Pradip Saud

Identifying genotype-specific climate sensitivities can guide the selection and deployment strategies for improved loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L. ). We used increment cores from a 20-year-old loblolly pine genetic trial established in 2004 to reconstruct annual basal area increment (BAI) and to evaluate the relationship between growth and temporal climatic parameters among different genetic entries in the West Gulf Coastal Plain (WGCP), a drought-prone region of the southern United States. Genotypes were three open-pollinated (OP 7–56, OP 8–103, and OP LA) and two varietals (V9 and V93) planted at the same site. OP 7–56 exhibited the highest mean BAI (17.3 cm ² by age 20), with peak growth between ages 6 and 10, whereas V9 and V93 showed more moderate but stable growth trajectories. Response-function analyses indicated that V9 and V93 were most sensitive to current-year climate, particularly spring precipitation, and late-summer to autumn drought indices, while OP 7–56 and OP 8–103 responded more strongly to previous-year early-summer temperatures, and OP LA showing the weakest climatic signal. After controlling for multiple comparisons using a false discovery rate procedure, growth-climate relationships remained detectable for key genotypes, offering preliminary evidence of differential climate sensitivity worth further investigation. Wavelet analysis revealed persistent interannual (2–4-year) and multi-year (3–6-year) growth periodicities and genotype-specific sensitivity to longer-term climate variability. Overall, improved loblolly pine genotypes may differ in both growth performance and temporal climate sensitivity, which needs to be accounted for in improving the resilience of southern pine plantations to climate change, particularly in the West Gulf Coastal Plain.

Chirpine (Pinus roxburghii), also known as longleaf Indian pine, is the most tapped pine species in several Asian countries, including Nepal, for its high resin yield. Resin tapping in Chirpine trees has been a longstanding practice in mid-hills of Nepal for the last several decades. This study aimed to evaluate the social impacts of resin tapping from Chirpine forests on the rural socio-ecological dynamics of Nepal’s mid-hills. Using a representative sample of 302 forest users from 20 community forest user groups in three far-western districts, we applied the structural equation modeling approach to examine both the positive and negative perceived effects of resin tapping on the rural livelihoods. While respondents acknowledged the positive impacts of resin tapping on local employment and community development activities, many respondents stressed the negative environmental outcomes, including increased fire incidents, water scarcity, and higher mortality of pine trees. Results suggest that rich and male respondents are less likely to realize the negative impacts of resin tapping, whereas a member of community forest user groups is more likely to view resin tapping favorably. Understanding the perspectives of forest users on resin tapping within evolving socio-ecological dynamics shaped by changing social, demographic, and economics factors is critical for ensuring the sustainability of Chirpine based human-nature interactions.

The forest growth-to-drain ratio (FGDR) serves as a pivotal gauge for forest sustainability. Over the last four decades, FGDR has ranged from 0.66 to more than 2.5 in the southern United States, however, the underlying factors affecting this ratio are not well understood. We employed a mixed-effects model to obtain better insights into factors affecting FGDR on a sub-regional (county) scale in Arkansas. Results showed an overall 1.6 FGDR indicating net forest growth was higher than removals. The ratio was higher in hardwood as compared to softwood due to demand for softwood and most mills are located in the softwood-dominated region of the state. Factors such as number of consulting foresters and area of forestland showed negative statistical significance to the FGDR whereas income from forestry showed positive statistical significance. Effective outreach programs are imperative to increase public acceptance and capitalize on the socio-economic and ecological benefits of wood utilization.

Individual tree health plays a vital role in maintaining a forest’s ecological functions, including resources for waterfowl and other wildlife. Seasonal flooding due to altered hydrology is a major stressor on individual tree health in Greentree reservoirs (GTR), impounded bottomland hardwood forests especially less water tolerant species like red oaks ( Quercus spp.). We evaluated the health of individual red oak species (n = 6,432) in 662 plots across elevation gradients in 12 GTRs within the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley using two tree health assessment approaches. The first approach assigns tree conditions (i.e., stressed, moderate, low) based on overall qualitative tree attributes, while the second approach ranks stress, assigning numerical value based on the severity of four distinct qualitative tree attributes (i.e., tip dieback, epicormics branch, bark condition, basal swell). The result indicated that the highest mean stress rank and the highest proportion of stressed tree conditions were red oak species, nuttall oak ( Q. texana ; 18.59, 0.44), willow oak ( Q. phellos ; 18.66, 0.38) and cherrybark oak ( Q. pagoda ; 18.90, 0.37). Red oak stress is positively correlated to elevation across the landscape ( τ = 0.10, p < 0.001), but is negatively correlated to relative elevation, topographical changes, within each GTR ( τ = − 0.11, p < 0.001). Additionally, the two health assessments are significantly associated ( χ ² = 313.78, df = 2, p < 0.001) and had a 13.1% misclassification rate. By utilizing the stress rank method for better classification of tree conditions to understand the adverse effect of prolonged flooding on the health of desirable red oak and other native tree species, management practices can be adjusted to improve tree health in GTRs, benefiting both wildlife and economic value.

Policy priorities for wood-based bioenergy in North America have undergone fluctuations over time, influenced significantly by the dynamic interplay of sociopolitical factors. Recent years, however, have seen a renewed public interest in wood-based bioenergy in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This resurgence is driven by fluctuating energy prices and growing concerns about climate change. This review provides an overview of current energy production and consumption scenarios, and highlights critical issues related to the sustainability of bioenergy feedstocks and their economic potential across the three North American countries. Different cross-cutting issues related to public health, climate change, and social acceptance of wood-based bioenergy are thoroughly examined. Within this context, several challenges have been identified, including uncertainties in climate projections, inadequate tree inventories beyond forestlands, deforestation concerns, technological shifts in wood processing, fluctuations in bioenergy demand, and the imperative need for access to reliable markets. Addressing these challenges requires increased research and investment in wood-based energy to enhance energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve economic and social viability in bioenergy production. This proactive approach is vital for fostering a sustainable and resilient wood-based bioenergy sector in North America.