Forest Area Research Articles

Contribution to the Study of Malagasy Orchids. XXXIX. Two New Species of Bulbophyllum from Madagascar

Two new species of Bulbophyllum Thouars, B. psittacinum Verlynde & Ramand. and B. vespertilioides Verlynde & Ramand. (Orchidaceae), are recognized and described. Both species are endemic to Madagascar and were found in the Ankerana forest, part of the Ankeniheny-Zahamena corridor (CAZ) protected area in the eastern escarpment forests. These two species belong to section Pantoblepharon Schltr.; B. psittacinum differs from the rest of the section by its conjoined lateral sepals and B. vespertilioides by its larger pseudobulbs, longer inflorescence, and number of flowers. Taxonomic treatments of both species with descriptions, illustrations, distribution, and habitat information as well as preliminary IUCN Red List assessments are provided.

Инженерный расчет гибких оболочек лесосплавных опор

Currently, the issue of delivering wood raw materials from remote forest areas, where the largest volumes are located, is relevant. Often, this delivery is economically justified only when using a network of medium and small rivers with the use of environmentally friendly technologies. On such rivers, it is preferable to use mobile anchors, in particular shore fillable ones, for fixing timber-rafting objects. A description has been given of a new modification of such an anchor, which differs from the prototype by a container having a flexible shell. This allows to significantly reduce the material consumption for manufacturing the container, the dimensions of the anchor in the transport position, and to produce anchors of any realistic size. The choice of the most rational option for such a container implies the scientific justification of its parameters. The aim of the study is to develop a scientific basis for this justification. Analytical formulas have been theoretically obtained for determining the basic geometric characteristics of the cross-section of the container under consideration. These formulas are useful in scientific research, but their application is very problematic in practical engineering calculations. This is due to the dependence of the specified characteristics on elliptic integrals and parameters, which are very difficult to measure in engineering practice. Having performed calculations using these formulas for a single cross-sectional area, we have obtained its specific geometric characteristics for various shapes, i.e. for various width-to-height ratios of a container to be filled. The results of the calculations have been approximating dependencies linking the named characteristics with the specified ratio, which is called the shape factor. Multiplying the specific characteristics by the square root of the cross-sectional area gives the absolute values of the corresponding characteristics. As a result, we have obtained formulas convenient for practical use, allowing to determine the width and height of the container to be filled, the width of its base, the perimeter of the cross-section, the heights of the zero pressure line and the extreme lateral point of the cross-section above the base of the container. The accuracy of calculations based on these and analytical formulas is almost the same. A formula for determining the specific tension of a flexible container shell has been obtained. The nature and degree of influence of the shape factor and length of the container on its other geometric characteristics have been established. An algorithm for substantiating the key parameters of a container to be filled with a flexible shell has been developed using the described results.

Co-Management Effects on Forest Restoration in Protected Areas of Bangladesh: A Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Analysis

Co-management is a promising forest governance strategy that integrates local communities’ traditional rights and forest dependencies while aiming to improve forest cover and ecosystem health. Bangladesh, facing high deforestation rates and limited per capita forest area, has implemented co-management initiatives since 2003 to restore forest cover and support the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. While the socio-economic impacts of co-management are well studied, its effects on forest cover remain underexplored. This study addresses that gap by using three common spectral vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, and MSAVI), calculated from Landsat 7 data, to analyze forest cover changes in five major protected areas under co-management. The results indicated that dense forest cover (41–71%) was initially prevalent in these areas, but a significant decline occurred between 2004 and 2015, with slope values ranging from −3.7 to −0.96. In contrast, the non-co-managed control site exhibited a much smaller decline (slope: −0.48 to −0.62) across all indices. Notable increases in agricultural land and forest–agriculture mosaics were also observed in the protected areas under co-management. Global Forest Watch data further confirmed substantial forest cover loss, particularly in CWS (158.77 ha) and SNP (0.49 ha). These findings highlight the need to reassess co-management strategies to address ongoing forest degradation.

Potential Identification of Root System Architecture Using GPR for Tree Translocation as a Sustainable Forestry Task: A Case Study of the Wild Service Tree

Sustainable economic development serves society but requires taking over space, often at the expense of areas occupied by single trees or even parts of forest areas. Techniques for transplanting adult trees used in various conflict situations at the interface of economy and nature work as a tool for sustainable management of urbanized and industrial areas, as well as, in certain circumstances, forest or naturally valuable areas. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in determining the horizontal and vertical extent of tree root systems before transplantation. Employing this non-invasive method to map root system architecture aids in the appropriate equipment selection and helps define the dimensions and depth of trenches to minimize root damage during excavation. This study specifically focused on the root systems of wild service trees (Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz) found in a limestone mine area, where some specimens were planned to be transplanted, as the species is protected under law in Poland. The root systems were scanned with a ground-penetrating radar equipped with a 750 MHz antenna. Then, the root balls were dug out, and the root parameters and other dendrometric parameters were measured. The GPR survey and manual root analyses provided rich comparative graphic material. The number of the main roots detected by the GPR was comparable to those inventoried after extracting the stump. The research was carried out in problematic soil, causing non-standard deformations of the root systems. Especially in such conditions, identifying unusually arranged roots using the GPR method is valuable because it helps in a detailed planning of the transplanting process, minimizing root breakage during the activities carried out, which increases the survival chances of the transplanted tree in a new location.

Моделирование теплового режима дорожной одежды и земляного полотна лесовозных дорог

Soil freezing is observed throughout almost the entire forested area of the Russian Federarion in winter. The effect of negative temperatures on dusty-clay soils causes a number of adverse processes that change the properties of the soils themselves. One of the most unfavorable of these processes is the accumulation of moisture in soils under the influence of the movement of the freezing front. When freezing, water-saturated clay soils increase dramatically in volume. This leads to the appearance of frost heaving in the active zone of the forest roadbed, which has an extremely adverse effect on the structure of the entire pavement and can lead to damage to the pavement with a sharp deterioration in the transport and operational qualities of forest roads. To combat frost heaving, it is necessary to study the patterns of changes in the water-thermal regime of road structures. The depth of freezing of the pavement and the roadbed is of the greatest importance for predicting frost heaving and developing measures to combat this phenomenon. The article describes the developed system for monitoring the temperature of the road structure to a depth of 3 m and the measurement results which allow us to evaluate the temperature change at different depths from the road surface and determine the freezing depth. A total of 32 sensors have been installed with a step of 10 cm. A numerical simulation of the freezing process of the pavement and the upper part of the roadbed of a forest road has been performed, with the results compared with the indicators of field observations. Good data convergence has been revealed. According to the results of experimental studies, the freezing value has been 173 cm, and according to the results of numerical simulation – 190 cm. The average error in the results of numerical simulation of the freezing process of the pavement and the upper zone of the forest roadbed has been 8–10 % compared to the experimental data.

Биологическая активность горных почв Западного Кавказа после сведения леса

A study of a set of indicators characterizing the ecological state of forest soils in the mountains of the North-Western Caucasus under broad-leaved and mixed forests has been conducted. The aim of the study has been to assess changes in the biological activity of soils of different genesis after deforestation. The objects of the study have been rendzina, gray forest and gray forest-steppe soils of forest and disturbed ecosystems of the Republic of Adugeya at altitudes from 500 to 1635 m above sea level. Logging plots of different ages (from 10 to 40 years old) after deforestation have been considered. The analyzed indicators have included: the content of total and active carbon, the activity of soil enzymes (catalase, invertase, dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase), the number of bacteria, as well as an integral index of the biological properties of the soil. The correlation of these indicators with hydrothermal conditions, density of soil structure, penetration resistance, medium reaction, hydrolytic acidity, total absorbed bases and other soil parameters has been evaluated. The level of biological activity of soils in logging areas in the low mountains of Adygea depends on the relief and the timing of restoration after deforestation. Even after several decades of restoration of woody vegetation on the slopes of 12–15° there is no complete return of biological activity to the values of Greyic Phaeozem Eutric of the background forest area. 40 years after logging, the integral index of biological properties of gray forest soil is still 17 % lower than in the control plot. The biological activity of post-forest soils can change in three main directions. On steep slopes, with severe disturbance of the soil and vegetation cover due to the operation of heavy machinery, the integral index of the biological properties of soils decreases by 25–40 % or more without a tendency to recovery. At an average level of disturbance in plots with slight slopes, after an initial decrease, the soils are restored to control values. Restorative successions with intensive development of herbaceous flora and the turf process with slight disturbance can lead to an increase in biological activity above the control values in just 2–3 years. Comprehensive biodiognostic studies using an integral index of the biological state of the soil have revealed, in general, increased stability of low-mountain terrain soils (gray forest and forest-steppe) compared to the soils of the middle mountains of Adygea (rendzina soils). The main degradation factor that reduces the biological activity of soils disturbed by logging is erosion.

Impact of urban disturbance on soil insect communities in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest biological station

Urbanization constitutes a major threat to biodiversity. Understanding its effects on insect communities is relevant because they are key elements of trophic interactions, and indicators and targets of conservation. Herein, we investigated the influence of meteorological and habitat factors on the soil entomofauna in three areas with distinct levels of urbanization at the Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Brazil. We investigated whether community structure differs among areas with different levels of urbanization, and how changes in the environment affect soil insect community composition and distribution. We systematically monitored communities for 12 months in three areas along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance, representing preserved secondary forest, disturbed forest and peridomicile areas. The results revealed that the degree of urbanization affects insect communities, with a strong effect of habitat factors, such as canopy cover, presence of flooded areas, quantity of fallen trunks and mean temperature. Insect abundance did not show significant differences among areas, while biomass was higher in disturbed forest than in preserved forest and peridomicile areas. Additionally, insect richness and diversity were higher in preserved and disturbed forests than in peridomicile areas, with no significant difference between preserved and disturbed forests. Our results can be used to enhance the understanding of the effects of urbanization on taxonomically and functionally diverse groups of insects, and to advise residents and urban planners about the consequences of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystem services in urban-sylvatic interface areas.

The Current Updates of the Progresses and the Challenges of Recognition of Customary Forests in Indonesia

Around 30 million Indonesians are forest-dependent, comprising a large portion of customary communities. For generations, customary communities managed forests using customary arrangements as the normative system. However, the state legal framework required the communities to obtain legal recognition to exercise these traditional forest rights. Over the last seven years, the state has formalized hundreds of thousands of hectares of customary forest, which was unprecedented. Some suggested that the number needed to be increased and far less than the potential customary forest areas. Therefore, this research aimed to examine the primary cause and the subsequent impacts on the low number of recognized customary forests. Relevant data were obtained for analysis from documents and direct interviews. The result showed that customary tenure on forest resources coexisted with the state arrangements. The state recognized those customary arrangements through formalization. However, the ideological and political perception and the state's interests regarding customary communities have brought obstacles to that sound policy regarding recognition. This perception and interest further raised three issues regarding the current legal framework and its implementation: complex regulation, delayed processing time, and ambiguous standards.

The application of remote sensing and geographic information system techniques for the analysis of land use and land cover changes in Wayanad district of Kerala

Mapping Land Use and Land cover Changes (LULC) and detecting changes using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques is a cost-effective way of gaining a good understanding of the land cover alteration processes caused by land use change and their effects. This study assessed the transformation of the Wayanad district landscape over a period of 23 years. LANDSAT satellite images (of 30 m resolution) encompassing the area at three epochs were classified into nine classes (coffee dominated mixed crop, built-up, evergreen forest, deciduous forest, grassland, mixed crop with built-up, paddy, tea plantation, and waterbody) using the maximum likelihood algorithm, resulting in classes for each land use. The results showed that over the past 23 years, coffee-dominated mixed crops have increased by 0.84% in 2014 and 11.84% in 2022 compared to 1999; deciduous forest area decreased 3.6% and increased 0.6% in 2014 and 2022, respectively. Tea plantations increased by 0.9% in 2014 and by 0.49% in 2022, which decreased by 0.41% compared to 2014. Built-up has increased by 6.42% and 6.02% in 2014 and 2022 respectively, and slightly decreased by 0.4% compared to 2014. Evergreen forest areas increased in 2014 by 6.68% and 2.28% in 2022 and decreased by 4.44% compared to the previous time period. Grass land areas have decreased by 6.25% and 5.33%, respectively, and mixed crops with built-up areas has decreased by 0.74% and remained the same in the last two epochs, while paddy and waterbodies have decreased by 3.4%, 15.79%, and 0.07 and 0.19%, respectively, in 2014 and 2022 of the total geographical area Keywords: Remote sensing, GIS techniques, LULC, forest cover

Impact of Indonesia's Forest Management Units on the reduction of forest loss and forest fires in Sulawesi

The establishment of Forest Management Units (Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan/ KPH) represents one of Indonesia's most significant forest governance reforms, covering the 120 million hectares of designated Forest Areas. Sharing features with the Landscape Approach, KPHs are expected to reduce deforestation and forest degradation through improved forest planning, oversight, open access avoidance, and fire prevention and response. This paper assesses the impact of KPHs on the reduction of forest loss, including forest loss due to fire, and the factors that influence this impact (e.g. KPH's primary objective, deforestation risk). We use remotely sensed data to estimate difference-in-differences models accounting for differences in baseline characteristics and multiple time periods. Our case study, Sulawesi Island, is primarily shaped by smallholder farmer land use, where KPHs can exert significant influence. We do not find evidence of an overall effect of KPHs on deforestation. However, we observe intriguing heterogeneous effects depending on the year, including significantly less deforestation in already-established KPHs during the El Niño years of 2015–16, and a notable impact on the reduction of forest loss due to fire in some early-established KPHs. These findings warrant further investigation.

New metrics for governance in the era of earth observation data: Monitoring violations after wildfires

Abstract This study uses Earth observation data to measure illegal activities and investigates possible relationships with local governments. We have collected satellite images, digital maps, and geospatial data for over a decade to detect potential illegal constructions in protected burned forest areas in Sardinia, Italy. We create a database of buildings erected in these protected areas and connect it to administrative data on local election results. First, we examine the climatic and geographical factors that contribute to wildfires. Our findings indicate that fires tend to spread more in places with higher altitudes and greater distances from urban centers. This highlights the challenges that local authorities face in monitoring and intervening in areas that are less accessible. Next, we analyze the relationship between mayoral turnover and constructions erected in protected burned forests to highlight how this phenomenon influences voters' preferences. We observe that citizens express their disapproval of these illegal activities through the ballot box. Violations in the years leading up to local elections increase the likelihood of a change in mayoral leadership within a municipality.

Forest certification and economic insights: a European perspective

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for forest certification and certified forest products in Europe. This trend is related to major worldwide challenges, such as the need to decarbonize the economy and mitigate climate change but also social and consumer demands for wider fair trade. However, whether forest certification influences economic valorization in forestry remains a question. The aim of this study is to analyze forest certification levels across Europe and identify potential relationships between the level of certification in forest areas and relevant economic indicators at country level. This study collected openly available data on total and certified forest areas, economic indicators, and environmental indicators for 28 European countries and explored the correlation between certified forest areas and economic performance in the forestry sector. Findings show that forest certification can significantly improve the economic performance of European forests. It has a more pronounced positive effect on economic incomes than on costs’ reduction. While certification costs do rise with the extent of forest area, they tend to stabilize at larger scales, suggesting that the certification process is economically sustainable and scale is relevant. Czechia and the Netherlands stand out for having the highest net values added related to forest certification, reflecting an effective economic exploration of forest resources. This study offers new perspectives to natural and social scientists, as well as to industry and policy makers, by proving contextualized data to support decision making. Additionally, it provides hints for further studies and policy guidelines on sustainable development and the impact of forest certification schemes.

Dynamic patterns and potential drivers of river water quality in a coastal city: Insights from a machine-learning-based framework and water management

River water quality continues to deteriorate under the coupled effects of climate change and human activities. Machine learning (ML) is a promising approach for analyzing water quality. Nevertheless, the spatiotemporal dynamics of river water quality and their potential mechanisms in changing environments remain incomprehensively understood through available ML-based researches. Here, we developed a ML-based framework integrating a self-organizing map (SOM) model with a random forest (RF) model. This framework was applied to simultaneously investigate the spatiotemporal patterns and potential drivers of river permanganate (CODMn), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and total phosphorus (TP) dynamics across 34 sites from 2010 to 2020 in a coastal city threatened by deteriorating water environment in southeastern China. The sites were divided into two clusters in the spatial context with different water quality conditions. The year of 2015 for NH3-N and 2018 for CODMn and TP were identified as the key turning points of water quality variations. Features including sewage discharge, population dynamics, percentage of cultivated land, and fertilizer application contributed greatly to water quality deterioration. The increase in forest vegetation reflected by percentage of forest and leaf area index may improve water quality. The ML-based modeling framework demonstrated a promising way to address the spatiotemporal dynamics of river water quality, and provided insights for water management in a coastal city with intensifying human-nature interactions.

Environmental Performance in Insurance Companies: The Role of Women

ABSTRACTThis study aims to investigate the relationship between board gender diversity and environmental performance in European insurance companies. Through an analysis of 53 insurance companies listed in 14 European countries between 2011 and 2021, the empirical analysis presents a significant and positive relationship between board gender diversity and the environmental performance of insurance companies, especially in reducing emissions and increasing environmental innovations. Furthermore, external factors such as renewable energy consumption and forest area demonstrate a significant and positive moderating role in the connection between board gender diversity and environmental performance.

Effect of Plant-derived Biofertilizers (Azolla filiculoides and Tithonia diversifolia) on Growth and Yield Parameters of Lokpa Yam (Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata) Grown on Distric Plinthic Ferralsol in the Forest Zone of Côte d'Ivoire

Aims: The study aims to assess the fertilizing potential of Azolla filiculoides and Tithonia diversifolia leaves on Lokpa (D-rotundata) yam cultivation in the forest zone of Côte d'Ivoire. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place over 9 months (April-December) in 2022 at M'Bayakoffikro in the Daloa department of central-western Côte d'Ivoire. Methodology: After clearing a soil fallow classified Distric plinthic ferralsol, microplots in randomized Fisher blocks of 2 replicates each with five treatments (Azolla filiculoides-AZ; Tithonia diversifolia with fresh biomass-TDF; Tithonia diversifolia with decomposed biomass-TDD; Azolla filiculoides + Tithonia diversifolia with fresh biomass-AZ+TDF and Azolla filiculoides + Tithonia diversifolia with decomposed biomass-AZ+TDD) and a control without fertilizer were delimited in which,10 mounds were levelled for sowing yam tuber pieces. Before sowing the tubers, the mounds were opened by hand and 0.5kg of each formulated fertilizer was ploughed in and then resealed. After 14 days of fertilization, the mounds were reopened and a single seedling was buried 20cm deep in each mound from top to bottom, followed by 300ml of water and then resealed. After germination, growth and production parameters were evaluated and the data obtained were subjected to an analysis of variance with Statistica 7.1 software at the 5% threshold. Results: The different biofertilizer formulations had a significant effect on all growth and yield parameters of lokpa yam (D-rotundata). However, the highest values for both growth and yield parameters compared with other fertilizers at all measurement times and at maturity were obtained with Azolla filiculoides combining decomposed Tithonia diversifolia leaves on the one hand and fresh Tithonia diversifolia leaves on the other. Conclusion: Improving soil productivity in forest areas by finding reliable and effective alternatives to mineral fertilizers is a necessity, and the combination of Azolla filiculoides and Tithonia diversifolia could be a good alternative for sustainable, environmentally-friendly agriculture.

Small forest patches in West Africa: mapping how they are changing to better inform their conservation

Summary In West Africa, vast areas are being deforested; the remnant forest patches provide a wealth of ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation potential, yet they are threatened by human activity. Forest patches <100 ha have not been widely catalogued before; we mapped forest loss of small forest patches outside of protected areas in the Guinean savannah and humid Guineo-Congolian bioclimatic regions of Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon between 2000 and 2022. Focusing on the dynamics of small patches, without considering the splitting process of larger patches, we quantified changes in their number and area and the rate and trend of forest loss. Small forest patches are widespread, yet their area and number have decreased, while the forest loss rate is increasing. Primary forest patches lost almost half of their area annually – twice as much as secondary forests, and this loss was especially pronounced across small patches (0.5 – 10 ha), suggesting deforestation preferentially occurs in the smallest patches of primary forest. If forest loss continues at the current rate, 14% of the total forest area mapped in this study will have disappeared by 2032, jeopardizing their potential to provide ecosystem services and emphasizing the need for measures to counter their deforestation.

Physical attributes of the soil in an area under Forage Palm management in the Agreste of Alagoas

The objective was to evaluate soil density (Ds) and penetration resistance (RP) in an experimental area with forage palm management. The study was conducted in an experimental area belonging to the Federal University of Alagoas - Arapiraca Campus. To determine the Ds, undeformed samples were collected at three points within the plot, each point with three different depths (0-10; 10-20 and 20-30 cm). To determine the PR, the impact penetrometer was used at depths of 0-60 cm. For comparison purposes, samples were collected in a native forest area. The data were submitted to analysis through the statistical program R and Tukey test at 1 and 5% probability. Ds ranged from 1.59 to 1.63 g cm-3, not differing significantly. The lowest densities were obtained in the surface layer, influenced by the contribution of organic matter and greater presence of roots. In all depths evaluated, the Ds values were lower for the native forest area. In relation to PR, the values gradually increased up to the first 20 cm of depth for most treatments, reflecting the influence that the non-soil revolution causes in the most superficial layers. Therefore, Ds did not differ significantly. The 0-10 cm layer showed the lowest Ds values. The native forest showed the lowest Ds values at all depths when compared to the managed area. PR gradually increased to the first 20 cm of depth for most of the treatments analyzed.

Simulating controlled drainage and hydrological connections in a cultivated peatland field

AbstractCultivated peatlands are increasingly regarded as hot spots due to climate change and other environmental concerns. Flexible water management, such as controlled drainage, is proposed to optimize cultivation and reduce environmental risks in peatland fields. The hydrological and environmental implications of controlled drainage depend on site‐specific variables, and it is unclear how controlled drainage should be implemented in various conditions. Simulation models are a promising approach to systemically study the field hydrology, as models can capture the complete water balance, which is difficult through experimental studies alone. We calibrated and validated the spatially distributed model FLUSH to describe the hydrology of a field block with a shallow peat cover and controlled drainage in central western Finland. The objectives were to analyze the hydrological effects of controlled drainage and detect hydrological connections between the field and an adjacent upslope forest area. The results showed how inflow from the forest can induce high observed drain discharge but impacted the block groundwater tables only in the proximity of the forest (distance <25 m). The effect of controlled drainage on groundwater tables was on average 0.15 m and seasonally varying. Controlled drainage reduced drain discharge, and the reduction was larger with the forest area included in the model. While controlled drainage effects on groundwater levels and soil moisture were insensitive to groundwater influxes from adjacent areas, the water balance impact highlights the role of hydrological connections in the hydrology of cultivated peatlands under controlled drainage.

Quantitative Evaluation of Soil Erosion in Loess Hilly Area of Western Henan Based on Sampling Approach

The terrain in the loess hilly area of western Henan is fragmented, with steep slopes and weak soil erosion resistance. The substantial soil erosion in this region results in plenty of problems, including decreased soil productivity and ecological degradation. These problems significantly hinder the social and economic development in the region. Soil conservation planning and ecological development require accurate soil erosion surveys. However, the studies of spatio-temporal patterns, evolution, and the driving force of soil erosion in this region are insufficient. Therefore, based on a multi-stage, unequal probability, systematic area sampling method and field investigation, the soil erosion of the loess hilly area of western Henan was quantitatively evaluated by the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) in 2022. The impact forces of soil erosion were analyzed by means of a geographic detector and multiple linear regression analysis, and the key driving factors of the spatio-temporal evolution of soil erosion in this region were revealed. The results were as follows. (1) The average soil erosion rate of the loess hilly area in western Henan in 2022 was 5.94 t⋅ha−1⋅a−1, with a percentage of soil erosion area of 29.10%. (2) High soil erosion rates mainly appeared in the west of Shangjie, Xingyang, and Jiyuan, which are related to the development of production and construction projects in these areas. The areas with a high percentage of soil erosion area were in the north (Xinan and Yima), west (Lushi), and southeast (Songxian and Ruyang) of the study area. Moreover, areas with the most erosion were found in forest land, cultivated land, and areas with a slope above 25°. (3) At the landscape level, the number and density of patches of all land types, except orchard land, increased significantly, and the boundary perimeter, landscape pattern segmentation, and degree of fragmentation increased. (4) The geographical detector and multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the driving forces of soil erosion are mainly topographic and climatic (slope length, elevation, precipitation, and temperature). Soil erosion was significantly influenced by the density of landscape patches. These maps and factors influencing soil erosion can serve as valuable sources of information for regional soil conservation plans and ecological environment improvements.

The influence of climatic and anthropogenic factors on the productivity of forest stands in the ecotone of the northern treeline on the Yamal peninsula

On 12 sample plots established in the ecotone of the northern forest boundary in the Khadyta-Yakha River valley on the Yamal Peninsula, time of emergence and death, as well as productivity of about 1000 Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) trees were analyzed. Over the last 140 years, there has been a sharp increase in the stocks and annual growth of stem phytomass of woody plants within the studied ecotone. Since the 1970s, the average annual growth of phytomass has been increased by 1.2–39 times, which was facilitated by a 0.9оC increase in average June–July air temperature. However, this effect is insignificant in areas of mixed open forests subjected to periodic logging.