Search

Agroforestry can contribute to an increase in tree cover in historically forested tropical landscapes with associated gains in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, but only if established on open land instead of underneath a forest canopy. However, declines in yields with increasing shade are common across agroforestry crops, driving shade-tree removal in forest-derived agroforests and hindering tree regrowth in open-land-derived agroforests. To understand trajectories of change in tree cover in forest- and open-land-derived agroforests, and the impacts of tree cover on vanilla yields, we studied 209 vanilla agroforests along an 88-year chronosequence in Madagascar. Additionally, we used remotely sensed canopy cover data to investigate tree cover change in the agricultural landscape. We found yields to vary widely but independently of canopy cover and land-use history (forest- vs. open-land-derived), averaging at 154.6 kg ha−1 year−1 (SD = 186.9). Furthermore, we found that forest- and open-land-derived vanilla agroforests gained canopy cover over time, but that only open-land-derived agroforests gained canopy height. Canopy cover increased also at the landscape scale: areas in the agricultural landscape with medium initial canopy cover gained 6.4% canopy cover over 10 years, but canopy cover decreased in areas with high initial canopy cover. These opposing trends suggest tree cover rehabilitation across areas covered by vanilla agroforests, whereas remnant forest fragments in the agricultural landscape were transformed or degraded. Our results indicate that yield-neutral tree rehabilitation through open-land-derived agroforestry could, if coupled with effective forest protection, provide benefits for both ecosystem functions and agricultural production in a smallholder-dominated agricultural landscape.

Predicting the level of damage caused by deer browsing in young plantations is important for selecting appropriate damage control measures. In this study, we examined a method for assessing the level of deer damage in young Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) plantations by observing field signs of deer. First, a questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain information about the damage caused by deer browsing on planted trees and the extent of field signs, such as browsing marks and deer fecal pellets in young plantations where deer-proof fences were installed. The extent of field signs was recorded as qualitative data (i.e., "None", "A few", and "Many"). A multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) of these relationships revealed a relationship between the extent of deer damage in young plantations and the presence of five field signs (browsing marks, bark stripping marks, fecal pellets, trails and tracks). Based on the coordinate values of each field sign obtained using the MCA, the extent of each field sign was scored, and the total value was calculated as the deer impact score (DISco). When the relationship between the DISco and the extent of deer damage to planted trees was subjected to a logistic regression analysis (LRA), the DISco was found to be a significant explanatory variable and the LRA was an effective model (AUC of 0.7122 and 0.7794, respectively) for predicting the probability of stand damage and High stand damage. Therefore, the DISco was shown to be an effective tool for assessing the impact of deer in young Sugi plantations.

Bark-stripping and browsing by mammals in woodlands can cause widespread damage to trees, inhibiting tree growth and leading to whole tree or canopy death. Sciurid species worldwide are known to incorporate inner bark or cambium tissue into their diets, and outer bark can additionally be used as nesting material. The drivers and causes of bark-stripping behaviour have been investigated and determined for some species; for others this remains largely unexplained, including the eastern grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis. For all squirrel species there is good understanding of tree susceptibility to damage as well as impacts of damage on tree health. However, much less is known about the drivers and modifiers of bark-stripping behaviour, which hinders the development of effective mitigation and management efforts. To address this knowledge gap, we aim to produce a systematic map, by collating, organising and categorising knowledge clusters and gaps on motivators of bark-stripping behaviour in squirrels, and the consequences of bark damage by squirrels in woodlands globally. Literature searches will be conducted in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese using relevant scientific databases (ISI Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, Wanfang, NDLTD and NCLTPL). The relevant search terms are defined by a primary question: what are the correlates and consequences of bark-damaging behaviour caused by squirrel species in woodlands, and what are the recommended management strategies? Papers will be screened for inclusion criteria at two stages: (1) abstracts and titles, and (2) full-texts. Information extracted from the studies will include study location, publication date, publication type, length of study, regional scope of study, data type, sampling strategy, study design, and intervention methods. Further coding variables will be used to extract relevant data, recording the modifiers and consequences of bark-stripping behaviour at different spatial scales. Results will be presented visually and narratively, summarising key characteristics of the systematic map database and identifying areas for new evidence syntheses and primary research.

Forest is like a backbone to live on earth. Humans are dependent on it for food, shelter, and habitat. Exponentially increasing human population is making pressure on forests and their ecosystem. Although we are greatly dependent on the forest for our day-to-day life still there is the least effort evident from the human side for its conservation. Forest fire is a natural phenomenon that occurs due to various natural causes. With increasing population pressure, humans are trying to develop their habitat leading to patches within the forest. Forest fire is one of the easiest ways of clearing forest cover. The careless activity of humans and lack of a proper management system is making forest fire a threat to human civilization. According to a Forest Survey of India Report, about 50 percent of forest areas in the country are fire-prone (ranging from 50 percent in some states to 90 percent in the others) and about 6 percent of the forests are prone to severe fire damage. In this study it is summarised that in India forest fire occurrence is mostly seen during summer that is in between February - May and the most affected forest type is tropical deciduous forest which is found in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal states of India. As the forest fire rate is very frequent in India, we should plan a proper strategy to control forest fire with the help of previous forest fire data available in some research papers and remote sensing data to be used to prepare nationwide fire history maps for better formulation of forest fire control measures to minimize the intensity and spread. Keywords: Forest fire, India, human civilization.

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Pongamia) is a tree native to Southeast Asia. Recently, interest in Pongamia focused on its potential as a biofuel source as its seeds contain around 40% oil. However, Pongamia has multiple applications beyond biofuel production. It is a legume, can form symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi, has been shown to be tolerant to drought, salinity, and heavy metals in soil, and has potential to mitigate climate change. Additionally, Pongamia oil has medicinal properties, can be used as biopesticide, insect repellent, to produce soap, and as a source of edible grade vegetable oil. The seed cake can be used as a source of bioenergy, food and feed protein, and organic fertiliser, and the flowers are a good source of pollen and nectar. Pongamia can also bring socio-economic benefits as its ability to restore degraded and contaminated land provides opportunities for local communities through novel valorisation pathways. These multiple applications have potential to form part of a circular bioeconomy in line with sustainable development goals. Although research on the multiple applications of Pongamia has grown considerably, knowledge gaps remain. Here, we critically review the available literature on Pongamia and highlight gaps in knowledge in which future research should focus on to ensure that the full potential of this versatile tree can be achieved. We argue that harnessing the multiple applications of Pongamia in a holistic manner, with collaboration among key stakeholders, is crucial for the successful application of its benefits far beyond biofuel production.

Society is confronted by interconnected threats to ecological sustainability. Among these is the devastation of forests by destructive non-native pathogens and insects introduced through global trade, leading to the loss of critical ecosystem services and a global forest health crisis. We argue that the forest health crisis is a public good social dilemma and propose a response framework that incorporates principles of collective action. This framework will enable scientists to better engage policymakers and empower the public to advocate for proactive biosecurity and forest health management. Collective action in forest health will feature broadly inclusive stakeholder engagement to build trust and set goals; accountability for destructive pest introductions; pooled support for weakest-link partners; and inclusion of intrinsic and non-market values of forest ecosystems in risk assessment. We provide short-term and longer-term measures that incorporate the above principles to shift the societal and ecological forest health paradigm to a more resilient state.

Human impacts on the Earth’s biosphere are driving the global biodiversity crisis. Governments are preparing to agree on a set of actions intended to halt the loss of biodiversity and put it on a path to recovery by 2050. We provide evidence that the proposed actions can bend the curve for biodiversity, but only if these actions are implemented urgently and in an integrated manner.

Field biology is an area of research that involves working directly with living organisms in situ through a practice known as “fieldwork.” Conducting fieldwork often requires complex logistical planning within multiregional or multinational teams, interacting with local communities at field sites, and collaborative research led by one or a few of the core team members. However, existing power imbalances stemming from geopolitical history, discrimination, and professional position, among other factors, perpetuate inequities when conducting these research endeavors. After reflecting on our own research programs, we propose four general principles to guide equitable, inclusive, ethical, and safe practices in field biology: be collaborative, be respectful, be legal, and be safe. Although many biologists already structure their field programs around these principles or similar values, executing equitable research practices can prove challenging and requires careful consideration, especially by those in positions with relatively greater privilege. Based on experiences and input from a diverse group of global collaborators, we provide suggestions for action-oriented approaches to make field biology more equitable, with particular attention to how those with greater privilege can contribute. While we acknowledge that not all suggestions will be applicable to every institution or program, we hope that they will generate discussions and provide a baseline for training in proactive, equitable fieldwork practices.

Urban forests can provide essential environmental and social functions if properly planned and managed. Tree inventories and measurements are a critical part of assessing and monitoring the size, growth, and health condition of urban trees. In this context, the parameters usually collected are diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height, but additional data about crown dimensions (width, length, and crown projection) are required for a comprehensive tree assessment. These data are generally collected by urban foresters through field surveys using tree calipers or diameter tape for DBH and the electronic ipsometer/clinometer to measure tree height and crown size. Greater detail could be achieved using a digital instrument such as Field-Map, a portable computer station, to quickly realize dimensional and topographic surveys of trees and forest stands. Additionally, the incorporation of a LIDAR scanner into a smartphone such as the iPhone 12 Pro has made this device able to measure tree attributes as well as additional spatial data in the field. In this study, we tested these 3 different measurement systems in a field sampling of an urban forest and compared them in terms of measurable parameters, accuracy, cost, and time efficiency. Furthermore, we discussed the pros and cons of each measurement approach and how the resulted data can be used to evaluate ecosystem services of trees and provide guidance on tree management in order to reduce potential risks or disservices.

The structure and role of fire in historical dry forests, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and dry mixed-conifer forests, of the western USA, have been debated for 25 years, leaving two theories. The first, that these forests were relatively uniform, low in tree density and dominated by low- to moderate-severity fires was recently reviewed, including a critique of opposing evidence. The second, that these forests historically had heterogeneous structure and a mixture of fire severities, has had several published reviews. Here, as authors in part of the second theory, we critically examined evidence in the first theory’s new review, which presented 37 critiques of the second theory. We examined evidence for and against each critique, including evidence presented or omitted. We found that a large body of published evidence against the first theory and supporting the second theory, presented in 10 published rebuttals and 25 other published papers, by us and other scientists, was omitted and not reviewed. We reviewed omitted evidence here. Omitted evidence was extensive, and included direct observations by early scientists, maps in early forest atlases, early newspaper accounts and photographs, early aerial photographs, seven paleo-charcoal reconstructions, ≥18 tree-ring reconstructions, eight land-survey reconstructions, and an analysis of forest-inventory age data. This large body of omitted published research provides compelling evidence supporting the second theory, that historical dry forests were heterogeneous in structure and had a mixture of fire severities, including high-severity fire. The first theory is rejected by this large body of omitted evidence.

Fire is one of the most important disturbances of the earth-system, shaping the biodiversity of ecosystems and particularly forests. Anthropogenic drivers such as climatic change and other human activities could produce potentially abrupt changes in fire regimes, triggering more profound transformations like the transition from forests to savannah or grasslands ecosystems. Large biodiversity loss could be produced if these transitions occur. Climate change could enhance fire ignition and spread, potentially producing more extensive, intense, and frequent fires. In this work, we evaluate the possible changes in the Amazon regions fire regime. We parameterize a fire model using remote sensing data on fire extension and temperature, by considering climate projections for the 21st century. In the context of our model, there are two possible regime changes: the critical regime that implies high variability in fire extension and mega-fires, and an absorbing phase transition which would produce the extinction of the forest and transition to a different vegetation state. The fitted model and the projections suggest that the Amazon region is not close to any of these regime changes, but other factors not included in the model could be crucial for determining the probability of such critical transitions.

Recent advances in remotely piloted aerial systems (“drones”) and imagery processing enable individual tree mapping in forests across broad areas with low-cost equipment and minimal ground-based data collection. One such method involves collecting many partially overlapping aerial photos, processing them using “structure from motion” (SfM) photogrammetry to create a digital 3D representation, and using the 3D model to detect individual trees. SfM-based forest mapping involves myriad decisions surrounding methods and parameters for imagery acquisition and processing, but it is unclear how these individual decisions or their combinations impact the quality of the resulting forest inventories. We collected and processed drone imagery of a moderate-density, structurally complex mixed-conifer stand. We tested 22 imagery collection methods (altering flight altitude, camera pitch, and image overlap), 12 imagery processing parameterizations (image resolutions and depth map filtering intensities), and 286 tree detection methods (algorithms and their parameterizations) to create 7,568 tree maps. We compared these maps to a 3.23-ha ground reference map of 1,775 trees > 5 m tall that we created using traditional field survey methods. The accuracy of individual tree detection (ITD) and the resulting tree maps was generally maximized by collecting imagery at high altitude (120 m) with at least 90% image-to-image overlap, photogrammetrically processing images into a canopy height model (CHM) with a 2-fold upscaling (coarsening) step, and detecting trees from the CHM using a variable window filter after applying a moving-window mean smooth to the CHM. Using this combination of methods, we mapped trees with an accuracy exceeding expectations for structurally complex forests (for overstory trees > 10 m tall, sensitivity = 0.69 and precision = 0.90). Remotely measured tree heights corresponded to ground-measured heights with R2 = 0.95. Accuracy was higher for taller trees and lower for understory trees, and would likely be higher in less dense and less structurally complex stands. Our results may guide others wishing to efficiently produce broad-extent individual-tree maps of conifer forests without investing substantial time tailoring imagery acquisition and processing parameters. The resulting tree maps create opportunities for addressing previously intractable ecological questions and informing forest management.

Central to the premise of the Sustainable Development Goals is the concept that the environment underpins the economic and social dimensions of development, yet the language and structure of the SDG framework are largely blind to these environment-development relationships beyond the "nature" Goals (14 and 15). As a result, ecosystem health continues to decline, development milestones lag, and investments are suboptimally allocated. Here, we highlight and conceptually map natures role across the entire framework and make suggestions for leveraging synergies and limiting undesired impacts.

Forests and tree-dominated land uses store large amounts of carbon stocks in plant biomass. However, anthropogenic changes in land use and land cover decrease tree cover and associated carbon stocks. Agroforestry has the potential to maintain or restore carbon in plant biomass but the amount will be influenced by various factors that may include land-use history and management practices. However, few studies explicitly address how these factors determine aboveground carbon stocks. Therefore, our study estimates aboveground carbon stocks in different land-use types, across stem diameters and geographic origin of tree species, and its structural controls. We particularly focus on the importance of land-use history in agroforestry systems. We conducted the study in the mosaic landscape of north-eastern Madagascar in old-growth forests, forest fragments, woody fallows, and vanilla agroforests. The agroforests differed in land-use history and were either directly derived from forest or derived from woody fallows after slash-and-burn shifting cultivation. Aboveground carbon stocks were highest in old-growth forests and lowest in woody fallows. Within vanilla agroforests, aboveground carbon stocks were highly variable: forest-derived agroforests stored significantly higher carbon stocks that were mainly stored in native and endemic species, whereas fallow-derived agroforests stored lower carbon stocks that were mainly provided by introduced species. Furthermore, aboveground carbon stocks were mainly controlled by stem density and stem diameter. In conclusion, forest-derived agroforests have the potential to maintain relatively high carbon stocks and a forest-like structure in the landscape, whereas fallow-derived agroforests contribute to convert historically forested open land into permanent tree-dominated land-use systems, thereby restoring carbon stocks. Thus, considering the land-use history of agroforests is important for conservation and restoration agendas.

Regional management of large herbivore populations is known to be effective in reducing local economic damages and conserving local endemic plants. However, herbivores often move across management areas, and the effect of population management on a large spatial scale is poorly understood, even though it is necessary to use a large-scale approach across multiple management units to implement appropriate management. In this study, to better understand large-scale management and improve management efficiency, we evaluated effects of large-scale management of a sika deer (Cervus nippon) population on Kyushu Island (approximately 36,750 km2) in Japan. We estimated the population dynamics and spatial distributions of the deer and evaluated the effects of harvests, density dependence, and climatic conditions on the population dynamics both across Kyushu Island and in smaller prefectural management units. Fecal pellet count surveys conducted from 1995 to 2019 and results from a vector autoregressive spatio-temporal model showed relatively stable population dynamics and four high-density core areas. No increasing or decreasing trends were observed in the population dynamics, even though harvesting increased annually until it reached about 110,000 in 2014, indicating that harvesting was not related to the population dynamics. In addition, although no effects of density dependence were confirmed, maximum snow depth during winter decreased deer density at the management unit scale. Harvesting represents a major source of mortality in the Kyushu Island population because of the absence of predators. Although, approximately 110,000 sika deer were harvested annually after 2014, it is surprising that the effect of harvesting on population dynamics was not significant. A main cause of no reduction of the population was that the population used to determine the harvest number was underestimated. In addition, it was indicated that multi-management units need to manage the core areas because the high-density core areas were located across a few management units. This study highlights the difficulties involved with wide-area management of large herbivores and points out the importance of accurate stock assessment, reduction of the risk of management failure, and cooperation among management units. Our research is an important contribution to the study of the effects of large-scale harvesting in a large geographic area.

A major pest of eastern North American forests is spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), which outbreaks every 30–40 years and causes large scale tree mortality. Researchers have established that hardwood content reduces the defoliation and mortality of balsam fir and spruces during spruce budworm outbreaks. One mechanism posited to explain these patterns is that hardwood content positively impacts the parasitoids of spruce budworm. Researchers have found that parasitism of spruce budworm by individual parasitoids is impacted by hardwood content. Yet, more research is needed to understand how hardwood content impacts the parasitoid community as a whole. In this study, we used DNA barcoding and stable isotope analysis of Malaise trap sampled parasitoids to examine how hardwood content influenced parasitoid community composition, structure, and trophic interactions. We found that although composition did not significantly differ along a hardwood content gradient, phylogenetic community structure did differ. Furthermore, the trophic relationships between several parasitoids and caterpillars on balsam fir or hardwood trees changed over time. Our study highlights the importance of hardwood trees for spruce budworm dynamics through influencing the parasitoid community.

A major pest of Atlantic forests is the spruce budworm caterpillar which outbreaks every 35 years and causes large scale tree mortality. Historically, budworm management has largely ignored other species in the food web. Broadening the focus could reduce budworm outbreaks while balancing the multiple demands on our forests. However, the food web surrounding budworm including other caterpillar species that are attacked by budworm parasitoids has been relatively undersampled and under-researched. Therefore, we tested two hypotheses: the alternating hardwood-softwood parasitoids hypothesis where parasitoids attack other caterpillars on hardwoods when budworm are rare and attack budworm on balsam fir or other softwoods when budworm are plentiful, and the mixed stands natural enemies hypothesis where stands with a mixture of softwood and hardwood trees harbour greater abundances and diversity of budworm parasitoids. We tested these hypotheses using stable isotope analysis of budworm parasitoids and through community analyses of parasitoids sampled along a hardwood gradient. We found indications that parasitoids do attack caterpillars on hardwoods and budworm on balsam fir, but found mixed results for the natural enemies hypothesis. Our study highlights the importance for budworm management of understanding the dynamics of the food web surrounding budworm.

Anthropogenic land use change is the major driver of zoonotic pathogen spillover from wildlife to humans. In response to the global spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the agent of COVID-19 disease), there have been renewed calls for landscape conservation as a disease preventive measure. While protected areas are a vital conservation tool for wildlands, more than 50% of habitable land is now human-modified and thus requires strategic, site-based measures to prevent land use-induced spillover, especially by managing landscape immunity and the dynamics of animal-human proximity. Crisis is a conversation starter for reimagining and recommitting ourselves to what is most vital and generative. Here we provide a brief overview of zoonotic spillover concepts and dynamics from a conservation practitioner perspective and outline a landscape-oriented policy agenda to minimize the risk of future large-scale zoonoses outbreaks. Among other things, we need to recognize human health as a vital ecological service, ensure ecological resilience, and facilitate public investment in biosecurity to sustain economic viability and human well-being. Landscape management approaches to spillover risk reduction are part of a toolkit that includes ecological, veterinary, and medical interventions, disease surveillance, and wildlife trade policy measures.

In a recent study, Rodrigues et al. (2020) analyze the impact of COVID-19 on fire activity. During this year’s pandemic we have experienced extreme fire activity in many areas worldwide including Siberia (McCarty et al., 2020), western US (Pickrell and Pennisi, 2020), and different Latin American countries including Argentina, Bolivia or Paraguay. Interestingly, the authors argue that COVID-19 has led to a reduction in fire activity in EUMED countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece) because of the associated decrease in human activity.

Climate change is amplifying the frequency and severity of droughts and wildfires in many forests. In the western U.S., fuels reduction treatments, both mechanical and prescribed fire, are widely used to increase resilience to wildfire but their effect on resistance to drought and beetle mortality is not as well understood. We followed more than 10,000 mapped and tagged trees in a mixed-conifer forest following mechanical thinning and/or prescribed burning treatments in 2001 through the extreme 2012-2016 drought in California. Mortality varied by tree species from 3% of incense-cedar to 38% of red fir with proportionally higher mortality rates in the larger size classes for sugar pine, red fir and white fir. Treatment reductions in stem density were associated with increased diameter growth and rapidly growing trees had lower rates of mortality. However, the ultimate effects of treatment on drought-related mortality varied greatly by treatment type. All species had neutral to reduced mortality rates following mechanical thinning alone, but treatments that included prescribed burning increased beetle infestation rates and increased mortality of red fir and sugar pine. Fuels reduction treatments appear to benefit some species such as Jeffrey pine, but can reduce resistance to extreme drought and beetle outbreaks in other species when treatments include prescribed burning. In a non-analog future, fuels reduction treatments may require modification to provide resistance to beetle infestation and severe droughts.

Commentary On: Oswald, W. W., Foster, D. R., Shuman, B. N., Chilton, E. S., Doucette, D. L., Duranleau, D. L. Conservation implications of limited Native American impacts in pre-contact New England. Nature Sustainability https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0466-0

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) point-clouds are used in forest inventory to map properties of the resource. In most cases, only the (x,y,z) coordinates of the point cloud are used to build predictive models of forest structure. Despite being recorded and provided by data suppliers, the intensity values associated with each point are rarely used as an input to such models because raw intensity values vary within and between datasets not only due to variations of the target reflectivity, but also due to variations in settings and conditions that may either modify the emitted energy or the distance between the sensor and the targets. Some studies have proposed data-driven methods of normalization, but these are often impossible to apply in practice because of the need to acquire additional reference data. Other studies have proposed model-driven methods of normalization, but in this case the difficulty of application lies with need to know the position of the sensor at any given time during the survey. In this study we applied a method to track the sensor position using pulses associated with multiple returns, which was then used to apply a model-driven correction of the intensity values within several datasets. This normalization method is based only a simple model-driven equation and does not require any reference data, thus making it applicable to any dataset. Our results demonstrate the very high accuracy of the sensor positioning method with an error under 0.5%. Using this information, the model-driven range correction then performed a satisfactory normalization of intensities within different datasets. We provide an open-source and ready-to-use tool to facilitate the application of the normalization method, which in turn could promote a better use of intensity values in ALS studies.

The fragmentation of habitat has occurred throughout the history of life on Earth, but has been accelerated and magnified in scale over the past few centuries as a result of human industrial development. Habitat fragmentation affects the welfare of some wild animals directly, through the often violent processes that bring about fragmentation and by reducing the distance between them and the stressful environment outside of their ideal habitat. However, habitat fragmentation may also influence wild animal welfare through its indirect effects on population dynamics and the evolution of welfare-relevant phenotypic traits and behavioural strategies. It is plausible that these indirect effects of habitat change dominate the direct effects because they occur over many generations, potentially affecting a far greater number of individuals than were present when their habitat was fragmented. Here, we review prior research on habitat fragmentation to identify tentative lessons and promising areas for future research as it relates to wild animal welfare.

Do tropical trees close to death have a distinct change to their leaf spectral signature? Tree mortality rates have been increasing in tropical forests, reducing the global carbon sink. Upcoming hyperspectral satellites could be used to predict regions close to experiencing extensive tree mortality during periods of stress, such as drought. Here we show, for a tropical rainforest in Borneo, how imminent tropical tree mortality impacts leaf physiological traits and reflectance. We measured leaf reflectance (400–2500 nm), light-saturated photosynthesis (Asat), leaf dark respiration (Rdark), leaf mass area (LMA), and % leaf water across five campaigns in a six-month period during which there were two causes of tree mortality: a major natural drought and a co-incident tree stem girdling treatment. We find that prior to mortality, there were significant (p < 0.05) leaf spectral changes in the red (650–700 nm), the NIR (1,000–1,400 nm), and SWIR bands (2,000–2,400 nm) and significant reductions in the potential carbon balance of the leaves (increased Rdark and reduced Asat). We show that the partial least squares regression technique can predict mortality in tropical trees across different species and functional groups with medium precision but low accuracy (r2 of .65 and RMSE/mean of 0.58). However, most tree death in our study was due to girdling, which is not a natural form of death. More research is needed to determine if this spectroscopy technique can be applied to tropical forests in general.

Scientific laws are empirical statements, based on repeated experiments or observations, that describe or predict a range of natural phenomena. There are scientific laws and law-like statements also in the field of geoinformation sciences. Based on the Tobler’s first law of geography, “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things”. This first law is the foundation of the fundamental concepts of spatial dependence and spatial autocorrelation. Anselin’s second principle of spatial heterogeneity argues that expectations vary across the Earth’s surface, with the important consequence that the results of any analysis depend explicitly on the bounds of the analysis. There are also some other law-like statements that are covered here. Geoinformation science is built upon theoretical foundations that have been developed in other fields such as geography, ecology, statistics, demography, operations research, sociology, mathematics, and computer science.

Concepts of space, time and scale as well as their underpinning theories are crucial for understanding geospatial data. Space can be defined as a boundless, three-dimensional (3D) extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction. Space has been considered to be absolute, meaning that it exists permanently and independently regardless of any matter in space. Alternatively, space can be seen as a collection of relations between objects, given by their distance and direction from one another. It has also been shown that space around the gravitational fields deviates from Euclidean space. Time, on the other hand, is considered to be part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare their durations and the intervals between them, as well as to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects. However, this operational and practical definition of time does not provide arguments for whether there is really something called time, outside of counting activity that can be measured. Scale is not as controversial as space and time. The scale of a map is an important metric defining the level of detail of geoinformation that can be extracted from such a map. Only recently, scale has been started to consider as a fifth dimension.

Here, we define a geoinformation system (GIS) as a system, which is designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present geospatial data. In university education, we study geoinformation science that is the science underlying geographic concepts, applications, and systems. Geoinformation science is dedicated to advancing our understanding of geographic processes and spatial relationships through improved theory, methods, technology, and data. Since early days of GIS, use of geospatial data and analyses have drastically changed with increased pace during the last 20 years. Geospatial data and analyses are omnipresent in our information societies and there is an increasing need to understand the role and use of expanding geospatial data in our societies. Drivers of the development include enhanced global navigation satellite systems, miniaturization of sensors, three-dimensional remote sensing, open data, and software policies. Although the development in the use of geospatial data and analyses has been rapid, still most of the core concepts, principles, theories, methods, and algorithms of geoinformation science are not out-dated, merely those are applied with geospatial data of improved quality and larger coverage.

Here, we will cover individual tree detection and characterization using 3D remote sensing. Simply, it means that point clouds are collected over a forested area using airborne laser scanning (ALS) or created using photogrammetric image interpretation and further used to detect individual trees using different algorithms. After the tree detection, the attributes of interest are predicted for each tree. We try to consistently use the terms “individual tree detection and characterization” or “individual tree detection” and “individual tree characterization” separately referring to different methodological steps. In the scientific remote sensing literature, terms individual tree detection (ITD), individual tree crown approach (ITC) and single tree inventory (STI) are also often used and most often they refer to the same thing. We’ll start by discussing why we need information from single trees. Then we go through the methodological steps that are used in individual tree detection and characterization: 1) remote sensing and field data collection, 2) data types and processing, 3) tree detection algorithms, and 4) methods for prediction of tree attributes. The current methodological state-of-the-art in individual tree detection and characterization is described before we’ll finally present some example applications in biodiversity monitoring, urban forestry and wood procurement planning.

Exact and up-to-date information about forest resources is needed for decision makers when planning the use of forests. Knowledge about changes in forest environment and tree growth is a key factor for example when predicting the effects of climate change and estimating the amount of biomass and sequestered carbon in forests. New technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), allow one to collect detailed information of forests from above with relatively close range. UAVs have already been used e.g. for environmental monitoring, tree attribute detection and forest inventories. However, also accurate and in detail reference measurements are needed for estimating forest resource information, to be able to take advantage of the new methods. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) can be used for measuring tree and forest attributes from ground in very high detail. This study shows how follow-up measurements with TLS-based three-dimensional point clouds allow one to investigate the changes both on individual tree and plot level. Based on the results, the possibilities of using TLS data as reference for UAV inventories or together with UAV based measurements are discussed in an attempt to find more accurate and effective solutions for forest change detection.

There is a limited understanding of how forest structure affects the performance of methods based on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) in characterizing trees and forest environments. We aim to improve this understanding by studying how different forest management activities that shape tree size distributions affect the TLS-based forest characterization accuracy in managed Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands. For that purpose, we investigated 27 sample plots consisting of three different thinning types, two thinning intensities as well as control plots without any treatments. Multi-scan TLS point clouds were collected from the sample plots, and a point cloud processing algorithm was used to segment individual trees and classify the segmented point clouds into stem and crown points. The classified point clouds were further used to estimate tree and forest structural attributes. With the TLS-based forest characterization, almost 100% completeness in tree detection, 0.7 cm (3.4%) root-mean-square- error (RMSE) in diameter-at-breast-height measurements, 0.9–1.4 m (4.5–7.3%) RMSE in tree height measure-ments, and

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) provides detailed three-dimensional representation of the surrounding forest structure. However, due to close-range hemispherical scanning geometry the ability of TLS technique to comprehensively characterize the upper parts of forest canopy is often limited. To overcome challenges in upper canopy characterization, TLS point cloud were complemented with a point cloud acquired from above the canopy using UAV photogrammetry. The use UAV point cloud data was considered feasible especially in tree segmentation. With multi-sensoral approach 98.8% of all the 2102 Scots pine trees on the 27 sample plots were automatically detected. Root-mean-square-error (RMSE) in tree height estimates was 1.47 m (7.4%) with 0.33 m (1.7%) of underestimation. Plot-level forest inventory attributes were estimated with a relative RMSE less than 5.5% with the multi-sensoral approach. The results showed that in managed Scots pine forests the multi-scan TLS captures also the upper parts of the forest canopy and improvement in tree height measurement accuracy was obtained with the use of photogrammetric UAV point clouds. The RMSE in basal area-weighted mean height improved 34% (from 0.88 m to 0.58 m) and the bias improved 40% (from -0.75 m to -0.45 m) when UAV data was utilized. However, in this case the accuracy of TLS measurement was already high. In single-species, single-layer forest conditions, multi-sensoral approach generated benefits especially for forest height characterization. However, characterization of complex forest structures may benefit even more from point clouds that have been collected using sensors with different measurement geometries.

Commentary On: Oswald, W. W., Foster, D. R., Shuman, B. N., Chilton, E. S., Doucette, D. L., Duranleau, D. L. Conservation implications of limited Native American impacts in pre-contact New England. Nature Sustainability https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0466-0

Trees provide critical contributions to human well-being. They sequester and store greenhouse gasses, filter air pollutants, provide wood, food, and other products, among other benefits. These benefits are threatened by climate change, fires, pests and pathogens. To quantify the current value of the flow of ecosystem services from US trees, and the potential threats they face, we combine macroevolutionary and economic valuation approaches using spatially explicit information about tree species and lineages. The value of ecosystem services generated by US trees in forests, orchards, and plantations across five key services with adequate data is $114 billion per year (low: $85 B; high: $137 B; 2010 USD). Two lineages--pines and oaks--account for 42% of these services. The non-market ‘hidden’ value of trees from carbon storage and air pollution removal far exceed their commercial value from wood products and food crops. The most valuable US tree species and lineages are also among those most threatened by known pests and pathogens, and species most valuable for carbon storage are most at risk from increasing fire. Different species in different regions contribute to carbon storage and air pollution removal, which is distinct from tree crops that are often provided by the same species in different regions. A diverse set of species distributed across the tree of life contribute to ecosystem services in the US, which is a consequence of their high spatial turnover across the continent, highlighting the need to sustain the diversity of US trees in the face of global change.

Quantifying the resilience of forest ecosystems in response to droughts is fundamentally important to assess their capacity to function under intensifying climate change with more extreme droughts. The concept proposed by Lloret et al. (2011) to quantify resilience components of tree growth through indices of resistance, recovery, and resilience has become highly popular in dendro-ecological analyses because it allows a simple, yet highly efficient assessment of short-term responses of trees to drought. Until today these Lloret-indices have been used in 82 studies on growth response to drought of 66 trees species in different climatic regions. Despite their widespread use, some important drawbacks and limitations related to the application of these indices may lead to spurious results or misinterpretation of observed patterns. One major reason for this problem is the inconsistency regarding the selection and characterization of drought events as well as the calculation of the indices. Therefore, this review aims at identifying and discussing shortcomings and pitfalls of Lloret’s indices and to develop recommendations for a more robust and standardized procedure. In addition, we propose a new analytical framework that integrates the different Lloret-indices by comparing observed relationships between resistance and recovery of tree species or treatments to a hypothetical ‘line of full resilience’, which describes the relationship between resistance and recovery that leads to full resilience of radial growth at any given value of resistance. The fit of observed relationships between resistance and recovery with the hypothetical ‘line of full resilience’ can be used for comparative drought-tolerance assessments such as rankings of different tree species or treatments. The suggested approach could be used to harmonize quantifications of tree growth resilience to drought and it may thus facilitate systematic reviews and development of the urgently needed evidence base to identify suitable tree species and management options under climatic change.

The ecological services provided by protected riparian zones in human-altered landscapes are widely acknowledged, yet little is known about them. In this study, we assess ecosystem properties that a protected riparian zone maintains in contrast to environmental changes in its surroundings caused by agro-industrial activities in the northwestern fringe of the Brazilian Cerrado on the Amazon–Cerrado agricultural frontier. We assessed the plant biodiversity, soil hydro-physical properties, and water quality, to understand how the underlying ecological characteristics of a riparian zone withstand the effects of its neighboring cropland area on the stream water quality. We show that the riparian zone is fundamental in providing key ecosystem regulating services, including maintenance of plant biodiversity, soil properties, and water quality. Protection of plant biodiversity in the riparian zone sustains a synergy between soil, and functionally and phylogenetically diverse plant communities by promoting higher infiltration rates, higher soil porosity, and natural soil biogeochemistry conditions, which in turn have direct implications for stream water quality. Our study reaffirms that the conservation of riparian zones is crucial to buffer the negative impacts of agricultural practices on ecosystem services. Our results provide consistent evidence to support further studies and environmental policies for riparian environments, which are often the last fragment of natural vegetation remaining in the dominantly agricultural lands within the Cerrado and Amazon forests.

The ability to determine the survey effort required to detect species presence is critical for the conservation of populations in order to monitor changes in distribution or abundance, a challenge for rare and elusive species. While designing an effective population survey may be of concern to scientists, it may also be a legal requirement for protected species. We analysed how spatial and temporal variation in sampling effort impacts detection probability in the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), a small mammal that naturally occurs at low density in forest habitat. We used presence and absence data from 144 sites in England, UK. We found that detection probability was strongly affected by survey intensity, with a 37.5% increase in detection probability when sampling effort was increased from 16 to 50 nest tubes per site. We also show that detection probability is highly temporally dependent; monitoring early in the year results in low detection probability (21%-53%; April-June), whilst detection dramatically increased later in the year (89%; September). Our results suggest that variation in detection probability can be complex and influenced by effects at temporal and spatial scales, and by sampling effort. We show that sampling effort can be minimised depending on seasonal variation in detection probability, however this is likely to be species and method dependent.

Forests play a key role in the water cycle, so both planting and removing forests can affect streamflow. In a recent Nature article1, Evaristo and McDonnell used a gradient-boosted-tree model to conclude that streamflow response to forest removal is predominantly controlled by the potential water storage in the landscape, and that removing the worlds forests would contribute an additional 34,098 km3 yr 1 to streamflow worldwide, nearly doubling global river flow. Here we report several problems with Evaristo and McDonnells1 database, their model, and the extrapolation of their results to continental and global scale. The main results of the paper1 remain unsubstantiated, because they rely on a database with multiple errors and a model that fails validation tests.

Current paper details methodology and principles of the zoning and ranging of the nature reserve area of Šumava National Park (Czech Republic) aimed at the effective planning and monitoring special nature areas.Methodology includes complex geoecological assessment of the territory, GIS application and processing of statristical data. The specific case study includes unique nature area of the Šumava National Park located on the border terrotory Czech Republic-Germany. The methods used in this case study can be applied for similar research aimed at nature conservation and environmental audit.

Градов, О. В. Многофакторная патч-кламп-спектроскопия как метод характеризации сигнальных систем растений и источник комплементарных систематических дескрипторов для биохимической таксономии с привязкой к биогеографическим картам и феноспектральной ауксанометрии. In Сигнальные системы растений: от рецептора до ответной реакции организма (2016), Изд-во Санкт-Петербургского государственного университета СПб, pp. 79–81. =[Multiparametric multivariate patch-clamp-spectroscopy as a method for plant signaling characterization and complementary systematic descriptor for biochemical taxonomy and biogeographic biochemical plant signaling mapping based on correlational phenospectal auxanometry]

The Possibility of Telemetric System Design for Automatic Ethological Monitoring of Forest Ants Compared with Mathematical ModelsGradov O.V., Notchenko A.V.This paper provides a novel viewpoint on the tracing of forest ants in natural environment. Our approach offers considerable mathematical advantages, because similar telemetric systems based on a chip (for ex.: charged coupled device) with computer aided data analysis can process on-line-monitoring information extremely rapidly. One can generalize this idea by introducing any other principle of ant trace detection in addition to the luminescent method proposed. With sufficient experience, any user would be able to create similar DIY-systems for his tasks. This work offers a wide field for bio-statistical myrmecological research. [Градов, О. В., and Нотченко, А. В. О возможности создания телеметрических установок для автоматического мониторинга этологии лесных муравьёв в сопоставлении с математической моделью. In Муравьи и защита леса. Мат. XIV Всероссийского мирмекологического симпозиума, Москва, 19-23 августа 2013 года (2013), М.: Тов-во научных изданий КМК, pp. 41–44.]

Градов, О. В. Микротоннельные многофакторные телеметрические установки как общедоступные зонды для поточного исследования болотных сред. In Болотные экосистемы: фундаментальные аспекты охраны и рационального природопользования (2012), ПГТУ, Йошкар-Ола, pp. 134–138.

Basic Principles of Myrmecological Lab-on-a-Chip Design & Application in Ethological Monitoring of Forest Ants for Automatic Comparison with Mathematical ModelsGradov O.V., Notchenko A.V.This paper describes a new modern construction for ethological monitoring in forest ant colonies. The method to be described here involves some low-cost materials and components. Charge coupled devices or new complementary-symmetry metal–oxide–semiconductor sensors with artificial labyrinth tracks have been successfully used in formicariums or ant colonies. We strongly recommend fluorescent markers as indicators of ant tracks on CMOS or CCD sensors, because this detection method is the most suitable for the problem under consideration. The reader is welcome to check that such similar DIY-systems are both simple and handy for use in myrmecological practice. Градов, О. В., and Нотченко, А. В. Принципы создания и эксплуатации diy-лабораторий на чипе для автоматического мониторинга этологии лесных муравьёв в сравнении с математической моделью. In [Муравьи и защита леса. Мат. XIV Всероссийского мирмекологического симпозиума, Москва, 19-23 августа 2013 года (2013), М.: Тов-во научных изданий КМК, pp. 45–50].

Градов, О. В., and Нотченко, А. В. Полуавтоматическая дендрохронография для исследования морфогенеза и тератоморфозов на спилах высших растений. Лесотехнический журнал 4, 8 (2012), 47–57.

Considering the present state of afforestation and reforestation management in Romania, the process of renewing the forestation paradigm is analysed. Most of the management systems use an iterative method of improving the outcomes. Considering the classical phases Plan-Do-Check-Adjust, the forest management system is broken into pieces in order to reveal potential gaps from planning to system adjustments regarding forestation in Romania. The official data reports, national statistics and forest regulations represent evidences of a system that fails to progress. The weak integration of PanEuropean criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, the lack of a robust planning system and the poor capacity of accessing European funds are considered major gaps. The whole framework of afforestation and reforestation should be revised to comply with recent realities and objectives (social, economic, environmental). At present time Romanian forest management still forges tomorrow’s forests using regulations fitted to communist era, without taking into account updated objectives regarding social needs, economic benefits, climate change mitigation or the new types of property. Several suggestions for improving the afforestation and reforestation framework were provided., {"references":["Palaghianu, C. (2018). Afforestation and reforestation management in Romania ‐ migrating to sustainability and responsibility. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference Integrated Management of Environmental Resources, (3), 46-52.","Palaghianu, C., & Dutca, I. (2017). Afforestation and reforestation in Romania: History, current practice and future perspectives. REFORESTA,(4), 54- 68.","Palaghianu C, Nichiforel L (2016) Between perceptions and precepts in the dialogue on Romanian forests. Bucov. For. 16(1): 3-8."]}

Context: Nursing behaviour, also known as breastfeeding behaviour, is the feeding of juvenile individuals with nutrients or proteins from matures especially in mammals. As a hypothetical phenomenon in bamboo forests, mature bamboos have transferred photoassimilates to young bamboos for recovering and rebuilding their photosystems especially 16 in winter. This process is accompanied by changes in the ability of photosystems and the mass fraction of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), structural carbohydrates (SCs), and lignin. Aims: Clarify the nursing behaviour and reveal timings to harvest moso bamboos for multiple purposes of utilisation. Methods: We analysed carbohydrates and chlorophyll fluorescence to compare the physiological traits in mature (age 2, 3, 4) and immature (age 1) moso bamboos ( Phyllostachys edilus ) during a year using the Portable Chlorophyll Fluorometer (PCF) and the Liquid Chromatographic (LC) method. Results: The results showed that the mass fraction of total soluble carbohydrates (TSCs) and starch in the bottom of bamboo at age 1 was higher than other parts and ages in spring, whereas the mass fraction of TSCs, starch, and sucrose at age 3 was higher than other parts and ages in winter. The Fv/Fm, an indicator to reveal photosystems were 31 functional or not, at age 1 dramatically dropped when the cold current attacked first time in October, and then quickly recovered in November. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that mature bamboos very possibly provide carbohydrates to immature bamboos and help them rebuild their photosystems when a bamboo forest resists cold stress. Furthermore, old bamboos (≥ age 5) are less likely to be infected by insects because of its low starch content suited for traditional utilisation. (such as making chopsticks and furniture). And they also can be used to torrefact bamboo for producing biocoal during summer, autumn, and winter. Harvested young bamboo (age 1) in summer is suit for making bioethanol.

Conservation concern for the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) reflects evidence that goshawks may abandon nest sites or suffer from reduced nesting success in response to some forms of timber harvest. However, this evidence is mixed and has yet to be reviewed systemically and quantitatively. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the extent to which timber harvest and tree size explain variation in goshawk productivity and site occupancy. Goshawk productivity was not significantly explained by the presence of nearby timber harvest nor by the average size of nearby trees either in North America or in Eurasia or when averaged across all studies. Effect sizes differed dramatically among studies and the average effect size was close to zero (Zr = 0.04). However, timber harvest and tree size together more strongly explained goshawk occupancy of nest sites or territories. Within studies, goshawk nest sites or territories with less timber harvest nearby or relatively larger trees were, in most cases, more likely to be occupied. When we estimated average effect sizes separately for the two continents, the averages were moderate, consistent (Zr = 0.23–0.27), and significantly > 0. When we combined studies from North America and Eurasia, average effect sizes for timber harvest (Zr = 0.24) and tree size (Zr = 0.25) were similar in strength and both significantly > 0. Thus taken together, our results suggest that although both timber harvest and a lack of large trees are associated with lower occupancy by nesting goshawks, pairs that nest near timber harvest or in small trees have indistinguishable nesting success from pairs nesting in large trees or farther from timber harvest. We found substantial heterogeneity in results among studies, especially within North America, which is not surprising given that studies differed greatly in research methods, forest type, and forest management. In conclusion, our results suggest goshawk nest sites in populations of conservation concern, such as A. g. laingi, may need more protection from timber harvest than they are currently receiving. Equally important, to better understand effects of forest management on goshawks, we recommend additional studies designed to: (1) better identify the spatial and temporal extent of the effect of timber harvest on goshawk site occupancy; and (2) determine what goshawks do and where they go after a timber harvest.

This MS describes a sensitivity analysis of the SPITFIRE fire model coupled to the Lund-Potsdam-Jena (LPJ) dynamic global vegetation model (DGVM). The study aims to investigate the parameters that control how the fire model calculates burnt area across different ecosystems. In different fire systems, different parameters are found to have higher sensitivity to burnt area, but in general, parameters controlling rate of spread and ignitions.

Duku Komering merupakan buah-buahan yang dianggap buah khas dari Sumatera Selatan. Bagi masyarakat Sumatera Selatan tentunya tidak asing lagi dengan buah-bahan yang satu ini. Rasanya yang khas membuatnya dianggap berbeda dengan buah duku dari daerah lainnya. Duku termasuk buah-buahan musiman. Buah duku dapat dengan mudah ditemukan pada saat musim panennya. Berkebun Duku merupakan salah satu penghasilan utama bagi masyarakat di daerah Komering selain padi. Begitu identiknya duku dengan Sumatera Selatan membuat beberapa orang ingin tahu banyak tentang tanaman duku ini. Buku “Ekologi Duku Komering” dibuat buat sebagai salah satu referensi bacaan mengenai duku Komering. Buku “Ekologi Duku Komering” ini semogah memberikan manfaat yang besar untuk kita semua, terutama untuk kemajuan ilmu pengetahuan di negara kita tercinta ini Indonesia.

Agriculture in Brazil is booming. Brazil has the world?s second largest cattle herd and is the second largest producer of soybeans, with the production of beef, soybeans, and bioethanol forecast to increase further. Questions remain, however, about how Brazil can reconcile increases in agricultural production with protection of its remaining natural vegetation. While high hopes have been placed on the potential for intensification of low-productivity cattle ranching to spare land for other agricultural uses, cattle productivity in the Amazon biome (29% of the Brazilian cattle herd) remains stubbornly low, and it is not clear how to realize theoretical productivity gains in practice. We provide results from six initiatives in the Brazilian Amazon, which are successfully improving cattle productivity in beef and dairy production on more than 500,000 hectares of pastureland, while supporting compliance with the Brazilian Forest Code. Spread across diverse geographies, and using a wide range of technologies, participating farms have improved productivity by 30-490%. High-productivity cattle ranching requires some initial investment (R$1300-6900/ha or US$410-2180/ha), with average pay-back times of 2.5-8.5 years. We conclude by reflecting on the challenges that must be overcome to scale up these young initiatives, avoid rebound increases in deforestation, and mainstream sustainable cattle ranching in the Amazon. Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-24T00:49:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 26607.pdf: 5180863 bytes, checksum: 81d3b4e1b1166be2f3a7a9362446e4f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-23 Republicado como capítulo de livro na publicação: LEINONEN, I. (Ed.) Environmentally sustainable livestock production. Basel: MDPI, 2019. p. 65-90. Trata-se de uma reimpressão de artigos da publicados on-line em edição especial do periódico de acesso aberto Sustainability, de 2018 a 2019 (disponível em: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special issues/Environmentally Sustainable Livestock Production) .