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Aligning scientific and public views on forest management is crucial for increasing the participation of family forest landowners in voluntary forest carbon programs. We compared the results from a systematic literature review of forty research articles in the US South with the perceptions of the stakeholder groups. We quantified perceptions of stakeholder groups regarding the potential of different forest management practices to enhance the carbon stocks in family forestlands by undertaking surveys in a total of two workshops conducted in the South and North Carolinas. We found a clear divergence regarding the carbon potential of the use of genetically advanced species for enhancing carbon. The workshop attendees did not rank this option high, although it is highly prioritized in the scientific literature. Convergence in using improved forest management to increase carbon stocks was observed. Although extended rotation was favored as the second-to-last option for enhancing carbon (before better genetics) by workshop respondents, non-landowners ranked it a higher priority than landowners. All workshop attendees ranked afforestation overall highest, corroborating the systematic review studies in the US South. The workshop attendees suggested conservation-based forest carbon management as a potential option to enhance the carbon stocks in family forestlands; however, we did not find much scientific literature on this option. This study is beneficial to both forest landowners and managers of forest carbon programs as well as to the scientific community at large. It brings all stakeholder groups together to craft new carbon programs for broader participation and carbon stock enhancement in the US South (and beyond).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes distinctive inflammatory symptoms and affects over 21 million people worldwide. RA is characterized by severe discomfort, swelling, and degradation of the bone and cartilage, further impairing joint function. The current study investigates the antiarthritic effect of a methanolic extract of Artemisia pallens (methanolic extract of A. pallens, MEAP), an aromatic herb. Artemisinin content (% per dry weight of the plant) was estimated using a UV Vis spectrophotometer. In the present study, animals were divided into six groups (n = 6). The control group (group I) was injected with 0.25% of carboxymethyl cellulose. The arthritic control group (group II) was treated with Freund’s complete adjuvant (by injecting 0.1 mL). Prednisolone (10 mg/kg), a lower dose of MEAP (100 mg/kg), a medium dose of MEAP (200 mg/kg), and a higher dose of MEAP (400 mg/kg) were orally delivered to groups III, IV, V, and VI, respectively. Freund’s complete adjuvant was administered into the sub-plantar portion of the left-hind paw in all the groups except vehicle control to induce rheumatoid arthritis. Weight variation; joint diameter; paw volume; thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia; hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters; radiology; and a histopathological assessment of the synovial joint were observed in order to evaluate the antiarthritic effect of the methanolic extract of A. pallens. In this study, the estimated content of artemisinin was found to be 0.28% (per dry weight of the plant), which was in good agreement with the reported value. MEAP (200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in increased paw volume and joint diameter in arthritic rats while significantly increasing body weight and the mechanical threshold of thermal algesia. Moreover, complete blood counts and serum enzyme levels improved significantly. Radiological analysis showed a reduction in soft tissue swelling and small erosions. A histopathological examination of the cells revealed reduced cell infiltration and the erosion of joint cartilage in MEAP-administered arthritic rats. The present research suggests that the antiarthritic activity of the methanolic extract of A. pallens wall is promising, as evidenced by the findings explored in our rat model.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Fiber Sourcing Standard (FSS) aims to extend the reach of sustainable forest management onto uncertified forestlands through the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality and other requirements intended to promote multiple conservation outcomes. Conservation of biological diversity is one of the pillars of the SFI FSS, yet no study has examined its effect on biodiversity conservation at the landscape level. We analyzed BMP implementation rates (inside, outside, and within overlapped wood baskets of certified wood-consuming mills) across five levels (very high, high, medium, low, and very low) biodiversity habitats to measure the impact of the SFI FSS in four states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina) in the SE United States. BMP implementation rates were not significantly different inside, outside, or within multiple wood baskets of mills certified to the SFI FSS. We also find that the SFI FSS facilitates the same level of adherence to sustainable forest practices across various levels of biodiversity habitats, regardless of the presence or absence of imperiled species. High compliance rates across the region indicate that all tracts of land, irrespective of biodiversity categories, typically receive the same level of conservation attention. In this context, the SFI FSS is broadening the reach of sustainable forest management beyond certified forests in the SE United States.

Summary: Knowledge on the population history of endangered species is critical for conservation, but whole-genome data on chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) is geographically sparse. Here, we produced the first non-invasive geolocalized catalog of genomic diversity by capturing chromosome 21 from 828 non-invasive samples collected at 48 sampling sites across Africa. The four recognized subspecies show clear genetic differentiation correlating with known barriers, while previously undescribed genetic exchange suggests that these have been permeable on a local scale. We obtained a detailed reconstruction of population stratification and fine-scale patterns of isolation, migration, and connectivity, including a comprehensive picture of admixture with bonobos (Pan paniscus). Unlike humans, chimpanzees did not experience extended episodes of long-distance migrations, which might have limited cultural transmission. Finally, based on local rare variation, we implement a fine-grained geolocalization approach demonstrating improved precision in determining the origin of confiscated chimpanzees.

Sexual intercourse in the animal kingdom functions to enable reproduction. However, we now know that several species of non-human primates regularly engage in sex outside of the times when conception is possible. In addition, homosexual and immature sex are not as uncommon as were once believed. This suggests that sex also has important functions outside of reproduction, yet these are rarely discussed in sex-related teaching and research activities concerning primate behaviour. Is the human sexual experience, which includes pleasure, dominance, and communication (among others) unique, or do other primates also share these experiences to any extent? If so, is there any way to measure them, or are they beyond the rigour of scientific objectivity? What would be the evolutionary implications if human-like sexual experiences were found amongst other animals too? We comment on the evidence provided by our close relatives, non-human primates, discuss the affective and social functions of sex, and suggest potential methods for measuring some of these experiences empirically. We hope that this piece may foster the discussion among academics and change the way we think about, teach and research primate sex.