Search Results (61)

The distribution of forest aboveground biomass density (AGBD) is a key indicator of carbon stock and ecosystem health in the Eastern Himalayas, which represents a global biodiversity hotspot that sustains diverse forest types across an elevation gradient from lowland rainforests to alpine meadows and contributes to the livelihoods of more than 200 distinct indigenous communities. This study aimed to identify the key factors influencing forest AGBD across this region by analyzing the underlying biophysical and anthropogenic drivers through machine learning (random forest). We processed AGBD data from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) spaceborne LiDAR and applied filtering to retain 30,257 high-quality footprints across ten ecoregions. We then analyzed the relationship between AGBD and 17 climatic, topographic, soil, and anthropogenic variables using random forest regression models. The results revealed significant spatial variability in AGBD (149.6 ± 79.5 Mg ha⁻¹) across the region. State-wise, Sikkim recorded the highest mean AGBD (218 Mg ha⁻¹) and Manipur the lowest (102.8 Mg ha⁻¹). Within individual ecoregions, the Himalayan subtropical pine forests exhibited the highest mean AGBD (245.5 Mg ha⁻¹). Topographic factors, particularly elevation and latitude, were strong determinants of biomass distribution, with AGBD increasing up to elevations of 2000 m before declining. Protected areas (PAs) consistently showed higher AGBD than unprotected forests for all ecoregions, while proximity to urban and agricultural areas resulted in lower AGBD, pointing towards negative anthropogenic impacts. Our full model explained 41% of AGBD variance across the Eastern Himalayas, with better performance in individual ecoregions like the Northeast India-Myanmar pine forests (R² = 0.59). While limited by the absence of regionally explicit stand-level forest structure data (age, stand density, species composition), our results provide valuable evidence for conservation policy development, including expansion of PAs, compensating avoided deforestation and modifications in shifting cultivation. Future research should integrate field measurements with remote sensing and use high-resolution LiDAR with locally derived allometric models to enhance biomass estimation and GEDI data validation. Full article

Fungal biodiversity and ethnomycological knowledge are fundamental components of the biocultural identity of communities within the La Malinche National Park (PNM), a region of ecological and cultural significance in Mexico. This study documented the diversity of wild fungi and their uses in San Miguel Canoa, Puebla, through field excursions with local mushroom gatherers, interviews, and qualitative analysis. Key species such as Russula delica, Boletus aff. edulis, and Amanita basii were identified, playing a vital role in local gastronomy with traditional recipes like mole and pipián. Intergenerational knowledge transmission, crucial for identifying edible fungi and avoiding intoxications, highlights the importance of oral tradition. However, deforestation, illegal logging, and land-use change threaten fungal diversity, a problem exacerbated by the lack of effective conservation policies. The discussion highlights the interplay between biodiversity and culture, emphasizing the significance of the Wild Mushroom Fair organized by the Yolaltepetl collective as an effort to disseminate ethnomycological knowledge and promote the conservation of the PNM. Such community-driven initiatives represent a sustainable model that integrates environmental protection with cultural strengthening. The study concludes that protecting the PNM requires a holistic approach, merging ecological conservation with the recognition of biocultural knowledge. This is essential to preserve both biodiversity and cultural heritage, ensuring their sustainability for future generations. Full article

The Amazonian forests located within the Guiana Shield store above-average levels of biomass per hectare. However, considerable uncertainty remains regarding carbon stocks in this region, mainly due to limited inventory data and the lack of spatial datasets that account for factors influencing variation among forest types. The present study investigates the spatial distribution of original total forest biomass in the state of Amapá, located in the northeastern Brazilian Amazon. Using data from forest inventory plots, we applied geostatistical interpolation techniques (kriging) combined with environmental variables to generate a high-resolution map of forest biomass distribution. The stocks of biomass were associated with different forest types and land uses. The average biomass was 536.5 ± 64.3 Mg ha⁻¹ across forest types, and non-flooding lowland forest had the highest average (619.1 ± 38.3), followed by the submontane (521.8 ± 49.8) and the floodplain (447.6 ± 45.5) forests. Protected areas represented 84.1% of Amapá’s total biomass stock, while 15.9% was in agriculture and ranching areas, but the average biomass is similar between land-use types. Sustainable-use reserves stock more biomass (40%) than integral-protection reserves (35%) due to the higher average biomass associated with well-structured forests and a greater density of large trees. The map generated in the present study contributes to a better understanding of carbon balance across multiple spatial scales and demonstrates that forests in this region contain the highest carbon stocks per hectare (260.2 ± 31.2 Mg ha⁻¹, assuming that 48.5% of biomass is carbon) in the Amazon. To conserve these stocks, it is necessary to go further than merely maintaining protected areas by strengthening the protection of reserves, restricting logging activities in sustainable-use areas, promoting strong enforcement against illegal deforestation, and supporting the implementation of REDD+ projects. These actions are critical for avoiding substantial carbon stock losses and for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from this region. Full article

This paper was concerned with individual difference correlates of preferences for three issues associated with ethical investing. Five hundred adults completed a long, 60-item, questionnaire concerning personal details, including demographic (sex, age, education) and ideological (political and religious beliefs), as well as a three-part measure of their investment attitudes: what investments to avoid, what general issues to consider when investing and what people issues to consider when investing. The results indicated that they most wanted to avoid investments concerning weapons, animal testing and fossil fuels. The most important issues when investing were thought to be pollution, deforestation and carbon footprint, which all have at heart the sustainability philosophy. With regards to workers, they noted child labour, wages and worker rights as the most important issues. Correlations showed relatively few demographic correlates, but there were a number of religious belief and political attitude correlates of investment preferences. The strongest relationship was between political beliefs and anything associated with global warming. Implications and limitations are acknowledged, in particular with respect to having rank-order data and not knowing important information about the respondents. Full article

Reforestation is widely promoted as a nature-based solution for climate change, yet its unintended consequences, such as deforestation leakage, remain under-investigated. This study provides empirical evidence of reforestation-induced leakage in the Brazilian Amazon, using municipality-level panel data from 2000 to 2023 and spatial Durbin panel models to estimate both the magnitude and spatial reach of agricultural displacement. Despite the positive local effects of reforestation projects, we found a significant displacement of deforestation to the vicinity of municipalities. We estimated a statistically significant deforestation leakage effect of approximately 12% from the reforested area, due to the agricultural displacement of cattle ranching activities. Spatial spillovers are strongest within a 150 km radius and within two years after reforestation onset. Sensitivity tests using alternative spatial weight matrices, including distance decay and land rent-weighted specifications, confirm the robustness of these findings. Livestock intensification, proxied by cattle stocking rates, does not significantly mitigate displacement effects, challenging assumptions about land sparing benefits. These results suggest that current carbon market protocols (e.g., Verra, ART-TREES) may improve their leakage analysis to avoid under- or over-estimating net carbon benefits. Incorporating spatial econometric evidence into offset methodologies and reforestation planning can improve climate policy integrity and reduce unintended environmental trade-offs. Full article

The overexploitation of forest resources in the Lubumbashi Charcoal Production Basin in the southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) leads to deforestation and miombo woodlands degradation, threatening local livelihoods. Current forestry policies are ineffective, partly due to neglecting traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). This study identifies and describes TEK and practices related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable miombo woodlands management. Focus groups and interviews were conducted in four villages (Maksem, Mwawa, Nsela, and Texas), selected based on forest resource availability and population size. Data on sacred sites, conservation practices, knowledge transmission, ceremonies, and socio-demographic factors were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and Jaccard’s similarity index. The findings revealed that 75% of respondents identified sacred sites where logging activities are strictly prohibited. Thirty sacred tree species were identified, with stronger compliance in villages with a high availability of forest resources. This TEK is predominantly transmitted orally through family councils, as well as traditional ceremonies or rituals. Conservation practices include small-scale farming, intercropping, avoiding tree cutting in sacred sites, and using deadwood. However, only farming and intercropping are still commonly practiced, particularly in resource-scarce villages (64%). Women and elders are primary custodians of TEK, though its application is constrained by population growth and dwindling forest resources. The findings emphasize the crucial role of TEK in strengthening forest restoration initiatives by selecting key woody species and sustainable practices, while fostering community involvement. As such, decision makers should prioritize integrating TEK into DR Congo’s forest policies to support biodiversity conservation and miombo woodlands restoration efforts. Full article

Simple theoretical von Thünenian models of deforestation and agricultural expansion have been extensively studied in the literature but have not yet been adapted to reflect contemporary conservation paradigms, such as the emergence of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) initiatives, related payments for forest conservation, and payments for ecosystem services (PES) more broadly. We revisit Angelsen’s 1999 seminal adaptation of the 1826 von Thünenian model of deforestation and agricultural expansion and propose a “toy model” to incorporate the potential revenues from conservation payments and build on the concept of additionality in the payments for environmental services literature. As theorized, our extended model illustrates how such payments are more effective when they approach the profit margins of geographically peripherical crops that replace the forest. Moreover, it illustrates how conservation payments influence the agricultural frontier while quantifying the avoided deforestation area. Full article

The study quantifies the benefits of expanding electric cooking in the residential sector in replacement of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), including economic savings and the avoided emissions resulting from this transition, viewed through the perspective of a long-range optimal energy system model developed for the Ecuadorian energy system under the LEAP (Long-range Energy Alternative Planning) framework. In Ecuador, electricity generation is predominantly based on hydropower obtained from run-of-the-river schemes. The model results indicate that a sectorial-level policy to promote electric cooking reduces the use of LPG per annum, which consequently leads to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the electric cooking scenario also complements the Ecuadorian vision of reducing deforestation and reaching carbon neutrality. Furthermore, the subsidies to LPG will be reduced, improving energy sovereignty. Finally, the paper discusses the effects and implications of this policy implementation over the nationally determined contributions (NDC). Full article

Forest degradation is a major issue in ecosystem monitoring, and to take reformative measures, it is important to detect, map, and quantify the losses of forests. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) time-series data have the potential to detect forest loss. However, its sensitivity is influenced by the ecoregion, forest type, and site conditions. In this work, we assessed the accuracy of open-source C-band time-series data from Sentinel-1 SAR for detecting deforestation across forests in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The statistical Cumulative Sums of Change (CuSUM) algorithm was applied to determine the point of change in the time-series data. The algorithm’s robustness was assessed for different forest site conditions, SAR polarizations, resolutions, and under varying moisture conditions. We observed that the change detection algorithm was affected by the site- and forest-management activities, and also by the precipitation. The forest type and eco-region affected the detection performance, which varied for the co- and cross-pol backscattering components. The cross-pol channel showed better deforested region delineation with less spurious detection. The results for Kalimantan showed a better accuracy at a 100 m spatial resolution, with a 25.1% increase in the average Kappa coefficient for the VH polarization channel in comparison with a 25 m spatial resolution. To avoid false detection due to the high impact of soil moisture in the case of Haldwani, a seasonal analysis was carried out based on dry and wet seasons. For the seasonal analysis, the cross-pol channel showed good accuracy, with an average Kappa coefficient of 0.85 at the 25 m spatial resolution. This work was carried out in support of the upcoming NISAR mission. The datasets were repackaged to the NISAR-like HDF5 format and processing was carried out with methods similar to NISAR ATBDs. Full article

Tanzania dedicates a substantial proportion (38%) of its territory to conservation, with a large number of Protected Areas (PAs) managed under various regimes. Nevertheless, the country still experiences high rates of deforestation, which threaten the ecological integrity and socio-economic benefits of its forests. We utilized the Global Forest Change Dataset (2012–2022) and implemented a Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach followed by a series of binomial logit regression modeling. Our objectives were to evaluate (1) the likelihood of PAs in avoiding deforestation compared with unprotected forest landscapes, (2) the variability in effectiveness among the different PA management regimes in avoiding deforestation, (3) evidence of leakage, defined here as the displacement of deforestation beyond PA boundaries as a result of protection inside PAs. Our findings reveal that, despite ongoing deforestation within and outside of PAs, conservation efforts are, on average, three times more likely to avoid deforestation compared with unprotected landscapes. However, the effectiveness of avoiding deforestation significantly varies among the different management regimes. National Parks and Game Reserves are nearly ten times more successful in avoiding deforestation, likely because of the stringent set of regulations and availability of resources for implementation. Conversely, Nature Forest Reserves, Game Controlled Areas, and Forest Reserves are, on average, only twice as likely to avoid deforestation, indicating substantial room for improvement. We found little evidence of the overall leakage as a consequence of protection. These results highlight the mixed success of Tanzania’s conservation efforts, suggesting opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of many less protected PAs. We conclude by proposing potential strategic pathways to enhance further the climate and ecosystem benefits of conservation in Tanzania. Full article

Within domestic food cooking, burning firewood in three-stone fires (TSF) is a common practice by more than 16 million users in the Mexican tropical climate region (CR-TR). This article aims to evaluate the implementation of improved firewood cookstoves (ICS) to replace TSF in the CR-TR by constructing firewood consumption scenarios covering 2018–2050. The results show that in CR-TR, with the implementation of ICS, the consumption of 354.95 PJ of firewood, 36.6 Mt of CO_2e, 1.29 Mt of CO, and 163.78 kt of PM_2.5 can all be avoided. The most important reduction in firewood consumption, CO_2e emissions and CO and PM_2.5 pollutants, occurs in exclusive firewood users and mixed users who utilize firewood as the primary fuel source, both of whom are low socioeconomic level in rural areas. Furthermore, most paying-for-firewood users often show negative mitigation costs and a high 50% IRR, while all non-paying-for-firewood users have mitigation costs ranging from 7.74 to 41.23 USD/tCO_2e. At the end of the results section, we perform a sensitivity analysis of the relevant parameters, which complements this study. Therefore, implementing ICS will contribute to the solution of climate change, deforestation, and facilitate the formulation of sustainable development policies for the most vulnerable population sector of the Mexican CR-TR. Full article

Biodiesel production currently follows a first-generation model using edible oils as raw materials. Such a production model is unsustainable, considering that it is limited by the high cost of edible oils, competes with the food sector, and is linked to deforestation and other environmental threats. Changing the raw material base to non-edible oils provides an opportunity to increase the sustainability of the biodiesel industry and to avoid conflicts with food production. Processing non-edible oilseeds for extracting the oil to be used for producing biodiesel generates large amounts of residues, such as de-oiled cakes, seed husks, and fruit shells and pods as well as plant stems and leaves resulting from pruning and other agronomy practices. Most of those residues are currently disposed of by burning or used in a suboptimal way. Bioconversion following the sugar platform route, anaerobic digestion, or enzyme production provides means for upgrading them to advanced biofuels and high-added value products. Bioconversion of plant biomass, including oilseed residues, requires pretreatment to enhance their susceptibility to enzymes and microorganisms. This review provides an outlook on bioconversion approaches applicable to different residues of oilseed-bearing plant species. Recent reports on the pretreatment of non-edible oilseed residues for enhancing their bioconversion through either the sugar platform route or anaerobic digestion are critically discussed. This review is based on an exhaustive Web of Science search performed in January–May 2023. Full article

Urbanization has become an important player in the global carbon cycle, and land use change is the second largest source of carbon emissions. However, despite great advances in remote sensing and satellite imagery, there is no reliable estimate of the impact of land use change on changes in land carbon stock in global cities. This paper quantified the impact of land use change on land carbon flux in the world’s 100 largest cities by using annual land cover data based on LandSat 8 images and land carbon stock parameters provided by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). It was found that significant urban expansion could be observed in 83 cities, while 29 cities showed a deforestation trend, and croplands in 42 cities have shrunk. Carbon stock reduced by more than 112 million tons in the 100 selected cities from 2013 to 2022 due to land cover change. A total of 39 cities showed significant negative trends in land carbon stock that were mainly caused by urban sprawl and shrinkage in forest or cropland, among which Kolkata, Chongqing, Seoul, Guangzhou, and Hefei showed the greatest decline. Because of the growth of forest and cropland, or reduction in barren land and grassland, 28 cities showed clear positive trends in land carbon stock. In order to increase urban land carbon stock, the urban planning of most cities should focus on the protection of forests or afforestation that replace barren land or grassland and should avoid mindless urban expansion. Full article

An Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) was employed to develop a Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) and a quantitative model to investigate the changes in land use within the Brazilian Amazon. The process began by creating a theoretical NPF using a ‘systems thinking’ approach. Subsequently, a ‘system dynamic model’ was built based on an extensive review of the literature and on multiple quantitative datasets to simulate the impacts of the NPF, specifically focusing on the conversion of forests into open land for ranching and the implementation of soil management practices as a macro-level policy aimed at preserving soil quality and ranching yields. Various fallow scenarios were tested to simulate their effects on deforestation patterns. The results indicate that implementing fallow practices as a policy measure could reduce deforestation rates while simultaneously ensuring sustainable long-term agricultural productivity, thus diminishing the necessity to clear new forest land. Moreover, when combined with payments for avoided deforestation, such as REDD+ carbon offsets, the opportunity costs associated with ranching land can be utilized to compensate for the loss of gross income resulting from the policy. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the significance of different model variables, revealing that lower cattle prices require resources for REDD+ payments, and vice-versa. The findings indicate that, at the macro level, payments between USD 2.5 and USD 5.0 per MgC ha⁻¹ have the potential to compensate the foregone cattle production from not converting forest into ranching land. This study demonstrates that employing an IAM with a systems approach facilitates the participation of various stakeholders, including farmers and landowners, in policy discussions. It also enables the establishment of effective land use and management policies that mitigate deforestation and soil degradation, making it a robust initiative to address environmental, climate change, and economic sustainability issues. Full article

Primary forests are essential ecosystems that can play a key role in mitigating climate change. REDD+ is designed to help countries and communities secure benefits for avoiding deforestation but has faced significant implementation challenges. There are substantial potential benefits for REDD+ in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where shifting agriculture is the major cause of deforestation. However, implementation requires significant capacity building in a number of sectors and at a number of levels. This paper explores how well the capacity building activities within the DRC REDD+ strategy are aligned with the capacity needs identified by provincial government stakeholders and local communities in the Équateur province of the DRC, identified through workshops and surveys. The research suggests that while many technical capacity needs identified by stakeholders could be potentially addressed by the REDD+ strategy, there are number of systemic capacity needs that are unlikely to be addressed. Failure to address these needs risks undermining any implementation of REDD+. The results suggest that education and training in governance and management, as well as fundamental education in sustainability, are key capacity needs that REDD+ may need to incorporate. The results also provide further evidence that REDD+ projects need to be long-term and take into account the local context and needs in order to be effective. Full article