BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) - A recent ecological research paper published in the internationally renowned academic journal "Nature" states that mammal diversity within areas certified for responsible forest management is richer compared to non-certified forests, with a lower threat of hunting. This research, based on observations in logged forests in West Equatorial Africa, reveals that effective forest logging management measures are particularly beneficial for large species and those of high conservation priority.
The paper explains that over a quarter of the world's tropical forests are subject to commercial logging, leading to the construction of roads for timber extraction and facilitating illegal and unsustainable hunting in previously remote areas. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) aims to promote sustainable forest management practices compliant with both local and international laws while safeguarding biodiversity.
The first author and corresponding author of the paper, Joeri A. Zwerts from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, along with colleagues and collaborators, assessed the impact of FSC-certified forest management by analyzing data from 14 different logging concessions (7 certified by FSC, 7 not certified). They detected 55 mammal species from 1.3 million camera trap images taken at 474 trap sites.
The research data indicates that FSC-certified forest management increases the total mammal abundance in FSC-certified concessions by 1.5 times compared to before. The encounter probability of large mammals, classified as weighing over 10 kilograms, is higher in FSC-certified concessions (2.7-3.5 times higher). Endangered species listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, such as forest elephants and western lowland gorillas, also have a higher encounter probability in FSC-certified concessions; signs of hunting are less prevalent in FSC-certified concessions compared to non-certified ones.
There were no significant differences found in the encounter probability of mammals weighing less than 10 kilograms (such as rodents) between FSC and non-FSC areas. The authors found relatively more small animals in non-FSC areas, indicating a lack of predators and competition.
In conclusion, the authors of the paper suggest that their research results demonstrate the positive impact of the FSC certification system on large, vulnerable mammals in logging areas. Therefore, non-logging forests should continue to be protected, while responsible and efficient management should be implemented in logging areas to protect forests and their biodiversity. (End)
