Wild vs. captive: a multidimensional review of biological differences and conservation implications
Xiwei Jin, Rengui Li, Shijie Mou
et al.
The conservation of endangered species increasingly relies on captive breeding programs, yet fundamental differences between captive and wild environments create complex challenges for successful species management and reintroduction. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the multidimensional differences between wild and captive animals across physiological, genetic, microbial, and ecological domains. We examine how captive conditions alter metabolic regulation, immune function, and reproductive physiology, often resulting in more stable but potentially less adaptive phenotypes. Genetic analyses reveal that while some captive populations maintain diversity comparable to wild counterparts through careful management, many suffer from founder effects, genetic drift, and reduced functional gene diversity. Microbiome studies demonstrate systematic shifts in gut microbial communities, with captive animals typically showing altered diversity patterns and functional capabilities that may compromise their ability to process natural diets and resist pathogens upon release. Ecological adaptations manifest through morphological plasticity, cognitive changes, and behavioral modifications that reflect responses to simplified captive environments. These findings have profound implications for conservation strategies, highlighting the need for integrative approaches that combine rigorous genetic management, environmental enrichment, and species-specific reintroduction protocols. We conclude that successful conservation requires understanding these multidimensional differences to develop more effective captive breeding programs and optimize reintroduction success rates, ultimately advancing long-term species conservation and ecological restoration efforts.
Accelerating amine-based CO2 capture with machine learning: From molecular screening to process optimization
Ping Yang, Xiaoman Yu, Kyriakos C. Stylianou
et al.
Amine-based CO2 capture represents the most mature approach for large-scale carbon reduction, with systems implemented across multiple industrial demonstration projects globally. However, vast chemical spaces encompassing millions of potential formulations and complex multiscale coupling effects pose unprecedented challenges for traditional experimental methods. Machine learning applications have achieved revolutionary advances through differentiated strategies. In liquid amine systems, ensemble learning algorithms delivered breakthrough precision improvements from traditional 4–5% to below 0.93%, while interpretable models revealed that nitrogen atom charge distribution contributes 56% to reaction barriers, enabling rational biphasic solvent design (DETA/DEEA system) that achieved 34% regeneration energy reduction compared to benchmark MEA. For solid amine systems, differential descriptor methods overcame severe overfitting challenges, improving test set performance from R2 = 0.5102 to 0.79. Virtual screening of 1.6 million binding sites from the GDB-17 database identified 11% of candidates with stronger CO2 binding than the industrial benchmark BPEI (−0.04 eV). Among these high-performance candidates, 2642 molecules simultaneously satisfied synthesizability criteria (SAscore < 3.4, GDBscore > 0.64), demonstrating both favorable binding energetics and high experimental feasibility. Critically, mechanistic analysis revealed that support physical properties dominate adsorption performance over amine chemical characteristics, fundamentally transforming material design concepts. Industrial applications demonstrated 35.76% cost reductions through intelligent solvent selection and 15–25% profit improvements through dynamic capture-level optimization combined with market-responsive bidding strategies. Despite these breakthroughs, systematic limitations, including model generalization difficulties, cross-scale integration challenges, and data standardization, persist, requiring physics-constrained algorithms and unified modeling frameworks for laboratory-to-industrial translation. These developments establish machine learning as the core driving force transitioning amine-based CO2 capture from empirical development toward intelligent design paradigms.
Accuracy and consistency assessment of forest cover datasets: a comparative study of two provinces in China
Kailin Zhu, Kailin Zhu, Kailin Zhu
et al.
Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Earth. While existing publicly available datasets typically offer high accuracy in identifying large-scale forest concentrations, discrepancies arise in forest extraction within smaller regions. This variation complicates the selection of appropriate forest cover datasets for specific areas. This study focuses on the southern and northern regions of China, represented by Hunan Province and Heilongjiang Province, respectively. It systematically evaluates the performance of eight forest cover datasets from 2020 in terms of forest area estimation, spatial consistency, and classification accuracy. Through confusion analysis of classification in low-consistency areas, the study identifies the confusion patterns between forests and other land cover types in different regions. Additionally, the study explores the causes of discrepancies between datasets by considering topographic factors and human activities. The results show that the CRLC 2020 outperforms others in terms of both area estimation and classification accuracy, achieving classification accuracies of 90.88% in Hunan Province and 91.69% in Heilongjiang Province. High-consistency areas (levels 6–8) in Hunan account for 69.4%, lower than Heilongjiang’s 77%. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for forestry practitioners in selecting appropriate forest cover datasets in areas with complex land cover, offering reliable recommendations for forest cover mapping and the formulation of sound mapping strategies.
Forestry, Environmental sciences
Unveiling the GA<sub>4</sub>-Ferulic Acid Regulatory Axis: Redox-Mediated Suberization Governs Adventitious Rooting Recalcitrance in <i>Pinus massoniana</i>
Yin Wang, Ruiling Yao
<i>Pinus massoniana</i>, a critically important afforestation species in subtropical China, shows severe adventitious rooting recalcitrance linked to endogenous gibberellin (GA) dysregulation. Our study reveals a GA<sub>4</sub>-mediated regulatory network that coordinates hormonal crosstalk, redox homeostasis, and cell wall remodeling. Treatment with the GA biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol (PBZ, 100 mg·L<sup>−1</sup>) shortened rooting time by 32.5% and increased rooting success by 79.5%. We found that PBZ redirected GA flux by upregulating GA<sub>3</sub>-oxidase (GA<sub>3</sub>OX), leading to GA<sub>4</sub> accumulation. However, elevated GA<sub>4</sub> levels impaired root development by triggering suberization through ferulic acid (FA)-mediated redox imbalance. Application of GA<sub>4</sub> (100 mg·L<sup>−1</sup>) reduced caffeoyl alcohol content by 54.4% but increased FA and caffeic acid levels 2.4–3.9-fold, shifting lignin precursors toward suberin biosynthesis. FA modulated H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> flux in a dose-dependent manner: 200 mg·L<sup>−1</sup> optimized redox homeostasis (93.7% lower H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> influx), whereas 1000 mg·L<sup>−1</sup> suppressed mitosis. The combination of PBZ (100 mg·L<sup>−1</sup>) and FA (200 mg·L<sup>−1</sup>) synergistically enhanced rooting success by 34.4% and achieved 95.8% field survival after two years (vs. 68.5% in controls), challenging the traditional view that lignification alone limits rooting in woody plants. This work provides the first evidence that the GA<sub>4</sub>-FA axis controls adventitious root formation in conifers via a Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent switch between suberin and lignin metabolism, offering new strategies to overcome rooting barriers. The PBZ + FA protocol enables scalable clonal propagation of recalcitrant conifers, with potential applications in molecular breeding and forest restoration.
Characterization and genomic analysis of two Aeromonas phages
Li ling Jiang, Li ling Jiang, Chang Liu
et al.
Phages, as viruses that specifically infect certain bacteria, have great research value in the prevention and control of bacterial diseases. Bacteria of the genus Aeromonas are widely distributed in aquatic environments and are important zoonotic pathogens that can cause a variety of diseases. In this study, two virulent phages, AhC3_1 and AsC4_1, were successfully isolated using bacteria from the genus Aeromonas. The evolutionary relationships of the two phages were analyzed using methods such as phylogenetic analysis and average amino acid identity (AAI) analysis, and their biological characteristics were assessed through approaches including one-step growth curve assay and temperature tolerance testing. The results showed that the genome sequences of phages C3 and C4 were 232,884 bp and 45,983 bp in length, respectively, with G + C contents of 44.36% and 50.11%. Both belong to double-stranded circular DNA viruses. Phages C3 and C4 have been classified within two novel viral genera, provisionally designated as “Aynavirus” and “Asnavirus,” respectively. Additionally, both C3 and C4 exhibited good stability in different temperature and pH conditions. The latent period of C3 was 10 min, with a burst size of 32 PFU.cell−1. The in vitro antibacterial curve showed that when the multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 10−3, C3 could exert a strong inhibitory effect on Aeromonas hydrophila for up to 10 h. The latent period of C4 was less than 10 min, with a burst size of 1,250 PFU.cell−1. At an MOI of 10−1, C4 could exert a strong inhibitory effect on Aeromonas salmonicida for up to 15 h. In summary, the two phages isolated in this study have the potential to serve as potential therapeutic agents for aquaculture diseases and provide valuable data for research on antibacterial infections.
Tree allometry responses to competition and complementarity in mixed-species plantations of Betula alnoides
Boyao Chen, Kaili Liu, Chunsheng Wang
et al.
Tree allometry plays a crucial role in tree survival, stability, and timber quantity and quality of mixed-species plantations. However, the responses of tree allometry to resource utilisation within the framework of interspecific competition and complementarity remain poorly understood. Taking into consideration strong- and weak-space competition (SC and WC), as well as N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing tree species (FN and nFN), a mixed-species planting trial was conducted for Betula alnoides, a pioneer tree species, which was separately mixed with Acacia melanoxylon (SC + FN), Erythrophleum fordii (WC + FN), Eucalyptus cloeziana (SC + nFN) and Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis (WC + nFN) in southern China. Six years after planting, tree growth, total nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) contents, and the natural abundances of 15N and 13C in the leaves were measured for each species, and the mycorrhizal colonisation rates of B. alnoides were investigated under each treatment. Allometric variations and their relationships with space competition and nutrient-related factors were analyzed. The results showed a consistent effect of space competition on the height-diameter relationship of B. alnoides in mixtures with FN or nFN. The tree height growth of B. alnoides was significantly promoted under high space competition, and growth in diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height and crown size were all expedited in mixtures with FN. The symbiotic relationship between ectomycorrhizal fungi and B. alnoides was significantly influenced by both space competition and N2 fixation by the accompanying tree species, whereas such significant effects were absent for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Furthermore, high space competition significantly decreased the water use efficiency (WUE) of B. alnoides, and its N use efficiency (NUE) was much lower in the FN mixtures. Structural equation modeling further demonstrated that the stem allometry of B. alnoides was affected by its NUE and WUE via changes in its height growth, and crown allometry was influenced by the mycorrhizal symbiotic relationship. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms driving tree allometric responses to above- and below-ground resource competition and complementarity in mixed-species plantations, which are instructive for the establishment of mixed-species plantations.
Enhancing Oxygen-Dissolving Capacity of Rotary Drum Food Waste Composting: Tumbling Process Optimization and Experimental Validation with Discrete and Finite Element Methods
Jufei Wang, Xueru Zhu, Zhenming Zhu
et al.
An optimized tumbling process can significantly improve the oxygen dissolving capacity of composting and fertilizer quality: by increasing the fluffiness of the lower layer of the pile, localized anaerobic fermentation can be avoided, thereby enhancing compost quality. This paper presents a method for improving the oxygen dissolving capacity of rotary drum food waste composting through a combination of simulation optimization and experimental validation. First, the discrete element method was used to optimize the key parameters of the tumbling process. The response surface method was then employed to analyze the composting test results and determine the optimal conditions. To ensure the reliability of the equipment under this method, failure risk analysis was conducted using the finite element method. The simulation optimization results showed that with a rotary drum reactor speed of 3.5 r/min, a horizontal angle of inclination of 2.5°, a mixing blade angle of inclination of 43°, and a blade pitch of 580 mm, the fluffiness of the lower layer of the pile increased by 8.515%, achieving the best tumbling and indirectly enhancing oxygen dissolving capacity. The maximum deformation of the load-bearing components was only 0.0548 mm, and the minimum safety factor was 4.408 (≥1 is considered safe). A 14-day composting experiment was conducted to validate the optimized parameters. The results showed that the maximum temperature of the compost pile reached 68.34 °C (lasting 7 days), with the pH, moisture content, C/N ratio, humus substances, humic acid, and fulvic acid contents of the fertilizer all meeting or exceeding the levels recommended by Chinese national standards. These findings indicate that the optimized tumbling device effectively improved the stability and dissolved oxygen efficiency of food waste composting, providing valuable practical insights and a research foundation for enhancing oxygen efficiency in the composting of other organic wastes.
Evaluation of land suitability for Moringa oleifera tree cultivation by using Geospatial technology: The case of Dhidhessa Catchment, Abay Basin, Ethiopia
Mitiku Badasa Moisa, Muleta Ebissa Feyissa, Indale Niguse Dejene
et al.
Land suitability analysis of Moringa oleifera tree cultivation is important to enhance its product, as the demand for this tree for medicinal values and food sources is increasing worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to assess suitable land for Moringa oleifera tree cultivation by using the integration of multi-criteria evaluation with geospatial technologies in the Dhidhessa catchment, western Ethiopia. Five parameters, namely: slope, land use and land cover (LULC), soil texture, land surface temperature, and rainfall data, were used in this study. The land suitability evaluation of Moringa oleifera is classified into three classes as highly suitable, moderately suitable, and not suitable. The results revealed that, about 344.4 km2 (12.2%) of the area is categorized into highly suitable, and 2343.7 km2 (83%) is moderately suitable for Moringa tree, whereas, 137.2 km2 (4.9%) is categorized as not suitable for Moringa oleifera tree cultivation. Hence, based on the finding of the study, we suggested that farmers and other stakeholders can cultivate Moringa oleifera trees in the Dhidhessa catchment.
Laboratory-scale evaluation of algaecide effectiveness for control of microcystin-producing cyanobacteria from Lake Okeechobee, Florida (USA)
Ciera Kinley-Baird, Alyssa Calomeni, David E. Berthold
et al.
Growth of microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in Lake Okeechobee (Florida, USA) and surrounding waters has resulted in adverse health impacts for humans and endangered species, as well as significant economic losses. As these issues worsen, there is growing pressure for efficacious solutions to rapidly mitigate harmful algal blooms (HABs) and protect critical freshwater resources. Applications of USEPA-registered algaecides as management tactics meet many decision-making criteria often required by water resource managers (e.g., effective, scalable, selective), but have not yet been evaluated on a large scale within the Lake Okeechobee waterway. This study was conducted to bolster the peer-reviewed database for available management tactics against microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in waters of this region. Laboratory-scale experiments can be conducted first to minimize uncertainty at larger scales and improve confidence in decision-making. In this study, samples containing microcystin-producing cyanobacteria collected from Lake Okeechobee were exposed to several USEPA-registered algaecides in laboratory toxicity experiments. Responses of target cyanobacteria were measured 3 days after treatment (DAT) in terms of cell density, chlorophyll-a concentrations, and phycocyanin concentrations. Based on responses of the cyanobacteria, minimum effective exposure concentrations were identified for each algaecide. Microcystin release (i.e. proportion of total microcystins in the aqueous phase) was measured and compared 1 DAT among effective exposures. Total microcystin concentrations were measured in effective treatments at 1, 4, and 9 DAT to discern potential for microcystin persistence following exposures to the effective formulations and exposure concentrations. Overall, several formulations including GreenClean Liquid® 5.0, GreenClean Liquid® 5.0 combined with Hydrothol® 191, and the copper-based algaecides evaluated (Algimycin® PWF, Argos, Captain® XTR, Cutrine® Ultra, and SeClear®) achieved significant and similar effects on target cyanobacteria. The chelated copper-based formulations (Algimycin® PWF, Argos, Captain® XTR, and Cutrine® Ultra) resulted in relatively less microcystin release 1 DAT and lesser total microcystin concentrations 4 DAT. At 9 DAT, total microcystin concentrations were significantly lower than in untreated controls in all treatments evaluated. These results provide the necessary comparative performance data for preliminary decision-making and designing additional studies at larger scales. Importantly, the comparative toxicity data and approach provided in this study demonstrate the initial steps for development of site-specific management strategies for Lake Okeechobee and other areas impacted by harmful algal blooms with large spatial and temporal scales.
Environmental pollution, Environmental sciences
Degradation of atrazine and bromacil in two forestry waste products
Trevor K. James, Hossein Ghanizadeh, Kerry C. Harrington
et al.
Abstract The persistence and degradation of two common herbicides, atrazine and bromacil in two organic media, wood pulp and sawdust were compared with two soils. The hypothesis tested was that herbicide degradation will be faster in high organic matter media compared to soil. Degradation of two herbicides was carried out in four different temperature regimes and in sterilised media. The degradation half-life (t½) was determined under above-mentioned conditions then compared to degradation in soil. The degradation as quantified by t½ of the herbicides was generally longer in both organic media. Although microbial degradation was an important factor in the mineralisation of these herbicides, overall, the pH of the media had a more profound effect on the desorption and subsequent degradation rate than the organic carbon content. The results of this study revealed that the hypothesis was only partially correct as organic matter content per se did not strongly relate to degradation rates which were mainly governed by pH and microbial activity.
Fabrication and characterization of cellulose/ lignin microspheres films with UV-blocking
WAN Yu-ling, HU Yu-lu, XU Du-xin
et al.
With the rapid development of packaging industry and the improvement of environmental protection requirements of human society, biodegradable functional packaging film materials have attracted great attention. However, commercial biodegradable functional package film materials have been constrained by its high cost, low mechanical properties and water resistance. The lignin microspheres were firstly prepared by self-assembling and were adhered to the surface of cellulose film <i>via</i> self-depositing, resulting in fabrication of novel cellulose-based UV-blocking film materials. Subsequently, the surface morphology, ultraviolet resistance and mechanical properties of the obtained functional film materials were studied. The surface properties of films were investigated by scanning microscopy (SEM),infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and confocal laser scanning microscopy.The mechanical properties and UV resistance of cellulose based films were characterized by tensile test and UV transmittance test.It is noteworthy that the lignin microspheres with 1-2 μm in size are uniformly distributed on cellulose films and hydrophobic modification of cellulose-based films facilitated the deposition of lignin. Moreover, the deposited contents of lignin microspheres increase with the increase of the lignin concentration in solution. Due to the introduction of lignin microspheres, the strength of cellulose composites film increases by 22% and the UVB-shielding capacity reaches 94% as compared with the controlled cellulose films.
Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Strategic Priority for Greening the Kuzbass Economy: Land Rehabilitation Fund
Lyudmila I. Vlasyuk
In the article, according to the theory and methodology of strategizing of academician V. L. Kvinta substantiates the strategic priority of greening the economy of Kuzbass: the land reclamation fund. This strategic priority has become part of the one developed by the team of of Lomonosov Moscow state University under the leadership of academician V. L. Kvinta Strategies for socio-economic development of the Kemerovo region — Kuzbass until 2035.The most serious environmental problem of Kuzbass is a significant lag in the rate of land reclamation from the rate of their violation by open mining operations, and the lack of accurate data on the area of disturbed land. The most serious ecological problem of Kuzbass is a significant lag in the rate of land reclamation from the rate of its disturbance by open pit mining, and the lack of accurate data on the area of disturbed land. The creation of the Kuzbass land reclamation fund, as an economic mechanism of financial guarantees, will make it possible to carry out work on the restoration of disturbed lands at the expense of coal mining enterprises, the authorities of the Kemerovo region will ensure monitoring and control over the reclamation behavior.The strategic initiative reflects the interests of Russia localized in the Kemerovo region, the interests of the region and its residents, its implementation will significantly improve the environmental situation in the region, restore the value of the land and ensure the possibility of its further use, including in agriculture and forestry, compatible with comfortable living of people subsoil use in the region. The strategic priority is backed by competitive advantages and all types of resources.
Political institutions and public administration (General)
Characterization of the Poplar R2R3-MYB Gene Family and Over-Expression of PsnMYB108 Confers Salt Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco
Kai Zhao, Zihan Cheng, Qing Guo
et al.
The MYB, one of the largest transcription factor families in plants, is related to various biological processes. For an example, the R2R3-MYB family plays an important role in regulation of primary and secondary metabolism, plant growth and development, and responses to hormones and stresses. However, functional studies on the poplar R2R3-MYB genes are limited. In this study, we identified 207 poplar R2R3-MYB genes that are unevenly distributed on the 19 chromosomes of poplar, followed by characterization of their conserved domains. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, these genes can be divided into 23 groups. Evidence from synteny analyses indicated that the poplar R2R3-MYB gene family is featured by tandem and segmental duplication events. On the basis of RNA-Seq data, we investigated salt responsive genes and explored their expression patterns. Furthermore, we cloned the PsnMYB108 gene from poplar, which is significantly up-regulated in roots and leaves in response to salt stress. To validate its function, we developed transgenic tobacco plants that over-express the PsnMYB108 gene. It appears that the transgenic lines are more tolerant to salt stress than the wild type does. Evidence from physiological analyses demonstrated that over-expression of PsnMYB108 may improve tobacco salt stress tolerance by increasing the reactive oxygen species scavenging ability and the accumulation of proline. These results laid the foundation for future analysis and functional studies of poplar R2R3-MYB family members, and revealed that PsnMYB108 plays an important role in improving plant salt stress tolerance.
Assessment of the External Costs of Life Cycle of Coal: The Case Study of Southwestern China
Xiaonan Wang, Licheng Wang, Jianping Chen
et al.
Coal will continue to be the main energy source in China for the immediate future, although the environmental pollution and ecological impacts of each stage in the full life cycle of coal mining, transportation, and combustion generate large quantities of external costs. The Late Permian coals in southwestern (SW) China usually contain high amounts of fluorine (F), arsenic (As), and ash, which together with high-F clays cause abnormally high levels of endemic fluorosis, As poisoning, and lung cancer in areas where coal is mined and burned. In this paper, we estimate the external costs of the life cycle of coal. The results show that the externalities of coal in SW China are estimated at USD 73.5 billion or 284.3 USD/t, which would have accounted for 6.5 % of the provincial GDP in this area in 2018. The external cost of human health accounts for 87.2% of the total external costs, of which endemic skeletal fluorosis diseases and related lung cancers have the most important impact. Our study provides a more precise estimate of externalities compared with its counterparts in other provinces in China. Therefore, several policy recommendations would be proposed to internalize the external cost.
EXPLOITATION OF ORGANIC ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES IN THE REMOVAL OF PEPTONE FROM WASTEWATER
LAURENȚIU TATARU, VALENTIN NEDEFF , EMILIAN MOȘNEGUȚU
et al.
In the present paper an ultrafiltration experiment was carried out for testing the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membrane in the process of peptone separation from wastewater. The evaluation of the applied ultrafiltration process consisted in the monitoring and the recording of the parameters as well as of some indicators that will reveal the PAN membrane efficiency (the percentage of peptone retention on the membrane surface, the volume and quality of the resulting permeate in the pre-established time period). The obtained results showed that the peptone retention efficiency was noticeably, around 20 % and the obtained permeate volume did not decrease greatly, only by 2.5 L over 300 minutes experiment.
Evaluation of sampling strategies to estimate crown biomass
Krishna P Poudel, Hailemariam Temesgen, Andrew N Gray
Background
Depending on tree and site characteristics crown biomass accounts for a significant portion of the total aboveground biomass in the tree. Crown biomass estimation is useful for different purposes including evaluating the economic feasibility of crown utilization for energy production or forest products, fuel load assessments and fire management strategies, and wildfire modeling. However, crown biomass is difficult to predict because of the variability within and among species and sites. Thus the allometric equations used for predicting crown biomass should be based on data collected with precise and unbiased sampling strategies. In this study, we evaluate the performance different sampling strategies to estimate crown biomass and to evaluate the effect of sample size in estimating crown biomass.
Methods
Using data collected from 20 destructively sampled trees, we evaluated 11 different sampling strategies using six evaluation statistics: bias, relative bias, root mean square error (RMSE), relative RMSE, amount of biomass sampled, and relative biomass sampled. We also evaluated the performance of the selected sampling strategies when different numbers of branches (3, 6, 9, and 12) are selected from each tree. Tree specific log linear model with branch diameter and branch length as covariates was used to obtain individual branch biomass.
Results
Compared to all other methods stratified sampling with probability proportional to size estimation technique produced better results when three or six branches per tree were sampled. However, the systematic sampling with ratio estimation technique was the best when at least nine branches per tree were sampled. Under the stratified sampling strategy, selecting unequal number of branches per stratum produced approximately similar results to simple random sampling, but it further decreased RMSE when information on branch diameter is used in the design and estimation phases.
Conclusions
Use of auxiliary information in design or estimation phase reduces the RMSE produced by a sampling strategy. However, this is attained by having to sample larger amount of biomass. Based on our finding we would recommend sampling nine branches per tree to be reasonably efficient and limit the amount of fieldwork.
Potential of Community-Based Forest Management to Mitigate Climate Change in the Philippines
R. Lasco, R. Evangelista, F. Pulhin
Forest Owners’ Organizations in North and Central Portugal – Assessment of Success
Diana Feliciano, Americo Carvalho Mendes
Background and Purpose: The emergence of forest owners’ organizations (FOOs) in Portugal occurred in the 1990s. Fifteen years later there were 173 FOOs providing services to the private forest owners and also to the whole of society. This study aims to evaluate the success of FOOs in increasing their membership and the quantity of services provided.
Material and Methods: Eight FOOs from the North and Central Portugal were chosen as case studies. Quantitative data on membership numbers and number of services provided by the eight case studies were collected from the archives of FORESTIS or directly at the FOOs headquarters. Qualitative data from newsletters, annual reports, local newspapers and letters were also collected to be further analysed. Secondary data collected cover a period of ten years (1994-2005). In addition, eight interviews to members of staff or FOOs directors were conducted in 2005. It was hypothesised that the number of members and the quantity of services provided may be interrelated and that the turnover of staff and their productivity influence the success of FOOs in increasing their membership and providing technical advice services.
Results and Conclusion: The study showed that although most FOOs were successful in making their membership grow, there were big differences in the number of members, in the forest area covered by them and in the quantity of services provided. It was concluded that human capital, financial capital and path dependence were the factors that most constrained the success FOOs in North and Central Portugal.
Ceratocystis species on Acacia mearnsii and Eucalyptus spp. in eastern and southern Africa including six new species
R. Heath, M. Wingfield, B. Wingfield
et al.
Forest management, restoration, and designer ecosystems: Integrating strategies for a crowded planet
D. Sarr, K. Puettmann