Ecosystem Services and Ecological Processes
Genetic Consequences of Tropical Second-Growth Forest RegenerationBackgroundThis article is an examination of the genetic impacts of old-growth deforestation among 24 year-old second-growth Iriartea deltoidea, a canopy palm, in a lowland Costa Rican forest. Iriartea is widely distributed throughout neotropical rainforests and displays a diverse range of size classes in mature forests. This species recolonizes second-growth forests with newly generated seeds, which are dispersed by birds and mammals. Open access copy available |
Satellite Data-Based Phenological Evaluation of the Nationwide Reforestation of South KoreaBackgroundSouth Korea's reforestation efforts since the 1950s have been evaluated for changes in biomass, area, and growing stock, but little has been done to study the phenology changes (seasonal changes) and photosynthetic activity, which will help in the preparation of new forest management in light of climate change. Open access copy available |
Carbon Sequestration Potential of Indian ForestsbackgroundWhile deforestation in the tropics is a common subject of concern, India has retained a net positive afforestation rate from 1951-2000, with greatest gains after 1980. These efforts have afforested 35 MHa. Open access copy available |
Les initiatives de restauration des paysages forestiers du WWF (WWF's Forest Landscape Restoration Initiatives)The pamphlet provides an overview of WWF's forest landscape restoration (FLR) projects worldwide.
Open access copy available |
Formations boisées et savanes africaines: opportunités et potentialités de la REDD+ (Wooded formations and African savannas: opportunities and potential of REDD+)The authors provide an overview of the REDD+ program and deforestation in Africa. They addressed limitations fo REDD+ and noted that because each community is different, each project must be tailored to the individual needs of communities.
Open access copy available |
Cartographier le carbone stocké dans la végétation: perspectives pour la spatialisation d’un service écosystémique (Mapping carbon stocks in vegetation)The authors discuss a project to map ecosystem functioning in the Brazilian Amazon. They point out the limitations of ecosystem-service mapping and the importance of methodological decisionmaking while mapping functional processes.
Open access copy available |
Fonds Environnementaux et Paiement Pour Les Services Ecosystemiques (Environmental Funds and Payments for Ecosystem Services)The authors discuss environmental funds and the possibility of using payments for ecosystem services towards conservation efforts. They provided several case studies to demonstrate different systems of payments for ecosystem services and gave recommendations.
Open access copy available |
Rwanda Environmental Threats and Opportunities Assessment (ETOA)BACKGROUNDThis report provides a background on the state of the environment in Rwanda. The authorrs write this report to fulfil a legal requirement of the US, Foreign Assistance Act (FAA), which requires that a Tropical Forests and Biodiversity Analysis be conducted in conjunction with the development of new foreign assistance strategies and programs. The report is also intended to identify opportunities to better integrate USAID's portfolio across development sectors by suggesting linkages with economic growth, agriculture, democracy and governance, health, and education activities. Open access copy available |
Economic and Social Significance of Forests for Africa’s Sustainable DevelopmentbackgroundThis magazine issue covers topics related to Africa's forests and sustainable development. Conclusions & TakeawaysTopics include sustainable mangrove management in Nigeria, plantation forests in South Africa, natural resource management in Zambia, land governance by local communities, etc.
Open access copy available |
Rebuilding Resilience in the Sahel: Regreening in the Maradi and Zinder Regions of NigerbackgroundThroughout 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. Open access copy available |
