Efficacy of Sustainable Forest Management for Biodiversity Conservation

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 February 2023) | Viewed by 7106

Special Issue Editors

Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Malaysia Sabah, Sandakan 90509, Malaysia
Interests: conservation biology; tropical biodiversity and ecology; entomology
Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Malaysia Sabah, Sandakan 90509, Malaysia
Interests: silviculture and forest management; agronomy; conservation biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

The disturbance caused by commercial logging has affected the flora and fauna of the forest through various impacts. These include the direct effects of logging through loss of tree canopy and slow regrowth of vegetation. However, habitat disturbance through different logging methods can have different impacts on different types of forest communities. Some species with broad ecological niches are less affected by commercial logging, while other species may be severely affected by habitat disturbance after logging. Sustainable forest management has been reported to be a good alternative to conserve flora and fauna biodiversity, but more information is needed on this, especially from long-term data collection and analysis. This Special Issue aims to explore information on the impacts of sustainable forest management on different animal and plant species.

Possible topics include;

  • Sustainable forest management;
  • Conservation of the forest ecosystem;
  • Dynamics of deforested and non-deforested forests;
  • Current logging techniques and disturbance intensity;
  • Effects on biodiversity.

Dr. Suzan Benedick
Dr. Januarius Gobilik
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • forest ecosystem services
  • biodiversity
  • conservation biology
  • commercial logging
  • disturbance intensity
  • sustainable forest management

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 4280 KiB  
Article
Responses of Soil Microbial Diversity to Forest Management Practices after Pine Wilt Disease Infection
by Jing Guo, Xiaofei Gong, Shuisheng Yu, Boliang Wei, Liying Chu, Jinliang Liu, Xiaoyong He and Mingjian Yu
Forests 2023, 14(5), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14050862 - 22 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1479
Abstract
Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is a serious threat to coniferous forests worldwide. However, little is known about how soil microbial diversity responds to PWD and associated management practices. We investigated the community composition [...] Read more.
Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is a serious threat to coniferous forests worldwide. However, little is known about how soil microbial diversity responds to PWD and associated management practices. We investigated the community composition and diversity of bacteria and fungi in bulk and rhizosphere soil of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) forests following 0, 1, and 5 year PWD, with the dead pine in a certain plot being either managed (logged and removed from the plot) or unmanaged (maintained as standing dead wood). Both bacterial and fungal alpha diversity decrease after 5 year PWD and logging, with response degree being different between site locations. Alpha diversity of rhizosphere fungi, rather than bacteria, significantly decreases with the disease and logging. We observe an increase in the relative amount of bacterial functional groups involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism after PWD infection and logging practice. With the disease infection, the relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi decreases, while the relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi increases. Compared with logging treatment, unmanaged practice had a weaker effect on soil microbial communities. Our findings provide new insights into the short-term responses of soil microbial diversity to management practices after PWD infection. Full article
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16 pages, 3471 KiB  
Article
Generalized Linear Models for Describing Tree Gaps in Forest Management Areas in the Brazilian Amazon
by Suzana Ligoski Zeferino, Natally Celestino Gama, Deivison Venicio Souza, Alex Soares de Souza, Emil José Hernández Ruz and Sandra Dezuite Balieiro da Silva
Forests 2023, 14(4), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040841 - 20 Apr 2023
Viewed by 903
Abstract
Gap size is one of the main variables used to quantify the environmental consequences of forest management that can help in quantifying and monitoring changes in clearing areas. This study aimed to characterize gaps from harvested individuals, quantify the resulting forest damage, and [...] Read more.
Gap size is one of the main variables used to quantify the environmental consequences of forest management that can help in quantifying and monitoring changes in clearing areas. This study aimed to characterize gaps from harvested individuals, quantify the resulting forest damage, and adjust equations to describe gaps after tree cutting. Our research was conducted in three phytophysiognomies of the eastern Pará Amazon. We performed descriptive analyses using data on gap size and damage to the remaining individuals in each phytophysiognomy. We then applied predictive modeling to estimate clearing size using a generalized linear model. Modeling parameters included Gaussian, gamma, and inverse Gaussian families, with linking and transforming functions of the analyzed variables. Among the three phytophysiognomies, the largest clearings were observed in open ombrophilous forests with lianas (27,650 to 548,460 m2), with 56 large gaps, 148 medium, and 113 small. The model with three linear predictors (diameter, height, and phytophysiognomy), inverse Gaussian distribution, and logarithmic link function showed the best fit. There were notable differences in clearing size across phytophysiognomies, suggesting that the phytophysiognomy should be considered when planning measures to mitigate the impacts of forest management. Full article
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14 pages, 9146 KiB  
Article
Biocontrol Potential of Entomopathogenic Nematodes against Odontotermes obesus (Blattodea: Termitidae) under Laboratory and Field Conditions
by Asad Aslam, De-Fu Chi, Asim Abbasi and Muhammad Arshad
Forests 2023, 14(3), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030580 - 15 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1521
Abstract
Odontotermes obesus (Blattodea: Termitidae) is a prevalent subterranean wood-eating termite species that causes damage to mature trees, saplings and seedlings. The efficacy of most synthetic insecticides against this notorious pest has been compromised primarily because of its enigmatic feeding behavior and development of resistance [...] Read more.
Odontotermes obesus (Blattodea: Termitidae) is a prevalent subterranean wood-eating termite species that causes damage to mature trees, saplings and seedlings. The efficacy of most synthetic insecticides against this notorious pest has been compromised primarily because of its enigmatic feeding behavior and development of resistance to a number of insecticides. It has therefore become necessary to explore other alternative biologically sound and low-impact termite control methods, particularly for use in forests. Hence, this study was designed to verify the efficacy of different indigenous EPN isolates (Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis indica) against workers of Odontotermes obesus. The pathogenicity of each nematode isolate was assessed in laboratory conditions using filter paper and sawdust bioassay at two different temperatures (16 ± 1 and 26 ± 1 °C). Additionally, the efficacy of the nematode species was also assessed in field conditions. The results of the experiments revealed that the mortality of termite workers was more pronounced in sawdust bioassay in comparison with filter paper bioassay at both the tested temperatures. The mortality response in both bioassays was more pronounced at the higher temperature. A significantly higher mortality was recorded at both tested temperatures for S. carpocapsae followed by H. bacteriophora and H. indica. A dose-dependent positive mortality response was also recorded at both tested temperatures. Similar to the laboratory trials, the field applications of the three tested nematode species showed that maximum mortality was recorded for S. carpocapsae followed by H. bacteriophora and H. indica. It was therefore concluded that indigenous EPNs can provide more effective control of termites, possibly because of their direct interaction with pest species in the soil and the possibility of causing secondary infection through infected cadavers. Full article
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15 pages, 2657 KiB  
Article
Acclimatisation of White Laran (Neolamarckia cadamba Roxb. Bosser) and Binuang (Octomeles sumatrana Miq.) Seedlings to Water-Logged and Water-Stress Conditions
by Aida Nabihah M Khatta, Mariano Hodgson Anak Mekai, Abdul Maahli Kadir, Ozzen Alfiq Suhinin, Hisyamuddin Suhaidi, Nurfiani Abdullah, Kelvin Pang Ket Nyen, Kuina Kimjus, Razak Terhem and Affendy Hassan
Forests 2023, 14(3), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030500 - 03 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1323
Abstract
Although practices that employ native species in plantation systems are common, the study of Neolamarckia cadamba Roxb. Bosser (White Laran) and Octomeles sumatrana Miq. (Binuang) in below-ground parameters is limited. The present study was conducted to compare the initial growth performance and below-ground [...] Read more.
Although practices that employ native species in plantation systems are common, the study of Neolamarckia cadamba Roxb. Bosser (White Laran) and Octomeles sumatrana Miq. (Binuang) in below-ground parameters is limited. The present study was conducted to compare the initial growth performance and below-ground parameters between these two native trees under water-logged and water-stress conditions. The study was conducted near the greenhouse of the Faculty of Tropical Forestry (Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia) for three months. Fifty seedlings of each species were grown in one-meter rhizotrons under Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three different treatments: water stress (T1), water-logged (T2), and control (T3). Height and root collar diameter (RCD) increments, leaf area index (LAI), dried shoot biomass (DSB), root depth (RD), root intensity (RI), root biomass (RB), specific root length (SRL), and root length density (RLD) were recorded. The outcome plainly demonstrated that N. cadamba seedlings were adaptive to both treatments, but O. sumatrana seedlings were more sensitive to water-logged than water-stress conditions. No significant difference was observed between aboveground and below-ground parameters. In conclusion, N. cadamba and O. sumatrana can potentially survive in these conditions in plantations. Full article
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16 pages, 2796 KiB  
Article
Modeling Degraded Bamboo Shoots in Southeast China
by Xiao Zhou, Fengying Guan, Shaohui Fan, Zixu Yin, Xuan Zhang, Chengji Li and Yang Zhou
Forests 2022, 13(9), 1482; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13091482 - 14 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1330
Abstract
Degraded bamboo shoots (DBS) constitute an important variable in the carbon fixation of bamboo forests. DBS are useful for informed decision making in bamboo forests. Despite their importance, studies on DBS are limited. In this study, we aimed to develop models to describe [...] Read more.
Degraded bamboo shoots (DBS) constitute an important variable in the carbon fixation of bamboo forests. DBS are useful for informed decision making in bamboo forests. Despite their importance, studies on DBS are limited. In this study, we aimed to develop models to describe DBS variations. By using DBS data from 64 plots of Yixing forest farm in Jiangsu Province, China, a mixed-effects model was constructed, including block-level random effects. We evaluated the potential impact of several variables on DBS. The number of bamboo shoots (NBS), mean height to crown base (MHCB), hydrolytic nitrogen (HN), and available potassium (AK) significantly contributed to the model. By introducing the block-level random effect in the logistic model, the fitting statistics were significantly improved. The model showed that there were increased DBS in bamboo stands with decreased MHCB and AK, whereas DBS decreased with decreasing NBS and HN. The application of K fertilizer reduced the number of DBS during the emergence stage. By adjusting these factors, the number of DBS in bamboo forests can be reduced, which provides a theoretical basis for increasing the biomass of bamboo forests. It can also provide an important basis for studying the carbon sink characteristics of bamboo forests and help to formulate more effective bamboo forest management plans. Full article
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