Increase In Forest Cover Research Articles

Forest Cover and Locality Regulate Response of Watershed Discharge to Rainfall Variability in Caribbean Region

Reforestation often occurs when the economy shifts from agriculture to industry and services such as tourism. However, there is a lack of coherent knowledge and investigation about the impact of reforestation in the tropics on hydrological variability as well as flood risks. It is unclear how changes in forest cover and pattern will affect flood risks and watershed response to future altered rainfall intensity. This study uses the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+) to simulate the impact of reforestation, the locality of forest, and the concentrated rainfall on the hydrology of the largest watershed in Puerto Rico. SWAT+ is a computer model simulating watershed hydrology driven by meteorological input and the characteristics of soils and land use. We hypothesized that increased forest cover, especially at low elevation range, would reduce flood risk and that reduced rain days while maintaining the mean annual rainfall invariant would increase stream discharge variability. We found that reforestation significantly reduced large discharges but increased small discharges; that forest at low elevation tended to reduce large and extreme discharges in comparison with forest at high elevation; and that more concentrated rainfall not only increased the rainfall variability but also increased the discharge variability. However, both the impact of shifting forest locality and the response of watershed to altered rainfall intensity strongly depended on geophysical factors such as ranges of elevation and slope. Moving forests to lower elevation in subbasins with steeper slopes showed a stronger reduction in extreme discharges than in subbasins with flatter slopes. On the other hand, subbasins with steeper slopes tended to response more strongly to more concentrated rainfall with greater increase in discharge variability than subbasins with flatter slopes. To cope with future increased climate variability, our results favor reforestation at lower elevation for watershed with large elevation ranges and steep slopes.

Forest cover and watering of the Pripyat River basin

The paper deals with the issues of the influence of forest cover on the average annual runoff of rivers in the Pripyat River basin. In the study area, under the influence of solar radiation, the temperature of the air and the soil surface increases, evaporation from the water surface also increases, and the moisture content of the upper layers of the soil decreases. In general, with an increase in forest cover, the annual layer of the runoff of the studied rivers increases, as well as with an increase in the amount of precipitation (in contrast to the runoff of short-term floods). However, with a forest cover of more than 20%–30% and a relatively small amount of precipitation, the runoff decreases, which is associated with the retention of part of the precipitation by the forest cover. With a large amount of precipitation and low forest cover, the runoff also decreases, which is probably due to the loss of precipitation water for evaporation, etc. The conducted studies show that, just as the forest affects water resources, the flow of moisture to watersheds also affects the state of forest systems. Moreover, this interaction is expressed by evaporation from forests. Under influence of change of a climate growth of evaporation is observed.

Effects of post-abandonment management on surface runoff in a Mediterranean mid-mountain basin

Mid-mountain catchments across the Mediterranean basin undergone a decrease in runoff and sediment yield during the second half of the 20th century mainly due to forest cover increase following rural abandonment together with a transition to drier climatic conditions. During last decades, land use and land cover (LULC) management of these areas has become a target of environmental policy makers and stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of ecosystem services. In some areas, an active management through the reduction of vegetation density or by human afforestation has been applied, while others undergone a natural process of revegetation. In this context, assessing the contribution of different LULC management on runoff is fundamental for addressing water management and soil loss at the catchment and regional scales. Within this background, the aim of this work is to analyse the relative effects of LULC management techniques on hydrological connectivity and water yield in a Mediterranean mid-mountain basin. To pursue this objective, we applied hydrological connectivity (IC index) and ecohydrological (RHESSys) models to different sub-basins of the Leza River catchment (Iberian System, Spain), representative of three different scenarios: (i) natural revegetation; (ii) human afforestation; and (iii) shrub clearing. Results shows how hydrological connectivity tends to decrease when vegetation cover increases (i.e., natural revegetation and human afforestation) while tend to increase when shrub clearing take place. Runoff coefficient followed a similar pattern, decreasing in basins where vegetation increases and decreasing where there was vegetation clearing. Important differences were observed in terms of the distribution of connectivity changes, their location in relation to the outlet and the effects on surface runoff. Studies of this type are necessary to know the response of the Mediterranean basins to different types of management with the aim of adopting sustainable management measures to guarantee surface water resources in a context of Global Change.

ПРОБЛЕМИ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ САМОСІЙНИХ ЛІСІВ В КОНТЕКСТІ ЗБЕРЕЖЕННЯ ЛІСОВИХ НАСАДЖЕНЬ ПРИРОДНОГО ПОХОДЖЕННЯ

In the presented material, an attempt was made to generalize the existing regulatory and legislative basis of Ukraine regarding the increase of forest cover, protection and preservation of self-forested areas of state and communal ownership, as well as to form the main practical problems and prospects in their use. For this, the author considered the unique importance of self-seeding forests in the context of ensuring the ecological properties of forest plantations, in particular, carbon deposition and oxygen production; the scale of self-forested lands is determined; a quantitative assessment of the areas of self-seeded forests transferred to permanent forest use to the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" from the united territorial communities is given, using the example of the Chernihiv region; the existing trend of exceeding the volume of emissions from the increase in arable land in Ukraine over the volume of absorption from forests, swamps, and steppes is noted. The article presents a number of negative trends regarding the increase in the volume of wood harvesting, including for military needs, which causes the felling of forest plantations of natural origin. The shortcomings of the existing legislative mechanisms regarding the lack of restrictions on the activities of agricultural producers on pastures, hayfields, coastal strips, floodplains and other carbon-rich ecosystems are indicated. Ways to increase the volume of sold wood for the national economy in the conditions of a full-scale invasion due to effective anti-corruption, restriction of wood exports and effective functioning of the State Environmental Inspection of Ukraine are presented. An analysis of the legislation of the European Union regarding mechanisms for the preservation and restoration of carbon-rich ecosystems, including the restoration of most drained peatlands, the introduction of restrictions on access to the EU market for agricultural products and wood, the production of which has led to deforestation, has been carried out, which should be a reference point for the state leadership in the declared European integration path of Ukraine's development.

Use of Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (Pelis) in the Rehabilitation of Nyamweru Forest Reserve, Kiambu County, Kenya.

PELIS is a program globally known as the Taungya system, which involves the allocation of parcels of land to forest-adjacent communities to grow tree seedlings as well as carry out cultivation of crops during the early stages of tree seedlings growth until they form canopies, with the aim of increasing forest cover. The program has been successful in some countries, but it has failed in other countries, especially developing countries. This study investigated the impeding factors to the realization of the PELIS program, using a case study of the Nyamweru forest reserve in Kiambu County, Lari sub-county, Kenya. Descriptive research design was employed, with a sample size of 40 respondents. About 80% of the results showed an apparent weakness of the institutions mandated in the governance of the forest to effectively manage PELIS program. The study concluded that all the challenges experienced under the PELIS program can be linked to poor forest governance practices. The study recommended, that an integrated watershed resource management, adoption of a bottom-up approach in order to achieve participatory forest management in all aspects of the PELIS program, and development of a platform for awareness creation, such training and use of current technologies, to strengthen and enhance social capital in PELIS program Management in order to, rejuvenate and achieve the constitutional recommended 10% of forest cover in Kenya.

Carpathian Forests: Past and Recent Developments

Forests of the Carpathians are of increasing research interest, as they cover a large area (>9 Mha) within European forests and are influenced by diverse environmental conditions and contrasting historical developments. We reviewed 251 papers dealing with Carpathian forests, their history, and future perspectives. Over 70% of articles and reviews appeared in the last ten years, and 80% refer to the Western and Eastern Carpathians, while the Serbian Carpathians remain a gap in this research field. Forest expansion and species changes have occurred since Holocene deglaciation, influenced by timber use, settlements, cropland development, and, since the Bronze Age, pasture activities. At higher elevations, early conifer successors have been increasingly replaced by Norway spruce (Picea abies), silver fir (Abies alba), European beech (Fagus sylvatica), and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), while oaks have been present in the Carpathian foothills throughout the whole of history. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Norway spruce afforestation was favored, and timber use peaked. Recent transitions from agriculture to forest land use have led to a further increase in forest cover (+1 to +14% in different countries), though past forest management practices and recent environmental changes have impaired forest vitality in many regions; climate warming already causes shifts in treelines and species distributions, and it triggers pest outbreaks and diseases and affects tree–water relations. The risk of forest damage is the highest in monodominant Norway spruce forests, which often experience dieback after cascade disturbances. European beech forests are more resilient unless affected by summer droughts. In the future, increasing dominance of broadleaves within Carpathian forests and forest management based on a mix of intensive management and ecological silviculture are expected. Maintenance and promotion of silver fir and mixed European beech forests should be encouraged with respect to forest stability, biodiversity, and economic sustainability. As supported by the Carpathian Convention and related institutions and initiatives, connectivity, management, and stakeholder cooperation across administrative borders will be crucial for the future adaptive potential of Carpathian forests.

Spatial-temporal evolution of ecological risks in a typical urban lake in Southwestern China

During urbanization, excessive development and utilization pose varying risks and challenges to the ecosystems of many urban lakes. Sediments are invaluable archives of past ecosystem changes. By analyzing variations in 210Pb and other geochemical indicators in sediment cores, it is possible to assess how susceptible lakes are to the impacts of climate change and human-induced pollution, which is crucial for urban planning and the management of lake environments. This study investigated the status of heavy metal pollution in Lake Longquan, Chengdu City, and reconstructed the historical evolution of its ecological environment using 210Pb dating. Three main conclusions are drawn. (1) Currently, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and organic matter in the surface sediments of Lake Longquan are highly enriched in the southeastern, central, and northeastern regions. Cd levels even reach 1.54 mg/kg in the southeastern part of the lake near the town. The high overlap of heavy metal distribution with historical aquaculture areas and some tourist areas indicates that aquaculture and tourism are important sources of heavy metals that increase their bioavailability. (2) Lake Longquan is currently at a high potential ecological risk level, and the high potential risk level of Cd may cause ecological safety problems. The biological toxicity of As should be considered, too. (3) The risk evolution in Lake Longquan can be divided into six stages: (i) Before 1977, the ancient river. With the destruction of forest vegetation and the intensification of rock weathering, ecological risks increased. (ii) 1977–1989, construction and development. Due to human factors and the joint influence of heavy precipitation events, ecological risks increased; and (iii) 1989–2010, development prioritized protection. Due to the ineffective implementation of protection policies, aquaculture increases risks. (iv) 2010–2017, development. As a provincial resort and tourism area, the significant increase in human activities has led to constantly rising sedimentation rates and heavy metal concentrations, resulting in an ecological risk peak. (v) 2017–2020, protection. The efficient implementation of lake protection and restoration policies proved to be effective, and the ecological risk started to decrease. (vi) After 2020, protective development. The government's plan to reduce fertilizer usage and increase forest cover will help control ecological risks. It is necessary to continue controlling tourism and aquaculture activities, and transitional areas should be established around lakes for city residents to engage in lakeside sightseeing and recreational sports. This study provides valuable references for controlling and preventing heavy metal pollution in urban lakes.

The importance of forests in the environment

The importance of forests in the environment

GEOECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF LAND USE STRUCTURE OF THE PIDGORODNYA TERRITORIAL COMMUNITY

The purpose of the study is to assess the geo-environmental parameters and optimize the land use structure of the Pidgorodnya territorial community. The authors used special methods to determine the anthropogenic load, coefficients of ecological stability and anthropogenic transformation of the territory of the Pidgorodnya territorial community.
 The Pidgorodnya territorial community is located in the center of Ternopil region and Ternopil district, covering an area of 123.47 km². The community is home to 7418 people. The Pidgorodnya community was established in 2020 and unites 7 rural settlements, on the basis of which 6 starosta districts and a center in the village of Pidhorodne were created. The soil cover of the study area is among the most fertile soils in the region. There are two rivers and 8 ponds within the community.
 The article analyses and geo-ecologically assesses the land use structure of the Pidgorodnya community. It is established that the structure of land use in the study area is dominated by arable land (71%), forests occupy 7%, built-up land - 4%, pastures - 9%, hayfields - 5%, perennial plantations - 3%, land under water and swamps - 1%. The share of natural lands in the community is 27%, and the level of community conservation is 1.1%. The community has created 5 protected areas: a botanical garden, 2 botanical reserves and 2 botanical natural monuments with a total area of 135.5 hectares.
 Based on the results of the calculations, the coefficient of anthropogenic transformation of the territory of the Pidgorodnya territorial community was determined, which is 6,16; the coefficient of ecological stability – 0,28; anthropogenic load score is 3,7 and the coefficient of anthropogenic load – 3,7. According to the results obtained, it was found that the territory of the Pidgorodnya territorial community is ecologically unstable with an average degree of landscape transformation, and an average degree of anthropogenic pressure. Based on the calculations and results obtained, we can state the need to optimise the land use structure of the Pidgorodnya territorial community.
 In order to correct and improve the situation and bring the study area to the normative indicators of environmental stability, a number of optimization measures a number of optimization measures should be taken. The article substantiates the optimisation model of land use of the Pidgorodnya territorial community, which provides for a reduction of arable land by 25%, an increase in forest cover by 17%, and bringing the share of natural lands to the optimal level of 50%. Given the landscape features of the study area, we propose to reduce arable land at the expense of low-productive and eroded lands. Thus, the optimised land use structure of the Pidgorodnya territorial community will include 46% arable land, 24% forests, 25% pastures, hayfields and perennial plantations, 4% built-up land, and 1% land under water and marshes. Implementation of this approach requires changing the designated purpose of individual land plots and organising their landscape-adapted use. The prospect of further research is to determine the areas of land for transferring them from the anthropogenic category to the natural category, with further optimisation.
 Key words: geoecological assessment, land use, ecological stability, anthropogenic load.

Private Vs Public ownership of Forest in India-analysis and few suggestions for change to increase forest cover

arious forest legislations enacted over some time have been extremely important in shaping the forest landscape of India. Even though the Indian Forest Act, of 1927 applies to forests declared as such under the provisions of this Act, Section 38 provides that if any owner of land, desires that his land should be managed by the Forest Department as a reserved/protected forest, the management of such land can be done on mutually agreed terms with the owner of land without depriving the owner of land of his right in the property. This is a significant and visionary proviso in the Act. There are many laws and forest policies of 1952 and 1988 which regulate the protection and conservation of forests but they do not inspire people at large to take it as a mass movement in furthering the causes of forests. For example, the 1952 and 1988 Forest Policies recognize limited individual /community ownership but it does not take the shape of mass movement. Therefore, the only solution that seems on the horizon is a Public-Private partnership with a long-term contractual agreement or Tripartite agreement between the State Govt, local body and individual growers or with Easement rights to local people.

Euglossini bee diversity is driven by forest cover in coastal Amazon.

Habitat loss and fragmentation are drivers of biodiversity loss, such as Euglossini bees in continental regions. Knowledge about these effects on this group of pollinators in coastal regions is still incipient and needs to be further investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of landscape structure on the abundance, richness, diversity and species composition of Euglossini bees on the coast of the Brazilian Amazon. We mapped the surrounding landscape around 48 sampling points in the east of the island of Marajó, Pará, Brazil where we collected bees using chemical baits. We used Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to evaluate the effects of landscape structure (composition and configuration) on the abundance, richness, diversity and composition of Euglossini bees. We collected a total of 1017 males belonging to four genera and 22 species. Forest cover (%) and landscape heterogeneity were the best predictors of the bee community. Increased forest cover positively affected the abundance, richness and diversity of bees at a local scale. On the other hand, abundance, richness and diversity decreased with increasing landscape heterogeneity, also at a local scale. The hypothesis that the amount of habitat favors Euglossini communities was corroborated by our results. Based on our conclusions, landscapes with greater forest cover can effectively contribute to the conservation of these bees and their pollination services along the Amazon coast.

Natural parasitism of the coffee leaf miner: climate factors, insecticide, and landscape affecting parasitoid diversity and their ecosystem services in coffee agroecosystems.

Climate factors, pesticides, and landscape in coffee agroecosystems directly affect the populations of the coffee leaf miner and its parasitoids. This study aimed to investigate the effects of climate factors, insecticide use, and landscape on natural parasitism, parasitoid diversity, and infestation of L. coffeella in coffee plantations in the Planalto region, Bahia, Brazil. Mined leaves were collected monthly in six coffee plantations with varying edge density, vegetation cover, landscape diversity in scales of 500 to 3000 m of radius, insecticide use, and climate factors. Closterocerus coffeellae, and Proacrias coffeae (Eulophidae) predominated in the pest's natural parasitism. Our record is the first for the occurrence of Stiropius reticulatus, Neochrysocharis sp. 1, Neochrysocharis sp. 2, and Zagrammosoma sp. in Bahia. Higher temperature and larger forest cover increased the coffee leaf miner infestation. Higher rainfall values, insecticide use, and landscape diversity decreased the pest infestations. Natural parasitism and species diversity are favoured by increase in temperature, forest cover, and edge density, while increase in rainfall, insecticide use, and landscape diversity lead them to decrease.The natural parasitism and diversity of parasitoid species of the coffee leaf miner have been enhancing in the areas with greater forest cover and edge density associated with low use of insecticides. The areas composed of different lands with annual croplands surrounding the coffee plantations showed less natural parasitism and parasitoid species diversity. The ecosystem services provided by C. coffeellae and P. coffeae in coffee crops areas require conservation and these species are potential bioproducts for applied biological control programmes.

Response of streamflow and nutrient loads in a small temperate catchment subject to land use change

The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of land use change (LUC) implemented to meet nutrient load targets for a freshwater lake in New Zealand. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in combination with a non-parametric statistical test to determine whether afforestation of 15% of a subcatchment area was adequate to meet assigned nutrient load targets. A regional management authority set nutrient load targets of reduction in total nitrogen (TN) by 0.9 t yr−1 and reduction in total phosphorus (TP) by 0.05 t yr−1 to avoid eutrophication in the receiving waters of a freshwater lake. The load reduction was designed to be achieved through 200 ha of LUC from pasture to trees. Analysis of nutrient loads before, during, and following LUC shows that a 15% increase in forest cover decreased the annual flow (7.2%), TP load (33.3%), and TN load (13.1%). As flow and water quality observations were discrete and at irregular intervals, we used a parametric test and the SWAT model as different lines of evidence to demonstrate the effect of afforestation on flow and water quality. Policymakers concerned with decisions about LUC to improve the quality of receiving waters can benefit from applying our findings and using a statistical and numerical modelling framework to evaluate the adequacy of land use change to support improvements in water quality.

Diel activity structures the occurrence of a mammal community in a human-dominated landscape.

Anthropogenic developments alter the environment and resources available to wildlife communities. In response to these real or perceived threats from this development, species may adjust their spatial occurrence. Additionally, wildlife species may adjust when in diel time (24-h light-dark cycle) they occupy sites on the landscape to adapt to changing conditions. However, many wildlife studies only focus on where a species does and does not occur, ignoring how species may shift their diel activity at sites to mitigate threats. We used a multi-state diel occupancy modeling framework to investigate how a community of mammals (mesocarnivores, urban-adapted omnivores, and herbivore/small mammals) respond to differing levels of anthropogenic development and forest cover across two climatic seasons. We collected camera trap data at 240 survey locations across the summer and winter of 2021-2022. We modeled multi-state diel occupancy for 14 mammal species with extent of development/forest and season hypothesized to influence diel occupancy and season hypothesized to influence the probability of detection. We found that all species displayed heterogeneity in both diel occupancy and detection either by extent of development/forest and or season. Within the mesocarnivore species group, coyote and red fox were less sensitive to development and had higher occupancy probability at these sites in general but used them more during the night, while more sensitive mesocarnivores including fisher and bobcat occupied the day state only when there was increasing forest cover. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating diel activity in habitat modeling to better understand the relationship between a species and its landscape, particularly in a region that is vulnerable to increased anthropogenic pressure.

Assessment of the soil-protecting services of the forest ecosystem: a case study in Ilam catchment, Iran

Abstract The natural forests of western Iran play a key role in delivering services and goods to local society. Nonetheless, this forest ecosystem, despite its importance, is threatened by natural factors and anthropogenic activities, resulting in decreasing soil quality and soil erosion. The present research aimed to assess the effects of the forest ecosystems on soil erosion control in Ilam catchment in southwest Iran. For this purpose, after estimating the soil loss in natural conditions (NC), we predicted the amount of soil erosion under two scenarios: (i) convert natural forest with 20% canopy cover to destructed forest with 0% canopy cover (SC.1), (ii) increase forest cover by 40% (SC.2). Our results indicate that the estimated mean soil erosion was within the range of 9.36 t ha-1 yr-1 in irrigated and garden use to about 256 t ha-1 yr-1 in bare soils under NC. We found that when converting natural forest to destructed forest, the mean annual soil erosion rate increased 105.75 t ha-1 yr-1, 118.1 t ha-1 yr-1, and 19.57 t ha-1 yr-1 in the dense forest, sparse forest, and Agri-Forest use, respectively. These results show the protective effect of the forest against soil erosion.

Does Environmental Aid Make a Difference? Analyzing Its Impact in Developing Countries

Amidst escalating global environmental challenges, does environmental aid drive tangible conservation outcomes in developing countries or does it merely perpetuate the rift between economic ambition and environmental responsibility? Using a comprehensive ten-year dataset from the OECD, World Bank, Climate Watch, and the Climate Change Laws of the World database, we analyze the relationship between environmental aid and environmental conservation outcomes in recipient countries. Our results indicate that although aid can influence policy development, there is a weak correlation with outcomes such as increased forest cover, expansion of protected areas, and reduced CO2 emissions. Moreover, the pronounced roles of GDP and population in shaping these outcomes underline the complex interplay of environmental challenges with economic growth and demographic shifts. This dynamic, coupled with the evident mismatch between environmental aid delivery and tangible conservation improvements, emphasizes the need to reconsider current aid distribution strategies. In light of current environmental challenges, this research offers valuable insights into the effectiveness of environmental aid in developing countries and suggests a way forward for more targeted and impactful conservation efforts.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Forest Vegetation and Their Impacts on Soil Properties in the Forest-Steppe Zone of Central Russian Upland: A Remote Sensing, GIS Analysis, and Field Studies Approach

This article showcases the outcomes of a comprehensive spatiotemporal dynamic analysis conducted in forest vegetation areas within the forest-steppe zone of the Central Russian Upland (eastern Europe), spanning the period from 1970 to 2020. This study utilized high-resolution data from the Corona satellite system from the year 1970 as well as satellite imagery from the ArcGIS World Imagery database. Soil properties and their changes were assessed based on the analysis of soil bulk density (930 samples), soil organic carbon features, pH, available phosphorus, and the composition of salt extracts (1362 samples). We collected and analyzed 3920 soil samples in the field to study the impact of shelterbelts on soil moisture over a period of two years. For six selected key sites with a total area of 1722 km2, it was found that over a 50-year period, the area covered by forest vegetation increased from 14% to 24%. This expansion was primarily due to the planting and growth of young shelterbelts in the 1970s–1980s as well as widening anti-erosion shelterbelts on slopes and gullies. The average linear growth rate of forest vegetation boundaries was found to be 23.5 m (4.7 m per decade) for the entire study area. The expansion was highest on west-facing slopes, which was attributed to the higher moisture content from windward atmospheric precipitation events. However, alongside the increase in forest cover, degradation was also observed, particularly in old-age shelterbelts, which was attributed to increased fragmentation and mortality. A gradual increase in the extent of shelterbelt degradation was observed from the northwest to the southeast within the forest-steppe region, corresponding to areas with a drier climate. Additionally, the impact of shelterbelts on soil properties and soil cover was analyzed using four key sites and using fields and laboratory research methods. We detected a lateral uptake of substances from plowed soils into the soils of shelterbelts and vertical uptake from deep layers. The two-year observations (2020 and 2021) of soil moisture during the growing season (May–September) in two climatically contrasting forest-steppe areas revealed a more intensive accumulation of soil moisture in fields west of shelterbelts compared to those to the east of them, particularly within the 10 m zone near the shelterbelts. This can be attributed to arable fields on the windward side receiving more moisture compared to the leeward side. The formation of striped microstructures in the soil cover that occurred under the shelterbelts and on adjacent arable lands was influenced by various factors such as microclimatic conditions, vegetation types, ecological conditions for soil fauna, and human-induced soil processing and transformation along the shelterbelt boundaries. Shelterbelts and their adjacent areas in agro-landscapes are considered to be self-developing natural–anthropogenic geosystems with their own organizational structure. Therefore, their study is recommended as an integral part of modern geographical zoning.

Impacts of changes in climate, land use, and emissions on global ozone air quality by mid-21st century following selected Shared Socioeconomic Pathways

Surface ozone (O3) is a major air pollutant and greenhouse gas with significant risks to human health, vegetation, and climate. Uncertainties around the impacts of various critical factors on O3 is crucial to understand. We used the Community Earth System Model to investigate the impacts of land use and land cover change (LULCC), climate, and emissions on global O3 air quality under selected Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Our findings show that increasing forest cover by 20 % under SSP1 in East China, Europe, and the eastern US leads to higher isoprene emissions leading 2–5 ppb increase in summer O3 levels. Climate-induced meteorological changes, like rising temperatures, further enhance BVOC emissions and increase O3 levels by 10–20 ppb in urban areas with high NOx levels. However, higher BVOC emissions can reduce O3 levels by 5–10 ppb in remote environments. Future NOx emissions control reduces O3 levels by 5–20 ppb in the US and Europe in all SSPs, but reductions in NOx and changes in oxidant titration increase O3 in southeast China in SSP5. Increased NOx emissions in southern Africa and India significantly elevate O3 levels up to 15 ppb under different SSPs. Climate change is equally important as emissions changes, sometimes countering the benefits of emissions control. The combined effects of emissions, climate, and land cover result in worse O3 air quality in northern India (+40 %) and East China (+20 %) under SSP3 due to anthropogenic NOx and climate-induced BVOC emissions. Over the northern hemisphere, surface O3 decreases due to reduced NOx emissions, although climate and land use changes can increase O3 levels regionally. By 2050, O3 levels in most Asian regions exceed the World Health Organization safety limit for over 150 days per year. Our study emphasizes the need to consider complex interactions for effective air pollution control and management in the future.

Forest co-management for improvement of livelihood and forest cover: Experience from Sal Forest of Bangladesh

Forest conservation and livelihood improvement are the prime goals of forest-protected area co-management widely practiced in tropical countries. In Bangladesh, the co-management of protected areas (PA) started in 2004 with the funding of donor agencies involving the forest department (FD), non-government organizations (NGOs), along with the communities living in and around the forests. Thus, it is imperative to decipher the impact of co-management on the livelihood of forest-dependent communities (FDC) and forest cover change. The data on livelihood improvement were collected through quantitative and qualitative methods, while satellite data (Landsat images of the years 2008, 2015, and 2022) were utilized to detect forest cover change. The finding indicates that the co-management approach has positively impacted the livelihood of FDC by securing their income sources. The alternate income-generating activities (IGAs) provided to the FDC aids in securing income and livelihoods. However, the communities have experienced antagonistic relationships with forest officials, undesirably influencing their livelihoods. Reducing the dissent on forest management activities between forest officials and participants of the co-management program might positively impact the restoration of the PA. The forest cover area has increased by 18 ha just after the finish of the co-management program, and 18.9 ha has risen from 2009 to 2022. This forest cover increase might be due to the plantation in the denuded areas and livelihood improvement through IGAs posing less pressure on the forest. Therefore, co-management of the Sal forest might increase forest cover and improve the livelihood of FDC.

Revegetation of Tropical Peat Swamp Forest of Former Fires Using Local Tree Species in South Sumatra (Indonesia)

Revegetation of tropical peat swamp forests (PSF) from former fires with local tree species has strategic value for the recovery of PSF, which has been largely lost and severely degraded by logging, conversion, drainage, and repetitive fires. The PSF recovery will be followed by increased forest cover, CO2 sequestration, O2 production, and peat ecosystem biodiversity. The method of revegetation that guarantees successful planting is still very lacking and has not been widely publicized. The study aimed to analyze the growth of revegetated plants on PSF of former fires. It used a field experiment design with four types of local peat plants, namely ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), punak (Tetramerista glabra), tembesu (Fragraea fragrans), and pulai (Alstonia pneumatophora). The results of the study showed that until the age of 2 years, the survival rate of revegetated plants ranged from 92.56%–94.69%, with growth of 32.53–44.94 cm/year and diameter growth of 0.87–1.21 cm/year. The growth of revegetated plants still accelerated in observations until the age of 3 years. This study provides optimism that PSF revegetation degraded by the fires could be carried out with satisfactory results.