Search Results (105)

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo represents both a biodiversity hotspot and the ancestral homeland of the Indigenous Mbuti and Efe peoples, whose livelihoods and knowledge systems are closely tied to forest resources. This study investigates how Indigenous knowledge and practices contribute to sustainable resource management under conditions of rapid socio-cultural transformation. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining socio-demographic surveys (n = 80), focus group discussions, floristic inventories, and statistical analyses (ANOVA, logistic regressions, chi-square, MCA). Results show that hunting, fishing, gathering, and honey harvesting remain central livelihood activities, governed by customary taboos and restrictions that act as de facto ecological regulations. Agriculture, recently introduced through intercultural exchange with neighboring Bantu populations, complements rather than replaces traditional practices and demonstrates emerging agroecological hybridization. Nevertheless, evidence of biodiversity decline (including local disappearance of species such as Dioscorea spp.), erosion of intergenerational knowledge transmission, and increased reliance on monetary income indicate vulnerabilities. Multiple Correspondence Analysis revealed a highly structured socio-ecological gradient (98.5% variance explained; Cronbach’s α = 0.977), indicating that perceptions of environmental change are strongly coupled with demographic identity and livelihood strategies. Floristic inventories confirmed significant differences in species abundance across camps (ANOVA, p < 0.001), highlighting site-specific pressures and the protective effect of persistent customary norms. The findings underscore the resilience and adaptability of Indigenous Peoples but also their exposure to ecological and cultural disruptions. We conclude that formal recognition of Indigenous institutions and integration of their knowledge systems into co-management frameworks are essential to strengthen ecological resilience, secure Indigenous rights, and align conservation policies with global biodiversity and climate agendas. Full article

The heavy reliance of the mushroom industry on sawdust substrates is putting increasing pressure on already limited forest resources, forcing researchers to seek alternative materials. This study investigated the feasibility of using post-harvest djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) stems, waste from this indigenous crop in Taiwan, to partially replace sawdust for Pleurotus sajor-caju cultivation. Initial screening with 0–100% djulis replacement revealed growth inhibition above 50% incorporation levels. Refined experiments focusing on 0–30% djulis ratios demonstrated that strain PT exhibited superior adaptation to djulis-containing substrates. Commercial scale grow bag trials showed that among djulis treatments, 25% djulis incorporation achieved the fastest mycelial colonization rate (1.0 cm/day), while 15% incorporation yielded the highest biological efficiency (76.17%), comparable to commercial controls (76.80%). Three-flush harvest cycles confirmed stable productivity across treatments, with total yields ranging from 286 to 320 g/bag. Nutritional analysis showed no major changes in amino acids and antioxidants, with djulis incorporation maintaining protein quality while some enhancement in total free amino acid content and reducing power at 25% incorporation. These findings demonstrate that 15–25% djulis stem substitution sustained commercial production parameters while contributing to sustainable agricultural waste management and reducing forest resource dependence. Full article

Territorial transformations in Indigenous regions are shaped by intersecting ecological, political, and cultural dynamics. In San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional, Oaxaca, the construction of the Cerro de Oro dam disrupted river flows, displaced livelihoods, and triggered the decline of irrigated agriculture. This study examines the long-term impacts of these changes on land use, demographics, and cultural practices, emphasizing women’s contributions to community resilience. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates geospatial analysis (1992–2021), census data (2000–2020), documentary review, and ethnographic fieldwork, including participatory mapping. Results show a shift toward seasonal rainfed agriculture, fluctuating forest cover, and a rise in female-headed households. Women have emerged as central actors in adapting to change through practices such as seed saving, agroforestry, and backstrap-loom weaving. These spatially grounded practices, enacted across varied socio-ecological zones, sustain food systems, preserve biodiversity, and reinforce biocultural memory. Although often overlooked in formal governance, women’s territorial agency plays a vital role in shaping land use and community adaptation. This research highlights the need to recognize Indigenous women’s roles in managing change and sustaining territorial heritage. Acknowledging these contributions is essential for building inclusive, culturally grounded, and sustainable development pathways in regions facing structural and environmental pressures. Full article

Biodiversity conservation has been identified as an important climate change mitigation tool. Healthy ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks while also strengthening resilience, making them essential for climate change adaptation. Climate change effects have led to various negative impacts, including biodiversity loss and food insecurity. The loss of forest biodiversity threatens vital wild fruits and vegetables that sustain rural communities, disrupting natural food sources and constituting a form of social injustice for poor, vulnerable, and previously marginalised groups in rural and semi-urban communities. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between previous biodiversity conservation outcomes, ecosystem services, highly utilised wild vegetables and fruits, food and nutritional security, climate change effects, and climate resilience. We identified gaps in African biodiversity conservation and developed a conceptual framework to highlight integral principles required for the effective biodiversity conservation of wild forests in Africa. The integral principles are active community engagement, a strong network of stakeholders, sustainable plant resources management practices, legal reforms, and the creation of awareness through various platforms. Conservation policies should prioritise African indigenous wild, drought-tolerant vegetables and fruits that serve as an interface between food and medicine; play various roles in human survival in the form of ecosystem services; and act as carbon sinks to ensure a food-secure future with reduced climate change effects. The African indigenous community’s efforts in biodiversity conservation engagements are key to successful outcomes. Full article

We document and analyze an emblematic case study of non-indigenous peasant autonomy and re-peasantization in Sa Kaeo province in the Issan region of Thailand, using a mostly qualitative, single case-study methodology. The Kok Edoi autonomous community, whose members engage in community forest management and increasingly in agroecological farming, was founded more than twenty-five years ago as the product of a land occupation by landless peasants associated with the national Thai social movement, the Assembly of the Poor (AoP), which is part of the global peasant movement, La Via Campesina (LVC). Partially inspired by opportunities given to the community and to AoP by LVC to learn and gain inspiration from Latin American experiences such as the Zapatistas in Mexico, Kok Edoi autonomy exemplifies how the exchange of social movement knowledge and experience can help shape and strengthen local struggles, and it is also suggestive of autonomy as an alternative pathway of resistance and sustainable development in Thailand. We review the literature on territorial autonomy, re-peasantization, and community forestry and autonomy in Thailand and the world. Situating Kok Edoi in Thai history concerning policies and conflicts around land and forests, we examine the type, dimensions, and facets of autonomy and re-peasantization present in Kok Edoi to demonstrate how these factors contribute to the community being considered an emblematic case of peasant autonomy, peasant land occupation, peasant management of and livelihood derived from natural resources, more autonomous alternative markets, collective accumulation, and political training and mobilization that contributes to a class-based national movement. This is novel in an academic literature that has to date focused principally on indigenous autonomy, largely in Latin America. Full article

Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) efforts are critical for sustainable natural resource governance in Northwest Ethiopia. This study investigated the various aspects of CBFM, emphasizing practical implementation in the context of the Awi Administrative Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was handed out to 412 farmers across three districts—Dangila, Fagita Lokoma, and Banja. The quantitative data was analyzed using the Likert scale with SPSS version 23 software. Findings indicate that insufficient financial support (44%), limited community participation (30%), and weak institutional arrangements (19%) are the major factors impeding effective CBFM, with statistically significant regional variation (χ² = 242.8, df = 3, p = 0.000). On the other side, increased awareness and international support (34%) and enhanced local participation (36%) were the leading facilitators (χ² = 512.05, df = 11, p = 0.000). We look at the practical aspects of CBFM, from community-led conservation efforts to sustainable harvesting techniques, emphasizing the importance of indigenous knowledge alongside modern methodologies. The CBFM project in the northwest part of Ethiopia have facilitated biodiversity protection and environmental resilience by integrating local perspectives with broader developmental goals. However, obstacles such as land tenure, resource conflicts, and capacity restrictions continue, requiring adaptive methods and legislative reforms. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion on sustainable natural resource management by offering empirical insights into the dynamics of CBFM in the Awi administrative zone of northwest Ethiopia. Full article

The exploitation of the Amazon biome in search of net profit, specifically in the production of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and açaí (Euterpe oleracea), has caused deforestation, degradation of natural resources, and high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, highlighting the urgency of improving the environmental, economic and social sustainability of these crops. These species were selected for their rapid expansion in the Amazon, driven by global demand, their local economic relevance, and their potential to either promote conservation or drive deforestation, depending on the production system. This study analyzes the pillars of environmental, social, and economic sustainability of cocoa and açaí production systems in the Amazon, comparing monoculture, agroforestry, and extractivism to support forest conservation strategies in the biome. Analysis of the environmental life cycle, social life cycle, and economic performance were used to determine the carbon footprint, the final point of workers, and the net profit of the activities. According to the results found in this study, cocoa monoculture had the largest carbon footprint (1.35 tCO₂eq/ha), followed by agroforestry (1.20 tCO₂eq/ha), açaí monoculture (0.84 tCO₂eq/ha) and extractivism (0.25 tCO₂eq/ha). In the carbon balance, only the areas outside indigenous lands presented positive carbon. Regarding the economic aspect, the net profit of açaí monoculture was USD 6783.44/ha, extractivism USD 6059.42/ha, agroforestry USD 4505.55/ha, and cocoa monoculture USD 3937.32/ha. In the social sphere, in cocoa and açaí production, the most relevant negative impacts are the subcategories of child labor and gender discrimination, and the positive impacts are related to the sub-category of forced labor. These results suggest that açaí and cocoa extractivism, under responsible management plans, offer a promising balance between profitability and environmental conservation. Furthermore, agroforestry systems have also demonstrated favorable outcomes, providing additional benefits such as biodiversity conservation and system resilience, which make them a promising sustainable alternative. Full article

Deforestation in Colombia, driven by armed conflict and illicit crops, triggered an environmental crisis, particularly in the Caribbean region, where forest loss in areas such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta degraded ecosystems, reduced carbon sequestration, and increased soil erosion, threatening biodiversity and local food security. In response, the Arhuaco Indigenous community implemented an ethnic territorial management system to restore degraded lands and safeguard their ancestral territory. This study evaluates the effectiveness of their efforts, supporting their call for territorial expansion by analyzing forest cover changes (1973–2023) in the Tucurinca and Aracataca river basins. Using Landsat imagery, remote sensing, and a maximum likelihood algorithm, we generated thematic maps and statistical vegetation change data, validated by a 91.4% accuracy rate (kappa coefficient and confusion matrices). Results demonstrate significant forest recovery, highlighting collective reforestation and Indigenous sustainable management as pivotal strategies for reversing deforestation in post-conflict scenarios. Full article

The Amazonian region comprises a set of ecosystems that play an essential role in stabilizing global climate and regulating carbon and water cycles. However, several environmental issues of anthropogenic origin threaten climate stability in this region: agribusiness, illegal mining, illegal timber exports, pesticide use, and biopiracy, among others. These actions lead to deforestation, soil erosion, fauna biodiversity loss, water resource contamination, land conflicts, violence against indigenous peoples, and epidemics. The present study aims to feature the current degradation process faced by the Amazonian biome and identify strategic alternatives based on science to inhibit and minimize the degradation of its biodiversity and water resources. This applied research, based on a systematic review, highlighted the complexity, fragility, and importance of the functioning of the Amazonian ecosystem. Although activities such as mining and agriculture notoriously cause soil degradation, this research focused on the scenarios of biodiversity and water resource degradation. The dynamics of the current Amazon degradation process associated with human activity and climate change advancement were also described. Ultimately, the study emphasizes that, given the invaluable importance of the Amazon’s biodiversity and natural resources for global climate balance and food and water security, anthropogenic threats endanger its sustainability. Beyond the well-known human-induced impacts on the forest and life, the findings highlight the need for strategies that integrate forest conservation, sustainable land management, and public policies focused on the region’s sustainable development. These strategies, supported by partnerships, include reducing deforestation and burning, promoting environmental education, engaging local communities, enforcing public policies, and conducting continuous monitoring using satellite remote sensing technology. Full article

Mountain forestscapes are among the planet’s most vital socio-ecological systems, functioning as critical reservoirs of biodiversity, regulators of climate, and essential sources of water and livelihood for surrounding and downstream communities. However, these landscapes face intensifying threats from climate change, land-use transformation, resource extraction, unsustainable tourism, and fragmented governance. While sustainable forest management has provided essential frameworks for conservation, its focus on maintaining existing conditions is increasingly insufficient amid accelerating ecological and social decline. This paper explores the conceptual and practical evolution from sustainability to regeneration in mountain forest management, distinguishing between the theoretical foundations of each paradigm and analyzing the key drivers of degradation across diverse biocultural regions. Methodologically, the study employs a transdisciplinary and qualitative design, integrating critical literature synthesis, comparative regional analysis, and Indigenous and local knowledge systems. A structured review of 72 peer-reviewed sources and ethnographic materials was conducted, combined with a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of mountain case studies from the Alps, Carpathians, Andes, Eastern Arc Mountains, and Himalayas. The study synthesizes regenerative strategies such as ecological connectivity restoration, agroecological landscape design, participatory watershed management, and adaptive, polycentric governance. Based on these insights, an integrated framework for regenerative mountain forestscape management is proposed, aligned with global policy agendas including the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, nature-based solutions (NbS), and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. By prioritizing ecological renewal, cultural continuity, and community agency, this work contributes to transformative, place-based approaches that restore the functionality, resilience, and integrity of mountain landscapes. Full article

Forest communities around the world have great difficulties in utilizing the economic potential of their forests, especially timber, under current technical requirements and legal frameworks. The present study examines the feasibility of motor–manual timber management among indigenous Chiquitano communities in Bolivia’s Eastern Lowlands. It evaluates local practices, tests technical optimization options, and assesses their technical, financial, and environmental impacts. Findings reveal that traditional motor–manual timber production is scarcely profitable, exacerbated by burdensome legal frameworks and limited market access. However, motor–manual forest management remains an essential source of income for communities, and it constitutes an important option for rural development. Field tests demonstrate that, with the use of better equipment such as quality chainsaws, and improved maintenance and workflows, productivity and profitability of local logging can be enhanced. Despite a low environmental impact, optimized motor–manual timber management continues to be constrained by governance challenges, logistical limitations, and limited markets for locally produced timber. The study recommends optimizing these aspects, including targeted technical support, market development, simplified legal frameworks, and the setting up of robust local governance structures to replace ineffective centralized command and control approaches. These improvements would enable communities to sustainably use timber from their forests while addressing their socio-economic needs. The findings underscore the potential of logging by local communities as an alternative to large-scale mechanized logging, for Bolivia and in other tropical forest countries. Full article

In forested watersheds, suspended sediment concentration (SSC) is an important parameter that impacts water quality and beneficial use. Water quality also has impacts beyond the stream channel, as elevated SSC can violate Indigenous sovereignty, treaty rights, and environmental law. To address elevated SSC, watershed partners must understand the dynamics of the sediment regime in the basins they steward. Collection of additional data is expensive, so this study presents modeling and analysis techniques to leverage existing data on SSC. Using data from the South Fork Clearwater River in Idaho County, Idaho, USA, we modeled SSC over water years 1986–2011 and we applied regression techniques to evaluate correlations between SSC and natural disturbances (channel-building flow events) and anthropogenic disturbances (timber harvesting, hazardous fuel management, controlled burns, and wildfire). Analysis shows that SSC did not change over the period of record. This study provides a monitoring program design to support future decision making leading to reductions in SSC. Full article

Cinnamomum osmophloeum, commonly known as indigenous cinnamon, is a tree species native to Taiwan’s hardwood forests. It has been extensively investigated for its chemical composition and bioactivities. Several reports have shown that C. osmophloeum leaves are rich in aromatic oils, which are grouped into various chemotypes based on their major constituents. Components of the volatile oils included phenylpropanoids, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, phenols, coumarins, and other miscellaneous compounds. In addition, other secondary metabolites previously identified in this species included flavonol glycosides, phenolic acids, lignans, proanthocyanidins, and cyclopropanoids. C. osmophloeum is widely recognized for its medicinal and industrial applications, particularly its essential oils. In general, essential oils exhibit remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, enabling them to modulate key inflammatory mediators and neutralize free radicals. This review explored the phytochemical composition of the essential oils and extracts from C. osmophloeum as well as therapeutic potential of this species, focusing on the action mechanisms and clinical potential. We hope that this review will contribute to a better understanding of the biological effects of this plant and its potential applications in the management of conditions associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Full article

Anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest conversion, have a profound impact on species distributions and biodiversity in tropical forests. This study aimed to determine the diversity and distribution of bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) across three forest types: Primary Forest (PF), Disturbed Forest (DF), and Rubber Plantation (RP) in southern Sabah, Malaysia. We analyzed biweekly data obtained from ethanol-baited traps over three years, from April 2017 to May 2020, which included 7257 individuals from 154 species. The dominant species remained the same across all forest types. However, species composition was highly stochastic and unpredictable between forest types. The abundance and number of species were highest in RP but lowest in DF. Indigenous forest use in DF mostly for fuel likely reduced the resources for the beetles. Open canopy structure in RP probably increased the number of flying beetles. Although adjacent to PF, RP displayed a distinct species composition predominantly associated with rubber trees. These findings underscore the anthropogenic impact on beetle assemblages due to forest use and emphasize the need for sustainable forest management practices to prevent biodiversity loss and maintain ecosystem stability. Full article

This paper proposes a thematic literature review of advances in the literature on forest property rights over the first half of this decade. From a methodological point of view, we exploited a corpus of scientific articles published between 2019 and 2023, extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. We then performed a co-word analysis using the Louvain algorithm to reveal thematic clusters. This approach enabled us to identify seven distinct trends over the past half-decade, each highlighting specific aspects and geographical diversity of forest property rights, which were then evaluated using a thematic map. The main findings revealed that (policies, livelihoods and agroforestry) and (institutions, sustainability and non-timber forest products) stand out as central and influential themes, which have a significant impact and present notable advances that have shaped recent discussions and practices. Furthermore, themes (forest policy and resource management) and (conservation and the rights of indigenous communities) are well developed, which have a solid research base, offering an in-depth understanding of the relevant research questions. Conversely, themes (institutional change and forest conservation) and (deforestation, indigenous rights and community management) represent emerging themes, which are receiving increasing attention and are likely to become major of focus. In contrast, (forest governance, community management and land conflict resolution) which indicates a waning influence in terms of miscellaneous implications. The findings of this thematic literature review will help guide policymakers, researchers, and practitioners based on recent developments in international forest property rights, during a half-decade marked by a break with previous trends, leading to legislative changes and strategic adaptations essential for the sustainable management of forest resources, bolstered by technological advancements and environmental efforts. Full article