Harvesting Practices Research Articles

Effect of Sucker Thinning and Potential Impact of Harvest and Trimming Practice on Reduction of Starch Supply in Rhizome of Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu) Cluster

Effect of Sucker Thinning and Potential Impact of Harvest and Trimming Practice on Reduction of Starch Supply in Rhizome of Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu) Cluster

Wood Harvesting Practices, Technologies and Safety Considerations in Small-Scale Private Forests in Uganda

Wood Harvesting Practices, Technologies and Safety Considerations in Small-Scale Private Forests in Uganda

Practices of Maize Handling and Nixtamalization to Reduce Fungal Toxin Exposure in Rural Guatemala

Fungal toxins in local food supplies are a critical environmental health risk to communities globally. To better characterize hypothesized toxin control points among households, we conducted household surveys across four departments (first administrative division) in Guatemala. Data gathered included maize harvesting, processing, storage, and traditional nixtamalization practices. In total, n=33 households participated in the survey and were from 4 unique departments, 17 unique municipalities, and represented 4 different languages. The results suggested that the majority of households consumed a combination of personally cultivated and purchased maize. There was significant variation in how this maize was stored, in regards to pre-processing (kernel vs whole cob), as well as storage system type. For nixtamalization, the largest differences in practices (e.g., cooking time) were based on household size while the majority of households reported practices that aligned with previously reported best practices. Lastly, all reported maize-based food products produced by households utilized the nixtamalization process except one. Current maize handling and nixtamalization practices reported by a majority of households aligned with best practices, however, with locally tailored and culturally sensitive guidance disseminated by key stakeholders, the prevalence of best practice use among households can be improved. Further community-based research on traditional farming and nixtamalization practices can improve these recommendations.

Beyond current quality indices: quantitative volatilomics unrevealed cultivar traits, harvesting practices impact, and aroma blueprint of premium quality extra-virgin olive oils

Beyond current quality indices: quantitative volatilomics unrevealed cultivar traits, harvesting practices impact, and aroma blueprint of premium quality extra-virgin olive oils

The establishment, persistence, and scaling of marine community-based natural resource management in four coastal districts in Tanzania

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) is common in most types of ecosystems that are characterized by common property practices. However, the emergence and spread of CBNRM has varied across geographies and contexts. This study explores factors that have enabled the modern emergence, persistence, and spread of marine CBNRM in four coastal districts in Tanzania. It also investigates how CBNRM—particularly local ownership and management of marine resources —is implemented and developed. It draws on a document review of the grey and scientific literature, and in-depth qualitative field work carried out in four coastal districts on mainland Tanzania. The field work involved 15 key informant interviews, 12 focus groups discussion, and participant observation, documenting the perceptions of resource users. The findings indicate that marine CBNRM – operationalized largely through local organizations called Beach Management Units (BMUs) – have strong support from local communities, but emerged, persist, and scaled largely through government and donor led initiatives. The local communities' strong desire to safeguard fisheries resources and reduce overexploitation, caused by illegal harvesting practices, promoted the quick expansion of BMUs, which in turn ensured the continuation of CBNRM. The positive experience and lessons learned from BMUs established early in the process encouraged the spread and ultimately scaling out of CBNRM. Expanding and sustaining marine CBNRM beyond its current form, which relies heavily on external support, will require innovative approaches that foster collective action, identify sustainable financing mechanisms, provide clarity in roles and responsibilities, and identify cost-effective and scalable CBNRM approaches.

Agronomic performance of cactus with different harvesting practices in the semiarid

Agronomic performance of cactus with different harvesting practices in the semiarid

Tree Species Classification by Multi-Season Collected UAV Imagery in a Mixed Cool-Temperate Mountain Forest

Effective forest management necessitates spatially explicit information about tree species composition. This information supports the safeguarding of native species, sustainable timber harvesting practices, precise mapping of wildlife habitats, and identification of invasive species. Tree species identification and geo-location by machine learning classification of UAV aerial imagery offer an alternative to tedious ground surveys. However, the timing (season) of the aerial surveys, input variables considered for classification, and the model type affect the classification accuracy. This work evaluates how the seasons and input variables considered in the species classification model affect the accuracy of species classification in a temperate broadleaf and mixed forest. Among the considered models, a Random Forest (RF) classifier demonstrated the highest performance, attaining an overall accuracy of 83.98% and a kappa coefficient of 0.80. Simultaneously using input data from summer, winter, autumn, and spring seasons improved tree species classification accuracy by 14–18% from classifications made using only single-season input data. Models that included vegetation indices, image texture, and elevation data obtained the highest accuracy. These results strengthen the case for using multi-seasonal data for species classification in temperate broadleaf and mixed forests since seasonal differences in the characteristics of species (e.g., leaf color, canopy structure) improve the ability to discern species.

The Surface Water Potentiality in Arid and Semi-Arid Basins Using GIS and HEC-HMS Modeling, Case Study: Gebel El Sibai Watershed, Red Sea

The Red Sea region is considered one of the regions that suffer most from water scarcity among the Egyptian areas. This situation reinforces the importance of maximizing the utilization of available water sources. Rainwater and flood harvesting may form a good water source if good harvesting practices are applied. Natural pastures, Bedouin communities, and wild plants may be affected by severe droughts expected due to climate change. Additional water resources are very important to enhance the resilience of the Bedouin communities to probable droughts. Five main hydrographic basins are issued from Gebel El Sibai (+1435 m), including Wadi Esel, Wadi Sharm El Bahari, Wadi Sharm El Qibli, Wadi Wizr, and Wadi Umm Gheig. Detailed investigation of morphometric parameters, runoff/rainfall relationship, and flood volume using GIS and HEC-HMS model of each basin were estimated as well as natural vegetation. This study reveals that rainfall ranges from 84 mm to 0 mm, and a storm of 84 mm (highest event) is expected to occur every 42 years with a probability of 2.4%. Quantitative morphometric analysis implies that the area has good potential for flooding, especially Wadi Sharm El Qibli and Wadi Umm Gheig, where Wadi Sharm El Bahri represents the lowest priority for flooding. The flood volume of Umm Gheig basin is the greatest: 12 million m3 at the basin outlet with a rainfall event of 15 mm. Wadi Esel is expected to collect 8.7 million m3 due to the ratio of the impervious soil and rainfall quantity, Wadi Sharm El Bahari 2.1 million m3, Wadi Sharm El Qibli 1.6 million m3, and Wadi Wizer 1.04 million m3. Seven storage dams (SD1-SD7) were proposed to enhance the utilization of the surface water potentialities of this study area.

Examining the effect of forest certification on timber harvest best management practice implementation

ABSTRACT Forest certification programs are voluntary initiatives emphasizing sustainable forestry and harvest practices. Compliance with certification standards is enforced through third-party audits. One requirement of most forest certification systems is the use of best management practices during harvesting activities. These practices are designed to mitigate potential negative outcomes of forest management and timber harvesting activities. Best management practice implementation has been found to have a variety of positive outcomes on water quality and other resources. However, information relating forest certification to implementation of best management practices and environmental outcomes on certified versus noncertified lands is scant. Here, we examine the role of third-party certification as it contributes to enhanced forest stewardship via implementation of voluntary best management practices. Our study adds to the limited body of research comparing sustainability practices and outcomes on certified vs. noncertified lands. In alignment with previous research on the topic, our study suggests that adherence to best management practices is better on certified versus noncertified forests. Our findings also suggest that for large public agency ownerships, organizationally driven factors beyond forest certification (e.g. institutional policy and trained staff) influence the use of best management practices during timber harvests.

The Devils in the Details—but So Are the Angels: Linear Density Estimates of Harpagophytum zeyheri (Devil's Claw) From the Zambezi Region, Namibia

ABSTRACTHarpagophytum zeyheri (devil's claw) tubers are manually harvested for its pharmaceutical properties (anti‐inflammatory) in the sandier regions, especially the communal areas in north‐eastern Namibia, with various authors having questioned the sustainability and viability of current harvesting practices. Although regulation in the form of a quota system is implemented, this is not based on scientifically established density estimates or sustainable harvesting quotas. There is a dearth of published data regarding density estimates for H. zeyheri from Namibia. The average linear density from the Zambezi Region (all areas; this study) is 22.4 plants/km while other estimates from Namibia for H. procumbens vary between < 1 and 2000 plants/ha. The aim of this study was to contribute to the poorly known distribution and density of H. zeyheri from the Zambezi Region where most of Namibia's resource for the export market originates from and to highlight the potential threat of not conducting scientifically based preharvest counts on sustainability of this valuable resource.

Harvest and trade of wild edible russula griseocarnosa in North Vietnam

This study examines the harvest and trade of wild edible Russula griseocarnosa in north Vietnam. Russula griseocarnosa is an edible forest mushroom, but there is no reliable information on harvesting practices and trade in this species in Vietnam. This study aims to provide ethnomycological and marketing knowledge for this mushroom. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mushroom collectors and traders over 2 years; harvest yields were obtained from local officials; and policy settings were sought from forest managers. About 85% of mushroom collectors were women of the Dao, Lo Ursula, Muong, Nung, Mong, San Chi, San Diu, and Tay ethnicities. The collecting season was bimodal, with the wet season beginning (May) and ending (September). The traders were Hoa, Kinh, Nung and Tay, and 57% were women. Fresh mushrooms sold for 9.1-10.5 US$/kg on dry days and 7.0-7.9 US$/kg on wet days. The best grade of dried product fetched 70.4-83.3 US$/kg. A number of interim policies have been established to encourage local people to protect forests and to help create a sustainable edible wild mushroom market. Our study provides the first detailed account of the role of edible wild mushrooms in northeast Vietnam, and this will inform the co-development of rural livelihood and sustainable forest management plans.

A Wind Tunnel Test for the Effect of Seed Tree Arrangement on Wake Wind Speed

Changes in canopy structures caused by harvesting and regeneration practices can significantly alter the wind environment. Therefore, it is essential to understand the wind patterns influenced by seed tree arrangements for predicting seed dispersal by winds and ensuring the success of natural regeneration. This study aimed to identify how wind speed responds to seed tree arrangement designs with differing horizontal distances, vertical positions, and free-stream wind speeds. A wind tunnel test was conducted using pine saplings for a scale model of various seed tree arrangements, and the change in wake speed was tracked. The wake’s relative wind speed averaged 71%, ranging from 3.5% to 108.5%, depending on the seed tree arrangement, distance from saplings, and vertical position. It peaked within the patch of three seed trees compared to other arrangements and at the top canopy layer. The empirical function effectively described the wind speed reduction and recovery with distance from saplings. For instance, the minimum wind speed was reached at 0.6–2.2 times the canopy height, and a wind speed reduction of over 20% of the free-stream wind speed was maintained at a 1.6–7.6 canopy height. A negative relationship between the seed tree leaf area and the relative wind speed was observed only at the top canopy layer. This study presents empirical evidence on the patterns of wake winds induced by different types of heterogeneous canopy structures.

A 10-year (2014-2023) review of complementary food development in sub-Saharan Africa and the impact on child health.

Complementary foods (CFs) commonly consumed by infants and young children (IYC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are processed using either single or multi-grain ingredients through simple technologies such as fermentation, malting and roasting. Interestingly, CFs (e.g., ogi, kunu, and dabo) are prepared and fed to infants alongside breastmilk until they are completely weaned up to the infant's second birthday. The grains used for preparing CFs can be contaminated with bacterial and chemical contaminants as a result of poor harvesting, handling or storage practices. The stage at which IYC are introduced to CFs is of utmost importance as it aids in addressing malnutrition and improving their overall health and well-being. Complementary feeding practices across SSA are influenced by socio-economic, cultural and geographical factors such that improper introduction can result in dire health consequences including immune suppression, severe foodborne diseases, poor child growth and development, and sometimes death from malnutrition. Malnutrition often occurs from inadequacies of nutrient intakes and assimilation which affect the ability to maintain normal body functions such as growth, learning abilities, resistance to and recovery from diseases. In SSA, IYC malnutrition still poses an enormous concern, therefore indicating the need for intervention strategies such as the promotion of indigenous crops and elevating traditional knowledge and technologies for formulating CFs. This paper clearly highlights the diversity of CFs in SSA, ingredients utilized, processing techniques, contamination by bacteria and chemicals, and demonstrates the consequences of consuming contaminated CFs, and their influence on IYC health as well as approaches to ensuring safety and scaling up indigenous CFs.

Frankincense: Art and Science of Resin

Abstract: Frankincense, derived from the resin of Boswellia species, has been valued for millennia across diverse cultures for its aromatic, medicinal, and economic significance. This review provides an in-depth analysis of frankincense, encompassing its historical development, geographical distribution, and trade dynamics. The paper examines the economic aspects of frankincense production, including its impact on local economies and global markets. Detailed attention is given to the plantation and harvesting practices, production statistics, and the chemical composition of frankincense. Various types and colours of frankincense are discussed, along with quality assessment criteria. The review explores the diverse properties and applications of frankincense products, including their benefits and potential side effects. Additionally, it addresses sustainable harvesting practices, conservation efforts, and regulatory considerations. The paper concludes with a summary of recent scientific research, current challenges in the industry, and future directions for exploration and improvement.

Disruption of natural disturbance regime decouples habitat and life stage in a keystone species

AbstractAnthropogenic disturbance of stream ecosystems, often chronic in nature, has been studied extensively. However, when disturbance is driven by more than one resource policy over many decades, feedback between habitat evolution and biological adaptation can be disrupted and ecological function affected in unforeseen ways. We analyzed over 100 years of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) length frequency trends associated with fisheries management and changes in available spawning substrate (habitat) linked to flow regulation in a highly altered California river. Over time, salmon lengths generally decreased, fluctuating with exploitation (ocean harvest) and hatchery production rates. Female size reduction, coupled with a degrading and coarsening channel, and perching peripheral habitat related to past mining activity, indicates available spawning substrate may be too large to support the current salmon population. Assuming a salmon can move material ~10% of her body length, length frequency data and current substrate size distribution suggest that increasing salmon sizes to historic distributions could increase available spawning habitat by as much as 13%. Alternatively, decreasing spawning substrate size could support a greater portion of the current population. To test the latter hypothesis and inform future management actions, we monitored two spawning riffles where large and small gravel was placed on top of a cobble. We observed an immediate spawning activity increase that was more pronounced where smaller gravel was deposited. Following a decade of habitat decline, the two sites were both replenished with medium gravel. Elevated spawning use occurred immediately at both sites, commensurate with this intermediate size, further supporting our hypotheses. Sediment coarsening and habitat disconnect below dams, combined with reduced salmon size, indicate the natural spawning process may be decoupled from available habitat below dams in the foreseeable future without continuous intervention. Actively managing salmon population demographics through modified hatchery and size‐selective harvest practices and developing a coarse sediment budget with size‐appropriate material for regulated anadromous rivers could produce immediate benefits for ecosystem services, including salmon populations. However, these management actions will require continued maintenance and informed socio‐ecological goals to remain successful.

Evaluating maturity indicators in stingless bee honey: The role of soluble solids over pot condition in harvesting standards

In stingless bee honey (SBH) harvesting, beekeepers often collect honey without accurately assessing its maturation stage, which can impact its physicochemical diversity. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of storage pot condition on SBH maturity by examining honey from open pots (OP) and closed pots (CP). It is commonly assumed that honey in OP is immature and honey in CP is mature. Our physicochemical analyses, including moisture content, soluble solids (°Brix), sugars, and aliphatic organic acids (AOA), tested this hypothesis. The findings revealed that 40 % of SBH samples from OP were mature, challenging the initial assumption. Furthermore, AOA analysis showed that gluconic, acetic, and lactic acids are predominant in SBH, but no direct correlation between AOA concentration and honey maturity was observed. Based on these results, we conclude that OP and CP are not reliable indicators of SBH maturity. This was a preliminary study, providing results that can be further investigated through the validation of the applied methodology and with a larger number of samples. Nevertheless, this study is an important step towards standardizing SBH and assisting producers during the harvest, ultimately optimizing the collection process. To standardize SBH maturity, we recommend using °Brix values, with values above 55 suggesting mature honey with a moisture content below 40 g 100 g⁻¹. Implementing °Brix measurements can improve harvesting practices, enhance honey quality, reduce bee stress, and increase both honey production and market availability.

Evaluation of rabi season sesame productivity from graded nutrient doses and tillage regimes in rice fallows of southern plateau and hills region of the Indian sub-continent.

Only scattered information is available on the tillage and nutrient management information for the sesame crop following rice in the literature. Sesame as an edible oil yielding crop with high levels of unsaturated fatty acids has high international demand due to superior health benefits. Being a small seeded crop, it requires standard tillage and nutrient management to obtain optimum productivity under rice fallow ecologies. As a sequential crop after rice harvest, the tillage and nutrient management practices followed for the preceding rice have astounding effects on the succeeding sesame crop. To better understand and manipulate the agro ecology in the rice fallow culture, it is necessary to study the behaviour of sesame cultivars, in relation to the tillage requirements and macro nutrient factors that have a bearing on the productivity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the productivity of rice fallow sesame in the southern plateau and hills regions of the Indian sub-continent (Tamil Nadu) with a hypothesis that tillage and nutrient management would immensely benefit the sesame crop. Field experiments were conducted at TNAU, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduturai, Tamil Nadu during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 with tillage practices (reduced tillage, conventional tillage and zero tillage) and fertilizer doses (zero percent RDF, 25% RDF, 50% RDF, 75% RDF and 100% RDF) in a split plot design replicated thrice. The results have clearly indicated that the performance of rice fallow sesame was poor under zero till conditions as the sesame crop is poorly adapted leading to a yield penalty up to 68%. A total of 75% RDF has yielded statistically similar yield to that of 100% RDF to the rice fallow sesame. Further, neither the oil content nor the fatty acid composition was modified by tillage and nutrient management regimes.

Should we value rain harvesting more in Türkiye for mitigating precipitation extremes

Mitigating precipitation extremes is a major issue due to destructive global warming and climate change. Heavy rainfall and drought have posed a threat to human life and ecology. That said, new strategies and new action plans are needed at local and global levels through needed cooperation from different stakeholders to handle the possible risks associated with precipitation extremes. Turkey has become one of the most vulnerable countries involved in climate change due to its geographical location, rapid urbanization, and deforestation. Many forests have been destroyed to make room for agriculture, animal grazing as well as for manufacturing and construction. The impact has caused complications in landscapes. Precipitation extremes, such as heavy rainfalls and drought, are posing significant threats for many cities in Turkey. In recent years Turkey has faced a large number of extreme events regarding precipitation. In this line, the present study aims to explore the potential benefits of rainwater harvesting (RHH) in mitigating precipitation extremes by overviewing regulatory actions of rainwater harvesting and best practices worldwide. In addition an interview-based survey was conducted with domain experts in the water management field to better understand the current challenges of stormwater management in Turkey and discuss the role of rainwater harvesting against precipitation extremes. The results of the study have shown that Turkey has several problems with infrastructure to mitigate precipitation extremes, such as shortcomings in capacity and old water management systems, unseparated water collection and sewage systems, and lack of green infrastructure. In addition to urbanization, expansion in industry and tourism may cause water unavailability. The study has also indicated that many authorities around the globe try to boost RWH use by stipulating or encouraging RWH through incentives to save a large amount of water by implementing different projects. This research has argued that RWH promises several benefits thanks to its cost-effectiveness and contribution to water storage. Therefore, this study has recommended that policymakers should take immediate action against precipitation extremes by introducing new regulations, such as mandating rainwater harvesting for old buildings, industrial and touristic places. Preparing new guidelines and applying rooftop RWH systems that comply with Building Code requirements should also be considered for the widespread use of rainwater in rural and urban areas.

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ НАСЕЛЕНИЕМ ЯКУТИИ КРИОГЕННЫХ РЕСУРСОВ ДЛЯ ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ ПИТЬЕВОЙ ВОДЫ: ЗНАЧЕНИЕ, ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЗАГОТОВКИ И ХРАНЕНИЯ НА СОВРЕМЕННОМ ЭТАПЕ

The article examines the modern practices of the use of snow and ice by the population of Yakutia to obtain drinking water. Basing on field materials, archival documents and data from ethnoblogosphere, the author reconstructs the evolution of this way of using cryogenic resources, identifies its current scale and traces the mechanisms of harvesting and organizing the storage of ice used nowadays. The article emphasizes the significant role of ice in providing the population of Yakutia with drinking water at present, noting the importance of technological development for the relevance of ice harvesting and storage practices and their optimization.

Impact of silvicultural practices on the genetic variations between sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stands in the Northern Forest, U.S.A

Tree harvesting practices that enhance genetic diversity are essential for the long-term sustainability of our forests. Using eSSRs, which are markers within expressed genes and thus, potentially subjected to natural selection and reveal adaptive potential, this study examines the effects of selection (SE) and shelterwood (SW) management systems using unmanaged (UM) stands as reference on the genetic diversity of sugar maples in the Northern Forest, USA. Comparison between management types shows no difference between SE and SW, but compared to UM, both have lower allelic richness (AR) while only SE has lower expected heterozygosity (HE). Size class comparison shows that seedlings have higher AR and HE than poles and mature trees. Two-way interactions between management types, size classes, and study stands from each of the four states that comprise the Northern Forest region (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York) were also examined. Results show that seedlings in UM and SW have higher AR compared to all size classes in SE and poles and mature trees in SW, while only seedlings from SW have higher HE compared to poles and mature trees in SE and SW. Only in Maine was there a difference in AR between SW and SE stands per state. Seedlings in New Hampshire and Maine have higher HE, as well as seedlings and mature trees in New York compared to the poles in New Hampshire and mature trees in Maine. Overall, the results indicate genetic erosion in sugar maple stands in the Northern Forest region. This genetic impact may be due to several factors including the intensity of cutting associated with SE and SW systems and size of the canopy gaps created. Higher seedling genetic diversity in SW compared to SE may be due to their more open stand structure that facilitates gene flow and seedling recruitment. When using SE, longer cutting cycle paired with lower level of residual basal area is recommended. This approach allows for a more open stand structure that could facilitate pollen and seed exchanges from the stands, improving their genetic diversity. In both SE and SW systems, leaving high-quality growing stocks will enhance their genetic diversity and ensure their sustainability. This study increases our awareness of the potential genetic impacts of forest harvesting practices and guides the development of recommendations to alleviate genetic erosion in sugar maple stands.