Field Diaries: Mariana Silva Ferriera

In our ‘Field Diaries’ series, The Applied Ecologist is sharing stories from a range of different fieldwork experiences. Mariana Silva Ferreira shares being involved in the largest long-term monitoring study on small mammals based in Brazil. About the Author Mariana Silva Ferreira, she/her Affiliation: Ecology interests: Population ecology, life histories, mammals Overview of fieldwork For over 10 years, I was part of the team at the Vertebrate … Continue reading Field Diaries: Mariana Silva Ferriera

The potential of second-growth forests for bird diversity in a small holder landscape

Mareike Kortmann and co-authors share a summary about their latest study which focusses on the ability of sample coverage to impact diversity measures of bird communities in tropical lowland forests. Tropical old-growth forests are disappearing at an alarming rate, leading to concerning biodiversity loss. But amidst this global decline, some forest areas are also recovering. Second-growth forests—those that regenerate after agricultural use—may offer valuable contributions … Continue reading The potential of second-growth forests for bird diversity in a small holder landscape

Remote sensing: A key to monitoring tropical forest restoration

Laura Vedovato introduces readers to a range of remote sensing tools, explaining how they can be applied to topical forests to monitor the effectiveness of restoration efforts. Read more in the original Review article. Introduction In recent years, global commitments to forest restoration, like the UN Decade on Restoration and the Global Biodiversity Framework, have highlighted the need for scalable, effective ways to track progress. … Continue reading Remote sensing: A key to monitoring tropical forest restoration

ECR Journeys: Rainforest invertebrates, woody vines and ecosystem functions

This month, The Applied Ecologist is amplifying the voice of early career ecologists from around the world working in the field of applied ecology to help inspire the next generation. In this post, Charlotte Raven, a second-year PhD student at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, shares her story. My background I have had a passion for insects my entire life; I think it … Continue reading ECR Journeys: Rainforest invertebrates, woody vines and ecosystem functions

Natural recruitment should be a key goal of tree planting projects

Anna Gee, a PhD student at Imperial College London, talks us through ways in which we can help to restore forests through natural recruitment in this standalone piece. How do we decide what trees to plant for forest restoration? The approach of many restoration projects is to find what is known as a reference forest, a forest that has not been disturbed much by humans, … Continue reading Natural recruitment should be a key goal of tree planting projects

Does logging help or harm Borneo’s bats?

Natalie Yoh and Dave Seaman discuss their recently published research article that uses remote sensing to investigate the effects of logging on aerial insectivorous bats in Southeast Asia. Findings indicate that logged forests can provide an important refuge and several species that respond predictably to logging could be targeted for biodiversity monitoring using acoustic and capture-based methods. “Bats make up around 40% of Borneo’s mammal … Continue reading Does logging help or harm Borneo’s bats?

Can forest remnants in oil palm act as microclimate oases for biodiversity?

There is growing interest in the ecological value of set‐aside habitats around rivers in tropical agriculture. In their latest research, Williamson and colleagues investigate the capacity for riparian buffers to act as microclimatic refugia across an oil palm dominated landscape in Borneo. In many ways, oil palm is a miracle crop – it is vastly more productive than its temperate and tropical counterparts and is … Continue reading Can forest remnants in oil palm act as microclimate oases for biodiversity?

Do we really need to plant a trillion trees? Tree islands are an ecologically and economically sound strategy for tropical forest recovery

In their new research, Karen Holl, Leighton Reid and colleagues compare the use of tree islands to other strategies for tropical forest restoration. Here they share their findings, including ecological and economic benefits, as well as lessons to carry forward. A video summary of the research is also available in English and Spanish. A version of this blog was originally shared by Natural History of … Continue reading Do we really need to plant a trillion trees? Tree islands are an ecologically and economically sound strategy for tropical forest recovery

Editor’s Choice 56:1 – If a tree is felled in the forest, does anybody hear?

Investment in post-logging interventions may be the way to show people have heard, and perhaps more importantly, are acting. Jennifer Firn provides our first Editor’s Choice of Volume 56. The selected article is the Review, Actively restoring resilience in selectively logged tropical forests by Gianluca R. Cerullo and David P. Edwards. I think it’s safe to say you would be hard pressed to find an ecologist … Continue reading Editor’s Choice 56:1 – If a tree is felled in the forest, does anybody hear?