Debbie Bartlett

Coppice is�the oldest form of�systematic and sustainable use of�forests, and is�currently applied on�about 29 million ha (about 14% of�total forest land area) in�Europe. It�had its maximum spread in�the 16th century, when an�estimated 36% of�a...

Traditional orchards are one of the most well-known examples of multifunctional farming. They have a long history of providing different fruits and combining various other agricultural activities, such as extensive animal farming, with cultural significance that reflect the different regional landscapes of Europe. Objectives: This study investigates the extent of traditional orchards and addresses their cultural significance and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals in the context of multifunctional agricultural landscapes. Method: The presented work combines an expert survey conducted in ten EUCALAND network member countries by means of both a standardised and a more detailed questionnaire to compare and summarize the situation of traditional orchards in these countries. Results: The results show that traditional orchards are diminishing on the European scale but still have huge significance in many regions. Provisioning ecosystem services, such as fruit production, are valued in terms of disease resistance and genetic diversity which is likely to be of increasing importance in the context of future climate change and concerns over food security. The most important drivers for maintaining traditional orchards appears to be based on cultural ecosystem services and the benefits they provide to society, including the preservation of traditions and regional identity, attractive places for recreation, aesthetic appreciation, inspiration for artists. The examples of best practices from the contributing countries all reveal the close connection of these orchards to local communities and to often specific traditional knowledge. Conclusion: The presented review of the current situation for these important components of the agricultural landscape as well as country-specific management characteristics has the potential to inspire other countries to maintain their traditional orchards.

Coppicing has been neglected in recent decades, leaving gaps in knowledge on silvicultural interventions, especially the long-term effects on coppices of Southeast Europe. The recent economic crisis, the sudden increase in energy prices, and the increased demand for assorted wood products have initiated higher interest in coppices in Croatia. Thus, our work aims to define the long-term effects of thinning in sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) sub-mountainous thermophilic low coppices in the Croatian Dinarides. The experiment includes two localities with thinning and control plots. Thinning was performed in 2002, with 17.71% of wood volume removed in the European beech coppice and 26.09% in the sessile oak coppice. In 2020, 1276 trees were marked, measured (DBH, tree height, number of stems per stump), and assessed for vitality, origin, and six silvicultural features revealing tree quality. In 2022, trees were again measured (DBH, tree height) to gain data on tree growth. Conventional data analysis methods were used. The results show a statistically significant positive long-term effect of thinning on tree growth, stem, and crown features and support findings that thinning, by increasing growth and quality, is a necessary intervention in European beech and sessile oak low coppices. Thinning promoted the healthiest and best quality trees/stems, resulting in a more valuable range of wood products and the potential for higher income. It had a positive impact on tree growth regardless of the tree’s origin (seed or stump) and improved the growth and quality of trees among the supporting tree species. Short-term effects of thinning in trial plots suggested that thinning supported tree species diversity, but this effect diminished over time, showing no positive effect after twenty years. The study points to the need for more frequent thinning in coppices to support tree species diversity (i.e., to allow growth to less competitive tree species) but underlines the need for further research.

Coppicing has been neglected in recent decades leaving gaps in knowledge on silvicultural interventions, especially the long-term effects on coppices of South-East Europe. Thus, our work aims to define the long-term effects of thinning in sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) sub-mountainous thermophilic low coppices in the Croatian Dinarides. The experiment includes two localities with thinning plots and control plots. Thinning was done in 2002 with 17.71% of wood volume removed in the European beech coppice and 26.09% in the sessile oak coppice. 1276 trees were marked, measured (DBH, tree height, number of stems per stump) and assessed for vitality, origin and six silvicultural features revealing tree quality. Descriptive statistics for all variables, RMANOVA for DBH and height and for continuous variables mean+-+ standard deviation for categorical frequency and relative frequency variables were carried out. The results show a statistically significant positive long-term effect of thinning on tree growth, stem and crown features and support findings that thinning, by increasing growth and quality, is a necessary intervention in European beech and sessile oak low coppices. The recent economic crisis, the sudden increase in energy prices, and the increased demand for assorted wood products have initiated higher interest in coppices in Croatia.

This research, carried out in two phases, is a response to questions raised regarding the validity of surveys based on artificial nest boxes, positioned at around 1.4 m from ground level, to determine the presence of dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius). This species is generally considered to be an arboreal mammal that visits the ground infrequently other than for winter hibernation. In Phase 1, artificial nest boxes were positioned high in the tree canopy and at standard height on the same tree. The presence of leaves and material from the woodland floor in nests informed the design of Phase 2 with the inclusion of a third box, on an isolated post with no arboreal connectivity, carried out on a different site. Results demonstrate the presence of dormice and their nests in artificial nest boxes positioned in the tree canopy, at conventional height and on isolated posts with no arboreal connectivity. This suggests that the current method of surveying for dormice using boxes at around 1.4 m from ground level may not result in robust ‘likely absence’ conclusions for surveys aimed at determining the presence of dormice on a site. Previous experience of long‐term surveys has indicated that use of artificial next boxes declines with age of box. This was confirmed over the 6 years of the second project reported here. While often taken to indicate decline in population alternative explanations are proposed and this is highlighted as requiring further investigation. The apparent decline of hazel dormice and the contraction of their range is evidenced by surveys carried out according to current ‘good practice’ guidance. The results of this research suggest that these should be reviewed and revised to ensure conservation objectives are being met.

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) have been affected by sargassum inundations, with impacts on the economy and environment. Sargassum removal can be costly, but sargassum use and valorisation may generate income and offset environmental damage. A significant barrier to the valorisation of sargassum is insufficient knowledge of its chemical makeup, as well as its seasonal variation and decay after stranding. The chemical characterisation of mixed sargassum and its constituent species and morphotypes (S. natans I, S.natans VIII and S. fluitans) collected from TCI between September 2020 and May 2021 and changes in the composition of sargassum decaying (over 147 days) were studied. High ash (24.61–51.10% dry weight (DW)) and arsenic (49–217 mg kg⁻¹) could severely hamper the use of this seaweed for food or feed purposes. Although there was some reduction in arsenic levels in decaying sargassum, levels remained high (>49 mg kg⁻¹). Biomethane production by anaerobic digestion (AD) is a potential option. Nevertheless, the exploitation of sargassum for biogas, either fresh or as it decays on the beach, is challenging due to low methane yields (<42% of theoretical potential). Pre-treatment or co-digestion with other waste may be options to improve yield. The metal sorption ability of sargassum, which can be problematic, makes biosorption of pollutants an option for further research.

Since 2011, holopelagic Sargassum fluitans and natans have been arriving en masse to the wider Caribbean region and West Africa, impacting near-shore habitats and coastal communities. We examined the impacts of the Sargassum influx on tourism-related businesses through face-to-face interviews and focus groups and on near-shore seagrass beds through in-water surveys in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Substantial accumulations of sargassum were found on the beaches of South Caicos and Middle Creek Cay in 2018 and 2019, including a Sargassum brown tide in 2018. A variety of different approaches to removing sargassum from the beaches were mentioned and a desire from local businesses as well as local authorities to find a sustainable, cost-effective solution to what is viewed by many as a serious problem. The brown tide and sargassum accumulating as a layer on the benthos inside the seagrass beds caused significant loss of Thalassia testudinum. Halodule wrightii, macroalgae and sand plains were found in the areas lost by T. testudinum. This finding suggests that, if a cost-effective end use for sargassum could be identified, harvesting material in inshore waters rather than when it has arrived on the beach would have dual benefits.