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Response of woody vegetation to bush thinning on freehold farmlands in north-central Namibia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:297. [PMID: 36609510 PMCID: PMC9822995 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26639-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bush encroachment affects much of the Namibian woodland landscape, causing significant loss of open savannah habitat and farm profits. Thinning of the trees/shrubs is recommended; however, research is required to identify the overall efficacy and effects of this method on the woodland habitat. We aimed to examine the effect of the thinning strategy applied on the vegetation structure of encroaching tree/shrub species, as well as the sighting lines of the habitat. Vegetation surveys were done on three freehold farms in north-central Namibia. The study utilised a combination of a blocked and split-plot study design: each block consisted of a pair of thinned and non-thinned plots with multiple subplots. Thinned plots had been manually thinned, with a post-thinning age of three years or more. Results revealed that tree/shrub abundance differed between species; thinned areas had the least abundance and overall species-treatment interactions were significant. Thinning caused a significant reduction in overall tree/shrub densities, settling within the recommended range for the area. Thinning also significantly reduced the average tree/shrub height, canopy area, medium-sized trees/shrubs, and increased sighting lines. This confirms a bush encroachment mitigation strategy that favours grass cover, and wildlife that rely on longer sighting lines for safety or when hunting.
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A global database of woody tissue carbon concentrations. Sci Data 2022. [PMCID: PMC9184483 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01396-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Woody tissue carbon (C) concentration is a key wood trait necessary for accurately estimating forest C stocks and fluxes, which also varies widely across species and biomes. However, coarse approximations of woody tissue C (e.g., 50%) remain commonplace in forest C estimation and reporting protocols, despite leading to substantial errors in forest C estimates. Here, we describe the Global Woody Tissue Carbon Concentration Database (GLOWCAD): a database containing 3,676 individual records of woody tissue C concentrations from 864 tree species. Woody tissue C concentration data—i.e., the mass of C per unit dry mass—were obtained from live and dead woody tissues from 130 peer-reviewed sources published between 1980–2020. Auxiliary data for each observation include tissue type, as well as decay class and size characteristics for dead wood. In GLOWCAD, 1,242 data points are associated with geographic coordinates, and are therefore presented alongside 46 standardized bioclimatic variables extracted from climate databases. GLOWCAD represents the largest available woody tissue C concentration database, and informs studies on forest C estimation, as well as analyses evaluating the extent, causes, and consequences of inter- and intraspecific variation in wood chemical traits. Measurement(s) | wood carbon concentrations | Technology Type(s) | elemental analyzer | Factor Type(s) | species | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Plant | Sample Characteristic - Environment | terrestrial biome | Sample Characteristic - Location | Globe |
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Yang X, Liu D, Lu H, Weston DJ, Chen JG, Muchero W, Martin S, Liu Y, Hassan MM, Yuan G, Kalluri UC, Tschaplinski TJ, Mitchell JC, Wullschleger SD, Tuskan GA. Biological Parts for Plant Biodesign to Enhance Land-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2021; 2021:9798714. [PMID: 37849951 PMCID: PMC10521660 DOI: 10.34133/2021/9798714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A grand challenge facing society is climate change caused mainly by rising CO2 concentration in Earth's atmosphere. Terrestrial plants are linchpins in global carbon cycling, with a unique capability of capturing CO2 via photosynthesis and translocating captured carbon to stems, roots, and soils for long-term storage. However, many researchers postulate that existing land plants cannot meet the ambitious requirement for CO2 removal to mitigate climate change in the future due to low photosynthetic efficiency, limited carbon allocation for long-term storage, and low suitability for the bioeconomy. To address these limitations, there is an urgent need for genetic improvement of existing plants or construction of novel plant systems through biosystems design (or biodesign). Here, we summarize validated biological parts (e.g., protein-encoding genes and noncoding RNAs) for biological engineering of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) traits in terrestrial plants to accelerate land-based decarbonization in bioenergy plantations and agricultural settings and promote a vibrant bioeconomy. Specifically, we first summarize the framework of plant-based CDR (e.g., CO2 capture, translocation, storage, and conversion to value-added products). Then, we highlight some representative biological parts, with experimental evidence, in this framework. Finally, we discuss challenges and strategies for the identification and curation of biological parts for CDR engineering in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Yang
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Degao Liu
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Center for Precision Plant Genomics, and Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Haiwei Lu
- Department of Academic Education, Central Community College-Hastings, Hastings, NE 68902USA
| | - David J. Weston
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Jin-Gui Chen
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Wellington Muchero
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Stanton Martin
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Md Mahmudul Hassan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Guoliang Yuan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Udaya C. Kalluri
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Timothy J. Tschaplinski
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Julie C. Mitchell
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Stan D. Wullschleger
- Environmental Sciences Division and Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Gerald A. Tuskan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
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Ouédraogo S, Ouédraogo O, Dimobe K, Thiombiano A, Boussim JI. Prediction of aboveground biomass and carbon stock of Balanites aegyptaca, a multipurpose species in Burkina Faso. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04581. [PMID: 32793827 PMCID: PMC7408327 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile is native to semi-arid regions in Africa where it is a well-known and conspicuous component of savannas. The species is highly preferred by local people because of its high socio-economic, cultural and ecological values. However, the species faces multiple environmental challenges such as desertification and human pressure. This study aimed to develop allometric models to predict aboveground biomass (AGB) of B. aegyptiaca in two climatic zones in Burkina Faso. Overall, thirty trees were sampled using destructive method in six study stands along two climatic zones. We assessed the biomass allocation to the different components of trees by computing its fraction. Furthermore, allometric models based on diameter at breast height (dbh) and basal diameter at 20 cm height (D20) were fitted separately as well as combined with crown diameter (CD) and/or tree total height (Ht). For each biomass component, non-linear allometric models were fitted. Branch biomass accounted for 64% of the AGB in the two climatic zones and increased with dbh. No significant difference in carbon content was found. However, biomass allotment (except leaves) varied across climatic zones. Although both dbh and D20 are typically used as independent variables for predicting AGB, the inclusion of the height in the equations did not significantly improve the statistical fits for B. aegyptica. However, adding CD to dbh improved significantly the equations only in the Sudano-Sahelian zone. The established allometric models can provide reliable and accurate estimation of individual tree biomass of the species in areas of similar conditions and may contribute to relevant ecological and economical biomass inventories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sambo Ouédraogo
- Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Oumarou Ouédraogo
- Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Kangbéni Dimobe
- Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
- West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), Competence Center, Avenue Muamar Khadhafi, Ouagadougou BP, 9507, Burkina Faso
- Institut des Sciences de l’Environnement et du Développement Rural, Université de Dédougou, BP 176 Dédougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Adjima Thiombiano
- Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Joseph I. Boussim
- Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
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