English

Addressing critiques refines global estimates of reforestation potential for climate change mitigation

Background

Open access copy available

Protect, manage and then restore lands for climate mitigation

Background

Available with subscription or purchase

Carbon dynamics with stand structure and species diversity in the Hindu Kush Himalaya ranges of Pakistan

Background 

Global climate change and biodiversity loss underscore the importance of forests in climate change mitigation and ecosystem stability, as highlighted by UN Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 15. The Hindu Kush Himalaya region in Pakistan is a critical biodiversity hotspot and a significant carbon reservoir. However, the relationships among forest structure, species diversity, and carbon storage in this region remain poorly understood, particularly under current management exclusions and anthropogenic pressures.

Open access copy available

The drivers and impacts of Amazon forest degradation

Background

This research examines the growing threat of forest degradation across the Amazon, a region critical to global carbon balance and biodiversity. Beyond deforestation, widespread disturbances such as fire, edge effects, selective logging, and extreme drought have emerged as major causes of ecological and social disruption. These human-driven stressors, intensified by climate change, now affect approximately 2.5 million km²—around 38% of remaining Amazon forests—posing risks comparable to deforestation itself.

Open access copy available

Reclamation at the Ranger Uranium Mine, Australia

BACKGROUND:

The reclamation of the Ranger Uranium Mine, situated within Kakadu National Park, presents distinct challenges due to the inherent complexities of managing radioactive waste. This paper explores the extensive reclamation efforts undertaken to restore the landscape, ensuring adherence to stringent environmental regulations and addressing the vital concerns of Aboriginal landowners. The paper also describes the regional climate, ecological significance, and the diverse flora and fauna of Kakadu, emphasizing the broader environmental and cultural context in which the mining operations and reclamation activities occur.

Open access copy available

Reclamation and Community Dynamics: Assessing Socio Environmental Impacts of Mining in Manikpur, Chhattisgarh

BACKGROUND:

Mining has historically been a crucial driver of economic development, particularly in resource-abundant regions such as the Korba District in Chhattisgarh, India. This paper focuses on coal mining within this area due to its significant role in shaping the local economy, as well as its profound ecological and socio-economic impacts. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding community perceptions and effective reclamation strategies.

Available with subscription or purchase

Reclamation of Mine‐Impacted Land for Ecosystem Recovery

BACKGROUND:

Available with subscription or purchase

Local‐ and landscape‐scale drivers of terrestrial herbaceous plant diversity along a tropical rainfall gradient in Western Ghats, India

BACKGROUND:

Open access copy available

Herbaceous plant diversity in forest ecosystems: patterns, mechanisms, and threats

BACKGROUND:

Recent studies have expanded our ecological understanding by focusing on forest herbs, highlighting that while trees dominate ecological theory, they represent only a small fraction of forest plant diversity. Forests showcase varying plant diversity due to human activities like land-use changes, invasive species, climate change, and overabundant herbivores, necessitating comprehensive management strategies. By understanding the complex interplay of these factors, the research aims to promote effective long-term conservation and sustainability of herbaceous plant communities in these environments.

Available with subscription or purchase

Putting seedlings on the map: Trade‐offs in demographic rates between ontogenetic size classes in five tropical forests

BACKGROUND:

The study examines tropical forests in regions such as Panama, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Ecuador, which are characterized by their high biodiversity and significant environmental challenges like cyclonic storms. These forests are ideal for investigating demographic trade-offs due to their diverse coexisting tree species that align along growth, survival, and stature recruitment axes. The forests have experienced varying levels of disturbance from natural events, making them unique examples for studying tree species’ life-history strategies and the mechanisms that facilitate species coexistence.

Available with subscription or purchase
Subscribe to English