Mixed-species versus monocultures in plantation forestry: Development, benefits, ecosystem services and perspectives for the future

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 15, P. e00419 - e00419

Published: July 1, 2018

Plantation forests are increasing rapidly in the world order to alleviate deforestation and degradation of natural forests, along with providing various goods services. While monoculture plantations have been dominant type plantation practice well-recorded research, face intensifying climate change resource scarcity, there is a growing interest mixed-species plantations. Agroforestry systems also catching attention foresters, smallholders landowners. However, relatively limited number studies on successful species mixtures. This paper first reviews progression monocultures mixed-species, followed by comparisons advantages, disadvantages effects surrounding ecosystems between these two types The further investigates combinations complementary traits for efficient use limiting resources associated improvement growth development production tree species, as well examining some other challenges mixed-species. In addition, it helpful select combine tree/crop mixtures based that maximise positive minimise negative interactions using advance molecular technologies genetic analysis. With careful design proper management, two, three or four can be more productive advantages biodiversity, economy forest health over monocultures. Many researchers still working different projects explore potential benefits promote applications agroforestry.

Language: Английский

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The Impact of Population Growth on Natural Resources and Farmers’ Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change in Low-Income Countries

Earth Systems and Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 5(2), P. 271 - 283

Published: March 16, 2021

Language: Английский

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Why bees are critical for achieving sustainable development

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 50(1), P. 49 - 59

Published: April 20, 2020

Abstract Reductions in global bee populations are threatening the pollination benefits to both planet and people. Whilst contribution of promoting sustainable development goals through food security biodiversity is widely acknowledged, a range other provided by bees has yet be fully recognised. We explore contributions towards achieving United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our insights suggest that potentially contribute 15 17 SDGs minimum 30 SDG targets. identify common themes which play an essential role, improved understanding crucial for ensuring viable systems.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems: Moving beyond the state of the art to minimize the risk of ecological surprise

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(17), P. 3969 - 3986

Published: May 27, 2021

Microplastic (plastic particles measuring <5mm) pollution is ubiquitous. Unlike in other well-studied ecosystems, for example, marine and freshwater environments, microplastics terrestrial systems are relatively understudied. Their potential impacts on particular the risk of causing ecological surprise, must be better understood quantified. Ecological surprise occurs when ecosystem behavior deviates radically from expectations generally has negative consequences services. The properties within environments may increase their likelihood surprises as they (a) highly persistent global pollutants that will last centuries, (b) can interact with abiotic environment a complex manner, (c) impact organisms directly or indirectly (d) contaminants facilitate transport. Here, we compiled findings previous research environments. We systematically focused studies addressing different facets related to distribution, dispersion, soil characteristics functions, levels biological organization tested biota (single species vs. assemblages), scale experimental study corresponding ecotoxicological effects. Our systematic assessment microplastic revealed most have been conducted single under laboratory conditions short-term exposures; few were more realistic long-term field and/or multi-species assemblages. Studies targeting assemblages primarily considered bacterial communities showed alter essential nutrient cycling functions. More ecologically meaningful encompassing assemblages, critical processes (e.g., biogeochemical cycles pollination) interactions anthropogenic stressors conducted. Addressing these knowledge gaps provide understanding emerging should lower ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Implications of the 2019–2020 megafires for the biogeography and conservation of Australian vegetation

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Feb. 15, 2021

Abstract Australia’s 2019–2020 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires burnt more than 8 million hectares of vegetation across the south-east continent, an event unprecedented in last 200 years. Here we report impacts these fires on vascular plant species and communities. Using a map generated from remotely sensed hotspot data show that, 11 Australian bioregions, 17 major native groups were severely burnt, up to 67–83% globally significant rainforests eucalypt forests woodlands. Based geocoded occurrence estimate that >50% known populations or ranges 816 during fires, including 100 with geographic 500 km across. Habitat fire response most affected are resilient fire. However, massive biogeographic, demographic taxonomic breadth may leave some ecosystems, particularly relictual Gondwanan rainforests, susceptible regeneration failure landscape-scale decline.

Language: Английский

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An Overview of the Potentials, Threats and Conservation of Biodiversity in Africa

Sustainable development and biodiversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 3 - 20

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Language: Английский

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Scientists' warning to humanity on tree extinctions

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 5(4), P. 466 - 482

Published: Aug. 31, 2022

Societal Impact Statement Trees play vital roles in many of the world's ecosystems while providing benefits to people. New evidence indicates that a third tree species are threatened with extinction, representing extinction crisis. Here we demonstrate how will lead loss other plants and animals significantly alter ecosystems. We also show negatively affect billions people through livelihoods benefits. highlight series urgent actions needed avert an ecological, cultural socio‐economic catastrophe caused by widespread species. Summary exceptional ecological importance, playing major functional role ecosystems, supporting plants, fungi. Many direct value people, wide range Loss diversity could abrupt declines biodiversity, ecosystem functions services ultimately collapse. provide overview current knowledge regarding number threats them, based on results Global Tree Assessment. This suggests currently which represents then examine potential implications extinctions, terms functioning biosphere impacts human well‐being. Large‐scale biodiversity losses groups substantially cycling carbon, water nutrients undermine who depend trees they provide. warning humanity aims raise awareness crisis, is environmental issue requires global attention. identify some priority need be taken reduce risk result from large‐scale

Language: Английский

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Spatiotemporal characteristics and drivers of ecosystem service interactions in the Dongting Lake Basin

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 926, P. 172012 - 172012

Published: March 28, 2024

Language: Английский

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An Overview of the Role of Forests in Climate Change Mitigation

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(14), P. 6089 - 6089

Published: July 17, 2024

Nowadays, climate change is recognized as one of the biggest problems world facing, posing a potential threat to environment and almost all aspects human life. Since United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992, many efforts have been made mitigate change, with no considerable results. According projections, temperatures will continue rise, extreme weather events become more frequent, prolonged, intense. Reflecting these concerns, 2015 Paris Agreement was adopted cornerstone for reducing impact aiming limit global warming below 2 °C even keep temperature rise 1.5 °C. To achieve this international goal, focused mitigation actions be required. has strong forests, enhancing their growth but also risks them. Conversely, forests can they surface through influence land–atmosphere energy exchange absorption vast amounts CO2 photosynthesis. Consequently, afforestation reforestation integral components strategies worldwide. This review aims summarize cutting-edge knowledge role mitigation, emphasizing carbon storage capacity. Overall, afforestation/reforestation hinges strategic planning, implementation, local forest conditions. Integrating other removal technologies could enhance long-term effectiveness storage. Ultimately, effective entails both restoring establishing alongside greenhouse gas emissions.

Language: Английский

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More species, more trees: The role of tree packing in promoting forest productivity

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 5, 2025

Abstract Forests provide many ecosystem services that strongly depend on species diversity, as illustrated by the repeatedly observed diversity–productivity relationships (DPRs). These forest DPRs are assumed to result mostly from complementarity between at tree level whilst emerging community‐level processes remain poorly explored. In this study, we propose ‘tree packing effect’ (TPE), where diversity promotes productivity positively impacting maximum stand density, is an important determinant of DPRs. We tested two components TPE: (i) whether density increases with richness and (ii) higher allowed productivity. First, relying national inventories six European countries (NFIs, totaling 2,367,776 trees), fitted self‐thinning lines examine these were influenced plot richness. showed in Europe, all but one country. This trend was notably stronger extreme climates. Second, ran a large simulation‐based experiment (including 7,024,815 simulations) individual‐based dynamics model able control for stand‐density effects, quantify more than 1000 sites Europe. Relying original method site level, compared strength simulated without density. found positive up 10‐times when TPE play controlled. effect through also climates, especially warm dry conditions. Synthesis . Highlighting generality forests, our results reveal functioning partly mediated diversity‐driven changes mechanism has been long overlooked biodiversity—ecosystem studies, findings call its reconsideration, natural forests. It opens key perspectives management climate change mitigation programmes.

Language: Английский

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