Deforestation and Degradation
Carbon dynamics with stand structure and species diversity in the Hindu Kush Himalaya ranges of PakistanBackgroundGlobal 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 degradationBackgroundThis 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, AustraliaBACKGROUND: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 |
Putting seedlings on the map: Trade‐offs in demographic rates between ontogenetic size classes in five tropical forestsBACKGROUND: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 |
Forests, food, and fuel in the tropics: the uneven social and ecological consequences of the emerging political economy of biofuelsBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Against political ecologyBackgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Recalibrating burdens of blame: Anti-swidden politics and green governance in the Philippine UplandsBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Perceptions of coastal villagers on the non-market goods and services of mangroves in Cagayan province, PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
People and Mangroves: Biocultural Utilization of Mangrove Forest Ecosystem in Southeast AsiaBackgroundMangrove forests in Southeast Asia are recognized as biodiverse ecosystems that offer ecological, social, and economic benefits. However, this region also experiences the highest global rates of mangrove loss. This is concerning because the decline of mangrove forests in Southeast Asia potentially leads to the loss of valuable indigenous and local knowledge systems (ILKS) and even the disappearance of ethnic cultures. Open access copy available |
Integrating science-based and local ecological knowledge: a case study of mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
