International Journal of Forestry Research
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Acceptance rate19%
Submission to final decision147 days
Acceptance to publication14 days
CiteScore1.800
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International Journal of Forestry Research publishes research about the management and conservation of trees or forests, including tree biodiversity, sustainability, habitat protection and the social and economic aspects of forestry.

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International Journal of Forestry Research maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.

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Research Article

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Amburana cearensis: A Scientometric Study on an Endangered Medicinal Tree

Amburana cearensis (Fabaceae) is a native tree of the Brazilian northeastern semiarid region, which has considerable economic, medicinal, and social importance, especially in the Caatinga biome. This study aims to identify the scientific knowledge generated about the pharmacological applicability of the species. We analyzed scientific works on the widespread pharmacological use of A. cearensis, adopting the scientometric research method. The medicinal properties were classified according to the uses mentioned in the manuscripts, considering body systems and treated symptoms. They were associated with the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health. We identified a total of 86 articles addressing the medicinal potential of the species, distributed in 57 journals published between 2005 and 2023. There was a significant increase in publications during the period evaluated. Also, the species has been widely used in traditional medicine, which has attracted new studies, especially experimental ones focusing on unraveling its pharmacological potential. One trend observed was a significant geographic bias, since most of the studies investigated were carried out by researchers linked to Brazilian institutions located mainly in the northeast. This region includes the largest number of species occurrence points, explaining the interest of these institutions in recognizing the biological potential of their local or regional flora. In-depth investigations into the medicinal properties and secondary metabolites produced by A. cearensis should continue so that its therapeutic benefits are fully understood. However, it is necessary to link research into chemical and pharmacological properties with consideration of the importance of sustainable management of the species, since it faces risks of extinction. We acknowledge that an earlier version of this manuscript was presented as a dissertation by Ayane Emília Dantas dos Santos to fulfil the academic requirements for the degree of Forest Science at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. The dissertation is available for reference at the following link: https://repositorio.ufrn.br/jspui/bitstream/123456789/46918/1/Cienciometriaetnobotanicamodelagem_Santos_2022.pdf.

Research Article

Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f) and Edaphic Factors Affecting the Regeneration of Woody Species and Their Functional Traits in Economic Forest Plantation, Northern Thailand

Improved understanding of relationships among plant traits, stand characteristics, and soil properties can provide insights into the regenerating tree communities of commercial teak plantations. We investigated whether plant traits could be used to predict the natural regeneration of woody species in teak plantations with different soil and stand conditions. Data were collected in fifty 20 m × 20 m plots that were established in teak plantations of varying ages in northern Thailand. We analyzed differences in stand characteristics, soil properties, and community-level functional traits among sites. The RLQ analysis was performed to explore the associations among species abundances, plant traits, and a combined set of soil variables and stand characteristics. Our results showed that tree species with high leaf dry matter contents and high wood density dominated communities in an older teak plantation and were associated with high OM and N concentrations. Trees with larger leaves are increased in plantations that had experienced their first teak thinning, and were rich in organic matter. Species with high specific leaf areas increased in sites with high teak basal areas and which had experienced more intense thinning on fertile soils. Thick-leaved species had high importance values on sites with high densities of teak and infertile soils. Our results indicated that tree communities with similar conspecific traits were associated with specific soil and stand conditions in teak plantations. A knowledge of these regeneration dynamics may allow forest managers to encourage increased natural regeneration and enhanced diversity in commercial teak plantations.

Research Article

Operational Risk Assessment for the Pollination Service with Apis mellifera Bees in Cashew Crops in Vichada, Colombia

The cashew tree relies heavily on the presence of pollinators during the peak receptivity of its flower to facilitate the transfer of pollen from the stamen to the stigma and ensure successful fruit production. Apis mellifera bees play a crucial role as intermediaries in the pollination process of the fruit, simultaneously extracting nectar and pollen from the flowers. The pollination service (PS) is susceptible to various risk factors that, if realized, could impact both the beekeeping industry and cashew production. This article aims to assess the operational risks associated with pollination service for Anacardium occidentale production in Vichada, Colombia, as a strategic measure to safeguard the business’s value. Drawing on expert opinions and relevant literature, nineteen risks were identified, encompassing threats such as fires, thefts, attacks by wild animals, unexpected rains, etc. Following the application of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), four risks were prioritized based on their severity and occurrence. Subsequently, Value at Risk (VaR) was employed for risk evaluation. The anticipated loss for the pollination service, resulting from these prioritized risks: 1, 9, 12 and 13, was quantified at $226674 ± $19096 per year for an 8000-hectare margin with a confidence level of 95%. The economic loss for 16000 hectares was $453348 ± $38192. This substantial value is of great significance to the beekeeping sector, translating to a loss of $27.3 per hectare per year and directly impacting the estimated $437824 loss in the cashew sector. Such losses have far-reaching consequences, affecting the livelihoods of peasant beekeepers in the region and potentially discouraging the maintenance of bee colonies and forests.

Research Article

Distribution and Regeneration Status of Albizia gummifera and Prunus africana along Agroecology in Agroforestry: The Case of Gombora District, Southern Ethiopia

Empirical evidence on the patterns of the multipurpose trees distribution and regeneration status, which are under threats pressure is necessary for the proper management and conservation of the species. Prunus africana is listed as vulnerable while Albizia gummifera is listed as least concern amongst the multipurpose trees. This study was aimed to investigate the distribution, abundance, density, and regeneration status of Prunus africana and Albizia gummifera along agroecology and farmers’ wealth status in agroforestry. Stratification sampling and equal sampling techniques were employed. A total of 162 quadrats were laid within the randomly selected 54 households’ farms. A nested quadrat size was 20 m × 20 m for enset tree-based homegarden and parklands. For live fencing, a quadrat size was 4 m × 10 m. Abundance, diameter (cm), height (m), and growth habits of both trees were recorded. Density (stems per ha), diameter class (cm), height (m) class of both trees, and mean of growth habit were analyzed and considered. One-way ANOVA analysis and independent t-test were employed for means comparison by using SPSS V. 23.0. A total of 132 individual A. gummifera was recorded along agroecology while a total of 55 individual P. africana was recorded along agroecology. Mean density (stem/ha) of A. gummifera and P. africana showed significant difference between agroecology and farmers’ wealth groups (). A. gummifera and P. africana were sparsely distributed in the enset tree-based homegarden, parklands, and live fencing along agroecology. The overall diameter (cm) class and height (m) class distribution pattern of these tree species were observed as a J-shaped curve. The regeneration status of A. gummifera and P. africana was poor. In conclusion, distribution, abundance, and regeneration status of A. gummifera and P. africana were influenced by agroecology and farmers’ wealth status needing appropriate conservation measures.

Research Article

Low-Intensity Wildfire Alters Selected Soil Properties in the Tropical Shorea robusta Forest

Wildfires may impact specific soil properties differently, including positive, negative, or neutral effects. However, due to the absence of uniformity in comprehending how wildfires influence soil nutrients, this research endeavors to scrutinize the particular effect of wildfire on selected soil properties in the tropical Shorea robusta forest. We analyzed 42 soil samples obtained from the topsoil of 0–10 cm comprising 21 samples from the fire-affected area and 21 from the fire-unaffected area. The physicochemical parameters of the soil including soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus, and available potassium were examined and compared in two sites. The impact of fire was statistically tested after comparing each variable between the two sites. Using the Mann–Whitney U test and the Pearson correlation coefficient, we analyzed the data. The results indicated that the average chemical parameters of the soil except for pH in the fire-affected area (pH = 5.43, SOC = 1.6%, TN = 0.1%, and  kg·ha−1) were greater than those in the fire-unaffected area (pH = 5.71, SOC = 1.21%, TN = 0.09%, and  kg·ha−1). There were statistically significant differences in the soil parameters, including pH, SOC, TN, and P, but not with K. The soil pH was reduced in the fire-affected area, with a significant positive correlation with SOC, TN, and K. Overall, the low-intensity wildfire facilitated the proliferation of soil chemical properties in the tropical S. robusta forest. Hence, low-intensity wildfire could be a suitable forest management strategy to alter soil nutrient status. Additionally, these findings can aid in enhancing forest fire management strategies for effectively managing the tropical S. robusta forest.

Research Article

Ecological Study of the Vegetation in the Loka Abaya National Park, Ethiopia

An ecological study of the vegetation in the Loka Abaya National Park, in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, was conducted. Vegetation data and some environmental variables including physical and chemical properties of the soil, altitude, slope, and ecological disturbance were collected and subjected to the agglomerative hierarchical classification and ordination with the canonical correspondence analysis. For each of the community groups, the mean and standard errors were calculated from the environmental parameters to characterize the community types and quantitative relationships between environmental variables were analyzed by calculating Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient using the SAS computer software programme. A total of 198 plant species representing 79 families and 139 genera were collected and documented. Seven plant community types, namely, Vachellia brevispica Harms–Rhus natalensis Krauss, Ficus sur Forssk.–Vachellia albida (Del.) A. Chev., Panicum subalbidum Kunth–Cyperus latifolius Poir, Dodonaea angustifolia L. f.–Ximenia americana L., Combretum molle R.Br ex. G.Don–Combretum collinum Fresen., Ilex mitis (L.) Radlk–Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata, and Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn, were identified. Ilex mitis–Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata community had the highest species richness, whereas the least species richness was recorded for the Panicum subalbidum–Cyperus latifolius community. The results of vegetation-environment relationships indicated that the measured environmental variables explained 74.99% of the total variation in floristic data. The results of the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of community-environment relationships indicated that among measured environmental variables, altitude (r2 0.0548, ), slope (r2 = 0.0241, ), pH (r2 = 0.01855, ), sodium (r2 = 0.01316, ), CEC (r2 = 0.01424, ), magnesium (r2 = 0.01282, ), potassium (r2 = 0.0152, ), and soil moisture content (SMC) (r2 = 0.01537, ) significantly explained the variation in species composition of the communities and their distribution. Therefore, ecosystem-oriented biodiversity conservation and restoration strategies will be implemented by considering these significant environmental variables.

International Journal of Forestry Research
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate19%
Submission to final decision147 days
Acceptance to publication14 days
CiteScore1.800
Journal Citation Indicator-
Impact Factor-
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