PeerJ Preprints: Forestryhttps://peerj.com/preprints/index.atom?journal=peerj&subject=1439Forestry articles published in PeerJ PreprintsEstimating flowering transition dates from status-based phenological observations: a test of methodshttps://peerj.com/preprints/276292019-08-192019-08-19Shawn D Taylor
The scale of phenological research has expanded due to the digitization of herbarium specimens and volunteer based contributions. These data are status-based, representing the presence or absence of a specific phenophase. Modelling the progress of plant dormancy to growth and reproduction and back to dormancy requires estimating the transition dates from these status-based observations. There are several methods available for this ranging from statistical moments using the day of year to newly introduced methods using concepts from other fields. Comparing the proficiency of different estimators is difficult since true transition dates are rarely known. Here I use a recently released dataset of in-situ flowering observations of the perennial forb *Echinacea angustifolia*. In this dataset, due to high sampling frequency and unique physiology, the transition dates of onset, peak, and end of flowering are known to within 3 days. I used a Monte Carlo analysis to test eight different estimators across two scales using a range of sample sizes and proportion of flowering presence observations. I evaluated the estimators accuracy in predicting the onset, peak, and end of flowering at the population level, and predicting onset and end of flowering for individual plants. Overall a method using a Weibull distribution performed the best for population level onset and end estimates, but other estimators may be more appropriate when there is a large amount of absence observations relative to presence observations. For individual estimates a method using the midway point between the first flower presence and most prior flower absence, within 7 days, is the best option as long as the restriction does not limit the final sample size. Otherwise the Weibull method is adequate for individual estimates as well. These methods allow practitioners to effectively utilize the large amount of status-based phenological observations currently available.
The scale of phenological research has expanded due to the digitization of herbarium specimens and volunteer based contributions. These data are status-based, representing the presence or absence of a specific phenophase. Modelling the progress of plant dormancy to growth and reproduction and back to dormancy requires estimating the transition dates from these status-based observations. There are several methods available for this ranging from statistical moments using the day of year to newly introduced methods using concepts from other fields. Comparing the proficiency of different estimators is difficult since true transition dates are rarely known. Here I use a recently released dataset of in-situ flowering observations of the perennial forb *Echinacea angustifolia*. In this dataset, due to high sampling frequency and unique physiology, the transition dates of onset, peak, and end of flowering are known to within 3 days. I used a Monte Carlo analysis to test eight different estimators across two scales using a range of sample sizes and proportion of flowering presence observations. I evaluated the estimators accuracy in predicting the onset, peak, and end of flowering at the population level, and predicting onset and end of flowering for individual plants. Overall a method using a Weibull distribution performed the best for population level onset and end estimates, but other estimators may be more appropriate when there is a large amount of absence observations relative to presence observations. For individual estimates a method using the midway point between the first flower presence and most prior flower absence, within 7 days, is the best option as long as the restriction does not limit the final sample size. Otherwise the Weibull method is adequate for individual estimates as well. These methods allow practitioners to effectively utilize the large amount of status-based phenological observations currently available.Plant litter estimation and its correlation with sediment concentration in the Loess Plateauhttps://peerj.com/preprints/278912019-08-102019-08-10Qian LiLigang MaSuhong LiuAdilai WufuYinbo LiShengtian YangXiaodong Yang
Background. Sediment concentration in the water of the loess Plateau region has dramatically decreased during the past two decades. Plant litter is considered to be one of the most important factors for this change. Existing remote sensing studies that focus on plant litter mainly use extraction methods based on vegetation indices or changes in the plant litter. Few studies have conducted time series analyses of plant litter or considered the correlation between plant litter and soil erosion. In addition, social factors are not given enough consideration in the remote sensing and soil community. Methods. This study performs time series estimation of plant litter by integrating three-scale remotely sensed data and a random forest (RF) modeling algorithm. Predictive models are used to estimate the spatially explicit plant litter cover for the entire Loess Plateau over the last two decades (2000–2018). Then, the sediment concentration in the water was classified into 9 grades based on environmental and social-economic factors. Results. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed predictive models at the regional scale. The areas with increased plant litter cover accounted for 67% of the total area, while the areas with decreased plant litter cover accounted for 33% of the total area. In addition, plant litter is demonstrated to be one of the top three factors contributing to the decrease in the river sediment concentration. Social-economic factors were also important for the decrease of the sediment concentration in the water, for example, the population of the rural area.
Background. Sediment concentration in the water of the loess Plateau region has dramatically decreased during the past two decades. Plant litter is considered to be one of the most important factors for this change. Existing remote sensing studies that focus on plant litter mainly use extraction methods based on vegetation indices or changes in the plant litter. Few studies have conducted time series analyses of plant litter or considered the correlation between plant litter and soil erosion. In addition, social factors are not given enough consideration in the remote sensing and soil community. Methods. This study performs time series estimation of plant litter by integrating three-scale remotely sensed data and a random forest (RF) modeling algorithm. Predictive models are used to estimate the spatially explicit plant litter cover for the entire Loess Plateau over the last two decades (2000–2018). Then, the sediment concentration in the water was classified into 9 grades based on environmental and social-economic factors. Results. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed predictive models at the regional scale. The areas with increased plant litter cover accounted for 67% of the total area, while the areas with decreased plant litter cover accounted for 33% of the total area. In addition, plant litter is demonstrated to be one of the top three factors contributing to the decrease in the river sediment concentration. Social-economic factors were also important for the decrease of the sediment concentration in the water, for example, the population of the rural area.Management options for addressing the persistent and unresolved CITES issue of Madagascar’s rosewood stocks and stockpilehttps://peerj.com/preprints/278892019-08-082019-08-08Lucienne WilméJohn L. InnesDerek SchuurmanBruno RamamonjisoaMarion LangrandCharles V. BarberRhett A. ButlerGeorge WittemyerPatrick O. Waeber
Stocks and stockpiles of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) listed wildlife, including animal and plant-derived products, remain a complex, unresolved issue. The biggest challenges lie in the prevention of further illegal sourcing of—and trade in—products originating from wild populations of threatened species. Stocks can function as a buffer during lean periods or as a mechanism used for speculation. As we outline in this paper, the current situation in Madagascar precludes non-detriment findings intended to enable sustainable use of standing rosewood populations. Backed by the World Bank, the previous Malagasy government was in the process of promoting the sale of massive stocks and stockpiles of confiscated precious woods in order to reach a zero stocks goal, this being ostensibly to halt the illegal sourcing and trafficking of rosewood. We propose and analyse four potential options for stocks management by presenting a framework linking forest management with socio-economic objectives and comparative risks. Destruction (burning) of the known stocks would send out a strong conservation message and has the strongest chance of halting further sourcing, which happens mostly in protected areas and is therefore illegal. National trade is the option in which a precious timber sector would process the woods in stocks. This option is the most beneficial for development. Opening the stocks for exportation through international trade achieves the smallest number of objectives in relation to both forests and socio-economic indicators, but comes with the highest risks in terms of curbing further illegal logging. Banking represents a fourth option, which essentially postpones any decision related to stocks management by storing the stocks for extended periods. None of the four management options is able to ensure a sustainable solution that can resolve the issues surrounding the precious timber stocks. The approaches put forward are either just ‘more good’, or ‘less good’. If a country is seriously interested in conserving its biodiversity, any government has to ensure that no other sectorial changes will counteract, or potentially undermine, the efforts to protect the environment. Stocks management will be on agenda at the upcoming COP18 in Geneva, 17–28 August 2019.
Stocks and stockpiles of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) listed wildlife, including animal and plant-derived products, remain a complex, unresolved issue. The biggest challenges lie in the prevention of further illegal sourcing of—and trade in—products originating from wild populations of threatened species. Stocks can function as a buffer during lean periods or as a mechanism used for speculation. As we outline in this paper, the current situation in Madagascar precludes non-detriment findings intended to enable sustainable use of standing rosewood populations. Backed by the World Bank, the previous Malagasy government was in the process of promoting the sale of massive stocks and stockpiles of confiscated precious woods in order to reach a zero stocks goal, this being ostensibly to halt the illegal sourcing and trafficking of rosewood. We propose and analyse four potential options for stocks management by presenting a framework linking forest management with socio-economic objectives and comparative risks. Destruction (burning) of the known stocks would send out a strong conservation message and has the strongest chance of halting further sourcing, which happens mostly in protected areas and is therefore illegal. National trade is the option in which a precious timber sector would process the woods in stocks. This option is the most beneficial for development. Opening the stocks for exportation through international trade achieves the smallest number of objectives in relation to both forests and socio-economic indicators, but comes with the highest risks in terms of curbing further illegal logging. Banking represents a fourth option, which essentially postpones any decision related to stocks management by storing the stocks for extended periods. None of the four management options is able to ensure a sustainable solution that can resolve the issues surrounding the precious timber stocks. The approaches put forward are either just ‘more good’, or ‘less good’. If a country is seriously interested in conserving its biodiversity, any government has to ensure that no other sectorial changes will counteract, or potentially undermine, the efforts to protect the environment. Stocks management will be on agenda at the upcoming COP18 in Geneva, 17–28 August 2019.Improved salt tolerance in transgenic tobacco by over-expression of poplar NAC13 genehttps://peerj.com/preprints/278612019-07-162019-07-16Xuemei ZhangZihan ChengKai ZhaoRenhua LiBoru ZhouTingbo Jiang
Background: NACs are one of the major transcription factor families in plants which play an important role in plant growth and development, as well as in adverse stress responses.
Methods: In this study, we cloned a salt-inducible NAC transcription factor gene (NAC13) from a poplar variety 84K, followed by transforming it into both tobacco and Arabidopsis.
Results: Stable expression analysis of 35S::NAC13-GFP fusion protein in Arabidopsis indicated that NAC13 was localized to the nucleus. We also obtained five transgenic tobacco lines. Evidence from morphological and physiological characterization and salt treatment analyses indicated that the transgenic tobacco enhanced salt tolerance, suggesting that NAC13 gene may function as a positive regulator in tobacco responses to salt stress. Furthermore, evidence from yeast two-hybrid screening demonstrated that NAC13 protein functions as a transcriptional activator, with an activation domain located in the C-terminal region.
Discussion: NAC13 gene plays an important role in response to salt stress in tobacco. Future studies are needed to shed light on molecular mechanisms of gene regulation and gene networks related to NAC13 gene in response to salt stress, which will provide a valuable theoretical basis for forest genetic breeding and resistant breeding.
Background: NACs are one of the major transcription factor families in plants which play an important role in plant growth and development, as well as in adverse stress responses.Methods: In this study, we cloned a salt-inducible NAC transcription factor gene (NAC13) from a poplar variety 84K, followed by transforming it into both tobacco and Arabidopsis.Results: Stable expression analysis of 35S::NAC13-GFP fusion protein in Arabidopsis indicated that NAC13 was localized to the nucleus. We also obtained five transgenic tobacco lines. Evidence from morphological and physiological characterization and salt treatment analyses indicated that the transgenic tobacco enhanced salt tolerance, suggesting that NAC13 gene may function as a positive regulator in tobacco responses to salt stress. Furthermore, evidence from yeast two-hybrid screening demonstrated that NAC13 protein functions as a transcriptional activator, with an activation domain located in the C-terminal region.Discussion: NAC13 gene plays an important role in response to salt stress in tobacco. Future studies are needed to shed light on molecular mechanisms of gene regulation and gene networks related to NAC13 gene in response to salt stress, which will provide a valuable theoretical basis for forest genetic breeding and resistant breeding.Validation of COI metabarcoding primers for terrestrial arthropodshttps://peerj.com/preprints/278012019-07-152019-07-15Vasco ElbrechtThomas WA BraukmannNatalia V IvanovaSean WJ ProsserMehrdad HajibabaeiMichael WrightEvgeny V ZakharovPaul DN HebertDirk Steinke
Metabarcoding can rapidly determine the species composition of bulk samples and thus aids ecosystem assessment. However , it is essential to use primer sets that minimize amplification bias among taxa to maximize species recovery. Despite this fact, the performance of primer sets employed for metabarcoding terrestrial arthropods has not been sufficiently evaluated. Thus this study tests the performance of 36 primer sets on a mock community containing 374 species. Amplification success was assessed with gradient PCRs and the 21 most promising primer sets selected for metabarcoding. These 21 primer sets where also tested by metabarcoding a Malaise trap sample. We identified eight primer sets, mainly those including inosine and/or high degeneracy, that recovered more than 95% of the species in the mock community. Results from the Malaise trap sample were congruent with the mock community, but primer sets generating short amplicons produced potential false positives. Taxon recovery from the 21 amplicon pools of the mock community and Malaise trap sample were used to select four primer sets for metabarcoding evaluation at different annealing temperatures (40-60 Co) using the mock community. Temperature did only have a minor effect on taxa recovery that varied with the specific primer pair. This study reveals the weak performance of some primer sets employed in past studies. It also demonstrated that certain primer sets can recover most taxa in a diverse species assemblage. Thus there is no need to employ several primer sets targeting the same amplicon. While we identified several suited primer sets for arthropod metabarcoding, the primer selection depends on the targeted taxonomic groups, as well as DNA quality, desired taxonomic resolution, and sequencing platform employed for analysis.
Metabarcoding can rapidly determine the species composition of bulk samples and thus aids ecosystem assessment. However , it is essential to use primer sets that minimize amplification bias among taxa to maximize species recovery. Despite this fact, the performance of primer sets employed for metabarcoding terrestrial arthropods has not been sufficiently evaluated. Thus this study tests the performance of 36 primer sets on a mock community containing 374 species. Amplification success was assessed with gradient PCRs and the 21 most promising primer sets selected for metabarcoding. These 21 primer sets where also tested by metabarcoding a Malaise trap sample. We identified eight primer sets, mainly those including inosine and/or high degeneracy, that recovered more than 95% of the species in the mock community. Results from the Malaise trap sample were congruent with the mock community, but primer sets generating short amplicons produced potential false positives. Taxon recovery from the 21 amplicon pools of the mock community and Malaise trap sample were used to select four primer sets for metabarcoding evaluation at different annealing temperatures (40-60 Co) using the mock community. Temperature did only have a minor effect on taxa recovery that varied with the specific primer pair. This study reveals the weak performance of some primer sets employed in past studies. It also demonstrated that certain primer sets can recover most taxa in a diverse species assemblage. Thus there is no need to employ several primer sets targeting the same amplicon. While we identified several suited primer sets for arthropod metabarcoding, the primer selection depends on the targeted taxonomic groups, as well as DNA quality, desired taxonomic resolution, and sequencing platform employed for analysis.Understanding PM2.5 concentration and removal efficiency variation in urban forest park — Observation at human breathing heighthttps://peerj.com/preprints/278462019-07-102019-07-10Guoxin YanZibo YuYanan WuJiakai LiuYu WangJiexiu ZhaiLing CongZhenming Zhang
To increase our knowledge of PM2.5 concentrations near the surface in a forest park in Beijing, an observational study measured the concentration and composition of PM2.5 in Beijing Olympic Forest Park from 2015 to 2016. This study analyzed the meteorological factors and removal efficiency at 1.5 m above the ground (human breathing height) over the course of the day in the forest. The results showed that the average concentrations of PM2.5 near the surface peaked at 07:00–09:30 and reached their lowest at 12:00–15:00. In addition, the results showed that the annual concentration of PM2.5 in the forest was highest during winter, followed by spring and fall, and was lowest during summer. The main chemical components of PM2.5 near the surface in the forest were SO42− and NO3−, which accounted for 68.72% of all water-soluble ions that we observed. The concentration of PM2.5 in the forest had a significant positive correlation with relative humidity and a significant negative correlation with temperature. The removal efficiency near the surface showed no significant variation through the day or year. In the forest, the highest removal efficiency occurred between 07:00 and 09:30 in summer, while the lowest occurred between 09:30 and 12:00 in winter.
To increase our knowledge of PM2.5 concentrations near the surface in a forest park in Beijing, an observational study measured the concentration and composition of PM2.5 in Beijing Olympic Forest Park from 2015 to 2016. This study analyzed the meteorological factors and removal efficiency at 1.5 m above the ground (human breathing height) over the course of the day in the forest. The results showed that the average concentrations of PM2.5 near the surface peaked at 07:00–09:30 and reached their lowest at 12:00–15:00. In addition, the results showed that the annual concentration of PM2.5 in the forest was highest during winter, followed by spring and fall, and was lowest during summer. The main chemical components of PM2.5 near the surface in the forest were SO42− and NO3−, which accounted for 68.72% of all water-soluble ions that we observed. The concentration of PM2.5 in the forest had a significant positive correlation with relative humidity and a significant negative correlation with temperature. The removal efficiency near the surface showed no significant variation through the day or year. In the forest, the highest removal efficiency occurred between 07:00 and 09:30 in summer, while the lowest occurred between 09:30 and 12:00 in winter.California air resources board forest carbon protocol invalidates offsetshttps://peerj.com/preprints/277982019-06-132019-06-13Bruno D V MarinoMartina MinchevaAaron Doucett
The commercial asset value of sequestered forest carbon is based on protocols employed globally, however, their scientific basis has not been validated. We review and analyze commercial forest carbon protocols and offsets, claimed to have reduced net greenhouse gas emissions, issued by the California Air Resources Board and validated by the Climate Action Reserve (CARB-CAR). CARB-CAR protocol annual offsets, resulting from forest mensuration and growth simulation models, are compared with a population of forest field sites for which annual net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon was measured directly as flux by CO2 eddy covariance, a meteorologically based method integrating forest carbon pools. We characterize differences between the protocols by testing the null hypothesis that the CARB-CAR commercial annual offset data fall within the boundaries of directly measured forest carbon NEE; gC m-2yr-1 are compared for both datasets. Irrespective of geographic location and project type, the CARB-CAR population annual mean value is significantly different from the NEE population mean at the 95% confidence interval, rejecting the null hypothesis. The CARB-CAR population exhibits standard deviation ~5x that of the NEE natural ranges; the variance exceeds the 5% compliance limit for invalidation of CARB-CAR offsets. Exclusion of the soil carbon pool typical for CARB-CAR net carbon budgets pose insuperable carbon accounting uncertainty for offsets that extend to vendor platforms and policies including the United Nations Program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and the Paris Agreement. NEE methodology for commercial forest carbon offsets ensures in situ molecular specificity, verification of claims for net carbon balance, performance-based pricing and harmonization of carbon protocols for voluntary and compliance markets worldwide, in contrast to continuing uncertainty posed by traditional estimation-based forest carbon protocols.
The commercial asset value of sequestered forest carbon is based on protocols employed globally, however, their scientific basis has not been validated. We review and analyze commercial forest carbon protocols and offsets, claimed to have reduced net greenhouse gas emissions, issued by the California Air Resources Board and validated by the Climate Action Reserve (CARB-CAR). CARB-CAR protocol annual offsets, resulting from forest mensuration and growth simulation models, are compared with a population of forest field sites for which annual net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon was measured directly as flux by CO2 eddy covariance, a meteorologically based method integrating forest carbon pools. We characterize differences between the protocols by testing the null hypothesis that the CARB-CAR commercial annual offset data fall within the boundaries of directly measured forest carbon NEE; gC m-2yr-1 are compared for both datasets. Irrespective of geographic location and project type, the CARB-CAR population annual mean value is significantly different from the NEE population mean at the 95% confidence interval, rejecting the null hypothesis. The CARB-CAR population exhibits standard deviation ~5x that of the NEE natural ranges; the variance exceeds the 5% compliance limit for invalidation of CARB-CAR offsets. Exclusion of the soil carbon pool typical for CARB-CAR net carbon budgets pose insuperable carbon accounting uncertainty for offsets that extend to vendor platforms and policies including the United Nations Program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and the Paris Agreement. NEE methodology for commercial forest carbon offsets ensures in situ molecular specificity, verification of claims for net carbon balance, performance-based pricing and harmonization of carbon protocols for voluntary and compliance markets worldwide, in contrast to continuing uncertainty posed by traditional estimation-based forest carbon protocols.Variation characteristics of stem water content in Lagerstroemia indica and its response to microenvironmenthttps://peerj.com/preprints/277722019-06-022019-06-02Hao LiangMeng ZhangYandong ZhaoChao GaoHailan Wang
To achieve a rational allocation of limited water resources, and formulation of an appropriate irrigation system, this research studied the change characteristics of stem water content (StWC) in plant and its response to micro-environmental factors. In this study, the StWC and micro-environmental factors of Lagerstroemia indica in Beijing were continuously observed by BD-IV plant stem water content sensor and a forest microclimate monitoring station from 2017 to 2018. The variation of StWC and its correlation with environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed the StWC of Lagerstroemia indica varies regularly day and night during the growth cycle. Meanwhile, the rising time, valley time, and falling time of StWC were various at the different growth stages of Lagerstroemia indica. The results of correlation analysis between StWC and micro-environmental factors indicated that the StWC of Lagerstroemia indica was positively correlated with air relative humidity, while it was negatively correlated with total radiation and air temperature. The multiple regression equation of StWC and micro-environmental factors of Lagerstroemia indica was StWC = 11.789-1.402Rn-0.931T-1.132Ws+0.933RH-3.368ST+2.168SMC, and the coefficient of determination of the equation was of 0.87. Furthermore, the results illustrated that the irrigation should pay attention to supplementing irrigation in time during the peak growing season of fruit.
To achieve a rational allocation of limited water resources, and formulation of an appropriate irrigation system, this research studied the change characteristics of stem water content (StWC) in plant and its response to micro-environmental factors. In this study, the StWC and micro-environmental factors of Lagerstroemia indica in Beijing were continuously observed by BD-IV plant stem water content sensor and a forest microclimate monitoring station from 2017 to 2018. The variation of StWC and its correlation with environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed the StWC of Lagerstroemia indica varies regularly day and night during the growth cycle. Meanwhile, the rising time, valley time, and falling time of StWC were various at the different growth stages of Lagerstroemia indica. The results of correlation analysis between StWC and micro-environmental factors indicated that the StWC of Lagerstroemia indica was positively correlated with air relative humidity, while it was negatively correlated with total radiation and air temperature. The multiple regression equation of StWC and micro-environmental factors of Lagerstroemia indica was StWC = 11.789-1.402Rn-0.931T-1.132Ws+0.933RH-3.368ST+2.168SMC, and the coefficient of determination of the equation was of 0.87. Furthermore, the results illustrated that the irrigation should pay attention to supplementing irrigation in time during the peak growing season of fruit.Experimental evidence that fungal symbionts of beetles suppress wood decay by competing with decay fungihttps://peerj.com/preprints/276762019-04-232019-04-23James SkeltonAndrew LoydJason A. SmithRobert A. BlanchetteBenjamin W. HeldJiri Hulcr
Throughout forests worldwide, bark and ambrosia beetles inoculate dead and dying trees with symbiotic fungi. We experimentally determined the effects of three common and widely distributed ascomycete symbionts, and one introduced Asian basidiomycete symbiont on the decay of pine sapwood. Ascomycetes caused less than 5% mass loss and no structural degradation, whereas the basidiomycete Flavodon ambrosius caused nearly 15% mass loss and visible degradation of wood structure. In co-inoculation experiments, the beetle symbionts Ophiostoma ips and Raffaelea fusca reduced white and brown rot decay through competition with Ganoderma curtisii and Phaeolus schweinitzii, respectively. The inhibitory effects of O. ips and R. fusca on decay were negated when co-inoculated with F. ambrosius, suggesting that widespread introduction of this beetle symbiont could alter forest carbon fluxes. In contrast to the predominant forest biology narrative, most bark and ambrosia beetles introduce fungi that delay rather than facilitate tree biomass recycling.
Throughout forests worldwide,bark and ambrosia beetles inoculate dead and dying trees with symbiotic fungi. We experimentally determined the effects of three common and widely distributed ascomycete symbionts, and one introduced Asian basidiomycete symbionton the decay of pine sapwood. Ascomycetes caused less than 5% mass loss and no structural degradation, whereas the basidiomycete Flavodon ambrosius caused nearly 15% mass loss and visible degradation of wood structure. In co-inoculation experiments, the beetle symbionts Ophiostoma ips and Raffaelea fusca reduced white and brown rot decay through competition with Ganoderma curtisii and Phaeolus schweinitzii, respectively.The inhibitory effects of O. ips and R. fusca on decay were negated when co-inoculated with F. ambrosius, suggesting that widespread introduction of this beetle symbiont could alter forest carbon fluxes. In contrast to the predominant forest biology narrative, most bark and ambrosia beetles introduce fungi that delay rather than facilitate tree biomass recycling.A commentary on the economic aspects of the trade and TRAFFIC of wild animals and their correlates to the demand curvehttps://peerj.com/preprints/276312019-04-032019-04-03Daniele Dendi Dendi
All animals subject to legal and illegal trade are to be considered from an economical point of view as real economic goods. This preliminary study shows how the economic correlates of the wild trade may influence the elasticity of the demand curve. The elasticity of the demand curve should become a driver in the conservation policy focused to protect the biodiversity of the species. The prices trends are an important key to fully study the elasticity of demand. Understanding the response of consumers and hunters to perceived rarity is vital for predicting the impact of intervention strategies that seek to minimize extinction risk (Hall 2008). The trade in animals is directed towards markets with a higher level of income. In the global market, as the goods increase in price, they will always find their demand. For conservation reasons it is extremely important to understand which are, for each species, the reactions of the demand curve respect to the price changes
All animals subject to legal and illegal trade are to be considered from an economical point of view as real economic goods. This preliminary study shows how the economic correlates of the wild trade may influence the elasticity of the demand curve. The elasticity of the demand curve should become a driver in the conservation policy focused to protect the biodiversity of the species. The prices trends are an important key to fully study the elasticity of demand. Understanding the response of consumers and hunters to perceived rarity is vital for predicting the impact of intervention strategies that seek to minimize extinction risk (Hall 2008). The trade in animals is directed towards markets with a higher level of income. In the global market, as the goods increase in price, they will always find their demand. For conservation reasons it is extremely important to understand which are, for each species, the reactions of the demand curve respect to the price changes