Sustainability in Agri-Food and Forestry Ecosystems—2nd Edition

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Food and timber production are principal ecosystem services that are often taken for granted by consumers. However, modern consumption patterns and the need to produce more and at a lower cost have led to situations of resource overexploitation and serious ecological imbalances. The rural–forest interface establishes the contact zone between food production areas, forest goods production areas, and wilderness areas. The adoption of sustainable models of agro-forestry production will make it possible to maintain the delicate balance between the various ecosystem services (production, conservation, regulation, and contemplation).

With the presentation of this topic, we aim to disseminate new agro-forestry management and exploitation models that allow the reduction of the impact of human activities on natural resources (soil and water) and sustainable production.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Food and timber production;
• Smart farming and precision agriculture;
• Smart forestry and precision silviculture;
• Sustainable primary production;
• Ecosystem services.

Prof. Dr. José Aranha
Dr. Mario Cunha
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agronomy agronomy	3.4	6.7	2011	17 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Biosphere biosphere	-	-	2025	15.0 days *	CHF 1000	Submit
Forests forests	2.5	4.6	2010	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Resources resources	3.2	7.2	2012	23.3 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	17.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

* Median value for all MDPI journals in the second half of 2025.

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All Sustainability Agronomy Forests Resources Biosphere

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Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Crop Methods and Harvest Season on Agronomic Yield and Spear Quality of Asparagus in Thailand

by Ornprapa Thepsilvisut, Nuengruethai Srikan, Preuk Chutimanukul and Jutamas Romkaew

Resources 2026, 15(4), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources15040056 - 16 Apr 2026

Viewed by 453

Abstract

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) represents a high-value horticultural crop in Thailand with significant export potential; however, optimizing productivity in tropical environments requires a precise understanding of how cultivation practices and harvest seasons influence marketability. Here, a split-plot experiment arranged in a completely [...] Read more.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) represents a high-value horticultural crop in Thailand with significant export potential; however, optimizing productivity in tropical environments requires a precise understanding of how cultivation practices and harvest seasons influence marketability. Here, a split-plot experiment arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted to examine how different crop methods and harvest seasons affect asparagus yield and quality in Lopburi Province, Thailand. The main plots were categorized by harvest season—summer, rainy, and winter—while the subplots included three crop methods: conventional, GAP, and organic. Summer produced the highest yield and asparagus with the greatest levels of total chlorophyll, phenolics, and DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to other seasons. Although the conventional methods yielded the most spears per plant, these spears contained higher levels of contaminants, including cadmium, lead, and nitrate. In contrast, spears from GAP and organic methods had higher phosphorus levels. However, no pesticide residues were found in any spear samples. Economically, the organic method had the shortest payback period, owing to lower production costs; despite a lower annual yield, stable market prices kept it profitable. In addition, organic soils had the highest levels of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Overall, while conventional methods enhance the yield and certain qualities, organic farming, particularly when harvested in summer, yields the highest economic returns and the most sustainable system among those tested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainability in Agri-Food and Forestry Ecosystems—2nd Edition)

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30 pages, 14066 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Agricultural Expansion and Forest Transition in Mozambique: Evidence of Premature Decoupling (2001–2024)

by Sebastião De Hermínia Lucas Vilanculos, Sosdito Estevão Mananze and Mário Campos Cunha

Resources 2026, 15(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources15020026 - 3 Feb 2026

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Abstract

This study analyzes forest cover change patterns, agricultural expansion, and economic growth in Mozambique from 2001 to 2024, using remote sensing data from Global Forest Watch and socioeconomic indicators from the World Bank and FAO. Mozambique lost approximately 4.6 million hectares of forest [...] Read more.

This study analyzes forest cover change patterns, agricultural expansion, and economic growth in Mozambique from 2001 to 2024, using remote sensing data from Global Forest Watch and socioeconomic indicators from the World Bank and FAO. Mozambique lost approximately 4.6 million hectares of forest during the analyzed period, with agriculture accounting for 97.4% of total deforestation. GDP per capita increased by 90.5%, while cultivated area expanded by 116.4%. However, agricultural productivity declined by 25.3%, revealing a paradox: production growth relied on extensive land expansion rather than intensification. Statistical analysis of three 8-year sub-periods identified significant differences in GDP per capita, agricultural GDP per capita, population, and agricultural employment (p < 0.001), but agricultural deforestation remained statistically stable (p = 0.065). This pattern suggests premature decoupling between economic growth and deforestation at income levels (USD 604) substantially below historical Environmental Kuznets Curve thresholds (USD 8000–10,000). However, this decoupling is fragile, driven by capital-intensive extractive sectors that generate GDP growth without absorbing rural populations. The persistence of extensive agricultural expansion, combined with weak governance, demographic pressures, and climate variability, indicates that observed stabilization represents an initial, vulnerable phase requiring structural transformation through agricultural intensification, inclusive industrialization, land tenure reform, and climate resilience building. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainability in Agri-Food and Forestry Ecosystems—2nd Edition)

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