Hillside Forest Research Articles

Evaluating the Economic Viability of Agro-Ecotourism as a Nature-Based Solution for a Climate Adaptation Strategy: A Case Study of Yuanshan Township, Taiwan

This study applied the contingent valuation method to evaluate the economic viability of climate adaptation policies in the climate-fragile Yuanshan Township (YST), Taiwan, focusing on the balance between forest conservation and local livelihoods. Traditional agriculture in YST is transitioning to agro-ecotourism, supported by leisure-oriented and hillside forest protection policies that attract visitors and cause the local economy to thrive. This research used non-market valuation methods to quantify the value of local recreational resources perceived by visitors at NTD 1002.00 per visitor. The findings indicate that visitors’ willingness to pay for these resources is significantly influenced by their intention to revisit YST, their trust in local conservation efforts, their gender, and their income. The value that visitors place on recreational resources and the aforementioned significant determinants of their willingness to pay highlight the economic potential of agro-ecotourism in supporting both environmental sustainability and community income. This study emphasizes that successful nature-based climate adaptation must consider the economic interests of resource users and local residents. Agro-ecotourism in YST is shown to be a viable policy for balancing forest conservation with societal benefits, providing a model for the sustainable management of local resources. The economic benefits from this transition underscore the feasibility of agricultural transformation for community income generation and climate resilience, demonstrating that environmental and economic goals can be mutually supportive in addressing climate change.

Environmental drivers of tree species richness in the southernmost portion of the Paranaense forests

BackgroundThe Rio de la Plata grassland region is dominated by temperate grasslands, with the scarce natural forests, influenced floristically by adjacent biogeographical provinces. Uruguay represents the southern limit for many tree species of the Paranaense Province, several of which inhabit the hillside forests. With many species shifting poleward due to climate change, we do not yet know how current environmental factors, particularly climatic ones, are linked to the tree diversity of this flora nowadays. The aim of this study is to understand the geographic pattern of tree richness in the hillside forests of Uruguay, evaluating the water–energy and the environmental heterogeneity hypotheses. The distribution of the hillside forest trees was obtained by compiling and updating the herbaria database and distribution maps of woody plants of Uruguay. The presence/absence of each species, and then the species richness, were georeferenced over a grid that covers Uruguay with 302 cells (660 km2). Over the same grid were compiled environmental variables associated with climate and environmental heterogeneity. The relationship between richness and environmental variables was studied by applying general linear models (GLM). As a strong autocorrelation was detected, a residuals auto-covariate term was incorporated into the GLM, to take into account the species richness spatial structure.ResultsThe tree flora of the hillside forest was composed mainly by Paranaense species that show a latitudinal gradient, with two high richness cores, in the east and northeast of Uruguay. The final model including the environmental variables and the spatial term explained 84% of the variability of tree richness. Species richness showed a positive relationship with precipitation, forest cover, potential evapotranspiration and productivity, while a negative effect of temperature variation was found. The spatial component was the primary predictor, accounting for a 30% of spatial pattern of tree richness.ConclusionsThis study accounts for a large proportion of the environmental and spatial variations of the tree richness pattern of the Paranense flora in its southernmost portion. It brings support to both water–energy and environmental heterogeneity hypotheses, emphasizing the role of climate and its variation and the habitat availability on the hillside forest diversity.

Applicability of DNA barcoding-based analyses on the diet of the gray brocket deer (Subulo gouazoubira) in xeric hillside forests

In this study, we explore the applicability of DNA barcoding, specifically targeting the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences, particularly the trnL (UAA) intron region, to analyze the diet of gray brocket deer. This approach offers improved taxonomic resolution and the ability to identify species with greater precision compared to traditional methods. The study was conducted in the "Reserva Natural Salus" in Uruguay, covering a range of vegetation types, where gray brocket deer coexist with other exotic ungulates. A local reference database of trnL (UAA) sequences was established, incorporating both GenBank data and sequences obtained from native species in the study area. Fecal samples were collected in summer and winter, and DNA was extracted and amplified for metabarcoding analysis in pooled samples for each season. For each sample 28,229 and 33,588 reads were obtained respectively, which together corresponded to 25 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). The species Rubus ulmifolius and Schinus engleri were the most represented in the diet with 69.6 % of the summer reads, whereas in winter, 68.7 % of the reads corresponded only to Schinus engleri. These findings indicate that gray brocket deer consume species that have higher nutritional value, which may be linked to their capacity to thrive in young and productive ecosystems. This study demonstrates the feasibility of DNA barcoding for dietary analysis in gray brocket deer and provides valuable insights into their food habits in the "Reserva Natural Salus". Further improvements to increase the reference databases of native species and the exploration of additional genetic markers are recommended for enhanced species-level discrimination in dietary analysis studies. This methodology is promising for future research as diet studies have an impact on species management, habitat conservation and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Cohabitation Study of Tricolour Langur (Presbytis chrysomelas ssp. cruciger) and Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) in Bukit Semujan Danau Sentarum National Park

The tricolour langur and proboscis monkey in Bukit Semujan cohabited and utilized the same resources. Cohabitation, mainly due to resource constraints, needed substantial attention to ensure the survival of these primates. This research aimed to map the utilization of canopy strata vertical forest structure and vegetation as food sources and identify the size and overlap of ecological niches for both primates. This research occurred in Danau Sentarurn National Park (DSNP) from July to December 2021. The data collection employed the ad libitum method. The results indicated that cohabitation occurred in the canopy strata vertical forest structure utilization, particularly stratum B and C, and was related to food availability for both primates. The Jaccard Index of the stratum utilization association was 0.6 for swamp forests and 0.8 for hillside forests, while the food plant association was 0.2. In addition, the ecological niche of the tricolour langur overlapped 48% against the proboscis monkey and 34% on the contrary. The tricolour langur's niche size (FT) was 0.32278 ≤ 0.5960 ≥ 0.81253, while the proboscis monkey was 0.20866 ≤ 0.52837 ≥ 0.78529 at 95% confidence interval.

Do Eco-Based Adaptation Measures Enhance Ecosystem Adaptation Services? Economic Evidence from a Study of Hillside Forests in a Fragile Watershed in Northeastern Taiwan

As the risks of climate change keep increasing, countries have emphasized the ecosystem adaptation policy, and the United Nation Environmental Program (UNEP) aids countries to adapt to a warming world with eco-based adaptation (EbA) measures for good ecosystem governance for boosting ecosystem adaptation services (EAS). With the purpose of helping to indicate the magnitude of the benefits of EAS from local EbA measures, this study assesses the economic value of the EAS of hillside forests regarding the residents in a climate vulnerable watershed, the Lanyang River watershed, by applying a single-bounded contingent evaluation method. The demographic variables and motivation variables indexed by perceived impacts are influencing factors in the residents’ willingness-to-pay. These variables are of significance in EbA policy application. The average economic value for each responding resident was estimated to be NT$ 793.65 on the basis of a survey of the residents’ willingness to pay for EAS and the single-boundary contingent valuation method. The results verified that the residents depend on the protection of natural hillside ecosystems. Considering the complex interactions between ecosystems and humans, the EbA is demonstrated to be a crucial method for mitigating the consequences of climate change. Protecting hillside ecosystems in the Lanyang River watershed through soil and water management presents critical policy implications. Now that climate change has become an emergency, this case study shows the success of Taiwan’s long manipulated EbA for EAS, with evidence of residents benefiting. This Taiwan case study has policy implications for the world and UNEP’s global EbA program to maintain EAS.

Resident Willingness to Pay for Ecosystem Services in Hillside Forests.

This study investigated the willingness of residents to pay for ecosystem services in a hillside forest in the Lanyang River Basin, which is among the most vulnerable watersheds in Taiwan. The economic value of provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting ecosystem services was evaluated. The Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was applied for economic analysis of public welfare. The determinants of the economic values were identified. A total of 444 respondents completed the questionnaire. The results revealed that the four ecosystem services had high economic value, indicating that conserving hillside forests can ensure the welfare of nearby residents. The findings of this study can serve as reference for regional land planning and social and economic system development policies. In addition, this study addressed policy implementation from the perspective of ecological economics to contribute to an improved Anthropocene.

Characterization of a glacial neotropical rainforest from pollen and spore assemblages (Colônia, São Paulo, Brazil)

A total of 115 palynomorphs recovered from samples collected in the Colônia basin were described. The morphological descriptions were accompanied by illustrations and ecological information. The palynomorphs date back to the penultimate glacial with ages ranging from 135 to 180 ka. The palynomorphs were grouped according to their presence in three forest types represented in the Colônia basin, namely hillside forest, peat forest and swamp forest. The 115 identified taxa represent a total 58 families; one represents the algae, and 57 Embryophyta (ten pteridophytes, two gymnosperms and 45 angiosperms); 52% of the palynomorphs were observed in the three local forest types. 32.4% were observed in other types of vegetation distributed within a radius of 5 to 15 km from the basin. These palynomorphs represent mature forest, secondary forest, cloud forest, grassland, and disturbed environment whereas 15.6% of the palynomorphs were no longer observed in the region of Colônia. The species represented by these palynomorphs most likely disappeared from the region of Colônia during interglacial climate warming. In addition, our study provides reference material for future pollen studies in Colônia since some vulnerable species were identified.

Characteristics and trends of hillside urbanization in China from 2007 to 2017

China's rapid urbanization has resulted in a dramatic loss in cultivated land that threatens future food security. Local and central government have successively launched a series of Low-slope Hilly Regions Comprehensive Development and Utilization (LHRCDU) pilot projects (i.e., the rudiment of China's hillside urbanization) since 2006 to balance the contradiction between urban growth and flat farmland protection. However, the process, quantity and effect of hillside urbanization over China remain unknown. In this study, we conducted an investigation of hillside urbanization (mainly refers to the urban land expansion on hillsides) over China from 2007 to 2017 by combining earth observation satellite data with spatial analysis techniques. Our results revealed that 12.32% of China's urban expansion area came from hillside urbanization, in which Guizhou, Yunnan, Shanxi and Fujian had large areas of hillside urbanization area (accounting for 25.63% of the total hillside urbanization area in China), while Guizhou, Tibet, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hong Kong and Shanxi had higher hillside urbanization rates (>30%). China's hillside urbanization rate also showed a steady upward trend, and 20% of hillside urbanization was high environmental cost (HEC), occupying 1535.94 km2 of hillside forest. Our findings provide timely and transparent monitoring on China's hillside urbanization, and indicate that hillside urbanization can relieve the pressure of urban development on flat farmland but needs to be regulated for ecological safety.

Effects of tree species diversity and stand structure on carbon stocks of homestead forests in Maheshkhali Island, Southern Bangladesh

BackgroundThe homestead forests of Bangladesh occupy 0.27 million hectares (10% of the total forested area) and have potential to store carbon (C) and conserve biodiversity. Small scale forestry practices, however, are lacking reliable estimation of C stocks and tree species diversity. This may hinder successful implementation of REDD + and similar mechanisms as they concentrate on large-scale forests. This study aimed to estimate the above- and below-ground carbon stocks in homestead forests of Maheshkhali Island in Bangladesh and how tree species diversity and stand structural variation affect these C stocks. We randomly surveyed a total of 239 homestead forests in the hillside, beachside, and inland in 2019.ResultsTree biomass C stocks were 48–67% greater in the inland and hillside forests than in the beachside due to significantly greater stand density, basal area, tree diameter. In total we found 52 tree species, but most abundant species in the inland and hillside forests, Mangifera indica, Samanea saman, and Artocarpus heterophyllus stored the most C in tree biomass. Greater tree species richness and diversity index in the inland and hillside forests indicated greater above- and below-ground tree biomass C stocks. An increase in tree species richness and diversity index by one unit was found to increase the tree biomass C stock by 22 and 30 Mg C ha−1, respectively. The total soil C stock was also affected by tree species diversity, stand density, and their interaction with soil properties. Total soil C stocks were greatest (51 Mg ha−1) in the inland forests, having also the greatest stand density and tree species richness. C stock in soil surface was greatest in the hillside forests due to the greatest litterfall, but the average share of litterfall from the total biomass C was only 0.1%.ConclusionsHomestead forest ecosystems could store 96 Mg C ha−1 in total, which can contribute to climate change mitigation by generating C credits for small-scale homestead forests owners. Above- and below-ground tree biomass C stocks were found to correlate with tree species diversity, which may also contribute to biodiversity conservation in the REDD + in Bangladesh and countries alike.

Geomorphological description of the biome Pampa (Brazil) with support of digital elevation model and geographic information system

In Brazil, the Pampa Biome is restricted to the far south in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where it occupies an area of 176,496 km², which corresponds to 63% of the territory state and 2.07% of the Brazilian territory. The biome is characterized by the predominance of native fields with the presence of riparian forests, hillside forests, dwarf-palms fields, xerophyte bushes, wetlands, rocky outcrops, etc. Geomorphologically the landscape of the biome is very varied due to the lithological and structural conditions that interacted in the performance of surface processes. The landscapes consists of plains areas associated with Quaternary deposits; undulating reliefs associated with the sedimentary Basins, which consists of a volcano-sedimentary sequence by rocks formed in different depositional environments of the Paraná Basin and by rocks that represent a Plateau Volcanism and; a dissected plateau relief associated with the Precambrian crystalline basement. This paper describes quantitatively the relief through equations using Geographic Information Systems and the representation of the earth surface in the form of numerical digital models. Digital processing as well as the database were organized and managed by GIS, ArcGIS 10.3®, with spatial analysis and three-dimensional analysis tools. For each of the large geomorphological compartments that make up the Biome, a description of the landforms, and landforms elements were established and mapped. Relief shapes are described by the amplitude and slope of the terrain defined in flat areas, slightly undulations hills, undulating hills and large hills and buttes. For the determination of the relief elements the difference of topographic height, distance and the direction angle of the neighboring points in relation to the central cell (zenith and nadir angles) was used, through online application, available in the website << http://sil.uc.edu/geom/app >>. The relief elements determined are the flat, peak, ridge, shouder, spur, slope, hollow, footslope, valley, pit. The grouping of landforms and landform elements allowed the distinction of predominant morphological patterns for each geomorphological compartment in the Pampa Biome.

Functional diversity of earthworm communities in forests in the south of the Russian Far East

Key species of soil macrofauna – large soil saprophages, i.e. earthworms – have been studied in unique in terms of floristic and faunal diversity, as well as the most preserved forests of the southern Russian Far East. The results of studying taxonomic and functional diversity of earthworms, their biomass and abundance and patterns of temporal spatial distribution in summer seasons, are presented. The complete set of the main functional groups of earthworms (epigeic, epi-endogeic, endogeic and anecic) was found only in the best-preserved valley forests, with no traces of logging and fires over the last century. The earthworm community is not complete (one or two functional groups are missing) in one of valley forest that was partially cut down and affected by fires in recent decades and in hillside forests. Horizontal spatial distribution was analysed for the epi-endogeic and endogeic groups of earthworms, dominating in terms of biomass and occurrence. It was found that, in the summer season, the group of epi-endogeic species showed the "covering" type of distribution (regular distribution without aggregation), whereas the group of endogeic species showed the "spotty" type of distribution (aggregated distribution).

Rapid Urbanization Induced Extensive Forest Loss to Urban Land in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China

China has experienced rapid urbanizations with dramatic land cover changes since 1978. Forest loss is one of land cover changes, and it induces various eco-environmental degradation issues. As one of China’s hotspot regions, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has undergone a dramatic urban expansion. To better understand forest dynamics and protect forest ecosystem, revealing the processes, patterns and underlying drivers of forest loss is essential. This study focused on the spatiotemporal evolution and potential driving factors of forest loss in the GBA at regional and city level. The Landsat time-series images from 1987 to 2017 were used to derive forest, and landscape metrics and geographic information system (GIS) were applied to implement further spatial analysis. The results showed that: 1) 14.86% of the total urban growth area of the GBA was obtained from the forest loss in 1987–2017; meanwhile, the forest loss area of the GBA reached 4040.6 km2, of which 25.60% (1034.42 km2) was converted to urban land; 2) the percentages of forest loss to urban land in Dongguan (19.14%), Guangzhou (18.35%) and Shenzhen (15.81%) were higher than those in other cities; 3) the forest became increasingly fragmented from 1987–2007, and then the fragmentation decreased from 2007 to 2017); 4) the landscape responses to forest changes varied with the scale; and 5) some forest loss to urban regions moved from low-elevation and gentle-slope terrains to higher-elevation and steep-slope terrains over time, especially in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Urbanization and industrialization greatly drove forest loss and fragmentation, and, notably, hillside urban land expansion may have contributed to hillside forest loss. The findings will help policy makers in maintaining the stability of forest ecosystems, and provide some new insights into forest management and conservation.

Spatial Distribution and Tree Cover of Hillside and Ravine Forests in Uruguay: The Challenges of Mapping Patchy Ecosystems

The mapping and monitoring of forest ecosystems on a national scale is key to their management and conservation. Native forests in Uruguay are considered given their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Here we evaluate the spatial distribution of the land cover class ‘hillside and ravine forest’ -a subclass of native forest characterized by patches and transition zones with native grasslands- using Landsat images (30 x 30 m) from 2014 and 2015 and high-resolution images from Google Earth. To evaluate spatial heterogeneity within hillside forests, we then used high-resolution spot images of 1 km2 from 1998-2012 to evaluate differences in the normalized difference vegetation index (ndvi) among canopy coverage categories. The hillside and ravine forest class were characterized as a composite cover class with an average canopy coverage of 69 ± 23%, variability of wich was reflected in ndvi values. The total area of this class in 2015 was estimated as 334,480 ha, somewhat less than an earlier 2008 estimate (384,240 ha). Among the potential errors in delineating hillside forests using Landsat images, there was the classification of «forest» in areas characterized by grassland and a tree canopy cover <25 %. This potential error in delimitation at broader scales led to the overestimation of hillside and ravine forest area in southeastern Uruguay, but an underestimation in northern Uruguay. Our study highlights the large discrepancies in the estimation of the distribution of hillside and ravine forest at different spatial scales, and also indicates the potential of ndvi to evaluate the heterogeneity of this forest within the same cover class.

Managing hillside landscapes as national forest: lessons learned from the Beijing Western Hills

The question of how to sustainably manage hillside landscapes as national forests is a global concern, yet strategies for effective policy action remain to be discussed, especially in China where reforestation and nationalisation of barren mountains have ended up causing even more problems. While the existing studies of Chinese national forests mainly focus on general overviews of national policies that omit nuanced and empirically rich information, this paper presents instead a deep case study of the Beijing Western Hills in which occurred the first synthesis of hillside forest management instruments that now form Chinese public policy. The findings suggest that state intervention is indispensable to hillside forest management, but it may become financially unsustainable without private sector involvement. A transition to collaborative governance is necessary to broaden and diversify the range of revenues for and from hillside forests, and it should happen step-by-step so that those newly included in decision-making can get better prepared.

Roads limit of seed dispersal and seedling recruitment of Quercus chenii in an urban hillside forest

Paved roads in urban forests cause forest fragmentation and thus reduce animal populations, threaten dispersal and recruitment of animal-dispersed plants. Here, we tracked animal-mediated seed dispersal of Quercus chenii in the urban forest centre and near roadsides to test the effect of paved roads on seed dispersal and recruitment. We conducted experiments in a forest patch in urban areas of Wuhan, China. The forest was dominated by the focal tree species and separated by paved roads. Only two potential seed dispersal animals, one rodent (Niviventer confucianus) and one jay (Garrulus glandarius) were observed in this stand. Seeds were removed farther but not as fast in the forest centre compared to roadsides, while no differences of seed fate, dispersal direction, and seedling establishment were detected between the forest centre and roadsides, indicating the thick vegetation along roadsides provided feeding shelters for small animals. However, when compared with primary forests containing more seed dispersers, seed removal rate in this urban forest fragment was much slower in both forest centre and roadside. Furthermore, due to road barriers, seeds were seldom moved across the paved road and remained in the fragmented stand, reflecting a limited function of seed dispersers. These results suggested paved roads isolated forests into small “islands” and weakened the ecological function of seed dispersers by impeding long distance seed dispersal. Reintroducing dispersers and building wildlife corridors would be impactful ways to restore urban forest patches.

Determinants and correlates of above-ground biomass in a secondary hillside rainforest in Central Vietnam

Despite inception of carbon-conservation forestry programs, information about total above-ground woody biomass (TAGB) in Vietnamese secondary lowland rainforests is still scarce. We elucidated major factors influencing local variation of TAGB within an anthropogenically modified hillside forest in Thừa Thien-Huế Province. On forty 400 m2 sized plots all tree species were recorded, and their biomass was calculated using allometric equations. In addition, bio-physical parameters relating to terrain and soils were measured. Effects of bio-physical variables on forest TAGB were assessed using multivariate regression methods. Forest TAGB (average 117 Mg ha−1) was primarily explained by forest structural variables, i.e. tree densities and average heights, in particular presence of large trees. TAGB was largely determined by the biomass of a few species which dominated different forest parts (ridges or hill base); TAGB was hardly influenced by species diversity. Many dominant trees were light-demanding species; these were characterised by scarce rejuvenation and high tree mortality. Bio-physical patterns indicated that previous logging impacts persisted and continued to influence seedling establishment, sapling growth/survival, and—ultimately—species composition. Nutrient patterns were mostly explained by interactions with certain tree species and tree foliage cover, as modulated by terrain and logging impacts. Development trajectories of TAGB over the next 10–20 years could not be predicted easily since (1) many functionally important late-succession species (e.g. dipterocarps) were very scarce; (2) the sizes of initially established light-demanding species appeared to meet limits, including increasing tree mortality; and (3) rejuvenation and species succession differed locally and proceeded along largely unpredictable pathways. Some suggestions for further research are made.

O estoque de serrapilheira é eficiente como indicador ambiental em fragmentos florestais de encosta?

The fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest, together with its importance, are stimuli for basic conservationist research and recovery of remnants, which can be done through environmental indicators. With this, the objective of this work is to evaluate the efficiency of litter stock as an environmental indicator in hillside forest fragments. The study was carried out in dry and wet seasons in four fragments of Ombrófila Densa forest in Itaboraí, RJ. The litter stock in the smallest forest fragment (P2) was lower than the others and there were no differences between the thirds of the fragments. Thus, this indicator showed to portray the fragments in the same way as their biotic and abiotic characteristics, mainly in the dry season of the year, presenting relations with the floristic composition. The leaves and branches and bark fractions were the most representative, but the remains fraction was the best environmental indicator in this study. This is a result of the contribution, stock and decomposition promoted by soil organisms, presented lower values of weight and higher C N-1 ratio in the P2 fragment.

Sensitivity of subtropical forest and savanna productivity to climate variability in South America, Uruguay

AbstractQuestionsIncreasing climate variability has major effects on forest productivity, as well as transitions between forest and savanna ecosystems. While drought‐induced declines in tropical forest productivity and forest loss is a global concern, forest expansion in subtropical South America predicted by climate models has received little attention. In the forest–grassland transition zone encompassing Uruguay, we ask: (1) how does climate variability affect woodland productivity and at what time scales; and (2) how do different woodland types (riparian, hillside and wooded savanna) differ in their sensitivity to climate variability?LocationForests and wooded savanna in Uruguay, subtropical southeast South America.MethodsPrimary productivity was measured as the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) based on monthly normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from multitemporal (1998–2012) SPOT imagery at a 1 km × 1 km resolution, covering 19% of Uruguayan woodlands. The effects of accumulated rainfall and mean temperature on the productivity of riparian and hillside forests and wooded savanna were evaluated using correlations and time series analysis over multiple time windows ranging from 1–24 mo.ResultsInter‐annual rainfall variability and seasonal temperatures affected forest productivity even though average conditions were largely non‐limiting. Periods of exceptionally high rainfall and warm winters had positive effects on forest productivity, but hot summers had a negative effect on all woodland productivity. Riparian and hillside forest productivity was equally susceptible to drought, showing similar relationships to accumulated rainfall over multiple time periods, as well as similar susceptibility to high summer temperatures. Wooded savanna – a composite cover of trees and a grass/forb understorey – productivity was linked to seasonal rainfall over 3–6 mo, and in general showed the lowest correlation with inter‐annual variability in rainfall.ConclusionsResults suggest functional convergence in the response of riparian and hillside forests to water deficit and hot summers. The increases in forest productivity with increasing rainfall and declining drought risk – as predicted by the IPCC for this region – are a potential mechanism for increased growth and future expansion of forests in this biogeographic transition zone.

Effects of livestock exclusion in forests of Uruguay: Soil condition and tree regeneration

Livestock intervention, depending on the regime of grazing and the sensitivity of species, could alter the structure, composition and dynamics of forest ecosystems, with negative long-term impacts on plant communities, soil and water quality, and thus on the provision of ecosystem services. We studied here the effects of livestock on forest ecosystems of Uruguay where livestock ranching is the most extensive and traditional production activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of livestock exclusion on forest dynamics, particularly on tree regeneration and soil properties. We analyzed six grazed–ungrazed (4–17years of exclusion by fences) paired sites, in hillside forests of Uruguay. Our results indicate that exclusion contributes to improve soil conditions by increasing leaf litter cover and tending to reduce erosion. Regeneration was also improved under exclusions, with increased density of tree seedling (+20%) and saplings (+60%). Species composition of regenerating trees was in general not affected by exclusion, but one (i.e., Styrax leprosus) of the 11 sapling species sampled was almost absent in grazed sites. Despite the short-term experiment, our findings indicate that livestock exclusion is a useful tool to protect hillside forests of Uruguay by improving soil conditions and providing opportunities for the regeneration of shade-tolerant and grazing-susceptible species. Light-demanding species, such as canopy-dominant trees Scutia buxiflora and Lithraea brasiliensis presented very low densities of saplings and seedlings, in either grazed or un-grazed sites, suggesting that our enclosure treatment failed to generate adequate microsites for such species. Forest gaps and grassland–forest transitions should be incorporated in future enclosures to benefit light-demanding trees.

Participatory Approaches and Conservation of Medicinal Plants: Identifying priority species in the community of Areais da Ribanceira (Brazil)

Using a participatory approach, we aimed to identify medicinal conservation priority plant species in a region where a sustainable conservation area is being proposed. Local farmers consensually selected 10 ethno-species represented by 11 scientific species ( Calea uniflora Less., Equisetum giganteum L., Aristolochia triangularis Cham., Zollernia ilicifolia (Brongn.) Vogel, Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek, Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Rich.) Vahl, Mikania laevigata Sch.Bip. ex Baker, Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC., Lepidium didymum L., Dioscorea altissima Lam., and Picrasma crenata Engl. in Engl. & Prantl), which were the focus of two participatory tools: four-cell analysis and matrix of plants and environments. Most plants were classified as having high environmental availability and as being under intense extraction pressure. Both natural areas (restinga and hillside forest) and cultivated areas (croplands and homegardens) are important for the acquisition of native medicinal plants. This participatory process tends to facilitate the incorporation of research results by the community, according to its local demands, as well as allowing for a collective learning experience. The use of a participatory approach also allowed the gradual increase in the awareness of the community related to their medicinal plants, contributing to their own decisions about the management and conservation of these resources.