Aim of study: To assess the impact of the exotic western conifer seed bug Leptoglossus occidentalis (WCSB), and the native pine cone moth, Dioryctria mendacella (PCM), two pests simultaneously feeding on cones and nuts of Pinus pinea; to identify the potential exogenous and endogenous factors controlling the impact of each pest, and to evaluate the occurrence of synergies and trade-offs between the pests. Area of study: Spanish Northern Plateau. Material and methods: Annual data on cone, nut and severity from each pest, collected in an extensive net of 52 plots (250 trees) installed in pure-even aged forests of Pinus pinea, covering nine years (2013-2021). Given the structure of the data and the proposed conceptual modelling, structural equation modelling (SEM) and path analysis were used. Main results: We observed an increasing pattern on the severity due to WCSB in the recent years, which may affect over 60% of pine nuts, while PCM tended to show a constant pattern, affecting on average 20% of the cones. Rate of severity of each pest was directly affected by the average size of a single cone, which was controlled by annual rainfall and stand age. Moreover, rising temperatures and age also exerted a direct and positive effect over the rate of severity of both pests, while the total amount of available cones in the year exerted a direct and negative effect. Complex temporal interactions between pest severities were identified. Research highlights: Severity of both pests is influenced by exogenous and endogenous factors, which may be aggravated under scenarios of climate change. These results support adaptive silviculture aimed at maintaining high cone availability to dilute pest impact.
Aim of study: (i) to evaluate wild mushroom productivity in a fast-growing Pinus radiata D.Don stand managed under four thinning treatments; (ii) to determine allometric relationships for seven mushroom species as a tool for future non-destructive inventory of fresh weight yield; and (iii) to compare the total productivity of two species of Boletus for three classes of sporocarp quality and the relationship with fruit development and size. Area of study: Pinus radiata thinning trial, Bóveda Communal Forest, Begonte, Galicia, north-western Spain. Material and methods: The productivity of seven marketable and two additional edible wild mushroom species was evaluated in a thinning trial in a Pinus radiata D.Don stand aged 32 years at the end of the observations. Sample plots of 20 × 20 m were evaluated over a period of 6 years (4 plots), 4 years (12 plots) and 2 years (12 plots). Four thinning treatments were applied in the plots: no thinning (control); light thinning from below; moderate thinning from below; and selective thinning. The mushroom inventories began 8 years after the last thinning operation. Average dimensions and allometric relationships of sporocarps were determined for seven mushroom species. The distribution of three quality classes of two Boletus species was also determined. Seasonal patterns of productivity of commercial species were established, with Boletus pinophilus Pilát & Dermek being the only species producing fruiting bodies in spring. Main results: The following marketable species were identified, in decreasing order of productivity: B. pinophilus, Hydnum repandum L., Lactarius quieticolor Romagn., Imleria badia (Fr.) Vizzini, Boletus edulis Bull., Suillus luteus (L.) Roussel and Tricholoma portentosum (Fr.) Quél. Two edible non-marketable species Clitopilus prunulus (Scop.) P. Kumm. and Laccaria amethystina Cooke were also identified. The total yield of edible species was 58.5 kg ha-1 year-1 and the thinning intensity did not have a significant effect on the total edible or marketable mushroom productivity, which was more affected by the distance of the plot relative to the edge with firebreaks. The average size of sporocarps, in terms of both weight and diameter, decreased in the following order: B. pinophilus > B. edulis > S. luteus ≈ I. badia > Lactarius quieticolor > T. portentosum > H. repandum. The quality of boletes was closely related to the cap diameter, with the probability of occurrence of fruiting bodies with white hymenium and firm flesh decreasing in sporocarps larger than 7-8 cm. Quality classes 1 and 2 tended to be maintained for larger sizes of B. edulis than of B. pinophilus. Overall, 51% of the fresh weight of B. pinophilus harvested was classified in classes 1 or 2, whereas the corresponding figure was 69% for B. edulis. Research highlights: Mushroom productivity in the radiata pine stand under study was similar to the average values obtained for native pine species in Spain and may be relevant to the management of these fast-growing plantations.
Aim of study: To assess the effects of forest disturbances on two foliar attributes, leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA), of woody species in a semi-arid Chaco forest of Argentina. Disturbances are represented as different combinations of land management practices (removal of vegetation, logging, and fire). We evaluated intraspecific variation in LA and SLA of six native woody species using a quantitative approach. We also explored the effect of growth form (tree/shrub) and leaf periodicity (perennial/deciduous) on plant responses to disturbances, considering that these traits may determine variations in their behavior in response to such disturbances. Area of study: Subtropical semi-arid Chaco, Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina, South America. Material and methods: Leaves of mature individuals were measured in forests with three different land management histories: undisturbed for four decades (RC); rolled and subjected to selective wood extraction eight years before sampling (Rch+L); and rolled and followed by fire eight years before sampling (Rch+F). For each site, we measured 10 mature individuals of each of the six species studied, recording the maximum height and diameter at breast height (DBH), and harvested 20 leaves from each to measure leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA). Main results: All species significantly increased their LA and SLA in disturbed forests. Tree species had larger LA than shrubs, while shrubs exhibited higher SLA. Both traits presented higher values in deciduous species compared to perennial species, indicating that, after disturbances, these species could better capture released resources by increasing their foliar area. The community-weighted mean (CWM) of LA was highest in the Rch+L forest, likely reflecting the effect of increased light availability. Additionally, all disturbed forests showed a higher CWM of SLA. Research highlights: The changes observed in leaf traits at the species level, such as higher LA and SLA, which result in higher LA and SLA at the community level, suggest the adoption of more acquisitive strategies in disturbed communities, promoting higher resource capture and facilitating leaf tissue recovery. This may influence ecosystem functions, such as litter decomposition, productivity, and resource allocation for growth and reproduction. Monitoring foliar responses to disturbances in Chaco forests is critical for guiding sustainable management and conservation practices.
Aim of study: To assess changes in land-use and landscape connectivity in Cofre de Perote National Park (CPNP), Mexico, from 2017 to 2024, and to understand how different management subzones influence land-use and forest-connectivity dynamics. Knowing more about these processes is essential to guide adaptive management in protected areas facing landscape dynamics due to anthropogenic activities. Area of study: This study was carried out in a high-altitude protected area located in the center of the state of Veracruz, Mexico, including its designated buffer zone. Material and methods: We classified the land use and vegetation cover of the CPNP using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery at 10 m from 2017 to 2024, applying a Random Forest algorithm for classification. We assessed land use and land cover changes, as well as forest connectivity, across the park’s internal management subzones (22,330.47 ha), including forest restoration areas, traditional use, and public use zones, as well as a buffer zone located outside the park boundaries, using the Integral Index of Connectivity. Main results: From 2017 to 2024, forest cover increased by 1,290 ha within the park and 386 ha in the buffer zone, primarily replacing grasslands and, to a lesser extent, agricultural lands. Connectivity analysis showed significant improvements in forest cover connectivity values in the park, especially within the forest recovery subzone. However, traditional use and buffer zones exhibited mixed connectivity trends, with some areas experiencing declines due to land cover changes. Research highlights: Gains in forest cover and improved connectivity in key subzones represent an opportunity to increase ecosystem integrity and resilience in the face of threats posed by human activities around the CPNP. However, the situation in the buffer zone underscores the urgent need to implement integrated landscape management strategies that include the CPNP and adjacent areas to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience to current landscape dynamics.
Aim of study: To investigate the impact of site class information on forest operation and harvest planning using mixed-integer programming, silviculture regimes, and forest planning. Area of study: A privately owned Japanese cedar “sugi” (Cryptomeria japonica) plantation managed by a forestry association in a cool temperate mountain forest in Japan. Material and methods: Income and timber volume were estimated for each position, forest age, and stem diameter. Age-class distribution, harvest volume, required labor, profit, and other relevant metrics were compared over the forecast period using two optimized harvest plans incorporating status considerations, i.e., with or without site indices. Data were validated based on the premise and assumption that concentrating labor in well-positioned forest management units augments timber yield and improves profits by optimizing timber quality, reducing the proportion of biomass timber, and increasing the proportion of Grade-A timber. Main results: Accounting for status notably increased the total harvested volume by 5.7% over 24 quarters, with a significant 10.8% increase in revenue. Integrating site-class information facilitates efficient and sustainable forest management practices. Stand units with a favorable status may be prioritized for relatively shorter logging operations owing to declining labor availability. Thinning is less affected by a favorable status than clear-cutting, as thinning is financially subsidized, considerably reducing its economic impact. Conversely, logging in areas with poorer status poses risks because a slight decline in timber prices can negatively affect income and expenses. Research highlights: Incorporating site class information helps avoid unprofitable locations and improves harvest plans under constraints, such as labor requirements.
Aim of study: To determine if specific Pinus pinaster trees exhibit resistance or tolerance to pine wilt disease, and to clarify whether artificially inoculated nematodes survive or are eliminated in asymptomatic plants. Area of study: Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse facilities of the Lourizán Forest Research Center (42° 24′ 33″ N, 8° 39′ 46″ W, Pontevedra, Spain). Material and methods: This study involved two sets of assays. In the first set, seedlings from 32 families of the Galician P. pinaster breeding program were artificially inoculated with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus three times over a year. Only 23 plants remained asymptomatic by the assay´s end, and four of these continued to be asymptomatic fifteen months after the final inoculation. At that point, these four ‘mother plants’ were clonally propagated via cuttings. Both the mother plants and their cuttings were subsequently checked for nematode presence at various time points. The second set of experiments comprised three inoculation experiments, evaluating clones derived from nematode-resistant P. pinaster parents of families. At the conclusion of these assays (109-141 days after inoculation), each plant was assigned a symptom stage, and nematode density was assessed. From each assay, 15 asymptomatic plants were sampled for nematode counting at 8 and 18 months post-inoculation. Main results: In the nematode counting performed in mother plants fifteen months following the last inoculation, nematodes were extracted solely from a section below the inoculation point of a single mother plant. Years later, none of the mother plants or their cuttings contained nematodes. In the inoculations experiments with resistant clones, only 16.5% of the plants that remained asymptomatic at the end of the assays contained nematodes. Research highlights: The possibility of producing pine wood nematode-free resistant plants by grafting or cutting is crucial to control pine wilt disease progression.
Aim of study: Critics of the shelterwood system claim that regeneration felling in mature stands reduces plant species richness and promotes a monospecific dominance of Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.). In this context, the study aims to evaluate the regeneration dynamics in Sal forests following regeneration felling. Area of study: The study was conducted in the Sal forests of Nepal’s lowland, where a series of regeneration felling were implemented under the shelterwood system. Material and methods: A total of 270 rectangular plots, each measuring 10m2, were established across 90 annual felling plots, with three sample plots allocated per felling plot. Within each sample plot, seedlings and saplings were measured and counted. Main results: Light demanding species dominated both seedling and sapling layers, comprising 83% and 92% of the overall density, respectively. The diversity index was higher in the seedling layer (0.80) compared to the sapling layer (0.24). Since the most degraded plots were treated first, no clear trend in regeneration diversity and species richness was observed across the age groups (1-3 years, 4-6 years, and 7-9 years after harvesting). Research highlights: Gap promoted the regeneration of light-demanding species initially, and plant species richness increased over time following regeneration felling. As seedlings grew into saplings and provided shade, shade-tolerant species gradually began to appear. Therefore, species richness was influenced by the time elapsed since regeneration felling.
Aim of study: Baobab (Adansonia digitata L) is a deciduous indigenous fruit tree that belongs to the family of Malvaceae. A study was conducted to investigate the nutritional value diversity and economic value for baobab root tubers and leaf production. Area of study: The study was conducted in Mangochi district, located in the Southern Region of Malawi. Material and methods: Seeds of baobab were pre-treated and planted in trial plots. The planting was subjected to three treatment factors (season, site, and type of soil). After harvesting, both fresh and dried baobab root tubers and leaves were subjected to nutritional analysis at the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) laboratory in Blantyre, Malawi. Gross profit analysis (GPA) was performed to calculate the following profitability indicators: profit, return on investment (ROI), and net profit margin (NPM). Main results: The results indicate that there were significant (p < 0.001) differences in nutritional values (energy, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, and potassium) between fresh root tubers and fresh leaves. Fresh root tubers had higher nutritional content in energy and carbohydrates than fresh leaves, while fresh leaves had higher nutritional content in proteins, magnesium, and potassium. On the other hand, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in iron, lead, and cadmium between fresh root tubers and fresh leaves. The same trend was observed in dried root tubers and dried leaves. However, dried root tubers and dried leaves had higher nutritional values compared to their corresponding fresh nutrients. Furthermore, baobab root tubers and leaf production were viable with an estimated annual profit of about MK1 million (US$1.2 thousand), a positive rate of return on investment (38.5%), and a positive net profit margin (27.8%) per hectare. Research highlights: The study recommends that baobab root tubers and leaves whether dried or fresh are safe to eat and they are nutritious. Additionally, baobab tubers and leaf vegetables have great potential to be introduced as cash crops among communities in Malawi and the surrounding region.
Aim of study: The error in estimating branch biomass, foliage biomass, and crown biomass (i.e. sum of branch and foliage biomass) based on the diameter at the live crown base was evaluated. Area of study: The foci were hinoki cypress [Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold et Zucc.) Endl.], Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carrière), and Sakhalin fir [Abies sachalinensis (Fr.Schmidt) Mast.] in plantation forests located in Japan. Material and methods: Nineteen cypress trees were destructively sampled in the four stands. Measurements from 64 cypress trees, 44 larch trees, and 27 fir trees were included in the analysis. A power function was applied as an allometric equation to establish the relationship between the diameter at the live crown base and the foliage, branch, and crown biomass. Cross-validation was performed to evaluate the precision and accuracy of biomass estimation for each component using the power function. Crown biomass was estimated from stem volume by using the basic wood density and the biomass expansion factor as a traditional method to compare the error. Main results: Little bias was detected in the estimation of foliage, branch, or crown biomass. The percent root mean squared error was the lowest for branch biomass (36%, 26%), followed by crown biomass (52%, 26%) and foliage biomass (84%, 34%) for cypress and larch, respectively. These percent root mean squared errors were smaller than those using an allometric equation based on diameter at breast height and total height. Research highlights: This study indicates the potential of using a single common allometric equation for each species to accurately estimate crown biomass.
Aim of study: To identify different levels of devitalization in individuals of Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham. (oyamel) in the core zone of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR), using multispectral and thermal information captured with drone. Area of study: The study area, comprising 26 ha, is located within the federal property of the MBBR. This area also belongs to the core zone of the Protected Natural Area. Material and methods: Overflights were conducted with drones equipped with multispectral and thermographic sensors in monitoring plots. Using high-resolution images captured by drone and photogrammetric processing, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), surface temperature (ST), and temperature-vegetation dryness index (TVDI) were calculated. These values were combined with field data to determine three different levels of tree devitalization (i.e., healthy, devitalized, and dead trees). Main results: The results demonstrated that this technology can be used to statistically distinguish the different levels of devitalization in oyamel individuals. Research highlights: This is the first research in Mexico that use Thermal and Multiespectral high resolution information related with field data applied to Abies religiosa and provides a methodological precedent for identify forest decline symptoms.
Aim of study: Human-driven wildfires are frequent events in the Amazon rainforest and can lead to changes in the composition and structure of plant communities. To contribute to this discussion, this work aims to evaluate the fire effect after 10 years on the composition, abundance, and richness of tree species in different successional groups in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon. Area of study: This work was carried out in two forest fragments located in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon, each containing areas affected by a single fire events (burned areas) as well as adjacent unburned areas. Material and methods: In each burned and unburned area, plots measuring 250 x 10 m (2500 m2) were established for sampling the tree species. The individuals sampled were classified into three different successional groups: pioneer species, early secondary species and tolerant species. Main results: The composition of tree species differed between burned and unburned areas, when all tree species were included in the analysis, and when only tolerant species were included. Higher tree abundance was detected in burned areas, considering all species and considering only pioneer and early secondary species separately. Only the richness of early secondary species differed between treatments, with higher values being detected in burned areas. Research highlights: From the results found, we concluded that changes in the proportions of individuals and tree species in the succession groups are still ongoing even after 10 years of fire events.
Aim of study: To evaluate the performance and biological consistency of ratio estimators for estimating the biomass of Pinus elliottii Engelm. and Pinus taeda L. and to compare the results obtained by this method with those generated by the nonlinear seemingly unrelated regression (NSUR) method in its weighted version (WNSUR), a procedure that was considered as a control. Area of study: The study was carried out in the state of Paraná, in southern Brazil. Material and methods: Data were collected on the following variables: diameter at 1.30 m height aboveground (D), total height (H), crown diameter (dc), crown height (hc), and the biomass of the following parts was quantified: roots, stem, bark, branches, needles, and total. The ratio model used for each part was obtained by the ratio between the biomass of the mth part (dependent variable) and the estimated stem volume (independent variable). Nonlinear allometric models were fitted simultaneously by the NSUR and WNSUR methods. Main results: The ratio estimators did not require additional procedures to achieve additivity and, in general, became more accurate for total aboveground biomass and its parts than regression estimators (WNSUR). Research highlights: Due to its simplicity of application and because it meets the premise of additivity of the biomass parts in a natural way, the ratio estimators constitute an appropriate and promising procedure for compatible estimates of tree biomass.
Aim of study: Here we take the first steps towards the cultivation of the gastronomically appreciated ectomycorrhizal fungus known as the bay boletus, Imleria badia (Fr.) Vizzini (2014). The cultivation of ectomycorrhizal species with their hosts presents a mycoforestry system in which food production and forestry can exist on the same parcel of land. We present results of attempts to synthesize I. badia mycorrhiza alongside an investigation into the distribution and climate tolerance of the species. Area of study: The mycorrhizal-development component of the study takes place in laboratory and greenhouse facilities in Scotland, UK. The second component of biogeographic analysis covers the whole of Europe. Material and methods: Strains of I. badia are sampled from forest sites in Scotland (UK), before being isolated in agar-based media within the laboratory. Mycorrhizal synthesis is attempted using the host tree species Pinus sylvestris L. in greenhouse conditions. Biogeographic analysis is then undertaken using global occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Main results: One isolated strain displayed the unusual characteristic of forming primordia in pure culture. Mycorrhizal synthesis occurred with the application of basidiospores, mycelia or a combination of both inoculation methods and identification was confirmed with PCR. Biogeographic analysis showed a broad distribution across Europe with some clear regional trends in seasonal fruiting patterns. Research highlights: Successful mycorrhizal synthesis in greenhouse conditions of this gastronomically valued species presents the first step on the road to cultivation. A ready ability to produce primordia suggests high potential and biogeographic analysis allows informed selection of field-trial sites as the next step towards the goal of cultivation.
Aim of study: Analyze the behavior and predictive capacity of different non-destructive testing (NDT) methods—ultrasound, longitudinal and transverse vibrations, and static bending— for estimating the MOEGTO in two species of great forestry interest in Europe: Pinus sylvestris and Populus × euramericana. Additionally, this study focuses on developing global prediction models for MOEGTO using the NDT modulus of elasticity from both species, and on improving the reliability of prediction through the cross-validation process. Area of study: Provenance Region 8 (Northern Iberian System, Spain) and Ribera del Carrión (Palencia, Spain). Material and methods: A total 75 sawn lumber samples (45 of Pinus sylvestris and 30 of Populus x euramericana) with dimensions of 60 × 40 × 1200 mm were analyzed using ultrasonic testing, longitudinal and transverse vibration methods, and both destructive and non-destructive static bending tests performed with a universal testing machine. Regression models were developed to predict the static modulus of elasticity (MOEGTO). Main results: The prediction model using the NDT method of longitudinal vibrations with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) software for Pinus sylvestris showed the highest coefficient of determination with R2= 0.56, while for Populus × euramericana, the ultrasound method with the Sylvatest 4 device yielded R2= 0.67. For both species, the best-fit global prediction model was obtained with the ultrasound method using the Sylvatest Trio device, achieving R2= 0.60. Additionally, the application of cross-validation improved the predictive performance of the global models, particularly for the three ultrasound methods and the longitudinal vibration method, all of which attained R2 values above 0.6. Research highlights: This study confirms the reliability of ultrasound and longitudinal vibration techniques for estimating MOEGTO and contributes new insights by comparing multiple NDT methods across two species and developing robust cross-validated global prediction models.
Aim of the Study: To analyze the role of experience and formal education in shaping the knowledge of Mapuche-Tehuelche and Criollo adolescents regarding edible fungi from the subantarctic forest. Study Area: Northwest of Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. Materials and Methods: Free listings, collages, field walks, and workshops were carried out with 57 rural adolescents, differentiated by their sociocultural backgrounds (Mapuche-Tehuelche and Criollo) and the mycological content provided by their schools. Artistic productions and estimates of species richness and frequency of known fungi, were analyzed using a combination of quali-quantitative methods. Main Results: Adolescents differed primarily in their theoretical knowledge, with Criollo adolescents who received mycology lessons at school citing a higher species richness (10 species) compared to Mapuche-Tehuelche adolescents who did not receive such instruction (3 species). Criollo participants included NUS (Neglected and Underutilized Species) and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm as part of the knowledge acquired through formal education. Experiential knowledge, on the other hand, was similar across both groups and aligned with that held by adults in the communities. This experiential knowledge includes three species of commercial importance (Morchella septimelata M. Kuo., Morchella tridentina Bres., Suillus luteus (L.) Roussel.) and Cyttaria hariotii E. Fisch. Only C. hariotii is widely consumed among the adolescents. Research Highlights: School programs that teach mycology and encourage the sharing of traditional knowledge among students may contribute to the revaluation of local mycological knowledge, as well as reflection on the role of fungi in biocultural conservation and food sovereignty. We highlight the use of innovative inquiry methodologies as engaging tools to capture adolescents’ interest.
Aim of study: The objective was to evaluate an optimized model for the distribution and sequencing of machines in tree felling and processing and extraction operations, aiming to reduce unproductive times and gains in production capacity. Area of study: The study was conducted in a cellulose and paper company in the state of Parana, Brazil, in operational areas of the wood harvesting. Material and methods: The times of tree felling, processing and extraction were obtained from a harvester (hv) and a forwarder (fw) to estimate the operational efficiency and productivity of the system. At the same time, vector features equivalent to the set of plots in the area, roads and a matrix feature of the digital terrain model were obtained from a geographic database for estimation of a matrix of distances between the plots. The Ward method of hierarchical grouping was used based on the matrix of distances between the fields to form two work groups (GI and GII). For each working group, the shortest walking sequence was estimated using the Kruskal algorithm. Main results: An optimized distribution of 3 hw and 2 fw was necessary in GI to achieve the production target of 200 m³ PMH-1, with the machines covering a distance of 2,335 m. The proportion of machines 3 hw and 3 fw was needed in GII with a distance covered of 2,878 m. The proposed model optimized the number of machines and provided a 26.7% reduction in the total displacement of machines. Research highlights: The high cost of wood harvesting operations requires the use optimized of the forestry machines. The proposed model made it determine with efficiency the machines distribution and sequencing for a wood harvesting optimized. The model can be implemented in the operational planning in the forestry companies in more complex wood harvesting scenarios.
Aim of study: The aim of this study is to improve the estimation of current annual volume increment of forest tree species in Spain. Area of study: The volume increment of the main tree species was studied at national scale using the two most recent data sets of the Spanish National Forest Inventory (SNFI) available. Material and methods: We developed both a tree diameter and height growth models considering the two most recent cycles of the SNFI and used the estimations obtained to calculate the annual volume growth. Diameter, height and volume estimates were validated using Second and Third SNFI cycles that were not been used for modelling. Main results: The developed tree diameter and height growth models indicated a satisfactory model structure. In general, competition, expressed as basal area, negatively impacted tree growth. Although basal area of larger trees had a negative effect, it was modulated by site quality, where better site conditions positively affected growth. Furthermore, tree vitality was found to be an important factor modulating tree growth. Research highlights: The proposed methodology to estimate tree growth considers tree size, competition, site quality and tree vitality and improves the estimates compared to previous methods based on current annual volume increment equations.
Aim of study: To compare the productivity, nutrient content and carbon stock with the reforestation of native trees Cordia gerascanthus and Cariniana pyriformis in an agricultural area abandoned. In Colombia, these species are commonly known as móncoro and abarco, respectively. Area of study: Pure forest of native species planted in the Andean region of Colombia with a typical tropical rainforest climate and naturally low-fertility soils. Material and methods: After eight years of planting, the stem volume was evaluated in 27 trees per species using the Smalian formula. These data were used to develop allometric equations for stem volume. To estimate the nutrient and carbon content of the stem, a representative tree of each species was felled, and soil samples were collected up to 40 cm deep. Main results: The two species showed similar survival, basal area and stem carbon stock, but for abarco the stem volume (62.0 m3 ha-1) and stem biomass (35.2 Mg ha-1) were two and 0.4 times higher (p < 0.05), respectively The zinc (41%), copper (128%), and Mg (+400) contents accumulated significantly more (p < 0.05) in the stem of móncoro. The nonlinear models of Spurr (R2= 0.94) and Schumacher-Hall (R2= 0.93) showed the highest accuracy for estimating volume. In the soil, the carbon content of both species averaged 69.3 Mg ha-1 (p > 0.05). Research highlights: The abarco shows higher commercial productivity than the móncoro. These results provide a baseline for understanding growth performance, but further studies involving reference sites or control plots are needed to evaluate the overall results of reforestation.
Aim of study: To gather ethnomycological knowledge from local communities inhabiting in the Yayo Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve (Yayo CFBR). Area of study: Yayo Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve, located in Illuababora province, southwest Ethiopia. Material and methods: Semi-structured interviews involving 1,189 individuals, including group and key informant discussions performed in September and October 2023 were analyzed to assess the ethnomycological knowledge of six local communities. Weekly mushroom surveys were conducted during the main rainy season (July and August 2023) in the reserve’s buffer and transition zones. Main results: Twenty-one of the 51 mushroom species found in the reserve were edible. Agaricus campestroides, Macrolepiota africana, Tremella mesenterica, Termitomyces sp., and Schizophyllum commune were the most popular. Although 51.6% of respondents were familiar with mushrooms and their use as a medicine and/or food, only 34% of respondents collected mushrooms for consumption. Women and children collect mushrooms during the main rainy season. Negative perceptions and cultural taboos contribute to mycophobia. Respondents identified five mushroom habitats and seven distinct substrates where mushrooms grow. The majority of respondents (61.2%) were aware that wild mushrooms can be toxic, and some were capable of distinguish mushrooms based on color, smell, and texture. Most respondents (84.3%) believed that the wild mushrooms abundance had decreased due to deforestation, overgrazing, fire, or settlements. Research highlights: The baseline ethnomycological information obtained in this study could promote sustainable forest practices through training and awareness, which could help to preserve the biosphere reserve, boost coffee productivity, and aid regions dealing with similar challenges.
Aim of the study: The wide variety of climates, with significant gradients and abundance of microclimatic patches, and the vast diversity and availability of soils in Patagonia, suggests that there are extensive areas suitable for the cultivation of Périgord truffles (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.). The promotion of truffle cultivation as a profitable, off-season option for marginal and idle lands requires the identification and quantification of suitable areas on a regional scale. The objective of this study was to generate a regional map of areas suitable for the cultivation of T. melanosporum in Patagonia and a detailed map for the province of Chubut, using GIS data on physical and chemical soil characteristics, climatic variables and vegetation cover. Area of study: The Argentinian Patagonia region (1,060,631 km²). Material and methods: Two truffle suitability maps that include edaphic, climatic and vegetation cover requirements, together with irrigation availability, were developed: a Patagonia regional map (scale 1:10,000,000), and a Chubut province detailed map (scale 1:40,000). Both were built and analysed with Google Earth Engine (GEE) and validated with field ground truth points. Main results: The suitable truffle growing area considering soil, climate and surface water availability is 2,680,000 ha for Patagonia region and 489,877 ha for Chubut province. The Chubut province map delimited suitability patches more accurately than the regional map, reducing the surface mapped as suitable while confirming the high potential for T. melanosporum cultivation of the valleys associated with the Mayo, Senguer and Chubut rivers. Research highlights: The regional map indicates that T. melanosporum cultivation is feasible in 3% of Patagonia surface, considered together patches classified as suitable and suitable with surface-water irrigation. This regional model clearly identified major limiting factors in different parts of the region, such as temperatures in the northernmost and southernmost parts of Patagonia, the presence of ectomycorrhizal forests along the Andes Mountain range, and the critical role of water resource availability. The map of Chubut province showed that the model was useful not only for regional scale planning but also for more detailed purposes such as farmer’s decision making, while taking into account the significant small-scale variability of Patagonian topography and soils. These maps are pioneering for Argentina, constituting a powerful decision-making tool for territorial planning, aimed to diversify agricultural production in Patagonia by incorporating this novel and profitable crop in vast areas.
