Research Article
Understanding the importance of primary tropical forest protection as a mitigation strategyBackground:Primary tropical forests play a key role in the urgent task of mitigating climate change. Nevertheless, despite the recognition of forest-based mitigation strategies, the role of primary forest protection has not been explicitly considered in international policy negotiations. The authors aim to address this deficit by estimating primary tropical forest ecosystem carbon stocks and flows. Open access copy available |
Ecological filtering shapes the impacts of agricultural deforestation on biodiversityBackground:Deforestation for agriculture poses a significant threat to biodiversity. However, the severity of these impacts varies in agricultural landscapes. This study emphasizes the need to understand the factors underlying this variation to predict future biodiversity impacts of agricultural land use. While previous studies focused on landscape features and management regimes, this article introduces the concept of filtering, suggesting that natural and anthropogenic filtering may shape biodiversity responses at large geographical scales Available with subscription or purchase |
The carbon sink of secondary and degraded humid tropical forestsBackground:The Forest and Land use Declaration from the 26th Climate Change Conference of the Parties underscores the crucial role of tropical moist forests as a nature-based solution to address climate and ecological emergencies. However, the Amazon, Borneo, and Central Africa forests experience ongoing forest cover losses due to various anthropogenic drivers. This has led to a mosaic of recovering forests at different stages post-disturbance, with limited understanding of their impact on forest carbon dynamics. Available with subscription or purchase |
Large carbon sink potential of secondary forests in the Brazilian Amazon to mitigate climate changeBackground:With the Brazilian Amazon being a region of global significance for its carbon storage potential, there is a growing need to understand the dynamics of secondary forest regrowth and its implications for carbon sequestration. Previous studies have laid the groundwork for understanding the broad-scale patterns of secondary forest regrowth, but there is a need for a more detailed and spatially explicit analysis that considers both environmental and anthropogenic drivers of regrowth. The urgency to address this knowledge gap is further underscored by the commitment to national and international climate targets. Open access copy available |
Maximizing biodiversity conservation and carbon stocking inrestored tropical forestsBackground:Ecological restoration plays a critical role in fragmented mega-diverse regions, particularly for endangered species with low dispersal rates. Species with impoverished populations, limited dispersal capacity, and important functionsas food resources for animals should be prioritized for active reintroduction in order to increase the conservation value ofrestored forests. However, seedlings from these species are often hard to find or too costly to include in many restoration projects. Open access copy available |
Silvicultural opportunities for increasing carbon stock in restoration of Atlantic forests in BrazilBackground:The Brazilian Atlantic Forest has suffered significant reduction due to deforestation for urbanization and agriculture expansion. To address this issue, restoration plantations with native tree species have been identified as a promising solution to rebuild the forest habitat and promote carbon sequestration. In particular, high input silviculture, which involves intensive fertilization and weed control similar to those applied in commercial production forest plantations, has been shown to increase productivity and accelerate the forest restoration process. Available with subscription or purchase |
Co-benefits in biodiversity conservation and carbon stock during forest regeneration in a preserved tropical landscapeBackground:Recognizing the connection between carbon stock and biodiversity has become more crucial in light of the requirements set by international agreements. Consequently, a vital and indispensable measure for guiding relevant global environmental initiatives is to empirically investigating the potential advantages of restoring degraded areas through forest regeneration. This approach aims to boost both aboveground carbon stock and biodiversity, moving them closer to their natural levels. Available with subscription or purchase |
Carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems on degraded soils of Eastern Amazon, BrazilBackground:Among various approaches to forest restoration, passive restoration via natural regeneration stands out as the most cost-efective option. However, the resilience of the forest is heavily influenced by factors such as water availability, soil integrity, and the presence of seed dispersers in the landscape. In situations where resilience is low, successful restoration relies on active human interventions. Unfortunately, many restoration projects, especially those involving smallholders, face budget constraints. In such circumstances, Agroforestry Systems emerge as a restoration strategy that combines both socio-economic and ecological advantages. Available with subscription or purchase |
Restoring soil carbon and chemical properties through silvopastoral adoption in the Colombian Amazon regionBackground:The traditional livestock production in this region causes the loss of forest areas each year, leading to soil degradation and loss of biodiversity. Silvopastoral systems have become an attractive alternative with positive effects for the environment, society, and the regional economy. The study was conducted in two counties in the northwestern Colombian Amazon, which are representative of the hilly landscape typical for Silvopastoral systems implementation. Available with subscription or purchase |
Agroforestry systems recover tree carbon stock faster than natural succession in Eastern Amazon, BrazilBackground:Under the global context of climate change mitigation and adaptation, forests and land use practices in carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience in the Amazon regions is of critical importance. Understanding the effectiveness of agroforestry systems in recovering tree carbon stock contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study aims to address the gaps in knowledge regarding the carbon recovery potential of agroforestry systems and their role in sustainable land use in the Amazon region. Available with subscription or purchase |
