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Non-timber Forest Product Harvest does not Affect the Genetic Diversity of a Tropical Tree Despite Negative Effects on Population Fitness

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The authors investigated a relationship between exploitation of economically important mahogany in Benin and the species genetic diversity. The study is base on the theory that disturbances in forest habitats can lead to a decrease in diversity due to population fragmentation and increased inbreeding.

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La gestion des forêts communautaires face au défi de la pauvreté et du développement rural (Community forest management in the face of poverty and rural development challenges)

The author questions whether community forestry in Cameroon will be able to sustain rural livelihoods. S/he advocates for other value systems to be integrated into management plans in order to decrease poverty while benefitting conservation.

 

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Structure spatiale des arbres des savanes boisées et forêts claires soudaniennes : implication pour les enrichissements forestiers (Spatial structure of trees in forested savanna and Sudanian forests: implication for forest enrichment)

This article is concerned with modeling ideal spacial distributions of tree species in Benin. The authors suggest 3 meters as the ideal distance between trees of the same species, or 4.5 meters between trees of different species.

 

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L’agriculture de conservation à la croisée des chemins en Afrique et à Madagascar (Conservation agriculture at a crossroads in Africa and Madagascar)

The authors describe conservation agriculture, which they describe as farming systems that use little mechanical soil disturbance, permanant organic cover, and diversified crops. The authors argue that conservation agriculture is important for maintaining soil health.

 

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Les facteurs déterminants le succès de reproduction de la Tourterelle des bois (Streptopelia turtur) dans un milieu agricole Nord-Africain

The authors provide ecological information regarding the use of trees and agriculture by the turtle dove. They argue for increased research to determine the success of fruit trees on sustaining populations of wildlife.

 

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GHG Mitigation Potential, Costs and Benefits in Global Forests: A Dynamic Partial Equilibrium Approach

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In this article, the authors discuss the global mitigation potential for greenhouse gas carbon sequestration in forest plantations. They estimate the land area that land users would plant or prevent from being deforested above the reference scenario of no carbon prices. Their economic analysis suggests that billions of dollars are gained through carbon sequestration.

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Agroforestry Solutions to Address Food Security and Climate Change Challenges in Africa

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Many parts of Africa face food insecurity and land degradation, challenges which will only be exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. The article proposes that agroforestry has the potential to improve the resilience of small farmers by enhancing soil fertility and providing food and fuel sources. However there has not been widespread adoption of agroforestry strategies across Africa.

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The Effect of Deforestation on Water Quality: A Case Study in Cienda Micro Watershed, Leyte, Philippines

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Forests and water are important resources that provide both socioeconomic and ecological benefits. They also are connected, meaning that deforestation has a negative impact on the quality of water flowing through a watershed. This paper seeks to present the detailed effects and relationship between deforestation and water quality.

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Ecosystem Decay of Amazonian Forest Fragments: A 22-year Investigation

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Large-Scale Impoverishment of Amazonian Forests by Logging and Fire

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Amazonia typically uses deforestation rates to predict the effects on the carbon cycle and to measure the loss of forest in Brazil. The authors claim that these connections are limited. 

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Assessment of Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Phnom Tbeng Forest Based on Socio-Economic Surveys

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Since the 1960s, Cambodia has lost over 20% of forest cover, with a decline from 13.2 million hectares to 10.4 million as a result of civil war, population growth, and migration patterns. This study seeks to understand the drivers of deforestation in Cambodia through the eyes of rural village residents in five different villages.

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Land Cover Dynamics in the Kirisia Forest Ecosystem, Samburu County, Kenya

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Throughout Africa, forest ecosystems play a significant role in supporting local livelihoods. In Kenya specifically, these ecosystems contribute to economic development while also improving watershed dynamics. Yet, these ecosystems have experienced significant changes over the decades. This study aims to quantify these land changes in the Kirisia forest ecosystem from 1973 to 2015. 

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Integrating Livestock Production with Forest Management among Leroghi Forest Adjacent Pastoral Communities in Samburu County, Kenya

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The study examines a forest based livestock production system in Samburu Country, Kenya. It focuses on nomadic and semi-nomadi pastoralists whom rely on water, dry season fodder, and pastures for their livelihoods. 

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Evaluation of Natural Regeneration and Tree species diversity in Miombo woodlands in Malawi

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This study seeks to determine the best management practices for the miombo woodland in Chongoni Forest Reserve, Malawi.

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Quarry dust emission effects on tree species diversity in Chongoni forest Reserve and vegetation characteristics in adjacent villages, Dedza, Malawi

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Quarry dust is widely reported to have adverse effects on both human health and plant community structure, particularly resulting in decreased diversity and ecosystem functions. Therefore, it is critical to examine and monitor the interactions between these dust particles and vegetation.

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Economic and Social Significance of Forests for Africa’s Sustainable Development

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This magazine issue covers topics related to Africa's forests and sustainable development.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Topics include sustainable mangrove management in Nigeria, plantation forests in South Africa, natural resource management in Zambia, land governance by local communities, etc.

 

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Rebuilding Resilience in the Sahel: Regreening in the Maradi and Zinder Regions of Niger

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Throughout the late twentieth century, the societies and ecosystems of the Nigerian Sahel region has experienced  increased vulnerability to economic and climatic uncertainty, yet forests have been able to rebound. This study seeks to describe the factors that contributed to the successful reforestation of the Sahel, especially the Maradi and Zinder regions.

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Tropical reforestation and climate change: beyond carbon

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Tropical reforestation has been highlighted as an important intervention for climate change mitigation because of its carbon storage potential. Tropical reforestation can also play other frequently overlooked, but significant, roles in helping society and ecosystems adapt to climate variability and change.

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Scaling Up Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration in Africa to Restore Degraded Landscapes

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Protecting and managing natural regeneration of woody species on‐farm  can help create new agroforestry parklands as well as promote natural regeneration off‐farm. Increasing the number of trees on farms as well as off‐farm is important in the context of accelerated climate change and ambitious pledges to restore degraded forestland. This study examines large-scale agroforestry parklands in three African countries.

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Impacts of Large-Scale Forest Restoration on Socioeconomic Status and Local Livelihoods: What We Know and Do Not Know

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Open access copy available