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Holler S, Kübler D, Conrad O, Schmitz O, Bonannella C, Hengl T, Böhner J, Günter S, Lippe M. Quo vadis, smallholder forest landscape? An introduction to the LPB-RAP model. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297439. [PMID: 38306349 PMCID: PMC10836681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The impacts of the Anthropocene on climate and biodiversity pose societal and ecological problems that may only be solved by ecosystem restoration. Local to regional actions are required, which need to consider the prevailing present and future conditions of a certain landscape extent. Modeling approaches can be of help to support management efforts and to provide advice to policy making. We present stage one of the LaForeT-PLUC-BE model (Landscape Forestry in the Tropics-PCRaster Land Use Change-Biogeographic & Economic model; in short: LPB) and its thematic expansion module RAP (Restoration Areas Potentials). LPB-RAP is a high-resolution pixel-based scenario tool that relies on a range of explicit land use types (LUTs) to describe various forest types and the environment. It simulates and analyzes future landscape configurations under consideration of climate, population and land use change long-term. Simulated Land Use Land Cover Change (LULCC) builds on dynamic, probabilistic modeling incorporating climatic and anthropogenic determinants as well as restriction parameters to depict a sub-national regional smallholder-dominated forest landscape. The model delivers results for contrasting scenario settings by simulating without and with potential Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) measures. FLR potentials are depicted by up to five RAP-LUTs. The model builds on user-defined scenario inputs, such as the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP). Model application is here exemplified for the SSP2-RCP4.5 scenario in the time frame 2018-2100 on the hectare scale in annual resolution using Esmeraldas province, Ecuador, as a case study area. The LPB-RAP model is a novel, heuristic Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) tool for smallholder-dominated forest landscapes, supporting near-time top-down planning measures with long-term bottom-up modeling. Its application should be followed up by FLR on-site investigations and stakeholder participation across all involved scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Holler
- Thünen Institute of Forestry, Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Hamburg University, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Olaf Conrad
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Hamburg University, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Schmitz
- Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carmelo Bonannella
- OpenGeoHub, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jürgen Böhner
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Hamburg University, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Günter
- Thünen Institute of Forestry, Hamburg, Germany
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López-Tobar R, Herrera-Feijoo RJ, Mateo RG, García-Robredo F, Torres B. Botanical Collection Patterns and Conservation Categories of the Most Traded Timber Species from the Ecuadorian Amazon: The Role of Protected Areas. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3327. [PMID: 37765489 PMCID: PMC10536464 DOI: 10.3390/plants12183327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The Ecuadorian Amazon is home to a rich biodiversity of woody plant species. Nonetheless, their conservation remains difficult, as some areas remain poorly explored and lack georeferenced records. Therefore, the current study aims predominantly to analyze the collection patterns of timber species in the Amazon lowlands of Ecuador and to evaluate the conservation coverage of these species in protected areas. Furthermore, we try to determine the conservation category of the species according to the criteria of the IUCN Red List. We identified that one third of the timber species in the study area was concentrated in three provinces due to historical botanical expeditions. However, a worrying 22.0% of the species had less than five records of presence, and 29.9% had less than ten records, indicating a possible underestimation of their presence. In addition, almost half of the species evaluated were unprotected, exposing them to deforestation risks and threats. To improve knowledge and conservation of forest biodiversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon, it is recommended to perform new botanical samplings in little-explored areas and digitize data in national herbaria. It is critical to implement automated assessments of the conservation status of species with insufficient data. In addition, it is suggested to use species distribution models to identify optimal areas for forest restoration initiatives. Effective communication of results and collaboration between scientists, governments, and local communities are key to the protection and sustainable management of forest biodiversity in the Amazon region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando López-Tobar
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador;
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador
| | - Robinson J. Herrera-Feijoo
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador;
- Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador
- Escuela de Doctorado, Centro de Estudios de Posgrado, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente, nº 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biología (Botánica), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Rubén G. Mateo
- Departamento de Biología (Botánica), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando García-Robredo
- Departamento de Ingeniería y Gestión Forestal y Ambiental, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Bolier Torres
- Facultad de Ciencia de la Vida, Universidad Estatal Amazónica (UEA), Puyo 160101, Ecuador;
- Ochroma Consulting and Services, Puerto Napo, Tena 150150, Ecuador
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Torres B, Espinoza Í, Torres A, Herrera-Feijoo R, Luna M, García A. Livelihood Capitals and Opportunity Cost for Grazing Areas' Restoration: A Sustainable Intensification Strategy in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040714. [PMID: 36830503 PMCID: PMC9952715 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Land use change in pastures is considered one of the leading drivers of tropical deforestation in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR). To halt and reverse this process, it is necessary to understand, among other factors, the local livelihoods, income from grazing area and the appropriate options to foster sustainable production, incorporating the land-sparing and land-sharing approach. This work was conducted using 167 household surveys along an altitudinal gradient within the buffer and transition zone of the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in the EAR. The results of a comparative analysis of the main capital variables (human, social, natural, financial, and physical), and the opportunity cost of grazing area assessment provides the following key findings: (a) the concepts of land sparing and land sharing should be considered as complementary local strategies, including household livelihoods and the opportunity cost of the grazing area; (b) we should encourage markets with differentiated restoration rights, based on households engaged in low grazing areas' opportunity costs, and making less impact on capitals' livelihood a key element of economic and conservation initiatives; and (c) sectoral policy implications, including moderate intensification and technological improvements to strengthen the pastureland-sparing and -sharing approach, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolier Torres
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Amazon State University (UEA), Pastaza 160101, Ecuador
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
- Postgraduate Unit, State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador
| | - Ítalo Espinoza
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador
| | - Alexandra Torres
- Postgraduate Unit, State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador
- Faculty of Legal, Social and Education Sciences, Technical University of Babahoyo (UTB), Km 3 1/2 Vía a Valencia, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador
| | - Robinson Herrera-Feijoo
- Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ), Quevedo Av. Quito km, 1 1/2 Vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120550, Ecuador
| | - Marcelo Luna
- Faculty of Earth Sciences, Amazon State University (UEA), Pastaza 160101, Ecuador
| | - Antón García
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Ferrer Velasco R, Lippe M, Fischer R, Torres B, Tamayo F, Kalaba FK, Kaoma H, Bugayong L, Günter S. Reconciling policy instruments with drivers of deforestation and forest degradation: cross-scale analysis of stakeholder perceptions in tropical countries. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2180. [PMID: 36750712 PMCID: PMC9905477 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29417-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cross-scale studies combining information on policy instruments and on drivers of deforestation and forest degradation are key to design and implement effective forest protection measures. We investigated the scale and country dependency of stakeholder perceptions about future threats to tropical forests (e.g. agriculture, logging, woodfuel) and preferred policy instruments (e.g. reforestation, protected areas, combat illegal logging), by interviewing 224 representatives of forest-related institutions. We conducted analysis of variance and principal component analysis for eighteen variables across three countries (Zambia, Ecuador and the Philippines) and four spatial levels (from international to local). We found that the overall alertness about commercial drivers and the confidence in policy instruments are significantly lower at subnational levels and also in Zambia. Stakeholder expectations about the most important drivers and the most effective policies in the coming decade follow regional narratives, suggesting that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions in international forest policy. However, we found an unexpected consensus across scales, indicating potential for collaboration between institutions operating at different geographical levels. Overall, agriculture remains the driver with the highest expected influence (43%), while a strong favoritism for reforestation and forest restoration (38%) suggests a paradigm shift from protected areas to a stronger focus on integrative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Ferrer Velasco
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85354, Freising, Germany. .,Institute of Forestry, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, 21031, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Melvin Lippe
- Institute of Forestry, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, 21031, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Richard Fischer
- Institute of Forestry, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, 21031, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bolier Torres
- Life Sciences Department, Universidad Estatal Amazónica (UEA), 160101, Puyo, Ecuador
| | - Fabián Tamayo
- Life Sciences Department, Universidad Estatal Amazónica (UEA), 160101, Puyo, Ecuador
| | | | - Humphrey Kaoma
- School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, 21692, Kitwe, Zambia
| | - Leonida Bugayong
- Forestry Development Center, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Sven Günter
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 85354, Freising, Germany.,Institute of Forestry, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, 21031, Hamburg, Germany
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Huh KM, Ellis M, Castillo F, Carrasco L, Rivero de Aguilar J, Bonaccorso E, Browne L, Karubian J. Hummingbird diversity in a fragmented tropical landscape in the Chocó biogeographic zone. Biotropica 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyu Min Huh
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Tulane University New Orleans Louisiana USA
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Mike Ellis
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Tulane University New Orleans Louisiana USA
| | - Fernando Castillo
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales Quito Ecuador
| | - Luis Carrasco
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales Quito Ecuador
| | - Juan Rivero de Aguilar
- Centro Internacional Cabo de Hornos (CHIC) Puerto Williams Chile
- Centro Universitario UMAG Cabo de Hornos Chile
| | - Elisa Bonaccorso
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales Universidad de San Francisco de Quito Quito Ecuador
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica Quito Ecuador
| | - Luke Browne
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales Quito Ecuador
- School of the Environment Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Tulane University New Orleans Louisiana USA
- Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales Quito Ecuador
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Santamaría-Aguilar D, Lagomarsino LP. New Species of Virola (Myristicaceae) from South America. PHYTOKEYS 2022; 197:81-148. [PMID: 36760671 PMCID: PMC9849048 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.197.81367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
With about 70 species Virola, is the largest genus of Myristicaceae in the Neotropics, the genus ranked in the top ten genera of abundance across Amazonia. Ten new species are proposed in this striking genus, which are described based on morphology, and are illustrated. The new species were discovered thanks to herbarium specimens collected mainly in the 1980s and 1990s when field documentations were more active. The new species come from Colombia (V.calimensis sp. nov., V.cogolloi sp. nov., V.excisa sp. nov., V.tuckerae sp. nov.), Ecuador (V.alvaroperezii sp. nov., V.bombuscaroensis sp. nov., V.calimensis, V.excisa, V.yasuniana sp. nov.), Peru (V.aguarunana sp. nov., V.cumala sp. nov., V.excisa, V.parkeri sp. nov.), and Brazil (V.excisa, V.yasuniana). Additionally, a lectotype is designated for V.macrocarpa, a name used to identify some specimens of the new species here described, and V.kwatae is reported for the first time for Brazil. We provide a comparation table between the new species and the species that is morphologically close to it, a preliminary list of species for the genus, and notes of how the new species were treated in floras, checklists, or collections that need more study and herbarium specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Santamaría-Aguilar
- Shirley C. Tucker Herbarium, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, 103 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-1705, USALouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeUnited States of America
- Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri, USAMissouri Botanical GardenSt. LouisUnited States of America
| | - Laura P. Lagomarsino
- Shirley C. Tucker Herbarium, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, 103 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-1705, USALouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeUnited States of America
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Lueder S, Narasimhan K, Olivo J, Cabrera D, Jurado JG, Greenstein L, Karubian J. Functional Traits, Species Diversity and Species Composition of a Neotropical Palm Community Vary in Relation to Forest Age. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.678125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors that shape the diversity and composition of biotic communities in natural and human-modified landscapes remains a key issue in ecology. Here, we evaluate how functional traits, species diversity and community composition of palm species vary in relation to biogeographic variables and forest age in northwest Ecuador. Functional traits capture essential aspects of species’ ecological tradeoffs and roles within an ecosystem, making them useful in determining the ecological consequences of environmental change, but they have not been used as commonly as more traditional metrics of species diversity and community composition. We inventoried palm communities in 965 10 × 10 m plots arrayed in linear transects placed in forests of varying age. Adult palms in forests of younger regeneration stages were characterized by species with greater maximum stem height, greater maximum stem diameter, and solitary stems. The shift in functional features could indicate that shade tolerant palms are more common in old-growth forest. The shift could also reflect the legacy of leaving canopy palms as remnants in areas that were cleared and then allowed to regrow. Moreover, younger forest age was associated with decreased abundance and altered species composition in both juvenile and adult palms, and decreased species richness in adults. These results highlight the importance of retaining intact, old-growth forest to preserve functional and species diversity and highlight the importance of considering multiple aspects of diversity in studies of vegetation communities.
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Grassland Conservation Effectiveness of National Nature Reserves in Northern China. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14071760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Grasslands are crucial ecosystem biomes for breeding livestock and combatting climate change. By 2018, the national nature reserves (NNRs) in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (IMAR) had constituted 8.55% of the land area. However, there is still a knowledge gap about their effectiveness in grasslands. Based on a multiyear time series of the growing season composite from 2000 to 2020, we proposed an effectiveness score to assess the effectiveness of the NNRs, using the 250 m MOD13Q1 NDVI data with Theil–Sen and Mann–Kendall trend analysis methods. We found the following: 22 of 30 NNRs were deemed effective in protecting the Inner Mongolian grasslands. The NNRs increased pixels with a sustainable trend 19.26% and 20.55% higher than the unprotected areas and the IMAR, respectively. The pixels with a CVNDVI < 0.1 (i.e., NDVI coefficient of variation) in the NNRs increased >35.22% more than those in the unprotected areas and the IMAR. The NDVI changes within the NNRs showed that 63.64% of NNRs had a more significant trend of greening than before the change point, which suggests a general greening in NNRs. We also found that the NNRs achieved heterogeneous effectiveness scores across protection types. Forest ecology protection and wildlife animal protection types are the most efficient, whereas wildlife vegetation protection is the least effective type. This study enriches the understanding of grassland conservation and sheds light on the future direction of the sustainable management of NNRs.
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