Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified timber harvesting areas in Gabon and Congo boast a higher abundance of bigger mammals, reminiscent of leopards, gorillas, and elephants, than non-FSC forests.
Utrecht College researcher Joeri Zwerts and colleagues conclude this primarily based on 1.3 million digital camera lure photographs gathered in fourteen commercially exploited forests. The researchers’ evaluation reveals the effectiveness of wildlife conservation measures in FSC-certified forests. The outcomes of the examine are revealed within the scientific journal Nature.
FSC, a non-profit group, is devoted to advocating accountable forestry practices to foster a wholesome, resilient pure setting and to reinforce the social and financial well-being of communities. In pursuit of those targets, the FSC points certificates to timber harvesting corporations that meet a set of situations.
Based on biologist Joeri Zwerts, to date no unbiased analysis has offered conclusive proof that FSC certification results in robust advantages for forest biodiversity. But in making knowledgeable choices about endorsing a label, customers, policymakers, and NGOs require clear identification of the label’s precise influence.
This implies it was excessive time for a complete examine, which was initiated by Utrecht College researcher Marijke van Kuijk and carried out with the backing of the World Huge Fund for Nature and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Extra giant mammals
Zwerts and his colleagues now present compelling proof for the optimistic influence of FSC measures on animal biodiversity in tropical forests. The researchers positioned digital camera traps with movement sensors in fourteen timber harvesting areas in Congo and Gabon: seven managed by FSC-certified corporations and 7 comparable areas managed by non-FSC corporations. Over a span of two to 3 months per subject website, the roughly thirty digital camera traps per space collectively captured 1.3 million images.
Whereas the images revealed comparable populations of small mammals, like mice and squirrels, in each FSC-certified and non-FSC areas, a unique image emerged when the researchers targeted on mammals weighing over ten kilograms: greater numbers of those animals had been noticed in FSC areas in comparison with non-FSC areas.
In FSC-forests, 3.5 occasions extra animals weighing between ten and thirty kilograms had been noticed, reminiscent of antelopes and African golden cats. Animals weighing between thirty and 100 kilograms, reminiscent of leopards and chimpanzees, had been seen 2.5 occasions as usually. Furthermore, animals exceeding 100 kilograms in weight, reminiscent of elephants, had been photographed 2.7 occasions extra usually.
Throughout FSC-certified areas, there was an total 2.7-fold improve within the observations of animals categorized as critically endangered species.
Looking
Zwerts explains that unlawful searching is a major contributor to the lack of biodiversity in timber harvesting areas. Sometimes, tropical forests are poorly accessible. For the aim of forestry, nevertheless, roads are constructed because the forests include many tree species of which just a few are commercially viable for harvesting. These roads open up bigger parts of the forests to poachers.
Zwerts provides, “In searching, the bigger mammals are predominantly focused. Furthermore, the populations of those bigger animals recuperate extra slowly from searching than populations of smaller species. This, in flip, has cascading results, as giant animals play important roles within the forest ecosystem. They contribute to seed dispersal, facilitate nutrient recycling by means of their droppings, and not directly affect the carbon storage capability of the forest.”
Varied measures are applied to counter unlawful searching in FSC-certified areas. These embody the closure of outdated roads, the institution of checkpoints alongside important routes, and common patrols by anti-poaching models.
Moreover, protein sources reminiscent of meat and fish are launched to native communities, decreasing the need for searching to satisfy their protein necessities. Zwerts notes, “These measures result in a better abundance of enormous wild animals in FSC-certified areas, leading to a major contribution to animal biomass. This, in flip, has a profound influence on the ecosystem.”
Including worth
“The examine’s findings underscore the numerous position certification can play in conserving biodiversity in tropical areas,” says Van Kuijk. In any case, a considerable portion of the tropical forests that also exist at present is used for harvesting timber; in whole, there are 400 million hectares of timber harvesting space on the earth, greater than ten occasions the dimensions of Germany.
Whereas it might seem contradictory, timber harvesting can in reality function a method to make sure the continued existence of tropical forests. Zwerts clarifies, “Native communities require earnings. Extracting hardwood provides worth to the forest. Alternatively, if, for example, soy or oil palms had been cultivated in the identical space, the forest can be misplaced, resulting in important penalties for biodiversity.”
Based on Zwerts, the outcomes spotlight the influence customers can have. “By choosing FSC-certified wooden on the ironmongery shop, you actively contribute to the conservation of lovely and endangered species like forest elephants.”
Jaap van der Waarde, who works with WWF Cameroon and is a co-author of the article, provides, “These findings convey encouraging information for FSC-certified corporations, indicating that they’re on the right track.”
Difficult analysis
Zwerts underscores the unprecedented nature of the examine, noting that no prior analysis had in contrast such numerous forestry areas. Zwerts says, “It was an enormous and bold challenge that spanned 5 years and concerned the collaboration of lots of of native staff. Convincing each FSC-certified and non-FSC corporations to take part was a problem.
“For every new firm, we needed to prepare logistics and coordinate staff for subject campaigns, repeating the method fourteen occasions within the distant areas of the Congo Basin. It was demanding work underneath difficult situations, however the insights gained will considerably contribute to the conservation of animals in tropical forests.”
Citations:
Joeri Zwerts et al, FSC-certified forest administration advantages giant mammals in comparison with non-FSC, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07257-8. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07257-8. Journal data: Nature.
This article by Utrecht College was first revealed by Phys.org on 10 April 2024. Lead Picture: Elephants photographed by a digital camera lure. Credit score: Joeri Zwerts.
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