Paricá (Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum) is an alternative to reforestation efforts, especially in tropical regions. Its exceptional qualities make it an undeniably advantageous choice for forestry projects. Paricá is characterized by high-quality wood, fast growth, and a notable adaptability to different types of soil and climatic conditions. Furthermore, it demonstrates a natural resistance to pests and diseases, reducing the need for harmful interventions. However, optimising forest management and ensuring the long-term sustainability of paricá plantations requires accurate tools for estimating production. Enter the ADA (Algebraic Difference Approach) and GADA (Generalized Algebraic Difference Approach) dynamic models. These powerful computational tools act as virtual laboratories, simulating individual tree growth and the overall dynamics of forest stands over time. By incorporating crucial information such as climate, soil composition, tree competition, and individual tree characteristics, the ADA and GADA models enable remarkably accurate yield predictions. These forecasts are particularly valuable because they consider multiple management scenarios, enabling forest managers to make informed decisions. With the knowledge obtained from the ADA and GADA models, forest managers can optimise harvest times, maximising productivity and minimising environmental impact. In addition to operational efficiency, these models play a vital role in assessing the economic viability of paricá reforestation projects. By providing reliable forecasts, they increase the sector’s attractiveness to potential investors, attracting much-needed capital for sustainable forestry practices. Building on this foundation, we will delve deeper into the world of dynamic models. We will present specific models based on the ADA/GADA methodology, developed and applied to data meticulously collected in paricá plantations subject to sustainable management practices in the Northern region of Brazil. Through this exploration, we aim to contribute not only to the sustainable development of our region but also to the well-being of Brazil as a whole.

The globalization era presents challenges for humans to achieve sustainable living. In achieving this, natural resources, especially forests, are the main focus of attention because of their central role in supporting human life and environmental sustainability. Along with population growth and economic development, pressures on forests are increasing, impacting the balance within the ecosystem and the human welfare. In this background, it is crucial to understand that human sustainability cannot be separated from ecosystem sustainability. Forests provide wood and other forest products and play roles in maintaining water availability, reducing carbon emissions, and maintaining biodiversity. This research presents a comprehensive and integrated concept for achieving sustainable human life through a symbiotic relationship between sustainable livelihoods and forest preservation. Data collection was carried out for two years among forest communities in three villages in Central Java Province, Indonesia, based on the region's geographical conditions and the community's socio-cultural conditions. Primary and secondary data sources were used, with research informants identified as heads of Forest Village Community Institutions (LMDH), forest farmers, accompanying facilitators, forest police, forestry officers, and community leaders. Data collection involved interviews, observations, focus group discussions, and searching for secondary data. All data was then analyzed using the spiral model. This research found a concept of balance between "Sustainable Livelihood" and "Sustainable Forest" as the foundation for achieving a sustainable life because human sustainability cannot be separated from ecosystem sustainability to achieve balance. To achieve a balance between "Sustainable Livelihood" and "Sustainable Forest," it is necessary to have policy efforts that support forest management. These institutions can bridge between communities and forests, as well as community culture. These results provide a new perspective on balancing forest use and ecosystem conservation and how this can contribute to achieving a holistically sustainable human life.

Tropical forests provide a multitude of ecosystem services, such as maintaining global biodiversity by providing habitats for countless species. They also play a pivotal role in climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon and serving as carbon sinks, while also aiding adaptation efforts through nature-based solutions. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of tropical forest loss and its implications for both ecosystems and human communities is essential for guiding effective conservation and sustainable development strategies. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the urgent need to halt deforestation and reduce the degradation of natural habitats. Similarly, the Paris Agreement highlights the importance of conserving and enhancing sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, including forests. Approximately a decade has passed since the adoption of these significant global initiatives in 2015, prompting questions about whether there has been a change in the trend of global tropical forest loss. To address this issue, this study examines the spatiotemporal patterns of global tropical forest loss before and after 2015 using publicly available, spatially explicit data. It investigates whether tropical forest loss has slowed down or accelerated and whether it has been moving away from or toward areas with high potential for climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and disaster (landslide) risk reduction.

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is native to temperate Northeast Asia. It invades Fraxinus sp. in large parts of the USA, Canada, and European Russia. In 2019, the pest was found in the Luhansk region of Ukraine, and by 2023 it had spread to forests and urban stands of the Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Kyiv regions. Particularly in 2023, EAB began to infest Fraxinus excelsior L. in the Molodezhny Park in Kharkiv (50°00' N; 36°25' E) (Ukraine), which had been regularly damaged by the ash black sawfly Tomostethus nigritus (Fabricius, 1804) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) for more than 20 years. The data on each tree's defoliation and health history were documented. Usually, EAB infestation is identified by the exit holes of beetles. However, in the case of infestation of the upper crown parts, the identification of the new spread of this pest can be late. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine tree characteristics that attract EAB. Long-term (since 2013) data about 90 ash trees’ diameter, crown type, defoliation, health condition, epicormic shoot occurrence, etc., were compared to EAB presence in 2023 and 2024, identified by exit holes. In 2024, EAB infested 80% of the trees with traces of woodpeckers feeding, 91.1% with dieback, and 90.6 % with epicormic shoots, asobserved in 2023. EAB infestation increased with tree defoliation by ash black sawflies. In 2024, EAB had infested all trees colonized by ash bark beetles (Hylesinus sp.) in 2023, and 88 % of trees colonized by ash bark beetles in 2024. For 2023–2024, the proportion of trees with EAB exit holes increased from 8.9 to 79.2%, and those with dieback from 13.5 to 81.1 %. Indirect symptoms (dieback and traces of birds feeding) suggest an additional infestation of more than 13% of trees.

The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, infects susceptible pine species and causes pine wilt disease. After reaching the pine’s internal tissues, the PWN feeds on the resin canals and vascular tissue and quickly reproduces to large populations, causing a cessation of resin flow and embolism events in the tree’s water column. At the pine leaves, the low water supply heavily damages the biochemical reactions of photosynthesis, reducing the net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. Impaired photosynthesis leads to the first visible symptoms of pine wilt disease, namely, the yellowing and drooping of pine needles. In vitro cultures are useful tools to research changes in fine biochemical reactions because they allow for reproducibility and genetic homogeneity. In the present work, in vitro maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) shoot cultures were used to assess changes in the concentration of photopigments, i.e., chlorophyl a and b, carotenoids, and the stress-related anthocyanins, by resorting to spectrophotometry techniques. Infection with the pinewood nematode led to a 30% reduction in leaf concentrations of chlorophyl A and a 50% reduction in chlorophyl B. Carotenoid concentrations increased by70 %, while no changes were observed for anthocyanins. This preliminary study allows for gauging the impacts of pinewood nematode infection of pine at the initial stages of pine wilt disease as a contribution to developing an early detection method for this phytoparasite.

The expansion of rubber plantations in tropical regions presents a significant challenge and opportunity for balancing economic development with ecological integrity. This study explores the complex interplay between the rubber industry and the conservation of ecosystem services, conceptualizing eco-economic frontiers as zones where economic and ecological interests converge. By combining economic analysis, ecological assessment, and social considerations, we evaluate the sustainability of rubber plantations across various landscapes. Our framework incorporates case studies from Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with a detailed analysis of 10 specific case studies, highlighting global implications and regional variations in rubber cultivation. The findings reveal that while rubber plantations can significantly contribute to rural development and global markets—covering over 14 million hectares and supporting approximately 10 million livelihoods—they often lead to biodiversity losses, altered hydrological cycles, and decreased ecosystem service quality. For example, in Southeast Asia, rubber plantations have been linked to a 60% reduction in local biodiversity, while in Africa, land-use changes have caused up to a 20% decrease in annual water flow. To address these challenges, we propose best management practices and policy recommendations aimed at optimizing production efficiency while minimizing ecological footprints. These include adopting agroforestry systems, improved land-use planning, and integrating ecosystem service valuation in decision-making. Specifically, agroforestry systems can enhance biodiversity by up to 40% and improve soil quality and water retention, supporting both productivity and ecosystem health. Through our innovative contributions, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the trade-offs and synergies between rubber plantation profitability and ecosystem service conservation. This study contributes to the sustainable land use debate and offers a blueprint for reconciling economic and environmental objectives in the context of global change. By fostering a better understanding of these dynamics, we aim to inform policy and practice, guiding future efforts towards sustainable rubber plantation management.

This article investigates the relationship between snow and its water supply accumulation and qualitative and spectral-reflective forest characteristics. This study aims to develop methods for determining snow water supplies using Sentinel-2 imagery data. Our research is based on experimental fieldwork and previous analyss of the features of water accumulation in the snow in various natural landscapes. Considering the previously obtained snow accumulation dependences on the species composition, age, and forest density, modern approaches in forest inventory interpretation were used to identify how snow accumulation and its water content correlate with territory features. The designed method determines snow water supplies according to optical satellite imagery or forest inventory materials based on a small number of field measurements. The method’s accuracy relies on the diversity of examined landscapes and ecosystems. The fieldwork was carried out on the territory belonging to the hydrological station of the Federal Budgetary Institution “All-Russian Research Institute of Silviculture and Forestry Mechanization” (FBU VNIILM), located in the Istra area, Moscow Region. Snow sampling and forest inventory were conducted along the routes that included various landscapes, from open spaces to high-density coniferous forests. This method estimates the water content in snow that we propose can be used to forecast moisture availability, surface runoff, and flooding and assesses the consequences of early spring droughts. The designed territory zoning of snow water accumulation is confirmed by plenty of previous studies conducted in similar conditions. The distinguishing feature of the method described in this article is the possibility of accurately assessing the snow water content while carrying out minimum experimental studies in vast areas, such as municipal districts or regions.

Ocotea quixos, known as Ishpingo, is a tree endemic to the Amazonian rainforests of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The dried flower buds and bark are often used as a spice, known for their cinnamon-like flavor. They are used in various traditional dishes and beverages in the Amazon region. The tree is also a source of essential oils that are used in aromatherapy and natural health products. In Ecuador, the Ishpingo tree faces significant threats due to overexploitation for its valuable spices and essential oils. Additionally, extensive deforestation and land use changes have dramatically reduced its natural habitat. Efforts are being made to conserve wild populations through sustainable harvesting practices and reforestation projects. Understanding and preserving the genetic diversity of Ishpingo is vital for ensuring the species' survival and continued contribution to the ecological and cultural richness of the Amazonian rainforest. Nevertheless, we currently lack comprehensive genetic diversity data. Within this scenario, we developed nuclear microsatellites to analyze the genetic diversity in the known Ecuadorian populations of Ishpingo. The results show low levels of genetic diversity, especially when compared with other Ocotea trees. Inbreeding was common in almost all populations, which can result in reduced reproductive success and fitness in natural populations. Despite these results, some populations still harbor moderate levels of genetic diversity, which is key for the preservation of this species. Implementing breeding programs to enhance genetic diversity, as well as preserving material in seed banks, will be essential in restoration actions.

The modulus of elasticity (MOE) of wood is a crucial characteristic as far as its utilization is concerned. Nevertheless, the conventional approach to determine the MOE of wood is time-consuming and destructive in nature. Techniques based on vibration frequencies and the propagation of ultrasonic and stress waves are becoming increasingly popular for the non-destructive evaluation of the dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMoE) of wood. The utility of non-destructive techniques for determining the DMoE of clearwood specimens of six hardwood species, namely, Acacia spp., Ficus spp., Swietenia spp., Mangifera indica, Millingtonia hortensis, and Ailanthus excelsa, was investigated in the current study. The DMoE of wood specimens was estimated using three methods, namely, longitudinal vibration (DMoE_long), flexural vibration (DMoE_flex), and the ultrasound method (DMoE_us), and DMoE values were compared with the static modulus of elasticity determined through destructive testing in a universal testing machine. The DMoE values were found to be greater than the static MOE, and the order of increasing MOE values was as follows: static MOE followed by DMoE_flex, DMoE_long, and DMoE_us. A statistically significant correlation was observed between dynamic and static MOE. An observable strong relationship exists between density and MOE, as established by both non-destructive and destructive testing, suggesting that density significantly affects the mechanical properties of wood. The current study's findings suggest that non-destructive techniques (resonance vibrations and ultrasonic waves) have the potential to serve as a simple, reliable, and quick approach for evaluating wood stiffness.

Dendrocalamus brandisii and Dendrocalamus asper are commercially significant bamboo species within the Dendrocalamus genus, widely utilized in building and construction. To optimize their use for various purposes, it is essential to thoroughly explore and understand their properties. The present study investigates the properties of two bamboo species, Dendrocalamus brandisii and Dendrocalamus asper. The research focuses on anatomy, physical properties, their behavior towards various treatment methods, and fiber characteristics across different sections (inner, middle, and outer section of the bottom, middle, and top part) of the bamboo. The results indicate significant variations in these properties. The moisture content of these species ranged from 60.02% to 101.28%, and density values varied between 0.588 g/cm³ and 0.731 g/cm³. Volumetric shrinkage percentages were distinct, with D. brandisii exhibiting less shrinkage compared to D. asper. Round culms of both species treated with boric acid and borax showed retention values between 3.58 kg/m³ and 7.22 kg/m³ against various treatment methods such as diffusion, butt end, and pressure treatment. The fiber characteristics analysis also showed variations across different sections and parts of the bamboo and between species. These findings enhance the understanding of various properties of two important bamboo species, informing their potential for various applications in construction, manufacturing, and other industries.