Search Results (150)

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

This study examines Indigenous community-led water sustainability in Western Canada through relational and decolonial lenses, addressing the interplay between traditional knowledge, environmental governance, and cultural identity. The relational and decolonial frameworks emphasize water as a living entity integral to environmental sustainability and community well-being, contrasting with extractive Western models that prioritize economic gains. Using a community-led collaborative methodology, the research engaged Elders, Knowledge-keepers, and youth in discussions and land-based activities, reinforcing intergenerational knowledge transfer. The findings showcase critical challenges to Indigenous water governance, including industrial encroachments, climate change, and colonial environmental management systems that marginalize Indigenous perspectives. These human-created challenges threaten Indigenous water quality and disrupt Indigenous sustainable governance, underlining the need for alternative, adaptive frameworks. Despite these challenges, Indigenous communities are reclaiming water sustainability through initiatives that implement traditional knowledge, cultural revitalization, and collaborative governance models. Such efforts emphasize respect, reciprocity, and stewardship, promoting long-term environmental sustainability. Full article

Prosopis glandulosa (Mesquite), an invasive alien tree species, poses major threats to soil health, native vegetation, and biodiversity in South African rangelands. The negative impacts of Prosopis on socio-economic, environmental, and ecological resources outweigh the benefits. Most South African researchers are afraid that if left uncontrolled or poorly managed, it can cause severe land degradation, reduced agricultural productivity, indigenous-species shift, and ultimately the loss of biodiversity. Consequently, this will undermine key sustainable development goals related to food security and environmental conservation. In this review we conducted a systematic review, identifying 309 peer-reviewed articles from Google Scholar and Web of Science, screening and analyzing 98 of these, and ultimately reviewing 34 publications in detail. Three key research gaps were identified: (1) insufficient research focused on Prosopis invasion in South Africa; (2) limited integration and collaboration between the agricultural sector, environmental conservation sector, and governmental bodies; and (3) challenges in policy implementation within invaded areas. The study seeks to address these gaps by highlighting the impact of this alien invasive Prosopis species on land, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem stability. It also investigates policy issues surrounding invasive species and their control. Effective management of Prosopis within the country will not only control the spread but also support the broader objectives of environmental conservation, agricultural sustainability, and socio-economic development. Full article

Iron tailings from the mining process occupy vast land areas and pose a significant ecological risk. In order to reuse iron tailings resources and carry out in situ ecological restoration of a mine, in this study, a medium of mixed iron tailings and mining topsoil (m:m = 3:1) was used to plant landscape grasses, including Lolium perenne L. (L. perenne), Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng. (P. alopecuroides), Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. (M. officinalis), and Medicago sativa L. (M. sativa). Biochar and chicken manure were used as biochar organic fertilizers and indigenous microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tested grasses. They were applied to enhance landscape grass growth by regulating rhizosphere microbial communities and nutrient conditions. The results showed that the biochar organic fertilizers significantly promoted the growth of the four landscape grasses, notably P. alopecuroides, increasing plant height, root length, root weight, and leaf fresh weight by 169%, 60%, 211%, and 388%, respectively. Additionally, L. perenne exhibited the greatest height increase (10%) following the application of bacterial solutions. Moreover, indigenous bacterial solutions enhanced chlorophyll content and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, with P. alopecuroides showing the highest chlorophyll increase of 58% and M. sativa exhibiting a 30.58% rise in PAL activity. The biochar organic fertilizer also significantly elevated soluble protein content in P. alopecuroides and M. sativa by 195% and 152%, respectively. It also effectively enhanced peroxidase (POD) activity in Poaceae grasses by 120% to 160%. After adding indigenous microorganisms, the rhizosphere soil of the landscape grass showed the highest Shannon–Wiener diversity index, reaching 3.561. The rhizosphere soil of M. officinalis had the highest microbial richness, with a value of 39. Additionally, the addition of indigenous microorganisms increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of the four plants by 8–19%, 6–14%, and 8–18%, respectively. This study offers a new approach for managing mining waste and ecological restoration in mining areas. Full article

This paper presents a case study of Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria, whose traditional ethnoveterinary practices risk being lost as the country transitions to more intensive and enclosed livestock practices. We use a planetary health framing to make visible the value of indigenous practices that are less damaging to the environment, animal welfare, and human health. Through ethnographic observation, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key stakeholder interviews, we show that the Fulani use a complex system of herbal medicines and traditional herding practices to maintain herd health, and to manage and treat animal disease when it arises. However, their traditions often sit uncomfortably with commercial farming practices. As traditional Fulani grazing lands are eroded, dispossessed Fulani take employment from businessmen farmers. Both parties’ inexperience with shed hygiene, artificial feed, and less environmentally resilient crossbreeds leads to an increased incidence of infectious disease. This, in turn, drives the higher use of antibiotics. There is, thus, a ‘causal chain’ of underlying drivers that lead, through poorer environmental, animal, and human health, to the increased use of antibiotics. The antibiotic resistance that emerges from this chain threatens human health now and in the future. Through a planetary health framing, we advocate for a deeper understanding of the knowledge held by Fulani herdsmen and their traditional ethnoveterinary practices as an alternative to increasing antibiotic use (ABU). Full article

Indigenous communities worldwide face increasing challenges from modernization, migration, and economic pressures, which threaten their traditional agricultural systems and cultural heritage. These dynamics often lead to shifts in land use, the erosion of ancestral knowledge, and the weakening of cultural identity. Understanding how these communities adapt to such changes is crucial for sustainable development. This research examines how indigenous communities, particularly San José Chiltepec in Oaxaca, balance the preservation of cultural heritage with adapting to evolving agricultural practices and land use transformations. It emphasizes the critical role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable land management and the importance of cultural identity amidst socio-economic pressures. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating geostatistical data, spatial analysis, and qualitative insights from municipal development plans and community-based observations. This provided a detailed understanding of how local conditions and external forces shape land use and conservation. The findings reveal that, while irrigated agriculture and pasturelands have declined, the community has shown resilience through the preservation of seasonal farming and the expansion of secondary vegetation. San José Chiltepec serves as a model for how indigenous communities can maintain cultural and environmental heritage while adapting to modern economic challenges. 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

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J. Houzeau), which is native to China, is considered to be an invasive species due to its powerful asexual reproductive capabilities that allow it to rapidly spread into neighboring ecosystems and replace existing plant communities. In the absence of human intervention, it remains poorly understood how indigenous moso bamboo forests naturally expand into surrounding areas over the long term, and whether these patterns vary with environmental changes. Using multi-year forest resource inventory data, we extracted moso bamboo patches that emerged from 2010 to 2020 and proposed a bamboo expansion index to calculate the average rate of patch expansion during this period. Using the first global 30 m land-cover dynamic monitoring product with a fine classification system, we assessed the expansion speeds of moso bamboo into various areas, particularly forests with different canopy closures and categories. Using parameter-optimized geographic detectors, we explored the significance of multi-factors in the expansion process. The results indicate that the average expansion rate of moso bamboo forests in China is 1.36 m/y, with evergreen broadleaved forests being the primary area for invasion. Moso bamboo expands faster into open forest types (0.15 < canopy closure < 0.4), shrublands, and grasslands. The importance of factors influencing the expansion rate is ranked as follows: temperature > chemical properties of soil > light > physical properties of soil > moisture > atmosphere > terrain. When considering interactions, the primary factors contributing to expansion rates include various climate factors and the combined effect of climate factors and soil factors. Our work underscores the importance of improving the quality and density of native vegetation, such as evergreen broadleaved forests. Effective management strategies, including systematic monitoring of environmental variables, as well as targeted interventions like bamboo removal and soil moisture control, are essential for mitigating the invasion of moso bamboo. Full article

Global land-use changes impact soil’s ability to perform essential functions. This study investigates whether soil organic carbon (SOC) can be conserved without altering land use in traditional farming systems and degraded natural forests, focusing on ‘disturbed’ agricultural soils and ‘undisturbed’ forest soils. We also examine the influence of dominant crops on SOC within the top 30 cm of soil in data-deficient regions of Nepal. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling design, we tested 12 regression models to identify the best relationships among variables such as SOC, soil bulk density (BD), pH, dominant crops, climate, topography, and management practices. Our analysis revealed similar SOC levels in both disturbed and undisturbed soils, indicating significant degradation in forested areas, whereas traditional farming systems could support SOC and preserve farm-based indigenous knowledge alongside food security. Further, SOC stocks varied significantly (p < 0.05) across different cropping systems, suggesting that managing dominant crops could be a strategy to optimize SOC, with these crops serving as indicators. Additionally, our results show that the weak linear correlation between SOC and BD in regularly disturbed soils, such as farmlands, where anthropogenic activities frequently alter soil bulk density, may be misleading when estimating bulk density-dependent SOC. This finding suggests the need for further research into varying degrees of anthropogenic disturbance in soil to confirm these results. While the site-specific nature of the findings warrants caution with respect to generalization, they provide valuable insights for carbon monitoring, climate actions, ecosystem health, and land-use management in similar traditional farming systems and degraded forests, particularly in data-poor regions. Full article

The objective of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of forest cover loss patterns and the protection role of Indigenous peoples in the forests of Araucanía, Chile. Previous research indicated lower rates of forest cover loss in land managed by Indigenous peoples; however, this was primarily focused on tropical forests. This paper focuses on the temperate forests in the region of Araucanía and hypothesizes that there will be a similar trend, with lower rates of deforestation in areas owned by Indigenous peoples. A logistic regression model was used which included multiple underlying drivers that have shown to impact deforestation rates. The results of this study corroborated the hypothesis that lands owned by Indigenous peoples have lower rates of deforestation, and that protection status, agricultural function, and railway proximity have a strong influence on forest clearing, while slope, elevation, and proximity to urban areas demonstrated a minimal impact. Full article

There is a consensus that fire should be actively managed in tropical savannas to decrease wildfire risks, firefighting costs, and social conflicts as well as to promote ecosystem conservation. Selection and participatory monitoring of the effects of fire on cultural keystone species may be an efficient way to involve local stakeholders and inform management decisions. In this study, we investigated the effects of different fire regimes on a cultural keystone species in Central Brazil. With the support of diverse multiethnic groups of local fire brigades, we sampled Hancornia speciosa (Apocynaceae) populations across a vast regional range of 18 traditional territories (Indigenous Lands and Quilombola Territories) as well as four restricted Protected Areas. We considered areas under wildfires (WF), prescribed burns (PB) and fire exclusion (FE) and quantified tree mortality, canopy damage, loss of reproductive structures and fruit production following a simplified field protocol. Areas with H. speciosa populations were identified and classified according to their fire history, and in each sampled area, adult plants were evaluated. We hypothesized that WF would have larger negative impact on the population parameters measured, while FE would increase plant survival and fruit production. We found that tree mortality, canopy damage, and loss of reproductive structures were higher in areas affected by wildfires, which also had the lowest fruit production per plant compared to PB and FE areas, corroborating our hypotheses. However, we also found higher mortality in FE areas compared to PB ones, probably due to plant diseases in areas with longer FE. Considering these results and that the attempts to exclude fire from fire-prone ecosystems commonly lead to periodic wildfires, we argue that the Integrated Fire Management program in course in federal Protected Areas in Brazil—based on early dry season prescribed fires—is a good management option for this, and likely other, cultural keystone species in the Brazilian savanna. Full article