'Sacred forests' in West Africa capture carbon and keep soil healthy - by Michele Francis [The conversation, April 2021]

Title:

'Sacred forests' in West Africa capture carbon and keep soil healthy

 

Author:

Michele Francis

Researcher, Department of Soil Science, Stellenbosch University

Published:

The Conversation, 8 April 2021

https://theconversation.com/sacred-forests-in-west-africa-capture-carbon-and-keep-soil-healthy-158325

From the article:

In parts of West Africa, patches of forest have been preserved for long periods of time because of their cultural or religious significance. These “sacred forests” are believed to be inhabited and protected by gods, totem animals or ancestors. Local communities have their own rules prohibiting reckless harvesting of timber and game, which have protected the sacred forests over many generations.

University of Bern / Universität Bern, Switzerland - Land management in forest and grasslands: how much can we intensify?

Title:

Land management in forest and grasslands: how much can we intensify?

 

Published:

University of Bern / Universität Bern, 26 October 2020

https://www.unibe.ch/news/media_news/media_relations_e/media_releases/2020/media_releases_2020/land_management_in_forest_and_grasslands_how_much_can_we_intensify/index_eng.html

From the article:

High land-use intensity reduces the beneficial effects of biodiversity on ecosystem services. This is the main result of a study conducted by an international team with participation of the University of Bern. The study assessed, for the first time, the effects of land management on the links between biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecosystem services. It identified thresholds of management intensity, where these relationships change dramatically, which species groups were most important in driving services, and the ecosystem services that are at risk when management is intensified.