Forest Values Research Articles

Disentangling the impacts of soil moisture and vapour pressure deficit on biodiversity patterns and conservation value of tropical forests in Ghana, West Africa

Disentangling the impacts of soil moisture and vapour pressure deficit on biodiversity patterns and conservation value of tropical forests in Ghana, West Africa

Relative fire-proneness of land cover types in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

Fires are increasingly affecting tropical biomes, where landscape-fire interactions remain understudied. We investigate the fire-proneness-the likelihood of a land use or land cover (LULC) type burning more or less than expected based on availability-in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (AF). This biodiversity hotspot is increasingly affected by fires due to human activities and climate change. Using a selection ratio-based approach, we analyzed fire-LULC interactions in 40,869 fires over a 35-year period (1987-2022) across various ecoregions in the AF. Our findings revealed that secondary forests, forest areas that have regrown after major disturbances, burned 61% more than expected by chance, whereas old-growth forests, native forests that have developed over very long periods, burned 57% less than expected, highlighting a nearly inverse relationship in their fire-proneness. Interestingly, our data indicate that pastures in the AF are less prone to fire than expected, despite being considered among the land uses that burn the most in Brazil. Other LULCs showed variable fire-proneness, with some differences between ecoregions. Over time, the fire-proneness of secondary forests decreased, likely due to forest aging and changes in land management practices. We emphasize the necessity for tailored fire management strategies that address the unique vulnerabilities of secondary forests, particularly in the context of ongoing restoration efforts aimed at increasing native forests. Effective measures, including the implementation of 'fire-smart management' practices and enhancing the perceived value of secondary forests among local communities, are crucial for mitigating fire risks. Integrating these strategies with incentive-based approaches can bolster fire prevention, ensuring the long-term success of restoration programs. Our study provides a framework for understanding fire-landscape dynamics in tropical forests and offers actionable insights for practitioners working to safeguard these biomes from the escalating threat of wildfires.

Evaluation of forest eco-efficiency: A transformation of ecological value quantity perspective.

Numerous beneficial products and services are offered by forest ecosystem. However, studies on the efficiency transformation perspective of forest ecological value are relatively few. This study accounts for material supply, ecological service, and cultural value when calculating the gross forest ecological economic product (GFEEP). It is also taken as the output variable of forest eco-efficiency (FEE). Using a sample of 31 Chinese provinces, the evolutionary trend, regional variations, and affecting factors of FEE are experimentally examined from 2001 to 2021. The findings indicate that there is a cyclical increase in the static FEE at the national level, with various regional FEE exhibiting distinct features. Institutional reforms have made factor allocation more efficient and rational, but technical efficiency is lower. The primary cause of overall variances is inter-regional variances. Environmental regulation, urbanization and other factors have a significant impact on FEE. The factors affecting FEE in different regions show heterogeneity. Accordingly, reference recommendations for accelerating the quality and efficiency of forest, synergizing regional forest development and integrating forest resources are proposed.

ECONOMIC VALUATION OF ILLEGAL BRAZILIAN AMAZON DEFORESTATION: A FRAMEWORK BASED ON HABITAT EQUIVALENCY ANALYSIS AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES RESTORATION

This work introduces a framework for assessing the economic value of illegal clearings in the Amazon primary rainforest based on Habitat Equivalency Analysis and the restoration of suppressed ecosystem services (ES). The framework ensures ES restoration in both quantity and quality, considering past and current losses as well as future gains adjusted for discount rates to present values. The translation of ES restoration into economic values is grounded in local market values, striving to ensure the results are both representative and accurate. The application of the framework in 10 ha of illegally cleared Amazon primary rainforest resulted in an economic valuation of 2022 Int.$ 341,611, or 2022 Int.$ 3175 per hectare per year, which is 35 % higher than valuations based solely on timber and cleared area restoration. The framework is sensitive to compensation period, discount rate, and ES recovery curve, leading to economic effects on the valuation of the illegal clearings in the Amazon primary rainforest. The framework is distinguished by its low human, material, and temporal costs, making it applicable even in preliminary environmental assessments. By describing the tangible economic value of Amazon primary rainforest illegal clearings, the framework allows for critical comparison with existing literature on tropical forest values, aiming to enrich society's comprehension of the costs and benefits of Amazon deforestation.

Research on the Multiple Linear Regression Model of Color Difference and Physicochemical Properties of Thermal Treated Biomass

This study assesses the relationship between the color changes and physicochemical properties of thermally treated biomass feedstocks, using colorimetric measurements to study the color difference values of straw, forest, and grass undergoing thermal treatments at 120~200 °C. We establish a multiple linear regression model to correlate the physicochemical properties of the treated solid products with three-dimensional color coordinates (L*, a*, b*). The results indicate that as the treatment temperature increases, the color difference (ΔEab*) value also increases. Meanwhile, the number of conjugated structures in the chromophore groups increases, causing the color of the solid products to tend toward black. The ash, volatile, fixed carbon, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, higher calorific value, solid yield, energy yield, bulk density, and water contact angle of the thermally treated biomass feedstocks have a statistical measure of R2 ≥ 0.90 with the three-dimensional color coordinates, indicating a good correlation. Therefore, it is possible to quickly predict the basic physicochemical properties of thermally treated biomass feedstocks based on their surface color, providing a theoretical basis for the rapid quality assessment of solid products using CIELAB color changes in industrial applications.

Predicting Manganese Mineralization Using Multi-Source Remote Sensing and Machine Learning: A Case Study from the Malkansu Manganese Belt, Western Kunlun

This study employs multi-source remote sensing information and machine learning methods to comprehensively assess the geological background, structural features, alteration anomalies, and spectral characteristics of the Malkansu Manganese Ore Belt in Xinjiang. Manganese mineralization is predicted, and areas with high mineralization potential are delineated. The results of the feature factor weight analysis indicate that structural density and lithological characteristics contribute most significantly to manganese mineralization. Notably, linear structures are aligned with the direction of the manganese belt, and areas exhibiting high controlling structural density are closely associated with the locations of mineral deposits, suggesting that structure plays a crucial role in manganese production in this region. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) values for the Random Forest (RF), Naïve Bayes (NB), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models were 0.975, 0.983, and 0.916, respectively, indicating that all three models achieved a high level of performance and interpretability. Among these, the NB model demonstrated the highest performance. By algebraically overlaying the predictions from these three machine learning models, a comprehensive mineralization favorability map was generated, identifying 11 prospective mineralization zones. The performance metrics of the machine learning models validate their robustness, while regional tectonics and stratigraphic lithology provide valuable characteristic factors for this approach. This study integrates multi-source remote sensing information with machine learning methods to enhance the effectiveness of manganese prediction, thereby offering new research perspectives for manganese forecasting in the Malkansu Manganese Ore Belt.

Conservation value and ecosystem service provision of Nothofagus antarctica forests based on phenocluster categories

Traditional approaches of forest classifications were based on tree species composition, but recently combine phenology and climate to characterise functional (cyclic and seasonal greenness) rather than structural or compositional components (phenoclusters). The objective was to compare the conservation value (capacity to support more native biodiversity) and provision of ecosystem services (ES) in different phenocluster categories of Nothofagus antarctica forests in Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). We used available models (ES, potential biodiversity) and ground-truth data of 145 stands, comparing phenocluster values using uni- and multivariate analyses. Conservation value and capacity to supply ES significantly varied among phenocluster categories: (i) cultural, regulating, and provisioning ES and potential biodiversity at landscape level, (ii) soil carbon and nitrogen, (iii) dominant height, crown cover, basal area, total volume, and domestic animal stock, and (iv) understory plant richness and cover at stand level. These differences are linked to the forest capacity to support more native biodiversity and ES. Besides, multivariate analyses supporting the split of this forest type into four phenocluster subtypes (coast, highland, ecotone with other types, and degraded or secondary forests). Our findings suggest the needs of specific management and conservation proposals, based on phenoclusters rather than forest types defined by tree canopy-cover composition.

Forest value chain resilience from a local perspective in five European countries: analysis of predictors and co-drivers

Climate change-associated disturbances such as storms, wildfires, and pest outbreaks increasingly destabilize forest systems, threatening their ecological, economic, and social functions. These disruptions impact the forest value chain (FVC) by causing fluctuations in timber supply, from a quantity and quality perspective. This study employed the operational resilience framework (ORF) to assess FVC resilience in five European case studies (CZ, HR, DE, FIN, and ESP), focusing on timber supply as a key system variable. A resilience assessment was conducted using resilience thresholds, considering sustainability from both ecological and economic perspectives. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three predictor groups that influenced FVC resilience: wood production (WP), harvesting systems (HS), and management and silviculture (MS). Findings revealed that regions with proactive management and sufficient processing capacities (CZ, HR, and ESP) maintained relative stability despite natural disturbances, while others (DE and FIN) experienced prolonged instability due to market-driven logging practices and limited adaptive measures. The study highlighted the frequent breaching of resilience thresholds, particularly during high-volume salvage logging following disturbances such as bark beetle outbreaks, windstorms, and wildfires. The results emphasized the importance of integrating adaptive and proactive strategies to mitigate these impacts. The ORF demonstrated potential for operationalizing FVC resilience and provided guidance for improving preparedness against future disturbances.

Exploring Co-Occurrence Patterns to Understand Epiphyte-Liana Interactions.

Although epiphytes and lianas share the same habitat, most research has treated these two groups independently. This study aimed to evaluate the co-occurrence of vascular epiphytes and lianas in the subtropical montane forests of northwestern Argentina. We recorded epiphyte cover and liana basal area on trees ≥ 10-cm-dbh in 120 20 × 20 m plots in the Sierra de San Javier (Tucumán, Argentina). Of the 2111 trees sampled, 727 (34%) hosted lianas, and 1095 (52%) hosted epiphytes. Both plant groups were found together on 20% of the sampled trees. The species richness of lianas and epiphytes, along with liana basal area and epiphyte cover, increased with tree diameter and reached higher values in mature forests compared to successional forests. Both groups colonized the same canopy tree species with larger diameters, whereas smaller trees were typically colonized by either lianas or epiphytes, but not both. Epiphyte species were more likely to co-occur with liana species with specialized climbing mechanisms. Tree size and forest type (mature vs. successional) emerged as key factors influencing the co-occurrence of lianas and epiphytes in these forests. This study establishes a basis for future research into the interactions between lianas and epiphytes, seeking to determine whether they co-occur in the same habitats.

Performance Analysis Of Machine Learning Algorithms Using The Ensemble Method On Predicting The Impact Of Inflation On Indonesia's Economic Growth

The warning of a global recession expected in 2023 is currently the world's concern. Global financial institutions have raised interest rates to lower inflation, which has led to this problem. This study aims to evaluate the effect of interest rates and inflation on Indonesia's economic growth and compare the performance of machine learning models, specifically Random Forest and XGBoost, in analyzing the impact of inflation. A qualitative methodology was used for the literature survey, while the quantitative approach involved the implementation of machine learning algorithms using the Ensemble Method. The results show that Random Forest performs better than XGBoost in predicting the impact of inflation on economic growth, with MSE values of 0.799 and 0.864 and MAE of 0.576 and 0.619, respectively. In addition, the R-squared value of Random Forest 0.908 is also higher than that of XGBoost 0.901, indicating that the model can better explain the variation in the target data. The practical implication of this study is that the Random Forest model can be more effectively used in analyzing the impact of inflation on Indonesia's economic growth. Recommendations for future research include exploring other methods and using more extended time series to deepen the understanding of the relationship between interest rates, inflation, and economic growth.

Strategies for Community Empowerment in Utilizing the Economic and Ecological Functions of Sustainable Mangrove Ecosystems in Jeneponto District, South Sulawesi

Mangrove forests in Balang Baru Village, Tarowang District have great potential for sustainable utilization of the economic and ecological functions of the mangrove ecosystem. Various potentials of the mangrove ecosystem in Balang Baru Village, Tarowang District include providing ecosystem services in the form of fish and other biota and multiple types of species that have economic value. Another potential of the mangrove ecosystem in Balang Baru Village, Tarowang District is its utilization as a nature-based tourism area. These various potentials can contribute to the welfare of local communities if they are utilized and managed sustainably. This study aims to analyze the potential area of mangrove forests, economic and ecological function services of mangrove ecosystems, perceptions and levels of community participation in mangrove ecosystem services, and create community empowerment strategies in utilizing of economic and ecological functions of mangrove forests. Data analysis of mangrove forest potential area by interpreting of LandSat 8 Satellite Imagery. Mangrove ecosystem benefits are calculated through economic valuation. Perception and level of community participation using Likert scale and tabulated in a frequency table. Data from in-depth interviews, FGDs, mangrove forest potential, perceptions, and levels of community participation were analyzed using SWOT. Determination of community empowerment strategies in utilizing the economic and ecological functions of the mangrove ecosystem is carried out by determining internal and external factors, compiling a SWOT matrix, then calculating the IFAS and EFAS matrices, and determining the location of the SWOT quadrant. The area of mangrove forest in Jeneponto Regency is 158.14 hectares. The total economic value of mangrove forests is Rp. 17,970,053,940/year or Rp. 1,046,596,036.113/ha/year. Community perceptions of mangrove ecosystem functions are influenced by the level of knowledge and education of the community. Local communities are involved in the utilization and management of mangroves. Priority strategies are developing the potential of sustainable and economically valuable mangrove forest resources, improving information, facilities and infrastructure that can support community empowerment activities, increasing promotion of ecotourism through online media, implementing conservation area policies and utilizing mangrove ecosystems, and increasing planting activities by involving various parties.

The Paris Agreement and the importance of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (WFR)

AbstractThe Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (WFR) is an international framework for the cooperation between developed and developing countries to reduce forest‐based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adopted by COP 19 in 2013 and anchored in article 5.2 of the Paris Agreement. In this article, the authors identify six reasons for why REDD+, as defined in the WFR, enjoys unfaltering importance to Parties' climate action. Within international law and governance, the WFR provides a unique structure for forest protection through international cooperation within a multilaterally agreed framework with clear rules, robust methodologies, independent oversight and safeguards for recognising the environmental and social values of forests beyond carbon sinks. Its uniqueness becomes obvious when contrasted against the international community's long‐standing struggle to include forests in any other international legal outcome. The WFR has also built critical capacity of countries for the implementation of the Paris Agreement, in particular the reporting obligations under its Enhanced Transparency Framework. The experience gained under the WFR could be valuable for other sectors within the climate regime. However, the authors also argue that while REDD+ might be more relevant than ever on the course to global net‐zero CO2 emissions, the full potential of REDD+ at scale, as defined in the WFR, has yet to be explored. As it is to be expected that forests will play a role in the context of carbon markets and other cooperative approaches under article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the paper also explores latest developments in this matter.

A Study of the Effects of Wetland Degradation on Soil-Microbial-Extracellular Enzyme Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus and Their Ecological Stoichiometry

Due to the unique geographic location of A’er Xiang, there is a natural landscape where sandy land and lake-marsh wetlands coexist. However, the wetland degradation caused by the disturbance of anthropogenic activities has led to the change in land use. In this study, the spatial-temporal substitution method was used to select five sample plots: the original wetland converted to forest land for reuse area of five years and ten years; the original wetland converted to cropland for reuse area of five years and ten years; and the native wetland. It aims to investigate the variations in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and their stoichiometric characteristics of soil-microorganisms-extracellular enzymes before and after reuse, and to analyze potential interactions among these elements. The results indicated that following wetlands degradation, changes in land use for five years did not significantly affect the content of soil organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), or total phosphorus (TP). However, after ten years, both TOC and TN, except for TP, decreased significantly. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) contents in cropland were consistently higher than those in WL, showing a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with longer conversion periods. In contrast, forest land values were lower than in WL and increased as the conversion period lengthened. The microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) content was ranked across the five sample sites as follows: 10 CL > 5 CL > 5 FL > 10 FL > WL. β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) activity was significantly increased after conversion to forest land and significantly decreased after conversion to cropland. β-1,4-N-glucosidase (NAG) and L-leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activities were ranked as follows among the five sites: 5 FL > WL > 5 CL > 10 FL > 10 CL. Phosphatase (PHOS) activity showed no significant changes post-conversion, though it was consistently lower compared to WL.

Forests and Their Related Ecosystem Services: Visitors’ Perceptions in the Urban and Peri-Urban Spaces of Timișoara, Romania

Urban and peri-urban forests serve as significant drivers, conferring benefits to humans through engagement with their ecosystems. These benefits encompass recreation, cognitive development, introspection, the acquisition of knowledge systems, social relations, and aesthetic values. The aim of this study is to examine the urban and peri-urban ecosystem services by offering new insights into visitors’ perspectives on the recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual values of forests in the city of Timișoara and its peri-urban area. The study focuses on two forests: Padurea Verde, the largest forest in Timișoara, and the Giroc Forest, one of the most frequently visited forest areas in the peri-urban zone of Timișoara. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted with visitors to the two selected forests in September 2024. The findings indicate that visitors derive benefits from the ecosystem values of these forests, including recreational, aesthetic, and cultural values. However, there are also feelings of disappointment related to the lack of cleanliness and the presence of an excessive number of stray dogs in the forests. The findings also indicate a necessity for the implementation of organized activities, such as sports competitions and more children-oriented events, while discouraging the organization of festivals and the excessive use of noise in forests. Furthermore, they suggest that forests should be maintained in a relatively undisturbed state. These findings could prove beneficial as future perspectives for local practitioners, enabling the continued provision of complex ecosystem services and recreational values by urban and peri-urban forests.

Exploring the Profitability, Supporting Functions and Business Environment of Small and Medium Forest-Based Enterprises in Ruvuma, Tanzania

Even though forest-based enterprises are prominent in the Ruvuma region as they are beneficial to the community in both an economic and social sphere, little is known about their profitability, supporting functions and business environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the profit and determine supporting functions and the business environment of the SMEs along forest-based value chains in the Ruvuma region. A cross-sectional research design was adopted. Two districts (Songea urban and rural) were purposively selected due to their high forest value chain potentials and high availability of Small and Medium Enterprises. About 120 entrepreneurs who were dealing with forest products were randomly selected for this study. Interviews and unstructured questionnaires were used to obtain data on the profit metrics, supporting functions and the business environment of the SMEs. Descriptive, Inferential (Binary Logistic Regression) and Content analysis were performed on the collected data. The study revealed that the SMEs found along the forest-based value chain which was later categorized according to the nature of the products they produce and trade varied in their profitability (i.e., wild tea leaves 73%, beekeeping 54%, mushrooms 48%, bamboo 27%, fire sticks 12%, and timber -13%), their supporting functions included Capacity building, Entrepreneurial relationships, Financing, and Entrepreneurial Research and Development and that there is an existing understanding on their business environment i.e., the laws, policies and regulations which were at play. These findings can be used for different purposes such as a basis for further research on the forest-based entrepreneurship industry, education provision to the entrepreneurs, policy formulation for the benefit of entrepreneurs and allocation of funding to these enterprises

Development and Characterization of a Novel Environmentally Friendly Larch-Tannin-Modified Phenol–Formaldehyde Resin for Plywood Manufacturing

Larch tannin, a valuable forest product resource, offers the benefits of being natural, renewable and environmentally friendly. With growing environmental concerns, the widespread use of phenolic resins in the wood industry has been limited due to the depletion of fossil resources and formaldehyde emission issues. In this study, larch tannin was modified using a NaOH/urea solution to enhance phenolic resin properties. The curing properties and thermal stability of the adhesives were analyzed using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the formaldehyde emissions were also measured. The results showed that this treatment effectively reduced the resin’s gel time. LTPF-U-4 resin demonstrated the highest bonding strength of 1.09 MPa and exhibited low formaldehyde emissions, thereby meeting the requirements for Class I plywood (≥0.7 MPa) and complying with the E0 grade of plywood standards as outlined in the China National Standard GB GB/T 17657-2013. The sodium hydroxide/urea-treated larch tannin substitution improved the bonding performance of the LTPF-U resins; its impact on bonding strength is limited. Nevertheless, the treatment significantly reduces the formaldehyde emissions of plywood bonded with LTPF-U resins. The NaOH/urea treatment not only reduced the thermal stability of the resin but also improved its curing properties and lowered its curing temperature. This research offers valuable insights for developing modified phenolic resins, which have significant practical implications.

Old-growth beech forests in Germany as cool islands in a warming landscape

The climate crisis seriously threatens Central European forests and their ecosystem functions. There are indications that old-growth forests are relatively resilient and efficient in micro-climatic regulation during extreme climatic conditions. This study evaluates five well-protected old beech forests in Germany, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We examined temperature dynamics and vitality in core, buffer, and border zones during hot days from 2017 to 2023, using Landsat 8 and 9 imageries to assess Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), alongside on-site Air Temperature (AT) measurements. Our findings reveal that all five forests were impacted by recent extreme heat events, with core zones remaining cooler and more vital, followed by buffer zones. Temperature-regulating patterns varied with landscape characteristics and the surrounding matrixes. We observed a site-dependent cooling effect of the forest interior that increased with higher LST. Our study highlights the value of old-growth forests and recommends increasing effective protection around mature forests, establishing corridors between isolated patches, and creating mosaics in managed landscapes that include unmanaged areas capable of developing into old-growth ecosystems.

Forest plant indicator values for moisture reflect atmospheric vapour pressure deficit rather than soil water content.

Soil moisture shapes ecological patterns and processes, but it is difficult to continuously measure soil moisture variability across the landscape. To overcome these limitations, soil moisture is often bioindicated using community-weighted means of the Ellenberg indicator values of vascular plant species. However, the ecology and distribution of plant species reflect soil water supply as well as atmospheric water demand. Therefore, we hypothesized that Ellenberg moisture values can also reflect atmospheric water demand expressed as a vapour pressure deficit (VPD). To test this hypothesis, we disentangled the relationships among soil water content, atmospheric vapour pressure deficit, and Ellenberg moisture values in the understory plant communities of temperate broadleaved forests in central Europe. Ellenberg moisture values reflected atmospheric VPD rather than soil water content consistently across local, landscape, and regional spatial scales, regardless of vegetation plot size, depth as well as method of soil moisture measurement. Using in situ microclimate measurements, we discovered that forest plant indicator values for moisture reflect an atmospheric VPD rather than soil water content. Many ecological patterns and processes correlated with Ellenberg moisture values and previously attributed to soil water supply are thus more likely driven by atmospheric water demand.

Comparing Nordic forest governance: Key informant perspectives

Comparing Nordic forest governance: Key informant perspectives

The Driving Factors of the Tradeoff-Synergistic Relationship Among Forest Ecosystem Service Values in the Yangtze River Delta, China

The forest ecosystem is one of the planet’s critical ecosystems. Identifying the tradeoff-synergistic relationships among forest ecosystem service values and exploring their driving factors in the Yangtze River Delta are crucial for promoting the optimal overall benefits of regional ecosystem service values and realizing a mutually beneficial scenario that harmonizes regional socio-economic development with ecological and environmental conservation. The forest ecosystem service value in the Yangtze River Delta was evaluated through the improved equivalent factor method. Furthermore, an examination of the tradeoff-synergistic relationship among these ecosystem service values, along with their driving factors, was performed utilizing both the Pearson correlation coefficient method and the Geodetector model. The findings reveal that from 2000 to 2020, the forest ecosystem service values presented a general growth trend in the Yangtze River Delta, with higher values noted in the southern areas and lower values found in the northern regions. The average annual forest ecosystem service value was 279 billion RMB. The tradeoff-synergistic relationship among forest ecosystem service values mainly showed a synergistic relationship, while a significant tradeoff relationship was observed between the values of support and cultural services. The factors influencing the tradeoff-synergistic relationship among forest ecosystem service values included precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index, and temperature. Consequently, local governments should enhance forest coverage, particularly by expanding the regions of evergreen broadleaf, deciduous broadleaf, and coniferous forests. They should also proactively seek ways to realize the value of forest ecosystem services.