This is an article collection published in Ecological Processes.
Edited by: Guillermo Martinez Pastur, Fidel Alejandro Roig
Native forests and plantations occupy a central role in the discussion of the international policy agenda during the last decades. Policy discussions centre on the role of forests in addressing the global challenges for economic development and the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on ecosystem services provision. Millions of people in Latin America live near forests and trees in rural areas worldwide, with many relying on these resources for their livelihoods. In this context, the implications of the commitments that governments have made for livelihoods and wellbeing are not totally defined. In this context, scientific research can bring solutions and new proposals to help for new policy proposals.
Mendoza city (Argentina) hosted the VIII Latin American Forestry Congress (CONFLAT) and the V Forestry Congress of Argentina (CFA) in 2023, where relevant issues were addressed, such as climate change, degradation, reforestation, management and forest industry, monitoring, environmental services, social issues, and governance, among others.
The objective of this Special Issue was to present the main advances in Forestry Science for Latin-America in the context of changing governance and forest livelihoods for people. The fifteen articles emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of the forest management and conservation, and that multiple variables must be considered to achieve sustainability. The articles come from studies across Southern South-America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay), and the collaboration of researchers of other countries (México, Canada, and Spain). Articles include research in tropical, Mediterranean and temperate Sub-Antarctic forests. Together, these articles provide a snapshot of new forestry research carried out locally and internationally to bring about beneficial ecological and environmental outcomes in a world facing the challenges of sustainable management and conservation amongst the threats and uncertainty of climate change and environmental degradation responsible for extensive loss of biodiversity and environmental services. We believe that this Special Issue will encourage more inter-disciplinary research focusing on management and conservation of forests.