Species Characteristics

REDD’ing Forest Conservation: The Philippine Predicament

Background

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Hope for Threatened Tropical Biodiversity: Lessons from the Philippines

Background

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Improving Sustainable Tropical Forest Management with Voluntary Carbon Markets

Background

Tropical forests play a critical role in global carbon sequestration, absorbing approximately 1 petagram (Pg) of carbon annually, more than any other terrestrial ecosystem. However, deforestation and forest degradation are undermining these forests’ potential to mitigate climate change. Reduced-impact logging and sustainable forest management (SFM) have been promoted to limit damage, yet many existing SFM plans fail to account for variations in tree growth rates, species traits, and site-specific conditions. As voluntary carbon markets expand, they offer new opportunities to finance improved forest management and increase carbon sequestration through “carbon-focused sustainable forest management” (SFM + C).

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Wild Meat Consumption in Tropical Forests Spares a Significant Carbon Footprint from the Livestock Production Sector

Background

Wild meat consumption is a widespread practice among tropical forest communities, providing essential protein and micronutrients. However, discussions about hunting often focus on its ecological consequences, such as defaunation and biodiversity loss, rather than its potential climate benefits. This study examines the carbon footprint spared by consuming wild meat instead of livestock products, particularly bovine beef, which is a major driver of deforestation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By quantifying the GHG emissions that would result from substituting wild meat with domesticated animal protein, the study explores whether sustainable hunting can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

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Synergistic Effects of Seed Disperser and Predator Loss on Recruitment Success and Long-Term Consequences for Carbon Stocks in Tropical Rainforests

Background

Defaunation—the loss of animal species due to hunting, habitat destruction, and other anthropogenic activities—has far-reaching consequences for tropical forests. Large frugivores play a crucial role in seed dispersal, while seed predators influence recruitment success and plant population dynamics. Previous studies have primarily focused on how defaunation affects seed dispersal, often overlooking the role of seed predators and potential compensatory effects within ecosystems. This study examines how the simultaneous loss of seed dispersers and seed predators affects tree recruitment and long-term carbon storage in tropical forests.

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Soil organic carbon pool under native tree plantations in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica

Background 

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Biodiversity conservation in Costa Rica: a correspondence analysis between identifi ed biodiversity hotspots (Araceae, Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Scarabaeinae) and conservation priority life zones

Background 

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The soil C pool in different agroecosystems derived from the dry tropical forest of Guanacaste, Costa Rica

BACKGROUND:

Seasonally dry tropical forests, constituting 42% of all tropical forests, are critically endangered, with less than 0.1% protected in Pacific Mesoamerica. The preservation of these forests is severely threatened by the invasive, highly flammable grass Hyparrhenia rufa, which has aggressively colonized the area since the 1940s. The paper focuses on examining soil carbon pools across various ecosystems derived from these forests in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive research on their soil carbon dynamics.

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Publicaciones del Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica (Peru)

El Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica (CINCIA) genera conocimiento científico e integra este conocimiento para elaborar iniciativas de gestión ambiental para promover el desarrollo sostenible y, cuando sea necesario, la restauración y la reforestación en la Amazonia peruana. 

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The Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation (CINCIA) generates scientific knowledge and integrates this knowledge to craft environmental management initiatives to promote sustainable development and, where needed, restoration and reforestation in the Peruvian Amazon. 

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Repositorio Institucional del IIAP - Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana

Reportes y avances técnicos de Investigación desarrollados por los proyectos y áreas especializadas del IIAP - Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana.

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Reports and technical research advances developed by specialized areas and projects of IIAP.

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