Forest Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forest Resources
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Forestry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 June 2025) | Viewed by 905
Special Issue Editors
Interests: forest ecosystem; climate change; and biodiversity; sustainable forest management and criteria and indicators (C&I); multi-criteria decision making; forest planning and management; participatory planning and methods; resource governance and equity; decision support systems; knowledge management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: ecosystem valuation; environmental economics; ecosystem services; invasive species; payment for ecosystem services; forest management
Interests: forestry; sustainable natural resources management; agriculture; livelihood; biodiversity/ecosystem conservation; climate change; tourism development; risk assessment; multiple-criteria decision making; management, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation
Special Issue Information
The intricate relationships among forest ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity are crucial for the sustainability of our planet. Forests, covering about 31% of the Earth's land area, are vital for providing habitats, supporting livelihoods, and offering a multitude of ecosystem services. They are often described as the lungs of the planet due to their role in sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and regulating global climate patterns. The health of forests is directly linked to the health of the planet, making sustainable forest management a cornerstone for a resilient and thriving world.
Sustainable forest management involves practices such as selective logging, afforestation, and reforestation, which are essential for maintaining the health and resilience of these ecosystems. These practices help in preserving biodiversity, which is both a result of and a contributor to sustainable forests. The intricate tapestry of life that biodiversity represents is crucial for the functioning of ecosystems.
Climate change mitigation activities, while necessary, can have unintended consequences on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Balancing these activities with the preservation of biodiversity is a delicate task. International agreements like the Paris Agreement have highlighted the importance of forests in combating climate change. Policies that promote sustainable forest management, prevent deforestation, and empower local communities are essential for reconciling ecological and human well-being.
The urgent need for attention to the symbiotic relationship between forest ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity is recognized. Researchers, scientists, and practitioners are encouraged to submit research papers that enhance the understanding and promotion of sustainable forest ecosystems in the context of climate change and biodiversity conservation. The goal is to foster innovative research, share knowledge, and explore practical solutions for the management and conservation of forest ecosystems.
Dear Colleagues,
The Special Issue aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between forest ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity. It seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these elements interact and influence each other, ultimately impacting the sustainability of our planet. Below, the focus, scope, and purpose of the Special Issue have been outlined, inlcuding how it will supplement the existing literature on the topic.
- Focus, Scope, and Purpose:
- Focus:
The primary focus of the Special Issue is on the intersection of forest ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity. It will concentrate on how sustainable forest management practices, such as selective logging, afforestation, and reforestation, contribute to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. The Issue will also examine the dual role of forests in sequestering carbon dioxide and regulating global climate patterns, as well as the impact of climate change mitigation activities on local biodiversity and ecosystem services. - Scope:
The scope of the Special Issue is broad, encompassing a wide range of topics related to forest ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity. It will include research on the ecological, social, and economic aspects of sustainable forest management. The Issue will cover case studies, policy analyses, and innovative solutions for managing and conserving forest ecosystems in the face of climate change. It will also address the role of international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, in promoting sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. - Purpose:
The purpose of the Special Issue is to foster a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between forest ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity. It aims to provide a platform for researchers, scientists, and practitioners to share knowledge, present innovative research, and explore practical solutions for managing and conserving forest ecosystems. The Issue seeks to highlight the importance of sustainable forest management as a foundation for a resilient and thriving planet and to emphasize the need for urgent attention to this symbiotic relationship.
Relation to Existing Literature:
The Special Issue will build upon and extend the existing literature by providing a more integrated and holistic perspective on the relationships among the forest ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity. While the current literature often addresses these topics in isolation, the Special Issue will focus on their interconnections and the need for a coordinated approach to sustainable management and conservation.
By bringing together research from various disciplines, the Issue will offer a comprehensive view that supplements the existing knowledge. It will also provide practical insights and solutions that can be applied to real-world challenges, bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and on-the-ground implementation.
In summary, the Special Issue will serve as a valuable addition to the existing body of literature by offering a more integrated and action-oriented perspective on the critical issues facing forest ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity. It will provide a platform for innovative research and practical solutions, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of our planet.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. The research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Forest Management and Conservation Practices:
- Best practices in sustainable forest management;
- Innovative strategies and policies for forest conservation;
- Afforestation and reforestation initiatives;
- Agroforestry and integrated land-use practices;
- Restoration and rehabilitation of degraded forests;
- Green Economy;
- Invesive plant species;
- Fire management.
- Climate Change Impacts on Forests:
- Effects of climate change on forest ecosystems;
- Climate resilience and adaptation strategies;
- Carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation;
- Impact of extreme weather events on forests.
- Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration:
- Preserving endangered species and habitats;
- Mapping and restoration techniques for biodiversity;
- Conservation of genetic diversity within species;
- Ecosystem-based approaches to biodiversity conservation.
- Community Engagement and Social Forestry:
- Community-based forest management models;
- Indigenous knowledge and practices in forestry;
- Socio-economic aspects of forest management;
- Participatory approaches to forest conservation.
- Forest Planning and Management:
- Participatory planning methods;
- Integrated forest management planning;
- Landscape-level planning for forest conservation;
- Spatial analysis and GIS in forest planning.
- Technological Innovation in Forestry:
- Forest monitoring technologies;
- Remote sensing and drone applications in forestry;
- Digital tools for forest inventory and management;
- Use of models and simulations in forest planning.
- Ecosystem Services and Benefits:
- Mapping and valuation of ecosystem functions and services;
- Economic analysis of ecosystem services;
- Trade-offs between different ecosystem services;
- Impact of forest management on ecosystem services.
- Agroforestry, Climate Modeling, and Organic Farming Systems
- Integration of agroforestry with climate modeling;
- Organic farming systems within forest landscapes;
- Agroforestry practices for climate change mitigation;
- Carbon farming and agroforestry.
- Integrated Decision Support System (DSS) for Sustainable Ecosystem Services and Climate Change:
- Development of DSS for forest management;
- Integration of climate change scenarios into DSS;
- Use of DSS for sustainable ecosystem management;
- Case studies of DSS implementation.
- Policy, Governance, and Legal Frameworks:
- International and national policies for forest conservation;
- Governance structures for sustainable forest management;
- Legal frameworks for biodiversity conservation;
- Policy analysis and recommendations for forest management.
- Case Studies and Success Stories:
- Documentation of successful forest management projects;
- Analysis of best practices and lessons learned;
- Case studies of community-based forest management;
- Success stories of forest restoration and rehabilitation.
This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for researchers, scientists, and practitioners to share their knowledge, present innovative research, and explore practical solutions for managing and conserving forest ecosystems in the context of climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Dr. Chiranjeewee Khadka
Dr. Sony Baral
Dr. Gulnaz Jalilova
Guest Editors
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.
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 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
- sustainable forest management
- forest ecosystem
- biodiversity and biodiversity conservation
- climate resilience and resilient ecosystem
- restoration
- community engagement
- ecosystem services
- governance structures
- model and decision support system
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