Search Results (81)

Tin mining has played a central role in Indonesia’s economy, particularly in the Bangka Belitung Islands, but it has also caused severe environmental and socio-economic impacts. This study aims to critically review the consequences of tin mining and evaluate reclamation initiatives through a narrative literature review of scientific publications, technical reports, and policy documents. The findings show that open-pit mining has led to deforestation, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and decreased soil fertility, while weak governance has fueled illegal mining and social conflicts. Rehabilitation strategies such as reforestation, agroforestry, aquaculture, and soil improvement have the potential to restore or reclaim degraded land and are proposed as a viable pathway to balance ecological improvement with socio-economic development. This study focuses on its interdisciplinary approach, integrating ecological, socio-economic, and institutional perspectives to propose a comprehensive, ecosystem-based framework for post-mining reclamation. By highlighting both challenges and opportunities, the study provides actionable insights for policymakers, mining companies, and local communities. Full article

Human migration has driven transformative shifts in agricultural systems by reshaping how communities relate biologically and culturally to the land. Migration demands the reconfiguration of preexisting human–environment relationships, a process central to agricultural history. Understanding adaptation strategies is essential for land studies as it highlights the impact of cultural persistence on agricultural practices and the potential challenges in integrating migrant rural knowledge with local ecological systems. In the late 19th century, a significant migration wave occurred from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy to southern Brazil, significantly impacting Brazilian agri-food production. This study investigates the biocultural adaptation strategies employed by the first Veneto communities in their new Brazilian environment. Data for this research were derived from the letters sent by Veneto migrants from Brazil in the initial wave of Italian migration (1877–1894). Utilising Critical Discourse Analysis and Sentiment Analysis of migrants’ letters, we explored the Veneto settlers’ perceptions of the Brazilian landscape, agri-food production practices, and culinary traditions. Our findings show that the Brazilian environment was perceived as predominantly negative, particularly in the wilderness areas. The initial Venetian migrant settlement exhibited no genuine biocultural adaptation strategies. Instead, they deliberately resisted Brazilian influences, striving to reproduce Veneto’s agricultural model verbatim in their new surroundings. The study also opens a new trajectory in historical ethnobiology, thus suggesting new potential applications of the analysis of migrants’ letters. Full article

How humans perceive and interact with other animal species is critical in enhancing conservation initiatives. The study recorded and analyzed people’s knowledge and perceptions of birds of prey and their interactions in three rural communities in Paraíba, Brazil. The data were collected by face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. One hundred ninety-one people were interviewed, and 19 species were recorded. Based on the answers to the questionnaires, the species are considered omens of climatic/ecological and supernatural events. They are important in the maintenance of ecosystems (predation of rodents and snakes and feeding on dead animals). However, most birds of prey are killed because they cause damage by preying upon domestic animals or for being associated with bad omens. The diversity of information listed here shows the need for complex and interdisciplinary studies to understand the human dimensions of knowledge and relationships between people and birds, contributing to species conservation and encouraging coexistence between people and birds of prey. Full article

Saninten (Castanopsis argentea (Blume) A.DC.) is a protected plant that grows in the Mount Gede Pangrango National Park (MGPNP) area in West Java. Its population is limited, and as a valuable biological resource, Castanopsis has traditionally been utilized by indigenous communities, particularly those residing in proximity to the forest. However, the expansion and development of tourism pose a potential threat to the ecosystems of C. argentea and other endemic plant species, as well as to the wildlife that depend on these habitats. Comprehensive data on biodiversity, species composition, forest structure, and carbon stock status are crucial for assessing the potential impact of future tourism development. Our investigation was conducted from November 2023 to March 2024 in a three-hectare utilization zone within the confines of the national park. The findings documented a total of 36 species across 23 distinct plant families, with the families Fagaceae, Moraceae, and Myrtaceae exhibiting the highest levels of dominance. The regeneration of stands at the study site predominantly comprised arboreal species with the most substantial carbon stocks, including C. acuminatissima (Blume) A.DC. (Riung anak), C. argentea (Saninten), and Litsea sp. (Huru). C. argentea supplies several functions within this ecosystem that are interconnected with other components. With aboveground carbon stocks reaching 560.47 tons C/ha, the forest demonstrates high sequestration potential, reinforcing the need to conserve mature stands for both biodiversity and climate benefits. Therefore, in the future, the conservation of C. argentea will benefit the maintenance of the ecosystem’s attractiveness without adversely affecting the social and cultural structures of the local population. Full article

Water conservation (WC) is a vital ecosystem service (ES) that plays an essential role in the sustainable management of water resources and ensures ecological security. This research examines the WC capacity of the Citarum watershed in West Java Province, Indonesia, from 2010 to 2020. The specific objectives of this research are as follows: (1) to assess the 10-year temporal and spatial variations of WC using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) and topographic index model; (2) to analyze the temporal interchange between WC and its influencing factors through the Spatial Elastic Coefficient Trajectory Model (SECTM); and (3) to determine the driving factors (DFs) affecting WC by applying Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR). Key findings of this study reveal significant trends in WC from 2010 to 2020: the average WC in the Citarum watershed decreased from 513.96 mm/ha to 453.64 mm/ha (11.74%), indicating a concerning decline in ES capacity. This study also noted that regions implementing comprehensive regulations dominated the study area, covering approximately 72.70% of the total area (502,295 hectares). This illustrates that the implementation of rules plays a crucial role in the WC. Lastly, the MGWR analysis found that WC in the Citarum watershed positively correlated with topography, climate, and vegetation while negatively correlating with socioeconomic factors. This indicates that WC levels are generally lower in areas with higher human activity and economic growth, highlighting the impact of anthropogenic pressures on natural resources. This framework helps stakeholders plan to ensure sustainable development in the area, as it provides valuable insights into the interactions between the ecological and socioeconomic factors affecting WC. Full article

North Sumatra has abundant natural resources and potential as a tourist destination for the wider community. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted natural tourism, including in North Sumatra, where several tourist attractions have closed their businesses. This study aims to formulate policy priorities for the impact control and restoration of natural tourism sites in North Sumatra. We analyzed the decline in visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the pandemic on the number of visitors, the types of tourist attraction facilities that suffered the most damage, the influence of facility type on the decline in tourist visits, and the aspects of tourism that decreased the most and should be prioritized for improvement. A descriptive statistical analysis, difference tests, and multiple linear regression analyses were used. We found factors that influenced visitor changes before and during the pandemic, as well as afterwards. Our results show that an important development priority is to control the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the decline in tourist attractions. We also propose important recommendations for priority policies aimed at the restoration of facilities in the post-COVID-19 development of natural tourism in North Sumatra. Full article

Background/Objectives: Natural polymer nanoparticles have potential as delivery systems, can enhance pharmacological activity, and can improve stability in the cosmetic field. In this research, we implemented a development approach for chitosan–alginate and chitosan–pectin nanoparticles. This study aimed to investigate effect of formulation, process variables, in vitro antiaging evaluation, and metabolite profiling of Toona sinensis leaf extracts. Methods: Polymeric nanoparticles have been prepared using the ionic gelation method (Temperature = 40 °C, time = 1 h and speed = 1000 rpm), in vitro antiaging evaluation using the Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitor Screening Kit method, and analysis of metabolite profiling with UHPLC–HRMS. Results: Research results found that the SLE and EAFSL nanoparticles that have good and stable characteristics before and after storage in a climatic chamber after 3 months are FIIA-NPSLE (0.75% chitosan and 1.25% Alginate), FIP-NPSLE (1% chitosan and 0.5% Pectin), FIIA-NPEAFSL (0.75% chitosan and 1.25% Alginate), and FIIIP-NPEAFSL (0.125% chitosan and 0.375% Alginate). Chitosan–alginate polymers, such as FIIA-NPEAFSL, have higher inhibition of the elastase enzyme than FIIA-NPSLE, with a % inhibition (IC₅₀) of FIIA-NPEAFSL being 87.30%, while the IC₅₀ of FIIA-NPSLE is 39.40%. Meanwhile, using chitosan–pectin polymers, such as FIP-NPSLE, results in lower inhibition of the elastase enzyme compared to the chitosan–alginate polymer, with an IC₅₀ of 27.28% while IC₅₀ FIIIP-NPEAFSL is 39.53%. SLE and EAFSL nanoparticles with chitosan–alginate and chitosan–pectin polymers resulted in a significant PDI during storage from 1.3 to 1.9, and zeta potential values were very low, ranging from −11 mV to −27 mV. Metabolite profiling using UHPLC–HRMS on T. sinensis leaf extracts revealed that the main compounds contained were glycitein, quercetin, quercetin-3β-D-glucoside, kaempferol, and ellagic acid, which has potential as an antiaging agent. Conclusions: It can be concluded that using chitosan, alginate, and pectin in the process of encapsulating extracts into nanoparticles with the same process variables affect evaluation of antiaging activity in elastase enzymes. Further research will develop these nanoparticles into nanohydrogels with antiaging activity. Full article

Gardening is a popular pastime for people from all walks of life in Yangon, the most populous city of Myanmar and its former capital. The cultivation of ornamental plants has continued uninterrupted despite decades of social and political crises that have plagued the country, but there are indications that people’s tastes have changed considerably. These changing tastes are documented here through interviews of nursery owners and amateur gardeners from Yangon. This study also investigates the development of naming patterns in Burmese, in particular the names coined for recently introduced plants. A total of 176 older and 156 newer (introduced over the last two decades) ornamental plants grown in Yangon were documented; of the former category, 75% were still available in nurseries, whereas the rest were no longer popular. The newer plants had significantly fewer unanalysable names than the older plants, suggesting a modern preference for descriptive/allusive labels. This also applies to native, wild-harvested orchid species. Many of the newer, introduced orchid hybrids have not been given Burmese names, but are only referred to by shorthand labels like dendro and vanda. This study provides a first, linguistically informed ethnobiological report of ornamental plants in Myanmar. Full article

Western Amazonia hosts the highest bird diversity in the world, yet in many regional indigenous territories, biodiversity remains poorly known to science. Between 2004 and 2020, we conducted research with members of 10 indigenous Aguaruna communities in four regions of the northern Peruvian Amazon, recording a total of 427 bird species, including eight wintering Nearctic migratory species. Past studies suggested that unique Aguaruna names exist for the majority of bird species present, and this hypothesis was a focus of our research. We identified unique Aguaruna names for ~38% (161) of bird species documented and generic (shared) Aguaruna names for an additional ~31% (132) of bird species documented; the remaining ~31% (134) of bird species documented had no known Aguaruna name. Avian family membership was a significant predictor of whether a bird species had a unique Aguaruna name. Avian families in which a majority of species had unique Aguaruna names included parrots (Psittacidae), manakins (Pipridae), and nightjars (Caprimulgidae), comprising many conspicuous species in terms of their appearance, vocalizations, and/or behavior. Avian families in which a majority of species had no Aguaruna name included ovenbirds and woodcreepers (Furnariidae), tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae), and hummingbirds (Trochilidae), comprising many small, cryptic, forest interior species. Collaborative research on avian ecology together with studies of indigenous names and knowledge offers a basis on which to increase conservation engagement with indigenous people. Full article

Black elder, Sambucus nigra, is a non-native but now partly naturalized shrub in Sweden; it has been cultivated here at least since the Middle Ages. Previously, this plant was associated with a supernatural being to whom sacrifices were made, and its fruits were used in folk medicine and wood for fuel and crafts. Traditional economic uses vanished with industrialization and urbanization and black elder was mostly planted as an ornamental shrub in urban parks. At the end of the 1970s, however, it made a sudden comeback: city dwellers started to gather flowers to make a refreshing non-alcoholic cordial. This diachronic study of Sambucus nigra spanning over a millennium reflects various attitudes and uses within the context of a changing human society. In addition to the simple but popular cordial, side dishes and desserts made of its fragrant flowers are becoming increasingly popular in modern Swedish cuisine. Globally it has also been (re)discovered and the utilization of this plant is growing: its flowers are used to add flavor to soft drinks, salads, desserts and various dishes; berries are used for medicine and in cooking, especially with meats, and its future uses seem to be limited only by human imagination. Full article

The collection of the ancestral fruit cauchao (Amomyrtus luma) is part of the routines of women gatherers from the extreme south (44° South Latitude) in Chile. The traditional food knowledge of cauchao has not been documented, and there is no data on the nutritional composition. Women’s experiences collecting cauchao can help understand the relationship between traditional food, herbal medicine, and local gatherers’ communities. Thus, this research explores the traditional knowledge of food and the nutritional composition of cauchao. Mixed methods research was performed. A case study included in-depth interviews with 12 women gatherers and thematic analysis. The composition of macronutrients in cauchao was obtained by proximate chemical analyses and dietary fiber using the enzymatic-gravimetric method. Results showed that gathering for these women was more than just extracting natural resources; it was associated with family, food security, participation in different stages of the food system, and practices that could contribute towards sustainable food systems. Furthermore, cauchao fruit showed a high dietary fiber content, and women gatherers did not connect cauchao with dietary fiber. Since access to knowledge by small-scale food producers, especially women, is part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG#2.3), the approach of this research may help guide knowledge transfer among women gatherers. Full article

Mangroves are essential for the well-being of the inhabitants of coastal areas, who have extensive knowledge about the use and exploitation of this resource. However, this knowledge is decreasing, which could trigger negative repercussions for this ecosystem. Ethnobiological investigations make it possible to gather information on the use, management, and exploitation of this resource. Hence, this paper presents a study that is framed around the coastal area of the state of Tabasco, in southeast México, and consists of 74 semi-structured interviews that were carried out, while the local relevance of each mangrove species was evaluated using ethnobiological indices. Three species of mangrove were identified, Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle, and the latter species had the highest Use-Value (UV) Index value of 6.08. A total of 27 forms of forestry use were found, 11 for non-timber use and 16 for timber use. Firewood stood out as the main use with 12.6%, while the use of needles to make cloth and crafts represented the lowest percentage with 0.3%. The uses given by the coastal population to the mangroves and their respective species were influenced by immediate needs and specific characteristics of each species. To ensure the sustainability of mangroves, it is essential to design environmental strategies that integrate local ethnobiological knowledge and promote the active participation of direct users of this ecosystem. These strategies should be incorporated into public conservation policies, recognizing the cultural and economic value that mangroves hold for local communities. By implementing these actions, the relationship between communities and their environment will be strengthened, laying the groundwork for further exploration of coastal ethnobiology. Full article

Climate change poses significant challenges to ecosystems globally, demanding innovative methods for environmental conservation and restoration. Restoration initiatives require significant amounts of appropriate vegetation that is both adaptive and tolerant to the specific environmental factors. This study introduces an adaptive-vegetation model designed to support ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. Traditional restoration methods often neglect dynamic environmental conditions and ecosystem interactions, but the model employs real-time data and predictive analytics to adapt strategies to evolving climate variables. The model takes a comprehensive approach, incorporating climate projections, soil health metrics, species adaptability, and hydrological patterns to inform restoration practices. By using a mix of adaptable native species, the model promotes biodiversity. In conclusion, according to the findings of our review, paludiculture and agroforestry could be implemented as models for improving climate resilience, particularly in tropical degraded peat swamp forests. These two models could improve the environment, the economy, and social functions. Finally, improving all three of these factors improves ecological stability. This adaptive-vegetation model represents a significant shift from static, uniform restoration approaches to dynamic, data-driven strategies tailored to specific environments. The future research directions underscore the need for ongoing innovation in conservation practices to safeguard ecosystems amid unprecedented environmental changes. Future efforts will focus on enhancing the model with advanced machine learning techniques and expanding its application to additional ecological contexts. Full article

Nutrient resorption (NR) is a critical ecological process in forest ecosystems. However, there is a lack of knowledge about this process in the peatlands of Indonesia, and this may be seen as a research gap. In the present study, NR in young trees of three native species (Macaranga pruinosa, Cratoxylum arborescens, and Macaranga gigantea) and one exotic species (Acacia crassicarpa) in a drained tropical peatland was investigated. This study was conducted at an experimental plot in Pelalawan-Riau, Indonesia. Nutrient resorption efficiency (RE) and proficiency (RP) were calculated and correlated with soil properties, foliar nutrients, and growth variables. Our results revealed that M. pruinosa exhibited an RE value for phosphorus (PRE) that was 64% higher than that for the second-ranked native species but still significantly (84%) lower than that for A. crassicarpa. RE values for nitrogen (NRE) and potassium (KRE) did not differ significantly among species, ranging from 39 to 42% and 41 to 56%, respectively, for native species, with figures of 45% and 66%, respectively, for A. crassicarpa. Finally, PRE exhibited strong and significant correlations with PRP and tree growth, a finding that indicated that the uptake and conservation of P nutrients are essential for the fitness of the three native species. Overall, the results of the present study may be seen as beneficial for species selection and the management of nutrients by those engaged in restoration of tropical peatland forests. Full article

Lowland tropical rainforests provide an abundance of biodiversity as well as dynamic and stable ecosystems. These forests include tropical peat forests in various locations and forest types that have vegetation structure and composition characteristics, and carbon stocks that still need to be explored more deeply. Research on the structure and the composition of the vegetation and carbon stock in the old secondary peat forest was carried out in the protected areas of Bukit Batu, Riau Province, and Muara Merang, South Sumatra Province. Based on a 1-hectare permanent plot established in Bukit Batu and Muara Merang, 25 subplots of 20 m by 20 m were established in each location for measurement purposes. The results showed that Bukit Batu and Muara Merang had 42 and 36 species belonging to 26 and 20 families, respectively. Bukit Batu had a species diversity index (H’) of 2.93, and the dominant tree species were Palaquium xanthochymum with an importance value index (IVI) = 66.27%, Eugenia sp. (IVI = 32.76%), and Litsea sp. (IVI = 18.39%). The Muara Merang location had a species diversity index (H’) of 2.82, and the dominant tree species were Eugenia sp. (IVI = 60.88%), Alseodaphne insignis (IVI = 26.34%), and Adenanthera pavonina (IVI = 22.11%). In Bukit Batu, forest stands with a diameter of ≥10 cm contained a biomass of 178.10 tonnes/ha and carbon stock of 83.70 tonnes C/ha, which is equal to 307.20 tonnes CO₂/ha. Meanwhile, in Muara Merang, it was 190.41 tonnes/ha and 89.49 tonnes C/ha, which is equal to 328.44 tonnes CO₂/ha. This research, especially that in Bukit Batu, Riau Province, enriches the data and information available to date and is very useful in supporting restoration practices in Riau Province’s Giam Siak Kecil Biosphere Reserve, which was designated by UNESCO as part of the Man and Biosphere Program. Full article