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The present study explored the extraction of cellulose from forest residues of four timber species, namely Cedrela montana Moritz ex Turcz, Buddleja incana Ruiz & Pav, Vallea stipularis L. f. and Myrsine andina (Mez) Pipoly, in the high montane forest of Chimborazo province, Ecuador, for the sustainable utilization of leaves, branches, and flowers. An alkaline extraction method was used on the residues without the need for prior degreasing. An ANOVA analysis was applied to evaluate significant differences in cellulose extraction yields among the species' residues. The characterization techniques used were Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and polarized light optical microscopy, which confirmed the successful extraction of cellulose with characteristics comparable to standard cotton cellulose and other traditional species. The results showed significant variations in cellulose yield among the species, with Vallea stipularis L. f achieving the highest yield of 80.83%. The crystallinity of the samples was clearly evidenced by the polarity of the light in the samples during microscopy, demonstrating that the residues can be a viable and sustainable source of cellulose, contributing to a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of forest waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prompt acquisition of precise land cover categorization data is indispensable for the strategic development of contemporary farming practices, especially within the realm of forestry oversight and preservation. Forests are complex ecosystems that require precise monitoring to assess their health, biodiversity, and response to environmental changes. The existing methods for classifying remotely sensed imagery often encounter challenges due to the intricate spacing of feature classes, intraclass diversity, and interclass similarity, which can lead to weak perceptual ability, insufficient feature expression, and a lack of distinction when classifying forested areas at various scales. In this study, we introduce the DASR-Net algorithm, which integrates a dual attention network (DAN) in parallel with the Residual Network (ResNet) to enhance land cover classification, specifically focusing on improving the classification of forested regions. The dual attention mechanism within DASR-Net is designed to address the complexities inherent in forested landscapes by effectively capturing multiscale semantic information. This is achieved through multiscale null attention, which allows for the detailed examination of forest structures across different scales, and channel attention, which assigns weights to each channel to enhance feature expression using an improved BSE-ResNet bilinear approach. The two-channel parallel architecture of DASR-Net is particularly adept at resolving structural differences within forested areas, thereby avoiding information loss and the excessive fusion of features that can occur with traditional methods. This results in a more discriminative classification of remote sensing imagery, which is essential for accurate forest monitoring and management. To assess the efficacy of DASR-Net, we carried out tests with 10m Sentinel-2 multispectral remote sensing images over the Heshan District, which is renowned for its varied forestry. The findings reveal that the DASR-Net algorithm attains an accuracy rate of 96.36%, outperforming classical neural network models and the transformer (ViT) model. This demonstrates the scientific robustness and promise of the DASR-Net model in assisting with automatic object recognition for precise forest classification. Furthermore, we emphasize the relevance of our proposed model to hyperspectral datasets, which are frequently utilized in agricultural and forest classification tasks. DASR-Net's enhanced feature extraction and classification capabilities are particularly advantageous for hyperspectral data, where the rich spectral information can be effectively harnessed to differentiate between various forest types and conditions. By doing so, DASR-Net contributes to advancing remote sensing applications in forest monitoring, supporting sustainable forestry practices and environmental conservation efforts. The findings of this study have significant practical implications for urban forestry management. The DASR-Net algorithm can enhance the accuracy of forest cover classification, aiding urban planners in better understanding and monitoring the status of urban forests. This, in turn, facilitates the development of effective forest conservation and restoration strategies, promoting the sustainable development of the urban ecological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose, a fungal disease harming fruit trees and crops, poses a threat to agriculture. Traditional chemical pesticides face issues like environmental pollution and resistance. A strategy combining low-toxicity chemicals with biopesticides is proposed to enhance disease control while reducing chemical use. Our study found that mixing validamycin A (VMA) and Bacillus velezensis TCS001 effectively controlled anthracnose in Camellia oleifera. The combination increased antifungal efficacy by 65.62% over VMA alone and 18.83% over TCS001 alone. It caused pathogen deformities and loss of pathogenicity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the mix affected the pathogen's metabolism and redox processes, particularly impacting cellular membrane functions and inducing apoptosis via glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. In vivo tests showed the treatment activated C. oleifera's disease resistance, with a 161.72% increase in polyphenol oxidase concentration in treated plants. This research offers insights into VMA and TCS001's mechanisms against anthracnose, supporting sustainable forestry and national edible oil security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Araucaria angustifolia is a species known for its valuable wood and nuts, but it is threatened with extinction. The plantation of forests for genetic resource conservation is a complementary strategy designed to reduce the species' genetic variability loss. This study aimed to evaluate the technical and economic viability of A. angustifolia for genetic conservation through use. The analyzed provenance and progeny trial was established in 1982 in Itapeva, Brazil. It was structured using a compact family blocks design with 110 open-pollinated progenies from five natural populations, three replicates, ten plants per subplot, and 3.0 m × 2.0 m spacing. After 33 years, the trial was evaluated for total height, diameter at breast height, wood volume, and survival. The variance components and genetic parameter estimates were performed using Restricted Maximum Likelihood/Best Linear Unbiased Prediction methods (REML/BLUP) methods with the Selegen software (version 2014). The production and management scenarios were obtained using the SisAraucaria software (version 2003). Sensitivity analysis and economic parameter estimates were obtained through various economic evaluation methods using the Planin software (version 1995). In general, the genetic parameters indicated that the population has enough variability for both conservation and breeding purposes, suggesting technical viability for the establishment of a seed orchard. The economic parameters indicated that the commercialization of wood and araucaria nuts proved to be more profitable than wood production by itself. In conclusion, araucaria genetic conservation through use is a technically and economically viable ex situ conservation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how digital inclusive finance, financial development, and technology influenced forest and timber outputs across 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021. The findings, derived from panel quantile regression analysis, indicate that digital inclusive finance significantly enhances forest economic output, particularly in regions with lower economic activity, by improving access to critical financial resources such as credit and investment. However, the positive effects diminish at higher levels of economic activity, suggesting potential diminishing returns. Through the marketization of credit distribution and diverse financial instruments, financial development is essential for promoting sustainable forestry practices and adopting new technologies. Based on the findings, the study suggests expanding digital financial services in areas with low forest activity to help people access credit and investments, boosting forest productivity. It also recommends improving financial markets and investing in new forestry technologies to support better forest management and timber production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil hydrology seriously affects the prevention of desertification in karst areas. However, water infiltration in the different soil layers of secondary forests and artificial forests in karst areas remains uncertain. This lack of clarity is also the factor that constrains local vegetation restoration. Therefore, monitoring and simulating the priority transport of soil moisture will help us understand the shallow soil moisture transport patterns after artificial vegetation restoration in the local area, providing a reference for more scientific restoration of the ecological environment and enhancement of carbon storage in karst areas. The integration of soil physical property assessments, computed tomography (CT) scanning, dye tracing studies, and HYDRUS-2D modeling was utilized to evaluate and contrast the attributes of soil macropores and the phenomenon of preferential flow across various forestland categories. This approach allowed for a comprehensive analysis of how the soil structure and water movement are influenced by different forest ecosystems and infiltration head simulations (5 mm, 15 mm, 35 mm, and 55 mm) to elucidate the dynamics of water movement across diverse soil types within karst regions, to identify the causes of water leakage due to preferential flow in secondary forests, and to understand the mechanisms of water conservation and reduction in artificial forests adopting a multifaceted approach. This study demonstrated that (1) the soil hydrological capacity of a plantation forest was 20% higher than a natural forest, which may be promoted by the clay content and distribution. (2) Afforestation-enhanced soils in karst regions demonstrate a significant capacity to mitigate the loss of clay particles during episodes of preferential flow and then improve the soil erosion resistance by about 5 times, which can effectively control desertification in karst area. (3) The uniform distribution of macropores in plantation forest soil was conducive to prevent water leakage more effectively than the secondary forest but was incapable of hindering the occurrence of preferential flow. The secondary forest had a very developed preferential flow phenomenon, and soil clay deposition occurred with an increase in depth. (4) Moreover, the results for preferential flow showed that the matrix flow depth did not increase with the increase in water quantity. Short-term and high-intensity heavy rainfall events facilitated the occurrence of preferential flow. Infiltration along the horizontal and vertical directions occurred simultaneously. These results could facilitate a further understanding of the contribution of the plantation to soil amelioration and the prevention of desertification in karst areas, and provide some suggestions for the sustainable development of forestry in karst areas where plantation restoration is an important ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In European mountains most beech forest areas have been managed for timber production. This practice has reduced the availability of biomass for the whole forest-dwelling species assemblage and of deadwood for the saproxylic community. Despite most of Italy's beech stands having a long history of management, its effects on forest species remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we studied beetle abundance and diversity in five beech-dominated forests with increasing management intensity in central Italy's Apennines (Tuscany). We assessed if forests with similar management intensity exhibited comparable patterns in beetle diversity, abundance, and commonness versus rarity. Three forests were managed with even-aged shelterwood; one was managed with continuous cover forestry; and one was old-growth. We found 25 beetle families and 195 species across all sites with similar total abundance and richness. However, the representation of the most abundant families varied among sampling sites (ANOVA test: always significant for the total abundance of the most abundant families: F ≥ 2.77, d.f. = 4, p ≤ 0.038). The old-growth forest harbored more threatened species than managed sites. Saproxylic assemblages were similar between the recently cut site and the old-growth forest, and between shelterwood and continuous cover sites. While the similarity gradient among the whole species assemblages reflected geographical proximity, the similarity gradient among saproxylic assemblages reflected the successional proximity among forest management systems. Our research underscores the effects of management on beetle diversity, offering insights for sustainable forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the Lubumbashi Charcoal Production Basin (LCPB), the socio-economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated pressures on populations dependent on forest resources for their subsistence. This study employs a comprehensive methodological approach, integrating advanced remote sensing techniques, including image classification, mapping, and detailed landscape analysis, to quantify alterations in forest cover within the LCPB during the pandemic period. Our findings reveal a consistent trend of declining forested area, characterized by processes of attrition and dissection observed throughout various study phases, spanning from May 2019 to November 2023. This reduction in forest cover, notably more pronounced in the vicinity of Lubumbashi city and the northern zone of the LCPB, proved to be less pronounced between November 2019 and September 2020, underscoring the influence of COVID-19 pandemic-induced confinement measures on forest management practices in the region. However, subsequent to this period of restriction, deforestation activity intensified, leading to significant landscape transformations within the LCPB, primarily attributable to expanded human activities, consequently resulting in a notable decrease in the proportion of land occupied by these natural ecosystems. Consequently, the size of the largest forest patch declined substantially, decreasing from 14.62% to 8.20% between May 2019 and November 2023, thereby fostering a heightened density of forest edges over time. Our findings provide a significant contribution to understanding the complex interactions between the COVID-19 pandemic and deforestation phenomena, emphasizing the urgent need to adopt adaptive management strategies and appropriate conservation measures in response to current economic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant–plant interactions are a central driver for plant coexistence and community assembly. Chemically mediated plant–plant interactions are represented by allelopathy and allelobiosis. Both allelopathy and allelobiosis are achieved through specialized metabolites (allelochemicals or signaling chemicals) produced and released from neighboring plants. Allelopathy exerts mostly negative effects on the establishment and growth of neighboring plants by allelochemicals, while allelobiosis provides plant neighbor detection and identity recognition mediated by signaling chemicals. Therefore, plants can chemically affect the performance of neighboring plants through the allelopathy and allelobiosis that frequently occur in plant–plant intra-specific and inter-specific interactions. Allelopathy and allelobiosis are two probably inseparable processes that occur together in plant–plant chemical interactions. Here, we comprehensively review allelopathy and allelobiosis in plant–plant interactions, including allelopathy and allelochemicals and their application for sustainable agriculture and forestry, allelobiosis and plant identity recognition, chemically mediated root–soil interactions and plant–soil feedback, and biosynthesis and the molecular mechanisms of allelochemicals and signaling chemicals. Altogether, these efforts provide the recent advancements in the wide field of allelopathy and allelobiosis, and new insights into the chemically mediated plant–plant interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing climatic changes are causing the extinction of numerous species or their withdrawal from previously occupied areas. The environmental and economic significance of introduced species may increase. The aim of the present study was to examine the rate of growth of coniferous species growing in northwestern Poland and to analyze the tree ring width–climate relationships. Six tree species were selected for this study. Two of these species have natural occurrences in Poland: Pinus sylvestris and Larix decidua. The remaining four species were introduced from North America: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Thuja plicata, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Pinus strobus. Samples were collected from 131 trees using a Pressler borer at 1.3 m above ground. Tree ring widths were measured down to 0.01 mm. Climatic data were retrieved from a weather station located 23 km from the study plot. The average tree ring width reaches the lowest value for the P. sylvestris chronology (1.62 mm/year) and for P. strobus (1.69 mm/year), and the highest value is reached for T. plicata (2.80 mm/year) and P. menziesii (2.56 mm/year). The analysis of weather conditions in the designated pointer years and the response function analysis indicate that winter and early spring air temperature is the factor responsible for the formation of wide tree rings in the following species studied: P. sylvestris, C. lawsoniana, P. menziesii, and T. plicata. For L. decidua and P. strobus, the climate–growth relationships are different: weather conditions in the previous growth year are important, and it is the weather in the late spring and summer months. Two of the investigated introduced species (T. plicata and P. menziesii) are characterized by very good acclimatization and are best adapted to the new habitat during the current climate changes. These tree species can constitute a basis for replacing native species, which, due to increasingly severe droughts and higher temperatures, are doing less and less well in their current habitats. Foresters wanting to conduct sustainable forest management will look for replacement species that are well adapted to new habitat conditions in order to maintain the continuity of forest cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable forestry requires efficient regeneration methods to ensure that new forests are established quickly. In Sweden, 99% of the planting is manual, but finding labor for this arduous work is difficult. An autonomous scarifying and planting machine with high precision, low environmental impact, and a good work environment would meet the needs of the forest industry. For two years, a collaborative group of researchers, manufacturers, and users (forest companies) has worked together on developing and testing a new concept for autonomous forest regeneration (Autoplant). The concept comprises several subsystems, i.e., regeneration and route planning, autonomous driving (path planning), new technology for forest regeneration with minimal environmental impact, automatic plant management, crane motion planning, detection of planting spots, and follow-up. The subsystems were tested separately and integrated together during a field test at a clearcut. The concept shows great potential, especially from an environmental perspective, with significantly reduced soil disturbances, from approximately 50% (the area proportion of the area disturbed by disc trenching) to less than 3%. The Autoplant project highlights the challenges and opportunities related to future development, e.g., the relation between machine cost and operating speed, sensor robustness in response to vibrations and weather, and precision in detecting the size and type of obstacles during autonomous driving and planting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient and sustainable management of forestry resources is crucial in ensuring economic and societal sustainability. The Chinese government has invested significantly in regulations, afforestation, and technology to enhance the forest resource efficiency, reduce technological disparities, and boost productivity growth. However, the success level of this undertaking is unclear and worth exploring. To this end, this study applied DEA-SBM, meta-frontier analysis, and the Malmquist productivity index to gauge the forest resource efficiency (FRE), regional technology heterogeneity (TGR), and total factor productivity growth (MI) in 31 Chinese provinces for a study period of 2001–2020. Results revealed that the average FRE was 0.5430, with potential growth of 45.70%, to enhance the efficiency level in forestry resource utilization. Anhui, Tibet, Fujian, Shanghai, and Hainan were found to be the top performers in forestry utilization during the study period. The southern forest region was ranked highest, with the highest TGR of 0.915, indicating advanced production technologies. The average MI score was 0.9644, signifying a 3.56% decline in forestry resource productivity. This deterioration is primarily attributed to technological change (TC), which decreased by 5.2%, while efficiency change (EC) witnessed 1.74% growth over the study period. The Southern Chinese forest region, indicating an average 3.06% increase in total factor productivity, ranked highest in all four regions. Guangxi, Tianjin, Shandong, Chongqing, and Jiangxi were the top performers, with prominent growth in MI. Finally, the Kruskal–Wallis test found a significant statistical difference among all four regions for FRE and TGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry offsets, recognized for their diverse environmental and social co-benefits, are gaining a growing interest as nature-based solutions to combat climate change. Despite Canada's extensive forest resources, its potential for carbon credit remains largely untapped. This study aims to unveil the prevailing challenges in developing forestry offsets in Canada and propose potential solutions, drawing on insights from in-depth semi-structured interviews (SSIs) with 23 experts in the field. A qualitative thematic analysis highlighted 14 challenges under four major frequently discussed themes: methodological (37%), social (29%), economic (22%), and implementation challenges (12%). Our findings highlighted the urgency of addressing key obstacles, including the impermanent nature of forestry carbon offsets, substantial public knowledge gaps, uncertainties in the cost-effectiveness impacting financial viability, and the need for enhanced capacity for project implementation. Building on the discussions on the identified challenges, this study further presented a comprehensive analysis of the future directions for Canada, emphasizing the importance of addressing key methodological issues, enhancing public and Indigenous education and engagement, and leveraging advanced technologies and innovative approaches like ton-year accounting for economic viability. This paper delivers pivotal insights that have the potential to shape the direction and integrity of the forestry offset markets in both Canada and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers build growth models to predict the growth of forest stands and propose management measures to improve the overall quality of these stands. In this study, data collected from 91 sample plots from the eighth (2010) and ninth (2015) Chinese National Forest Inventories in Jiangxi Province were used to establish a transition-matrix growth model. Then, 12 potential equilibrium curves were set to guide forest management, and a transition-matrix growth model was used to predict stand growth in Jiangxi Province. In each 10-year management period, trees with diameters that exceeded the equilibrium curve were cut down. The results show that species diversity (H1), size diversity (H2), and basal area (B) have statistically significant influences on growth, mortality, and recruitment. Moreover, the high accuracy of the transition-matrix growth model is demonstrated. According to the simulation results, B = 35 m2/ha, the maximum diameter of retained trees Dmax = 45 cm and the adjacent diameter ratio q = 1.7 constitute the optimal equilibrium curve to guide forest management. The diameter distribution guided by the equilibrium curve is reverse J-shaped and is associated with significant increases in the hardwood stock volume and current annual growth. Under the guidance of the equilibrium curve, the forests in Jiangxi Province can be reasonably managed, produce more high-economic-value timber, and achieve a more stable species composition. This study will help maximize the ecological and economic benefits of forests and provide a reference for the realization of the sustainable development of forestry. Furthermore, the results can be used to improve the facility and accuracy of natural forest harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus pinaster is a plant species of great ecological and economic importance. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms that govern the growth and branching of P. pinaster is crucial for enhancing wood production and improving product quality. In this study, we describe a simple methodology that enables the discovery of candidate genes in Pinus pinaster by transferring existing knowledge from model species like Arabidopsis thaliana and focusing on factors involved in plant growth, including hormonal and non-hormonal pathways. Through comparative analysis, we investigated the main genes associated with these growth-related factors in A. thaliana. Subsequently, we identified putative homologous sequences in P. pinaster and assessed the conservation of their functional domains. In this manner, we can exclude sequences that, despite displaying high homology, lack functional domains. Finally, we took an initial approach to their validation by examining the expression levels of these genes in P. pinaster trees exhibiting contrasting growth patterns. This methodology allowed the identification of 26 candidate genes in P. pinaster. Our findings revealed differential expression patterns of key genes, such as NCED3, NRT1.2, PIN1, PP2A, ARF7, MAX1, MAX2, GID1, AHK4, AHP1, and STP1, in relation to the different growth patterns analyzed. This study provides a methodological foundation for further exploration of these genes involved in the growth and branching processes of P. pinaster. This will contribute to the understanding of this important tree species and open new avenues for enhancing its utilization in sustainable forestry practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the income and assets of forest farmers is the basis for realizing the sustainable development of forestry. In this paper, we tested the impact of membership in herbal medicine planting cooperatives on forest farmer household income and assets using the propensity score matching (PSM) method and household surveys of the study area. The results showed that cooperative membership can greatly improve forest farmer household income and assets; the higher the accumulation of forest farmer household social capital and human capital, the more farmers were inclined to participate in cooperatives. Householders who were migrant workers were more likely to make the decision to participate in cooperatives compared with those without migrant work experiences. The results of ATT further verified the conclusion that cooperative membership can significantly improve income and assets, which increased by 7.04% and 4.19%, respectively. In addition, according to the survey, the current development of cooperatives in the forestry area experienced problems such as inconsistent quantitative and qualitative development, insufficient driving force, irregular operating mode, inaccurate policy support, and inadequate guidance mechanisms. This paper focused on innovating cooperation mechanisms, enriching joint forms, enhancing driving capacity, stimulating internal driving forces, strengthening system construction, improving standards, enhancing guidance services, and strengthening institutional guarantees. These recommendations have been put forward to guide policy for sustainable forest development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual data on the geographic distribution of carbon storage help policy makers to formulate countermeasures for global warming. However, Taiwan, as an island showing diversity in climate and topography, had lacked valid visual data on the distribution of forest carbon storage between the last two forest surveys (1993–2015). This study established a model to estimate and illustrate the distribution of forest carbon storage. This model uses land use, stand morphology, and carbon conversion coefficient databases accordingly for 51 types of major forests in Taiwan. An estimation in 2006 was conducted and shows an overall carbon storage of 165.65 Mt C, with forest carbon storage per unit area of 71.56 t C ha−1, where natural forests and plantations respectively contributed 114.15 Mt C (68.9%) and 51.50 Mt C (31.1%). By assuming no change in land use type, the carbon sequestration from 2006 to 2007 by the 51 forest types was estimated to be 5.21 Mt C yr−1 using historical tree growth and mortality rates. The result reflects the reality of the land use status and the events of coverage shifting with time by combining the two forest surveys in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Trunk-boring insects have emerged as one of the most threatening forest pests globally, causing significant damage to forests. Certain groups of larvae reside within tree trunks without any observable external signs indicating their presence. This poses a significant challenge for pest detection. To tackle this issue, acoustic techniques are frequently utilized, which involve embedding a vibration probe into the tree trunk to capture the vibrations produced by larvae and using a model to distinguish whether the tree is infested. However, this approach requires the acquisition of the purest possible vibrations signal. Thus, to ensure accurate analysis, a noise suppression process is crucial, since the signals collected in real-world environments are often subjected to varying degrees of environmental noise interference. In this study, we employed artificial intelligence techniques to develop a boring vibration enhancement model. The training data utilized in this study comprise boring vibrations captured from trunk sections and typical environmental noise present in the trees' habitat. The experimental results demonstrate that the enhancement method proposed by our model significantly boosts the performance of an established classification model. Overall, this study promotes the development of sustainable and efficient forestry protection approaches by improving the accuracy of pest detection. Recording vibration signals induced by larvae activity in the trunk has proven to be an efficient method for detecting trunk-boring insects. However, the accuracy of the detection is often limited because the signals collected in real-world environments are heavily disrupted by environmental noises. To deal with this problem, we propose a deep-learning-based model that enhances trunk-boring vibration signals, incorporating an attention mechanism to optimize its performance. The training data utilized in this research consist of the boring vibrations of Agrilus planipennis larvae recorded within trunk sections, as well as various environmental noises that are typical of the natural habitats of trees. We mixed them at different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) to simulate the realistically collected sounds. The SNR of the enhanced boring vibrations can reach up to 17.84 dB after being enhanced by our model, and this model can restore the details of the vibration signals remarkably. Consequently, our model's enhancement procedure led to a significant increase in accuracy for VGG16, a commonly used classification model. All results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach for enhancing the detection of larvae using boring vibration signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry is the underpinning of economic and environmental civilization for sustainable economic development. Forestry benefits ecosystems and local dwellings; thus, transforming and advancing forest products in a civilized society is critical to building a progressive community. This research aims to analyze the merits of forest products based on static, dynamic, and scale efficiency. It employed the super-efficient data envelopment analysis—Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes, and Malmquist index methods with an enhanced robustness check by applying the Stochastic Frontier Analysis. The results show that, first, from the perspective of static efficiency, the forestry industry's operating performance is maintained at a relatively high level, with a minimal fluctuation range; however, the scale efficiency is observed at a deficient level. Limited by the scale efficiency results, the aggregate comprehensive technical efficiency was at a low standard. The average total factor productivity of dynamic efficiency for each company reached 1.029, indicating that the resource allocation of listed companies is relatively reasonable, operating efficiency is on the rise, and technical level changes are a substantial source of total factor productivity growth. Furthermore, the super efficiency DEA findings indicated that 11 of the most high-performance companies attained an efficiency value above criterion value one after re-ranking. The comprehensive efficiency value of Sun Paper reached 1.438 in 2019, Sophia 1.393, Hexing Packaging 1.383, Fujian Jinsen 1.326, Bunny 1.271, Meike Home Furnishing 1.235, Jingxing Paper 1.222, Zhongshun Jiezou 1.116, Meiying Sen 1.099, Chenming Paper 1.064, Da Ya Dekor 1.015. Second, the comprehensive efficiency value of Fujian Jinsen's company has a more significant impact on the overall average efficiency of the forestry listed companies. After excluding Fujian Jinsen, the average comprehensive efficiency of 2018–2019 indicated an upward trend for the listed companies. This study suggests that policymakers should strengthen the forestry industry development plan and policy implementation regulations to focus on the forward-looking and guiding principles of industrial and technological innovation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative forest management (CFM) is assumed to provide benefits for improving the condition of the forest ecology and the community's economy. However, its effectiveness is often debated, particularly regarding the involvement of poor and landless farmers in program implementation. In this relation, this study examines a CFM program implementation in Bandung District, West Java, the so-called Pengelolaan Hutan Bersama Masyarakat (PHBM). The study combined qualitative and quantitative approaches in collecting data. GIS analysis and vegetation identification supported this study. The study shows that the PHBM program implementation in the study area provided benefits for improving forest ecological conditions and the livelihood of the farmers. This study also suggests that poor or landless farmers could secure their rights and access to the forest; they became coffee farmers. Despite this, to ensure the sustainability of the program, especially the involvement of the poor and landless farmers, support from the government is very much needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japan has been actively promoting the various uses of timber to efficiently utilize its plantation forests and contribute to its climate commitments. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), owing to its unique structural characteristics and environmental advantages, has received widespread attention in Japan. Being a high-value-added timber, CLT's value chain involves various industries, including forestry, timber processing, transportation, construction, and civil engineering. However, the economic impact associated with the increasing production and use of CLT is ambiguous. Targeting CLT manufacturers in Japan, this study evaluated the economic ripple effects of CLT through an input–output analysis, which is a method that is used to evaluate the independent association between different economic sectors and industries. An extended input–output table was established according to the survey of revenue and expenditure data of the largest CLT manufacturers in Japan in 2020. The result was compared with the glued-laminated timber (GLT) scenario at the same final demand value. The results showed that activities not elsewhere classified, timber, logs, road freight transport (except self-transport), and wholesale trade were the top five sectors that had the largest economic impact on CLT manufacturing. Our research has implications for policies and programs to promote the revival of forestry and sustainable development of the timber industry in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the efficient use of nitrogen and decrease the environmental pollution of N losses, a novel and biodegradable composite hydrogel was prepared by chemical cross-linking synthesis using gelatin (Gel), chitosan (CS) and polylactic acid (PLA) as raw materials. Urea as the nitrogen source was loaded into this new biodegradable hydrogel using the solution immersion method. The chemical structures of the composite hydrogels were characterized and their properties were analyzed by XRD and XPS. The regulation of urea loading and the swelling behavior of the composite hydrogel under different temperature conditions were investigated; the release behavior and release model of the composite hydrogel in the aqueous phase was explored. The results show that the loading of urea is controllable in aqueous urea solution with different concentrations. In the water phase, it shows a three-stage sustained release behavior, that is, the initial release rate of urea is relatively fast, and the medium release rate of urea gradually slows down, and finally the nutrient release rate tends to be flat. The release behavior in the water phase fits to the Ritger–Peppas model. Within 10 min, 180 min and 900 min, the cumulative nutrient release rate of gelatin/chitosan/PLA-urea (GCPU) composite hydrogel is 20%, 70% and 86%, respectively. Compared with pure urea, The urea diffusion time of GCPU was extended by 1350-times. In addition, the GCPU also has good water absorption and water retention properties, in which average water content can reach as high as 4448%. All of the results in this work showed that GCPU hydrogel had good water absorption and retention and N slow-release properties, which are expected to be widely used in sustainable agriculture and forestry, especially in arid and degraded land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the integration of assisted natural regeneration (ANR) and selective logging (SL) to guarantee a sustainable forest operation in the Philippines using agent-based modeling. To assess the sustainability of the operation in light of the revenue from timber harvesting and the health of the forest in terms of the total number of trees, various simulations were run on a theoretical forest modeled after the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve in the Philippines. The findings of the simulation have shown that, even after many years of continuous use, the performance of SL on a healthy forest similar to the theoretical forest is substantially identical with and without ANR. The "with ANR" setup, however, was able to demonstrate a considerably better and more stable harvest value over the final 100 years than the "without ANR" setup. In terms of ensuring sustainable forest cover, simulation findings showed that even after 500 years of continuous SL activity, the forest cover could be maintained to up to 80% with ANR. The model has shown that with the right combination of reforestation efforts and timber harvesting methods, a sustainable forest operation can contribute to the country's economic needs for timber production while ensuring that the forest is actively managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental issues are an important issue facing the world in the 21st century. While China's economy is developing rapidly, the problem of environmental pollution is becoming more and more serious, especially the problem of carbon emissions. Faced with the severe natural ecological environment, China has proposed a dual-carbon goal, that is, China will achieve carbon peaks by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. In order to improve the ecological environment and complete the dual carbon goals on time, in addition to adjusting the industrial structure and improving the technical level to reduce carbon emissions, forestry carbon sink transactions should also be actively used. Forestry carbon sequestration is one of the few carbon sequestration measures that can be implemented at this stage, but the sustainable development of forestry carbon sequestration requires support from land resources, and reasonable land use planning is the premise to ensure forestry carbon sequestration. This research will use the FLUS model based on the artificial neural network algorithm (ANN) and cellular automata algorithm (CA) to analyze the future spatial changes of land use under forestry carbon sink trading and formulate reasonable land planning for sustainable forestry carbon sink trading. FLUS model is a land use simulation algorithm, which is specially used to study the development prediction of land use under different scenarios. The study found that if the forestry carbon sink transaction was implemented, the forest land area in Shenyang could be increased by 303 km2 and 454,500 tons of CO2 could be absorbed annually. The forest land would take the lead in choosing the northern and eastern hilly areas for expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual tree species classification is of strategic importance for forest monitoring, analysis, and management, which are critical for sustainable forestry development. In this regard, the paper proposes a method based on the profile of segmented individual tree laser scanning points to identify tree species. The proposed methodology mainly takes advantage of three-dimensional geometric features of a tree crown captured by a laser point cloud to identify tree species. Firstly, the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and Digital Surface Model (DSM) are used for Crown Height Model (CHM) generation. Then, local maximum algorithms and improved rotating profile-based delineations are used to segment individual trees from the profile CHM point data. In the next step, parallel-line shape fitting is used to fit the tree crown shape. In particular, three basic geometric shapes, namely, triangle, rectangle, and arc are used to fit the tree crown shapes of different tree species. If the crown belongs to the same crown shape or shape combination, parameter classification is used, such as the ratio of crown width and crown height or the apex angle range of the triangles. The proposed method was tested by two real datasets which were acquired from two different sites located at Tiger and Leopard National Park in Northeast China. The experimental results indicate that the average tree classification accuracy is 90.9% and the optimal classification accuracy reached 95.9%, which meets the accuracy requirements for rapid forestry surveying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate mapping of tree species is critical for the sustainable development of the forestry industry. However, the lack of cloud-free optical images makes it challenging to map tree species accurately in cloudy mountainous regions. In order to improve tree species identification in this context, a classification method using spatiotemporal fusion and ensemble classifier is proposed. The applicability of three spatiotemporal fusion methods, i.e., the spatial and temporal adaptive reflectance fusion model (STARFM), the flexible spatiotemporal data fusion (FSDAF), and the spatial and temporal nonlocal filter-based fusion model (STNLFFM), in fusing MODIS and Landsat 8 images was investigated. The fusion results in Helong City show that the STNLFFM algorithm generated the best fused images. The correlation coefficients between the fusion images and actual Landsat images on May 28 and October 19 were 0.9746 and 0.9226, respectively, with an average of 0.9486. Dense Landsat-like time series at 8-day time intervals were generated using this method. This time series imagery and topography-derived features were used as predictor variables. Four machine learning methods, i.e., K-nearest neighbors (KNN), random forest (RF), artificial neural networks (ANNs), and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), were selected for tree species classification in Helong City, Jilin Province. An ensemble classifier combining these classifiers was constructed to further improve the accuracy. The ensemble classifier consistently achieved the highest accuracy in almost all classification scenarios, with a maximum overall accuracy improvement of approximately 3.4% compared to the best base classifier. Compared to only using a single temporal image, utilizing dense time series and the ensemble classifier can improve the classification accuracy by about 20%, and the overall accuracy reaches 84.32%. In conclusion, using spatiotemporal fusion and the ensemble classifier can significantly enhance tree species identification in cloudy mountainous areas with poor data availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year, logging in the world's largest tropical forest, located within the Amazon biome, continues unabated. Although it is a preferred alternative to deforestation, the residual stand and site are impacted by logging. The objective of this review was to determine and assess the current state of research throughout Amazonia on the subject of logging impacts. To achieve this goal, a systematic approach was utilized to gather, assess and categorize research articles conducted in the Amazon biome over the last decade. Eligibility for inclusion of articles required demonstration of a direct impact from logging operations. A total of 121 articles were determined to meet the eligibility requirements and were included in this review. Articles were subdivided into three environmental categories: forest (n = 85), wildlife (n = 24) and streams (n = 12). The results of this review demonstrated that impacts from logging activities to the forest site were a direct result of the logging cycle (e.g., how often logging occurs) or logging intensity (e.g., how many trees are felled). The impacts to wildlife varied dependent on species, whereas impacts to streams were affected more by the logging system. Overall, research suggested that to attain sustainability and diminish the impacts from logging, a lower logging intensity of 10–15 m3 ha−1 and a longer logging cycle of 40–60 years would be essential for the long-term viability of forest management in Amazonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the combined use of standard DEMATEL and AHP methodologies in assessing a selected set of criteria for evaluating sustainable forestry goals. Creating a decision-making framework with two participating individuals (the authors of this research) enabled the comparison of individually obtained solutions with the aggregated solutions derived by two methodologies. The use of DEMATEL enabled strategic viewing of the causality relations among criteria and a limited indication of cardinal information (weights) about their importance. Different from DEMATEL, the use of AHP is considered a control mechanism in tactical decision-making situations such as the usage of standard multi-criteria methods for solving forestry-related allocation or selection problems. AHP's role is to derive weights of criteria in a very structured environment based on assumption that criteria are independent and only their mutual importance is relevant for further decision-making. Individual solutions and aggregation schemes for creating group solutions are compared for both methodologies. Critical analysis is given for different aspects of their combined use when treating causalities and the importance of criteria in evaluations of long-term sustainable forestry goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of terrestrial carbon balance is one of the key tasks in the understanding and prognosis of climate change impacts and the development of tools and policies according to carbon mitigation and adaptation strategies. Forest ecosystems are one of the major pools of carbon stocks affected by controversial processes influencing carbon stability. Therefore, monitoring forest ecosystems is a key to proper inventory management of resources and planning their sustainable use. In this survey, we discuss which computer vision techniques are applicable to the most important aspects of forest management actions, considering the wide availability of remote sensing (RS) data of different resolutions based both on satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) observations. Our analysis applies to the most occurring tasks such as estimation of forest areas, tree species classification, and estimation of forest resources. Through the survey, we also provide a necessary technical background with a description of suitable data sources, algorithms' descriptions, and corresponding metrics for their evaluation. The implementation of the provided techniques into routine workflows is a significant step toward the development of systems of continuous actualization of forest data, including real-time monitoring. It is crucial for diverse purposes on both local and global scales. Among the most important are the implementation of improved forest management strategies and actions, carbon offset projects, and enhancement of the prediction accuracy of system changes under different land-use and climate scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining landscape integrity in terms of ecological functions is a key principle of sustainable forest management. Bird assemblages use all parts of forest landscapes and provide an opportunity to analyze their broad-scale integrity in those regions where bird census data are of sufficient quality and detail. In this study, I modelled likely landscape-composition consequences of different scenarios of even-aged (clear-cutting-based) silviculture on breeding-bird assemblages. The models were parameterized using high-quality territory-mapping data from Estonia. I considered three approaches for obtaining the model parameters. Of these, (i) a formal analysis of rank-abundance curves was rejected due to the inconsistency of the curve shapes among habitat types. Two other approaches were used and complemented each other: (ii) smoothed forest-type specific functions of total assemblage densities along post-clear-cut succession, and (iii) empirical average densities of each species by forest type and age class (for species composition analyses). The modelling revealed a parallel loss of bird densities and, to a lesser extent, of species at shorter rotations; currently, this effect is disproportionately large on productive soils. For conserving the productive hotspots, the 30% protection target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy overperformed other scenarios. In all landscape settings, typologically representative old-forest reserves (even artificially drained stands) helped to mitigate rotational forestry. The potential of even-aged production forestry to host early-successional species was already realized at much longer rotations than currently (given uniform stand-age structure). Comparing potential and realized bird assemblages provides a tool for assessing ecological integrity at the landscape scale, and the results can be used for elaborating regional management goals of ecologically sustainable forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branch wood presents potential volumetry that may have several applications, and its use may improve forest management efficiency in the Amazon. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the properties of branch wood when compared to the stem or what its potential applications might be, considering the possible variability of wood formation in branches. This study aimed to characterize physically and mechanically the branch wood of Dipteryx odorata, Hymenolobium petraeum and Hymenaea courbaril and to compare them with their respective stems. No significant statistical differences were observed for the basic density between the branch and stem woods. The branch wood of Dipteryx odorata and Hymenaea courbaril showed a lower coefficient of anisotropy (1.23 and 1.99, respectively) than the stem wood (1.62 and 2.49, respectively). D. odorata showed similar mechanical properties between the branch and stem, except for hardness, while H. petraeum and H. courbaril branch wood showed lower strengths when compared to the stem wood for all mechanical tests, except for the shear strength test. Branch wood has similar potential uses to stem wood and can be used for non-structural purposes such as small artifacts, decorative items, furniture, tools and panels composed of short, glued pieces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhancement of the ecological functions of forests through stand structure optimization is a key issue for high-quality forestry and its sustainable development on the Loess Plateau. In this study, fifty standard plots of Pinus tabuliformis Carr. forest were established in the Loess Plateau of western Shanxi, China. Eleven factors of the stand structure, three topographical factors, and four functional indices of the ecological function, including 20 sub-functional indices, were investigated and monitored. The study results indicated that the stand structure and topographical conditions could significantly affect the ecological functions of the Pinus tabuliformis forest, which was primarily reflected in the water-holding function, soil improvement function, and diversity function of understory plants, but had little effect on the function of reducing runoff and sediment yield on slope. We found that the stand density and uniform angle index could be used to achieve the optimal regulation of the stand structure to enhance the ecological functions of the Pinus tabuliformis forest. Overall, the optimization strategy for the stand structure of Pinus tabuliformis on the Loess Plateau should be to (1) determine the characteristics of the regulation target by understanding the stand structure and its ecological function characteristics through stand surveys on the altitude of the stand, stand density, uniform angle index of the individual trees in the sample plot, and average uniform angle index of the sample plot; (2) determine the optimization target by quantifying and analyzing the ecological functions of the stand, selecting a certain functional index as the optimization target, and specifying the degree of improvement in the functional index; and (3) substitute the optimization target and elevation of the stand into the corresponding stand structure optimization model and determine the regulation direction and regulation range of the stand density, uniform angle index, and specific stand structure regulation measures. The results of this study serve as a guide for optimizing the stand structure on the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately estimating the forest farmers' protection costs for forest ecosystem services has become a hot issue in ecological economics. In this research, we propose a novel method of using an auction price model to evaluate the forest ecosystem services. We establish a functional relationship between forest farmers and the forestland that belongs to them based on experimental data from Xin'an River Basin in China. The results indicate that the average willingness of farmers to accept payment for forest ecosystem service protection in the low, middle, and high levels of forest quality is 17,123.10, 23,493.75, and 31,064.40 yuan/ha/year, respectively. Moreover, farmers with different individual characteristics, household characteristics, planting characteristics, policy cognition, and ecological awareness are also willing to be paid differently. This research can provide a reference for forest ecosystem protection policies and assist the sustainable forestry development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, forest tenure reform has become one of the most discussed agendas among local and global policymakers. Forest tenure is a contract that specifies who has rights to forestry resources and depicts who should utilize, maintain, and acquire them. It can have a significant impact on whether farmers invest in their forestland. The study's primary purpose is to explore whether and how the reform of forest rights affects farmers' investment in public welfare forestry. More specifically, the study thoroughly analyzes the impact of primary and supplementary reforms on farmers' investment in public welfare forest areas. We have outlined the theoretical framework using the theory of property rights and utilized the fixed-effect model and the Difference in Differences (DID) model to achieve research objectives. However, the empirical setup of the study has comprised time series data of 500 farmers, which was collected via interviews conducted at regular time intervals (2011—before the reform; 2013, 2015, and 2017— after the reform). The collective forest land welfare areas in Gansu Province, China, have been selected as the key data collection area. The study concludes that: (i) although the principle reform of forest tenure can stimulate farmers' investment intensity in the short term, it is insufficient in the long term. (ii) The supplementary reform of forest tenure can significantly promote farmers' long-term effective investment. There is a significant difference in forest land investment between the experimental and control groups, and this difference gradually expands over time. The study suggests that the government should pay more attention to the relevance of additional reforms to encourage the growth of forest rights mortgages and circulation. Moreover, the core themes of sustainable development in forestry should be highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain applications have received a lot of attention in recent years. They provide enormous benefits and advantages to many different sectors. To date, there have not been any systematic studies comprehensively reviewing current blockchain-based applications in the forestry sector. This paper examines published work on blockchain-based applications in the forestry sector. A systematic review was conducted to identify, analyze, and discuss current literature on current blockchain applications deployed (and/or proposed) in the forestry sector, grouping results into three domains of forest management, traceability of forest-based products, and forest fire detection based on content analysis. The analyses highlight reported benefits, opportunities, and challenges of blockchain applications in the forestry sector. The study results show that blockchain has great potential in sustainable forestry, minimizing illegal logging, conserving biodiversity, and many other areas in forestry. It also shows that blockchain in forestry is still immature and complex, since it requires specialists to adopt. This paper contributes towards filling the existing research gap through this systematic review on blockchain applications in forestry. This review offers insights into a deep understanding of blockchain applications for managers, practitioners, and consultants interested in forestry. The paper identifies existing research gaps on related topics of blockchain applications in forestry and makes recommendations on potential future directions for research into blockchain in forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable forestry is key to increase the adaptive capacity and resilience of regions exposed to extreme atmospheric events. Understanding social acceptability of forest management practices through a public dialogue that involves a diversity of stakeholders is important to define management policies and strategies. Here, we inquire about social acceptability of a sustainable forestry industry in Puerto Rico by convening a set of local experts from private, non-profit, and public sectors through focus group discussions. We presented three scenarios characterized by different elements of sustainability. Discussions included organizational and management considerations, potential products and markets, and the impact of extreme weather events. The results show that greater agreement was observed within groups than across groups. Most of the private sector participants valued mainly financial viability, while the public and the non-profit sectors gave more importance to social equity and environmental protection. This suggests that there is no single ideal model; thus, participation from all sectors in subsequent conversations would be worthwhile to seek a model that would work for most of the stakeholders. As a next step, we suggest expanding the stakeholder consultation effort to delineate a clear road map that can inform sustainable forestry planning at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural regeneration is crucial for the development of sustainable forestry practices in light of the current global climate changes. In this paper, we compared the size distributions of Quercus acutissima seedlings in the understory of Q. acutissima forest plantations in Mount Tai in 2010 and 2017, studied the physiological and morphological responses of seedlings to the microenvironment, and explored the maintenance mechanisms of the seedling bank. The results showed that the density of understory seedlings in 2017 was only 61.63% of that in 2010, especially in the 20–40 cm height class. Between 2011 and 2016, the precipitation and soil water content were the highest in 2011, followed by 2013. The 2–4-year seedlings (height < 40 cm) were not significantly different in seedling biomass, biomass allocation, and root morphology (root total surface area, root volume, and root average diameter), and were significantly different in total root length, specific root length, specific root surface area, and nonstructural carbohydrate content of root, stem, and leaves. However, 5–6-year seedlings (height > 40 cm) showed the largest biomass. Principal component analysis indicated that altering root morphology, nonstructural carbohydrate, and biomass allocation played significant roles in the drought adaptation of seedlings in the understory. In conclusion, drought stress together with seedling adaptation influenced the dynamics of seedling bank in the understory of Q. acutissima plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure sustainable forestry, it is important to establish efficient management procedures for seed orchards. We evaluated the effects of thinning, pruning season and girdling intensity on tree growth and vigor in an old Larix kaempferi seed orchard. Even after four years, tree size (crown width and tree height) increased, resulting in light intensity of an un-thinned class decreasing. Thinning counteracted the decrease in light intensity associated with tree growth, but it had no effect on promoting tree growth. Tree crown status was scored based on vigor and health. No significant difference in crown vigor was observed between unpruned and winter-pruned trees, but the summer-pruning class showed significantly lower vigor. Five years after girdling, trees with low and moderate girdling levels maintained high crown vigor, similar to intact trees, while the crown vigor of trees subjected to severe girdling was significantly lower. This is the first study to quantitatively model trends in remaining girdling depth over time, and to show that the half decay period was ca. 2–3 years. Our findings suggested that management procedures that combine moderate-level girdling, winter pruning and thinning to maintain rPPFD at 50% are well-suited to balancing tree vigor and reproduction in seed orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-diameter trees have mainly been used for timber production in forestry practices. Recently, their critical roles played in biodiversity conservation and maintenance of ecosystem functions have been recognized. However, current forestry policy on the management of large-diameter trees is weak. As China is the biggest consumer of large-diameter timbers, how to maintain sustainable large-diameter timber resources aswell asmaximize ecological functions of the forests is a critical question to address. Here we summarize historical uses, distribution patterns, and management strategies of large-diameter trees in China. We found that large-diameter trees are mainly distributed in old-growth forests. Although China’s forest cover has increased rapidly in the past decades, large-diameter trees are rarely found in plantation forests and secondary forests. We suggest that knowledge of large-diameter trees should be widely disseminated in local forestry departments, especially their irreplaceable value in terms of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functions. Protection of large-diameter trees, especially those in old-growth forests, is critical for sustainable forestry. Tomeet the increasing demand of large-diameter timbers, plantation forests and secondary forests should apply forest densitymanagement with thinning to cultivate more large-diameter trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A world-wide demand in large-scale land acquisition over the past decade has been discussed as a land grab for access to natural resources. Forestland grab is the dynamics of land use changes by the foreign or national entities that can enable forests and biodiversity transformations on a wider scale. In recent times, forestland grabbing performed by foreigners in the Hokkaido Island of Japan has been increasing and causing a lot of debate. Therefore, this study analyzed the social, economic, and ecological impacts of forestland grabbing by the foreigners in the Hokkaido Island of Japan, and also analyzed the land ownership rules and regulations of Japan that have an impact on the land-grabbing process. This study is formed by an analysis of public and forestry agency documents, grey and academic literatures, interview with questionnaire and practical observation in central Hokkaido, Japan. The study found out that the forestland grabs have been taking place on the Hokkaido Island using the existing Japanese policy and legal arrangements. However, some people and print media have disagreed with the treatment of forestlands as a commodity because the land and water resources are limited and also essential for the national sovereignty and local culture. On the other hand, the small-scale forestland grabbing and development activities by foreigners were totally in the grip of the local government and no significant forest and biodiversity losses have been identified so far. The study also revealed that the entry of foreign companies has augmented the local economy and tourism industries and also provided jobs for the local people. Therefore, the foreigners-based land grabs and investments have caused an immense debate, and the study would recommend the proper execution of conservation regulations at every level instead of blocking the entry of foreign entities through law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of criteria and indicators (C&I) for data collection, monitoring, assessing and reporting on sustainable forest management (SFM) has been growing since the Earth Summit in 1992, supported by eleven intergovernmental, regional and international forest-related C&I processes. The initial effort led to varying levels of implementation across countries. Several processes never went much beyond the adoption of a first set of C&I while others have made substantial progress. In recent years, interest in C&I for SFM has again increased. In light of the Sustainable Development Goals and emerging global challenges the contribution of C&I to monitor, assess and report on forest conditions and trends is increasingly important. We compare and analyse the structure, activities and progress of the intergovernmental C&I processes. The work is based on document analysis and questionnaires sent to the secretariats of the processes and C&I experts. We found many similarities but also major differences in the structure and content of the C&I sets. The results provide a context for discussing and understanding why some of the C&I processes are successful in their work while others have stalled. Finally, we propose the required ingredients for success for the future activities of the forest-related intergovernmental C&I processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic principle of silviculture is the rational use of natural regeneration. The acceleration and equalisation of seed germination and an increase of the field seed germination ability are affected by seed scarification, which results in the destruction or weakening of the seed cover. Acorn scarification is performed manually, in the standing position, most often in adapted work stations, whose geometry is adjusted by the staff to their own anthropometric dimensions. An added value of acorn scarification consists in the ability to visually assess the health status of the cotyledons visible on the cross-section, making it possible to infer the potential use of a seed for sowing. However, due to the scope and duration of the activities involved, manual scarification is a process that is monotonous and physically as well as psychologically tiring for its performer. Automating of this process allows for effective replacement of human labour. The results obtained from the use of the vision system designed to determine the length and orientation of acorns may be considered satisfactory. The implementation of the seed orientation detection algorithm using the Harris detector was 90% accurate. Studies and analyses have shown that the process of acorn scarification has a positive effect on the later improvement of uniformity and acceleration of seedling emergence. In the case of seeds subjected to scarification, 83% of the acorns germinated within 4 to 6 weeks after sowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate quantification of branch volume in trees is important for sustainable forest management, especially as these fractions are increasingly used for bioenergy, and for precise forest CO2 quantification. Whereas a large focus has been placed on the compatible estimation of tree taper and bole volume with and without bark, little effort has been made to develop models that allow a simultaneous prediction of these variables together with tree branch volume. In this study, 595 Pinus cooperi trees and 700 Pinus durangensis trees were sampled in pine-oak forests in the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico. A compatible system for predicting two segmented taper functions, over and under bark; the corresponding merchantable volumes; coarse branch volume and whole-tree volume was fitted using a modified continuous autoregressive structure to account for autocorrelation. The proposed compatible equations explained more than 97% of the observed variability in diameter over and under bark, volume over and under bark, and total tree volume and more than 64% of the observed variability in branch volume in both species. The method described can theoretically be replicated for any tree species, thus providing a better understanding of the patterns of volume distribution by components, potentially improving carbon accounting system and forest bioenergy planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participation among private forest owners, logging contractors, and wood products manufacturers in the forest certification sector remains low. Those that enroll are mainly large-acreage owners and specialized manufacturers. Little is known about certification perspectives across the supply chain and how they relate. Comparing what owners, contractors, and manufacturers think about certification would increase insight regarding sector growth. In this study, 2741 private forest owners, logging contractors, and wood products manufacturers in Virginia, U.S.A. were surveyed about their beliefs regarding the impact of certification on economic opportunities and image and the extent to which they think it positively affects the forestry sector and understand how to certify forestland. Co-orientation was used to map alignment and predictions between respondents. Owner and contractor responses were similar and predictions about each other mostly accurate, but manufacturer responses and predictions were largely incongruent. Manufacturers generally aligned more so with contractors than owners but contractors identified slightly more with owners. Owners and contractors shared perspectives and a discernable identity, whereas manufacturers viewed certification in a less positive light. Implications for participation in forest certification focus largely on interrelationships of actor perspectives regardless of scale and emphasize the roles each can play in the forest certification sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While considering constraints in regard to sustainability, this paper reviews the development of a methodology to assess the introduction of bioenergy supply chains in Mexico based on forest woody biomass. Three research modules include analyses of forest biomass utilization residues that originated from: (1) harvesting activities, (2) non-extracted stands and (3) sawmills. A regional case study focusing on tree species of commercial importance (pine, oak and fir) in the 10 provinces with the highest timber production located in the north and central-south part of the country, is analyzed. After applying the methodology, the theoretical potential of available woody biomass for energetic use amounts to 6,357,482 m3. When applying the sustainability constraints, the technically feasible supply of forest woody biomass for energetic use sums up to 5,798,722 m3, which relate to a technical energy potential of 45.96 PJ for 2013. Moreover, a biomass energy flow chart showing energy values for each analyzed source and species is presented. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out for each cost involved in utilizing the resulting available woody biomass for energetic use. In the absence of national studies which include forest operations and bioenergy transformation to calculate the sustainable energy potential, the developed methodology adds innovation for assessing woody biomass availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexico has had a non-state forest certification system under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) since it was initiated in 1993, and developed a new state-sponsored Mexican Forest Certification System (MFCS) that began in 2008. Several analyses have been made of FSC forest certification in Mexico, but none have summarized the new MFCS system or compared its standards with FSC. We compare the implementation of the non-state FSC market forest certification with the state-sponsored MFCS system in Mexico, and review literature on forest certification, focusing on all studies in Mexico. MFCS has had substantial enrollment of more than 902,802 ha by 2016, compared to 900,388 ha for the more-established FSC program. MFCS can be acceptable for stand-alone forest certification, and might be viewed as a stepwise path to FSC certification. The merits of both systems are analyzed in terms of standard content, likely sustainable forestry practices, access to markets, and community forestry enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mediterranean areas, forest fires are a considerable risk most years. The seasonality of the climate with a dry summer, high temperatures and low rainfall (which implies increased flammability of materials) is one of the main factors in the ignition and progression of fires. This factor conjugated with more favourable biophysical conditions (e.g., high slopes, aspect) leads to easy propagation and the increasingly destructive power of such phenomena. To prevent and reduce the consequences of forest fires, it is necessary to simulate and forecast the territory use and management, not only focused on forest areas, but also on all land uses and agricultural activities that may coexist there, considering the probability of fire occurrence. The objective of this paper is to present a methodological approach to address the integration of fire risk in integrated Mediterranean forest management models. The methodological approach considers simultaneously the climatic conditions through different times of the year (more or less favourable to forest fire damage) and structural conditions addressed to land uses, aspect, slope, roads and demographic density. The methodological approach was implemented in a management area located in the Algarve, in southern Portugal. The results for the Algarve region showed that the proposed approach is very useful for managers, since it allowed the calculation of fire susceptibility, vulnerability and fire damage, according to several climatic scenarios. It also allowed the incorporation of different paths regarding different fire risk conditions and the minimization of risk due to fire damage through different management responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) is a cultural keystone tree species in the forests of eastern North America, providing numerous ecosystem services to Indigenous people. White pine abundance in the landscape has considerably decreased over the last few centuries due to overharvesting, suppression of surface fires, extensive management, and plantation failure. The Kitcisakik Algonquin community of western Quebec is calling for restoration and sustainable management of white pine on its ancestral territory, to ensure provision of associated ecosystem services. We present five white pine restoration and management scenarios taking into account community needs and ecological types: (1) natural regeneration of scattered white pines to produce individuals of different sizes and ages used as medicinal plants; (2) protection of supercanopy white pines used as landmarks and for providing habitat for flagship wildlife species, and younger individuals left as regeneration and future canopy trees; (3) the uniform shelterwood system to create white pine-dominated stands that provide habitat for flagship wildlife species and support cultural activities; (4) under-canopy plantations to yield mature white pine stands for timber production; (5) mixed plantations to produce forests with aesthetic qualities that provide wildlife habitat and protect biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the dynamics of natural ecosystems in highly transformed landscapes is key to the design of regional development plans that are more sustainable and otherwise enhance conservation initiatives. We analyzed secondary forest and shrubland dynamics over 30 years (1985-2015) in a densely populated area of the Colombian Andes using satellite and biophysical data. We performed a land-cover change analysis, assessed landscape fragmentation, and applied regression models to evaluate the effects of environmental and geographical correlates with the observed forest transitions. Forest cover area increased during the 30 year-span, due mostly to forest regrowth in areas marginal for agriculture, especially during the first half of the study period. However, a high dynamic of both forest regrowth and clearing near urban centers and roads was observed. Soil fertility turned out to be a key correlate of both forest recovery and deforestation. Secondary forests, <30 years old represent the most fragmented component. Our findings reflect the complexity of the processes occurring in highly transformed and densely populated regions. Overall, this study provides elements for a better understanding of the factors driving land cover change near large urban areas, and raises new iideas for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information pertaining to forest timber volume is crucial for sustainable forest management. Remotely-sensed data have been incorporated into operational forest inventories to serve the need for ever more diverse and detailed forest statistics and to produce spatially explicit data products. In this study, data derived fromairborne laser scanning and image-based point clouds were compared using three volume estimation methods to aid wall-to-wall mapping of forest timber volume. Estimates of forest height and tree density metrics derived from remotely-sensed data are used as explanatory variables, and forest timber volumes based on sample field plots are used as response variables. When compared to data derived from image-based point clouds, airborne laser scanning produced slightly more accurate estimates of timber volume, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 26.3% using multiple linear regression. In comparison, RMSEs for volume estimates derived from image-based point clouds were 28.3% and 29.0%, respectively, using Semi-Global Matching and enhanced Automatic Terrain Extraction methods. Multiple linear regression was the best-performing parameter estimation method when compared to k-Nearest Neighbour and Support Vector Machine. In many countries, aerial imagery is acquired and updated on regular cycles of 1-5 years when compared to more costly, once-off airborne laser scanning surveys. This study demonstrates point clouds generated from such aerial imagery can be used to enhance the estimation of forest parameters at a stand and forest compartment level-scale using small area estimation methods while at the same time achieving sampling error reduction and improving accuracy at the forest enterprise-level scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]