Ecosystem Services and Ecological Processes

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

BACKGROUND:

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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.

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Indigenous knowledge and forest succession management in the Brazilian Amazon: Contributions to reforestation of degraded areas

Background

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The Restoration of Degraded Lands by Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples

Background

Land degradation is a global ecological crisis that threatens biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and human well-being. Over 75% of land worldwide is affected, impacting the livelihoods of 3.2 billion people. Causes include deforestation, desertification, unsustainable agriculture, and climate change. In response, the United Nations launched the “Decade on Ecosystem Restoration” (2021–2030) to promote land restoration and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality. Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) manage a significant portion of intact ecosystems and possess deep ecological knowledge, making them vital actors in restoration efforts.

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Traditional medicinal knowledge of tropical trees and its value for restoration of tropical forests

Background

Tropical regions host the planet's greatest biodiversity, much of which is maintained by Indigenous and local communities through traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and traditional medicinal knowledge (TMK). In Mexico’s Tabasco region, deforestation and habitat fragmentation have severely degraded tropical forests, threatening both biodiversity and cultural practices. TMK, which supplies up to 80% of primary health care globally, is increasingly recognized for its potential to inform conservation and restoration. Despite this, TMK is being lost due to modernization, migration, and the replacement of traditional remedies with commercial pharmaceuticals.

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Indigenous exploitation and management of tropical forest resources: an evolutionary continuum in forest-people interactions

Background

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Hope for Threatened Tropical Biodiversity: Lessons from the Philippines

Background

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Perceptions of local communities on mangrove forests, their services and management: implications for Eco-DRR and blue carbon management for Eastern Samar, Philippines

Background

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Basin-Wide Effects of Game Harvest on Vertebrate Population Densities in Amazonian Forests: Implications for Animal-Mediated Seed Dispersal

Background

Tropical forest ecosystems rely heavily on animal-plant interactions, especially seed dispersal by vertebrates. In the Amazon, widespread hunting significantly reduces populations of many vertebrate species, particularly large-bodied frugivores that play a key role in dispersing seeds of large-seeded plants. Although some species show greater sensitivity to hunting than others, the overall impact of hunting across the Amazon basin remains poorly quantified. This study aims to understand how subsistence hunting affects vertebrate populations and, in turn, the ecological services they provide—most notably seed dispersal.

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Carbon Costs and Bushmeat Benefits of Hunting in Tropical Forests

Background

Overhunting in tropical forests depletes frugivorous animals that play a vital role in seed dispersal. This loss alters tree species composition and reduces forest carbon storage. While bushmeat hunting remains an important source of protein and income for local communities, its long-term impact on carbon stocks remains poorly understood. This study investigates the trade-offs between the economic benefits of bushmeat hunting and the potential carbon costs of defaunation-driven biomass loss. Understanding these dynamics is essential for integrating hunting management into climate mitigation strategies such as REDD+.

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