General

Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle

Introduction 

This article provides a review of the connection between vegetation cover and climate, with a specifical focus on forests and rain. The author details how there are shortcomings in knowledge concerning how tree cover influences water-cycles, which are both highly complex and important. In order to direct readers to potential research opportunities in this field, the article highIights advances and uncertainties in this field through reviewing it's major research themes. 

Open access copy available

Biodiversity guidelines for forest landscape restoration opportunities assessments

Introduction

This document acknowledges that there has been a novel global push for landscape restoration but stresses that these practices must support the biodiversity of the ecosystesm being restored. As a companion of the ROAM methodology, the authors provide guidelines to support knowledge and practices concerning the interaction between biodiversity conservation and forest landscape restoration. 

Open access copy available

The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources

Introduction

Produced by FAO, this document reviews the state of the world forests as of 2020. The authors cite that forest provide valuable goods and services that benefit human well-being, particularly forest genetic resources (FGR). Yet these are threatened by an exponentially increasing human population, overexploitation, and landscape conversion. 

Open access copy available

Nursery management, tree propagation and marketing: A training manual for smallholder farmers and nursery operators

Introduction

Published by ICRAF, this manual is intended to provide training support aimed at farmers and nursery operators to promote the propogation and establishment of small-scale nurseries. 

Goals & Methods

To achieve the aim of encouraging superior techniques and materials for superior planting, the document offers five modules. Each module covers a different step in the nursery establishment process, from sourcing and selecting seeds to establishing a nursery business. 

Open access copy available

Nucleation in tropical ecological restoration

background

Due to centuraries of human development, there is a need to restore degraded areas and reconcile productive uses of land with conservation goals. One means of ecological restoration is facilitation, which aims to accrue positive interactions between species. Nucleation has been shown as a effective stategy for facilitation. 

Open access copy available

Marco para evaluar el alcance y la eficacia de la forestería de base comunitaria

Español

Antecedentes

Organizaciones internacionales como la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación (FAO) y la Iniciativa de Derechos y Recursos (RRI) han evaluado las tendencias mundiales del desarrollo de la forestería a base comunitaria (FBC) y la tenencia de bosques. Sin embargo, existe una escasez de información relacionada a el alcance y la efectividad de distintos estilos de FBC alrededor del mundo.

Open access copy available

IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions

BACKGROUND

This manual from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) contains a framework for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in terms of its verification, design and scaling up. It provides answers on key questions on NbS:  why there is a need for the standard, what does the standard do, who can use the standard, and how can the standard be used. More importantly, it highlights the importance of working with nature and its immense potential of addressing a plethora of societal changes through initiatives that “protect, manage, and restore the environment.”

Open access copy available

Core principles for successfully implementing and upscaling Nature-based Solutions

BACKGROUND

The degradation of the natural environment continues to impact on biodiversity, human health and well-being notwithstanding various initiatives to restore ecosystems and conserve the diversity of life within it. Increasing the interface between conservation and sustainable development goals through the Nature-based Solution (NbS) framework show promising results. However, there is a need to address the gaps to effectively implement, assess and upscale NbS programs in different parts of the world

Open access copy available

Mountains and Climate Change: A Global Concern

BACKGROUND

Mountains play a significant role as global biodiversity hotspots and sources of fresh water.  However, climate change implications may have negative effects on the services they provide such as water availability, irrigation, urbanization, industrialization, and hydropower generation. Negative climate change impacts may also expose the mountains to more intense and frequent hazards.

Open access copy available

Leverage points for improving global food security and the environment

BACKGROUND

Meeting global food demands is still a challenge, yet agriculture has been one of the main driving forces of greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, this study focused on identifying small regions, actions that can be taken and crops with a potential of increasing global yields, with an efficient system of food delivery and reducing the negative impacts of agriculture on the environment.

Open access copy available
Subscribe to General