Rafael Rodolfo de Melo

Using native woods in their original state as posts, fences and contractions is an environmentally and economically friendly initiative, as it reduces the need for wood preservation chemicals. However, each species must be assessed for its natural durability to determine whether it is suitable for such ends. The present work aimed to evaluate the natural durability of round wood pieces of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Mimosa tenuiflora after three years of service in the field and to compare their deterioration levels with those found for non­treated and treated Eucalyptus wood with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA). Round wood pieces, 1 m long, with an average diameter of 10 to 15 cm, were partially buried in the soil to a depth of half their length in a field experiment. Additionally, test specimens of M. caesalpiniifolia and M. tenuiflora (30 replicates for each species) were buried using the same experimental design. All wood samples were left in the field for three years and were periodically assessed to determine the extent of deterioration. Both experiments were set according to an entirely randomized block design (RBD). After exposure the deterioration index and decay susceptibility were determined. Experimental data were subjected to analysis of variance, and when significant differences were established, the means were compared using the Tukey test. The results, particularly the decay susceptibility index, showed that M. caesalpiniifolia and M. tenuiflora performed worse than the reference samples of CCA­treated Eucalyptus. However, their performance was similar. These results highlight that both species studied produce durable woods suitable for outdoor use and direct contact with the soil.

É possível desenvolver a silvicultura no semiárido brasileiro? Essa foi a questão que motivou esta pesquisa. A demanda global por madeira intensificou-se nas últimas décadas. Portanto, é necessário atender às demandas regionais e estimular o aumento da produtividade dos plantios florestais em regiões onde a silvicultura ainda não está consolidada. Este estudo avaliou a produtividade de espécies florestais nativas e exóticas, e de clones de Eucalyptus, sob diferentes regimes de irrigação no Semiárido brasileiro. O estudo foi conduzido em um plantio experimental na região semiárida do Estado do Ceará, entre 2011 e 2021. Em um plantio que inicialmente apresentava 38 espécies, entre nativas e exóticas, além de 7 clones de Eucalyptus, todos submetidos a dois regimes de irrigação distintos (irrigados por até 12 meses e por até 36 meses), foram selecionadas quatro espécies nativas, cinco espécies exóticas e cinco clones com potencial silvicultural para implantação na região. Os indivíduos deste grupo foram avaliados cerca de 11 anos após o plantio. Durante o período de análise, foram contabilizadas as mortalidades e obtidas as variáveis dendrométricas: altura total e altura comercial, diâmetro à altura do peito, áreas transversal e basal, volume do fuste, volume total, fator de forma e aumento médio anual no volume de madeira produzido. Concluiu-se que o cultivo comercial de espécies florestais na região semiárida brasileira é possível, desde que sejam selecionadas espécies adaptadas às condições edafoclimáticas locais. Estes resultados podem impulsionar o desenvolvimento da silvicultura na região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro. Palavras-chave: plasticidade; manejo da irrigação; déficit hídrico; dendrometria. Silviculture in the Brazilian Semiarid region: growth and productivity of forest species in different irrigation regimes Is it possible to produce forestry in the Brazilian semi-arid region? That was the motivating question of this research. The global demand for wood has intensified in recent decades. Therefore, there is a need to meet regional demands and stimulate increased productivity of forest plantations in regions where forestry is not yet consolidated. This study evaluated the productivity of native and exotic forest species and Eucalyptus clones under different irrigation regimes in the Brazilian Semi-arid Region. The study was conducted in an experimental plantation between 2011 and 2021 on a plot in the Ceará State, in a semiarid region. A plantation that initially included 38 native and exotic species and seven Eucalyptus clones, all subjected to two different irrigation regimes (irrigated for up to 12 months and irrigated for up to 36 months), resulted in the selection of four native species, five exotic species, and five clones with silvicultural potential for implementation in the region. Individuals in this group were evaluated approximately 11 years after planting. During the analysis period, mortality was recorded, and the following dendrometric variables were obtained: total and commercial height, diameter at breast height, cross-sectional and basal areas, stem volume, total volume, shape factor, and average annual increase in timber production. Thus, it is concluded that commercial cultivation of forest species in the Brazilian semiarid region is possible, provided that species adapted to the respective edaphoclimatic conditions are selected. Keywords: plasticity; irrigation management; water deficit; dendrometry.

Eucalypt plantations have expanded across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions and now play an important role in the global supply of wood and renewable biomass, while remaining at the center of debates on water use, biodiversity, and socio-economic trade-offs. This review examines whether these plantations can deliver ecological, social, and technological benefits under appropriate management. This review synthesizes evidence from nearly 200 peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and books covering environmental services, livelihood outcomes, and emerging bio-based applications of Eucalyptus species. The literature shows that well-planned plantations can deliver clear benefits. High biomass production supports carbon sequestration, while improvements in soil structure, nutrient cycling, and the recovery of degraded lands are frequently reported. Effects on water, often described in general terms as negative, vary widely with climate, soils, stand age, and previous land use, and are documented to play roles in biodrainage, salinity control, erosion reduction, and local microclimate regulation under suitable conditions. From a socio-economic perspective, Eucalyptus, a widely planted species, supports rural development by generating income, strengthening value chains for wood products and bioenergy, and offering smallholders a fast-growing resource. Technological work on materials and bioproducts, including nanocellulose, essential-oil formulations, biochar-based applications, and wood vinegar, further illustrates this versatility. Overall, while outcomes remain site-specific and dependent on governance, the evidence indicates that, under science-based management and careful landscape planning, eucalypt plantations can contribute to climate mitigation, rural livelihoods, and the circular bioeconomy.

Aquaculture effluent appears as an alternative for reuse, given its significant generation. However, its use must be reasonable to avoid damage to the environmental quality of the soil. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the chemical changes in Ultisol cultivated with small prickly pear cactus and irrigated with different dilutions of aquaculture effluent in the supply water. The experiment was conducted at the Water Reuse Experimental Unit, located in the Brazilian semi-arid region, Mossoró, RN, Brazil. Planting was carried out in a randomized block design with five treatments and five replications. A small prickly pear cactus was irrigated weekly for 365 days, with the gross water depth determined based on the crop’s evapotranspiration. During the experimental period, the physical-chemical characterization of the effluent dilutions was conducted every 60 days, with initial and final descriptions of the soil in the 0.0–0.20 m and 0.20–0.40 m layers. Additionally, cation exchange capacity and the exchangeable sodium percentage were determined. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to understand chemical changes in the soil. The dilutions containing a higher proportion of aquaculture effluent in the supply water, primarily consisting of 100% effluent, exhibited the chemical changes in the soil. Using a dilution containing 25% aquaculture effluent in 75% supply water may be the most viable alternative for water supply in prickly pear cactus irrigation, with non-relevant changes in soil chemical characteristics.

Plastic packaging causes damage to ecosystems, especially marine ones, due to the accumulation and difficulty of environmental degradation. Alternatively, biopolymers are promising due to their biodegradability and increased safety. Coconut wax is valued for its clean burn, low toxicity, and for being a sustainable alternative to other waxes, such as paraffin. Nanolignin (NL) is a nanometric material obtained from lignin, the second most abundant renewable natural biopolymer on the planet after cellulose. The effects of coconut wax-based coatings containing different proportions of nanolignin on the properties of Kraft paper were investigated. Emulsions with 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 2.0 %, and 2.5 % NL were applied in two layers on the paper. The samples of coated papers were evaluated by microstructure, wettability, water vapor barrier, and mechanical properties. Peaks associated with saturated fatty acids were observed in the 3,100 cm ⁻¹ and 2,800 cm ⁻¹ bands. Only the coating with 0.5 % NL obtained cohesive layers, and the other emulsions penetrated the paper. The emulsions with 2.0 % and 2.5 % NL showed the lowest water absorption (∼28 g/m ² ) and wettability (∼0.03°/s). On average, compared to the control, the coatings reduced tensile strength by up to ∼38 % and Young’s modulus by up to ∼43 %. Compared to the control, the water vapor permeability of the coated papers was lower (450–800 g/m ² day). The results highlight the potential of coconut wax associated with lignin valorization for paper coating, considering the industrial requirements for moisture-sensitive products.

Aubregrinia taiensis is a rare and critically endangered tree species with a highly restricted native range distribution in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. In this study, we present a detailed spatial analysis of the distributions of A. taiensis across range countries in West Africa. Habitat Suitability Models (HSMs) for the species were developed using the machine-learning maximum entropy (Maxent) method. Bioclimatic environmental variables from the WorldClim database were used to simulate the future distribution of the species based on two greenhouse gas emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) for 2050 and 2070. Our results confirm the species' narrow and highly fragmented population. The current range of A. taiensis in Ghana is estimated as 65,123.78 km2, spanning the upper limits of the south-western wet-evergreen forest, to the lower portions of the forest-savannah transition zone. Four main bioclimatic variables, Bio 10 (mean temperature of warmest quarter), Bio 1 (annual mean precipitation), Bio 5 (maximum temperature of the warmest month), and elevation, were found to influence the occurrence and suitability of A. taiensis. Further, our models indicated significant range contractions of 76.4% and 89.6% under both emission scenarios. By 2070, climatic changes could push the species to the brink of extinction. Specific conservation interventions are proposed. Keywords: biodiversity hotspots; endangered flora; climate change impacts; habitat modeling; Maxent.

The fiberboard industry remains heavily reliant on synthetic, formaldehyde-based adhesives, which, despite their cost-effectiveness and strong bonding performance, present significant environmental and human health concerns due to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. In response to growing sustainability imperatives and regulatory pressures, the development of non-toxic, renewable, and high-performance bio-based adhesives has emerged as a critical research frontier. This review, conducted through both narrative and systematic approaches, synthesizes current advances in green adhesive technologies with emphasis on lignin, tannin, starch, protein, and hybrid formulations, alongside innovative synthetic alternatives designed to eliminate formaldehyde. The Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Coordinating Centre (EPPI) framework was applied to ensure a rigorous, transparent, and reproducible methodology, encompassing the identification of research questions, systematic searching, keywording, mapping, data extraction, and in-depth analysis. Results reveal that while bio-based adhesives are increasingly capable of approaching or matching the mechanical strength and durability of urea–formaldehyde adhesives, challenges persist in terms of water resistance, scalability, cost, and process compatibility. Hybrid systems and novel crosslinking strategies demonstrate particular promise in overcoming these limitations, paving the way toward industrial viability. The review also identifies critical research gaps, including the need for standardized testing protocols, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment to ensure the sustainable implementation of these solutions. By integrating environmental, economic, and technological perspectives, this work highlights the transformative potential of green adhesives in transitioning the fiberboard sector toward a low-toxicity, carbon-conscious future. It provides a roadmap for research, policy, and industrial innovation.

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is one of the main pests of corn crops, causing significant damage to plants and yield losses. Control of this pest is predominantly achieved through synthetic insecticides, the continuous use of which can lead to environmental contamination and the emergence of pest populations resistant to their active ingredients. Therefore, this study evaluated the performance of a wood-vinegar-based product (SDfender) combined with the insecticide methomyl for fall armyworm control and increased maize yield. Additionally, the SDfender's production parameters were assessed. To assess product quality, the absence of contaminants and the chemical profile of its organic fraction were evaluated by instrumental techniques. Different doses of the combination were evaluated for defoliation levels, control efficacy, and grain yield. The results demonstrated that the combination of methomyl and SDfender potentiated the control of S. frugiperda, reducing plant defoliation and increasing productivity. The application of 1.0 L ha−1 of the insecticide methomyl, combined with 3.0 or 4.0 L ha−1 of commercial SDfender, proved an excellent strategy for controlling the fall armyworm in corn crops, consistently outperforming methomyl alone. SDfender is manufactured to stable physical and chemical properties and a consistent chemical composition. This ensures that, over time, the product can be purchased by corn growers and applied to their crops with the same expected performance.

Agroforestry systems (AFS) are an alternative for combining environmental services and food production with tree cultivation, but there is a lack of published studies on their wood quality. This study aimed to evaluate the surface properties of African mahogany, Freijó, Paricá, and Teak woods produced in AFS in the Amazonia. Anatomical characteristics, FTIR spectroscopy, colorimetry, roughness, contact angle, and wettability in the longitudinal-radial and tangential planes were evaluated. The woods presented non-uniform diffuse porosity, with solitary and multiple vessels, except for Teak, which showed semi-porous ring porosity. Woods rays were multiseriate and heterogeneous, except for Teak, whose rays were homogeneous. The largest average vessel diameter was observed in Teak (~180 µm) and the smallest in A. mahogany (~98 µm). The frequency of vessels was higher in A. mahogany (~12 vessels mm-¹) and lower in Paricá (~5.5 vessels mm-¹). In FTIR, A. mahogany showed intense peaks at 1,193 cm-¹ (triterpenoids), while Teak had peaks at 1,700 and 1,145 cm-¹ (tectoquinone). A. mahogany and Teak presented pinkish and yellowish-olive colors, respectively, while Paricá and Freijó had pinkish-grey tones. Teak presented the lowest roughness and A. mahogany the highest, while Freijó and Paricá exhibited intermediate values. The highest contact angle was recorded in A. mahogany (~115° for urea-formaldehyde and ~70° for varnish), while the lowest was observed in Paricá. The evaluated woods have surface properties suitable for furniture and boards, and fine sandpaper is recommended for higher-quality finishes.