Forests In Protected Areas Research Articles

Fire is associated with forest degradation and economic land concessions, but not land conversion in the rapidly transforming Cambodian landscape

Abstract Cambodia is beset by high deforestation rates and fire frequencies. From 2001–2020, forest cover declined by 34%, and cropland and rubber expanded by 31,401 km2 and 4,530 km2, respectively; meanwhile nearly 8.7 million fires burned 41.6% of the land. Fires may be associated with deliberate land change, stable land management systems, and unplanned forest degradation. We integrated annual land cover and monthly burned area data from 2001–2020 to test three hypotheses. First, if fire is used during land conversion, there would be a detectable pulse in fire activity in the year immediately prior to, and the year of land cover change. Our temporal analysis found statistically elevated burn rates in five of 16 transition tests, however, they were typically <1% outside the predicted range, indicating no practical significance in the association of fire with land cover change. Second, fire prevalence would be lower in land managed for conservation or agricultural production than unclassified or unmanaged land. persistent forest and shrubland burned at significantly higher rates than expected, cropland burned significantly less, burning was almost absent from rubber plantations, and forests in protected areas (PAs) exhibited lower total burn percentages than unclassified land or industrial economic land concessions (ELCs), thus supporting the fire-land management hypothesis. However, total burned area in ELCs was greater than unclassified land for several persistent land cover classes, suggesting that local landowners may prevent fire in commercially valuable private agricultural land, but there may be no such prevention measures in industrial ELCs. Anti-fire policy enforcement in ELCs should be enhanced. Third, forests that converted into (degraded) shrublands would experience increasing fire frequency in the years leading up to transition, a hypothesis we found strong support for through our temporal analysis. Cambodia’s 2013 Law on Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting deputizes the public to enforce its provision, however given that the vast majority of fires occur in persistent forest in state-owned land, collective action problems are likely to hinder its effective implementation.

Effectiveness assessment of protected areas based on the states, trends, and relative changes in forest ecosystem: a case study in the Three Parallel Rivers Region, China

Establishing protected areas (PAs) is a major measure of biodiversity conservation, and various methods have been explored to assess PAs’ effectiveness. However, those methods mainly compared the relative changes in land cover between treated samples inside the PAs and their matched samples outside the PAs, which would produce misjudgments, especially in some climax communities with a relatively steady state. Thus, in this study, we constructed an integrated framework through a series of assessments according to the state, trend, and relative change of each PA to explore the conservation effectiveness of PAs in the Three Parallel Rivers Region in China from 2000 to 2020. Here, “state” refers to the difference among samples from within and outside the PA, assessed through yearly sample mean comparison. “Trend” means linear regression of mean forest area of each PA throughout the assessment period. “Relative change” means the difference in the mean value of the slope of forest changes between the treated samples inside each PA and their matched control samples outside of PAs. The entire forest area within all PAs in the Three Parallel Rivers Region showed a significant increasing trend from 2000 to 2020 (R2 = 0.919, P<0.05). Among all the PAs, twelve (86%) had a positive effect on protecting the forest ecosystem, and two had a nonsignificant effect. Among the factors affecting the state and relative change in PAs’ forests, the annual total precipitation was the most important, followed by distance to the nearest road. Moreover, the management-level variable was an essential factor in the state of PAs’ forest ecosystems, which indicated that national PAs (nature reserves and natural parks) were in a better state than local (provincial- and county-level) nature reserves. Overall, the conservation effectiveness of forests in PAs was assessed at a regional scale in the Three Parallel Rivers Region, implying that our framework would be additional useful in regions with high biodiversity and steady ecosystems. This framework better avoids underestimating conservation effectiveness assessment tasks than traditional methods do. Thus, we posit that this framework is suitable for future global or country-level assessments.

Locating Kadu in Adivasi portrayals of protected forest areas in Southern India

Globally, Indigenous Peoples are the stewards of a large portion of the global land base, and their interactions and associations with the land have shaped and sustained it for centuries. Yet conservation studies and land management practices still struggle to understand or use Indigenous interpretations of the natural world. In many cases, this perpetuates a colonial sensibility across land use policies, which also dangerously misrepresents Indigenous relationships with that land. This paper focuses on Kattunayakans, a hunter-forager Adivasi (Indigenous) community living within the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, India. Our focus is how they characterize kadu (‘forest’ in Kattunayakan language), both what it is constituted of and what it means from an Adivasi point of view. Using open-ended interviews, transect walks, and spatial mapping we find that for Kattunayakans, the forest is seen as an entity with agency; and a body of discrete biocultural landscape units classified as: a convergence of good places and God people; and a realm of spaces populated by kinfolk with fluid human-and-nonhuman identities that do not follow any physical boundaries of protected areas. This understanding of what a protected area forest is and is comprised of is neither adequately represented and discussed in the history of India's protected areas nor addressed in forest and wildlife management policies and approaches. This is highly consequential for Adivasi communities such as Kattunayakans, who do not have written or material evidence of their productive and historical relationship to forest land. We argue, as well, that when engaged appropriately, Adivasi portrayals of the kadu can bolster equity in land management and strengthen collaborative governance that more broadly advances human rights alongside the goals of biodiversity conservation.

Owls’ responses to forest conservation in the Alps

Abstract As inhabitants of cavities, some owl species benefit from natural processes, different tree compositions and higher volumes of dead wood. We assumed that protected areas would have a positive impact on the owl community. We compared the abundance of calling owls on 22 lines in managed versus protected forests. Here, we recorded the acoustic communication of owls. The composition of the owl community did not differ between areas. However, we found the impact of forest landscape integrity index and altitude on the diversity of owls. Forests in protected areas probably need time to develop natural and heterogeneous habitat structures. The conservation priority should be to increase the integrity of the forests. Our results also confirmed that managed forests can have a high diversity of owls.

The potential conservation value of anthropogenically modified habitat for the Endangered moor macaque Macaca maura in Sulawesi, Indonesia

AbstractHuman-induced land-use change has resulted in substantial loss and degradation of habitat for forest-dwelling wildlife. The moor macaque Macaca maura, an Endangered primate endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been observed in a wide array of habitats, including heavily modified areas, but little is known about the quality of these habitats. Here we compared the habitat quality of two areas occupied by moor macaque populations: a previously human-modified karst forest now located within a national park and a heavily modified forest located in an unprotected area. We assessed habitat quality by measuring specific indicators of potential food availability derived from vegetation data and quantified the nutritional environment based on macronutrient analysis of fruit samples collected at the two sites. Although the species richness, diversity and overall stem density of macaque food trees were greater in the protected area forest, total basal area and mean diameter at breast height were greater in the heavily modified forest. Mean metabolizable energy concentrations of fruits eaten by macaques were similar between forests, as were the proportions of protein, lipids and total non-structural carbohydrates. These results provide further support for the notion that heavily modified habitats should not be overlooked for their potential conservation value. To further augment their value, conservation efforts should focus on forest restoration, specifically the planting of fast-growing species that are utilized by both wildlife and people.

Increasing signs of forest fragmentation in the Cross River National Park in Nigeria: Underlying drivers and need for sustainable responses

Protected areas are expectedly intact habitats for biodiversity and key for ecosystem conservation. However, where inadequately protected, human-induced forest fragmentation can degrade them and reduce their functioning. Therefore, monitoring forests in protected areas is essential to ascertain their protection. This paper assesses forest fragmentation in the Cross River National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in the tropical rainforest of Nigeria. Forest fragmentation was analyzed using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response framework. Fragmentation analysis of the State used class-level pattern metrics on Landsat and Sentinel images from the years 2000, 2015 and 2020. Forest fragmentation has reduced total forest area, decreased average size of forest patches, increased the number of forest patches and amount of edge. Only the isolation of forest patches has not yet reached a measurable intensity. However, spatio-temporal forest fragmentation over the years 2000, 2015 and 2020 indicates a rising trend, especially between 2015 and 2020. The Drivers, Pressures, Impacts and Responses were investigated through a systematic literature review. Many studies show that the main proximate Drivers of forest fragmentation are agricultural activities mainly by the local communities, demand for forest resources by the growing population, and by external actors through illegal logging and infrastructure building, which have increased. However, wider literature highlight issues of disproportionately blaming local resource users, and the need to examine the neglect of justice, rights and local values, and their implications for sustainable protected areas. Reported Impacts include hindered migration of the endangered Cross River gorilla and impaired ecosystem services like water cycling, carbon sequestration and disease regulation. Responses have generally excluded the local communities, have failed or are yet to become effective. There is thus a need to identify, together with the involved actors, why measures have failed and to implement more sustainable options to reduce fragmentation in the park while addressing local users’ needs.

Evaluating Forest Cover Changes in Protected Areas Using Geospatial Analysis in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Abstract Protected areas have been developed in Thailand to conserve the natural environment required for wildlife and human beings, and to prevent disasters. It is necessary to address doubts about effectiveness of protected areas because regulations have been changed or are ignored in some communities and regions, especially in Chiang Mai province, which is facing the loss of natural forest areas under area transformations. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of forest protected areas. To do this, this study focused on analyzing multi-year land cover changes in Chiang Mai over two decades (1995-2015) with four land cover types: forest, agriculture, urban, and water bodies, inside and outside protected areas. The results suggest that the establishment of forest protected areas assisted to curtail urban expansion compared to non-protected areas. The protected areas effectively kept the number of divided forest patches small, and the forest patches were larger than in non-protected areas. We detected clearing of forests in protected areas, where they were transformed into agricultural areas. However, agricultural patches in protected areas were smaller and in higher densities than in non-protected areas. We conclude that the main contribution of forest cover loss in Chiang Mai is transition to agricultural areas, and that designated national parks and wildlife sanctuaries could help to effectively conserve such forest areas. Keywords: Land cover change, Land transformation, Protected areas, Non-protected areas, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The important role of multifunctional forests in society: a methodology for stands delimitation

Forest planning and management must be conceived in accordance with the circumstances and needs of the moment. Nowadays, the forest does not have a single and exclusive productive use but responds to multiple demands. The stand management method, with a broad approach, is has been recently well adapted to this type of multipurpose management. This study proposes a methodology for delimiting stands which led to manage different uses in forests in protected areas. The methodology consists of six phases: (i) create permanents units (ii) initial identification of forest typologies, (iii) image analysis, (iv) identification of tree types within the forest typology, (v) detailed inventory and (vi) formation of stands. An example is presented for the “Monte Paris” forest, located a few kilometers from Madrid, which combines protective, livestock and recreational use. For the protection use, pruning and thinning will be carried out, for the livestock use, supplementation, meadow sowing and enclosures, and for the recreational use, the design of an environmental center and five ecological trails are proposed. The organization in time and space of the activities planned in the stands allows a correct and satisfactory management of the multiple uses that occur in this forest.

What Are the Most Important Factors Influencing Springtail Tetrodontophora bielanensis?

Simple SummarySpringtails (Collembola) are organisms which mainly inhabit soil and litter layers but may account for around 25% of the canopy fauna. They can be also found in dead wood, which provides nutrients for these detritivores. The springtail, Tetrodontophora bielanensis, dwells in the litter and upper soil layers. In our research, we were focused on the environmental factors influencing this springtail in forests at the landscape and site level. We found that the springtail was positively influenced by the presence of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and with greater abundance in the south-eastern part of Krkonoše (Czech Republic). The negative influence of bark coverage, the presence of fungi, and the positive influence of an increasing circumference of tree was observed at the site level.The springtail, Tetrodontophora bielanensis, dwells in the litter and upper soil layers. This arthropod mainly inhabits humid litter and soil and prefers a cold climate. We determined the main factors influencing this springtail in forests at the landscape level in Krkonoše and site level in Orlické hory in the Czech Republic. We used passive trunk-tree traps. These traps are highly effective for sampling flightless fauna. We used 128 traps in Krkonoše and 17 traps in Orlické hory. The springtail was significantly positively influenced by the presence of Norway spruce (Picea abies) at the landscape level. Springtails’ abundance was, furthermore, influenced by the spatial distribution of the sampling sites. The negative influence of bark coverage and the presence of fungi, and positive influence of an increasing dimension of trees were significant at the site level. We argue for a more diversified management of mountainous forests with respect to forest history. This appears to be also important for mountainous forests in protected areas.

A methodological approach for monitoring of riparian forests in protected areas on Danube islands

In the last decades, invasive plant species have rapidly settled on the islands in the Danube River. This process is closely related to anthropogenic activities, such as felling and cultivation of soil for affor-estation of Euro-American poplar trees throughout the Danube River basin. In this regard, it is im-portant to: (i) determine the speed and scope of invasive vegetation establishment and (ii) determine more precisely the ongoing successional dynamics. Monitoring in permanent plots is needed to track the changes and assist in decision-making processes for the management of protected areas on the islands in the Danube River. The aim of the study is to describe and justify an innovative approach to analyse the dynamic of the invasion species occurrence and development as related to site conditions and management across the islands in the Danube River. The following methodological approach was considered: (1) selection of islands with well-preserved and sufficient in area covered by natural forest vegetation; (2) differentiation of strata by forest type, age and canopy cover; (3) setting up permanent sample plots for long-term monitoring in natural riparian forests.

EL EL SUMIDERO DE CARBONO EN LOS BOSQUES PRIMARIOS AMAZÓNICOS ES UNA OPORTUNIDAD PARA LOGRAR LA SOSTENIBILIDAD DE SU CONSERVACIÓN

Los bosques primarios intactos de la Amazonía peruana se comportan como sumideros de carbono: un servicio ecosistémico clave a nivel mundial. Este sumidero fue cuantificado en 0.54 Mg C ha-1 año-1 (1990-2017) para los bosques amazónicos intactos de las Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANPs) de Perú y las zonas de amortiguamiento. En otras palabras, la conservación de bosques intactos en ANPs ayudó a remover 9.6 millones de toneladas de carbono de la atmósfera por año, lo cual equivale aproximadamente al 85% de las emisiones de la quema de combustibles fósiles del país durante el 2012. Este servicio de remoción de CO2 atmosférico es necesario incluir en el inventario nacional de gases de efecto invernadero, y en los compromisos nacionales de reducción de emisiones, por dos razones. Primero, debido a ser un flujo importante, nos ayudaría a tener una aproximación más real del balance de carbono en Perú. Segundo, fortalecería la necesidad de mantener la integridad de estos bosques tanto por el servicio de almacenamiento de carbono (evitar emisiones) como el servicio de sumidero (remoción de emisiones) y la diversidad biológica que albergan. La provisión del servicio de sumidero solo se asegurará con una gestión efectiva y adaptativa de las ANPs. El reporte de este servicio ambiental a nivel nacional debe ser implementado a través del monitoreo a largo plazo de la dinámica del carbono y el impacto del cambio climático a través de la red de parcelas forestales permanentes de RAINFOR (Red Amazónica de Inventarios Forestales) y el proyecto MonANPeru. El establecimiento de este sistema de monitoreo permitirá el desarrollo de los mecanismos financieros para cerrar la brecha y lograr la sostenibilidad de la conservación de los bosques en las ANPs de Perú.

Екологічні засади ведення лісового господарства в Україні в контексті євроінтеграції

Збереження екосистемного різноманіття лісів і ведення лісового господарства на засадах, наближених до природи, має бути основним пріоритетом лісової політики сьогодення. Для виконання цих завдань потрібні чіткі уявлення про те, що ми маємо зберігати і які ліси формувати. Першим кроком у цьому напрямі в Україні повинна бути класифікація усіх лісових екосистем за єдиним принципом і встановлено всі типи лісів, які потребують збереження. Для цього необхідно врахувати існуючі в лісівництві підходи, наявність науковців і фахівців лісового господарства, які здатні здійснити таку роботу. Наступним кроком має бути критичний аналіз отриманого масиву даних для всієї території України для встановлення типів лісу, які вже перебувають під певними формами заповідання, а яким ще варто надати природоохоронного статусу. Важливим є повна інвентаризація природоохоронного фонду в межах держави і встановлення лісів, які потребують активних форм охорони з метою відновлення їх первинної структурно-функціональної організації, а також лісових ділянок, що мають бути вилучені із заповідних територій як вторинні екосистеми, які не мають цінності для збереження екосистемного різноманіття, а подекуди є потужним джерелом розмноження та розселення фітопатологічних організмів.

Joining of the historical research and future prediction as a support tool for the assessment of management strategy for European beech-dominated forests in protected areas

European beech-dominated forests are crucial for maintaining biodiversity in forested mountain landscapes of the European temperate zone. This paper presents the results of research and assessment of management strategy for mountain beech-dominated forests in the Jeseníky Mountains (Czech Republic). Our approach is based on combining research on historical development of the forest ecosystem, assessment of its current state, and predictions of future dynamics using a forest growth simulation model. Using such a method makes it possible to understand the current state of the mountain beech-dominated forest ecosystem and predict its future development as a response to specific management strategies. The application of this method is therefore appropriate for assessing the suitability of selected management strategies in mountain protected areas. Our results show that a non-intervention management for mountain beech forest in the next 80 years complies with the Natura 2000 requirement to maintain the existing character of the forest habitat. Thus, the current management plan for the beech-dominated forests in the Jeseníky Mountains does not require significant corrections in the context of its conservation targets (i.e. maintaining biodiversity and current character of the forest ecosystem dominated by beech). The results of this study suggest that combining the knowledge on historical development with forest growth simulation can be used as a suitable support tool to assess management strategies for forest habitats in protected areas.

SOIL NEMATODES IN FOREST BIOCENOSES OF PROTECTED AREAS IN REPUBLIC OF KARELIA

Soil nematode communities of coniferous and deciduous forests in protected areas of the Republic of Karelia were studied with regard to their latitudinal position. A series of parameters (taxonomic diversity, nematode population density, eco-trophic structure and ecological indices of soil food web) were used to assess the nematode communities. The highest nematode taxonomic diversity was observed in linden forests and the lowest one in soils of pine forests. Bacterial-, fungal feeders and nematodes associated with plants dominated the soil nematode community structure in all types of forest biocoenoses. According to ecological indices of the food web (SI, EI), the soil ecosystems were assessed as undisturbed, with complex trophic linkages and a moderate level of soil organic enrichment. One exception was northern taiga forests in Kostomukshsky Strict Nature Reserve, where low SI values indicated an impact of detrimental environmental factors on the soil ecosystems. It was found that the main distinction of northern deciduous forests from southerner ones is the diversity and relative abundance of plant parasitic nematodes. It was for the first time demonstrated here that the graphic triangle constructed from ecological indices of the food web can be effectively applied to identify the features of soil nematode communities specific to forest type and local habitat conditions.

Modelling land use/cover changes with markov-cellular automata in Komering Watershed, South Sumatera

This research has a purpose to study and develop a model that can representing and simulating spatial distribution pattern of land use change in Komering watershed. The Komering watershed is one of nine sub Musi river basin and is located in the southern part of Sumatra island that has an area of 8060,62 km2. Land use change simulations, achieved through Markov-cellular automata (CA) methodologies. Slope, elevation, distance from road, distance from river, distance from capital sub-district, distance from settlement area area were driving factors that used in this research. Land use prediction result in 2030 also shows decrease of forest acreage up to -3.37%, agricultural land decreased up to -2.13%, and open land decreased up to -0.13%. On the other hand settlement area increased up to 0.07%, and plantation land increased up to 5.56%. Based on the predictive result, land use unconformity percentage to RTRW in Komering watershed is 18.62 % and land use conformity is 58.27%. Based on the results of the scenario, where forest in protected areas and agriculture land are maintained, shows increase the land use conformity amounted to 60.41 % and reduce unconformity that occur in Komering watershed to 17.23 %.

Regeneration-degeneration processes in the inland dune forests in protected areas of central Poland (Kampinos National Park)

Abstract The aim of our study was to quantify the differences in the regeneration-degeneration processes in pine and mixed oak-pine forest habitats in the Kampinos Forest (central Poland). We investigated whether the regeneration rate depends on habitat type, whether there is a relationship between the bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) cover and the degree of community deformation, and which habitat type has been most invaded by alien plant species. Our results indicate that the constant loss of pine forest habitats, which has been observed since the 1970s, is continuing. The less deformed communities generally have more bilberry coverage, the stands in pine forest habitats are older and less deformed, and the stands in mixed oak-pine forest habitats are more susceptible to the spread of alien species, but are able to regenerate faster after a disturbance. These results are in line with observations from other parts of Poland and other European countries.

Free-living ixodid ticks in an urban Atlantic Forest fragment, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

As a consequence of the importance of ticks in forests in protected areas, was conducted survey of species of free-living ticks in the Natural Park Municipal Curió, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Monthly samples were taken by dragging method, dry ice traps and visual search in two transects. Adults and nymphs of Amblyomma cajennense (n= 147), Amblyomma brasiliense (n= 4) and Amblyomma parvum (n= 1) were collected. This is the first occurrence of A. parvum in the state. No correlation was found between the abundance of stages of A. cajennense and rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. The highest abundances of adults were in the months of January and May, and nymphs in September and October. The low diversity of parasites on Curió Park can be attributed to the proximity of households with pets, which would also explain the higher abundance of A. cajennense that is commonly found in areas impacted by anthropogenic pressure.

Protected areas in a landscape dominated by logging – A connectivity analysis that integrates varying protection levels with competition–colonization tradeoffs

Conservation planning is challenging in landscapes where reoccurring habitat destruction and subsequent recovery affect metapopulation persistence, because different species respond differently to landscape change. By building on a graph-theoretical modeling framework, we here develop a connectivity model of how varying levels of area protection and unprotected areas predetermined for destruction affect species differently depending on (1) their tradeoff in colonization versus habitat utilization ability and (2) their maximum dispersal ability. We apply our model to 20,000 patches of old pine forest in northern Sweden, which host many threatened species but are scattered in a landscape dominated by intensive forestry. Unprotected mature forests stands predestined for logging are treated as adequate but temporarily available habitat for colonization specialists, whereas the same stands are assumed to, at best, serve only as intermediate stepping-stones for habitat specialists as they disperse between long-standing forests in protected areas. Our results show that the effect of habitat fragmentation on metapopulation persistence differs greatly not only depending on the dispersal distance of a particular species, but also on how well it utilizes habitat patches of different longevity. Such traits are discussed with respect to the spatiotemporal planning of habitat protection. Also, we suggest that the negative impacts of logging on biodiversity may be reduced if forestry practice is adjusted to better account for the ecological values of maturing production stands, through spatially explicit modeling of connectivity and of complementarity in the protection gradient.

Fire resistance of tree species explains historical gallery forest community composition

Fire, climatic variability, and grazing by large herbivores have historically limited woody vegetation in the tallgrass prairie region of North America to gallery forests in protected areas along rivers and streams. Fire, in particular, has been a strong selective pressure against woody vegetation. Consequently, we expect that dominant tree species in these forests have developed mechanisms for tolerating periodic surface fires. Susceptibility of trees to fire damage depends in part on key properties of bark which influence heat transfer to the vascular cambium, including thickness, density, and moisture content. An historical (1983) survey of Konza Prairie Biological Station in northeast Kansas, USA indicated that gallery forests were co-dominated by Quercus macrocarpa and Quercus muehlenbergii, while Celtis occidentalis occurred as an important sub-dominant species. Populus deltoides, Gleditsia triacanthos, and Juniperus virginiana were relatively uncommon. To test the hypothesis that historically dominant gallery forest tree species are more resistant to fire damage than uncommon species, fire was applied to the bark of 10 individuals of each of these six species under conditions mimicking surface fires (400 °C for 120 s). Maximum temperature at the vascular cambium, bark thickness, bark moisture content, and bark density were measured. Trees were considered fire-resistant if the vascular cambium temperature remained below the thermal cell death threshold, 60 °C, throughout the treatment. Using logistic regression, bark thickness was found to be a significant predictor of lethal cambium temperatures ( P = 0.002), while neither bark density nor moisture content were significantly related to lethal cambium temperature ( P = 0.279 and P = 0.131, respectively). Across species, a minimum bark thickness of approximately 8.6 mm was necessary to maintain the vascular cambium temperature below 60 °C. Trees that produce thick bark quickly in juvenile size classes ( P. deltoides, Q. macrocarpa, and Q. muehlenbergii) experienced lower temperatures at the vascular cambium than those which do not develop thick bark with increasing diameter ( C. occidentalis, G. triacanthos, and J. virginiana). Ranking these tree species by either the DBH or age needed to develop the minimum protective bark thickness largely agreed with ranking based on historical relative importance. As fire frequency and intensity decrease in remnant tallgrass prairie of North America as a result of habitat fragmentation, fire suppression, and changing land management, fire-sensitive species may increase in relative importance in gallery forests because of increased juvenile survival.

Social Justice in the Forest: Aboriginal engagement with Australia's forest industries

What remains of Australia’s native forests are important to Aboriginal people for environmental, cultural and economic reasons. Managers of forests in protected areas at State and Commonwealth levels have policies for involving Aboriginal people in forest management and for protecting the intangible and tangible values that Aboriginal people place on forests, but there are limited opportunities for significant economic returns to Aboriginal communities. Outside of conservation reserves, there are native timber production forests on crown land, plantations on private and public land and, forests on Aboriginal land, that offer a range of opportunities for Aboriginal people to engage with forest industries. Cultural traditions and values continue to play a role but they are manifest in different ways, depending on the local situation.