynamics, with stronger explanatory power for concentration variability. The observed “wind-pumping effect” operates through soil pressure fluctuations rather than direct wind speed, thereby enhancing advective CO2 transport. Soil pore air pressure accounted for 33%–48% of CO2 variation, far exceeding the influence of near-surface winds. These findings highlight that, even in dense forests with negligible understory airflow, canopy turbulence significantly alters soil–atmosphere carbon exchange. We conclude that integrating soil pore air pressure into flux calculation models is essential for reducing underestimation bias and improving the accuracy of forest carbon cycle assessments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Meteorology and Climate Change)
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25 pages, 5825 KB  
Article
Multi-Centennial Disturbance History and Terrestrial Carbon Transfers in a Coastal Forest Watershed Before and During Reservoir Development
by John A. Trofymow, Kendrick J. Brown, Byron Smiley, Nicholas Hebda, Rebecca Dixon and David Dunn
Forests 2025, 16(10), 1549; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16101549 - 8 Oct 2025
Viewed by 2877
Abstract
Multi-centennial C budgets in forested watersheds require information on forest growth, detritus turnover, and disturbances, as well as the transfer to and fate of terrestrial C in aquatics systems. Here, a sediment gravity core was collected from a drinking water reservoir in Canada, [...] Read more.
Multi-centennial C budgets in forested watersheds require information on forest growth, detritus turnover, and disturbances, as well as the transfer to and fate of terrestrial C in aquatics systems. Here, a sediment gravity core was collected from a drinking water reservoir in Canada, and analyzed for temporal changes in charcoal, magnetic susceptibility, carbon, and nitrogen. These indicators were used to assess disturbance history and terrestrial C sequestration in sediments. During the reservoir development period from 1910 to 2012, charcoal flux and magnetic susceptibility increased ca. 10 years after nearby fire and forest-clearing events associated with reservoir expansion. Total C and δ13C gradually declined during the development period, likely due to increased inputs of mineral soil from human activity. Concurrently, total terrestrial C sequestered in sediments, estimated using three or eight marker compounds, ranged between 3557 and 5145 Mg C/100 yrs, accounting for 11%–17% of DOC exports to the reservoir (30,640 Mg C/100 yrs), as estimated from a previously developed terrestrial carbon budget model. In comparison, mixed-severity fires burned around the reservoir during the pre-development period (pre-1910), as evidenced by stand ages and/or increases in charcoal flux. In general, decreased terrestrial C flux was associated with higher-severity fires that burned between 1870 and 1890 and perhaps around 1790. Further, comparisons show that soil erosion was up to 3× greater in the development versus the pre-development period. Overall, this investigation revealed the impact of land use change and fire on watershed carbon budgets and advanced a previously developed pyGC-MS methodology that demonstrated the amount of terrestrial and aquatic C being buried in sediment. It also identified the fraction of terrestrial C that was exported from the forest to the reservoir and sequestered in the sediment, uncommon data that could inform current and future landscape C budget modelling studies in this region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Erosion and Forests: Drivers, Impacts, and Management)
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23 pages, 3638 KB  
Article
Hydro-Functional Strategies of Sixteen Tree Species in a Mexican Karstic Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest
by Jorge Palomo-Kumul, Mirna Valdez-Hernández, Gerald A. Islebe, Edith Osorio-de-la-Rosa, Gabriela Cruz-Piñon, Francisco López-Huerta and Raúl Juárez-Aguirre
Forests 2025, 16(10), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16101535 - 1 Oct 2025
Viewed by 530
Abstract
Seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) are shaped by strong climatic and edaphic constraints, including pronounced rainfall seasonality, extended dry periods, and shallow karst soils with limited water retention. Understanding how tree species respond to these pressures is crucial for predicting ecosystem resilience under [...] Read more.
Seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) are shaped by strong climatic and edaphic constraints, including pronounced rainfall seasonality, extended dry periods, and shallow karst soils with limited water retention. Understanding how tree species respond to these pressures is crucial for predicting ecosystem resilience under climate change. In the Yucatán Peninsula, we characterized sixteen tree species along a spatial and seasonal precipitation gradient, quantifying wood density, predawn and midday water potential, saturated and relative water content, and specific leaf area. Across sites, diameter classes, and seasons, we measured ≈4 individuals per species (n = 319), ensuring replication despite natural heterogeneity. Using a principal component analysis (PCA) based on individual-level data collected during the dry season, we identified five functional groups spanning a continuum from conservative hard-wood species, with high hydraulic safety and access to deep water sources, to acquisitive light-wood species that rely on stem water storage and drought avoidance. Intermediate-density species diverged into subgroups that employed contrasting strategies such as anisohydric tolerance, high leaf area efficiency, or strict stomatal regulation to maintain performance during the dry season. Functional traits were strongly associated with precipitation regimes, with wood density emerging as a key predictor of water storage capacity and specific leaf area responding plastically to spatial and seasonal variability. These findings refine functional group classifications in heterogeneous karst landscapes and highlight the value of trait-based approaches for predicting drought resilience and informing restoration strategies under climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)
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15 pages, 6302 KB  
Article
The Application of Structural Adhesives in Glulam Beams: A Comparative Study
by Leonor da Cunha Mastela, Pedro Gutemberg de Alcântara Segundinho, Fabricio Gomes Gonçalves, Clara Gaspar Fossi de Souza, Francisco Antônio Rocco Lahr, Daniela Minini, Michel Picanço Oliveira, Maria Alice Romanha Belumat and Caroline Palacio de Araujo
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1421; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091421 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1597
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion behavior of wood from an E. urophylla × E. grandis clone using the application of melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF), resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF), and polyurethane (PUR) adhesives in test samples obtained from 12 glulam beams. Adhesives were characterized by their [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion behavior of wood from an E. urophylla × E. grandis clone using the application of melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF), resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF), and polyurethane (PUR) adhesives in test samples obtained from 12 glulam beams. Adhesives were characterized by their pH, viscosity, density, and solid content. The wood–adhesive interface was assessed through the shear strength, percentage of wood failure, delamination, and photomicrograph analysis. A microdensitometer with X-rays and a resistograph were used to determine the material density and drilling resistance of the elements. Adhesive pH values ranged from 6.35 to 9.05. MUF exhibited the highest viscosity (1169 cP), while the adhesive density varied between 1.29 and 1.67 g cm−3. No statistically significant difference in results was obtained for the shear strength in dry conditions. The MUF adhesive showed a lower percentage of wood failure compared to PUR and RF. In the delamination test, the wood beams glued with RF yielded the best results. Photomicrographs revealed the adhesive’s penetration into the wood’s anatomical structure. Densitometry and resistograph profiles accurately represented the beam balancing configuration. The adhesives PUR, RF, and MUF demonstrated suitability for producing glulam beams with the Eucalyptus clone wood evaluated in this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Numerical Simulation of Solid Wood and Engineered Wood Products)
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30 pages, 6143 KB  
Article
Interdisciplinary Approach to Regenerate Contaminated Urban Sites with Novel Ecosystems: The Multi-Layer Analysis of La Goccia Forest, a Case Study in Milan
by Gianluca Rapaccini, Zeno Porro, Laura Passatore, Giovanni Trentanovi, Brenda Maria Zoderer, Paola Pirelli, Lorenzo Guerci, Gabriele Galasso, Lara Assunta Quaglini, Elisa Cardarelli, Silvia Stefanelli, Roberto Comolli, Chiara Ferré, Gabriele Gheza and Massimo Zacchini
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091410 - 3 Sep 2025
Viewed by 2069
Abstract
In the face of mounting challenges related to limited availability of urban land and ecological degradation, emerging novel ecosystems offer unique opportunities for ecological regeneration, social redefinition of space, and alternative urban visions. This study presents the multi-layer analysis of the Goccia Forest [...] Read more.
In the face of mounting challenges related to limited availability of urban land and ecological degradation, emerging novel ecosystems offer unique opportunities for ecological regeneration, social redefinition of space, and alternative urban visions. This study presents the multi-layer analysis of the Goccia Forest in Milan (Italy), a wild urban woodland that has developed over sealed and polluted post-industrial land, aiming to investigate the potential of this novel ecosystem to sustain Nature-based Solutions (NbSs). Using an integrated approach (surveys on fauna, vascular flora, lichens, analysis of forest evolution, mapping of sealed surfaces, and soil characterization) the research looks at the novel ecosystem as a whole, highlighting its ecological dynamics and Ecosystem Services (ES). La Goccia Forest serves as a prime example of how the implementation of NbSs is intricately intertwined with the spontaneous regeneration of urban brownfields. The present study offers the opportunity to rethink urban policies, ensuring their alignment with the demands of the population and the latest scientific knowledge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tree- and Shrub-Based Phytoremediation: Pollution Control and Ecosystem Services)
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22 pages, 1685 KB  
Review
Temperature Effects on Forest Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Mechanisms, Ecosystem Responses, and Future Directions
by Tiane Wang, Yingning Wang, Yuan Wang, Juexian Dong and Shaopeng Yu
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091371 - 26 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1545
Abstract
Forest soil greenhouse gas emissions play a critical role in global climate change. This review synthesizes the mechanisms of temperature change impacts on forest soil greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O) emissions, the complex response patterns of ecosystems, [...] Read more.
Forest soil greenhouse gas emissions play a critical role in global climate change. This review synthesizes the mechanisms of temperature change impacts on forest soil greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O) emissions, the complex response patterns of ecosystems, and existing knowledge gaps in current research. We highlight several critical mechanisms, such as the high temperature sensitivity (Q10) of methane (CH4) and CO2 emissions from high-latitude peatlands, and the dual effect of chronic nitrogen deposition, which can cause short-term stimulation but long-term suppression of soil CO2 emissions. It emphasizes how climatic factors, soil characteristics, vegetation types, and anthropogenic disturbances (such as forest management and fire) regulate emission processes through multi-scale interactions. This review further summarizes the advancements and limitations of current research methodologies and points out future research directions. These include strengthening long-term multi-factor experiments, developing high-precision models that integrate microbial functional genomics and isotope tracing techniques, and exploring innovative emission reduction strategies. Ultimately, this synthesis aims to provide a scientific basis and key ecological threshold references for developing climate-resilient sustainable forest management practices and effective climate change mitigation policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Forest Ecosystem Sustainability: Integrating Plant Physiology, Microbial Ecology, and Spatial Technologies)
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19 pages, 3081 KB  
Article
Integrating a Newcomer: Niche Differentiation and Habitat Use of Eurasian Red Squirrels and Native Species in a Forest Reserve Under Human Disturbance
by Wuyuan Zhang, Xiaoxiao Liu, Tong Zhang and Guofa Cui
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081360 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1346
Abstract
Understanding the integration of newly recorded species into forest ecosystems is essential for evaluating their ecological impacts on native wildlife diversity. In this study, we examined the spatial and temporal niche dynamics of three sympatric squirrel species within the Labagoumen nature reserve, a [...] Read more.
Understanding the integration of newly recorded species into forest ecosystems is essential for evaluating their ecological impacts on native wildlife diversity. In this study, we examined the spatial and temporal niche dynamics of three sympatric squirrel species within the Labagoumen nature reserve, a temperate forest located in northern China. Particular emphasis was placed on the recently documented Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and its potential interactions with two native species: Père David’s rock squirrel (Sciurotamias davidianus) and the Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus). Using camera trapping data from 91 sites (2019–2024), we examined habitat use, activity rhythms, and niche overlap under contrasting levels of human disturbance. A total of 3419 independent effective photos of squirrels were recorded. S. vulgaris showed a broader spatial distribution and a higher relative abundance index (RAI) in the tourist area, while native species were more abundant in the non-tourist area. All three species showed similar annual activity patterns based on the monthly relative abundance index (MRAI), although native species exhibited an additional activity peak in June–July. Temporal niche overlap (Cih) and the coefficient of overlap (Δ) between S. vulgaris and native species increased during the tourist season, suggesting synchronized activity under high disturbance. In contrast, lower overlap in the non-tourist season indicated stronger temporal partitioning. The daily activity rhythm of S. vulgaris remained stable, while native species displayed more variability, especially in non-tourist areas. S. vulgaris also exhibited a significantly broader spatial niche breadth (Bi), suggesting greater habitat exploitation and adaptability. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed no significant spatial segregation among the three species, indicating successful integration of S. vulgaris into the local community. Our findings emphasize the competitive advantage of S. vulgaris and demonstrate how human activities can restructure forest small mammal assemblages by altering spatiotemporal niche partitioning. We recommend long-term ecological monitoring to assess species diversity changes and guide adaptive conservation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Species Richness, Diversity and Habitat Modeling of Wildlife in Forests)
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13 pages, 4157 KB  
Article
Automatic Registration of Terrestrial and UAV LiDAR Forest Point Clouds Through Canopy Shape Analysis
by Sisi Yu, Zhanzhong Tang, Beibei Zhang, Jie Dai and Shangshu Cai
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081347 - 19 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1433
Abstract
Accurate registration of multi-platform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) point clouds is essential for detailed forest structure analysis and ecological monitoring. In this study, we developed a novel two-stage method for aligning terrestrial and unmanned aerial vehicle LiDAR point clouds in forest environments. [...] Read more.
Accurate registration of multi-platform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) point clouds is essential for detailed forest structure analysis and ecological monitoring. In this study, we developed a novel two-stage method for aligning terrestrial and unmanned aerial vehicle LiDAR point clouds in forest environments. The method first performs coarse alignment using canopy-level digital surface models and Fast Point Feature Histograms, followed by fine registration with Iterative Closest Point. Experiments conducted in six forest plots achieved an average registration accuracy of 0.24 m within 5.14 s, comparable to manual registration but with substantially reduced processing time and human intervention. In contrast to existing tree-based methods, the proposed approach eliminates the need for individual tree segmentation and ground filtering, streamlining preprocessing and improving scalability for large-scale forest monitoring. The proposed method facilitates a range of forest applications, including structure modeling, ecological parameter retrieval, and long-term change detection across diverse forest types and platforms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Source Data Application for Forestry Conservation)
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26 pages, 3380 KB  
Article
Edge Effects in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil’s Roraima State
by Paulo Eduardo Barni, Liana Oighenstein Anderson, Luiz Eduardo Oliveira e Cruz de Aragão, Arthur Camurça Citó, Reinaldo Imbrozio Barbosa, Haron Abrahim Magalhães Xaud, Maristela Ramalho Xaud and Philip Martin Fearnside
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1322; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081322 - 13 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1433
Abstract
Forest degradation, characterized by the gradual loss of the forest’s ecological and ecosystem functions, has been happening rapidly in the Amazon. Its main anthropogenic vectors are deforestation, forest fragmentation, selective logging, forest fires, and the edge effect. Impacts on the forest canopy and [...] Read more.
Forest degradation, characterized by the gradual loss of the forest’s ecological and ecosystem functions, has been happening rapidly in the Amazon. Its main anthropogenic vectors are deforestation, forest fragmentation, selective logging, forest fires, and the edge effect. Impacts on the forest canopy and biomass can be estimated using satellite images and field data. The present study examines the dynamics of edges created annually by forest clearing and the effects of these edges considering the annual extent and loss of forest biomass between 2007 and 2023 in the municipality of Rorainópolis, located in the southern portion of the state of Roraima, in the far north of the Brazilian Amazon. We (i) delimited the edge areas created annually by deforestation between 2007 and 2023; (ii) tested the hypothesis of the existence of a spatial gradient for forest degradation using the increasing distance from the edge as a reference and the spectral behavior of three vegetation indices (NDVI, NBR, and NDWI) at the pixel level from average values of images from the Landsat-5/8 and Sentinel-2 satellites; and (iii) estimated the biomass exposed to deforestation and the edge effect and the consequent loss of biomass due to these processes. The loss of biomass in the study area due to deforestation totaled 17.1 × 106 Mg in 2023, and the forest edge areas totaled 244.9 km2, containing 10.5 × 106 Mg of biomass. During 2023, we estimated a cumulative loss of 0.92 × 106 Mg (8.73%). Analysis of the three vegetation indices showed that there is a gradient of forest degradation, characterized by an increase in the pixel index value from the edge to the interior of the forest. Forest degradation due to the edge effect is an important source of carbon emissions and should be included in national reports on greenhouse gas emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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21 pages, 3397 KB  
Article
Climate-Driven Habitat Shifts and Conservation Implications for the Submediterranean Oak Quercus pyrenaica Willd.
by Isabel Passos, Carlos Vila-Viçosa, João Gonçalves, Albano Figueiredo and Maria Margarida Ribeiro
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081226 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 3116
Abstract
Climate change poses a major threat to forests, impacting the distribution and viability of key species. Quercus pyrenaica Willd., a marcescent oak endemic to the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain) and southwestern France and a structural species in submediterranean forests, is particularly susceptible [...] Read more.
Climate change poses a major threat to forests, impacting the distribution and viability of key species. Quercus pyrenaica Willd., a marcescent oak endemic to the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain) and southwestern France and a structural species in submediterranean forests, is particularly susceptible to shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns. Aiming to assess its potential loss of suitable area under future climate scenarios, we developed high-resolution spatial distribution models to project the future habitat suitability of Q. pyrenaica under two climate change scenarios (SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5) for the periods 2070 and 2100. Our model, which has an excellent predictive performance (AUC of 0.971 and a TSS of 0.834), indicates a predominantly northward shift in the potential distribution of the species, accompanied by substantial habitat loss in southern and lowland regions. Long-term potential suitable area may shrink to 42% of that currently available. This, combined with the limited natural dispersal capacity of the species, highlights the urgency of targeted management and conservation strategies. These results offer critical insights to inform conservation strategies and forest management under ongoing climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and Land-Use Change Effects on the Biogeography of Woody Plant Species and Biodiversity Conservation)
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20 pages, 25345 KB  
Article
Mangrove Damage and Early-Stage Canopy Recovery Following Hurricane Roslyn in Marismas Nacionales, Mexico
by Samuel Velázquez-Salazar, Luis Valderrama-Landeros, Edgar Villeda-Chávez, Cecilia G. Cervantes-Rodríguez, Carlos Troche-Souza, José A. Alcántara-Maya, Berenice Vázquez-Balderas, María T. Rodríguez-Zúñiga, María I. Cruz-López and Francisco Flores-de-Santiago
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1207; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081207 - 22 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3094
Abstract
Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms that can severely damage mangrove forests through uprooting trees, sediment erosion, and saltwater intrusion, disrupting their critical role in coastal protection and biodiversity. After a hurricane, evaluating mangrove damage helps prioritize rehabilitation efforts, as these ecosystems play a [...] Read more.
Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms that can severely damage mangrove forests through uprooting trees, sediment erosion, and saltwater intrusion, disrupting their critical role in coastal protection and biodiversity. After a hurricane, evaluating mangrove damage helps prioritize rehabilitation efforts, as these ecosystems play a key ecological role in coastal regions. Thus, we analyzed the defoliation of mangrove forest canopies and their early recovery, approximately 2.5 years after the landfall of Category 3 Hurricane Roslyn in October 2002 in Marismas Nacionales, Mexico. The following mangrove traits were analyzed: (1) the yearly time series of the Combined Mangrove Recognition Index (CMRI) standard deviation from 2020 to 2025, (2) the CMRI rate of change (slope) following the hurricane’s impact, and (3) the canopy height model (CHM) before and after the hurricane using satellite and UAV-LiDAR data. Hurricane Roslyn caused a substantial decrease in canopy cover, resulting in a loss of 47,202 ha, which represents 82.8% of the total area of 57,037 ha. The CMRI standard deviation indicated early signs of canopy recovery in one-third of the mangrove-damaged areas 2.5 years post-impact. The CMRI slope indicated that areas near the undammed rivers had a maximum recovery rate of 0.05 CMRI units per month, indicating a predicted canopy recovery of ~2.5 years. However, most mangrove areas exhibited CMRI rates between 0.01 and 0.03 CMRI units per month, anticipating a recovery time between 40 months (approximately 3.4 years) and 122 months (roughly 10 years). Unfortunately, most of the already degraded Laguncularia racemosa forests displayed a negative CMRI slope, suggesting a lack of canopy recovery so far. Additionally, the CHM showed a median significant difference of 3.3 m in the canopy height of fringe-type Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa forests after the hurricane’s landfall. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mangrove Wetland Restoration and Rehabilitation Under Climate Change and Human Cumulative Impacts in the 21st Century)
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32 pages, 1661 KB  
Review
Modelling Wood Product Service Lives and Residence Times for Biogenic Carbon in Harvested Wood Products: A Review of Half-Lives, Averages and Population Distributions
by Morwenna J. Spear and Jim Hart
Forests 2025, 16(7), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16071162 - 15 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1812
Abstract
Timber and other biobased materials store carbon that has been captured from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and plant growth. The estimation of these biogenic carbon stocks in the harvested wood products (HWP) pool has received increasing attention since its inclusion in greenhouse gas [...] Read more.
Timber and other biobased materials store carbon that has been captured from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and plant growth. The estimation of these biogenic carbon stocks in the harvested wood products (HWP) pool has received increasing attention since its inclusion in greenhouse gas reporting by the IPCC. It is of particular interest for long service life products such as timber in buildings; however, some aspects require further thought—in particular the handling of service lives as opposed to half-lives. The most commonly used model for calculating changes in the HWP pool uses first order decay based on half-lives. However other approaches are based on average service lives and estimates of residence times in the product pool, enabling different mathematical functions to be used. This paper considers the evolution of the two concepts and draws together data from a wide range of sources to consider service life estimation, which can be either related to design life or practical observations such as local environmental conditions, decay risk or consumer behaviour. As an increasing number of methods emerge for calculating HWP pool dynamics, it is timely to consider how these numerical inputs from disparate sources vary in their assumptions, calculation types, accuracy and results. Two groups are considered: half-lives for first order decay models, and service life and residence time population distributions within models based on other functions. A selection of examples are drawn from the literature to highlight emerging trends and discuss numerical constraints, data availability and areas for further study. The review indicated that issues exist with inconsistent use of nomenclature for half-life, average service life and peak flow from the pool. To ensure better sharing of data between studies, greater clarity in reporting function types used is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Biomass Utilization: Implications for Global Sustainable Development)
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33 pages, 11613 KB  
Article
Assessing and Mapping Forest Fire Vulnerability in Romania Using Maximum Entropy and eXtreme Gradient Boosting
by Adrian Lorenț, Marius Petrila, Bogdan Apostol, Florin Capalb, Șerban Chivulescu, Cătălin Șamșodan, Cristiana Marcu and Ovidiu Badea
Forests 2025, 16(7), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16071156 - 13 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2017
Abstract
Understanding and mapping forest fire vulnerability is essential for informed landscape management and disaster risk reduction, especially in the context of increasing anthropogenic and climatic pressures. This study aims to model and spatially predict forest fire vulnerability across Romania using two machine learning [...] Read more.
Understanding and mapping forest fire vulnerability is essential for informed landscape management and disaster risk reduction, especially in the context of increasing anthropogenic and climatic pressures. This study aims to model and spatially predict forest fire vulnerability across Romania using two machine learning algorithms: MaxEnt and XGBoost. We integrated forest fire occurrence data from 2006 to 2024 with a suite of climatic, topographic, ecological, and anthropogenic predictors at a 250 m spatial resolution. MaxEnt, based on presence-only data, achieved moderate predictive performance (AUC = 0.758), while XGBoost, trained on presence–absence data, delivered higher classification accuracy (AUC = 0.988). Both models revealed that the impact of environmental variables on forest fire occurrence is complex and heterogeneous, with the most influential predictors being the Fire Weather Index, forest fuel type, elevation, and distance to human proximity features. The resulting vulnerability and uncertainty maps revealed hotspots in Sub-Carpathian and lowland regions, especially in Mehedinți, Gorj, Dolj, and Olt counties. These patterns reflect historical fire data and highlight the role of transitional agro-forested landscapes. This study delivers a replicable, data-driven approach to wildfire risk modelling, supporting proactive management and emphasising the importance of integrating vulnerability assessments into planning and climate adaptation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Hazards and Risk Management)
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26 pages, 2867 KB  
Review
Understanding the Ecosystem Services of Riparian Forests: Patterns, Gaps, and Global Trends
by Lucian Dinca, Gabriel Murariu and Mariana Lupoae
Forests 2025, 16(6), 947; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16060947 - 4 Jun 2025
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5033
Abstract
Riparian forests are usually situated between terrestrial and aquatic systems. They play an essential role in the health of the environment and in providing complex ecosystem services. This is especially essential in arid and semi-arid regions. However, despite these facts, riparian ecosystems are [...] Read more.
Riparian forests are usually situated between terrestrial and aquatic systems. They play an essential role in the health of the environment and in providing complex ecosystem services. This is especially essential in arid and semi-arid regions. However, despite these facts, riparian ecosystems are underexplored in the specialty literature. As such, the purpose of this study is to address this gap by synthesizing the current knowledge about riparian forests, using both a bibliometric analysis and a qualitative literature approach. This analysis allowed us to identify six main ecosystem services provided by riparian forests: biodiversity support, carbon sequestration, water quality regulation, slope stability, pollution mitigation, and sociocultural benefits. Furthermore, we have emphasized local challenges (deforestation, agricultural expansion, a lack of policies). Connecting ecological knowledge with a socio-cultural context is the first step in creating a strong foundation for the adequate management of these essential ecosystems, while also supporting their conservation, development and climate resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions in Forests)
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23 pages, 5905 KB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of AT-Hook Motif Nuclear Localized Gene Family in Birch
by Bowei Chen, Huaixue Chu, Bin Lv, Yile Guo, Zihui Zhang, Tianxu Zhang, Qingyi Xie, Menghan Hao, Shahid Ali, Wei Zhou, Liping Zhao, Zan Jiang, Min Wang and Linan Xie
Forests 2025, 16(6), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16060943 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1170
Abstract
The AT-hook motif nuclear localized (AHL) gene family encodes transcription factors pivotal in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic stimuli, including low temperature, salinity, darkness, and drought. In this study, we systematically identified 21 BpAHL genes in birch and [...] Read more.
The AT-hook motif nuclear localized (AHL) gene family encodes transcription factors pivotal in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic stimuli, including low temperature, salinity, darkness, and drought. In this study, we systematically identified 21 BpAHL genes in birch and characterized their sequence features, evolutionary relationships, and expression dynamics. Phylogenetic analysis classified BpAHLs into two clades (Clade-A and Clade-B) and three types (Type-I, -II, and -III), based on PPC domain and AT-hook motifs. Chromosomal mapping revealed an even distribution across nine chromosomes and one contig, with dispersed duplication events recognized as the major driver of BpAHL family expansion. Tissue-specific expression profiling uncovered striking divergence: Type-I BpAHLs displayed root-predominant expression, whereas Type-II/III BpAHLs were highly expressed in plant flowers and leaves. Notably, Type-II/III BpAHL genes in leaves showed distinct expression patterns in response to cold and heat stresses, while Type-I BpAHLs in roots were down-regulated under salt stress. This study provides a comprehensive phylogenomic and functional analysis of the AHLs in birch, providing insights into their roles in enhancing abiotic stress resilience in forest trees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Molecular Biology)
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25 pages, 3799 KB  
Review
Bibliometric Analysis of Argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) Research: Scientific Trends and Strategic Directions for Climate-Resilient Ecosystem Management
by Rajaa Timzioura, Sara Ezzine, Lahcen Benomar, Mohammed S. Lamhamedi, Abderrahim Ettaqy, Abdenbi Zine El Abidine, Hafida Zaher, Damase P. Khasa, Steeve Pepin and Younes Abbas
Forests 2025, 16(6), 892; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16060892 - 26 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2692
Abstract
This study provides a bibliometric analysis of 926 scientific publications on Argania spinosa, representing the first investigation covering all aspects of the argan tree. By combining bibliometric performance indicators and scientific mapping, based on commonly used approaches in previous studies, the analysis [...] Read more.
This study provides a bibliometric analysis of 926 scientific publications on Argania spinosa, representing the first investigation covering all aspects of the argan tree. By combining bibliometric performance indicators and scientific mapping, based on commonly used approaches in previous studies, the analysis examines the evolution, structure, and gaps in argan-related research. The results reveal that scientific production accelerated after 1996 during an industrial exploitation period, driven by the emergence of women’s cooperatives, international certifications, and national development programs. Morocco dominates the argan research landscape, benefiting from targeted policy support, international collaborations, and the species’ endemic status. Two major research aspects were identified: the valuation of argan oil, focusing on its chemical and therapeutic properties; and ecological restoration, encompassing genetic diversity, reforestation practices, and climate adaptation strategies. Despite these advancements, critical gaps remain in operational reforestation, assisted migration, post-plantation monitoring, and the integration of ecological modeling. Research remains skewed toward oil valuation, with insufficient attention to long-term forest sustainability under climate change. Future efforts should adopt a multidisciplinary framework that integrates genomics, nursery innovation, biotechnology, molecular genetics, digital monitoring tools, and socio-institutional governance. Research should also emphasize optimizing by-product use, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting gender-equitable, community-based forest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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21 pages, 10337 KB  
Article
Study on Forest Growing Stock Volume in Kunming City Considering the Relationship Between Stand Density and Allometry
by Jing Zhang, Cheng Wang, Jinliang Wang, Xiang Huang, Zilin Zhou, Zetong Zhou and Feng Cheng
Forests 2025, 16(6), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16060891 - 25 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1193
Abstract
Forest growing stock volume (GSV) is a fundamental indicator for assessing the status of forest resources. It reflects forest carbon storage levels and serves as a key metric for evaluating the carbon sequestration capacity of forest ecosystems, thereby playing a crucial role in [...] Read more.
Forest growing stock volume (GSV) is a fundamental indicator for assessing the status of forest resources. It reflects forest carbon storage levels and serves as a key metric for evaluating the carbon sequestration capacity of forest ecosystems, thereby playing a crucial role in supporting national “dual-carbon” objectives. Traditional allometric models typically estimate GSV using tree species, diameter at breast height (DBH), and canopy height. However, at larger spatial scales, these models often neglect stand density, resulting in substantial estimation errors in regions characterized by significant density variability. To enhance the accuracy of large-scale GSV estimation, this study incorporates high-resolution, spatially continuous forest structural parameters—including dominant tree species, stand density, canopy height, and DBH—extracted through the synergistic utilization of active (e.g., Sentinel-1 SAR, ICESat-2 photon data) and passive (e.g., Landsat-8 OLI, Sentinel-2 MSI) multi-source remote sensing data. Within an allometric modeling framework, stand density is introduced as an additional explanatory variable. Subsequently, GSV is modeled in a stratified manner according to tree species across distinct ecological zones within Kunming City. The results indicate that: (1) the total estimated GSV of Kunming City in 2020, based on remote sensing imagery and second-class forest inventory data collected in the same year, was 1.01 × 108 m3, which closely aligns with contemporaneous statistical records. The model yielded an R2 of 0.727, an RMSE of 537.566 m3, and a MAE of 239.767 m3, indicating a high level of overall accuracy when validated against official ground-based inventory plots organized by provincial and municipal forestry authorities; (2) the incorporation of the dynamic stand density parameter significantly improved model performance, which elevated R2 from 0.565 to 0.727 and significantly reduced RMSE. This result confirms that stand density is a critical explanatory factor; and (3) GSV exhibited pronounced spatial heterogeneity across both tree species and administrative regions, underscoring the spatial structural variability of forests within the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Inventory, Modeling and Remote Sensing)
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23 pages, 3881 KB  
Article
Enhanced Accuracy in Urban Tree Biomass Estimation: Developing Allometric Equations with Land Use Classifications
by Jeong-Min Lee, Hyung-Sub Kim, Byeonggil Choi, Jun-Young Jung, Seungmin Lee, Heejae Jo, Gaeun Kim, Sanggeun Kwon, Sang-Jin Lee, Tae Kyung Yoon, Choonsig Kim, Kye-Han Lee, Woo-Kyun Lee and Yowhan Son
Forests 2025, 16(5), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16050841 - 19 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1787
Abstract
Urban trees grow in diverse environments where site conditions and human management may influence their growth patterns. However, few allometric equations (AEs) have been developed for urban trees, and the effects of environmental variations across urban land use categories on tree biomass remain [...] Read more.
Urban trees grow in diverse environments where site conditions and human management may influence their growth patterns. However, few allometric equations (AEs) have been developed for urban trees, and the effects of environmental variations across urban land use categories on tree biomass remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this study developed urban land-use-specific AEs for major urban tree species in South Korea. We selected eight major urban tree species groups (at genus level), harvested 201 trees, and non-destructively measured the stem volumes of 1995 trees using a laser dendrometer. Species-specific and generalized AEs to estimate stem volume were developed under three urban land use categories: street trees, urban parks, and others. The results indicated that differences in stem volume across urban land use categories varied by species, with street trees generally showing smaller stem volumes. Furthermore, due to the high variation in stem volume within species, sampling designs that encompass diverse size distributions are necessary when developing AEs for urban trees. Our findings indicate that various factors in urban environments influence tree volume and considering these differences is essential for improving biomass estimation accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Forestry)
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16 pages, 4249 KB  
Article
Toward Safer Resin Tapping: Assessing Alternative Chemical Stimulants for Pinus pinaster
by Faustino Rubio Pérez, Aida Rodríguez-García, Santiago Michavila, Ana Rodríguez, Luis Gil and Rosana López
Forests 2025, 16(5), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16050849 - 19 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2101
Abstract
The use of chemical stimulants in resin tapping is essential for prolonging the resin flow and enhancing production. Traditional stimulants, primarily composed of sulfuric acid, pose concerns related to workplace safety, environmental impact, and tree health. In this study, we compared alternative stimulant [...] Read more.
The use of chemical stimulants in resin tapping is essential for prolonging the resin flow and enhancing production. Traditional stimulants, primarily composed of sulfuric acid, pose concerns related to workplace safety, environmental impact, and tree health. In this study, we compared alternative stimulant pastes containing ethrel, salicylic acid, and citric acid with the traditional Spanish and Brazilian stimulant pastes with higher contents of sulfuric acid. We tapped Pinus pinaster seedlings with five different stimulants, using untreated and mechanically wounded plants as controls. The resin yield, tree growth, and physiological parameters were compared. The pines stimulated with citric acid released ca. 50% more resin, while ethrel and salicylic acid yielded similar amounts to the traditional paste, suggesting their potential as viable alternatives. Although all stimulants reduced the seedling growth, no significant differences were observed in the midday water potential or stomatal conductance. The internal resin accumulation and resin canal density were strongly correlated with the total resin production, and more-acidic pastes tended to cause xylem damage and resin retention. Our findings suggest that moderate acidity is sufficient to trigger resin biosynthesis and release, and that safer, less corrosive formulations, like citric acid, may provide viable, safer, and more sustainable alternatives to conventional stimulants. While the results from the seedlings provide a rapid and cost-effective screening tool, anatomical and physiological differences from mature trees should be considered when extrapolating findings to operational settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for Extraction, Processing and Testing of Forest Products)
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28 pages, 4569 KB  
Review
Remote Sensing of Forest Above-Ground Biomass Dynamics: A Review
by Yuzhen Zhang, Yiming Zou and Yiwen Wang
Forests 2025, 16(5), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16050821 - 15 May 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3583
Abstract
Recent studies have primarily focused on estimating forest above-ground biomass (AGB) at single time points, with limited attention to temporal changes. However, time-series remote sensing data offer valuable insights into biomass trends, drivers of change, and forest recovery following disturbance, deepening our understanding [...] Read more.
Recent studies have primarily focused on estimating forest above-ground biomass (AGB) at single time points, with limited attention to temporal changes. However, time-series remote sensing data offer valuable insights into biomass trends, drivers of change, and forest recovery following disturbance, deepening our understanding of forest dynamics. This review synthesized 166 studies published between 2010 and 2024 (15 years) on forest biomass changes or dynamics monitored through remote sensing, with an emphasis on temporal datasets and both indirect (83.7%) and direct (16.3%) methods for estimating AGB changes, as well as the key drivers of these changes. A meta-analysis of AGB change estimates revealed that 81.5% of studies operated at spatial resolutions below 100 m, while only a few studies addressed coarser scales. Notably, just 11.9% of the studies used independent validation, and 8.8% of studies reported no validation at all, underscoring the need for more rigorous accuracy assessment to ensure methodological reliability and ecological relevance. This review also discusses key challenges, limitations, and future directions for improved remote sensing-based AGB change monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Inventory, Modeling and Remote Sensing)
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29 pages, 4155 KB  
Review
Global Meta-Analysis of Mangrove Primary Production: Implications for Carbon Cycling in Mangrove and Other Coastal Ecosystems
by Daniel M. Alongi
Forests 2025, 16(5), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16050747 - 27 Apr 2025
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5466
Abstract
Mangrove forests are among the most productive vascular plants on Earth. The gross (GPP) and aboveground forest net primary production (ANPP) correlate positively with precipitation. ANPP also correlates inversely with porewater salinity. The main drivers of the forest primary production are the porewater [...] Read more.
Mangrove forests are among the most productive vascular plants on Earth. The gross (GPP) and aboveground forest net primary production (ANPP) correlate positively with precipitation. ANPP also correlates inversely with porewater salinity. The main drivers of the forest primary production are the porewater salinity, rainfall, tidal inundation frequency, light intensity, humidity, species age and composition, temperature, nutrient availability, disturbance history, and geomorphological setting. Wood production correlates positively with temperature and rainfall, with rates comparable to tropical humid forests. Litterfall accounts for 55% of the NPP which is greater than previous estimates. The fine root production is highest in deltas and estuaries and lowest in carbonate and open-ocean settings. The GPP and NPP exhibit large methodological and regional differences, but mangroves are several times more productive than other coastal blue carbon habitats, excluding macroalgal beds. Mangroves contribute 4 to 28% of coastal blue carbon fluxes. The mean and median canopy respiration equate to 1.7 and 2.7 g C m−2 d−1, respectively, which is higher than previous estimates. Mangrove ecosystem carbon fluxes are currently in balance. However, the global mangrove GPP has increased from 2001 to 2020 and is forecast to continue increasing to at least 2100 due to the strong fertilization effect of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mangrove Forest Ecosystems: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions)
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25 pages, 4527 KB  
Article
Optimizing Urban Green Spaces for Vegetation-Based Carbon Sequestration: The Role of Landscape Spatial Structure in Zhengzhou Parks, China
by Chenyu Du, Shidong Ge, Peihao Song, Sándor Jombach, Albert Fekete and István Valánszki
Forests 2025, 16(4), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16040679 - 13 Apr 2025
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2885
Abstract
Urban parks serve as essential carbon sinks in cities, mitigating climate change by sequestering atmospheric CO2. Maximizing the carbon sequestration potential within constrained urban spaces is a critical step toward carbon neutrality. However, few studies have systematically examined how the internal [...] Read more.
Urban parks serve as essential carbon sinks in cities, mitigating climate change by sequestering atmospheric CO2. Maximizing the carbon sequestration potential within constrained urban spaces is a critical step toward carbon neutrality. However, few studies have systematically examined how the internal spatial composition and shape of green spaces affect their vegetation carbon sequestration capacity. This study analyzes the relationship between landscape indices and vegetation carbon sequestration density (VCSD) using field surveys and high-resolution remote sensing data from 123 urban parks in Zhengzhou, China. The results indicate that Zhengzhou’s parks sequester 14.03 Gg C yr−1, with a VCSD of 0.53 kg C m−2 yr−1. Significant differences in VCSD were observed among park types, with theme parks having the highest average VCSD (0.69 kg C m−2 yr−1) and community parks the lowest (0.43 kg C m−2 yr−1). The key drivers primarily consist of landscape indices that characterize green space distribution and configuration, including the proportion of green space (Pg), largest green patch index (LPI), number of green patches (NP), green patch dispersion index (SPL), and landscape shape index (LSI), with specific thresholds identified for each. Based on these findings, category-specific spatial composition strategies are proposed to precisely enhance the carbon sequestration of park vegetation. This study provides actionable guidance for urban park designers to maximize the carbon sequestration potential of green spaces, thereby mitigating climate change and promoting human health and well-being through green space design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Urban Green Spaces in a Changing Climate)
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23 pages, 5096 KB  
Review
Engineered Bamboo Building Materials: Types, Production, and Applications
by Mahdi Hosseini, Milan Gaff, Yang Wei and Chaoyu Tu
Forests 2025, 16(4), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16040662 - 10 Apr 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5921
Abstract
The challenges highlighted at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) emphasize the importance of using renewable resources in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The building and construction sector is a major contributor to environmental pollution, with most emissions stemming from [...] Read more.
The challenges highlighted at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) emphasize the importance of using renewable resources in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The building and construction sector is a major contributor to environmental pollution, with most emissions stemming from the extraction, transportation, production, and disposal of construction materials. As a result, developing renewable building materials is essential. In the past decade, bamboo has gained significant attention from researchers due to its strength, sustainability, high yield, and rapid growth. Bamboo in its original form has been used in construction for centuries, and recent innovations have led to the creation of engineered bamboo materials designed for more versatile applications. Researchers have been focused on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of engineered bamboo to assess its potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. However, modern practitioners are still unfamiliar with engineered bamboo materials, their types, and where they can be used. This article highlights the most widely researched engineered bamboo materials that have been used in the construction of small architectural forms and bigger structures. It provides an overview of common engineered bamboo building materials, namely laminated bamboo lumber, laminated bamboo sheets, parallel strand bamboo, bamboo mat boards, and bamboo particleboards, and their manufacturing processes and applications, offering valuable information for current practitioners and future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novelties in Wood Engineering and Forestry—2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 4239 KB  
Article
How Natural Regeneration After Severe Disturbance Affects Ecosystem Services Provision of Andean Forest Soils at Contrasting Timescales
by Juan Ortiz, Marcelo Panichini, Pablo Neira, Carlos Henríquez-Castillo, Rocio E. Gallardo Jara, Rodrigo Rodriguez, Ana Mutis, Camila Ramos, Winfred Espejo, Ramiro Puc-Kauil, Erik Zagal, Neal Stolpe, Mauricio Schoebitz, Marco Sandoval and Francis Dube
Forests 2025, 16(3), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030456 - 4 Mar 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1972
Abstract
Chile holds ~50% of temperate forests in the Southern Hemisphere, thus constituting a genetic–ecological heritage. However, intense anthropogenic pressures have been inducing distinct forest structural-regeneration patterns. Accordingly, we evaluated 22 soil properties at 0–5 and 5–20 cm depths in two protected sites, with [...] Read more.
Chile holds ~50% of temperate forests in the Southern Hemisphere, thus constituting a genetic–ecological heritage. However, intense anthropogenic pressures have been inducing distinct forest structural-regeneration patterns. Accordingly, we evaluated 22 soil properties at 0–5 and 5–20 cm depths in two protected sites, with similar perturbation records but contrasting post-disturbance regeneration stages: long-term secondary forest (~50 y) (SECFORST) (dominated by Chusquea sp.-understory) and a short-term forest after disturbance (~5 y) (FADIST) within a Nothofagus spp. forest to determine the potential of these soils to promote nutrient availability, water cycling, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration (CO2→SOC), and microbiome. Results detected 93 correlations (r ≥ 0.80); however, no significant differences (p < 0.05) in physical or chemical properties, except for infiltration velocity (+27.97%), penetration resistance (−23%), SOC (+5.64%), and % Al saturation (+5.64%) relative to SECFORST, and a consistent trend of suitable values 0–5 > 5–20 cm were estimated. The SOC→CO2 capacity reached 4.2 ± 0.5 (FADIST) and 2.7 ± 0.2 Mg C y−1 (SECFORST) and only microbial abundance shifts were observed. These findings provide relevant insights on belowground resilience, evidenced by similar ecosystem services provision capacities over time, which may be influenced progressively by opportunistic Chusquea sp. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Does Forest Management Affect Soil Dynamics?)
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31 pages, 1788 KB  
Review
The Myth That Eucalyptus Trees Deplete Soil Water—A Review
by Priscila Lira de Medeiros, Alexandre Santos Pimenta, Neyton de Oliveira Miranda, Rafael Rodolfo de Melo, Jhones da Silva Amorim and Tatiane Kelly Barbosa de Azevedo
Forests 2025, 16(3), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030423 - 26 Feb 2025
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 12494
Abstract
The increase in demand for timber and global eucalyptus cultivation has generated controversy regarding its potential impact on water resources, especially in regions with limited water availability, with the myth that “eucalyptus dries out the soil” being spread. In this regard, this review [...] Read more.
The increase in demand for timber and global eucalyptus cultivation has generated controversy regarding its potential impact on water resources, especially in regions with limited water availability, with the myth that “eucalyptus dries out the soil” being spread. In this regard, this review study addresses the factors that influence water consumption by eucalyptus, providing solutions to reduce, mitigate, or even avoid any impact on water resources at a given site. In this manuscript, the authors reviewed 200 works published from 1977 to 2024 to survey all information to confirm if the factual background allows someone to state if eucalyptus can deplete soil water. With a solid scientific basis, many research studies show that eucalyptus’ water demand is comparable to that of native forest species and crops worldwide and that species, age, edaphoclimatic conditions, and forest management practices mainly influence water consumption. On the other hand, it is a hasty conclusion that some eucalyptus species can contribute to reduced soil water. Effectively, without proper management, the environmental impacts of a eucalyptus plantation are the same as those of poorly managed crops. Indeed, if cultivated with proper agroclimatic zoning and correct management practices, the growth of eucalyptus culture is an environmentally correct activity. By adopting measures such as maintaining sufficient native forest cover to ensure ecosystem services, cultivation based on zoning maps, and considering local specificities (e.g., deeper, sandier soils are preferable), selection of species appropriate to the carrying capacity of each region, adoption of lower planting densities, and reduced rotation, eucalyptus cultivation will not negatively affect water resources. Sustainable eucalyptus cultivation has several economic and environmental benefits, in addition to positive social impacts on surrounding communities in terms of employment and family income, and its sustainable management can guarantee its viability, demystifying the idea that eucalyptus trees cause water scarcity. The works reviewed herein demonstrated no solid ground to sustain the eucalyptus’ water depletion myth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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18 pages, 6921 KB  
Article
Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Estimating the Volume and Biomass of Coniferous Stems in the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
by José Antonio Hernández-Moreno, Alejandro Velázquez-Martínez, Diego R. Pérez-Salicrup, Felipe Bravo, David W. MacFarlane and Valentín J. Reyes-Hernández
Forests 2025, 16(2), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020334 - 13 Feb 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3702
Abstract
The accurate estimation of tree volume and biomass is necessary for forest ecosystems management. However, traditional estimation methods are expensive, require a large amount of labor and materials, and may involve destructive sampling. In this study, a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and free [...] Read more.
The accurate estimation of tree volume and biomass is necessary for forest ecosystems management. However, traditional estimation methods are expensive, require a large amount of labor and materials, and may involve destructive sampling. In this study, a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and free software were used to estimate the volume and biomass of the stems of individual trees from two coniferous species, Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham and Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl, in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR), Michoacan, Mexico. TLS is an alternative to traditional measurement methods, which allows tree measurements to be extracted from a point cloud, opening up new opportunities to characterize the volume and biomass of standing trees. The simple linear regression analysis comparing stem volume and biomass estimates from different methods shows that the Vol_TLS and Vol_TModel relationship provides a better fit (R2 = 0.97, RMSE = 0.351 m3) compared to the Vol_TLS and Vol_OModel relationship (R2 = 0.93, RMSE = 0.537 m3). However, comparisons between measurements with predictive models (from destructive methods) and TLS (a non-destructive method) did not show significant differences. The results show that this increasingly accessible technology can be used to adequately estimate forest biomass and volume in a non-destructive manner, which is particularly important in places such as the MMBR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Active and Passive Remote Sensors in the Forest Inventory)
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14 pages, 2561 KB  
Article
Wood Species Differentiation: A Comparative Study of Direct Analysis in Real-Time and Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
by Ilena Isak, Harriet Laura Newson and Tripti Singh
Forests 2025, 16(2), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020255 - 30 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2718
Abstract
This study reports for the first time the fingerprinting extractives analysis of the indigenous wood species of Podocarpus totara from New Zealand, Eucalyptus saligna from Australia and Pinus radiata imported from California, USA and grown in New Zealand. We evaluated the use of [...] Read more.
This study reports for the first time the fingerprinting extractives analysis of the indigenous wood species of Podocarpus totara from New Zealand, Eucalyptus saligna from Australia and Pinus radiata imported from California, USA and grown in New Zealand. We evaluated the use of analytical techniques for wood species discrimination. We compared the chemical fingerprinting of extractive compounds obtained using traditional chromatographic techniques with direct analysis in real-time–time of flight-mass spectrometry (DART-TOF-MS) with the auxiliary of chemometrics and principal component analysis. The traditional wet chemistry analysis of wood extracts provided a comprehensive characterisation of all extractive components. However, the more eco-friendly, sustainable and faster DART-TOF-MS technique effectively distinguished between wood species when heartwood and sapwood samples were combined. Notably, neither wet chemistry nor DART-TOF-MS could clearly differentiate between heartwood and sapwood within the same wood species. DART-TOF-MS analysis demonstrates potential as a reliable quality control tool for identifying wood species necessary in commercial and timber trading markets as well as for detecting the illicit trade of counterfeit wood products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wood Science and Forest Products)
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12 pages, 2614 KB  
Article
The Effect of Tree Spacing on the Growth and Biomass of Wattle Trees in Northwestern Ethiopia
by Saifu Amanuel, Qijing Liu, Andualem Genetu and Anteneh Yenesew
Forests 2025, 16(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020251 - 29 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2403
Abstract
The wattle tree (Acacia mearnsii) is gaining importance as an exotic species in northwestern Ethiopia, providing ecological, environmental, and economic benefits, especially for fuelwood and charcoal production. This study aimed to investigate the effect of tree spacing on the growth and [...] Read more.
The wattle tree (Acacia mearnsii) is gaining importance as an exotic species in northwestern Ethiopia, providing ecological, environmental, and economic benefits, especially for fuelwood and charcoal production. This study aimed to investigate the effect of tree spacing on the growth and biomass of wattle trees. The study employed a randomized complete block design with three replications across three spacing treatments (0.5 m × 0.5 m, 1 m × 1 m, and 1.5 m × 1.5 m) in the Fagita district. Tree height and diameter measurements were taken at 12, 18, and 30 months post-planting from stands established in 2021. The results showed significant differences in tree height among the spacing treatments at 18 and 30 months. The closest spacing (0.5 m × 0.5 m) yielded the highest average tree heights of 32.12 cm, 84.86 cm, and 302.98 cm at 12, 18, and 30 months, respectively. At 18 months, the largest average diameter (1.22 cm) was found in the narrowest spacing (0.5 m × 0.5 m), whereas at 30 months, the widest spacing (1.5 m × 1.5 m) recorded the largest diameter (1.51 cm). Throughout the study, height, diameter, and average aboveground biomass exhibited an inverse relationship with spacing, with this effect diminishing as trees aged. Tree spacing significantly impacted average aboveground biomass at 18 months, with the densest spacing (0.5 m × 0.5 m) yielding the highest average aboveground biomass (1.97 kg at 18 months and 2.41 kg at 30 months). Average aboveground biomass increased as the trees matured. These findings suggest that closer spacing of A. mearnsii can enhance biomass production, positioning it as a promising candidate for energy generation. Leveraging these insights can optimize resource utilization while supporting global energy demands and reforestation initiatives aimed at carbon sequestration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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14 pages, 1704 KB  
Article
Soil Aggregation, Aggregate Stability, and Associated Soil Organic Carbon in Huron Mountains Forests, Michigan, USA
by Xiaoyong Chen, Timothy Gsell, John Yunger, Lynda Randa, Yuanying Peng and Mary Carrington
Forests 2025, 16(2), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020219 - 24 Jan 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4683
Abstract
Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a critical role in regulating the global carbon (C) cycle, with forest soils serving as significant C sinks. Soil aggregate stability and the distribution of SOC in different aggregate fractions would be affected by different forest types. In [...] Read more.
Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a critical role in regulating the global carbon (C) cycle, with forest soils serving as significant C sinks. Soil aggregate stability and the distribution of SOC in different aggregate fractions would be affected by different forest types. In this study, we investigate the distribution and dynamics of SOC within different soil aggregate fractions across three main forest types in the Huron Mountains, Michigan, USA: white birch–eastern hemlock mixed forest, eastern-hemlock-dominated forest, and sugar maple forest. We hypothesize that variations in species composition and soil depth influence SOC storage and aggregate stability through mechanisms such as root interactions, microbial activity, and soil structure development. Soil samples were collected from three depth intervals (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm) and analyzed for aggregate size distribution and SOC content. The results showed that aggregate size distribution and SOC stocks differ significantly across forest types, with the white birch–eastern hemlock mixed forest exhibiting the highest proportion of large aggregates (>1.0 mm), which contribute to more stable soil structures. This forest type also had the highest total aggregate mass and mean weight diameter, indicating enhanced soil stability. In contrast, sugar maple forest displayed a greater proportion of smaller aggregates and a lower macroaggregate-to-microaggregate ratio, suggesting fewer stable soils. SOC stocks were closely linked to aggregate size, with macroaggregates containing the highest proportion of SOC. These differences in SOC distribution and soil aggregate stability can be attributed to several underlying mechanisms, including variations in plant root interactions, microbial activity, and the physical properties of the soil. Forests with diverse species compositions, such as the white birch–eastern hemlock mixed forest, tend to support more complex root systems and microbial communities, leading to improved soil aggregation and greater SOC storage. Additionally, forest management practices such as selective thinning and mixed-species planting contribute to these processes by enhancing soil structure, increasing root biomass, and promoting soil microbial health. These interactions play a crucial role in enhancing C sequestration and improving soil health. Our findings emphasized the importance of forest composition in influencing SOC dynamics and soil stability, offering insights into the role of forest management in C sequestration and soil health. This study provided a reference to a deeper understanding of SOC storage potential in forest ecosystems and supports the development of sustainable forest management strategies to mitigate climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Soil)
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31 pages, 6526 KB  
Review
Remote Sensing Technology for Observing Tree Mortality and Its Influences on Carbon–Water Dynamics
by Mengying Ni, Qingquan Wu, Guiying Li and Dengqiu Li
Forests 2025, 16(2), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020194 - 21 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4183
Abstract
Trees are indispensable to ecosystems, yet mortality rates have been increasing due to the abnormal changes in forest growth environments caused by frequent extreme weather events associated with global climate warming. Consequently, the need to monitor, assess, and predict tree mortality has become [...] Read more.
Trees are indispensable to ecosystems, yet mortality rates have been increasing due to the abnormal changes in forest growth environments caused by frequent extreme weather events associated with global climate warming. Consequently, the need to monitor, assess, and predict tree mortality has become increasingly urgent to better address climate change and protect forest ecosystems. Over the past few decades, remote sensing has been widely applied to vegetation mortality observation due to its significant advantages. Here, we reviewed and analyzed the major research advancements in the application of remote sensing for tree mortality monitoring, using the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering the period from 1998 to the first half of 2024. We comprehensively summarized the use of different platforms (satellite and UAV) for data acquisition, the application of various sensors (multispectral, hyperspectral, and radar) as image data sources, the primary indicators, the classification models used in monitoring tree mortality, and the influence of tree mortality. Our findings indicated that satellite-based optical remote sensing data were the primary data source for tree mortality monitoring, accounting for 80% of existing studies. Time-series optical remote sensing data have emerged as a crucial direction for enhancing the accuracy of vegetation mortality monitoring. In recent years, studies utilizing airborne LiDAR have shown an increasing trend, accounting for 48% of UAV-based research. NDVI was the most commonly used remote sensing indicator, and most studies incorporated meteorological and climatic factors as environmental variables. Machine learning was increasingly favored for remote sensing data analysis, with Random Forest being the most widely used classification model. People are more focused on the impacts of tree mortality on water and carbon. Finally, we discussed the challenges in monitoring and evaluating tree mortality through remote sensing and offered perspectives for future developments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing of Forest Biomass and Carbon Dynamics Using Multiple Sources and Technologies)
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26 pages, 1977 KB  
Review
Forest Soil Microbiomes: A Review of Key Research from 2003 to 2023
by Aurelia Onet, Paola Grenni, Cristian Onet, Vlad Stoian and Vlad Crisan
Forests 2025, 16(1), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16010148 - 15 Jan 2025
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6394
Abstract
Forests have a key role in mitigating both non-biological and biological ecological disturbances. However, major disturbances (soil pollution, shift from native forest species to exoticones, forested watersheds and climate changes) can have different impacts on a forest’s soil microbiome. Because the soil microbial [...] Read more.
Forests have a key role in mitigating both non-biological and biological ecological disturbances. However, major disturbances (soil pollution, shift from native forest species to exoticones, forested watersheds and climate changes) can have different impacts on a forest’s soil microbiome. Because the soil microbial community of forests has a key role in a variety of ecosystem services that promote the forest’s health, this review tries to answer the following questions: (i) Which are the main ecological disturbances that drive the responses of the forest soil microbiome? (ii) How can we measure these changes? For this aim, the review summarizes details on the tree vegetation type, the microbial communities in forest ecosystems, and the mutual influence between plants, soil, and microbiomes. Microbial communities are shaped by factors such as soil type and composition, plant and vegetation types, nutrient levels and soil fertility, disturbance patterns, symbiotic associations, biotic interactions, and the progression of forest succession. Anthropogenic activities produce a rapid response in the microbial communities, leading to both short- and long-term alterations. Harvesting processes reduce drastically the microbiome diversity, forcing a shift from specialized to more generalist microorganisms. Restoration scenarios indicate a re-establishment of microbial communities to a level similar to the native forest, but with a high percentage of replaced native microorganisms. This review emphasizes that the forest soil microbiome is shaped by a range of environmental, ecological, and biotic factors. The primary drivers of the soil microbiome in forest ecosystems discussed in this review include soil composition and nutrient availability, plant community structure, microbial interactions within the soil, disturbances, succession, and temporal dynamics. When considered together, these factors interact in complex ways, influencing the diversity, function, and resilience of the soil microbiome in forest ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Does Forest Management Affect Soil Dynamics?)
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20 pages, 1558 KB  
Review
The Potential of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Hemiboreal Baltic Region: A Review
by Kaspars Liepiņš and Alise Bleive
Forests 2025, 16(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16010109 - 9 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3398
Abstract
As European forests face increasing threats from climate change and disturbances, diversifying tree species can be a crucial strategy to safeguard their ecological functions and climate mitigation potential. European beech is a valuable tree species with a wide distribution across Central and Western [...] Read more.
As European forests face increasing threats from climate change and disturbances, diversifying tree species can be a crucial strategy to safeguard their ecological functions and climate mitigation potential. European beech is a valuable tree species with a wide distribution across Central and Western Europe. While the current natural distribution of European beech does not extend to the Baltic states, climate change models indicate a potential northward range expansion. This suggests the possibility of introducing beech to Baltic forests as a proactive measure to enhance the future resilience of local forests to climate variability. Beech’s ability to adapt to changing climate conditions, coupled with its potential to enhance biodiversity and provide high-quality timber, makes it an attractive option for forest managers. However, successful establishment and growth of beech in the Baltic region will depend on various factors, including competition with native species, soil conditions, and microclimate. Beech stands in southwestern Lithuania and Latvia, originating from diverse European populations, demonstrate good adaptation. Despite fragmentation, they can serve as sources for beech expansion. However, assisted migration may be crucial to support natural regeneration and ensure the species’ long-term viability in the region. To fully assess the potential benefits and risks of beech introduction, further research is needed to understand its ecological interactions with local species and its response to specific site conditions. By carefully considering these factors, forest managers can develop effective strategies to promote beech’s establishment and growth, ultimately contributing to the resilience and sustainability of Baltic forests in the face of climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synergies and Trade-Offs between Nature Conservation and Climate Mitigation in European Beech Forests)
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21 pages, 8678 KB  
Article
First Results of a Geometric Morphometric Analysis of the Leaf Size and Shape Variation in Quercus petraea Across a Wide European Area
by Paola Fortini, Elisa Proietti, Srdjan Stojnic, Piera Di Marzio, Filippos A. Aravanopoulos, Raquel Benavides, Anna Loy and Romeo Di Pietro
Forests 2025, 16(1), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16010070 - 4 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3300
Abstract
The high leaf morphological variability of European white oaks is largely documented in the botanical literature, and several papers have been published in the last two decades focusing on inter- and intraspecific leaf phenotypic plasticity. Studies involving landmark-based geometric morphometrics proved to be [...] Read more.
The high leaf morphological variability of European white oaks is largely documented in the botanical literature, and several papers have been published in the last two decades focusing on inter- and intraspecific leaf phenotypic plasticity. Studies involving landmark-based geometric morphometrics proved to be useful in highlighting relationships between leaf size and shape variation and environmental factors, phylogenetic patterns, or hybridization events. In this paper, the leaf size and shape variations of 18 populations of Quercus petraea distributed throughout a wide geographical area were analyzed by means of geometric morphometric methods (GMMs). This study involved 10 European countries and investigated the intraspecific leaf variability of Q. petraea within a wide latitudinal and longitudinal gradient. Analyses of variance for shape and centroid size were performed through Procrustes ANOVA. Multivariate analysis procedures, partial least squares method, and regression analyses were used to highlight possible patterns of covariation between leaf shape and size and geographical/environmental variables. The results revealed that the Q. petraea populations analyzed mainly differed in their leaf size, where a decrease was observed according to a north to south geographical gradient. Both leaf size and shape were found to be significantly related to latitude, and, to a lesser extent, to mean annual temperature and the leaf isotopic signature of 15N. All the other variables considered did not provide significant results. Unexpected differences observed comparing the leaf traits of geographically strictly adjacent populations suggest the involvement of local hybridization/introgression events. However, with a few exceptions, Q. petraea turned out to be quite conservative in its leaf shape and size at both the local and continental scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Biodiversity)
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27 pages, 3310 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Correction Algorithms for Sentinel-2 Images Implemented in Google Earth Engine for Use in Land Cover Classification in Northern Spain
by Iyán Teijido-Murias, Marcos Barrio-Anta and Carlos A. López-Sánchez
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2192; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122192 - 12 Dec 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4419
Abstract
This study examined the effect of atmospheric, topographic, and Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) corrections of Sentinel-2 images implemented in Google Earth Engine (GEE) for use in land cover classification. The study was carried out in an area of complex orography in northern [...] Read more.
This study examined the effect of atmospheric, topographic, and Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) corrections of Sentinel-2 images implemented in Google Earth Engine (GEE) for use in land cover classification. The study was carried out in an area of complex orography in northern Spain and made use of the Spanish National Forest Inventory plots and other systematically located plots to cover non-forest classes. A total of 2991 photo-interpreted ground plots and 15 Sentinel-2 images, acquired in summer at a spatial resolution of 10–20 m per pixel, were used for this purpose. The overall goal was to determine the optimal level of image correction in GEE for subsequent use in time series analysis of images for accurate forest cover classification. Particular attention was given to the classification of cover by the major commercial forest species: Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus nitens, Pinus pinaster, and Pinus radiata. The Second Simulation of the Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (Py6S) algorithm, used for atmospheric correction, provided the best compromise between execution time and image size, in comparison with other algorithms such as Sentinel-2 Level 2A Processor (Sen2Cor) and Sensor Invariant Atmospheric Correction (SIAC). To correct the topographic effect, we tested the modified Sun-canopy-sensor topographic correction (SCS + C) algorithm with digital elevation models (DEMs) of three different spatial resolutions (90, 30, and 10 m per pixel). The combination of Py6S, the SCS + C algorithm and the high-spatial resolution DEM (10 m per pixel) yielded the greatest precision, which demonstrated the need to match the pixel size of the image and the spatial resolution of the DEM used for topographic correction. We used the Ross-Thick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal BRDF to correct the variation in reflectivity captured by the sensor. The BRDF corrections did not significantly improve the accuracy of the land cover classification with the Sentinel-2 images acquired in summer; however, we retained this correction for subsequent time series analysis of the images, as we expected it to be of much greater importance in images with larger solar incidence angles. Our final proposed dataset, with image correction for atmospheric (Py6S), topographic (SCS + C), and BRDF (Ross-Thick/Li-Sparse-Reciprocal BRDF) effects and a DEM of spatial resolution 10 m per pixel, yielded better goodness-of-fit statistics than other datasets available in the GEE catalogue. The Sentinel-2 images currently available in GEE are therefore not the most accurate for constructing land cover classification maps in areas with complex orography, such as northern Spain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resource Management of Forest Ecosystems)
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21 pages, 1243 KB  
Review
Prospects for Oak Cultivation in Europe Under Changing Environmental Conditions and Increasing Pressure from Harmful Organisms
by Aneta Lyubenova, Marlena Baranowska, Audrius Menkis, Kateryna Davydenko, Justyna Nowakowska, Piotr Borowik and Tomasz Oszako
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2164; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122164 - 8 Dec 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3837
Abstract
It is assumed that climate change (global warming) worsens the living conditions for conifers and at the same time favours the cultivation of deciduous trees, including oaks. In fact, in Poland, for example, many more oaks are now being planted as forest-forming tree [...] Read more.
It is assumed that climate change (global warming) worsens the living conditions for conifers and at the same time favours the cultivation of deciduous trees, including oaks. In fact, in Poland, for example, many more oaks are now being planted as forest-forming tree species than in the 1980s and 1990s. However, the monitoring of the health status of European forests (according to the International Co-operation Project) does not confirm these optimistic assumptions, and oak has been cited as one of the most damaged tree species in terms of defoliation in recent decades. The prospects for oak cultivation in European forestry are therefore a combination of abiotic conditions and biotic damage factors. This review article focuses in particular on the new threats posed by pathogenic organisms causing emerging diseases. These include newly identified bacteria responsible for the so-called Acute Oak Decline (AOD), oomycetes (especially those specialised in damaging fine roots, such as Phytophthora quercina T.Jung) and semi-parasites of the genus Loranthus. At the same time, the pressure from commonly observed insects and fungi described in connection with the complex syndrome of oak decline, which is divided into predisposing, inciting, and contributing factors (according to Manion’s disease spiral), has not abated. Therefore, international, interdisciplinary research (such as that proposed in Oakland) is needed, using modern technologies (RS remote sensing) based on the comparison of satellite images (from different years), not only to inventory the most valuable oak stands in Europe (microrefugia) but also to identify trends in changes in their condition and biodiversity. As RS has its limitations (e.g., resolution), aerial monitoring should be complemented by quantitative and qualitative inventory from the ground, e.g., monitoring of the presence of soil microorganisms using effective molecular biological methods (e.g., Next-Generation Sequencing NGS). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Health)
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15 pages, 3144 KB  
Article
Effect of Inoculation with Rhizosphere Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Parashorea chinensis
by Zhongheng Hu, Shuang Wei, Wannian Li, Tong Wu, Saif Ullah and Mei Yang
Forests 2024, 15(11), 1932; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15111932 - 1 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2463
Abstract
Given the challenges of slow growth and low survival rates in the early stages of Parashorea chinensis cultivation, identifying sustainable methods to enhance seedling performance is critical for successful reforestation and conservation efforts. This study aimed to address these by investigating the growth-promoting [...] Read more.
Given the challenges of slow growth and low survival rates in the early stages of Parashorea chinensis cultivation, identifying sustainable methods to enhance seedling performance is critical for successful reforestation and conservation efforts. This study aimed to address these by investigating the growth-promoting effects of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). One-year-old seedlings of P. chinesis were inoculated with PSB strains isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Parashorea chinensis H. Wang plantations Y3, W5, H8, and a mixed strain (Mix), with inoculated seedling as a control (CK). The effects of inoculation on seedling growth, photosynthetic physiology, plant nutrient status, and physiological indicators were comprehensively evaluated. Results showed that PSB inoculation increased seedling height and basal diameter growth of P. chinensis, with an increase of 1.56 cm and 0.53 mm compared to CK, respectively, though the differences were not significant. The Mix treatment significantly improved photosynthesis, with increases in net photosynthetic rate (106.3%), transpiration rate (93.89%), and intercellular CO2 concentration (75.51%) compared to CK. Nutrient levels including total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium were significantly increased by 15.98%, 25.54%, and 32.12%, respectively, in the Mix treatments compared to CK. Moreover, stress resistance also improved, with higher proline content, soluble sugar, and soluble protein levels. Antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and POD) were increased by 9.83%, 23.66%, and 292.32%, respectively, while MDA content was significantly reduced by 69.01%. The mixed strain treatment also significantly increased acid phosphatase activity by 111.88%. In conclusion, PSB inoculation, particularly with the mixed strain, promoted growth and nutrient uptake photosynthetic efficiency and stress resistance in P. chinensis seedlings, offering a promising biotechnological solution for improving seedling performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forest Fertilization Strategies: Impact on Soil Quality, Ecosystem Health and Productivity)
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22 pages, 4658 KB  
Article
Development and Application of Microsatellite Markers for Genetic Diversity Assessment and Construction of a Core Collection of Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh Germplasm from the Peruvian Amazon
by Juan C. Castro, Stalin J. Vasquez-Guizado, Bianca E. Vigil, Francisco Ascue, Naysha Rojas-Villa, Jae D. Paredes, Marianela Cobos, Carlos G. Castro, Daniel E. Motta, Pedro M. Adrianzén, Sixto A. Imán and J. Dylan Maddox
Forests 2024, 15(11), 1873; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15111873 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 22505
Abstract
The Amazonian shrub Myrciaria dubia (camu-camu) produces vitamin C-rich fruits of growing commercial interest. However, sustainable utilization requires assessment and protection of the genetic diversity of the available germplasm. This study aimed to develop and apply microsatellite markers to assess genetic diversity and [...] Read more.
The Amazonian shrub Myrciaria dubia (camu-camu) produces vitamin C-rich fruits of growing commercial interest. However, sustainable utilization requires assessment and protection of the genetic diversity of the available germplasm. This study aimed to develop and apply microsatellite markers to assess genetic diversity and construct a core collection of M. dubia germplasm from the Peruvian Amazon. Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using an enrichment approach. The evaluation of 336 genotypes from 43 accessions of the germplasm bank, originating from eight river basins, was conducted using these newly developed markers. Genetic diversity parameters, including observed and expected heterozygosity, were calculated. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was performed to assess the distribution of genetic variation within and among accessions and river basins. Bayesian clustering analysis was employed to infer population structure. A core collection was constructed to maximize allelic richness. High genetic diversity was observed, with heterozygosity values ranging from 0.468 to 0.644 (observed) and 0.684 to 0.817 (expected) at the river basin level. AMOVA indicated significant genetic variation within (73–86%) compared to among (14–27%) accessions and river basins. Bayesian clustering detected ten genetic clusters, with several degrees of admixture among river basins, except for the genetically homogeneous Putumayo River basin. A core collection comprising 84 plant genotypes (25% of the full collection) was established, representing 90.82% of the overall allelic diversity. These results have important implications for M. dubia conservation strategies and breeding programs, in demonstrating a need for genetic connectivity between populations but preserving unique genetic resources in isolated basins. These results validate the expected levels of diversity and population subdivision in a crop and stress the need to secure genetically diverse germplasms, underscoring the importance of thorough genetic characterization for ex situ germplasm management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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19 pages, 6528 KB  
Article
Estimation of Tree Diameter at Breast Height from Aerial Photographs Using a Mask R-CNN and Bayesian Regression
by Kyeongnam Kwon, Seong-kyun Im, Sung Yong Kim, Ye-eun Lee and Chun Geun Kwon
Forests 2024, 15(11), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15111881 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 21446
Abstract
A probabilistic estimation model for forest biomass using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography was developed. We utilized a machine-learning-based object detection algorithm, a mask region-based convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN), to detect trees in aerial photographs. Subsequently, Bayesian regression was used to calibrate [...] Read more.
A probabilistic estimation model for forest biomass using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography was developed. We utilized a machine-learning-based object detection algorithm, a mask region-based convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN), to detect trees in aerial photographs. Subsequently, Bayesian regression was used to calibrate the model based on an allometric model using the estimated crown diameter (CD) obtained from aerial photographs and analyzed the diameter at breast height (DBH) data acquired through terrestrial laser scanning. The F1 score of the Mask R-CNN for individual tree detection was 0.927. Moreover, CD estimation using the Mask R-CNN was acceptable (rRMSE = 10.17%). Accordingly, the probabilistic DBH estimation model was successfully calibrated using Bayesian regression. A predictive distribution accurately predicted the validation data, with 98.6% and 56.7% of the data being within the 95% and 50% prediction intervals, respectively. Furthermore, the estimated uncertainty of the probabilistic model was more practical and reliable compared to traditional ordinary least squares (OLS). Our model can be applied to estimate forest biomass at the individual tree level. Particularly, the probabilistic approach of this study provides a benefit for risk assessments. Additionally, since the workflow is not interfered by the tree canopy, it can effectively estimate forest biomass in dense canopy conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Inventory, Modeling and Remote Sensing)
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22 pages, 6601 KB  
Article
Turbulent Energy and Carbon Fluxes in an Andean Montane Forest—Energy Balance and Heat Storage
by Charuta Murkute, Mostafa Sayeed, Franz Pucha-Cofrep, Galo Carrillo-Rojas, Jürgen Homeier, Oliver Limberger, Andreas Fries, Jörg Bendix and Katja Trachte
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1828; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101828 - 20 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2124
Abstract
High mountain rainforests are vital in the global energy and carbon cycle. Understanding the exchange of energy and carbon plays an important role in reflecting responses to climate change. In this study, an eddy covariance (EC) measurement system installed in the high Andean [...] Read more.
High mountain rainforests are vital in the global energy and carbon cycle. Understanding the exchange of energy and carbon plays an important role in reflecting responses to climate change. In this study, an eddy covariance (EC) measurement system installed in the high Andean Mountains of southern Ecuador was used. As EC measurements are affected by heterogeneous topography and the vegetation height, the main objective was to estimate the effect of the sloped terrain and the forest on the turbulent energy and carbon fluxes considering the energy balance closure (EBC) and the heat storage. The results showed that the performance of the EBC was generally good and estimated it to be 79.5%. This could be improved when the heat storage effect was considered. Based on the variability of the residuals in the diel, modifications in the imbalances were highlighted. Particularly, during daytime, the residuals were largest (56.9 W/m2 on average), with a clear overestimation. At nighttime, mean imbalances were rather weak (6.5 W/m2) and mostly positive while strongest underestimations developed in the transition period to morning hours (down to −100 W/m2). With respect to the Monin–Obukhov stability parameter ((z − d)/L) and the friction velocity (u*), it was revealed that the largest overestimations evolved in weak unstable and very stable conditions associated with large u* values. In contrast, underestimation was related to very unstable conditions. The estimated carbon fluxes were independently modelled with a non-linear regression using a light-response relationship and reached a good performance value (R2 = 0.51). All fluxes were additionally examined in the annual course to estimate whether both the energy and carbon fluxes resembled the microclimatological conditions of the study site. This unique study demonstrated that EC measurements provide valuable insights into land-surface–atmosphere interactions and contribute to our understanding of energy and carbon exchanges. Moreover, the flux data provide an important basis to validate coupled atmosphere ecosystem models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Meteorology and Climate Change)
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31 pages, 4870 KB  
Article
Factors Influencing the Faunal Recolonization of Restored Thornscrub Forest Habitats
by Audrey J. Hicks, Jerald T. Garrett and Christopher A. Gabler
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1833; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101833 - 20 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2521
Abstract
Tamaulipan thornscrub forests (thornforests) have high ecological and economic values, yet over 90% of these forests have been lost, and they remain threatened, making them a conservation hotspot. For decades, federal, state, NGO, and corporate entities have been acquiring land and actively or [...] Read more.
Tamaulipan thornscrub forests (thornforests) have high ecological and economic values, yet over 90% of these forests have been lost, and they remain threatened, making them a conservation hotspot. For decades, federal, state, NGO, and corporate entities have been acquiring land and actively or passively restoring these forests, but results have been mixed and seldom monitored. This study characterized and quantified faunal communities of restored thornforest habitats in south Texas and examined the relationships between restored faunal communities and key site characteristics and environmental factors. We surveyed and analyzed mammal, bird, Lepidoptera, and herptile communities within 12 restored sites in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of southernmost Texas, USA. The site and environmental factors that influenced animal community composition, richness, diversity, and abundance varied widely among taxa. Time since restoration began and method of restoration influenced many community metrics, whereas patch size and extent of isolation influenced few. Several aspects of restored plant communities were influential, especially ground layer diversity, and high invasive plant cover negatively impacted many animal community metrics. If actively restoring a site, efforts to control invasive plants, foster native plant diversity, and provide a nearby water source are likely the most effective ways to promote faunal recolonization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Biodiversity)
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20 pages, 4862 KB  
Review
Charting the Research Status for Bamboo Resources and Bamboo as a Sustainable Plastic Alternative: A Bibliometric Review
by Hanjiao Zhang, Xu Zhang, Yulong Ding, Feiyi Huang, Zhuoyu Cai and Shuyan Lin
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1812; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101812 - 16 Oct 2024
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4562
Abstract
With the increasing pollution caused by plastic products, people’s awareness of environmental protection has gradually increased. Based on the advantages of China’s bamboo resources and bamboo industry, the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan launched the ‘Utilizing bamboo as a sustainable alternative to [...] Read more.
With the increasing pollution caused by plastic products, people’s awareness of environmental protection has gradually increased. Based on the advantages of China’s bamboo resources and bamboo industry, the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan launched the ‘Utilizing bamboo as a sustainable alternative to plastic’ initiative in November 2022 to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This initiative provides a nature-based solution for global sustainable development, which will have a profound impact on promoting global green development, industrial science and technology, social services, cultural exchanges, and other fields. It has a huge market capacity and application potential. This study aims to understand the research status, hotspots, development trends, and prospects of this initiative. WoS and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for the relevant literature on ‘utilizing bamboo as a sustainable alternative to plastic bamboo as plastic’ and ‘bamboo resources’ from the establishment of the database to 2024. Bibliometric methods and VOSviewer were used to analyze 1855 literatures with the above two keywords published in the Web of Science core set database from 2000 to 2024. A visual analysis was performed on the number of publications, national research institutions, researchers, number of citations, and research topics of the literature. For example, China, the United States, and India ranked in the top three in terms of the number of articles published, with 1103, 267, and 167, respectively. China had the highest number of citations, reaching 26,607. At the same time, the literature with ‘bamboo’ as the keyword in CNKI was analyzed to understand the species of bamboo currently studied. A literature investigation was carried out around the resource cultivation of the bamboo industry in our country, and it was found that the research on ‘use bamboo as plastic’ and ‘bamboo resources’ had been valued by scholars at home and abroad, and had formed a relatively stable research group. Using scientific and technological innovation to improve the product quality of ‘bamboo instead of plastic’, expanding its application scope and market demand, and realizeing the sustainable industry development of ‘bamboo instead of plastic’ is the current research hotspot and the future development direction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Economics, Policy, and Social Science)
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37 pages, 2536 KB  
Review
Multidimensional Exploration of Wood Extractives: A Review of Compositional Analysis, Decay Resistance, Light Stability, and Staining Applications
by Chenggong Gao, Xinjie Cui and Junji Matsumura
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1782; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101782 - 10 Oct 2024
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7087
Abstract
Extractives, which naturally evolve as fundamental defense mechanisms in wood against environmental stresses, hold an essential place in the field of wood conservation science. Despite their low content in woody substrates, extractives are chemically complex and can be extracted accurately by solvents with [...] Read more.
Extractives, which naturally evolve as fundamental defense mechanisms in wood against environmental stresses, hold an essential place in the field of wood conservation science. Despite their low content in woody substrates, extractives are chemically complex and can be extracted accurately by solvents with different polarities, covering key components such as aliphatic, terpenoid, and phenolic compounds. The application of solvent extraction allows for the effective recovery of these extracts from forestry waste, thereby creating new opportunities for their reuse in wood modification and enhancing the economic value and potential applications of forestry waste. In the wood industry, extractives not only act as efficient preservatives and photo-stabilizers, significantly improving the decay resistance and photodegradation resistance of wood, but also serve as ideal dyes for fast-growing wood due to their abundant natural colors, which lend the product a distinct aesthetic appeal. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the origin and distribution characteristics of wood extractives and to examine the impact of solvent selection on extraction efficiency. At the same time, the mechanism of extractives in enhancing wood decay resistance and slowing down photodegradation is deeply analyzed. In addition, specific examples are presented to illustrate their wide utilization in the wood industry. This is intended to provide references for research and practice in related fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wood Science and Forest Products)
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15 pages, 7775 KB  
Article
Forest Restoration Thinning Has Minimal Impacts on Surface Soil Carbon in a Second-Growth Temperate Rainforest
by Steven A. Quick, Dylan G. Fischer and Michael J. Case
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101758 - 6 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2872
Abstract
Forest restoration thinning may accelerate the development of structural complexity toward old-growth conditions faster than a natural forest, yet associated changes in forest carbon (C) are poorly understood. Old-growth forests are characterized by high levels of sequestered C in aboveground biomass and soil [...] Read more.
Forest restoration thinning may accelerate the development of structural complexity toward old-growth conditions faster than a natural forest, yet associated changes in forest carbon (C) are poorly understood. Old-growth forests are characterized by high levels of sequestered C in aboveground biomass and soil C pools, yet active management has well-recognized negative impacts on stored C. Effects of forest restoration thinning on forest C can be determined using longitudinal measurements and modeling based on stand conditions and tree growth. At Ellsworth Creek Preserve in Southwest Washington, forest restoration efforts in a second-growth temperate rainforest have been monitored using permanent plots since 2007. Here, we compare repeat measurements from 2020, modeled forest C, and measurements of O-horizon C pools from 2022 to determine C impacts of silvicultural treatments for old-growth restoration. We found good general agreement between empirical measurements and models of forest C using the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS). However, treatment alone was not a strong indicator for C conditions; rather, forest age and age–treatment interactions better predicted soil C responses to restoration treatments. These data may indicate that “light” forest restoration thinning can accelerate old-growth development with minimal effects on soil carbon—a win-win conservation strategy for old-growth forests and the climate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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