Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
-
ArticleJournal articleCoupling machine learning and forest simulations to promote the applicability of long-term forest projections under climate change perspectives
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.Projecting forest dynamics is the foundation for sound decision support in adaptive forest management. However, due to their complexity, many forest modeling techniques addressing global changes in terrestrial ecosystems are limited to scientific applications. Integrating conventional research and artificial intelligence technologies has the potential to bridge research and practical use. In this study, we propose a Machine Learning (ML) framework that facilitates the implementation of long-term forest projections under climate change scenarios. Our approach combines ML and forest simulations based on process-based models to project forest dynamics. The goal is to leverage the complementary strength of process-based and state-of-the-art ML models to improve predictions at a reduced computational cost. We use environmental data and periodic field measurements at a national scale to train ML models to predict forest growth. By integrating process-based simulations we investigate how the additional variables can improve the prediction accuracy. The proposed hybrid ML framework identifies forest dynamics processes and drivers across spatial and temporal scales, contributing at many levels to the climate change adaptation: from increasing awareness of the climate-induced hazards to enhancing education and assisting in sustainable natural resource management and planning. Keywords: adaptive forest management, climate change, forest growth modelling, machine learning ID: 3623078 -
DocumentOther documentManaging taxonomic and functional diversity is the key to sustain aboveground biomass and soil microbial diversity: A synthesis from long-term forest restoration of southern China
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.Exploring the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship is one of the central goals of ecological research. Restoration is essential for supporting key ecosystem functions such as aboveground biomass production and managing soil microbial diversity. However, the relative importance of functional versus taxonomic diversity in explaining aboveground biomass and soil microbial diversity during restoration is poorly understood. Here, we used a trait-based approach to test for the importance of multiple plant diversity attributes in regulating aboveground biomass and soil microbial diversity in four 30- years-old restored subtropical forests in southern China. High-throughput Illumina sequencing was applied for detecting fungal and bacterial diversity. We show that both taxonomic and functional diversities are significant and positive regulators of aboveground biomass; however, functional diversity (FD) was more important than taxonomic diversity (TD) in controlling aboveground biomass. FD had the strongest direct effect on aboveground biomass compared with TD, soil properties, and community weighted mean (CWM) traits. Our results further indicate that leaf and root morphological traits and traits related to the nutrient content in plant tissues showed acquisitive resource use strategy which influenced aboveground biomass. In contrast to aboveground biomass, taxonomic diversity explained more of the soil microbial diversity than the FD and soil properties. Prediction of fungal richness was better than that of bacterial richness. In addition, root traits explained more variation of soil microbes than the leaf traits. Our results suggest that both TD and FD play a role in shaping aboveground biomass and soil microbial diversity; but FD is more important in supporting aboveground biomass while TD for belowground microbial diversity. These results imply that enhancing TD and FD is important to restoring and managing degraded forest landscapes. Key words: Biodiversity-Ecosystem functions; soil microbial diversity, taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, forest restoration ID: 3486373 -
ArticleJournal articleNew findings on loblolly pine plantations from long-term experimental field studies
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.Pine plantations in the southern US have been among the most intensively managed forests in the world. Their productivity has been enhanced by intensive silvicultural treatments over the past 60 years, and our knowledge about their treatment response has been expanded through long-term large-scale experimental studies. The analysis of nine long-term loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) field trials resulted in several new findings. For loblolly pine in the southern US, there exist maximum productivity and maximum response to silvicultural practices. The maximum response was inversely proportional to the base site quality. The maximum stand basal area (BA) and maximum stand density index (SDI) were redefined for individual stands. The average maximum stand BA and maximum SDI were 46.2 m2 ha-1 and 1002 tph, respectively, and both showed significant variation (30.2– 61.7 m2 ha-1 and 600–1410 tph, respectively). Stand aboveground net primary production (ANPP) generally increased with increasing site quality, due to increased stand foliage biomass in the early stage, and mainly due to increased growth efficiency in the late stages of stand development. More intensive silvicultural treatments increased foliage biomass, thus increased ANPP at early ages; thereafter silvicultural intensity did not affect foliage biomass, ANPP, and growth efficiency. The trend of early age increases in both foliage biomass and ANPP resulting from increased planting density did not hold true with stand development. Keywords: pine plantation; maximum stand density index; maximum stand basal area; maximum response; intensive management ID: 3606017
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
-
Book (series)FlagshipThe State of Food and Agriculture 2019
Moving forward on food loss and waste reduction
2019The need to reduce food loss and waste is firmly embedded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Food loss and waste reduction is considered important for improving food security and nutrition, promoting environmental sustainability and lowering production costs. However, efforts to reduce food loss and waste will only be effective if informed by a solid understanding of the problem. This report provides new estimates of the percentage of the world’s food lost from production up to the retail level. The report also finds a vast diversity in existing estimates of losses, even for the same commodities and for the same stages in the supply chain. Clearly identifying and understanding critical loss points in specific supply chains – where considerable potential exists for reducing food losses – is crucial to deciding on appropriate measures. The report provides some guiding principles for interventions based on the objectives being pursued through food loss and waste reductions, be they in improved economic efficiency, food security and nutrition, or environmental sustainability. -
BookletHigh-profileFAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031 2022The FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031 was endorsed by FAO Council in June 2022. This new strategy replaces the previous strategy from 2017 to better FAO's climate action with the Strategic Framework 2022-2031, and other FAO strategies that have been developed since then. The Strategy was elaborated following an inclusive process of consultation with FAO Members, FAO staff from headquarters and decentralized offices, as well as external partners. It articulates FAO's vision for agrifood systems by 2050, around three main pillars of action: at global and regional level, at country level, and at local level. The Strategy also encourages key guiding principles for action, such as science and innovation, inclusiveness, partnerships, and access to finance.
-
Book (series)FlagshipThe State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021
Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all
2021In recent years, several major drivers have put the world off track to ending world hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. The challenges have grown with the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures. This report presents the first global assessment of food insecurity and malnutrition for 2020 and offers some indication of what hunger might look like by 2030 in a scenario further complicated by the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes new estimates of the cost and affordability of healthy diets, which provide an important link between the food security and nutrition indicators and the analysis of their trends. Altogether, the report highlights the need for a deeper reflection on how to better address the global food security and nutrition situation.To understand how hunger and malnutrition have reached these critical levels, this report draws on the analyses of the past four editions, which have produced a vast, evidence-based body of knowledge of the major drivers behind the recent changes in food security and nutrition. These drivers, which are increasing in frequency and intensity, include conflicts, climate variability and extremes, and economic slowdowns and downturns – all exacerbated by the underlying causes of poverty and very high and persistent levels of inequality. In addition, millions of people around the world suffer from food insecurity and different forms of malnutrition because they cannot afford the cost of healthy diets. From a synthesized understanding of this knowledge, updates and additional analyses are generated to create a holistic view of the combined effects of these drivers, both on each other and on food systems, and how they negatively affect food security and nutrition around the world.In turn, the evidence informs an in-depth look at how to move from silo solutions to integrated food systems solutions. In this regard, the report proposes transformative pathways that specifically address the challenges posed by the major drivers, also highlighting the types of policy and investment portfolios required to transform food systems for food security, improved nutrition, and affordable healthy diets for all. The report observes that, while the pandemic has caused major setbacks, there is much to be learned from the vulnerabilities and inequalities it has laid bare. If taken to heart, these new insights and wisdom can help get the world back on track towards the goal of ending hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in all its forms.