National Forest Research Articles

Can triad forestry reconcile Europe's biodiversity and forestry strategies? A critical evaluation of forest zoning.

Balancing increasing demand for wood products while also maintaining forest biodiversity is a paramount challenge. Europe's Biodiversity and Forest Strategies for 2030 attempt to address this challenge. Together, they call for strict protection of 10% of land area, including all primary and old growth forests, increasing use of ecological forestry, and less reliance on monocultural plantations. Using data on country wide silvicultural practices and a new database on strict forest reserves across Europe, we assess how triad forest zoning could help meet these goals. Our analysis reveals that zoning in Europe is overwhelmingly focused on wood production, while there has been little concomitant protection of forests in strict reserves. Moreover, most strict forest reserves are < 50ha in size, likely too small to capture the minimum dynamic area necessary to sustain many taxa. We outline research priorities to meet future demands for timber while minimizing the impact on native biodiversity.

Sustainability language found in forest plans and its mathematical modeling potential

Over the last fifty years, management plans have become more descriptive with regard to the potential sustainability of forest systems, raising questions about the feasibility of implementing management activities and ensuring the sustainability of a wide variety of ecosystem services. To assess this issue, we conducted a survey among forest planning and operation research communities in the United States to understand their perceptions regarding the potential of a sample of sustainability statements currently used in national forest plans to be incorporated into optimization models or other mathematical operations. A total of 65 people responded to the survey, resulting in a response rate of 16.5%. Almost 70% of the respondents reported having over 30 years in their specified fields. The results revealed that only 3 out of 15 statements from the sample were deemed to have relatively mature or firm methodologies and data to enable inclusion in modern mathematical models for land use optimization. Of the three statements, two were related to economic sustainability, offering quantifiable information such as a non-declining flow of wood products over time and limits on the amount of timber harvested per decade. In contrast, sociocultural and, to some extent, ecological statements regarding sustainability were generally perceived to be more difficult to translate into mathematical modeling efforts. Particularly challenging were statements corresponding to sustaining natural or scenic characteristics of a forest. These findings may be attributed to various factors, including a lack of measurable indicators for sustainability and a potential lack of understanding about the modeling components and their interactions with planned management activities.

Recasting a forest legend in the event of climate crisis: Jungle Nama (2021), Sundarbans, and the art of storytelling

ABSTRACT The article examines Amitav Ghosh’s retelling of an ancient forest legend in Jungle Nama (2021) by contextualising it within the current global climate crisis. By highlighting the oral tradition of indigenous narratives and marking the significance of dwipodi-poyar meter in Ghosh’s adaptation, I draw attention to the folktale as a literary form suitable for articulating the climate question. Following a close textual reading of Jungle Nama, the article presents some broader arguments about the relationship between literature and climate crisis, storytelling and community-building, capitalist realism and alternative sustainable futures – specifically from the postcolonial vantage point of the global South.

Modeling the evaluation of methods for determining the basic density of wood in forest species based on data from a neuro-fuzzy inference system

The forestry sector is one of the agribusiness sectors that generates the most wealth for the national economy, as it brings benefits to society, from the wood itself for industries, biomass for energy production, and to the environment, reducing pressure on native forests and the reuse of land degraded by agriculture. In view of this, this study was carried out to predict the different basic densities in tree species under the influence of two factors, nine different tree species in relation to three different density methodologies using the Neuro-Fuzzy System. Tree basic density modeling was carried out using effective species parameters and different calculation methodologies adapted to the Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). In the ANFIS model, 67% and 33% of the total data were considered as training and test data, respectively. The numbers of pertinence functions were selected 9 for species and 3 for methodologies for the input data. ANFIS training was carried out using the hybrid method. The average R2 determination coefficients were 87.32% and 97.42% for the field and ANFIS models, respectively. The model obtained using ANFIS showed a high accuracy of 4.36%. Compared to the field data, the ANFIS model was highly accurate and can be used to estimate the basic density of the trees in this study.

Comparative Study on the Perception of Cultural Ecosystem Services in Taibai Mountain National Forest Park from Different Stakeholder Perspectives

The core of the cultural services of ecosystems (CESs) is the spiritual connection between humans and nature, and participatory mapping from the stakeholder perspective is an effective method for perceiving and protecting hotspot CES areas. This study used participatory mapping combined with 184 interviews and questionnaires, completed on 10 December 2023, to investigate the perceptions of CESs in Taibai Mountain National Forest Park by different stakeholder groups; spatial and correlation analyses were used to comparatively analyze the characteristics of the differences in the perceptions of CESs among different stakeholders, the influencing factors, and their spatial distribution patterns. The results show that (1) there is a positive correlation between the literacy level of external stakeholders and the perception of CESs, and there is no significant difference between the differences in the other demographic characteristics of stakeholders (gender, age, occupation, and literacy level) in the perception of CESs. (2) Different stakeholders have convergent perceptions of spiritual and religious values, cultural heritage values, educational values, and inspirational values, whereas there are greater differences in the perceptions of aesthetic values, ecological and recreational values, and local identity values. (3) Different stakeholders of the same CES are strongly correlated, and there is no correlation between spiritual and religious values and other values and no correlation between recreational and ecotourism values and educational and cultural heritage values; however, there is a correlation between all other subcultural services. It is important to fully identify and consider the characteristics of the differences in the perceptions of different stakeholders in CESs to enhance the regional planning and scenic area service function in the study area.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES IN MODERN INDIA: HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND IMPACT

Environmental policies in modern India have undergone significant transformation, reflecting the country's evolving socio-economic conditions, global environmental concerns, and its commitment to sustainable development. The journey of India's environmental policy can be traced back to its post-independence era, where economic growth was prioritized, often at the expense of environmental considerations. Early policy frameworks lacked a coherent environmental focus, with limited institutional mechanisms for protecting natural resources. However, in the 1970s, influenced by the global environmental movement and events like the 1972 Stockholm Conference, India began to formalize its environmental approach, marking the beginning of policy reforms aimed at balancing development with ecological preservation. Important milestones in India's environmental policy include the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in 1985, the promulgation of the Environment Protection Act (1986), and the National Forest Policy (1988), which aimed to curb deforestation and promote sustainable land use. The 1990s and 2000s saw India increasingly engaging with international environmental frameworks, including the Rio Earth Summit (1992) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997), and emphasizing the integration of environmental concerns into the developmental agenda. Despite these advancements, the impact of environmental policies in India remains mixed. While there has been notable success in areas such as wildlife conservation, pollution control, and biodiversity preservation, challenges like deforestation, water scarcity, and industrial pollution persist. The growing pressures of industrialization, urbanization, and climate change present ongoing challenges in policy implementation. Additionally, the tension between economic development and environmental sustainability continues to be a contentious issue. This paper examines the historical evolution of environmental policies in India, assesses their impact on ecological conservation, and explores the ongoing challenges and future directions for achieving a balance between growth and sustainability. KEYWORDS: Environmental Policies, India, Historical Context, Sustainable Development, Deforestation, Industrialization, Climate Change, Wildlife Conservation, Economic Growth, Environmental Governance.

Barrow of the Wielbark culture at Leśnictwo Wilczy Jar Site 2 in the Białowieża Forest – new data on Roman Period settlement in the Upper Narew and Middle Bug interfluve

For many years, the Białowieża Forest has been one of the archaeologically least known areas of present-day Poland. Although the first excavations there were carried out as early as 1917-1918, until recently, knowledge of the prehistoric and Early Medieval settlement in the region has been negligible. Thanks to surface surveys and excavations undertaken at the beginning of the 21st century, it has so far been possible to record more than 600 archaeological sites in the Białowieża Forest. The great potential of this best-preserved lowland natural forest in Central Europe is evidenced, among other things, by the results of excavations carried out at Leśnictwo Wilczy Jar, Site 2. A barrow of the Wielbark culture, which is the first grave of its kind located so far to the east, was investigated there. Despite the limited scope of excavation of the mound, it is a significant contribution to the knowledge of the Roman Period in the Upper Narew and Middle Bug interfluve.

Mycorrhizal dominance influences tree species richness and richness-biomass relationship in China's forests.

Mycorrhizal associations drive plant community diversity and ecosystem functions. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and ectomycorrhiza (EcM) are two widespread mycorrhizal types and are thought to differentially affect plant diversity and productivity by nutrient acquisition and plant-soil feedback. However, it remains unclear how the mixture of two mycorrhizal types influences tree diversity, forest biomass, and their relationship at large spatial scales. Here, we explored these issues using data from 1247 plots (600 m2 for each) across China's natural forests located mostly in temperate and subtropical regions. Both AM-dominated and EcM-dominated forests show relatively lower tree species richness and stand biomass, whereas forests with the mixture of mycorrhizal strategies sustain more tree species and higher biomass. Interestingly, the positive effect of tree diversity on biomass is stronger in forests with low (≤50%) than high AM tree proportion (>50%), reflecting a shift from the complementarity effect to functional redundancy with increasing AM trees. Our findings suggest that mycorrhizal dominance influences tree diversity and richness-biomass relationship in forest ecosystems.

Effects of Eucalypt Monoculture Plantations on Soil Invertebrate Communities: A Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACTEucalypt monoculture plantations can adversely impact soil properties. However, a thorough assessment of their effects on soil invertebrate communities is lacking, impeding our ability to acquire a deeper understanding about the potential impacts of these intensively managed plantations on soil functioning. To quantify the effects of eucalypt plantations on soil invertebrate communities, and to identify the main moderators driving these effects, we performed a meta‐analysis of studies reporting the effects of eucalypt monoculture plantations in comparison with other land use types involving different potential levels of disturbance to the soil matrix (native forests, other forestry plantations, croplands, grasslands, integrated crop‐livestock‐forestry, and invasive copses). We addressed these effects on the density (26 studies contributing 143 comparisons) and diversity (14 studies contributing 168 comparisons) of soil invertebrates. Density was lower in eucalypt plantations than in other forestry plantations, but higher than in grasslands and integrated crop‐livestock‐forestry. Diversity was lower in eucalypt plantations compared to native forests, yet higher when compared with other forestry plantations. When compared with other forestry plantations, the effects of eucalypt plantations on soil invertebrates depended on the type of other forestry plantation, the mean annual temperature, and the annual precipitation. Accounting for the diverse effects of eucalypt plantations relative to other land uses and climatic factors, along with the integration of data on soil physico‐chemical properties and different management practices, can contribute to a better understanding of how changes in land cover impact soil invertebrates and help managers to make informed decisions about the establishment of eucalypt plantations.

Edge cases: fragmentation and ecosystem processes in temperate forest landscapes

Temperate forests are the most fragmented forest biome, yet current understanding of fragmentation effects on ecosystem processes, such as carbon (C) cycling, is rooted in tropical forest research. We review the effects of persistent fragmentation on temperate forest ecosystem processes and quantify the extent to which the US national forest inventory and land‐cover maps represent forest edge area. We found systematic underrepresentation of forest edges across all methods. As compared with very high resolution (1 m) maps, conventional 30‐m resolution forest cover maps underestimated forest edge area by 16.4%, on average. Accounting for all forest edge area and edge effects on forest structure and growth resulted in a 14.8% median increase in aboveground forest C estimates, with 23.8% and 74.2% increases in agriculturally and urban dominated counties, respectively. We conclude by proposing improvements to forest inventories, maps, and models to better represent the fragmented temperate forest landscape.

Ecological potential of soils of old-growth natural forests Skole Beskydy (Ukrainian Carpathians)

The ecological potential of the soils of natural old-growth forests is analyzed. It has been found that the upper horizon of brown mountain-forest soils is characterized by excellent indicators of total porosity (63,63 %), soil water permeability (3,08 cm⸱min-¹), soil bulk density (0,88 g⸱cm-³) and catalase enzyme activity (4,9 cm3 O2 per 1 g of soil per 1 min). The results indicate excellent ecological potential of the soils, which allows using their indicators as a reference for restoring soil cover under the forest ecosystems of the Skole Beskydy. The recreational and agrogenic impact on soils in the mountainous region was also analyzed. It was found that the upper humus-accumulative horizon suffers the most from plowing, trampling by livestock, and damage by erosion processes caused by prolonged recreational use. While cattle grazing is seasonal, the impact of recreationists is increasing and corresponds to stages II and IV of recreational degradation, soils under arable land are subject to the greatest anthropogenic impact in terms of time interval due to the transfer of the upper horizons downwards, and vice versa. The processes of soil recovery under pasture, after the removal of agrogenic load, are much faster than under plowed areas. Arable land undergoes several successive stages of recovery (arable land → fallow land → shrub vegetation → woody vegetation I (mainly gray alder and birch-aspen stands) → woody vegetation II (indigenous forest-forming species of the region), where the process itself takes 150-200 years. Третє місце серед досліджуваних ділянок посідають туристичні шляхи. Зазначимо, що само відновлення стежок відбувається здебільшого на початку ІІ стадії дегресії, ІV стадія потребує реконструкції, а період відновлення сягає кілька десятків років. The analysis of water-physical properties under old-growth natural stands as a benchmark shows that the density of soil structure increases by 1,2 times on the category II trail and 1.5 times on the category IV trail Based on the results of the analysis of data made within the soil profile, it was found that under pasture the soil is compacted to a depth of 10 cm, under arable land - to the depth of plowing, and on trails the compaction is 5-10 cm in the initial stages and reaches 30 cm to the depth of the parent rock at the IV stage of recreational degradation. Systematic monitoring of the tourist routes and ecological trails of the Skole Beskydy National Park will help prevent degradation processes in a timely manner. In the areas with low recreational load, it is proposed to mark the tourist trails, and for safety and convenience, to install bridges with handrails over mountain streams. On the trails of the IV category, it is necessary to mark the routes, limit the access of recreationists in bad weather to the outstanding attractions. Key words: еcological potential of soils; old-growth natural forests; trail; land use; brown mountain-forest soils; forest floor; mountainous region.

Anthropogenic transformation of socio-ecosystems in the river basin of the Bystrytsia (Ukrainian Carpathians)

Research on the anthropogenic transformation of socio-ecosystems in small river basins allows us to assess the scale of settlement impact and formulate measures for the sustainable development of territories. Settlement impact is reflected in changes in land structure – increase of built-up land and arable land within settlements and a decrease in natural forest and wetland geosystems. Such transformations in the catchment area of small rivers affect water quality reduce river flow, lead to siltation of the riverbed, and often threaten small rivers' existence in general. The Bystrytsia river basin has been inhabited for a long time, but due to the diversity of the relief and different types of nature management in the upper reaches and the mouth, the level of the anthropogenic transformation of socio-ecosystems is different. Anthropogenic transformation within human settlements (socio-ecosystems) was determined by systematic analysis of all factors causing changes. We analysed the historical settlement of the Bystrytsia basin and the current population in 43 settlements. They are home to 27,018 people. We identified the main potential anthropogenic sources of geosystem pollution: farms, landfills waste and untreated discharges from private homes. The anthropogenic load in the Bystrytsia basin began to increase sharply from the beginning of the twentieth century and reached its peak in 1970–1990. Extensive farming since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the expansion of anthropogenic impacts, and new threats caused by global climate change have continued the transformation of socio-ecosystems. Level of transformation of socio-ecosystems increases from the upper reaches to the river's outlet in the middle reaches. The greatest changes occurred in socio-ecosystems with high population density as a result of agricultural load: plowing, drainage melioration, farm work. These are settlements of the lowland part of the basin – Stupnytsia, Horodyshche, Dublyany, Verkhniy Dorozhiv. Indicators correlate with population density and the share of ecologically destabilising lands within settlements: the share of arable land reaches 50%, and together with hayfields and pastures it exceeds 70% of the territory. Forest cover is at the level of 20%. Our analysis helped to formulate measures and recommendations for the balanced use of the basin system of Bystrytsia and minimisation of anthropogenic impact. The studied areas are attractive for the development of tourism and recreation. An important condition is to maintain high quality and sustainability of natural geosystems and compliance with legislation. Key words: anthropogenic impact; basin approach; Bystrytsia River; anthropization; settlement impact.

EVOLUÇÃO DE C-CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; EM SOLOS DE DIFERENTES ECOSSISTEMAS NA REGIÃO DO ALTO ACRE, ACRE, BRASIL

Different studies, developed over the years, have shown that the increase in human activities on the soil can influence the release of gases related to the increase in the greenhouse effect. In this sense, the use of methods that evaluate the evolution of C-CO2 has been considered as important indicators to detect changes in the environment, since they can be influenced by the crop and its cultivation system as a result of impacts on microbial activity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the release of C-CO2 from soils submitted to different ecosystems. Laboratory tests were carried out where soil samples, submitted to five different ecosystems, were collected in three different periods throughout the year in the municipalities of Brasiléia and Epitaciolândia, Alto Acre region, in the state of Acre, and were subsequently incubated. Subsequently, the evolution of C-CO2 was evaluated, and the readings were carried out periodically until the 500th day of incubation of the samples. The data were analyzed in order to evaluate the effect of different plant species on the evolution of C-CO2. Regarding the collection carried out in April, there was no difference in the evolution of C-CO2 between the areas. However, in the month of June, which comprises the period of the beginning of the transition between the rainy season and the dry season, and in the month of August, the dry season, it was observed that in the area of native forest occurred the highest values of C-CO2 flux, differing statistically from other areas within these months of collection. Between the collection times, only in the area of agroforestry system no significant differences were recorded in the evolution of C-CO2. The highest accumulated values of C-CO2 were recorded in the following sequence: native forest &gt; agroforestry system &gt; area with cassava &gt; cultivated pasture &gt; area with banana. It is concluded that the areas that present a greater contribution of plant material to the soil can serve as a stimulus to the development of microorganisms that, consequently, increase the flow of CO2, especially until the beginning of the dry season and that the absence of moisture negatively influences the emission of C-CO2, causing significant differences in the amount of release of C-CO2 between the study areas at the same time of evaluation.

Forest dynamics where typhoon winds blow.

Tropical cyclones (TCs) sporadically cause extensive damage to forests. However, little is known about how TCs affect forest dynamics in mountainous terrain, due to difficulties in modelling wind flows and quantifying structural changes. Typhoon Mangkhut (2018) was the strongest TC to strike Hong Kong in over 40 yr, with gusts > 250 km h-1. Remarkably, the event was captured by a dense anemometer network and repeated LiDAR surveys across natural forests and plantations. We mapped long-term mean and extreme wind speeds using CFD models and analysed corresponding changes in canopy height, which uncovered TC-forest dynamics at unprecedented scales (> 400 000 pixels, 1108 km2). Forest height was more strongly limited by wind exposure than by background topography, a limitation attributable to a dynamic equilibrium between growth and disproportionate TC damage to taller forests. Counterintuitively, wind-sheltered forests also suffered heavy damage. As a result, canopies of wind-sheltered forests were more rugged, which contrasted with flat-topped forests at wind-exposed sites. Plantations were more susceptible to TCs compared to natural rainforests of similar stature (canopy height change -0.86 m vs -0.39 m). Our findings highlight TCs as important, often overlooked factor that fundamentally shapes forest structure and dynamics.

Litter Decomposition of Pinus Caribaea and Pinus Oocarpa in a Tropical Climate: Effects of Pure and Mixed Plantation and Native Forest Environments

ABSTRACT Although the litter deposition and decomposition dynamics of the Pinus genus is relatively well known, the effects of the mixture of needles from different species and the influence of the microenvironmental condition of the forest system have rarely been investigated. The objective of this work was to evaluate the decomposition of needles of two Pinus species (Pinus caribaea and Pinus oocarpa) and the needle-mixing of these species when exposed to a planted forest condition (one pure and one mixed of these two species) and a natural tropical forest condition. Senescent needles were collected from the base of the treetops. Next, 10 g samples of the dry needles were placed in litterbags: for the pure plantation, 100% samples of P. caribaea were used, while the samples for the mixed plantation were composed of 50% P. caribaea +50% P. oocarpa. The litterbags were placed in the planted forest environment and in the natural forest environment. Litterbag collections were performed after 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 days after installation. The dry needle material (before and after decomposition) was chemically characterized. The litter composition and the microenvironment influenced the decomposition dynamics. The decomposition rate of mixed needle litter was higher than the rate of pure litter, being even more expressive when in the native forest condition.

A comparison of odonate communities in primary and secondary cloud forest at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica

A comparison of odonate communities in primary and secondary cloud forest at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica

Cost-effectiveness of remote sensing technology for spruce budworm monitoring in Maine, USA

Forest pests are a major disturbance factor in forest ecosystems, which can result in tree mortality and loss of ecosystem services, leading to further negative impacts on the forest economy. Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.); SBW) is a native forest pest in the northeastern USA and Canada, including the state of Maine, which defoliates balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and spruce (Picea spp.) trees with cyclical outbreaks every 30-60 years. SBW is typically monitored via ground sampling techniques such as pheromone traps and overwintering second instar larvae (L2) branch sampling. Remote sensing data can also provide information about defoliation patterns across the landscape and forest susceptibility to outbreaks. This study presents a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing remote sensing data, ground sampling techniques, and an integrated monitoring approach, combining remote sensing change detection with field sampling. Over a 10-year project period, Sentinel-2 imagery emerged as the most cost-effective option, ranging from US$33 to US$63/square kilometer (sq km), offering wide spatial coverage and moderate resolution suitable for the identification of defoliation patterns. PlanetScope imagery ranged from US$77 to US$241/sq km, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery had the greatest variation, from US$9,220 to US$58,481/sq km. Labor costs are the most influential in our study, ranging from 30% of total costs for remote sensing approaches to 80% for field sampling. The integrated monitoring approach proposed in this study presents a synergistic strategy for effective and timely SBW monitoring, ranging from US$144 to US$213/sq km. Utilizing this integrated approach leverages both remote sensing and L2 branch surveys to enhance the accuracy and timeliness of monitoring efforts, leading to more effective management strategies for mitigating pest outbreaks for landowners. Our research highlights the importance of adaptive monitoring strategies and integrating remote sensing for forest pest detection.

Global rarity of high-integrity tropical rainforests for threatened and declining terrestrial vertebrates

Structurally intact native forests free from major human pressures are vitally important habitats for the persistence of forest biodiversity. However, the extent of such high-integrity forest habitats remaining for biodiversity is unknown. Here, we quantify the amount of high-integrity tropical rainforests, as a fraction of total forest cover, within the geographic ranges of 16,396 species of terrestrial vertebrates worldwide. We found up to 90% of the humid tropical ranges of forest-dependent vertebrates was encompassed by forest cover. Concerningly, however, merely 25% of these remaining rainforests are of high integrity. Forest-dependent species that are threatened and declining and species with small geographic ranges have disproportionately low proportions of high-integrity forest habitat left. Our work brings much needed attention to the poor quality of much of the forest estate remaining for biodiversity across the humid tropics. The targeted preservation of the world's remaining high-integrity tropical rainforests that are currently unprotected is a critical conservation priority that may help alleviate the biodiversity crisis in these hyperdiverse and irreplaceable ecosystems. Enhanced efforts worldwide to preserve tropical rainforest integrity are essential to meet the targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity's 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework which aims to achieve near zero loss of high biodiversity importance areas (including ecosystems of high integrity) by 2030.

Whole-genome sequencing and metagenomics reveal diversity and prevalence of Listeria spp. from soil in the Nantahala National Forest.

As a foodborne pathogen, Listeria continues to cause numerous illnesses in humans and animals. Studying the diversity and distribution of Listeria in soil is crucial for understanding potential sources of contamination and developing effective strategies to prevent foodborne outbreaks of listeriosis. Additionally, examining the ecological niches and survival mechanisms of Listeria in natural habitats provides insights into its persistence and adaptability, informing risk assessments and public health interventions. This research contributes to a broader understanding of microbial ecology and the factors influencing foodborne pathogen emergence, ultimately enhancing food safety and protecting public health. Moreover, using a metagenomic approach provides a detailed understanding of the soil microbial ecosystems, leading to more effective monitoring and control of foodborne pathogens. This study also highlights the potential for integrating metagenomics into routine surveillance systems for food safety in the near future.

Anthromes and forest carbon responses to global change

Societal Impact StatementForest ecosystems absorb and store about 25% of global carbon dioxide emissions annually and are increasingly shaped by human land use and management. Climate change interacts with land use and forest dynamics to influence observed carbon stocks and the strength of the land carbon sink. We show that climate change effects on modeled forest land carbon stocks are strongest in tropical wildlands that have limited human influence. Global forest carbon stocks and carbon sink strength may decline as climate change and anthropogenic influences intensify, with wildland tropical forests, especially in Amazonia, likely being especially vulnerable.Summary Human effects on ecosystems date back thousands of years, and anthropogenic biomes—anthromes—broadly incorporate the effects of human population density and land use on ecosystems. Forests are integral to the global carbon cycle, containing large biomass carbon stocks, yet their responses to land use and climate change are uncertain but critical to informing climate change mitigation strategies, ecosystem management, and Earth system modeling. Using an anthromes perspective and the site locations from the Global Forest Carbon (ForC) Database, we compare intensively used, cultured, and wildland forest lands in tropical and extratropical regions. We summarize recent past (1900‐present) patterns of land use intensification, and we use a feedback analysis of Earth system models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 to estimate the sensitivity of forest carbon stocks to CO2 and temperature change for different anthromes among regions. Modeled global forest carbon stock responses are positive for CO2 increase but neutral to negative for temperature increase. Across anthromes (intensively used, cultured, and wildland forest areas), modeled forest carbon stock responses of temperate and boreal forests are less variable than those of tropical forests. Tropical wildland forest areas appear especially sensitive to CO2 and temperature change, with the negative temperature response highlighting the potential vulnerability of the globally significant carbon stock in tropical forests. The net effect of anthropogenic activities—including land‐use intensification and environmental change and their interactions with natural forest dynamics—will shape future forest carbon stock changes. These interactive effects will likely be strongest in tropical wildlands.