Abstract The efficient implementation of forest-related policies under the European Green Deal requires assessing the capacity of ecosystems to deliver ecosystem services (ES) and involving stakeholders in the decision-making process. Public involvement ensures that policies align with local needs, relevant ES are identified, ES supply is optimised, and acceptance of measures is increased. We conducted a nationwide public survey ( n = 813) in Slovenia, consisting of three sections: (1) knowledge and perceptions related to ES and the bioeconomy, (2) a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to elicit preferences for possible changes in the supply of forest ES and products based on them (FPS) that support the strategic objectives of the EU Green Deal, and (3) questions on socio-demographics, lifestyle, and consumer behaviour. The results of the DCE, together with respondents’ place of residence using Moran’s I statistic, allowed us to identify areas of distinct preferences (ADP), either positive or negative, for FPS. Based on biophysical indicators, we assessed the potential supply of FPS within and outside ADP and found statistically significant differences. Then we compared potential supply with public preferences (demand) for FPS, which yielded several findings, most notably three cases where higher potential supply of FPS within the ADP coincided with positive preferences in the same ADP: high-quality wood, strictly protected forests, and forest tourism involving non-owners. In all these cases, mobilising additional FPS would benefit communities within the ADP (meeting allocative efficiency), and their high potential supply makes this feasible as well (meeting resource use efficiency).

Introduction Railway corridors, as linear landscape structures, are highly exposed to natural hazards. In alpine regions intact protective forests form a key basis for safeguarding the route network by complementing technical protection measures through forest-related ecosystem services. From a long-term perspective, these benefits are only generated by resilient and vital forest stands. To maintain sustainable services and benefits under climate change, an understanding of the biological system and its future developments is essential. Difficulties lie in long reaction times of forest stands to management actions and a broad range of species, that need to be considered. Methods The method used in this study focuses on the extrapolation of potential natural stands based on basic climate parameters by developing a two-dimensional climatic space, describing natural stands for 46 species in all 26 operational units of the Austrian railway corridor. First, we analyzed the current distribution of woody plant species using a climate-envelope modeling approach. Secondly climatic conditions of the Austrian railway network were evaluated and modelled for future climate change scenarios. In the synthesis of steps one and two, potential natural stands were detected, quantified, contextualized and compared to the reference period 1961–2020. Results Several promising species were detected for future climate scenarios and European wide trends were confirmed on the regional scale. Especially Castanea sativa , Ulmus minor , and Sorbus torminalis can help generating vital stands that can deliver the protective functions we are aiming for. Discussion The results mark an initial step toward climate-change-adapted protective forest management by detecting changes in natural site conditions and predicting vulnerable areas along the Austrian railway corridor, offering a management tool for infrastructure operators to guide future species selection and assess risks to protective forest functions.

Land cover and environmental conditions in Indonesia play a strategic role in maintaining ecosystem sustainability, biodiversity, and supporting sustainable development. However, pressures arising from economic development, population growth, land conversion, and ecosystem degradation have resulted in significant environmental disparities across provinces. These variations necessitate the mapping and clustering of regions based on environmental indicators so that the characteristics, levels of pressure, and management needs of each province can be understood in a more systematic and structured manner. This study aims to classify 33 provinces in Indonesia based on land cover and environmental indicators, including the percentage of protected forest, mangrove realization, land cover quality index, conservation land area, forest rehabilitation, and hotspot density as an indicator of environmental pressure. The Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM) method was applied to standardized data due to its ability to produce clusters that are more robust to the presence of outliers, which are commonly found in environmental data. The optimal number of clusters was determined using the Elbow and Silhouette methods. The results indicate that Indonesian provinces can be grouped into six clusters with distinct environmental characteristics, ranging from provinces with relatively good land cover and conservation conditions to those experiencing high environmental pressure. Overall, this clustering provides a more comprehensive representation of the patterns and heterogeneity of environmental conditions across provinces and may serve as a basis for formulating more specific, targeted, and regionally characteristic-based environmental management policies.

Background: Ecotonal regions in tropical mountains, such as the Altimontane Forest Islands, are home to unique, highly biodiverse, and vulnerable plant communities. Human activities alter the functionality, structure, diversity, and provision of ecosystem services in these ecosystems. Uncertainties persist regarding their resilience to human impacts and the most effective ways to conserve them. Questions: How do the species composition, vegetation structure, and diversity differ between protected and unprotected forest islands subject to anthropogenic disturbances? Are there differences in the carbon stocks of these forest islands? Studied species: Vascular plants of the Cerrado-Atlantic Forest. Study site: Forest Islands in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: We calculated alpha and beta diversity and estimated aboveground biomass and aboveground carbon stocks from tree samples (diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm) collected in Forest Islands. Results: We found that protected and unprotected areas had similar alpha diversity but differed in floristic composition. We observed high beta dissimilarity between protected and unprotected Altimontane Tropical Forest Islands (βsor = 0.93 and βbray = 0.94). Unprotected islands show greater species substitution (90 %), unimodal vertical structure, greater susceptibility to colonization by new generalist species, and lower carbon stock (80.70 Mg C ha-1). Conclusions: Changes in species composition, vegetation structure, and carbon storage were observed on unprotected islands, demonstrating the need to protect these unique ecosystems.

Q-method analysis is used to determine participants’ subjective viewpoints on a given subject. A review of the extant literature revealed a paucity of research examining participants’ viewpoints on environmental awareness within Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) using Q-method analysis. The aim of this study is to uncover teachers’ viewpoints on environmental awareness within ESD using Q method analysis. Accordingly, the study employed Q-method analysis as a mixed research methodology. Issues related to ESD are addressed in primary and secondary school curricula in Türkiye, primarily within the scope of science and social studies courses. The participants in the study consist of science, social studies, and primary school teachers working in the Gaziantep province of Türkiye. The data collection instrument, developed through criterion sampling, was a Q-method form created by the researchers based on insights from the relevant literature and field specialists. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using PQ Method 2.35 statistical software. The findings indicate that participants’ viewpoints on environmental awareness within ESD were grouped into two factors and were predominantly positive (93%), showing consistency across gender and teaching field variables. While all 66 participants in Factor 1 demonstrated wholly positive attitude towards ESD, the 5 participants in Factor 2 exhibited partially positive attitudes. Participants expressed the most positive viewpoints regarding the protection of forests, energy resources, and recycling, whereas the least positive viewpoints were related to the ozone layer, climate change, and the economical use of resources. Based on these findings, it is recommended that teachers’ awareness of issues such as the ozone layer, global warming, and the economical use of resources be enhanced.

This study investigates the diversity and spatial distribution of Fucalean stands within the Ustica Island Marine Protected Area (MPA). Field surveys were carried out in autumn 2024 and summer 2025 using scuba diving and snorkeling across the three protection zones (A, B, and C). Overall, 20 fucoid taxa at the specific and infraspecific level were recorded: 11 in zone A, 19 in zone B, and 16 in zone C. Comparison with historical data confirmed the persistence of 18 taxa previously recorded for Ustica Island. Notably, two species are reported here for the first time: the expanding non-indigenous Sargassum furcatum and the rare Mediterranean endemic S. trichocarpum. Additionally, the rediscovery of Sargassum cf. hornschuchii after approximately 40 years suggests that the Ustica Island MPA may provide suitable environmental conditions for the persistence of rare and conservation-relevant Fucalean species. Overall, the results indicate a high and comparatively stable Fucalean diversity within the MPA, particularly in zones subject to regulated human activities. These findings highlight the importance of continuing the actions for protection and regular monitoring of Fucalean forests, which represent key ecosystem-engineering habitats in the Mediterranean Sea.

Aims: The present study aimed to assess employment generation as a direct-use ecosystem service of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, India, and to examine its role in supporting local livelihoods and strengthening conservation outcomes across forest divisions. Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study based on records analysis and field verification. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Achampet, Amrabad, and Nagarjuna Sagar forest divisions of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana, India, during 2023–2025. Methodology: Employment data were obtained through systematic analysis of Forest Department administrative records, supplemented by field-level verification and structured interactions with divisional officials. Employment was classified into functional categories including forest protection and patrolling, fire prevention and control, wildlife rescue and monitoring, administrative support, vehicle operations, and ecotourism services. Division-wise and category-wise employment distribution was analyzed to assess spatial variation and livelihood significance. Results: The Amrabad Tiger Reserve generated direct employment for 381 individuals, with the Amrabad Division contributing the highest share (234 individuals; 61.4%), followed by Achampet (113; 29.7%) and Nagarjuna Sagar (34; 8.9%). Labour-intensive roles dominated the employment structure, notably base camp helpers (140; 36.7%), Tiger Conservation Force personnel (89; 23.4%), fire watchers (50; 13.1%), and drivers (24; 6.3%). Ecotourism-related employment accounted for 24 positions (6.3%), comprising nature guides and ecotourism drivers. The majority of jobs were accessible to local and forest-dependent communities, indicating strong livelihood linkage. Conclusion: Employment generation represents a significant socio-economic benefit of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, contributing to livelihood security, reducing reliance on extractive forest use, and fostering community participation in conservation. A key limitation of the study is its reliance on officially recorded employment data, which may underestimate informal or seasonal livelihood opportunities linked to conservation activities.

Cavities are an essential structural element in forest ecosystems. In European forests, most cavities are excavated by the most numerous woodpecker species, the great spotted woodpecker (GSW) (Dendrocopos major). The impact of management practices on the availability of nesting sites for birds remains an important researched topic. Do the nesting sites of the GSW differ between protected and commercially managed areas? We analysed 173 GSW nesting sites in a large forest in Poland, divided into a national park and commercial forests. The aspen (Populus tremula) was the most preferred among tree species in both forest areas. In protected forests, cavities were less frequently excavated in the Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris) (10%) than they were in managed forests (30%). The significantly higher frequency of cavities excavated in a given tree in commercial forests suggests limited availability of suitable nesting trees. The GSW strongly preferred trees with wood softened by fungal decay for cavity excavation. Over 80% of all cavity trees were infested with wood-decaying fungi, with no differences between protection regimes. In commercial forests with a high proportion of pine trees, cavities can be excavated only in softened wood in the older stands. Protective recommendations include retaining more trees in poor health condition in commercial forests and ensuring an admixture of softwood tree species such as the aspen, birch (Betula sp.), and black alder (Alnus glutinosa) in commercial stands.

Traditional agroforestry systems developed by local communities play an important role in sustaining livelihoods and reducing pressure on protected forests, yet their economic significance and structural characteristics remain under-documented. This study analyzes the structure, composition, and livelihood contribution of a traditional random-mixture agroforestry system practiced by forest-adjacent communities in Engkangin Village, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Data were collected in February 2025 through field observations and structured interviews with 68 agroforestry households and analyzed using descriptive and income-based approaches. The system represents a forest-based agroforestry model characterized by a non-systematic spatial arrangement integrating perennial trees, plantation crops, annual crops, and aquaculture components (agrisilviculture and agrosilvofishery). Fifteen commercial commodities were identified, dominated by paddy, oil palm, and rubber. Agroforestry generated a total annual economic value of IDR 2.89 billion. Net agroforestry income accounted for 94.22% of total household earnings, indicating a high dependence on this land-use system for livelihood security. The diversified species composition enables continuous harvests across temporal scales, enhancing income stability and food availability while maintaining tree cover in protected forest landscapes. However, the random spatial configuration limits productivity and management efficiency compared with more structured agroforestry designs. The findings demonstrate that traditional mixed agroforestry can function as a socio-ecological safety net and a locally adapted strategy for sustainable land use. Strengthening technical support, improving planting materials, and enhancing market access could substantially increase both economic returns and ecological benefits. These results provide evidence for integrating community-based agroforestry into rural development and forest conservation policies in tropical regions.

Geochemical assessment of radionuclides, heavy metals and POPs in urban forest soils: hidden exposure pathways and health risks.

ABSTRACT The Delacour's langur ( Trachypithecus delacouri ) is a Critically Endangered primate, restricted to a small region in northern Vietnam. In view of its very small population and existing threats, frequent population monitoring programs are urgently needed for this species. In this study, we evaluated the utility of handheld thermal imaging devices as a complementary tool to conventional ground‐based visual surveys for primate population monitoring efforts. Based on results of past studies, we conducted field surveys in Kim Bang Protection Forest, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam, where the second most important population of the Delacour's langur inhabits. While we followed protocols from previous ground‐based visual surveys, we also used thermal monoculars to facilitate langur detections. By integrating thermal handheld devices, we documented at least 18 langur groups with around 116 individuals, an increase of about 11.5% in total population size compared to the most recent extensive study at the same site. When comparing to the 2022 drone survey in Kim Bang, our results also showed that while the drone platform demonstrates superior performance, the integration of thermal imaging devices substantially reduces survey effort relative to conventional ground‐based visual techniques. Given the recent regulations on flying drones in remote areas in Vietnam, our findings suggest that thermal imaging devices offer a viable option to improve the efficacy of ground‐based primate population monitoring surveys. Furthermore, when properly deployed, handheld thermal devices may provide key advantages for certain primate research topics.

Landscape patterns indicate reduced forest fragmentation in the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area following the implementation of the Natural Forest Protection Program

Assessing carbon stocks in forest ecosystems is essential for the development of effective management strategies. This study was carried out with aim to assess the tree species richness, phytomass carbon stock, and soil organic carbon (SOC) in Barandabhar forest in Chitwan, Bagmati Province, Nepal under four management regimes within forest such as: Buffer Zone Forest (BZ), Buffer Zone Community Forest (BZCF), Community Forest (CF), and Protected Forest (PF) using concentric circular plots of 20 m radius (each of 0.12 ha). Altogether 256 sample plots were employed. Among them, 119 plots were in BZ, 48 plots in BZCF, 56 plots in CF, and 33 plots in PF. All tree species in each plot were recorded and their height and diameter at breast height (DBH ≥ 5cm) were measured to calculate phytomass carbon stock. Soil parameters such as pH, Bulk density, and SOC for soil samples collected from 0–10 cm depth in each plot were also analysed. In total, 30 tree species were recorded in the study, with Shorea robusta contributing the highest phytomass carbon stock. The mean phytomass carbon stock across the study area was 201±5 t/ha, while the mean SOC in the soil was 10.2±0.2 t/ha. Across the regimes, the highest phytomass carbon stock was recorded in the BZCF i.e., 239 ± 14 t/ha, followed by PF (207 ± 12 t/ha), BZ (202 ± 6 t/ha), and CF (162 ± 8 t/ha), respectively. The better predictors of phytomass carbon were soil pH and bulk density including tree basal area. These findings emphasize that forest management practices could have a significant impact on the carbon storage potential of forests.

Illegal logging remains widespread in the protected, conservation, and production forests of North Aceh District, despite the government’s reliance on repressive enforcement measures. This persistence stems from limited personnel and the vast forest coverage, which undermine effective law enforcement. To address this issue, this qualitative study adopts an empirical legal approach to explore how empowering local forest custodians (pawang uteun) can enhance the prevention and prosecution of illegal logging. Primary data were collected through interviews and secondary data were gathered from literature and documentation. The findings reveal that while pawang uteun are recognized under Law No. 44/1999 on the Implementation of Aceh's Privileges, Law No. 11/2006 on the Government of Aceh, and Aceh Qanun No. 10/2008 on Customary Institutions, these provisions do not grant them sufficient authority to participate in law enforcement. This study recommends that the Aceh government promptly revise local regulations to formally integrate customary institutions, such as pawang uteun, into forest protection efforts. This study contributes to forest governance by proposing the Pawang Uteun Empowerment Model, which strengthens community-based participation in combating illegal logging in North Aceh.

Land cover plays an essential role in maintaining hydrological balance and soil conservation in tropical forest ecosystems. The decline in vegetation cover can lead to reduced infiltration, increased surface runoff, and decreased soil water-holding capacity. This literature review aims to analyze the relationship between land cover, water retention, and soil conservation in tropical forests based on recent scientific findings. The analysis includes studies on soil biophysical properties, rainfall, vegetation types, and forest management strategies. The results indicate that dense and multi-layered vegetation improves soil porosity, infiltration, and water retention while reducing erosion. In contrast, the degradation of vegetation cover decreases soil physical quality and hydrological stability. Effective conservation efforts include the implementation of agroforestry systems, integrated watershed management, and sustainable forest protection policies.

Background: Forest governance in Indonesia faces a fundamental paradox. 95.5 million hectares of forest are claimed as critical conservation assets, yet 70% of the area is managed through centralized institutions. This situation tends to marginalize local communities. This study examines power relations in state forest management in the Sisik Naga Hills, Purbalingga, Central Java. Forest management in this area is formally participatory, but upon closer examination, it harbors structural inequalities. This study aims to analyze the power mechanisms operating through the Forest Village Community Institution (LMDH) and explore the ecological consequences of exclusionary management practices. Methods: This qualitative research uses a desk study method. Political ecology is used as the research framework. Data include policy documents, academic publications, and institutional reports related to social forestry and state forest governance. Thematic analysis was conducted to map forest ownership structures, local institutional dynamics, and exclusionary mechanisms in decision-making. Findings: The results found that the conversion of protected forests into cardamom plantations in Karangmoncol resulted in an escalation of disasters and material losses. The ambiguity of zoning boundaries and the dominance of local elites create blind spots that exclude community ecological knowledge. Conclusion: This study concludes that the absence of explicit conflict is not an indicator of balance, but rather a product of power relations that have been naturalized through formal procedures. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study extends the political ecology literature by showing that power does not always operate through open conflict, but rather through bureaucratic mechanisms that appear neutral but systematically benefit dominant actors in areas that have been marginalized in national forestry discourse.

Abstract. Rusdiana O, Kusdaryanto S, Muttaqien W, Machfud, Djaja I. 2025. Multi-criteria decision analysis for optimal sugarcane land allocation in Merauke, South Papua, Indonesia. Asian J Agric 9: 689-701. Achieving sustainable sugarcane expansion requires integrating biophysical suitability with social and environmental considerations. This study applied a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method to identify optimal areas for sugarcane cultivation in Merauke, South Papua, Indonesia. The analysis incorporates multiple criteria, including biophysical factors (climate, soil type, topography), land use policies (zoning, conservation areas), and social factors (land rights, indigenous communities' territories). Data were collected through field surveys, stakeholder interviews, and spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The results indicate that approximately 80% of the study area is biophysically suitable for sugarcane cultivation. However, when considering land use policies, the available area reduces to 43.77% due to the presence of protected areas, forests, and risk-prone zones. After factoring in the rights of indigenous communities and areas of cultural significance, the land available for sugarcane cultivation shrinks further, leaving only 38.16% of the land as suitable for development. This highlights the trade-off between agricultural expansion and environmental conservation, as well as the importance of respecting indigenous land rights in land use planning. The study highlights the importance of combining geospatial analysis and stakeholder input for policymakers, land planners, and agricultural and forest developers to guide evidence-based, sustainable agricultural expansion in emerging regions.

Passive protection is widely assumed to preserve biodiversity and ecological integrity, yet the evidence for long-term vegetation stability in protected temperate forests remains inconclusive. We resurveyed two deciduous forests in SW Poland after 30 years of strict protection to assess temporal changes in their understory vegetation, functional structure, and habitat conditions. Using paired phytosociological relevés (n = 40), collected using the Braun-Blanquet method, we compared baseline (1989–1991) and recent (2022) data with respect to species frequency, Ellenberg indicator values, basic functional traits, and functional diversity. Species composition proved highly stable: only 10% of vascular plant species exhibited significant changes in frequency in particular layers, largely reflecting the vertical redistribution of woody species rather than species turnover. Habitat conditions showed no significant temporal changes. In contrast, the functional structure of the herb layer changed markedly, with significant increases in community-weighted means of seed mass, plant height, and specific leaf area, accompanied by a significant rise in functional diversity. These shifts were partly driven by the increasing abundance of woody species and some opportunistic and invasive species. Our results demonstrate that functional traits may reveal directional ecological changes in passively protected forests even when species composition and habitat indicators remain unchanged, highlighting the importance of trait-based approaches for long-term forest surveys.

This study aims to examine in depth the law enforcement efforts carried out by the Forest Police in the Tellu Limpoe Resort, Cenrana Forest Management Unit, Bone Regency, and to analyze the factors that influence the effectiveness of these efforts. The research method used was an empirical approach by examining the reality in the field through interviews, observations, and official data studies. The research location was chosen because of the high rate of forest destruction, which indicates the urgency of strengthening forestry law enforcement. The results of the study show that the Forest Police carry out a number of important efforts, including patrolling forest areas, checking documents related to the distribution of forest products, receiving reports of violations, collecting information and evidence, and making temporary arrests in cases of caught in the act. These efforts contribute significantly to preventing and combating forestry crimes. To overcome the various obstacles that exist, it is necessary to increase human resource capacity, provide adequate facilities and infrastructure, and procure special Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) in the forestry sector to strengthen the investigation process of forestry crimes, especially illegal logging, so that forest protection can be carried out optimally and sustainably.

Flooding remains a persistent threat in Indonesian urban areas, including Batu City, East Java, causing extensive physical, social, and economic impacts. This study examines flooding impacts and analyzes prevention and mitigation efforts from a socio-legal perspective, with a focus on governance and spatial planning. Using a qualitative sociological-legal approach, the study finds that recurrent flooding in Batu City is primarily driven by human-induced land-use changes and weak enforcement of spatial planning regulations. Conversion of protected forests into agricultural land and settlements has reduced water catchment capacity, while degradation of the Brantas River Basin, including sedimentation and river narrowing, exacerbates flood risk. Batu, Junrejo, and Bumiaji sub-districts are the most affected, with flood durations often exceeding three hours. The findings indicate that deficiencies in spatial planning governance and law enforcement are key institutional factors in flood vulnerability. This study contributes to environmental administrative law by linking spatial governance failures to disaster risk and offers policy recommendations for revising the Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW) and strengthening local flood mitigation regulations.