Impacts of Disturbance
Factors influencing organic carbon accumulation in mangrove ecosystemsBackgroundMangrove forest sediments can store a significant amount of organic carbon (900 Mg ha-1). Environmental and anthropogenic impacts, like storms or deforestation, can increase or decrease carbon accumulation rates within mangrove sediments and ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to understand how these impacts affect blue carbon ecosystems’ storage capacity. Open access copy available |
Resilience to Hurricanes is High in Mangrove Blue Carbon ForestsBackgroundWhile many anthropogenic forces threaten the survival of mangrove forests, tropical storms are the most significant non-anthropogenic sources of disturbance. Since mangroves are important carbon sinks, it is important to understand the impacts of tropical storms on mangrove forest structure, function, and carbon stock recovery. Open access copy available |
Tree species that ‘live slow, die older’ enhance tropical peat swamp restoration: Evidence from a systematic reviewBackgroundHighly degraded forests often require active reforestation, which presents additional challenges with species selection for tree plantings. In tropical peat swamp forests, where harsh environmental conditions threaten seedling survival, various seedling and site treatments can enhance seedling survival and growth in restoration projects. Open access copy available |
The changing global carbon cycle: linking plant–soil carbon dynamics to global consequencesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Against political ecologyBackgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Perceptions of local communities on mangrove forests, their services and management: implications for Eco-DRR and blue carbon management for Eastern Samar, PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Between a rock and a hard place: The burdens of uncontrolled fire for smallholders across the tropicsBackgroundThe growing prevalence of uncontrolled tropical landscape fires significantly threatens tropical forests and causes substantial social and economic burdens. These burdens continue to be largely overlooked in favor of aggregate-scale losses like climate change and biodiversity, despite the severe local impacts on smallholder farming communities across the forested tropics. Furthermore, people often unfairly portray smallholders as the primary culprits of fire contagion due to their customary fire-based agricultural practices. This narrative is rooted in colonial-era condemnations. Open access copy available |
Community perceptions of long-term mangrove cover changes and its drivers from a typhoon-prone province in the PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Defaunation affects carbon storage in tropical forestsBackgroundTropical forests play a critical role in global carbon storage, holding approximately 40% of the Earth's terrestrial carbon. While deforestation, logging, and climate change are well-documented threats to these forests, the impact of defaunation (the loss of large frugivorous animals due to hunting and habitat loss) has been largely overlooked. Many large-seeded hardwood trees rely on large vertebrates for seed dispersal, and their decline could significantly affect forest composition and carbon storage. Open access copy available |
How much deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa has been caused by mining?BACKGROUND:Sub-Saharan Africa has become a major mining hub due to its vast mineral resources, which has led to significant economic growth and investment in the region since the early 2000s. However, the expansion of mining activities, especially post-2000, has raised concerns about their environmental impact, particularly in terms of deforestation and habitat disruption. The paper aims to assess the extent of deforestation caused by mining activities in Sub-Saharan Africa, employing geospatial and statistical analysis to compare areas with and without mining operations. Open access copy available |
