Search Results (112)

Urban forests, as a form of green infrastructure, play a vital role in enhancing urban resilience, environmental health, and quality of life. However, users perceive and utilize these spaces in diverse ways. This study aims to identify latent perception types among urban forest visitors and analyze their behavioral, demographic, and policy-related characteristics in Incheon Metropolitan City (Republic of Korea). Using latent class analysis, four distinct visitor types were identified: multipurpose recreationists, balanced relaxation seekers, casual forest users, and passive forest visitors. Multipurpose recreationists preferred active physical use and sports facilities, while balanced relaxation seekers emphasized emotional well-being and cultural experiences. Casual users engaged lightly with forest settings, and passive forest visitors exhibited minimal recreational interest. Satisfaction with forest elements such as vegetation, facilities, and management conditions varied across visitor types and age groups, especially among older adults. These findings highlight the need for perception-based green infrastructure planning. Policy recommendations include expanding accessible neighborhood green spaces for aging populations, promoting community-oriented events, and offering participatory forest programs for youth engagement. By integrating user segmentation into urban forest planning and governance, this study contributes to more inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable management of urban green infrastructure. Full article

Rural areas around the world are increasingly dealing with energy and environmental challenges. These challenges are particularly acute in developing countries, where persistent reliance on traditional energy sources—such as wood fuel—intersects with concerns about forest conservation and energy sustainability. While wood fuel use is often portrayed as unsustainable, it is important to acknowledge that much of it remains ecologically viable and socially embedded. This study explores the role of rural entrepreneurs in shaping low-carbon transitions at the intersection of household energy practices and environmental stewardship. Fieldwork was carried out in four rural Zambian communities in 2016 and complemented by 2024 follow-up reports. It examines the connections between household energy choices, greenhouse gas emissions, and forest resource dynamics. Findings reveal that over 60% of rural households rely on charcoal for cooking, with associated emissions estimated between 80 and 150 kg CO₂ per household per month. Although this is significantly lower than the average per capita carbon footprint in industrialized countries, such emissions are primarily biogenic in nature. While rural communities contribute minimally to global climate change, their practices have significant local environmental consequences. This study draws attention to the structural constraints as well as emerging opportunities within Zambia’s rural energy economy. It positions rural entrepreneurs not merely as policy recipients but as active agents of innovation, environmental monitoring, and participatory resource governance. A model is proposed to support sustainable rural energy transitions by aligning forest management with context-sensitive emissions strategies. Full article

Wildfires are becoming an increasingly severe threat to European forests, driven by climate change, land use changes, and socio-economic factors. Integrated solutions for wildfire prevention, early detection, emergency management, and ecological restoration are urgently needed to enhance forest resilience. The Horizon 2020 SILVANUS project developed a comprehensive multi-sectoral platform combining technological innovation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable forest management strategies. This report analyses the Slovak Republic’s participation in SILVANUS, applying a seven-criterion fit–gap framework (governance, legal, interoperability, staff capacity, ecological suitability, financial feasibility, and stakeholder acceptance) to evaluate the platform’s alignment with national conditions. Notable contributions include stakeholder-supported functional requirements for wildfire prevention, climate-sensitive forest models for long-term adaptation planning, IoT- and UAV-based early fire detection technologies, and decision support systems (DSS) for emergency response and forest-restoration activities. The Slovak pilot sites, particularly in the Podpoľanie region, served as important testbeds for the validation of these tools under real-world conditions. All SILVANUS modules scored ≥12/14 in the fit–gap assessment; early deployment reduced high-risk fuel polygons by 23%, increased stand-level structural diversity by 12%, and raised the national Sustainable Forest Management index by four points. Integrating SILVANUS outcomes into national forestry practices would enable better wildfire risk assessment, improved resilience planning, and more effective public engagement in wildfire management. Opportunities for adoption include capacity-building initiatives, technological deployments in fire-prone areas, and the incorporation of DSS outputs into strategic forest planning. Potential challenges, such as technological investment costs, inter-agency coordination, and public acceptance, are also discussed. Overall, the Slovak Republic’s engagement with SILVANUS demonstrates the value of participatory, technology-driven approaches to sustainable wildfire management and offers a replicable model for other European regions facing similar challenges. Full article

Extreme wildfire events (EWEs) are becoming increasingly frequent in Mediterranean regions, posing significant threats to ecosystems. This study aimed to support post-fire restoration planning by developing a prioritization framework that categorizes areas according to different levels of vulnerability to the adverse impacts of EWEs. We developed a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach to classify these areas within a fire perimeter. The process begins with the collection of available spatial data to assess the pre- and post-fire conditions. Following this, a set of criteria and sub-criteria was established through a participatory approach with local stakeholders. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine stakeholders’ preferences, which were then processed using the Criterium Decision Plus (CDP) version 4 software to support problem modeling. A combined consistency check was applied to ensure both individual coherence and group agreement. Finally, the methodology was integrated using the Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) software version 9, resulting in a spatial prioritization map that visually represents the levels of restoration priority and serves as a decision-support tool for post-fire restoration planning. Both the process and its results are discussed for an application to a large fire perimeter in the Vale do Sousa forested landscape. Full article

This study was carried out at 10 randomly selected fringe villages of Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) in the Terai region of West Bengal, India through personal interviews with 100 randomly selected respondents. The study documented 102 non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that were utilized throughout the year. In the local weekly market, 28 NTFPs were found to be traded by the collectors. The study shows that without proper price mechanisms and marketing channels; the residents cannot obtain fair prices for their products. The study found only nine NTFPs that were prominently traded with the involvement of middlemen and traders along with the royalty imposed by the State Forest Department. The MSPs computed for these nine NTFPs were 25–200% higher than the prices the collectors were selling to the traders. The nationalization of NTFPs through MSPs will help their effective marketing, ensuring an adequate income for the collectors, which will lead to their sustainable harvest and conservation through participatory forest management. Introducing MSPs for NTFPs with an efficient procurement network can advance the economic status of the inhabitants. We recommend increasing the inhabitants’ capacity to collect, store, process, and market NTFPs with active policy, institutional, and infrastructural support. Full article

Forest ecosystems deliver ecosystem services (ESs) that are essential for the well-being of local communities. These services necessitate a clear understanding of their perception among community members in order to facilitate informed and sustainable forest management decisions. This study aimed to explore the relationship between forest ESs and local communities by identifying community preferences for key ESs and examining how socio-economic factors influence this perception. Data was collected through participatory methods, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a household survey involving 453 respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. We identified firewood, rainfall attraction, air quality, and wildlife habitat as the most acknowledged services in their respective ES categories. Land ownership, education level, Community Forest Association membership, and labor migration significantly influenced service recognition. These findings highlight critical areas for intervention, including livelihood enhancement, cultural heritage preservation, and improved community outreach programs. The outcomes of this research are expected to contribute to the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. 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

Forests are one of the most predominant types of land usage in Portugal and are highly relevant in terms of environmental, economic, social, and political factors. Increasing the value and the resilience of the Portuguese forest, defining adequate policies, and aligning forest research with society needs requires a truthful comprehension of the most relevant challenges in this sector. This study identifies and analyzes the most relevant needs and challenges impacting the Portuguese forestry sector, both currently and over a five-year period, from the stakeholder’s perspective. A participatory approach was employed, engaging national and regional forest stakeholders, to ensure a realistic vision of the forest sector in Portugal. A total of 116 topics were identified, with a predominance of immediate challenges over future information needs, underscoring the urgent pressures on the sector. Environmental/ecological and policy issues dominated the identified needs and challenges, reflecting the urgency for strategic interventions in these areas. A significant emphasis was placed on the mitigation of climate change impacts, mainly associated with biotic and abiotic risks, promoting technological advanced forest management, and the sector valorization. Policy and legal issues, such as fragmented ownership and adequate economic and fiscal incentives, were also identified as major concerns. The findings highlight the interconnected nature of forestry challenges and the need for integrated, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches, prioritizing research on climate impacts, developing adaptive management strategies, promoting stakeholder engagement, and enhancing capacity-building initiatives. The results of this study make it a relevant case study for other forest stakeholders in similar regions in Europe with comparative forest management models and can inspire new solutions for common challenges opening new research avenues for other forest related academics. Full article

One of the important distribution areas of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.), a native tree species of the Mediterranean Basin in Türkiye, is the Kozak Basin. Pine nut production plays an important role in the livelihood of the rural people of the Kozak Basin. However, in recent years, as a result of mining activities, climate change, and damage caused by the alien invasive species, the western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann 1910 (Hemiptera; Coreidae), the decrease in cone and seed yield in the basin has reached significant dimensions. This process has caused the local people’s income sources to decrease. In this study, land use and land cover (LULC) changes and population changes in the Kozak Basin were discussed during the process, where changing forest land functions, especially economic effects, triggered vulnerable communities due to various factors such as climate change and insect damage. LULC classes of the Kozak Basin and their changes in three time periods are presented using the maximum likelihood method. In addition, the exponential population growth rates of the local people in three different time periods were calculated and these rates were interpolated in the spatial plane with a Kriging analysis. In conclusion, the responses of vulnerable communities to the cone and seed yield decline in the Kozak Basin are manifested by LULC changes and migration from the basin. Therefore, in the management of P. pinea areas, the creation of regulations within the framework of sustainability understanding regardless of ownership difference, stakeholder participatory approach management, close monitoring of ecological events occurring in the basin, awareness of vulnerable communities, and alternative livelihoods can be supported. Full article

Urban flooding is a widespread and impactful natural hazard, presenting considerable challenges to urban areas. Integrating peri-urban forests (PUFs) into flood management strategies has emerged as a promising approach to mitigate flood hazards. Citizen engagement in PUF management can enhance flood risk reduction efforts. A notable research gap exists in understanding the factors influencing citizens’ intentions to participate in PUF management for flood mitigation. To address this gap, this study investigates the determinants shaping citizens’ intention to engage in PUF management efforts. Using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior framework—which incorporates environmental awareness and risk perception—this research surveyed visitors to PUFs in Tehran. Structural equation modeling with SmartPLS was applied to examine the relationships among these variables. The findings reveal that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and environmental awareness significantly influence citizens’ intentions. In contrast, perceived risk had no significant effect. This study highlights the importance of fostering positive attitudes toward PUF management, creating a supportive social environment, empowering individuals with knowledge and resources, and emphasizing environmental awareness in flood hazard reduction. The results provide empirical evidence supporting the inclusion of environmental awareness as a key determinant in an extended behavioral model. Enhancing citizens’ understanding of the immediate benefits of PUFs is crucial for promoting active participation in flood mitigation initiatives. Full article

Although extensive interventions are being made to protect forests, many developing countries, including Ethiopia, face persistent forest conservation challenges, particularly where local communities heavily rely on forests for their livelihoods. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the government of Ethiopia introduced Participatory Forest Management (PFM) and devolved forest management responsibilities to enhance forest conservation. Therefore, investigating the impacts of PFM on forest covers is important. To this end, our research is based on an analysis of the land use/land cover changes (LULCCs) over the last 23 years in selected forest sites of Adaba–Dodola and their implications for the implementation of REDD+. This study examines the difference in forest cover changes between PFM and non-PFM sites within and between the study periods. Landsat images from 2000, 2012, and 2023 were analysed to detect LULCCs. Overall, the results from the comparison analysis indicate that in the period of 2000–2023, forest lands decreased by 5.22% in non-PFM sites, while they increased by 5.89% in PFM sites. On the other hand, agricultural lands experienced a notable increase of 9.64% in non-PFM sites but decreased by 1.65% in PFM sites. The increase in the forest cover is attributed to the effectiveness of PFM in halting deforestation and promoting forest conservation compared to non-PFM sites. Thus, the PFM approach is a tool for preserving forest ecosystems and mitigating the adverse effects of deforestation and forest degradation; therefore, this strategy could be used as a driving wheel for the implementation of REDD+. Full article

Geospatial data play a significant role in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through assessments of monitoring indicators. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 11.3.1 assessments utilize land and population geospatial data to monitor urban expansion, and were implemented to enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization, and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries by 2030. Data-limited countries often rely on accessible, wide-coverage geospatial datasets for SDG Indicator 11.3.1 assessments which may have characteristics (e.g., coarse spatial resolution) influential to assessment outcomes. The presented work examines the effect of land use data spatial resolution on SDG Indicator 11.3.1 assessment components including urban area delineation, SDG Indicator 11.3.1 and supporting spatial metrics, spatial patterns of urban land development, and land use change patterns for urbanizing areas in Ethiopia from 2016 to 2020. A comparison was made between a single land use map at the spatial resolution in which it was originally produced, 30 m, and at a majority-resampled spatial resolution comparable to many global coverage datasets, 90 m. Analyses revealed changes in the urban areas identified, observed boundaries of urban areas, and all quantified metrics from 30 m resolution to 90 m resolution, with the decrease in resolution resulting in smaller urban areas being missed and differences in the delineated hinterland areas connected to an urban core. Statistical testing indicated significant differences in SDG Indicator 11.3.1 values, developed land use area per capita, and spatial patterns of urban development between the two spatial resolutions. The relative order of land use conversion types remained similar across both resolutions, with agricultural land experiencing the greatest conversion to developed land, followed by rangeland and forest, although the total area of each conversion type differed. This study illustrates the possible discrepancies in SDG Indicator 11.3.1 and related outputs when utilizing differing resolution datasets and the importance of data characteristic consideration when conducting SDG Indicator 11.3.1 assessments. Full article

Recent literature highlights the crucial role of deadwood in forests, emphasizing its contribution to biodiversity conservation, soil fertility, climate change mitigation, and bioenergy production. However, managing deadwood presents challenges as decision-makers must balance trade-offs and synergies between these ecological benefits. A participatory approach, incorporating user opinions, can support effective decision-making. This study surveyed 1207 university students from Iran, Italy, and Türkiye to explore their perceptions of deadwood’s role and the potential trade-offs among climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and bioenergy production. Results indicate a high level of awareness among students regarding deadwood’s ecological functions, but preferences vary significantly across cultural and regional contexts. Results show that for students of all three countries, the most important function related to the deadwood in forests is the provision of microhabitats for wildlife, while in second place for Iranian students, there is bioenergy production, and for Turkish and Italian students, soil fertilization. In addition, results highlight that students prefer the management strategies based on leaving both standing dead trees and lying deadwood in the forest. This study reinforces existing literature on deadwood’s importance for biodiversity and underscores the need for informed policies that balance ecological values with practical management considerations. Full article

The environmentally responsible behavior of urban forest visitors is a key determinant for the conservation of urban forests. Identifying the determinants of individuals’ behavioral intentions and actual behavior in engaging in environmentally responsible actions is a crucial step in promoting such behavior. This research investigates the determinants of environmentally responsible behavior of urban forest visitors in Tehran using Social Cognitive Theory. Data for the study were collected using 456 questionnaires distributed to visitors of urban forests. The data were analyzed using structural equation modelling, which described a 62.9% variance in behavioral intention and 56.6% in environmental behavior of visitors. The socio-structural factors and the observation of others’ behaviors were the most significant predictors of behavioral intentions. Outcome expectations and self-efficacy significantly influence both behavioral intentions and actual behavior. This study demonstrates that while behavioral intention is a key factor, other determinants such as outcome expectations and self-efficacy play a crucial role in shaping actual environmentally responsible actions. These results underscore the importance of increasing awareness and enhancing the skills of urban forest visitors regarding environmental behaviors. Furthermore, this study highlights the need to remove barriers and provide the necessary facilities to promote sustained environmentally responsible behavior among visitors. Full article

The paper analyzes the problem of stagnation in the creation of new national parks in Poland, identifying key barriers and proposing solutions. The background to the study refers to the role of national parks in nature conservation, but at the same time highlights the problem of the limited development of the park network in Poland, which remains at 1.05% of the country’s area—well below the EU average. The main obstacles identified by the author are the resistance of local governments due to the reduction in forest tax revenues and the differences in salaries between employees of national parks and state forests. Research methods included legal and economic analysis and a review of the literature on national park management. The results indicate that the problem can be solved by adequate financial compensation to local communities and the introduction of a co-management model that integrates the interests of local governments and parks. The article suggests that a change in the approach of the government administration and a more participatory management model can help to break the stagnation and increase the number of national parks, which is relevant not only for Poland but also for other countries struggling with similar challenges. Full article