Forest Products Research Articles

Can extended rotations promote the reconciliation of multiple management goals set for production forests in Nordic countries?

ABSTRACT We studied the ability of extended rotations as a measure to promote sustainable management of production forests in Nordic countries. We carried out scenario analyses for three large forest regions in Southern Finland, Central Sweden, and South-Eastern Norway, where forestry has a high socioeconomic value. We analyzed the effects on wood production, carbon sequestration, and the amount of produced deadwood over the 50 years. In the reference scenario (BAU), the prevailing management of production forests was applied. In the scenario for extended rotations (EXT), rotation lengths were extended by 30 years, on average. We used data from national forest inventories to represent the current stage of the regions’ forests and produced future forecasts using local models, which have been widely applied in large-scale analyses. The increase in carbon sequestration and production of deadwood in production forests can be achieved by lengthening rotations but only at the expense of harvesting removals. The increase in annual carbon sequestration is between 0.7 and 1.6 Mg CO2 eq ha−1. Natural mortality increases by 20–30% along with the amount of deadwood by 0.15 m3 ha−1 a−1, on average. The decrease in the mean annual harvesting removals varies from 0.4 to 1.6 m3 ha−1 a−1 from region to region.

Effect of rural-urban linkages on household’s livelihood diversification and its determinant factors in the Hinterland’s of Robe Town, Bale zone, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The study examines the impact of rural-urban linkages on livelihood diversification in the hinterland of Robe Town, Bale Zone, Southeastern Ethiopia. Data from 260 households across five rural kebeles were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and propensity score matching. Rural-urban linkages and livelihood diversification were measured through weighted mean scores and diversification indices. Results show that agricultural activities account for 84.3% of household income, while non-farm activities contribute 16.3%, with 40% of households engaged in supplementary non-farm work. The Simpson Diversification Index indicates that 21.9% of households have low, 58.5% moderate, and 19.6% high diversification levels. Significant drivers of diversification include landholding size, education, irrigation use, forest product harvesting, livestock holdings, non-farm activities, farm commercialization, and rural-urban linkage strength. Propensity score matching confirmed that stronger rural-urban linkages significantly enhance livelihood diversification. The findings suggest expanding rural services, supporting non-farm businesses, and strengthening rural-urban ties to foster sustainable socio-economic developme.

Impacts of Intensive Management Practices on the Long-Term Sustainability of Soil and Water Conservation Functions in Bamboo Forests: A Mechanistic Review from Silvicultural Perspectives

Bamboo forest ecosystems are an important component of the Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems and play an important role in addressing the global timber crisis as well as climate change. Bamboo is a typical shallow-rooted, fast-growing clonal plant species whose developed rhizome system and high canopy closure play an important role in soil and water conservation. The function of soil and water conservation services of bamboo forests can intuitively reflect the regional regulation of precipitation, the redistribution function of precipitation, and the function of soil fixation, which is one of the crucial ecological service functions in regional ecosystems. Bamboo forests are divided into monopodial bamboo forests, sympodial bamboo forests, and mixed bamboo forests, which are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical mountainous areas. The region’s variable climate, abundant precipitation, and high potential risk of soil erosion, in conjunction with the frequent operation of bamboo forests and frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, have the potential to adversely affect the ecosystem function of bamboo forests. Presently, bamboo forests are primarily managed through the cultivation of bamboo, with the objective of enhancing productivity. Extensive research has been conducted on the long-term maintenance of bamboo forest productivity. However, there is a paucity of research on the mechanisms of management measures for ecosystem stability and the development of adaptive management technology systems suitable for soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration and sink enhancement, and biodiversity conservation. This paper is predicated on the biological characteristics of bamboo and, thus, aims to compile the extant research progress on the following subjects: the role of rainfall redistribution in bamboo forest canopies, the role of deadfall interception, and the mechanism of soil fixation mechanics of the root system. It also synthesizes the current status of research on the impact of traditional management measures on the soil and water conservation function of bamboo forests. Finally, it discusses the problems of current research and the direction of future development.

Запасы углерода в фитомассе и биологическая продуктивность спелых и перестойных древостоев Пригородного лесничества Воронежской области

Forest-steppe ecosystems, representing an ecotone between forests and steppes, are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The observed trends of temperature increase and precipitation decrease in the southern European part of Russia affect the productivity of natural ecosystems, transforming their carbon balance. This may have implications for the sustainable functioning of forest-steppe ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. Assessment of carbon stocks and fluxes in forest ecosystems is crucial for understanding their role in climate change mitigation. A comprehensive study of carbon stocks and biological productivity of mature and over-mature forest stands in the Suburban Forestry of the Voronezh region has been conducted. It was found that the maximum carbon stocks in phytomass are characteristic of both coniferous stands (up to 133 tC/ha) in pine forest landscapes and mixed deciduous stands in upland oak forests (up to 141 tC/ha). Patterns of carbon distribution across phytomass components in tree stands of various species composition have been identified. The biological productivity of the studied tree stands was found to vary depending on forest growing conditions and species composition. The highest values of annual carbon increment in phytomass were observed in mixed stands dominated by Quercus robur L. (up to 2.60 tC/ha per year). The obtained results can serve as a scientific basis for developing regional programs to optimize the carbon balance of forest ecosystems and improve methods for assessing their ecological functions.

Energy Efficiency of Agroforestry Farms in Angola

The main objective of energy balance analysis is to guide farmers in making informed decisions that promote the efficient management of natural resources, optimise the use of agricultural inputs, and improve the overall economic performance of their farms. In addition, it supports the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop diversification, the use of renewable energy sources, and the recycling of agricultural by-products and residues into natural energy sources or fertilisers. This paper analyses the variation in energy efficiency between 2019 and 2022 of the main crops in Angola: maize, soybean, and rice, and the forest production of eucalyptus biomass in agroforestry farms. The research was based on the responses to interviews conducted with the managers of the farms regarding the machinery used, fuels and lubricants, labour, seeds, phytopharmaceuticals, and fertilisers. The quantities are gathered by converting data into Megajoules (MJ). The results show variations in efficiency and energy balance. In corn, efficiency fluctuated between 1.32 MJ in 2019 and 1.41 MJ in 2020, falling to 0.94 MJ in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic before rising to 1.31 MJ in 2022. For soybeans, the energy balance went from a deficit of −8223.48 MJ in 2019 to a positive 11,974.62 MJ in 2022, indicating better use of resources. Rice stood out for its high efficiency, reaching 81,541.33 MJ in 2021, while wood production showed negative balances, evidencing the need for more effective strategies. This research concludes that understanding the energy balance of agricultural operations in Angola is essential not only to achieve greater sustainability and profitability but also to strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems against external factors such as climate change, fluctuations in input prices, and economic crises. A comprehensive understanding of the energy balance allows farmers to assess the true cost-effectiveness of their operations, identify energy inefficiencies, and implement more effective strategies to maximise productivity while minimising environmental impacts.

Sustainable forest management for carbon, wood and biodiversity must consider natural disturbance regimes

Abstract Forests provide multiple benefits that include sequestering carbon, supporting biodiversity, and providing wood products. Managing temperate forests to achieve these benefits sustainably is challenging given the legacy of past human impacts, the complexity of forest development, and increasing but unpredictable disturbances. These intricacies prompted debate about the most effective management of temperate forests to achieve climate mitigation while sustaining forest productivity, regeneration, and diversity. Most research focused on management impacts under relatively stable environmental conditions, whereas forests are facing increasingly frequent and more severe climatic and biotic disturbances. Here, we used a regionally calibrated forest growth model to simulate the effects of forest management on carbon, biodiversity, and wood production under prevalent natural disturbances in the northeastern US. We developed scenarios combining forest management and disturbance regimes based on assumptions of species-specific tree regeneration and mortality rates. We compared passive management with no cutting that prioritizes maintaining existing forest trees with two common regional harvest practices: exploitative timber harvest that prioritizes short-term wood production and regenerative timber harvest that prioritizes regenerating biodiverse native forest tree seedlings. In the absence of natural disturbance, no cutting provides 41% higher forest carbon storage and 50% higher tree structural diversity after 100 years than exploitative or regenerative practices. The presence of drought, windstorm, pest, and disease disturbances altered these outcomes. Regenerative forest management provides 25% higher forest carbon storage and 26% higher tree structural diversity after 100 years than no cutting. Our results demonstrate that wood products and their carbon storage and fossil emission avoidance are important for determining the total climate benefits of forest management under natural disturbances. Our findings highlight that natural disturbance regimes should be considered when selecting management to promote multiple forest benefits, suggesting the need for tailored as opposed to one-size-fits-all policies to sustainably manage temperate forests worldwide.

Fusarium guttiforme and F. mexicanum Causing Shoot Blight in Yerba Mate in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACTYerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis [St. Hil.]) is one of the main non‐timber forest products in the southern region of Brazil, playing a role of great social, economic and environmental importance. Commercial yerba mate consists of leaves and young branches of the plant, traditionally consumed as tea and chimarrão. Its extract is also used in food, cosmetics and cleaning products. In 2021 and 2022, shoot blight was observed in seedlings and adult plants of yerba mate in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul states, Brazil. The disease is characterised by dark‐coloured necrotic lesions, which begin at the tip of the shoots and, in some cases, progress downwards along the shoot, causing its death. The objective of this work was to elucidate the aetiology of this disease. The causal agents of the disease were isolated from symptomatic shoots of yerba mate, and the isolates obtained were characterised using morphology and multilocus molecular phylogeny (RNA polymerase II subunit, elongation factor 1‐ɑ and β‐tubulin genes). Inoculation was carried out on detached leaves and shoots, under controlled conditions and on adult plants in the field. The isolates obtained proved pathogenic when inoculated, causing symptoms similar to those observed in the field. The multilocus molecular phylogeny identified two species: Fusarium guttiforme and F. mexicanum, with F. mexicanum being the most aggressive in pathogenicity tests. Fusarium cultures were reisolated, fulfilling Koch's postulates. This study represents the first report of F. guttiforme and F. mexicanum as causal agents of yerba mate shoot blight.

Repeated nitrogen fertilization enhances Scots pine growth and carbon uptake without persistent long-term effects in boreal forests.

Nitrogen (N) fertilization is known to enhance tree biomass production and carbon (C) assimilation in N-limited boreal forests. Yet, the long-term effects of repeated N applications remain limited. Here, we evaluate the impact of repeated N fertilization at 10-year intervals over six decades on a nutrient-poor Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest in Central Finland. The analysis encompassed both short-term (single N-addition) and long-term (multi-decadal repeated N-additions) responses of basal area increment (BAI) and carbon isotope composition in tree rings (δ13C) from fertilized and control plots from 1960 to 2022. Furthermore, needle mass and chemistry were investigated, and stand-level nitrogen use efficiency (NUE, amount of stem volume or tree C increased per unit mass of N added) estimated. We found that a single N addition had a positive short-term effect on the tree ring δ13C during the first two years after fertilization. This suggests a combined effect on increase in photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductance, likely driven by greater needle mass and higher N content. BAI showed a delayed but rapid increase, attributable to enhanced needle mass from improved photosynthesis, reaching its peak 2 years after fertilization, and then persisting for a period of 4 - 7 years. However, by the end of each decadal fertilization cycle, BAI and δ13C values in N treatment reached those of control, demonstrating no lasting site carry-over effects. The mean decadal NUE for the tree stem volume was 0.16 m3 per kg N added, indicating a significant degree of N retention in the forest ecosystem. After six decades, the cumulative impact of repeated fertilization led to a 47% increase in BAI in fertilized plots compared to controls, demonstrating the efficacy of accumulated short-term growth enhancements. Our findings highlight the potential of repeated N fertilization as an effective forest management practice to support the bioeconomy and mitigate climate change in nutrient-poor boreal forests.

Global risk of wildfire across timber production systems

Timber is worth $1.5 trillion US Dollars annually with demand rising, but wildfires increasingly threaten production. Plantations occupy 3% of forests globally and produce 33% of the world’s timber, but a critical question is whether they are more vulnerable to stand-replacing wildfires than natural production forests. We combine forest management and wildfire data to estimate that 15.7 (14.7–16.7) million hectares of natural production forests and 1.4 (1.26–1.64) million hectares of plantations suffered stand-replacing wildfires between 2015 and 2022. Using statistical matching for 17 countries representing 50% of global production and 75% of burned timber-producing forest, we find plantations in temperate regions were twice as likely to suffer stand-replacing wildfires than natural production forests, including in vital timber-producing nations like China and Russia. Plantations in tropical regions showed no clear effect, with national differences ranging from 75% lower to 58% higher risk of burning. Given increasing global reliance on plantation timber, preventing wildfires through landscape-level planning, fire management, and increased plantation diversity is critical for global wood security.

Volatility Spillover Between China’s Carbon Market and Traditional Manufacturing

This study constructed a DGC-t-MSV model by integrating dynamic correlation and Granger causality into the MSV framework. Using daily closing price data from 4 January 2022 to 21 November 2024, it empirically analyzed volatility spillover effects between China’s carbon market and traditional manufacturing from an industrial heterogeneity perspective. The findings are as follows: (1) The carbon market exhibits significant unidirectional volatility spillover effects on carbon-intensive industries, such as steel, chemicals, shipbuilding, and automobile manufacturing, with the carbon market acting as the spillover source. (2) Bidirectional volatility spillover effects exist between the carbon market and industries such as forest products, textiles, construction engineering, and machinery manufacturing, with the carbon market predominantly acting as a recipient. (3) The carbon market exhibits general dynamic correlations with traditional manufacturing industries, where the correlation strength is positively associated with industry-level carbon emissions. Notably, the correlations with the steel, chemicals, machinery manufacturing, construction engineering, and automobile manufacturing industries are significant, whereas those with the textile industry and the forest products industry are relatively weaker. Furthermore, the carbon market demonstrates substantially higher volatility than traditional manufacturing industries. This study innovatively explored volatility spillover effects between China’s carbon market and traditional manufacturing from an industrial heterogeneity perspective, providing policy implications for their coordinated development.

Production of environmentally friendly printing ink varnish using Pinus brutia resin and sunflower oil and determination of printability parameters

Purpose This study aims to investigate the usability of Pinus brutia resin and sunflower oil in printing ink varnish. The areas where Pinus brutia forests are located in Turkey are the most suitable forests for pine resin production due to the topography and climatic conditions. For this reason, another aim of the study is to determine the usability of Pinus brutia resin, a sustainable resource that has not been tried in printing inks before, in ink. Design/methodology/approach Forty grams of sunflower oil and 70 g Pinus brutia resin were used as varnish components. Offset printing ink was prepared by formulating 80% varnish, 17% cyan pigment and 3% dryer. The prepared varnish was tested in the eco-friendly offset printing ink formulation. Findings Rheological and optical analyses were performed to test the varnish. Viscosity, tack and rub resistance tests were performed for rheological analysis; and L*a*b*, gloss and light fastness tests were performed for optical analysis. Rheological tests showed that the varnish can be used in offset printing ink formulation. Printability tests confirmed that the varnish can work in ink. Originality/value The originality of this study is the production of varnish from the combination of natural Pinus brutia resin and natural sunflower oil and demonstration of varnish workability in ink. The varnish thus produced is completely natural. Pinus brutia resin grown in Turkey has been tested for the first time in printing ink and has been successful. On the other hand, it has been determined that the resin obtained from Pinus brutia tree is a natural and sustainable raw material that can be used in ink varnish without damaging the ecosystem.

Integrating regional forest productivity maps with supplemental data to optimize forest management priority: A case study in Ibiza (Spain).

Integrating regional forest productivity maps with supplemental data to optimize forest management priority: A case study in Ibiza (Spain).

Social – Economic and Management Practices of soil fertility that Affects Cassava production in the Central African Republic: Case Study in Savanna and Forest areas

Purpose: Cassava is an important root crop in maintaining food security for the population in the Republic of Centrafrique (CAR). Despite this socio-economic importance, yields obtained remain low and demands are not yet met. The aim of this study was to identify socio economic and management factors that determine cassava yields in two agroclimatic zones of CAR.Research Method: Socio-demographic characteristics, soil fertility management practices in cassava cropping systems and constraints related to cassava production in the CAR forest and savanna zones were collected using semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t test and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze data collected.Findings: Cassava is the main crop in two agroclimatic zones. It is an activity carried out mainly by men. The areas sown for cassava vary between 0.45 and 0.85 ha. The main varieties grown were TMS 92/0329 (locally named Togo) and C96/OO5 (locally named Bobeketi). Disease resistance, high yield and organoleptic quality are the main criteria used for selecting varieties to grow. Cassava yields obtained for all varieties combined are significantly different (p = 0.0001) in the two zones, with an average of 4.41 t.ha-1 of root. These low yields were related to climatic constraints (violent wind and irregular rainfall) and a decline in soil fertility.Originality/ Value: It is proposed to implement integrated soil fertility management strategies by combining mineral and organic fertilizers available in climatic zones that optimize plants’ nutrient use efficiency in a context of climatic changes for sustainable cassava production.

Phosphorus Limitation Constrains Global Forest Productivity Directly and Indirectly via Forest Community Structural Attributes: Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACTAimTo investigate the direct effects of phosphorus (P) fertilisation on key tree photosynthetic traits and productivity, as well as its indirect effects mediated through forest community structure (tree size, species richness, and abundance).LocationWorldwide.Time Period1990–2024.Major Taxa StudiedTrees.MethodsWe conducted a meta‐analysis of 906 paired (control vs. treatment) P‐fertilisation experiments and employed structural equation modelling to examine the impacts of P on seven whole‐plant traits: aboveground biomass productivity (ABP), leaf chlorophyll content (Chl), leaf surface area (LSA), net carbon assimilation rate (NCA), belowground biomass productivity (BBP), specific root length (SRL), and root average diameter (RAD).ResultsOur meta‐analysis revealed that P‐fertilisation increased ABP by 56%, LSA by 11%, Chl by 31%, NCA by 24%, BBP by 17%, and SRL by 26%, while RAD decreased by 8%. These effects were stronger in late successional stages compared to early stages for all traits. The effect of P on productivity decreases with latitude and is stronger in the tropics, while studies on other traits remain very limited towards the poles. P (through duration and P dose rate) influenced most traits indirectly by shaping community structure, particularly tree ontogenetic variations, and interacting with precipitation, temperature, and other experimental factors.Main ConclusionsPhosphorus fertilisation enhances tree traits related to photosynthesis and productivity, with the stronger effects observed in late successional stages and tropical regions. Its indirect influence is through shaping community structure and interacting with climate and experimental factors, providing global evidence of P‐limitation that constrains current and future forest functioning and productivity.

How demand-side incentive policies drive the diffusion of forest wellness tourism products: An agent-based modeling analysis

How demand-side incentive policies drive the diffusion of forest wellness tourism products: An agent-based modeling analysis

Plant viability: Modeling the impacts of harvesting non-timber forest products in a fragmented landscape

Plant viability: Modeling the impacts of harvesting non-timber forest products in a fragmented landscape

Social life cycle assessment of non-timber forest products in Indonesia: The case of Gum Rosin

Social life cycle assessment of non-timber forest products in Indonesia: The case of Gum Rosin

Worldwide concentration of forest products for energy

Worldwide concentration of forest products for energy

Multiscale analysis of zooarchaeological data to reconstruct past kelp forest productivity for the Northern Channel Islands, California U.S.A.

Multiscale analysis of zooarchaeological data to reconstruct past kelp forest productivity for the Northern Channel Islands, California U.S.A.

Peran Motivasi Spiritual dan Komitmen Berkelanjutan dalam Peningkatan Kinerja Sumber Daya Manusia

The importance of disaster and fire management in the West Kotawaringin Regency area requires the Regional Government, especially the Fire and Rescue Service and the West Kotawaringin Regency Production Forest Management Unit to ensure the improvement of disaster and fire management performance, especially the improvement of Human Resources. One of the influencing factors is spiritual motivation and sustainable commitment. This research aims to describe and analyze the influence of spiritual motivation and continuance commitment on human resource performance and how spiritual motivation affects the continuance commitment of disaster and fire management officers. This research used quantitative method (Explanatory research). The population of this research is disaster and fire management officers at the Fire and Rescue Service and the Production Forest Management Unit of West Kotawaringin Regency. The determination of the number of samples (sample size) uses a census, where the number of population is equal to the number of samples, which is 82 respondents who work in the Fire and Rescue Service and the Production Forest Management Unit of West Kotawaringin Regency and the entire sample questionnaire results can be processed. The data analysis technique used in this study is statistical analysis of data using the PLS-SEM method. The results of this research show that spiritual motivation and continuous commitment have a positive and significant effect on human resource performance. Furthermore, spiritual motivation has a positive and significant effect on sustainable commitment.