Afforestation Programs Research Articles

Growth performance of Khaya senegalensis seedlings influenced by provenances and latitudinal gradients in the nursery

Seedling growth performance is germane and pertinent in plant variables when analyzing tree provenance trials as it indicates its adaptability of the seed to the environments/habitat. The study was undertaken to examine the comparative studies on seedling performance of Khaya senegalensis at nursery stage in Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. Seeds from four sources in different States in Nigeria: Oyo, Borno, Jigawa and Kano States were collected and planted to observe their morphological attributes. Seedlings variables (Plant height, collar diameter and number of leaves) were observed and recorded fortnightly for sixteen (16) weeks after germination was completed. It was observed that seeds from Oyo state performed best while seeds from Kano state had the least performance. Provenances variation indicate genetic and environmental differences that can be utilized for afforestation programmes and thus, this study recommends the seeds from Oyo state for large scale afforestation since it performed best.
 Keywords: Khaya senegalensis, seed provenance, seedling height, collar diameter and number of leaves.

Impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on vegetation change: Evidence from typical areas in China

Understanding the interactions of climate-vegetation and human-vegetation has been a critical issue and increasingly attracting attention from scientific community in the field of global change research. This study investigated the heterogeneous impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on vegetation change by applying the trend analysis and Geodetector approach. The spatial and temporal patterns of MODIS NDVI and LAI during 2003–2017 were firstly examined in China. We then quantified the contribution and interactions effects of climatic factors (temperature and precipitation) and anthropogenic factors (population, gross domestic product and other four categories of forestry investment) on vegetation change in five typical areas of China. Both NDVI and LAI across China demonstrated a significant increasing trend over the past two decades. However, the eastern developmental regions such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region and Yangtze River Delta exhibited a decreasing trend due to fast urbanization. Socio-economical inputs (the explanatory power of forestry investment > 40%, the range of explanatory power is 0 to 100%) were identified as the dominant driving forces of vegetation change for the most of study areas. Precipitation was the most important natural influencing factor of vegetation change. We also found that the interactions between forestry investment and other factors presented much greater explanatory power on vegetation change than a single factor. Our research highlights that the afforestation program in China during the past several decades plays an important role in contributing to vegetation greening across the country. Greening and degradation, however, are largely related to landscape context, which could be due to natural change and anthropogenic impact. To maintain high levels of forests, conserving the vegetation is more important than increasing the economic development.

Evaluation of morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits for assessing drought resistance in eleven tree species.

The frequency and severity of drought are expected to increase due to climate change; therefore, selection of tree species for afforestation should consider drought resistance of the species for maximum survival and conservation of natural habitats. In this study, three soil moisture regimes: control (100% precipitation), mild drought (40% reduction in precipitation), and severe drought (80% reduction in precipitation) were applied to six gymnosperm and five angiosperm species for two consecutive years. We quantified the drought resistance index based on the root collar diameter and assessed the correlation between species drought resistance and other morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits by regression analysis. The prolonged drought stress altered the morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits, but the responses were species-specific. The species with high drought resistance had high leaf mass per area (LMA), photosynthetic rate (Pn), and midday leaf water potential (ΨMD), and low carbon isotopic discrimination (δ13C), flavonoid and polyphenol content, superoxide dismutase and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The highly drought-resistant species had a relatively less decrease in leaf size, Pn, and predawn leaf water potential (ΨPD), and less increase in δ13C, abscisic acid and sucrose content, and LMA compared to the control. The interannual variation in drought resistance (∆Rd) was positively correlated with the species hydroscopic slope (isohydric and anisohydric). Korean pine was highly resistant, sawtooth oak, hinoki cypress, East Asian white birch, East Asian ash, and mono maple were highly susceptible, and Korean red pine, Japanese larch, Sargent cherry, needle fir, and black pine were moderate in drought resistance under long-term drought. These findings will help species selection for afforestation programs and establishment of sustainable forests, especially of drought-tolerant species, under increased frequency and intensity of spring and summer droughts.

Planning to Practice: Impacts of Large-Scale and Rapid Urban Afforestation on Greenspace Patterns in the Beijing Plain Area

(1) Research Highlights: Afforestation is one of the most effective urban greening practices for mitigating a variety of environmental issues. Globally, municipal governments have launched large-scale afforestation programs in metropolitan areas during the last decades. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban greenspace patterns are seldom studied during such afforestation programs. (2) Background and Objectives: In this study, the Beijing Plain Afforestation Project (BPAP), which planted 70,711 ha of trees in only four years, was examined by integrating spatial and landscape analysis. To evaluate the real-world outcomes of this massive program, we investigated the spatial-temporal dynamics of landscape patterns during the implementation process to identify potential impacts and challenges for future management of new afforestation. (3) Materials and Methods: We analyzed the transition of various patch types and sizes, applied landscape indicators to measure the temporal changes in urban greenspace patterns, and used the landscape expansion index to quantify the rate and extent of greenspace spatial expansion. (4) Results: Our results illustrated that the implementation of afforestation in the Beijing plain area had generally achieved its initial goal of increasing the proportion of land devoted to forest (increased 8.43%) and parks (increased 0.23%). Afforestation also accelerated the conversion of small-size greenspaces to large-size patches. However, the significant discrepancies found between planned and actual afforestation sites, as well as the large conversion of cropland to forest, may present major challenges for project optimization and future management. (5) Conclusions: This study demonstrated that spatial analysis is a useful and potentially replicable method that can rapidly provide new data to support further afforestation ecosystem assessments and provide spatial insights into the optimization of large inner-city afforestation projects.

Impactul împăduririlor artificiale asupra calităţii aerului. Principii de dezvoltare durabilă

Recent studies suggest that the level of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere can be significantly reduced by employing environmental policies and strategies regarding the use of renewable energy sources, alternative fuels, high energy efficiency plants and equipment, as well as the implementation of a program for afforestation and creation of green spaces for CO2 absorption, retention of fine powders and release of oxygen into the atmosphere. The current paper analyses the above-mentioned environmental strategy, starting from the assumption that the development of an afforestation program contributes to the retention of fine powders and implicitly to the release of a greater quantity of oxygen in the atmosphere, being the starting theory tested through an econometric model. Through this econometric model, the relationship between air quality and the surface of the land on which artificial regeneration was performed will be studied, using panel data for a number of 41 counties in Romania. The results of this analysis highlight that artificial forests have a positive impact on air quality, but the effects are visible after a certain time lag because forests are slowly renewable resources. For these reasons, it should be emphasized that the afforestation program must be doubled by the rational exploitation of this extremely precious resource, the forest, combined with the reduction of emissions of polluting elements. As a consequence, significant air quality improvement can be achieved.

Optimal Irrigation Regime for Woody Species Potentially Suitable for Effective and Sustainable Afforestation in the Desert Region of Mongolia

Long-term studies on plant response mechanisms to different irrigation regimes will provide a better understanding of the survivability and establishment of plant communities in a desert environment. Thus, across 10 years, we regularly investigated the effects of the rainfall (control), rainfall + 4 L h−1, rainfall + 8 L h−1, and rainfall + 12 L h−1 irrigation regimes on the growth and leaf morpho-physiology of Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb., Ulmus pumila L., Elaeagnus moorcroftii Wall. ex Schltdl., and Hippophae rhamnoides L. to suggest an optimal irrigation regime for each woody species for effective and sustainable afforestation in Mongolia. We measured the root collar diameter (RCD), annual height growth, survivability, leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf biomass (LB), total chlorophyll concentration, and predawn (ψp) and midday (ψm) leaf water potentials across the treatments and species. Results showed that trees grown at 12 L h−1 grew taller per year and generally resulted in a higher SLA, but generally resulted in a lower survival rate compared with those in the other treatments in all species. Total chlorophyll content was higher in trees grown under 4 and/or 8 L h−1, particularly for T. ramosissima and E. moorcroftii. Lastly, leaf water potentials were found more negative for trees subjected to 4 L h−1, especially in T. ramosissima and U. pumila, but still resulted in a higher survival rate and LB compared with 12 L h−1. H. rhamnoides showed higher survivability at 8 and/or 12 L h−1 than at 4 L h−1. Therefore, we suggest 4 L h−1 to be the optimal irrigation regime for irrigating T. ramosissima, U. pumila and E. moorcroftii, and 8 and/or 12 L h−1 for H. rhamnoides. Our findings are relevant to ensuring the sustainability of afforestation programs in arid and semiarid landscapes in Mongolia.

Germination responses to water potential and temperature variation among provenances of Pinus yunnanensis

Provenance selection plays a major role for the afforestation success, resilience and persistence of forests into the future. Understanding the germination response to water potential and temperature among provenances is crucial for forest restoration initiatives. However, afforestation programs often neglect the seed germination traits from a selected provenance, threatening natural or artificial regeneration in future. In this study, we assessed the impact of water potential (0 and -0.2 MPa) and temperature (20, 25, and 30°C) on germination of Pinus yunnanensis seeds from 15 provenances. We found a clear effect of seed provenance on the germination percentage and mean germination time. In general, the lower water potential (-0.2 MPa) led to a reduction of germination percentage for most provenances, especially at 30°C; and the higher temperature (30°C) and water potential (0 MPa) resulted in low mean germination time. Germination percentage and mean germination time responses to water potential and temperature varied among provenances. We observed that germination percentage was significantly positively correlated with annual mean temperature, mean temperature of driest quarter and seed mass associated with the provenance, but significantly negatively correlated with annual mean precipitation, and mean precipitation of driest quarter and wettest quarter. Significant relationships between mean germination time and those variables were contrary to germination percentage. However, the significance of these relationships varied in all the treatments. Therefore, we conclude that germination of P. yunnanensis seeds from different provenances adapt diversely to abiotic stresses; this is likely to be important for provenance selection in future reforestation. Our results highlight that future re-forestation efforts need to critically evaluate larger numbers of provenances to understand thresholds limiting performance and establishment success.

Planting urban trees to improve quality of life? The life satisfaction impacts of urban afforestation

As cities around the world undertake large-scale urban afforestation projects, knowledge gaps continue to exist regarding their impacts on quality of life. Using individual-level life satisfaction (LS) data from the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System over 2005–2010, this paper investigates the subjective well-being impacts of the MillionTreesNYC afforestation program in New York City. Using a difference-in-differences approach, I find that LS is higher by 0.018 points on a 4-point scale during the first 3-years of the program. Consistent with a causal story, impacts are growing in magnitude as more trees are planted and I show no impacts during the months when deciduous trees have no foliage. Between 2007 and 2010, MillionTreesNYC generated an externality equivalent to a $505 (6.5%) increase in average per capita monthly household income. Several robustness checks and falsification tests are performed. This work has important implications for global urban afforestation policy.

Impacts of pine plantations on carbon stocks of p\xe1ramo sites in southern Ecuador

BackgroundSince the 1990’s, afforestation programs in the páramo have been implemented to offset carbon emissions through carbon sequestration, mainly using pine plantations. However, several studies have indicated that after the establishment of pine plantations in grasslands, there is an alteration of carbon pools including a decrease of the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the establishment of pine plantations on the carbon stocks in different altitudes of the páramo ecosystem of South Ecuador.ResultsAt seven locations within an elevational gradient from 2780 to 3760 m a.s.l., we measured and compared carbon stocks of three types of land use: natural grassland, grazed páramo, and Pinus patula Schlltdl. & Cham. plantation sites. For a more accurate estimation of pine tree carbon, we developed our own allometric equations. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences between the amounts of carbon stored in the carbon pools aboveground and belowground for the three types of land use. In most of the locations, pine plantations revealed the highest amounts of aboveground and belowground carbon (55.4 and 6.9 tC/ha) followed by natural grassland (23.1 and 2.7 tC/ha) and grazed páramo sites (9.1 and 1.5 tC/ha). Concerning the SOC pools, most of the locations revealed significant lower values of plantations’ SOC in comparison to natural grassland and grazed páramo sites. Higher elevation was associated with lower amounts of pines’ biomass.ConclusionsEven though plantations store high amounts of carbon, natural páramo grassland can also store substantial amounts above and belowground, without negatively affecting the soils and putting other páramo ecosystem services at risk. Consequently, plans for afforestation in the páramo should be assessed case by case, considering not only the limiting factor of elevation, but also the site quality especially affected by the type of previous land use.

Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Assemblages of Nursery-Grown Scots Pine are Influenced by Age of the Seedlings

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most widely distributed pine species in Europe and is relevant in terms of planted areas and harvest yields. Therefore, each year the demand for planting stock of Scots pine is exceedingly high, and large quantities of seedlings are produced annually throughout Europe to carry out reforestation and afforestation programs. Abundant and diverse ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis is critical for the success of seedlings once planted in the field. To improve our knowledge of ECM fungi that inhabit bare-root nursery stock of Scots pine and understand factors that influence their diversity, we studied the assemblages of ECM fungi present across 23 bare-root forest nurseries in Poland. Nursery stock samples were characterized by a high level of ECM colonization (nearly 100%), and a total of 29 ECM fungal taxa were found on 1- and 2-year-old seedlings. The diversity of the ECM community depended substantially on the nursery and age of the seedlings, and species richness varied from 3–10 taxa on 1-year-old seedlings and 6–13 taxa on 2-year-old seedlings. The ECM fungal communities that developed on the studied nursery stock were characterized by the prevalence of Ascomycota over Basidiomycota members on 1-year-old seedlings. All ecological indices (diversity, dominance, and evenness) were significantly affected by age of the seedlings, most likely because dominant ECM morphotypes on 1-year-old seedlings (Wilcoxina mikolae) were replaced by other dominant ones (e.g., Suillus luteus, Rhizopogon roseolus, Thelephora terrestris, Hebeloma crustuliniforme), mostly from Basidiomycota, on 2-year-old seedlings. Across all nurseries, negative correlations were identified for diversity metrics and soil N or C, indicating that mineral and organic fertilization contributes to the differences in the ECM fungal communities in nurseries. We discuss the ecological and practical implications of the composition and diversity of ECM fungi occurring on bare-root planting stock of Scots pine.

A probabilistic conceptual model to attribute runoff variations to human activity

ABSTRACT A new probabilistic conceptual model, named the Assessment Model of Human Impact on Runoff Based on Stationarity Hypothesis (AMHIRBSH), was developed to attribute runoff variations to human activities through evaluating the changes in the runoff–runoff relationship (i.e. that between runoff of different watersheds). The AMHIRBSH was then applied to the Baiyangdian drainage basin, North China. After applying the Mann-Kendall test for trend and the Pettitt test for breakpoint, the runoff over the Baiyangdian drainage basin was shown to have had a breakpoint in approximately 1979, which split the time series into a baseline period (pre-1979) and an altered period (post-1979). The runoff was greatly reduced between these two periods. The runoff–runoff relationship of the Wangkuai and Xidayang sub-watersheds was evaluated using a copula function which showed it to have a non-stationarity degree of 35.64%, likely induced by massive afforestation programmes. This method provides an innovative perspective for attributing runoff variations to human activities.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON PRIVATE PLANT NURSERY BUSINESS: A CASE STUDY OF SYLHET DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

The Plant nursery industry is an integrated section of the afforestation program in Bangladesh. Around 18000 plant nurseries are playing a vital role in employment creation and income generation. But due to Covid-19 shutdown, this industry faced a lot of difficulties. Considering the importance, this research was performed in Sylhet district to trace out the pandemic impact on private plant nursery business. Randomly 31 nurseries were selected to fulfill the objective and data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires through direct interviews. In the questionnaire, 5 points Likert scale was used to collect responses of nursery traders. The study analyzed the socio-economic attributes of nursery traders. The conducted survey found out nursery input, transport, and selling tasks were affected most owing to the pandemic and it forced them to adopt several strategies to manage the loss. The study also revealed important suggestions and recommendations for the betterment of the nursery industry which are expected to help students, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. KEYWORDS: Covid-19, Impact, Nursery, Case study, Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Soil desiccation trends after afforestation in the Loess Plateau of China

Soil moisture is the main factor limiting the growth of vegetation in semiarid areas. A large area of the Loess Plateau has undergone vegetation restoration efforts following an afforestation program initiated in 1999. Understanding how soil moisture responded to afforestation is important for long-term sustainability of ecological restoration measures in this area, especially because the tree planted were non-native species. The effects on soil moisture content (SMC) of afforestation (Robinia pseudoacacia and Caragana korshinskii) were measured for different plantation ages (10, 20, 30, and 40 years) on the Loess Plateau. Meanwhile, a comparative with natural restoration grassland for the same age intervals was conducted. SMC of R. pseudoacacia plots on south-facing slopes and R. pseudoacacia and C. korshinskii plots on north-facing slopes was lowest when vegetation coverage was greatest after 20 and 30 years, respectively; SMC increases over time following natural grassland restoration; soil moisture consumption of all vegetation types was greater in the shallow soil layer (20–200 cm) than in the deep soil layer (200–500 cm) in each recovery period; and based on a three-way ANOVA, the interaction among afforestation year, vegetation type, and soil depth had significant effects on SMC. In response to societal demand for wood, existing plantations should be thinned, with afforested lands located on north-facing slopes being thinned every 10–30 years (approximately 20 years).

The association between financial subsidies and introduction of non-native plant species: The paradox of afforestation programmes

ABSTRACT European Union (EU) afforestation programmes applied to marginal agricultural land contribute significantly to strengthening the rural economy and provide multiple products and ecosystem services. However, in some cases, they constituted the vehicle for the introduction and spread of invasive alien trees (IAS) in Europe. Invasive alien trees are now among the most conspicuous and damaging species, and they are regarded as a major threat to biodiversity throughout the world, causing economic, ecological and social effects. This survey focuses on a group of forest professionals directly involved in implementing EU afforestation, carried out under the Council Regulation (EEC) 2080/1992 and Council Regulation (EC) 1257/1999. A qualitative survey was conducted to assess the economic and environmental performance of EU afforestation programmes, through the analysis of professional opinions. Furthermore, as the use of invasive alien trees in the plantations has been a subject of great controversy, the survey attempts to explore experts’ attitudes and beliefs about the invasive plant species and the potential threats to the environment associated with their spread. The results indicate that the afforestation programmes did no manage to meet the intended goals, especially those related to the environment. They, also, highlight that knowledge about the methods and principles of dealing with plant IAS is limited, therefore better education is needed.

Carbon stock potential in Pinus roxburghii forests of Indian Himalayan regions

Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) is the most important tree species used for afforestation programs in the Himalayan regions. In the present study, fourteen forest stands were selected in four different altitudes, i.e., 1801 masl in Garhwal Himalayan of Uttarakhand, India, to assess carbon stock potential of the forest. The study was conducted during 2013–2015. Among the study sites, the maximum tree density (575 ± 90.14 ind. ha−1) was reported in New Tehri (altitude: > 1801 masl) and minimum (135 ± 5.00 ind. ha−1) in Daddi (altitude: 1001–1400 masl). The highest (96 ± 18.36 t ha−1) above-ground carbon stock was estimated in Kandikhal where bole, branch, and foliage contribute 89.93 ± 19.47, 5.17 ± 1.04 and 0.90 ± 0.14 t ha−1, respectively, while lowest (26.68 ± 9.48 t ha−1) was in Gumkhal, and contribution from the same component was found as 20.72 ± 7.84, 4.50 ± 1.58, and 1.47 ± 0.11 t ha−1, respectively. Further, highest value of below-ground carbon was in Kandikhal (28.58 ± 4.81 t ha−1) with an altitude range between 1001 and 1400 masl and the lowest in Gumkhal (9.19 ± 2.87 t ha−1) between 1401 and 1800 masl. Besides, litter production was found higher in the summer season followed by winter and rainy seasons. The study concluded that the density, height, basal area, and volume of Pinus roxburgii varied with altitude, but it was not directional. However, growth patterns and tree density were the key factors in estimating total carbon stocks and further to know the behavior of carbon dynamics (source/sink). Litter production had an inverse relation with altitude; however, increase in litter biomass at > 1801 masl was observed due to new plantations of pine. This study will be highly helpful to the forester and policy-makers in planning carbon mitigation strategies (e.g., catchment area treatment, afforestation activities) at regional and global scales.

Assessment of Climate Variability in Kisii Kenya and Its Implications on Food Security

Climate change and variability have been singled out as one of the modern challenges that affect economies of several countries leading to food scarcity and food insecurity in various parts of the world and represent a fundamental contemporary environmental shock. Kenya is no exception. This research was conducted in Kisii County, a perceived Kenyan national bread basket and investigated the trend in climate variability between the years 1983-2013. The objective of the study was to examine the precipitation and temperature trend in Kisii County. The research question was to find out whether there was any significant trend and pattern of rainfall and temperature as indicators of climate variability. The study examined climate variability for thirty one years (1983 to 2013). Data was obtained from Kenya Meteorological Department and their annual means were computed. Mann Kendall statistic test was applied to establish whether the observed trend of precipitation and temperature was significant. From the analysis, rainfall did not show any significant trend in Kisii County whilst temperature revealed a significantly upward trend over the years, at 95% confidence level. The study recommends a need to incorporate weather prediction and early warning systems by the Ministry of Agriculture in Kisii County and also promote afforestation programmes to protect water catchments. To build resilient systems to climate shocks, introduction of high temperature tolerant food crops as well as adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) should also be explored.

Air Pollution Tolerance Index for Selected Species of Plants in Roadside Highways at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

In recent years air pollution is one of the biggest problems in the world. Owing to the transboundary dispersion of contaminants around the world, air pollution has its own peculiarities. In a much planned urban setup industrial pollution takes a backseat and cooler admission takes the president's as the major cause of urban air pollution in the present investigation your pollution torrents index was calculated for various plant species growing around the Allahabad Highway. Five plants available commonly in all locations were selected for the present research namely Azadirachta indica (Neem), Delonix regia (Gulmohar), Saraca asoca (Ashok), Ficus benghalensis (Bargad), Ficus religiosa (Pepal). Using normal procedures, ascorbic acid, leaf extract pH, overall chlorophyll, relative water content and air quality tolerance index were analysed. Both plants tested in both areas have been shown to be pollution-sensitive, varying from 02.29 to 12.53. No pollution tolerant organisms studied were found. The maximum value of pH was 7.8 found in Neem tree spp. (Azadirachta indica) in Rewa Road (NH-35) and the minimum value of pH was 5.9 found in Gulmohar tree spp. (Delonix regia) in Varanasi Road (NH-19), The maximum value of RWC (89.99 %) found in Ashok tree spp. (Saraca asoca) and the minimum value of RWC (58.64 %) found in Neem tree spp. (Azadirachta indica) in Mirzapur Road site (NH-76). The maximum value of Total Chlorophyll Content was 1.55 mg/g found in Ashok tree spp. (Saraca asoca) in Mirzapur Road (NH-76) and the minimum value of Total Chlorophyll Content was 0.71 mg/g found in Bargad tree spp. (Ficus benghalensis) in Control Site and Rewa Road (NH-35). The maximum value of Ascorbic Acid (1.07 mg/g) found in Ashok tree spp. (Saraca asoca) in Rewa Road site (NH-35) and the minimum value of Ascorbic Acid (0.39 mg/g) found in Pepal tree spp. (Ficus religiosa) in Mirzapur Road site (NH-76) The variance may be due to alternative biochemical parameters being reflected. Plant can filter the air through aerial elements especially through their twigs stem leaves air pollution management is the better manage by the afforestation program. Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) is an intrinsic quality of tree to control air pollution problem which is currently of major concern of local urban locality. The trees having higher tolerance index rate or tolerant towards air pollution and can be used as a major component to reduce air pollution whereas the tree having less tolerance index can be an indicator to know the rate of air pollution. Hence, it is essential to protect the plants.

Analysis of effectiveness of wooden floor finishes in some residential buildings in Lagos, Nigeria

PurposeWood is one of the materials that is used for building construction either as structural member or as finishes from ages past to contemporary generation. It is composed of elongated, hollow spindle shaped cells that are arranged parallel to each other along the trunk of a tree. The resistance to water, chemicals, strength properties, appearance and decay rate is dictated by the fibrous cells. The purpose of this paper was to examine the application and use of wooden floor finish (an extract from wood) in residential buildings in Lagos, Nigeria, with a view to determine its effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a dual stage survey approach before the administration of questionnaire on 100 respondents that were selected through purposive sampling after the initial inquiry on the use of the material from 384 randomly selected samples from the entire population.FindingsThe study shows that the material is applied in all interior spaces except bathrooms and toilets. Minimal adoption is also seen in the kitchen area. Users indicate that wooden floor finish requires little maintenance, has low impact on users' health, considered safe-minimal occurrence of home accidents is recorded, has moderate thermal insulation and affordable.Practical implicationsThe usage has impact on the environment due to continuous lumbering activities and lack of adequate plan for reforestation. This suggests that its sustainability depends on afforestation programmes. Its poor performance in sound insulation, water and fire resistance requires further attention. The maintenance is relatively easy and affordable.Originality/valueThe author made a new foray into investigating the performance of wooden floor finish due to its resurgence in the area bearing in mind the unseasoned condition of wood in circulation in the area. Previous adoptions were done by a less aggressive generation of well-trained artisans. Best places for its usage within the interior spaces are identified.

The relative contribution of vegetation greening to the hydrological cycle in the Three-North region of China: A modelling analysis

China has implemented a few large-scale afforestation programs in the arid and semi-arid areas, including the north-eastern, northern, and north-western regions, collectively referred to as the Three-North region (TNR), to combat desertification and control dust storms. Although these programs have alleviated environmental problems in the region to a certain extent, the effects of increasing vegetation greenness on the hydrological cycle remain controversial. In this study, the relative effects of afforestation programs on the hydrologic processes in the TNR were identified based on large-scale hydrological modeling and satellite remote sensing data. The model forcing was featured with long-term vegetation dynamics. The study period ranged from 2000 to 2015, during which the greening of vegetation in the TNR was increased after multiple afforestation programs were carried out around 2000. The results indicated that, despite the spatial heterogeneity, the vegetation leaf area index (LAI) exhibited a significant increase across the TNR. Evapotranspiration (ET) increased over the entire region at the rate of 2.9 mm/year from 2000 to 2015, and its spatial pattern was consistent with changes in the LAI and precipitation. However, this does not imply equal contribution by vegetation growth and precipitation change. The results from the simulation scenarios indicated that precipitation change had a more significant influence on the ET, soil moisture and runoff than vegetation growth at the regional scale. Vegetation greening and precipitation increase in the Loess Plateau indicated their approximately equal impacts on ET and soil moisture. Consequently, the hydrological cycle was sensitive to afforestation practices at small-catchment or sub-regional scales where the magnitude of vegetation greening is relatively high. Therefore, the hydrological effect of vegetation greening at large scale may be overestimated by previous studies. To ensure sustainable water resource management at the TNR scale, special attention should be paid to climate change rather than afforestation efforts under the current level of ecological restoration programs.

Parameter Localization of Greenhouse Gas Value Model and Greenhouse Gas Storage Simulation for Forest Ecosystems in China

Quantifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) storage in forest ecosystems can support global change directly, from a biogeochemical perspective. However, accurately assessing the amount of GHG storage in forest ecosystems still faces challenges in China because of their wide distribution, varying types, and the changing definitions and areas of forests. We used land-use data with 5-year intervals during 1990–2015 to investigate the spatiotemporal variations of forest ecosystems in China. As three major greenhouse gases in forest ecosystems, the potential storage of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide can be calculated by a greenhouse gas value (GHGV) model. The results showed that the total area of forest ecosystems decreased by 15 × 105 ha during the study period. The area of forest ecosystems reached its highest level in 1995 and then declined. For various forest ecosystem types, shrubbery (Sh) increased by 0.82% but the broad-leaved forest, evergreen coniferous forest (ECF), and mixed forest (MF) all showed a downward trend. Correspondingly, the potential GHG storage of forest ecosystems declined from 156.97 Pg CO2-equivalent (CO2-eq) to 155.56 Pg CO2-eq, a decrease of 1.41 Pg CO2-eq. Compared with previous research results, the GHGV model proved to be an important supplementary method for estimating the potential storage of GHGs in forest ecosystems, especially in highly fragmented landscapes at a large scale. Our study indicated that the impact of forest ecosystems changes on potential GHG storage was serious during the study period. Our findings highlight that the GHGV model can be an effective and low-cost strategy to simulate the forest change and corresponding GHG storage. And considering the efficiency of the model and the historical analysis results of many periods, some of the results can also be used to inform the future afforestation programs and assess the expected GHG storage in China.