Ecosystem Services and Ecological Processes

Malawi State of Environment and Outlook Report: Environment for Sustainable Economic Growth

Background

Although Malawi’s rich natural resources – forests, fertile soils, water resources, and fisheries – offer opportunity for sustainable development, mismanagement of these resources and poverty-related resource exploitation pose a risk for resource degradation. This periodic (2010) State of the Environment and Outlook report discusses trends, threats and opportunities in the environmental, health, demographic, industrial and agricultural sectors.

Open access copy available

Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture: Contributing to Food Security and Sustainability in a Changing World

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This report identifies challenges in current agricultural production and argues for the incorporation of biodiverse agricultural practices to best realize sustainable development goals.

Open access copy available

Maintenance of Hydropower Potential in Rwanda Through Ecosystem Restoration: World Resources Report Case Study

Background

Rwanda’s rapidly expanding electricity production is highly reliant on hydropower. However, hydropower as a sole source presents risks during changing global and regional hydrological conditions.

Open access copy available

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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Dipterocarp Forest Ecosystems: Towards Sustainable Management

Background

This book describes the difficult problem of sustainably managing the valuable resources of Dipterocarp forests in Southeast Asia. It highlights the social, economic, and forest management challenges associated with Dipterocarp governance and attempts to reconcile the often disparate roles of forest scientists and local community managers. 

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Identité et écologie des espèces forestières commerciales d'Afrique Centrale: le cas de Milicia spp. (Identity and ecology of Central African timber tree species: the case of Milicia spp.)

The authors explore the literature on two native tree species of commercial value in central Africa:Milicia excelsa and Milicia regia. Known locally as iroko, the authors note that exploitation of the trees have led to a decrease in its abundance. Finally, the authors argue that because the species are recognized as having economic importance, more research is needed on the species' ecologies in order to sustainably manage them.

 

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Ecology and Management of Pericopsis elata (Harms) Meeuwen (Fabaceae) Populations: A Review

Background

This paper conducts a literature review of the economically important timber species P. elata, paying close attention to studies that examine the tree's ecology, management, and genetics. 

Open access copy available

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.

Open access copy available

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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Globalization and Forest Resurgence: Changes in Forest Cover in El Salvador

Background

The authors study certain globalization impacts in land-use change in El Salvador. The legacy of war, remittances and international migration are among other factors that have allowed tree resurgence even in highly urban populated areas.  This study tracks the different trajectories of forest recovery by analysing remote-sensing satellite images from 1970's to the early 2000's.

Open access copy available
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