Forest Resources and Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics: Implications for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 3200

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ISAFOM), Via Madonna Alta 128, 06128 Perugia, PG, Italy
Interests: forest ecology; forest management; deforestation; climate change adaptation; climate change mitigation; sustainable development; carbon cycle; agroforestry; land use change; climate change impacts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In a world where climate change and demographic growth influence the types of changes in land use and land cover, as well as the rate at which these changes occur, forest resources are increasingly at risk. Anthropogenic pressure and the effects of climate change lead to higher vulnerability of forest resources, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and sustainable management and protection strategies that prioritize sustainable development.

This Special Issue aims to gather original manuscripts that explore the latest advancements in forest management and sustainable development, offering diverse perspectives and innovative strategies in the context of climate change, addressing mitigation and adaptation aspects. Manuscripts spanning various geographical regions and forest biomes, employing diverse methodologies (e.g., modelling, field surveys, remote sensing, GIS, AI), are welcome.

By gathering interdisciplinary perspectives and empirical evidence, this Special Issue aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners who strive to navigate the complexities of sustainable forest management in the face of contemporary challenges.

Dr. Elisa Grieco
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • forest resources
  • forest management
  • land use change
  • land cover change
  • mitigation
  • adaptation
  • sustainable development
  • climate change

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 1699 KiB  
Article
Branching out: Material Flow Analysis of Cascading Utilization in Domestic and Imported Wood Products for Strategic Carbon Reduction in South Korea
by Eun-Kyung Jang
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2103; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122103 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 993
Abstract
This study employs a material flow analysis (MFA) to examine the usage patterns of domestic and imported wood resources in South Korea, analyzing the significant differences in utilization, and their impacts on carbon storage. We found a contrast between manufacturing and industrial uses [...] Read more.
This study employs a material flow analysis (MFA) to examine the usage patterns of domestic and imported wood resources in South Korea, analyzing the significant differences in utilization, and their impacts on carbon storage. We found a contrast between manufacturing and industrial uses of domestic and imported wood. Imported wood products with high economic value and longevity are primarily used in sustainable construction and manufacturing. In contrast, domestic wood is primarily utilized in lower-value wood-based boards and energy production, with a shorter lifespan and lower carbon storage potential. This study outlined the economic and environmental value chains by wood origin, highlighting their industrial linkages and utilization pathways. Consequently, tailored strategies are essential to promote sustainable wood resource use and advance climate mitigation. Recommendations have been provided for policy instruments to enhance wood resource management sustainability and climate change mitigation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 10543 KiB  
Article
Land Cover Dynamics and Environmental Implications in Türkiye’s Riparian Zones: A Comprehensive Seven-Year Study
by Emre Akturk, Kerim Guney, Mirac Aydin, Faruk Yildiz and Ozkan Kaya
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1177; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071177 - 6 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1621
Abstract
This study examines the Riparian Buffer Zones (RBZs) in Türkiye, analyzing land cover changes from 2017 to 2023 to assess their effectiveness in ecological conservation and water resource management. The research employs Esri-Sentinel land cover data, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation models, [...] Read more.
This study examines the Riparian Buffer Zones (RBZs) in Türkiye, analyzing land cover changes from 2017 to 2023 to assess their effectiveness in ecological conservation and water resource management. The research employs Esri-Sentinel land cover data, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation models, and RiverATLAS data to identify and delineate RBZs, classify land cover types, and evaluate trends and changes over seven years. The findings indicate that 44.8% of RBZs are covered by ‘Rangelands’, 32.2% by ‘Crops’, and 16.1% by ‘Trees’ classes. The study notes a considerable increase in built areas and agricultural fields, which may indicate ongoing urban expansion and its potential impact on the effectiveness of RBZs. Despite regulatory efforts, the substantial presence of agriculture within RBZs indicates a need for more robust environmental protection policies. The results indicate a pressing need for a policy reassessment to enhance forest cover within RBZs and reduce agricultural encroachment. This would improve water quality and facilitate the achievement of sustainability goals numbered 2, 3, 6, 11, 14 and 15. The findings thus call for a strategic enhancement of RBZ management to better protect water resources against the adverse effects of agricultural and urban activities. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop