Search Results (2,051)

Rapid urbanization has been associated with substantial structural adjustments and ecological risks in peri-urban agroforestry landscapes. Taking Pidu District, Chengdu, China, as a representative peri-urban region, this study investigated the spatiotemporal evolution of agroforestry landscapes and their ecological risks from 2000 to 2020. Utilizing multi-period land-use data, we integrated landscape pattern indices, an ecological risk assessment model, etc. The results showed that the agroforestry landscape area decreased by 24.53%, from 275.39 km² to 207.83 km², a decline primarily tied to the expansion of construction land. Ecological risk increased continuously over the study period, with high-risk areas concentrated in the rapidly urbanizing southern region and low-risk areas mainly distributed in the northern agricultural zone. Meanwhile, landscape fragmentation intensified, as reflected by increasing patch subdivision and declining landscape integrity. Bivariate spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed a positive spatial association between fragmentation and ecological risk, indicating that structural degradation of agroforestry landscapes is an important factor of ecological risk escalation. Overall, rapid urbanization in Pidu District was accompanied by the coupled processes of agroforestry landscape shrinkage, fragmentation, and ecological risk growth. These findings provide scientific support for ecological risk zoning management and agroforestry landscape conservation in similar rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

Global restoration frameworks, such as the Bonn Challenge and Forest Landscape Restoration, have endorsed multistakeholder engagement in agroforestry as key to reversing land degradation at scale. This paper follows shifts in how stakeholders have been organised, coordinated and steered since 2010 when Rwanda’s National Forestry Policy came into force, a year ahead of Rwanda’s pledge to the Bonn Challenge. The specific focus is on Bugesera District, representing a national policy shift from focusing on restoration in highland areas only. Bugesera is a lowland area facing complex socio-ecological and livelihood challenges including high rates of deforestation, recurrent drought and rapid population fluctuations. This paper analyses these changes by investigating which stakeholders were involved, how they were engaged (modes of participation) and why they participated (drivers of participation). Conceptually, this follows stakeholder mapping, Reed’s theory of participation and multi-level governance theory. Through thematic analysis, we triangulated data from 15 policy-related documents with semi-structured interviews with representatives from 24 organisations. Our findings show that both before and after 2010, stakeholder engagement has remained top-down. However, since 2010 this has been qualified by an asymmetrical form of collaboration that increasingly takes the form of top-down deliberation. Changes were observed in participation patterns, engagement approaches, and governance arrangements, driven by contextual conditions, power relations, process design, and spatial–temporal dynamics. Within a centrally coordinated government system, shaped by the post-genocide political context and culturally embedded structures such as Umuganda and Ubudehe, multistakeholder restoration initiatives have largely remained state-led, with structured approaches to coordination and implementation that have varied in the extent of local stakeholder engagement. Trust emerged as an important factor influencing stakeholder interactions. Despite more diverse and expanded institutional arrangements over time, variations in levels of participation and influence among stakeholders persist, with differences in how engagement and decision-making power are distributed. We conclude that effective stakeholder engagement is contingent on existing governance structures, the political will to engage with a diversity of actors at different levels, contextual conditions including spatial-temporal dynamics, and opportunities provided by global and regional restoration frameworks. Full article

Forest certification has become an important market-based tool for promoting environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and improved governance across agricultural and forest production systems. This state-of-the-art (SotA) review examines forest and cocoa certification schemes in Brazil, focusing on cocoa-based agroforestry systems in southern Bahia. Major programs, including the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Brazilian Forest Certification Program (Cerflor), Instituto Biodinâmico (IBD), UTZ Certified (UTZ), Rainforest Alliance (RA), and Geographical Indication (GI) systems, were analyzed for implementation, sustainability outcomes, and accessibility across producer groups. This SotA review identifies persistent barriers to certification adoption, including high costs, complex regulations, limited technical capacity, and unequal access among producers. Certification adoption varies substantially among producer groups, with cooperatives playing a critical role as intermediaries that reduce barriers and facilitate market access. Finally, this SotA review proposes a conceptual classification of cocoa producers and an AI-enabled perspective for deforestation-free certification in biodiversity hotspots such as southern Bahia, offering new insights into sustainable cocoa production and forest conservation. Full article

Biogeographic barriers are well known to structure animal and plant diversity, but whether they are associated with variation in host-associated microbiomes, especially in tropical pollinators, remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated gut bacterial community variation in the stingless bee Tetragonula laeviceps (Apidae: Meliponini) collected from Bali and Lombok, two Indonesian islands situated on opposite sides of the Wallace Line. Using 16S rRNA gene V3–V4 amplicon sequencing, we analyzed 12 colony-level samples collected from forest and agroforestry habitats on both islands. Alpha-diversity analysis revealed variation in bacterial richness and diversity among colonies and sampling groups, with the highest richness observed in the Lombok agroforestry group. The gut microbiota was dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Bacteroidota, with several bee-associated genera, including Lactobacillus, Bombilactobacillus, Apilactobacillus, Bombella, Commensalibacter, Snodgrassella, Bifidobacterium and Bartonella, varying in relative abundance among island and habitat groups. Beta-diversity analyses showed significant group-associated differentiation in bacterial community composition (ANOSIM R = 0.444, p = 0.001), indicating that gut microbiome structure differed across the sampled island–habitat groups. Differential-abundance analyses identified candidate bacterial taxa associated with specific groups, suggesting that microbiome divergence was driven mainly by shifts in the relative abundance of shared bacterial lineages rather than complete replacement of dominant taxa. Predicted functional profiling further indicated that the taxonomic variation was accompanied by differences in putative functional potential. These findings suggest that the gut microbiota of T. laeviceps carries a detectable island and habitat-associated signal and highlight host-associated microbial communities as an underexplored dimension of tropical island biogeography. Because island identity and position relative to the Wallace Line are not independent in this design, these results should be interpreted as island associated microbiome variation within a Wallace Line context, not as direct evidence of a causal Wallace Line effect. Full article

Soil health refers to the combined physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils that allow them to function as a living system that sustains life. While numerous reviews summarize several methods to measure soil health, this review critically evaluates how the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) performs across diverse ecosystems, including croplands, agroforestry, coastal mangrove, and rangelands. We explore the evolutionary shift from single indicators to integrated assessment frameworks, tracing how targeted management practices, such as conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, organic amendments, and water management, alter physical, chemical, and biological indicator performance. The SMAF framework and scoring system are outlined using examples from around the world. This synthesis concludes that while SMAF provides an exceptionally rigorous, non-linear platform for quantitative Soil Quality Index (SQI), its practical execution remains deeply constrained by data-intensive requirements, selection of appropriate indicators, and adaptation to local contexts. To close this gap, we outline critical future directions, integrating the framework with AI and machine learning, real-time Internet of Things (IoT) field sensors, and dynamic digital twins. Ultimately, this work aims to shift soil monitoring from descriptive reporting to predictive, automated intelligence to provide the exact data needed for sustainable land management decisions. Full article

Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter is a Mediterranean species widely recognized for its remarkable ecological plasticity and its rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, among which volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a central role. This review provides an integrative synthesis of current knowledge on D. viscosa, with a primary focus on its VOCs, including their extraction techniques, chemotypic variability, and biological activities, while contextualizing these compounds within the species’ broader phytochemical and ecological framework. Available evidence indicates that VOC profiles are dominated by terpenoids, particularly oxygenated sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes. The composition of volatile fractions is strongly influenced by extraction methodology, plant organ, developmental stage, and geographic origin, resulting in pronounced chemotypic variability across Mediterranean populations. Beyond their direct bioactivity, VOCs are considered in their ecological context, particularly in relation to glandular trichome-mediated secretion, plant–insect interactions, and potential applications in integrated pest management. Non-volatile metabolites are also discussed to provide a comprehensive view of the species’ bioactive potential. Overall, D. viscosa emerges as a multifunctional species in which VOCs are a pivotal, though not isolated, component of a complex phytochemical system with promising applications in agriculture, pharmacology, and environmental management. While the convergence of multiple studies supports the biological potential of D. viscosa and its metabolites, particularly in vitro, the translation of these findings into in vivo efficacy and safety remains an important area for future research. This integrative perspective highlights the need for standardized analytical approaches and chemotype-aware studies to fully exploit the biological and biotechnological potential of this Mediterranean species. Full article

Geographical Indications (GIs) are increasingly promoted as instruments for rural upgrading and value capture in commodity-dependent economies. Yet empirical assessments of GI feasibility in smallholder export systems remain limited. This study evaluates whether Cameroon’s red cocoa satisfies the scientific and institutional conditions required to support a credible GI strategy. We develop an integrated qualification framework encompassing four necessary conditions: agroecological distinctiveness, physicochemical differentiation, sensory differentiation, and governance feasibility. Spatial analysis, laboratory characterization, structured sensory evaluation, and institutional diagnostics are combined to assess whether these conditions jointly sustain origin-based differentiation. Results indicate that red cocoa exhibits territorially coherent agroecological features and statistically meaningful biochemical differentiation, including elevated polyphenol and anthocyanin profiles in core production zones. Sensory evaluation confirms identifiable flavor attributes consistent with fine-flavor positioning, though variability linked to post-harvest management affects reproducibility. Institutional analysis reveals partial readiness, with emerging production specifications under the OAPI framework but limited enforcement capacity and traceability infrastructure. The findings suggest that red cocoa meets several scientific preconditions for GI consideration, but governance consolidation and post-harvest standardization remain critical constraints. GI feasibility should therefore be interpreted as conditional rather than automatic. More broadly, the study contributes an integrated analytical approach for assessing origin-based upgrading strategies in Global South commodity systems under increasing sustainability regulation. Full article

Controlling the microclimate in pig housing is essential for ensuring animal welfare and optimizing production efficiency. However, the dynamic, non-linear interactions of environmental and animal variables make microclimate management a complex undertaking. To better understand these interactions and develop predictive models to improve microclimate conditions in swine housing, in this study we analyzed indoor and outdoor temperature, CO₂ concentration, and animal activity in a naturally ventilated pig-fattening house using wavelet analysis, cosine models and coherence analysis. The wavelet analysis identified dominant periods of 24 and 12 h for temperatures, along with a relevant contribution from animal activity for the 8 h period. CO₂ concentration showed no persistent oscillatory pattern during the production cycle. The three harmonic cosine models provided satisfactory results for outdoor temperature (RMSE = 0.09–0.10; R² = 0.65–0.84), indoor temperature (RMSE = 0.08–0.10; R² = 0.52–0.78) and animal activity (RMSE = 0.06–0.16; R² = 0.43–0.61), but they were not suitable for CO₂ modelling. The wavelet coherence analysis revealed temporal phase differences among variables, notably with outdoor temperature and animal activity leading indoor temperature. Full article

Bio-based packaging is receiving increasing attention due to the environmental impact of fossil-based plastics. However, its practical implementation requires further evidence on material processing and functional performance. This study evaluated the thermal properties of expanded polylactic acid (E-PLA) prototypes blended with raw, minimally processed agroforestry residues. Specifically, spruce bark and grape stalks were used as waste wood fibers. This study focused primarily on the thermal characterization of the materials by measuring thermal conductivity and resistance. To evaluate the distribution of the two fractions (polymer and fibrous), samples were created with various volumetric ratios between the parts. Simultaneous pressure and microwave heating of the sample were used to stabilize the material. To characterize the raw materials used in this study, bulk density and moisture content were measured. To characterize the mixed materials samples, thermal conductivity and resistance, bulk density, and pressure were measured. To investigate the variables that influence thermal characteristics, statistical analyses such as regression models, ANCOVA, and Spearman correlation were applied. These analyses showed that increasing the biofiber content significantly reduced thermal resistance and increased thermal conductivity. However, negligible effects were observed for the type of fiber used and the duration of the heat treatment. These results describe the thermal properties of blends containing E-PLA and agroforestry residues. The results also show a marked effect of the biofiber content on thermal performance. This study does not provide a comprehensive characterization of the new materials, as it focuses on the prototyping methodology and the laboratory-scale production feasibility of E-PLA/agroforestry-residue prototypes. Full article

The development of sustainable and climate-resilient food systems increasingly relies on robust analytical methodologies capable of integrating environmental, biochemical, and management-related signals. In this study, a multi-isotope framework based on δ²H, δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, and δ¹⁵N was applied to assess its capacity to discriminate between contrasting raspberry production systems and to provide chemically grounded indicators of agroecosystem functioning. Raspberry fruits (Rubus idaeus L.; cultivars Opal and Delniwa) were collected during the 2024–2025 growing seasons from two distinct systems in Romania: an organic open-field system and a rainfed agroforestry system. Stable isotope ratio analysis revealed system-dependent isotopic patterns, with the strongest differentiation observed for δ¹⁵N. Nitrogen isotope composition (δ¹⁵N) provided the strongest discrimination, with enriched values in organic fruits (2.73–9.77‰) and depleted values in agroforestry fruits (−3.01 to 0.62‰), reflecting differences in nitrogen sources and cycling pathways. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes (δ²H: −60.46 to −4.62‰; δ¹⁸O: −6.19 to 10.41‰) were consistent with hydroclimatic variability and evaporative fractionation processes associated with soil–plant–atmosphere interactions. Carbon isotopes (δ¹³C: −28.14 to −22.62‰) provided complementary insights into plant water-use conditions. Multivariate statistical analysis supported the separation between production systems, while short-term fertilisation effects were secondary to system-level controls. The results suggest that raspberry fruits preserve an integrated isotopic fingerprint of production environment and management practices. From an analytical chemistry perspective, this work highlights the relevance of multi-isotope approaches as transferable tools for food authentication, traceability, and sustainability assessment, contributing to the broader application of stable isotope techniques across complex biological systems. Full article

Allelopathy—the release of biologically active secondary metabolites by plants—is a key mechanism regulating plant community dynamics in forest and agro-forestry ecosystems, yet the physiological basis of allelochemical effects of angiosperm trees on acceptor plants remains insufficiently understood. This systematic review synthesises knowledge on the physiological effects of angiosperm tree allelochemicals, focusing on photosynthesis, respiration, water relations, mineral nutrition, and growth and development. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, five databases (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library, and Scopus) were searched between October 2025 and June 2026 for English-language peer-reviewed articles on allelopathic effects on plant physiological processes; risk of bias was assessed via methodological transparency, and, given design heterogeneity, a qualitative narrative synthesis was performed. Of 7748 records identified, 99 met the eligibility criteria. Allelochemicals, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, naphthoquinones, terpenoids, alkaloids, and coumarins, were associated with disrupted photosynthetic efficiency, impaired mitochondrial electron transport, altered stomatal functioning, reduced nutrient uptake, and suppressed cell division, with oxidative stress—often linked to reactive oxygen species accumulation—recurring as a shared mechanism; effects were concentration-dependent, with synergistic interactions noted between allelochemicals. These findings advance mechanistic understanding of angiosperm tree allelopathy and highlight its relevance for sustainable agriculture and biological weed management. Full article

Managing invasive alien species (IAS) is a major challenge for conserving ecosystems because of their deleterious impacts. This study evaluated the efficacy of five selective herbicides and wheat straw mulch against six invasive alien plant (IAP) species in Iran. Field observations from 2021 to 2025 showed that these species are concentrated in agricultural regions, particularly in summer crops in northern Iran. Five available herbicides (pendimethalin 3 lit h⁻¹, imazethapyr 0.75 lit h⁻¹, nicosulfuron 2 lit h⁻¹, bentazone 2 lit h⁻¹, and 2,4-D+MCPA 1.5 lit h⁻¹) and wheat straw mulch (2 tons ha⁻¹) were used to reduce the growth of six IAP species during summer 2025. Pendimethalin (as a pre-emergence herbicide) was effective (>90%) against all species apart from Ipomoea hederacea (≈60%). While 2,4-D+MCPA (as a post-emergence herbicide) effectively controlled five species, bentazone was effective only against Sida rhombifolia and I. hederacea. Nicosulfuron showed high efficacy (80%) only against I. hederacea. Straw mulch was more effective against Euphorbia nutans but was not effective properly against Ipomoea species. The efficacy of mulch and some herbicides depended on species identity, even within the same genera (Ipomoea and Euphorbia). Our results can help in the successful management of these invasive plants in northern Iran to minimize their impact on yield and quality of crops. As IAPs in environmental areas, this result will also be advantageous. Full article

This study examines how climate change interacts with social, ecological, and policy factors to shape food security among Indigenous tribal communities in Jharkhand, focusing on Saraikela Kharsawan district. It combines a scoping review, policy analysis, and a climate–agriculture case study of Saraikela Kharsawan to identify vulnerabilities and pathways for more resilient Indigenous food systems. The research is qualitative, using a scoping review of 28 studies on Indigenous food security and climate impacts in Jharkhand, thematic analysis of nine national and state policies, and a district-level case study using land use, climate trends/projections, and crop statistics for Saraikela Kharsawan. Additionally, findings from participant observation were integrated into how tribal communities in Saraikela Kharsawan experience and respond to climate variability and its implications for local food systems and nutrition. The study identifies a nutrition paradox, where Indigenous communities experience micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia despite rich biodiversity and Indigenous knowledge. This is accompanied by a decrease in the consumption of nutrient-dense Indigenous foods and a predominance of rainfed monoculture rice cultivation. Marked by rising temperatures and erratic rainfall, climate variability is destabilising agroforestry systems, narrowing dietary options and reducing adaptive capacity. Additionally, policy and institutional gaps reveal fragmented support—strong rights laws and calorie-focused welfare schemes but weak integration of Indigenous foods, agroforestry, and traditional ecological knowledge into nutrition and climate programmes. The paper argues that climate change acts as a threat multiplier on already fragile Indigenous food systems and calls for nutrition-sensitive safety nets, community-based agroforestry, gender-inclusive Indigenous knowledge governance, and cross-sectoral policy alignment to support resilient, culturally appropriate food systems in Jharkhand. Full article

Mediterranean agroecosystems are highly vulnerable to climate change, soil degradation, and declining soil organic carbon (SOC), threatening long-term agricultural sustainability. Carbon farming and regenerative agriculture have emerged as complementary approaches to restore soil functionality while contributing to climate change mitigation. This review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025 to assess the agronomic effectiveness of key regenerative and carbon farming practices in Mediterranean systems. A structured bibliographic analysis using Scopus and Web of Science evaluated practices influencing SOC dynamics, erosion control, water regulation, and associated ecosystem services. Evidence indicates that the introduction of cover crops in the crop rotation and reduced or no-tillage are the most consistently effective practices for enhancing SOC stocks, particularly when combined with organic amendments and diversified rotations. Crop diversification, intercropping, and agroforestry further support SOC accumulation and erosion control, especially in perennial systems such as vineyards and olive orchards. Organic inputs stimulate microbial-mediated carbon stabilization, while regenerative grazing contributes to nutrient cycling under context-specific conditions. Across practices, integrated management consistently delivers greater and more stable benefits than single interventions. Regenerative agriculture thus provides a systems-based foundation for carbon farming in Mediterranean agroecosystems. Long-term field experiments and improved monitoring frameworks remain essential to quantify carbon persistence and support policy implementation. Full article

This study analyses the economic performance, sustainability, and resilience of family farming systems in São Tomé and Príncipe, using an approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data. Primary data were collected through a survey of 50 rural families from the seven districts of the country, focus group discussions, and field observations. Quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics and exploratory comparative procedures, complemented by economic evaluation, while thematic analysis examined the qualitative data. The findings reveal diversified agroforestry systems, integrating up to 33 crops and small-scale livestock production. At the individual and aggregate levels, agroforestry shows viable economic performance, with a net profit margin of 57.4%, capable of generating income and marketable surpluses. This improves rural livelihoods, strengthens resilience to climate and market shocks, and supports both subsistence and market-oriented production. Despite these strengths, structural constraints persist, including fragile value chains, limitations in access to credit and markets, low technology adoption, and climate vulnerability. Human capital, particularly education, emerges as a key factor in improving productivity and value creation. Integrated policies on access to resources and education are needed to promote diversification, multi-activity, and market integration as central strategies for increasing sustainability, food security, and risk reduction in family farming. Full article