English
Can short-term payments for ecosystem services deliver long-term tree cover change?BackgroundWhile payment for ecosystem services (PES) has been lauded has been an effective strategy, particularly to increase tree cover in agricultural areas. Yet, there has been limited evaluation of long-term success, such as that after the payment period. Goals & MethodsTo determine the the long-term effectiveness of PES, the author compares tree cover before and after 13 years of a PES project that promoted silvopastoral systems in Colombia, which was quantified via satellite images. Available with subscription or purchase |
Money for Nothing? A Call for Empirical Evaluation of Biodiversity Conservation InvestmentsBackgroundThe authors assert that while the ecological aspects of conservation efforts are highly investigated and supported by empirical evidence, the policy aspects are not. In response, they argue that conservation policy measures must adopt program evaluation methods that would allow one to determine if intervention would be viable. Open access copy available |
A Guide to Selecting Ecosystem Service Models for Decision-Making: Lessons from Sub-Saharan AfricaBackgroundEcosystem services provide critical resources that support human well-being; therefore, managing for them is vital. This report suggests that modeling may be an effective means of informing management when data is lacking, a problem that many developing countries experience. Open access copy available |
Have integrated landscape approaches reconciled societal and environmental issues in the tropics?BackgroundThe author cite that while there has been growing recognition of intergrated landscape approaches, which aims to enhance environmental and social outcomes, there is still a lack of understanding. There has been suggestions that these approaches have been undertherorized and a lack of evidence of its effectiveness. Open access copy available |
Stewardship Success: How Community Group Dynamics Affect Urban Street Tree Survival and GrowthBACKGROUNDUrban street trees provide various benefits. Their establishment has been characterized by low survivals in the past 50 years. Reasons behind the low productivity are bio physical challenges and shortage of funds to take care of the trees. Community groups and home- owners have successfully participated in tree planting programs, however little research has been conducted if there are social factors which contribute to the poor tree survivals and growth. Open access copy available |
Mangroves of Kenya: The effects of species richness on growth and ecosystem functions of restored East African Mangrove standsBackgroundThe authors of the story identify the gaps in long-term studies on the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem services in specific ecosystems. The study focuses on one of these ecosystems: mangroves, examining the effects of species diversity on above ground productivity. Open access copy available |
Vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Central America and Mexico: current knowledge and research gapsBackgroundThis article recognizes that smallholder farmers are both critical to the global agricultural sector yet are one of the most vulnerable populations to climate change. Specifically, farmers in Central America and Mexico are experiences particularly high threats, thus the authors focus on this subgroup. Open access copy available |
Nursery and Establishment Techniques as Factors in Productivity of Man-made Forests in Southern AfricaBACKGROUNDAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Forests as safety nets for mitigating the impacts of HIV/AIDS in southern AfricaBACKGROUND70% of the people infected with HIV/AIDS are in Southern Africa, and the disease is perpetrating the already existing poverty in the continent. The impacts of the disease have led to livelihood change, as more funds in households are channeled to health care. To cater for these pressures and shocks households can resort to the use of forest products and in trading them to generate income. Some families have begun to rely on traditional remedies due to their low cost. Open access copy available |
Contributions of agroforestry to ecosystem services in the miombo eco-region of eastern and southern AfricaBACKGROUNDOpen access copy available |
