Forestry Production Research Articles

Super-amphiphobic arabic gum-based coatings on textile for on-demand oily and dye wastewater treatment

Different membrane materials have broadly been constructed for oil-containing water separation, but most of preparation routes involve corrosive or toxic chemicals and especially many materials have only single superwetting property. Herein, a novel and eco-friendly cellulose-based textile membrane is developed by incorporating the composite coating consisting of arabic gum (AG), attapulgite (APT), and iron (Fe) onto cellulose textiles. The functionalized textile is superoleophobic underwater and superhydrophobic underoil. As a result, the textile prewetted with water or oil can be employed to separate light oil layer/water and heavy oil layer/water mixtures, respectively, and the separation efficiency to the two types of mixtures is larger than 98.3 %. Results also reveal that the decorated textile possesses superior stability and recyclability in purifying oily wastewater. More importantly, such coated textile is capable of filtrating water-soluble contaminants (dyes) from polluted water. Due to the versatility and environmental compatibility of product as well as the accessibility as agricultural and forestry product as raw materials, the advanced textiles may offer effective solutions to oily wastewater purification and water-soluble contaminant removal.

The water–energy–food–land–climate nexus: Policy coherence for sustainable resource management in Sweden

AbstractThe concept of a ‘nexus’ across issues regarding the management of natural resources has gained increasing academic attention in recent years, but there is still relatively limited research on the application of the nexus approach for evaluating policies. This study analyses coherence among the main goals of five policy areas (water, energy, food, land, and climate) in Sweden, drawing upon a desk review, expert assessment, and interaction with stakeholders. The main objective is to enhance understanding of opportunities and challenges posed by such a nexus, understand policy interactions in Sweden, and provide insights into the use of policy coherence analysis as an integral part of resource nexus assessments. The analysis reveals synergies and conflicts between policy goals. For example, Sweden's environmental quality objectives (EQOs) regarding land and all the goals regarding water are either synergistic or neutral. Likewise, climate policy goals are well aligned with the goals regarding energy and ground water quality. On the other hand, the key goal for agriculture, which is food production, is the least coherent with those of the other policy areas. There are conflicts between the EQOs and goals regarding agricultural and forestry production. Stakeholders also indicate that climate goals are treated with higher priority than the goals of other policy areas. Notably, some interactions between policy goals are synergistic or conflicting depending on the context or their interpretation. Implementation of existing goals depends on relevant stakeholders' interests, priorities and interpretations, and on existing prevailing discourses in society, often supported by higher level policies.

Correlating Eucalyptus leaf metabolomics with preference of the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus.

Eucalyptus species are among the most planted trees in forestry production, an ever-increasing commercial activity worldwide. Forestry expansion demands a continuous search for preventive and sanitary measures against pests and diseases. Massive application of phytosanitary products is incompatible with the forestry sector, so forest health management must be based on other principles. In this context, studies on insect plant relationships mediated by plant metabolites may contribute information relevant to plant resistance and genotype selection. In this study, we analyzed the leaf metabolome of four Eucalyptus species commonly planted in southern South America, to correlate this chemical information with feeding preference of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae), an important pest of eucalypt plantations. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analyses were performed on polar and non-polar leaf extracts from Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus robusta, and Eucalyptus tereticornis (Myrtaceae). Feeding preferences were assessed in two-choice laboratory bioassays resulting in a preference gradient of the four plant species. Moreover, a performance bioassay where we contrasted survival and development time between the most and least preferred plants, showed a clear correlation with preference both in survival and developmental time of the most susceptible nymph instar. We found that species with high or low feeding preferences differ significantly in several foliar metabolites, which may be acting as feeding stimulants or deterrents for T. peregrinus. These findings may provide useful criteria for choosing Eucalyptus genotypes when planting in bronze bug infested areas.

A Comprehensive Model Assessment of China’s Forestry and Climate Change

The relationship between maximizing forest revenue and reducing environmental pollution has been a challenging one. It is every country’s responsibility to protect its forest reserves and mitigate climate change. Studies on the relationship between forest economic models and climate change are limited, and most of them focus on maximizing forestry products. This study aims at filling the gaps and makes scientific contributions by providing a detailed account of various economic models and their correlations with climate change, as well as identifying the ecological footprint of forest products, fossil fuel consumption, forest cover, foreign direct investment, economic growth, and population in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In this study, we observed that most forest economic models focus on forest profit maximization and disregard climate impact. The empirical results suggest that the ecological footprint of forest products increases CO2 emissions. In addition, forest cover helps to reduce CO2 emissions. A case study of China’s tremendous growth and the associated CO2 emissions levels reported a recent decrease in such levels, largely due to an increase in forest cover. Although these findings are not exhaustive, they provide new insights into forestry economic models and the impact of climate change, offering theoretical and practical implications for future reference and forest governance.

Characterization of the physiological, histopathological, and gene expression alterations in Spodoptera frugiperda larval midguts affected by toosendanin exposure

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a polyphagous pest worldwide and feeds on many grain and cash crops, which threatens the safety of agriculture and forestry production. Toosendanin (TSN) is a commercial insecticidal active ingredient used to manage various pests in the field and showed adverse effects against S. frugiperda, while the effects of TSN on the larval midguts are not yet known. In this study, the effects of 10 and 20 mg/kg TSN exposures on the larval midguts were analyzed. The structural changes of the larval midgut induced by TSN treatments were also determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Besides, TSN treatments also changed the enzyme activities of three digestive enzymes (α-amylase, lipase, and trypsin) and two detoxification enzymes (CarE and GST). A total of 2868 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by RNA-Seq in the larval midguts with 20 mg/kg TSN treatment, and the DEGs responsible for food digestion and detoxification were further examined. Our findings revealed the preliminary modes of action of TSN on the larval midguts of S. frugiperda, which provide a preliminary rationale for controlling S. frugiperda with TSN in the field.

The effect of innovation on competitive advantage and SMEs performance in Vietnam: the moderating role of customer orientation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find out how absorptive capacity (AC), leadership capacity (LC) and government support (GS) affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) innovation (product innovation [PDI], process innovation [PCI] and distribution channel innovation [DCI]), taking into consideration the role of innovation (PDI, PCI and DCI) on competitive advantage and SMEs performance and the moderating role of customer orientation (CO). Design/methodology/approach This study gives a theoretical model tested using structural equation modeling. The information used to test the hypotheses came from interviews with the top managers of Vietnam’s SMEs. The 633 survey respondents from the southern part of Vietnam were chosen for the study. The goal of the 47-item questionnaire is to look at how all variables relate to each other. Findings The results show that a firm’s LC has the most significant impact on innovation, followed by its AC and GS. According to the study, DCI does not lead to competitive advantage but improves SMEs’ performance. In addition, the study’s findings indicate that CO moderates the relationship between PDI – SMEs performance and DCI – SMEs performance. Research limitations/implications The classification of only three types of innovation (PDI, PCI and DCI) restricted the applicability of the research to other kinds of innovation in SMEs. Second, only AC, LC and GS are identified in this study as external factors that influence business innovation. In this study, the authors have not studied different business industries; the authors recommend that the research in the back on SMEs should investigate their classification into distinct industry groups, including agricultural, forestry and marine products; industry and construction; and commerce and services. Practical implications This study shows the importance of innovation senior management for innovation in SMEs. This study found that innovation, especially continuous innovation, increased competitive advantage and SMEs performance. Companies that wish to innovate must have access to external resources and support. Moreover, enterprises must comprehend their consumers’ wants to achieve innovation and better SMEs’ performance. Social implications This research significantly contributes to enterprise innovation and operational efficiency for the sustainable development of SMEs in Vietnam. It is expected to enhance employment opportunities, maintain social stability and expand Vietnam’s gross domestic product. Originality/value This study contributes to the growing knowledge of the indirect and direct effects, the mediating function of innovation (PDI, PCI and DCI) on competitive advantage and SMEs performance and the moderating effect of CO.

Nature-Based Solutions for Disaster Reduction and Improving Ecosystem Services in the Hutoubi Watershed, Taiwan

The Hutoubi Reservoir and its mainstream, Huyuan Stream, in the southern mountainous region of Taiwan, have experienced riverbed sedimentation and flood disasters for the past 150 years. In addition to climate change, it is necessary to scientifically consider its regulation for the next hundred years. This study adopted a collaborative approach, involving industry, government, and academia, using Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to enhance ecosystem services. The solution layout is constructed by widening the channel and constructing additional farm ponds and wetlands. An hydraulic simulation indicated that flood control was addressed. The restoration project would create diverse aquatic habitats by simulating and evaluating the distribution of ecological biotopes, using porous materials as revetments. It provided urban residents with forest leisure and recreational sites and supported the local agricultural and forestry products. The restoration has propagated local culture and created environmental and professional education. Therefore, ecological services are enhanced regarding regulation, support, provision, and culture. This pilot study, led by researchers, aimed to promote comprehensive management concepts considering all stakeholders and their active participation. We integrated NbS into the watershed and its river system as a pathway for facing the challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change and improving ecosystem services.

Input–Output Analysis of China’s Forest Industry Chain

The goal of this article is to conduct a detailed study of China’s forestry industry chain and determine the effect it has on the national economy. Based on the 2018 China Input–Output Table (153 departments) and other relevant data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, as well as the input–output method established by Wassily Leontief, this article conducts a comprehensive and detailed analysis of China’s forest industry chain and its impact on the national economy. The results show that the backward industrial chain of China’s forestry industry involves 105 industrial departments. China’s forestry sector purchases the most products from the tertiary industry, accounting for 56.05% of all forestry purchases. The products of the tertiary industry have a significant impact on forestry. The forward industry chain of China’s forestry involves 131 industrial sectors, with China’s forestry selling the most products to the secondary industry, accounting for 93.47% of all forestry sales. The forestry sensitivity coefficient is 0.767 and the influence coefficient is 0.65. The secondary industry has a significant impact on the sales of forestry products. The impact of the forward industry chain is greater than that of the backward industry chain and the impact of forestry on the national economy is quite large. Suggestions about how to expand the planting area and production scale of domestic economic forests were put forward. An increase in the added value of exported forestry products, improved service quality of the tertiary industry to forestry, and improved quality and quantity of products provided by forestry to the secondary industry are necessary.

Candidate Plus Tree Selection of Buchanania lanzan Tree in Central Region of Chhattisgarh

Candidate plus tree selection is considered as an important and preliminary step in tree improvement program of a particular species. Plus tree selection is the first step to improve production and quality in forestry. In present study, 85 candidates plus trees of chironji showing good phenotype have been selected from different places covering three districts of central Chhattisgarh region viz., Mahasamund, Gariyabandh and Kabirdham following comparison tree method.The tree height, DBH, clear bole height and average crown diameter varied from 6.5 m-16.5 m, 10.50 cm-40.42 cm, 1.2 m-4.0 m and 2.1m-6.8 m respectively. The highest tree height found for CPT 2 as 16.5 m in Komakhan village, Mahasamund district. The highest tree diameter at breast height (DBH) was found (CPT 2) 40.42 cm in BK Bahra village, Mahasamund district. The highest average crown diameter found was observed for CPT 14 and CPT 20 as 6.8 m in Neyur village Kabirdham district.

Peculiarities of reproduction and dynamics of forests in the Southern Cis-Urals

The article presents statistical data on the dynamics of the forest fund of the Orenburg region. The study of changes in the state of the forest fund, its dynamics is the main means of forestry production, which is of great ecological importance with the possibility of developing rational forms of management in them. The natural and climatic conditions of the Southern Cis-Urals have a direct impact on the formation of forest ecosystems, which are the ecological framework of steppe landscapes. The study showed that during the analyzed period (2016-2019) the area of young stands decreased, and the stable growth of areas of mature and overmature plantations continues. The change in the age structure of the forest fund during the study period is relatively stable, but does not correspond to the optimal “normal forest” model. The factors that contribute to the reduction of the production potential of the forests of the Southern Cis-Urals under the conditions of unfavorable natural and climatic changes have been identified. One of the vectors for the conservation of existing forest resources is to maintain a balance between retired and restored forest areas, the main condition for the stabilization of which is the implementation of comprehensive reforestation and monitoring observations of forest pest and disease outbreaks. The reduction in the area of arrival of forest plantations, in the near future, will change the direction of stabilization of the age structure of forests.

Exploring the path of development of international trade of agricultural products in the context of digitalization

Abstract Agriculture is the foundation of the national economy, and Chinese agriculture in the digital background should realize the intelligent management of agricultural production To improve the efficiency of international trade of Chinese agricultural products and help Chinese agricultural products occupy a larger share in the international market, this paper takes the clustering algorithm and agricultural IoT technology as the research method applies the improved spectral clustering algorithm for processing agricultural data to extract research data and perform data correction, simulates and evaluates the performance of the algorithm through agricultural IoT data pooling and simulation analysis, and uses the chance routing performance index as the main judgment The variance results are derived from the criteria. The data show that the production of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery has developed qualitatively in the digital background, and the total output value reached 122,874.96 billion yuan in 2021, and the total grain production reached 73,000,000 tons in 2021, with obvious export advantages. The export value of agricultural products has grown from $48.98 billion in 2010 to $85.06 billion in 2021, and the export value of China’s agricultural products exceeded $70 billion in 2014, making China’s international trade in agricultural products fruitful. Based on this, this paper explores the multifaceted achievements and future development path of international trade in agricultural products in the context of digitalization, intending to contribute its share to China’s international trade in agricultural products.

Біотопи існування та живлення зубра в Національному природному парку Цуманська Пуща (Україна)

The conservation and restoration of the bison (Bison bonasus L.) is one of the fundamental issues of international importance in the Tsumanska Pushcha National Nature Park, Ukraine. The distribution of bison in the territory of the park and adjacent areas is associated with the specific requirements of the species regarding food and protective properties of the terrain. In spring, with the beginning of the growing season, the grass cover is thin and the amount of food is insufficient, so bison prefer swampy biotopes. In March–April, birch–alder and aspen–birch–alder stands provide optimal feeding conditions for the animals. Within the territory of spring distribution of bison, the biotopes they inhabit are represented by wet and fairly fertile sites (types C3 and C4,), as well as moist and fairly infertile pine site (type B3). Biotopes these animals inhabit during the spring–summer period (March–August) cover an area of about 1640 hectares, of which 350 hectares are within the national park, and the rest are part of the territory of the Muravyschensky and Sokyrychivsk forests of the Kivertsi Forestry State Enterprise. The territory of the forest districts is characterised by a mosaic structure of stands, alternating areas of broad-leaved and coniferous species, wetlands and grass glades with good feeding conditions for the animals. The animals have adapted to almost all types of forest biotopes. During the entire growing season, the trophic activity of bison is particulary high in pastures, forest clearings, and swampy meadows adjacent to woodlands. The main bison biotopes are located at a large distance from human settlements and characterised by poorly developed road network, low level of disturbance, and favourable living conditions. The current size of the bison population in the national park is 21 individuals, and the presence of calves and young animals is a sign of favourable conditions and positive population dynamics that may lead to further increase in the future. In order to minimise the impact of negative factors, relevant measures should be implemented to maintain the stability of the subpopulation, to protect the habitats of the animals, and to conduct active educational and informational activities in the park. The technologies of forest felling, harvesting of minor forestry products, and other forestry works must include elements aimed at preventing negative effects on bison.

Technology evaluation for biogas production from animal waste in circular carbon economy: A complex spherical fuzzy set-based decision-making framework

The transition to move towards a circular carbon economy needs for using suitable technologies for clean energy as low-carbon energy like biogas-based energy production, and ensures the growth of a low-carbon economy with regard to environmentally responsible activity in the rural region. The feedstocks of biogas to produce electricity are kindly forestry products, agricultural residues, and animal waste. The biogas production from chicken manure (as animal waste) in the southwest of Iran is taken into consideration. Policies of resilience, sustainability, circularity, and technology assessment are taken into account as assessment principles. For choosing an appropriate biogas production technology, a novel model namely complex spherical fuzzy set (CSFS)-based TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) is used. It involves four technologies and the ranking of technologies from the most to least is: Pragati technology, Deenbandhu technology, Janata technology, and Khadi and village industries commission (KVIC) technology.

The natural regeneration characteristics in oak forests following different methods of clearcutting

An important task for Ukrainian foresters is to adapt forests to climate change and ensure sustainable forest management. One key measure for achieving this goal is the natural regeneration of tree species, which contributes to the biological resilience of forest stands. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of different methods of main use fellings on the natural regeneration process of tree species in oak forests. The study was conducted within the territory of the Stradch Forestry Educational and Production Complex of the Ukrainian National Forestry University. Data on the quantity and height of oak seedlings and saplings, and other tree species, were collected through observation after various methods of main use fellings were applied in oak forests. An analytical method was applied to detect patterns and differences in quantitative and qualitative indicators of young trees of different species in sample plots. Statistical data analysis was employed to establish relationships and draw conclusions based on numerical data. Different success rates of natural regeneration of tree species were identified on plots subjected to various methods of main use fellings. Positive dynamics in the quantity of seedlings and saplings were observed due to first intervention of the uniform shelterwood felling, ranging from unsatisfactory to good levels. It is recognised that the distribution of seedlings and saplings of all tree species was uneven across the area. Hornbeam has the highest frequency of occurrence – 75.6%. Tree species like Scots pine, European birch, and goat willow exhibited occurrence frequencies ranging from 30.8% to 39.7%. In general, in all the studied areas, the undergrowth of tree species was dominated by a small fraction up to 20 cm of height. To ensure the prevalence of pedunculate oak in naturally formed young stands, silvicultural care for its saplings is necessary on all plots. The obtained results provide a basis for developing scientifically grounded forest management measures aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of valuable tree species’ saplings, particularly pedunculate oak

Methods of energy production from biomass

Biomass, in addition to being used for heating purposes in households, is increasingly used for the production of electricity, as well as liquid fuels for motor vehicles. Similar to other renewable resources, the analysis of the possibility of using biomass (theoretical, technical and economic potential) should include a systematic analysis of available potentials and technologies, as well as economic parameters related to its price (biomass as raw material), the price of energy obtained from biomass (effectiveness of applied technology of transformation of primary into useful form of energy) and competitiveness in relation to other energy sources (static and dynamic economic-financial parameters). As there are different techniques and methodologies for estimating the potential of biomass, it is possible to significantly deviate from the obtained results in the estimated quantities, so it is necessary to further analyze the acceptability of the error in the assessment. The biggest obstacle in the use of biomass as an energy source for industrial purposes for energy production is the lack of a fuel cycle of a chaos system of processes, technologies and equipment that allow fuel from its natural state (primary form of fuel) to be prepared and brought into a usable state (usable forms of energy). The process of formation and development of the fuel cycle for biomass is further complicated by the diversity of forms and properties of biomass, its wide distribution and low energy concentration, as well as its seasonal character. The potential of biomass in the territory of Republic of Srpska comes from various production activities (residues from field, fruit, vineyard, livestock and forestry production, as well as municipal waste). Farming and animal husbandry have a long tradition among farmers in the Republic of Srpska, as well as fruit, vineyard and forestry production. The structure and quantities of communal waste depend on housing density, economic and communal activities, cultural habits and social environment. Biomass as an energy source is available in the form of waste from forestry and wood processing (waste wood from forestry, sawdust, bark, construction waste, wood packaging, plant residues from fruit production, plant residues from agricultural production - straw, corn, etc.), plantation of energy crops (energy cereals, fast-growing energy tree plantations, sugar-rich plants, oilseeds, etc.), as well as organic waste. The process of conversion of biomass into energy is most often observed from the thermal, i.e., thermo-chemical, biological or physic-chemical process. Within this chapter, an overview of the state and directions of development of technologies for the conversion of biomass as an energy source into a useful form of energy (primarily into electricity and heat) is given. Each method of energy production used, including methods that use biomass as fuel, has its advantages and disadvantages. Special emphasis was given to overcoming significant shortcomings in the use of biomass as an energy resource, as well as its impact on covering the total consumption of electricity and heat and technological steam in industrial plants, as well as consumption as biofuels in transport technology. A special segment is given to the impact of biomass as an energy source on environmental protection, as well as on the conditions that need to be provided in order to achieve CO2 neutrality. Also, the sustainability of each of the methods for the transformation of biomass into a useful form of energy was analyzed.

Agroclimatic zoning for eucalyptus in the southern mesoregion of Bahia State, Brazil

Forestry promotion is one of the approaches to forestry production with an increasing tendency in Brazil. The objective of this work was to present an agroclimatic zoning (AGZ), based on environmental conditions necessary for the planting of four species of eucalyptus in the southern mesoregion of Bahia State, Brazil, on a surface of 54,642.35 km². AGZ was proposed for Eucalyptus grandis Hill, E. urophylla, E. camaldulensis and Eucalyptus urograndis (E. grandis X E. urophylla), using geographic information systems for crossing spatial variables of temperature, precipitation, water deficit, evapotranspiration, soils, altitude, slope, conservation units and land use. The region showed planting aptitude of 27.93, 11.87, 3.74 and 1.70%, for E. grandis, E. urophylla, E. camaldulensis and Eucalyptus urograndis, respectively. The AGZ is an important alternative to minimize, in the long term, the negative effects of a monoculture with a high rate of transpiration that could compromise environmental sustainability and reduce water availability in a region.

Microbial Diversity and Enzyme Activity as Indicators of Permethrin-Exposed Soil Health.

Owing to their wide range of applications in the control of ticks and insects in horticulture, forestry, agriculture and food production, pyrethroids pose a significant threat to the environment, including a risk to human health. Hence, it is extremely important to gain a sound understanding of the response of plants and changes in the soil microbiome induced by permethrin. The purpose of this study has been to show the diversity of microorganisms, activity of soil enzymes and growth of Zea mays following the application of permethrin. This article presents the results of the identification of microorganisms with the NGS sequencing method, and of isolated colonies of microorganisms on selective microbiological substrates. Furthermore, the activity of several soil enzymes, such as dehydrogenases (Deh), urease (Ure), catalase (Cat), acid phosphatase (Pac), alkaline phosphatase (Pal), β-glucosidase (Glu) and arylsulfatase (Aryl), as well as the growth of Zea mays and its greenness indicators (SPAD), after 60 days of growth following the application of permethrin, were presented. The research results indicate that permethrin does not have a negative effect on the growth of plants. The metagenomic studies showed that the application of permethrin increases the abundance of Proteobacteria, but decreases the counts of Actinobacteria and Ascomycota. The application of permethrin raised to the highest degree the abundance of bacteria of the genera Cellulomonas, Kaistobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhodanobacter and fungi of the genera Penicillium, Humicola, Iodophanus, Meyerozyma. It has been determined that permethrin stimulates the multiplication of organotrophic bacteria and actinomycetes, decreases the counts of fungi and depresses the activity of all soil enzymes in unseeded soil. Zea mays is able to mitigate the effect of permethrin and can therefore be used as an effective phytoremediation plant.

Zoning Prediction and Mapping of Three-Dimensional Forest Soil Organic Carbon: A Case Study of Subtropical Forests in Southern China

Accurate soil organic carbon (SOC) maps are helpful for guiding forestry production and management. Different ecological landscape areas within a large region may have different soil–landscape relationships, so models specifically for these areas may capture these relationships more accurately than the global model for the entire study area. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of zonal modelling in predicting forest SOC and to produce highly accurate forest SOC distribution maps. The prediction objects were SOC at five soil depths (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm). First, the forest type map and soil texture class map were used to divide the relative homogeneous regions in Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province, China. Second, seven terrain variables derived from a 12.5-m digital elevation model (DEM) and five vegetation variables generated from 10-m Sentinel-2 remote sensing images were used as predictors to develop regional artificial neural network (ANN) models for each homogeneous region, as well as a global ANN model for the entire study area (1000 sample points). Finally, 10-fold cross-validation was used to assess the ANN prediction model performance, and independent validation was used to evaluate the produced forest SOC prediction maps (194 additional samples). The cross-validation results showed that the accuracies of the regional models were better than that of the global model. Independent validation results also showed that the precision (R2) of 0- to 100-cm forest SOC maps generated by forest type modelling had an improvement of 0.05–0.15, and that by soil texture class modelling had an improvement of 0.07–0.13 compared to the map generated by the global model. In conclusion, delineating relatively homogeneous regions via simple methods can improve prediction accuracy when undertaking soil predictions over large areas, especially with complex forest landscapes. In addition, SOC in the study area is generally more abundant in broadleaf forest and clay areas, with overall levels decreasing with soil depth. Accurate SOC distribution information can provide references for fertilization and planting. Plants with particularly high soil fertility requirements may perhaps be planted in broadleaf forests or clay areas, and plants with particularly developed roots may require furrow application of a small amount of SOC.

Sustainable Management of Land Resources: The Case of China’s Forestry Carbon Sink Mechanism

Compared to more developed countries, the use of land resources is less efficient in China. China’s vast forest land area gives it a rich and underutilized carbon sink. This is an important way for China to achieve the goals of “carbon peaking” and “carbon neutrality”, which is of great significance to China’s sustainable development. In the past 20 years, China has designed a series of policies to serve the development of forestry carbon sinks, namely the forestry carbon sink mechanism (FCSM). However, the questions of which policy is the most important, and what is the socio-economic value it generates, have not been fully investigated. Accordingly, this paper studied 30 provincial-level regions in China from 2005 to 2020 using the difference-in-differences (DID) model. The conclusions show that: (1) the FCSM does increase the socio-economic value of land resources, thus improving the sustainability of land resources; (2) the FCSM helps to increase forest coverage, forest stock volume and the forest coverage rate, which increases the social value of land resources from the greening path; (3) the FCSM helps to increase the gross forestry product, which increases the economic value of land resources through the path of increasing production value.

Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration associated with Integrated Crop–Livestock–Forestry (ICLF) systems

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Agriculture, Forest, and Other Land Use sector account for 23% of net global anthropogenic emissions. However, effective conservation agriculture practices can sequester carbon (C) up to 1 m in soil depth and vegetation biomass. Integrated Crop–Livestock–Forestry (ICLF) systems attempt to ensure sustainable agricultural production by combining various agricultural, livestock, and forestry production systems. This bibliographic review aims to present and discuss ICLF systems and their advantages and disadvantages compared with conventional systems, achieving a better understanding of the sources and sinks of GHGs (CH4, N2O, and CO2). Integrated systems exist in tropical and temperate climates with different practices, arrangements, designs, and modalities. Intercropping species with different root structures provides more ecological interactions that enhance biodiversity, soil quality, and C sequestration while reducing GHG emissions. Yet, ICLF systems are complex and require technical assistance and support for being implemented, besides an extensive initial investment that increases the cost of operation. A relevant carbon sink in ICLF systems is carbon from tree biomass, where the wood can be used for various purposes. Timber for sawmills and general construction has a longer C immobilization time. Methane from enteric fermentation is the greatest contributor to GHG emissions in livestock and ICLF systems. Nitrous oxide is released primarily from synthetic fertilizers (when applied), manure deposited on pastures, and the decomposition of plant residues. Carbon dioxide is emitted to a lesser extent from the application of lime and urea. Many studies do not include all compartments in the C balance and often focus on only one GHG or compartment of C. Accordingly, more studies on the sources and sinks of C and their potential to offset GHG emissions in terms of CO2 equivalent are urged.