Small-scale Forestry

29/07/2026

🌿 PUBLISHED: Monitoring Extent of Mangroves in Coastal Bangladesh from 1980 to 2020: A Remote Sensing-Based Geospatial Analysis 🌊

How have mangroves responded to four decades of erosion, accretion, and coastal change in one of the world's most dynamic deltaic systems?

Our latest study by Hoque et al. (2026) presents the first comprehensive 40-year assessment (1980–2020) of mangrove dynamics in the Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh, using multi-temporal Landsat imagery and advanced geospatial analysis.

🔍 Key findings include:
• A net gain of 158.9 km² of mangrove cover over four decades.
• Mangrove expansion was largely driven by sediment accretion and natural colonisation of newly formed mudflats.
• Significant losses occurred due to shoreline erosion and channel migration, highlighting the vulnerability of these coastal ecosystems.
• Land-cover trajectory analysis identified waterbody-to-mangrove transitions as the dominant regeneration pathway, underscoring the critical role of geomorphological processes in ecosystem resilience.

These findings provide valuable evidence to support adaptive coastal management, mangrove restoration, biodiversity conservation, and nature-based climate solutions in Bangladesh and other dynamic deltaic regions worldwide.

📖 Read the full Open Access article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11842-026-09649-2

28/07/2026

🌳 PUBLISHED: Does Protection Status Affect Tree Diversity, Regeneration, and Carbon Storage in India? Evidence from Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Madhya Pradesh 🌿

A new study by Rathaude et al. (2026) from Madhya Pradesh, India reveals that protected Sal (Shorea robusta) forests support far greater biodiversity, healthier forest regeneration, and substantially higher carbon storage than unprotected forests. Researchers recorded 143 plant species across the study sites, with protected forests harboring nearly 80% more species than unprotected areas. Protected forests also stored almost twice as much carbon (411.2 vs. 230.0 Mg C ha⁻¹), highlighting their critical role in climate change mitigation.

The findings demonstrate that effective forest protection not only conserves biodiversity but also strengthens ecosystem resilience and enhances long-term carbon sequestration. Strengthening protection measures and improving the management of unprotected forests will be essential for sustaining tropical dry forests and the invaluable ecosystem services they provide.

📖 Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11842-026-09651-8

Protection status plays a crucial role in regulating forest structure, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration in tropical ecosystems. However, despite the ecological importance of Sal (Shorea robusta)-dominated tropical dry forests, there is limited quantitative understanding of how protection statu...

27/07/2026

🌳 PUBLISHED: The Forest Product Demand and Supply in Nepal’s Buffer Zone Community Forests: Evidence from Bardia National Park 🌿

Can community-managed forests in protected areas truly balance biodiversity conservation with local livelihoods? Our latest study by Acharya et al. (2026) explores this critical question by examining 10 Buffer Zone Community Forests (BZCFs) in the buffer zone of Bardia National Park, Nepal, an area predominantly inhabited by the resource-dependent indigenous Tharu community.

Using data from 531 households, combined with forest management records, harvesting permits, stakeholder interviews, and field verification, the study reveals important gaps between community forest resource demand and actual supply. On average, only 55% of fuelwood, 85% of timber, and 72% of fodder needs were fulfilled. Poorer households experienced disproportionately lower access to forest benefits despite having equal formal rights.

The findings highlight that challenges in community forestry are not driven by ecological limitations alone. Instead, institutional arrangements, restrictive harvesting approvals, limited collection periods, and governance structures play a crucial role in determining whether local communities can sustainably benefit from protected area forests.

By linking household needs, governance mechanisms, and forest resource availability, this research provides valuable insights into achieving equitable benefit-sharing, inclusive conservation, and sustainable livelihoods. The study contributes to broader global discussions on the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (30×30 target) and the future of community-based conservation.

📖 Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11842-026-09650-9

23/07/2026

🌿 Meet Our Associate Editor: Dr. Mohammed Abu Sayed Arfin-Khan

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Mohammed Abu Sayed Arfin-Khan to the Editorial Board of Small-scale Forestry as our newest Associate Editor.

Dr. Arfin-Khan is a Professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Bangladesh. With more than 17 years of university teaching and 20 years of research experience, he has established himself as a leading researcher in forest ecology, climate change, and biodiversity conservation. He previously served as the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences at SUST.

He earned his PhD in Climate Change and Ecosystem Functioning and completed postdoctoral research on Climate Change Impacts and Vegetation Responses at the University of Bayreuth, Germany.

His research spans climate change, extreme climatic events, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, forest conservation, sustainable forest management, and technology-based approaches to forest and wildlife monitoring. He has led several nationally and internationally funded research projects, including serving as the Bangladesh Coordinator for initiatives on the Sundarbans supported by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) and the National Geographic Society (NGS).

Dr. Arfin-Khan is also an active contributor to global research networks such as sPlot and GFBI, and has authored more than 65 peer-reviewed publications, including papers in Nature Communications, Nature Ecology & Evolution, Global Change Biology, Global Ecology and Biogeography, Ecosystems, and the Journal of Environmental Management.

We are delighted to have Dr. Arfin-Khan join the Small-scale Forestry editorial team and look forward to his expertise and leadership in advancing high-quality research in forestry and related disciplines.

👉 Learn more about Dr. Arfin-Khan:
🔹 Personal profile: https://sites.google.com/sust.edu/arfin-khan
🔹 Institutional profile: [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://www.sust.edu/departments/fes/faculty/[email protected]
🔹 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6275-7023
🔹 Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L69hTlwAAAAJ&hl=en

21/07/2026

🌿 Meet Our Associate Editor: Dr. Javid Ahmad Dar

We are delighted to introduce Dr. Javid Ahmad Dar, one of the Associate Editors of Small-scale Forestry.

Dr. Dar is an Associate Professor and Head of the TEaM (Terrestrial Ecology and Modelling) Lab in the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, India.

His research focuses on understanding how climate change influences forest biodiversity and carbon and nitrogen dynamics across temperate and tropical forests through cutting-edge ecological monitoring and modelling. He is an active member of the Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative (GFBI), INvenTree Network (India), and the International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF). His research has been supported by the ANRF and WWF, and he received the Outstanding Faculty Award 2025 from SRM University-AP.

Dr. Dar has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals, including Science Advances, Nature Ecology & Evolution, New Phytologist, Scientific Reports, and National Science Review. In addition to his role with Small-scale Forestry, he serves on the editorial teams of several international journals, including Discover Forests, Discover Soil, Carbon Management, and Frontiers in Plant Science.

We are proud to have Dr. Dar on the Small-scale Forestry editorial team, where his expertise in forest ecology, biodiversity, and ecosystem modelling helps strengthen the journal's commitment to publishing high-quality research on forests and people.

👉 Learn more about Dr. Dar:
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ArkBJFQAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
• ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Javid-Dar-2
• Institutional Profile: https://www.srmap.edu.in/faculty/dr-javid-ahmad-dar/

18/07/2026

🌿 PUBLISHED: A Social Forestry Business Framework for Revitalizing Stagnant Forest Farmer Groups: A Case Study from Central Java, Indonesia 🌳

How can social forestry move beyond permits to create lasting impact for forest communities?

Our latest study by Subrata et al. (2026) explores why many Forest Farmer Groups (FFGs) in Indonesia struggle to progress after receiving social forestry permits and presents a participatory business framework designed to address these challenges. Using a Participatory Action Research approach over three years (2023–2026), the research demonstrates how strengthening local institutions, improving marketing systems, and ensuring compliance with Non-Tax State Revenue (NTSR) obligations can enhance both livelihoods and sustainable forest governance.

Conducted with the Wono Makmur Forest Farmer Group in Boyolali Regency, Central Java, Indonesia, the study highlights that meaningful, long-term participation is essential for building consensus and achieving sustainable social forestry outcomes.

📖 Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11842-026-09648-3

17/07/2026

🌳 Meet Our Associate Editor: Dr. Gaurav Mishra 🌲

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Gaurav Mishra as a new Associate Editor of Small-scale Forestry.

Dr. Mishra is a Scientist at the Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, India. His expertise spans soil science, sustainable land management, land degradation, and ecosystem restoration, with a strong focus on developing science-based solutions to address global environmental challenges.

His interdisciplinary research has advanced our understanding of shifting cultivation, Indigenous land management practices, carbon accounting, and ecosystem services, helping to bridge traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches. Dr. Mishra has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, edited scholarly books, and contributed to international research collaborations, with a particular emphasis on translating scientific evidence into policy-relevant frameworks for sustainable land governance.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Mishra to the Small-scale Forestry editorial team!

🔗 Learn more about his work:
🔹 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5687-029X
🔹 Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Jya5nOAAAAAJ&hl=en

16/07/2026

🌿 PUBLISHED: Social Forestry, Future Livelihood Options, and Its Own Trajectory: An Intergenerational View from Indonesia 🌱

Social forestry in Indonesia aims to improve rural livelihoods while promoting sustainable forest management by granting communities long-term, inheritable rights to manage state forests. But do younger generations see the same opportunities as current participants?

Our latest study by Maryudi et al. (2026) explores intergenerational perceptions through surveys of 419 current and prospective social forestry participants, complemented by in-depth stakeholder interviews in Java Island. The findings reveal a striking generational divide: while many current participants view social forestry as a vital livelihood and are committed to managing their forest plots, many potential successors see it as only a supplementary source of income and show limited interest in continuing participation. Economic viability, uncertain returns, and gaps in technical knowledge emerge as key challenges influencing these perceptions.

The study highlights the need for stronger incentives, targeted support systems, and meaningful opportunities for youth engagement to ensure the long-term sustainability of social forestry and the livelihoods it is intended to support.

📖 Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11842-026-09647-4

15/07/2026

🌟 Meet Our Associate Editor: Dr. Zhen Zhu 🌿

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Zhen Zhu to the Small-scale Forestry Editorial Board as an Associate Editor.

Dr. Zhu is a Professor and Vice Dean at the School of Economics and Management, Zhejiang A&F University (China). Dr. Zhu was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar in 2017. His research spans forest economics and policy, resource and environmental economics, with recent work focusing on forest tenure reform, non-timber forest products (NTFPs), carbon sequestration policies, and household decision-making in forest management.

A highly accomplished researcher, Dr. Zhu has published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers, including in Land Use Policy, Forest Policy and Economics, and Small-scale Forestry. He has also secured more than 60 competitive research grants from national and international funding agencies, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, EEPSEA, and the FAO.

In addition to his research, Dr. Zhu serves as Chair of the Modern Rural Forestry Association of the China Forest Economy Association and the Forest Economy Association of the Zhejiang Forestry Association.

We are excited to have Dr. Zhu join our editorial team and look forward to his contributions in advancing high-quality research in small-scale forestry.

👉 Learn more about Dr. Zhu:
• ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6701-1642
• Institutional profile: https://em.zafu.edu.cn/info/1018/4958.htm

12/07/2026

🌳 Meet Our Associate Editor: Dr. Amit Kumar 🛰️

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Amit Kumar to the Small-scale Forestry editorial team as one of our newest Associate Editors.

Dr. Kumar is a Professor in the Department of Geography, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. His research brings together forestry, geoinformatics, and Earth observation, using advanced geospatial technologies to better understand forest ecosystem dynamics in the face of global environmental change.

His expertise spans forest structure and productivity, biodiversity conservation, landscape ecology, wildfire dynamics, invasive species, urban green infrastructure, climate–vegetation interactions, and sustainable natural resource management. Through innovative geospatial analytics, his work supports evidence-based forest management and informed environmental decision-making across diverse ecosystems.

Dr. Kumar has authored more than 95 peer-reviewed publications, contributed over 50 book chapters, and published four books and policy documents. He has also led numerous nationally and internationally funded research projects advancing forest science and ecosystem resilience through geospatial technologies.

His outstanding contributions have been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowship (Purdue University, USA, 2024–2025) and the P. R. Pisharoty Memorial Award (Indian Society of Remote Sensing, 2025).

In addition to joining Small-scale Forestry, Dr. Kumar brings extensive editorial experience, serving as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution and SN Social Sciences, and as an Editorial Board Member for Discover Forests and Scientific Reports.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Amit Kumar to the Small-scale Forestry editorial team. We look forward to his valuable contributions in advancing high-quality research and fostering scientific excellence in sustainable forest management.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Kumar:
• ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4582-5677
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qR0tCrIAAAAJ
• ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amit-Kumar-538