Sustainability

Research

22 pages, 4998 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of Karst Landscape Ecological Security Pattern Based on Conflict between Human and Nature in Puzhehei

by Chunhua Li, Jin Wang, Xincen Liu and Kejian Xu

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020908 - 21 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1263

A key means of promoting the high-quality development of karst areas is the maintenance of the area’s ecological security. A full recognition of the special ecological function of karst areas, as well as their significance to the surrounding region’s ecological, economic, and social [...] Read more.

A key means of promoting the high-quality development of karst areas is the maintenance of the area’s ecological security. A full recognition of the special ecological function of karst areas, as well as their significance to the surrounding region’s ecological, economic, and social development, is crucial in strengthening the overall strategic deployment of the national ecological construction and the protection and sustainable development of karst landscapes around the globe. In this study, the karst landscape of Puzhehei, Qiubei County, Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, was used as the research object. This study identified ecological source sites through a combination of morphological spatial pattern analysis and landscape connectivity assessment. As a result, 10 factors were selected to construct a comprehensive ecological resistance surface from the natural environment and socio-economic perspective; the resistance surface was corrected by combining the sensitivity of rocky desertification. An ecological corridor and ecological nodes were identified to construct the ecological security pattern based on the minimum cumulative resistance model and circuit theory. The results show that (1) the source areas of the Puzhehei karst landscape ecological protection comprised 11 core area patches with the landscape connectivity index of (dPC) ≥ 10, with a total area of 166.6572 km², which constituted 46.06% of the total study area, and the ecological source area totaled 77.275 km², or 21.36% of the total study area; (2) there were 78 potential ecological corridors in the Puzhehei karst region, with a total length of 545.186 km, including 12 key corridors and 66 general corridors; (3) a total of 51 ecological nodes were identified, including 11 “source-type ecological nodes”, 30 “ecological pinch points”, and 10 “ecological obstacles”, including 16 key ecological nodes. This study provides a theoretical basis for the integration of Puzhehei Nature Reserve, as well as a reference for the ecologically sustainable development of similar karst areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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19 pages, 1660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity in Landscape Management Affects Butterfly Distribution

by Katarzyna Szyszko-Podgórska, Izabela Dymitryszyn and Marek Kondras

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14775; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014775 - 11 Oct 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1478

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of differentiated landscape management on the distribution and abundance of butterfly species. The question was raised with regard to which land use type benefited butterflies, and which affected them, that is: under which [...] Read more.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of differentiated landscape management on the distribution and abundance of butterfly species. The question was raised with regard to which land use type benefited butterflies, and which affected them, that is: under which management type does biodiversity increase, and under which is it depleted? The spatial and abundance distributions of the examined butterfly species diverged considerably. The observed differences between the abundance distributions may be due to diverse conditions in the small-scale environments or specific food preferences of individual species. The diversified management of the “Krzywda” landscape fosters the abundance of mesophilic and ubiquitous butterfly species, whereas xerotermophilic and hygrophilous species are not fostered. The transects established on the fallow land with harvested biomass as well as that with unharvested biomass and in the forest ecotone showed that the fallows were characterized by the highest abundance of butterflies, and the greatest number of plant species was recorded there. Mown fallow lands with not harvested biomass as well as forested areas fostered polyphagous and monophagous butterfly species. Oligophagous butterfly species were fostered by mown fallow lands with not harvested biomass. Unmown meadows, the ecotone marshland and fallow, as well as unmown fallow lands did not foster butterfly abundance. This most likely means that land management can influence the food base of butterflies, and consequently, their abundance. The stage of succession as well as the homogeneity of the area in terms of vegetation had the strongest filtering effect on the occurrence and distribution of butterflies among the analyzed variables. The number of species as well as their abundance was higher on transects classified as young successional stages on which successional processes were artificially inhibited by mowing and biomass removal. Advanced environmental engineering enables humans to influence species composition in a given ecosystem to achieve a desired result. There is no doubt that human activity will be successful when the needs of individual species in a given environment are accurately understood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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15 pages, 3506 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Relationship among Plant Functional Groups, Soil, and Moisture as Basis for Wetland Conservation

by Fevziye Aslan, Ricardo Mata-González, David Eduardo Prado-Tarango, Matthew Hovland, Jenessa Stemke and Carlos G. Ochoa

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14377; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914377 - 29 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1465

Abstract

This study characterized the relationship between plant species, soil, and moisture dynamics in the Willamette Valley (Oregon, USA) to obtain a base framework for wetland conservation and restoration. We identified 24 dominant plant species, including the exotic invasive Dipsacus fullonum, distributed throughout [...] Read more.

This study characterized the relationship between plant species, soil, and moisture dynamics in the Willamette Valley (Oregon, USA) to obtain a base framework for wetland conservation and restoration. We identified 24 dominant plant species, including the exotic invasive Dipsacus fullonum, distributed throughout the wetland. Plant community analysis indicated that (1) soil moisture during the dry season (August to October) and (2) soil bulk density were the major abiotic drivers of plant community structure. Water potential measurements confirmed the community analysis. Juncus (rush) species appeared to be more tolerant to drought than other typical wetland species. Therefore, dryer conditions due to climate change or water diversion may favor rushes’ persistence. We also found that the dominance of D. fullonum may also negatively affect the native plant species’ survival, which highlights the need for proper management practices. To prevent further vegetation deterioration in sensitive wetland areas, we recommend avoiding hydric diversions to maintain the water supply, exploring manners of controlling invasive species, and preventing livestock grazing. The results of this study contribute to foundational and practical knowledge concerning the influence of soil conditions and moisture availability on the physiological response and distribution of wetland plant species that is required for conservation and management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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12 pages, 1673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Epigeic Carabids (Coleoptera, Carabidae) as Bioindicators in Different Variants of Scots Pine Regeneration: Implication for Forest Landscape Management

by Agnieszka Kosewska, Renata Kędzior, Mariusz Nietupski and Jakub Borkowski

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13322; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813322 - 5 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1180

Abstract

Maintaining biodiversity is one of the factors determining the proper functioning of ecosystems, especially those with high human impact. Ground beetles, as bioindicators, are particularly valuable in understanding ecosystem responses and sustainability in forest and landscape management. Focusing on the regeneration of pine [...] Read more.

Maintaining biodiversity is one of the factors determining the proper functioning of ecosystems, especially those with high human impact. Ground beetles, as bioindicators, are particularly valuable in understanding ecosystem responses and sustainability in forest and landscape management. Focusing on the regeneration of pine forests, this study aimed to describe ground beetle assemblages on Scots pine natural and artificial regeneration in northeastern Poland. This study was conducted between 2016 and 2018. Pitfall traps were set up for catching epigeic carabids on previously prepared research plots designated for natural and artificial pine regeneration. The research areas included three variants: N—natural pine regeneration, plots without soil preparation; NP—natural pine regeneration with traditional soil preparation by ploughing; and A—artificial pine regeneration with ploughing. Four plots as replicants were selected in each experimental variant, with six pitfall traps in the transects running through the centre of each study plot. In each year of the study, 11 samples were collected from each plot; overall, 33 samples per plot were collected during the three years. As a result of this study, 26,654 ground beetle individuals belonging to 89 species were caught during the three-year observation. Natural regeneration without soil preparation (N) was the most favourable in terms of the occurrence of stabilised assemblages of ground beetles. However, the remaining methods of pine regeneration, on a multi-annual scale (2016–2018), contributed to the increase in the number of ground beetles but also provided high variability in assemblage composition, diversity indices, and life-history traits. Thus, in the early stage of pine regeneration, each of the examined variants of pine regeneration can be used without fear of causing damage to carabid populations. However, further studies are required to investigate the effect of different pine regeneration types on carabid beetle assemblages over a longer period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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30 pages, 14238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perceptions and Patterns of Use of Blue Spaces in Selected European Cities: Tartu, Tallinn, Barcelona, Warsaw and Plymouth

by Anna Wilczyńska, Gloria Niin, Peeter Vassiljev, Izabela Myszka and Simon Bell

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7392; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097392 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2386

Abstract

Urban blue infrastructure is an important component of the urban landscape for ecological, economic, social, and cultural reasons. However, there is a clear research gap in relation to preferences and patterns of use in the context of different blue spaces, considering the citywide [...] Read more.

Urban blue infrastructure is an important component of the urban landscape for ecological, economic, social, and cultural reasons. However, there is a clear research gap in relation to preferences and patterns of use in the context of different blue spaces, considering the citywide context and different cultural and geographical settings. Additionally, when compared to green spaces, the location and morphology of urban blue elements are usually geographically predefined, and it is much less possible to ensure their equitable distribution with respect to population. To fill this gap, we decided to explore the effect of distance from residential areas, the role of water, the level of facilities, and the character of blue spaces in attracting visitors of different demographic characteristics in a sample of different European cities. We used a public participatory geographic information system approach (PPGIS) to collect data about residents’ favourite blue spaces in each city and categorize the most popular of these according to whether they were close to or distant from respondents’ homes. We also categorized the types of blue spaces and the level of facilities present. The results show that certain key blue spaces, such as the seaside or beaches, attract more distant visitors and that the pattern of the blue spaces within the city also affects visitation. There are many differences among the studied cities due to the morphology determined by geography. The usage of blue spaces is very site-specific and should be studied in more detail at the city and place levels, focusing on the different roles of everyday and destination places. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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21 pages, 3862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Periurban Streetscape—Vernacular Front Gardens and Their Potential to Provide Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of Warsaw, Poland

by Beata J. Gawryszewska, Izabela Myszka, Michał Banaszek and Axel Schwerk

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2450; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032450 - 30 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1740

Abstract

At the time of reflection on green justice, when the role of public green spaces is increasing, it is worth paying attention to vernacular greenery, especially in single-family residential areas on city outskirts which property owners arrange in front parts of plots. The [...] Read more.

At the time of reflection on green justice, when the role of public green spaces is increasing, it is worth paying attention to vernacular greenery, especially in single-family residential areas on city outskirts which property owners arrange in front parts of plots. The paper’s aim is to show that vernacular front gardens (VFG) can act as missing public space and at the same time have the attributes of public green space, providing ecosystem services (ES). In order to confirm these assumptions, we carried out a VFG’s attributes inventory and a survey on garden designers. We identified dominating garden features and conducted a cluster analysis of the gardens based on their characteristics. The basis for building periurban streetscape in single-family housing estates is the visual inclusiveness of VFGs. They provide all the ES groups, playing representational, natural and recreational roles as well as serving as locations of edible plants production. Streets in residential sites, thanks to VFG, can be treated as real green public spaces creating a type of green area accessible not only to owners but also to pedestrian eyes. We conclude that our results can be valuable for city planning but also for the professional garden designers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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18 pages, 8553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Method of Soundscape Naturalness Curves in the Evaluation of Mountain Trails of Diversified Anthropopressure—Case Study of Korona Beskidów Polskich

by Magdalena Malec, Renata Kędzior and Agnieszka Ziernicka-Wojtaszek

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010723 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1777

Abstract

Sound in the landscape is an element of the multisensory experience of the environment. In areas that are naturally valuable and additionally used for tourism, the quality of this element is much more important than in urban areas. The aim of the study [...] Read more.

Sound in the landscape is an element of the multisensory experience of the environment. In areas that are naturally valuable and additionally used for tourism, the quality of this element is much more important than in urban areas. The aim of the study was to assess the soundscape diversity of mountain trails included in the Crown of the Polish Beskids (Korona Beskidów Polskich). Two methods were used in the study: The first was sound intensity measurement using a sonometer, which provided information on the physical aspect of the landscape. The second method involved recording all sounds divided into two basic categories: anthropogenic and natural. These results made it possible to propose a new method for assessing the naturalness of the soundscape by plotting naturalness curves. In contrast to frequently used survey-based methods, in this method we minimise subjectivity, which is mainly due to the different perceptions of sounds by the assessors. Given how many psychophysical aspects can affect the reception and perception of sounds, the method of naturalness curves allows for a universal assessment of landscape quality. On all the mountain trails surveyed, the average sound intensity values exceeded 40 dB, which the authors considered to be borderline for areas of natural value and recreational use. In the study area, the influence of anthropopression on soundscape formation was found to be diverse and dependent on many factors. However, there was no clear evidence that tourism was the main negative influence. The plotted naturalness curves showed a large variation between trails, but not all trails showed a correlation between this parameter and the number of tourists on the trail. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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15 pages, 532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soundscape Perception Preference in an Urban Forest Park: Evidence from Moon Island Forest Park in Lu’an City

by Yanlong Guo, Ke Wang, Han Zhang and Zuoqing Jiang

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 16132; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316132 - 2 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2023

Abstract

Urban forest parks improve the environment by reducing noise, which can promote the development of physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigate the soundscape preferences of visitors in different spaces. It also provides practical suggestions for the study of urban green-space [...] Read more.

Urban forest parks improve the environment by reducing noise, which can promote the development of physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigate the soundscape preferences of visitors in different spaces. It also provides practical suggestions for the study of urban green-space soundscapes. This study took the example of Moon Island Forest Park in Lu’an City, based on the questionnaire field survey that acquired public soundscape perception data. SPSS 26.0 was used to analyze five different spatial soundscape perception preferences in Moon Island Forest Park, starting from the subjective evaluation of users’ soundscape perception, based on user preference for different spatial sound source types. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used and a separate analysis of soundscape preferences in each space was undertaken; the mean (SD) was also used to reveal the respondents’ preference for each sound-source perceptual soundscape. The study found that the five dimensions of different spaces were significantly correlated with sound perception preferences. First, the same sound source had different perceptual characteristics and differences in different functional areas. Second, different spatial features were influenced differently by typical sound sources. Third, in each functional area, water sound was the main sound source of positive impact and mechanical sound was the main source of negative impact. Mechanical sound had the greatest negative impact on the overall area. Overall, natural sound provided the most popular significant contribution to the soundscape preference; second was the human voice, and mechanical sound produced a negative effect. The results of these studies were analyzed from the perspective of soundscape characteristics in different spaces, providing a more quantitative basis for urban forest park soundscape design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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17 pages, 3567 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Water Retention Practices in Forests on the Biodiversity of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

by Emilia Ludwiczak, Mariusz Nietupski and Agnieszka Kosewska

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15068; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215068 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1393

Abstract

This study was carried out in an area covered by the “Increasing retention capacity and prevention of floods and droughts in forest ecosystems in lowland areas” land drainage development project. The aim was to evaluate the impact of transformations in a habitat following [...] Read more.

This study was carried out in an area covered by the “Increasing retention capacity and prevention of floods and droughts in forest ecosystems in lowland areas” land drainage development project. The aim was to evaluate the impact of transformations in a habitat following the project’s implementation on the structure of assemblages of epigeic ground beetles, in the context of the overall trend of decreasing biodiversity. The entomological observations were commenced before launching the planned hydro-technical development at the study area and were repeated 11 years later. During the two years of observations (2008 and 2019), 3311 specimens of ground beetles, representing 89 species, were captured. Water regulation affected the composition of ground beetle assemblages. After the small water retention program had been completed, a quantitative and qualitative decrease in ground beetles was observed. The groundwork for the development caused some disturbances in the habitat, leading to, amongst other things, higher soil moisture, which was conducive to the establishment of ground beetle assemblages other than those observed before the water retention project. After the hydro-technical objects had been constructed, the share of large and small zoophages with higher moisture preferences (hygrophilous species) increased, while the contribution of xerophilous hemizoophages decreased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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13 pages, 2272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Landscape Heterogeneity Determines the Diversity and Life History Traits of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

by Renata Kędzior and Agnieszka Kosewska

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13980; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113980 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1527

Abstract

Functional diversity is crucial to ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes. Intensive agriculture has led to habitat homogeneity and thus a decrease in biodiversity and the disappearance of useful epigeic fauna. This study investigated how local habitat types in an agricultural landscape affect the [...] Read more.

Functional diversity is crucial to ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes. Intensive agriculture has led to habitat homogeneity and thus a decrease in biodiversity and the disappearance of useful epigeic fauna. This study investigated how local habitat types in an agricultural landscape affect the assemblage parameters (abundance, species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity index) and life history traits of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The study was conducted in four habitat types: Orchard, meadow, shrubs, and forest. In each type, 12 sampling transects were selected, in which individuals were caught in pitfall traps. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed significant differences in ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblage composition between habitats. The generalized linear model showed that the habitat type influenced the beetles’ assemblage parameters and life history traits. Abundance, number of species, and species diversity were highest in the orchard. The occurrence of large brachypterous predators was also strongly dependent on habitat heterogeneity. Their presence in the orchard depended on their distance from semi-natural habitats (shrubs or forest). The results underscore the importance of habitat heterogeneity for populations of predatory Carabidae in intensively used agricultural landscapes and demonstrate the role of functional parameters, providing detailed information on agroecosystem condition and functioning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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20 pages, 2149 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strategies to Promote Sustainable Development: The Gendered Importance of Addressing Diminishing African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Resources in Northern Ghana’s Agro-Ecological Landscape

by Margareta Amy Lelea, Lydia Madintin Konlan, Rashida Chantima Ziblila, Lara Elena Thiele, Araba Amo-Aidoo and Brigitte Kaufmann

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11302; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811302 - 8 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2745

Abstract

As the topic of gender and forests gains international attention through programs related to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, we focus on a case study of the African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) in the savannah landscape of northern Ghana. Although this [...] Read more.

As the topic of gender and forests gains international attention through programs related to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, we focus on a case study of the African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) in the savannah landscape of northern Ghana. Although this tree holds high cultural significance for Dagomba women, it is unfortunately becoming scarcer in our study area near Tamale. We investigate the reasons for this decline in relation to the agricultural, ecological, and cultural landscape and discuss the gendered impacts of these changes. Research in these communities was conducted between 2018 and 2021 as part of a transdisciplinary action research approach to process underutilized species with women’s groups. The research started with a survey that included 27 women’s groups in 13 communities with 524 women participants. Out of a selected number of groups, our research team has worked more intensively with three women’s groups near Nyankpala, which selected for their processing focus the African Locust Bean, locally known as dawadawa. More than 45 group sessions were organized with seven groups in a collaborative learning process in 2019. Additionally, the three groups in Kpachi who chose to process the African Locust Bean sustained facilitation of group activities until the end of 2021. Specifically, on the topic of the decline of this tree, 19 semistructured interviews were conducted in August 2020 with 8 female farmers, 7 male farmers and 4 chiefs in the local governance system. Our results show the cultural significance of the African Locust Bean for women in the Dagomba culture as well as practical uses of all parts of the tree. Specifically, the seeds are used for making a fermented condiment and tea. Although seeds of the African Locust Bean are considered a women’s crop, their access to this tree is mediated by the local chiefs and often male land-users. Most farmers interviewed reported a reduction in trees in their fields. The reasons for the decrease can be summarized in six different categories, (1) aging tree populations, (2) challenge caring for saplings until maturity, (3) agricultural changes with increased mechanization and pesticide use, (4) over-use as a firewood resource, (5) usufruct rights between traditional chiefs, male land-owners, and women who should be granted access to the trees according to Dagomba cultural values, and (6) reduced water availability inhibits seed yield. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for action to protect and restore the African Locust Bean within northern Ghana’s savannah landscape to ensure continued access and benefits of the tree to women in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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33 pages, 14476 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Cultural Ecosystem Services as an Element Supporting Manor Landscape Protection

by Dorota Sikora and Małgorzata Kaczyńska

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7733; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137733 - 24 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1987

Abstract

Nowadays, agricultural landscapes of suburban zones may undergo rapid urbanization that destroys their identity. This phenomenon is particularly problematic for areas connected compositionally with historical residences. The aim of the research is to determine a framework for urban policies appropriate for cultural landscapes [...] Read more.

Nowadays, agricultural landscapes of suburban zones may undergo rapid urbanization that destroys their identity. This phenomenon is particularly problematic for areas connected compositionally with historical residences. The aim of the research is to determine a framework for urban policies appropriate for cultural landscapes of agricultural origin associated with significant historic palace-garden complexes. As an example of such a landscape, the area around the historic Wilanów residence was chosen for study. The research focused on the degree of preservation of the agricultural surroundings of this historic site, the directions of contemporary urban policies towards it, and its potential to provide cultural ecosystem services to local residents and tourists. The research showed that the character of the landscape under study is changing—apart from cultivated fields, wastelands have appeared, indicating a gradual abandonment of agricultural use. The analysis of local spatial development plans confirmed that many fragments of the landscape are not sufficiently protected, which causes their degradation. The study of the potential of this area to provide cultural ecosystem services using statistical methods proved its many values: aesthetic, cultural, educational, spiritual, recreational, and touristic which predestine it to perform Urban Green Spaces and Informal Green Spaces functions. The research was compared to the findings of other authors, studying analogous landscapes. Based on our results, general guidelines were developed for further protection and maintaining function of cultural landscapes of agricultural origin associated with significant historic palace-garden complexes in similar situations to that of Wilanów. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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16 pages, 633 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strategic Pathways to Scale up Forest and Landscape Restoration: Insights from Nepal’s Tarai

by Sushma Bhattarai, Basant Pant, Hari Krishna Laudari, Rajesh Kumar Rai and Sharif A. Mukul

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 5237; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095237 - 7 May 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4932

Abstract

Deforestation and forest degradation mostly caused by human interventions affect the capacity of the forest ecosystem to provide ecosystem services and livelihood benefits. Forest and landscape restoration (FLR) is an emerging concept that focuses on the improvement of the ecosystem as well as [...] Read more.

Deforestation and forest degradation mostly caused by human interventions affect the capacity of the forest ecosystem to provide ecosystem services and livelihood benefits. Forest and landscape restoration (FLR) is an emerging concept that focuses on the improvement of the ecosystem as well as the livelihood of the people at the landscape level. Nepal has successfully recovered degraded forest land mainly from the hilly region through forest restoration initiatives, especially community-based forestry. However, the Tarai region is still experiencing deforestation and forest degradation. This study navigated the gaps related to forest restoration in the existing policies and practices and revealed that the persistence of deforestation and forest degradation in Tarai is a result of a complex socioeconomic structure, the limitations of the government in implementing appropriate management modality, unplanned infrastructure, and urban development. We suggest that forest restoration should focus on ecological and social wellbeing pathways at the landscape level to reverse the trend of deforestation and forest degradation in the Tarai regions of Nepal. The study provides critical insight to the policymakers and practitioners of Nepal and other countries (with similar context) who are engaged in forest/ecosystem restoration enterprise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Ecology and Sustainability—the Interface between Natural Landscape Values and Society)

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