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This study approaches, from a floristic perspective, the under-researched human-primate competition for forest resources. Investigating the human impact on fruit trees edible for Kinda baboons (Papio kindae Lönnberg), we have collated dietary data on a free-ranging troop and floristic information on two forest sites of the Kundelungu National Park (KNP), Democratic Republic of Congo: the relatively intact Integral Zone (IZ) and the human-disturbed Annex Zone (AZ). Trees with DBH≥10 cm have been identified, counted and measured throughout 22 sample plots (11 per site), each measuring 1,000 m2. A total of seven woody species whose fruits are eaten by Kinda baboons were recorded. Four of them, namely the Sycamore fig Ficus sycomorus L., the Mobola plum Parinari curatellifolia Planch. ex Benth, the Kudu berry Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia Pax and the Monkey orange Strychnos innocua Delile were found in both sites, while the Large-leaved jackal-berry Diosyros kirkii Hiern and the Buffalo thorn Ziziphus mucronata Willd. were exclusively in the IZ, and Strychnos cocculoides Baker only in the AZ. Compared to the IZ, the AZ had lower values of stem density, species richness and diversity indices, suggesting a negative human impact on baboon-edible trees, in line with our hypothesis. Moreover, as was expected, human activities decreased the abundance of larger baboon-edible fruit trees. However, the size-class distribution of P. curatellifolia depicted a reverse J-curve in the AZ. The abundant younger P. curatellifolia trees remaining in that human-disturbed site constitute an important food stock for baboons, if well preserved. These results also illustrate the critical role of rangers’ patrols, formerly more frequent (and presumably efficient) in the IZ than in the AZ of the Park. Their implications on baboons and miombo forests are discussed from both the research and conservation perspectives.

This study extracted deforestation area and degraded forestland area, which are potential REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project candidate areas in Paraguay using Land Cover Map (LCM) and Tree Cover Map (TCM). The REDD+ project objectives scenarios were set three stages: ‘afforestation and economic efficiency scenario’, ‘local capacity reinforcement scenario’, and ‘Infrastructure-oriented scenario’. And then, we evaluated the project unit suitable area of the REDD+ project. All scenarios selected the evaluation factors for each scenario in addition to the area ratio factors for deforestation area and degraded forestland area and weighted values were extracted by assigning category scores. As a result of the three scenarios comparison analysis, Concepcion state score was the highest. Within Concepcion state, the Belon district had the highest score, making it appropriate as a project unit REDD+ project candidate area in Paraguay, while the San Carlos district had the lowest score. This study can be used as basic data for selecting REDD+ project candidate area in Paraguay, and it is expected to contribute sufficiently to REDD+ project if additional data or information of social, cultural and economic sectors are secured.

Satchari National Park is one of the most biodiverse forest in Bangladesh and home of many endangered flora and fauna. 206 tons of CO2 per hectare is sequestrated in this national park every year which helps to mitigate climate issues. As people living near the area are dependent on this forest, degradation has become a regular phenomenon destroying the forest biodiversity by altering its forest cover. So, it is important to map land cover quickly and accurately for the sustainable management of Satchari National Park. The main objective of this study was to obtain information on land cover change using remote sensing data. Combination of unsupervised NDVI classification and supervised classification using maximum likelihood is followed in this study to find out land cover map. The analysis showed that the land cover is gradually converting from one land use type to another. Dense forest becoming degraded forest or bare land. Although it was slowed down by the establishment of ‘National Park’ on the study site, forecasting shows that it is not enough to mitigate forest degradation. Legal steps and proper management strategies should be taken to mitigate causes of degradation such as illegal felling.

Ashwagandha is an important ancient medicinal crops, being affected with many diseases, among which leaf blight caused by Alternaria alternata has become the constraint resulting in huge yield losses. Continuous usage of chemical methods leads to environment, soil and water pollution. Whereas biological control of diseases is long lasting, inexpensive, eco-friendly and harmless to target organisms. In this context, it is aimed to evaluate five Trichoderma strains viz. Trichoderma virens IMI-392430, T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431, T. harzianum IMI-392432, T. harzianum IMI-392433 and T. harzianum IMI-392434 as bio-control efficacy against A. alternata and growth promoting effect in Ashwagandha. All the Trichoderma strains had varied antagonistic effects against the pathogen. In dual culture technique, the strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 showed maximum percentage inhibition of mycelial growth (54.89%) followed by T. harzianum IMI-392432 (53.83%), T. harzianum IMI-392434 (48.94%) and T. virens IMI-392430, (43.62%) against the pathogen, while the least inhibition percentage was observed with the T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431 (36.60%). The culture filtrate of the Trichoderma strain, T. harzianum IMI-392433 recorded highest inhibition on the mycelial growth (39.05%) and spore germination (80.77%) of pathogen and the lowest was recorded in T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431 (20.45 and 50%). Moreover, seeds treated with spore suspension of the strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 reduced the percentages of disease severity index significantly. The strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 also significantly increased seed germination %, seedling vigor and growth of Ashwagandha. The correlation matrix showed that root yield per plant of Ashwagandha had significant and positive correlation with plant height (r=0.726**), number of leaf (r=0.514**), number of primary branch (r=0.820**), number of secondary branch (r=0.829**), fresh plant weight (r=0.887**), plant dry weight (r=0.613**), root length (r=0.824**), root diameter (r=0.786**), root dry weight (r=0.739**) and fresh root weight (r=0.731**). The significant and negative correlation (r=-0.336**) was observed with the root yield and percentages of disease severity index. The study recognized that the T. harzianum IMI-392433 strain performed well in inhibiting the mycelial growth and reduced the percentages of disease severity index of pathogen as well as increased the plant growth in Ashwagandha.

Urea formaldehyde resins are widely used in the manufacturing of wood composite and their usage is always combined with release of formaldehyde characterized to be hazardous to health during and after the manufacturing of the products. This study investigates the effectiveness of wood-based adhesive from oil of pyrolysed Triplochiton scleroxylon sawdust for the production of composite board. The wood-derived Pyrolytic Oil (PyO) was blended with Urea Formaldehyde (UF) resin to formed Pyrolytic Oil-Urea Formaldehyde (PyOUF). The obtained PyOUF called Wood-Based Adhesives at four blends and control (UF) viz; 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1, 1:3 were further employed to prepare the composite board and test for their bonding strength by physical (water absorption-WA and thickness swelling-Th.S) and mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity-MOE, modulus of rupture-MOR, and impact bending-IB). Data obtained was analysed using analysis of variance at  0.05. The result of analysis of variance conducted on physical properties show significant difference (p≤0.05) between the WA values obtained when testing the different blending proportion of PyOUF and likewise between 2 and 24 h of immersion. PyOUF had significant effect (p≤0.05) on Th. S for 24 h but no significant different (p＞0.05) for the 2 h period of soaking. The analysis of variance on mechanical properties of the composite board (MOE, MOR, and IB) show significance differences (p≤0.05) between the strength values obtained when testing the different ratios of PyO with UF. PyO content influenced the properties of the boards and it is evident that PyO can be used in the manufacture of composite board.

Chemical modification of wood is an effective method to enhance the biological durability of wood with no toxic effect on the environment. In this study, wood of Triplochiton scleroxylon was modified using acetylation techniques. A total of one hundred wood blocks, (each 20×20×60 mm) obtained from a 22-year old T. scleroxylon tree were conditioned and acetylated at 120oC in a bioreactor containing acetic anhydride for 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 minutes. The percentage weight gain of acetylated wood was determined. The untreated (control) and treated blocks were exposed to Pleurotus ostreatus (white rot fungus) and Fibroporia vaillanti (brown rot fungus) after which moisture content (MC) and weight loss (WL) was monitored for 16 weeks. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05 level of significance. The percentage weight gain of acetylated wood samples increased with time from 10.4% (60 minutes) to 22.7% (300 minutes). MC of untreated blocks inoculated with Pleurotus ostreatus was significantly higher than those of Fibroporia vaillantii after 16 weeks exposure. There was no significant difference in the MC of the of the acetylated samples for the two fungi after 300 minutes reaction time. The WL of untreated blocks inoculated with Fibroporia vaillantii was higher than those of Pleurotus ostreatus, however, the two fungi showed no significant difference in the WL for the acetylated samples after 16 weeks exposure. Acetylation prevents moisture absorption and inhibition of fungi growth in acetylated wood compared to untreated wood, thereby enhancing the durability of Triplochiton scleroxylon.

The Lake (Victoria) zone of Tanzania, which has the least forest resources in the country, is a potential economic growth zone in the country. Therefore, this study analyses the impact of implemented forest policies on the status of forest resources in the area, given the unique features. The study identifies the status of forested lands in the area, and then fits binary logistic regression to identify the impact of policies related elements (i.e. type of forest, type of management) on the status; forest area and location (region) are used as control variables. Results show that 63% of the forested land in the area is destructed; main activities being agriculture, residential, firewood, and charcoal burning activities. Logistic results showed natural forests, forests located in Geita region, forests managed by municipal councils are more likely to be destructed; while plantation forests, forests located in Kagera region, privately managed forests are less likely to be destructed. Thus, the study concludes that policies and measures are not enough for the preservation of forest resources in the area; some of the economic activities in the area are occurring at the expenses of the forests; hence recommend more sustainable development plans and incorporating different crossing cutting sectors in the policies.

This study was conducted to develop a forest education program through middle school curriculum linkage. We used the ADDIE model, comprising the five phases of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation, to secure the objectivity of the program. In the Analysis phase, middle school textbooks were analyzed while considering middle school students’ needs for curriculum linkage and the developmental stages of adolescents. The Design phase focused on promoting an understanding of curriculum subjects based on what was reviewed in the Analysis phase and concretized and organized a program that can be implemented in the forest, with a focus on science and physical education, based on the results of middle school students’ needs. We also established the objectives and goals of curriculum linkage forest education, established the concept of the program, and selected the educational contents, teaching-learning methods, and evaluation methods. In the Development phase, we developed a 2-night, 3-day program linkage with the middle school curriculum and created a manual for instructors and a workbook for students. In the Implementation phase, we revised and supplemented the program through the first test operation with 24 students in their second year of middle school, after which, we carried out a six-session program for the 2-night, 3-day as the second test operation with 17 students in their second year of middle school. In the Evaluation phase, the program was evaluated by the students who participated in the second test operation using questionnaires on satisfaction and curriculum linkage understanding as well as rating scales for attitudes toward forests and environmental sensitivity. The results showed that middle school students showed positive significance in satisfaction and understanding of the middle school curriculum as well as attitudes toward forests and environmental sensitivity through the forest education program.

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which is transmitted by Monochamus alternatus and M. saltuarius, is a serious threat to coniferous forests in the Northern Hemisphere, including Korea. The efficacy of abamectin and emamectin benzoate for preventing the PWD in the field and its effect on the vectors Monochamus alternatus and M. saltuarius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) were evaluated. An experimental plot was delimited, of which consists of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) forest in South Korea, and trunk injection trials were made with abamectin and emamectin benzoate. Branches of each tree were collected, and are subsequently subjected to the analysis of residues for both nematicides. Results obtained in this study showed that abamectin and emamectin benzoate showed over 90% mortality at the recommended concentration after 6 days and 8 days, respectively. Consequently, it was found that both insecticides have a higher effect on the susceptibility and persistence of two vectors of PWD, M. alternatus and M. saltuarius feeding on branches of the trees, and its application by trunk injection is confirmed as an option for pine wilt disease management programs in Korea.