Background: The livelihood patterns of indigenous tribal communities residing in the Ghumsur forests are intricately interwoven with their dependence on forest-related activities. However, the degradation of forest ecosystems, particularly the incidence of forest fires, exerts a profound impact on the socio-economic dynamics and resilience of these communities. Consequently, an exigent need arises to comprehensively elucidate, evaluate and comprehend the nuanced characteristics of these areas concerning the complex interplay between forest fires and livelihoods.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A thorough investigation was conducted to evaluate livelihood vulnerability to forest fires in the Ghumsur North Division forests. This assessment utilized the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI), incorporating 34 indicators condensed into six factors for a comprehensive composite index. The factors represented various aspects of vulnerability and were based on tangible indicators reflecting the complexity of livelihood vulnerability. Data sources were primarily used, with indicators standardized on a scale from 0 to 1, where values near 1 indicated higher vulnerability.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The Gallery sub-region is particularly vulnerable due to factors like poor infrastructure, increased reliance on forests, close proximity to forested areas, socio-economic fragility and exposure to extreme weather events. It&rsquo;s crucial to improve adaptive capacity in fire-affected regions to reduce vulnerability to forest fires. Tailored policy interventions should focus on sector-specific development programs and involve communities in adaptation planning to address the link between livelihoods and susceptibility to forest fires.

Forest Fire Hazards and Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment of Ghumsur Forests in Ganjam District of Odisha

Background: In Russia 5.2 million hectares of protective forest plantations were created on agricultural land. Forest strips optimize moisture turnover, heat and gas exchange of the territory and transform agrarian landscapes into more sustainable forest-agrarian ecosystems (agroforest landscapes). Studying the impact of shelterbelt forests on the transformation of soil properties in the context of climate change (organic carbon storage) is an important problem. The aim of our research was to study the effect of shelterbelt forests on soil indicators and to digitally map the contours of forest-meliorated soils on the test site using GIS-technology and field studies. 
 
Methods: In the present study, the methodology of soil studies in agroforested soils (1978) and the methodology of assessing the accumulation of substances in plants and soils in agroforested landscapes were used to study forest-meliorated soils. We proceeded from the position that the reclamation effect of forest belts occurs at a distance of 30 heights. The research was conducted from 2016 to 2022. 
 
Result: Research has established, that the soil profile under the forest belt has an organogenic horizon A0 (forest floor); the thickness of the humus horizon (A+B1) under the forest belt is 8-10 cm higher compared to other zones. Spatial distribution of humus content in the A+B1 horizon from the forest belt to the centers of inter-belt squares (zone 20H) is not characterized by great variability and clear patterns and on average makes 1.15-1.2%. The increase in calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content in the soil occurs in the direction from the forest belt to the 20H zone. The indicator of dense residue in terms of the content of readily soluble salts is not relevant in estimating the forest belt&rsquo;s influence on transformation of soil properties. A preliminary digital map of the contours of forest-reclaimed soils has been compiled. The obtained materials will serve as a basis for modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of soils under forest belts in the zonal section and improving soil fertility in the interstrip space.

Influence of Forest Strips on Changes in Soil Properties in the Agrolandscape

Background: Assessing the forest suitability of soils is one of the key areas of agroforestry science. Research in this direction makes it possible to characterize areas where tree and shrub vegetation does not grow under natural conditions. The research carried out makes it possible to assess the possibilities of afforestation in the area of interest; they contribute to the perception of landscape diversity in the context of the reclamation efficiency of the created systems of protective forest plantings, their productivity and durability. Identification of soil suitability for forests is closely related to the assessment of soil quality and fertility. The study of forest suitability of soils has a pronounced regional aspect. This article presents materials from cartographic studies of the dry steppe zone of the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation. The study region is characterized by a wide variety of soil cover. Dark chestnut, chestnut soils and light chestnut soils are common in this zone. The processes of erosion, salinizationand deflation make a great contribution to the diversity of soil complexes. 
 
Methods: In this work, the cartographic research method is the main one. Achieving the research goal, creating a cartographic model of the forest vegetation properties of the study area, was carried out in three stages. At the first stage, the contours of the soil map at a scale of 1:400000 were classified into forest suitability groups. During the second stage, based on the functionality of the QGIS software package, new soil contours were created. At the third stage, area characteristics were taken, share parameters were calculated and an analysis of changes in soil cover was carried out in natural and economic areas. The research materials presented in this article were obtained during the implementation of the state task of the research work of the FSC of Agroecology RAS. The research period is from 2021-08 to 2023-11. 
 
Result: The result of the research is the creation of a cartographic model of the forest suitability of soils in the dry steppe zone of the Volgograd region. Based on measuring the areas of soil contours for each of the 17 administrative districts, the ratio of groups of forest suitability of soils was established. The revealed value of the share indicator for the study area as a whole is as follows: soils I, forest suitability groups occupy 10.4% of the territory; II -9.3%; III - 68.3%; IV - 12%. The data obtained are necessary for planning agroforestry work in the study area.

Assessment of Forest Suitability of Soils in the Dry Steppe Zone of the Volgograd Region

Background: The article presents the results of a study which is characterizing the impact of a forest shelterbelt on the productivity and profitability of winter wheat of the dry steppe zone of Volgograd region (Russia). The relevance of the problem was due to the fact that most of the agriculture is used to be concentrated in the steppe and forest-steppe natural zones. It is known that these territories were used to be forest reclamation facilities in the form of a network of protective forest belts. Also it touched&nbsp; the research aimed n need&nbsp; to evaluate the efficiency of winter wheat production within depression zones. The hypothesis means that&nbsp; the soil and climatic conditions of dry steppe regions, were utilizing these depression zone for arable land which significantly reduced the productivity and profitability of winter wheat cultivation. 
 
Methods: The work presents the biological productivity which was taken into account by using the method of meter-long plots in triplicationand a soil moisture was determined by the thermostat-weight method and grain quality was determined by using an infrared analyzer &ldquo;InfraLUM FT-12&rdquo;. The territory was visualized by using an unmanned aerial vehicle and chemical analyzes of soil samples were performed in the soil analysis laboratory of the FSC of Agroecology RAS by using generally accepted methods in soil science. 
 
Result: The research determined that depression zones arise in the steppe and dry steppe zones on the territory of agroforest landscapes near protective forest plantations. The areas of these zones occupy 4-8% of the total arable land area. Observations have shown that soil moisture in the depression zone in the meter-long layer is lower than in the inter-strip space. At the same time, the lack of mineral nutrition elements leads to a significant decrease in biometric indicators and the quality of winter wheat grown.

The Influence of the Depression Zone of Forest Shelterbelts on the Productivity and Profitability of Winter Wheat

Background: Quantifying the growth patterns, biomass production and carbon storage capability of different forest types has gained more attention in recent decades due to the global focus on climate change and carbon budgeting. Depending on their condition, age, species makeup and management techniques, forests can be both generators and sinks of carbon. Significant carbon reservoirs can be found in the North-Western Himalayan broadleaf forests, which are frequently distinguished by their multi-layered canopies and abundant understory vegetation. 
 
Methods: The current investigation was carried out in the broad leaf forest of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh from 2020-21 to 2021-22. The study region belongs to subtropical to sub temperate climatic zone. The identified research area was split into five replicates of 10 &times; 10 m each. All of the trees in each replication were chosen and counted. A total of 41 trees from the broad leaf forest were chosen and the tree species included. Bauhinia variegata, Grewia optiva, Pinus roxburghii, Toona ciliata and Quercus leucotricophora. Tree biomass and growth at the study site were counted. The following growth metrics were measured: total tree height, crown length, crown spread, crown index and Dbh. Volume equations were used to estimate biomass. Growth and biomass metrics were averaged (Mean+S.E.). 
 
Result: Present study provided the information about growth of broad leaf forest, its biomass and capacity to sequester carbon in the mid-hill Himalayas. With a height of 18.33 metres, Pinus roxburghii dominated the forest tree stand while- Bauhinia variegata had height and crown spread of 5.06 m and 0.57 m, respectively. The calculated total biomass of broad leaf forest was 407.48 Mg/ha/year, that might have contributed to the total carbon stock of 183.36 Mg/ha/year. Carbon was sequestered by broad leaf forest at a rate of 672.95 Mg/ha/year. The findings indicated that excellent management methods are necessary for such forests to have improved soil and carbon-storing capacity.&nbsp;

Growth, Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Broad Leaf Forest in North-West Himalayas

Background: Fabaceae is third largest family of angiosperms and second important family from commercial and economic point of view. The purpose of the present study was to examine the floristic analysis and species diversity of the family Fabaceae in Community Forests of South Haryana, India in view of recent classification recognised by Legume Phylogeny Working Group. Though the community forests are fragmented but still act as local mini biodiversity host spots harbouring rich plant diversity. 
 
Methods: Repeated floristic surveys were conducted in different seasons during the year 2023 and 2024. Detailed field notes were recorded and photographs were taken in the natural conditions. 
 
Result: The outcome of study revealed 61 species belonging to 34 genera, 16 tribes and 4 subfamilies from the studied area. The subfamily Papilionoideae is the most dominant, comprising 10 tribes, 21 genera and 41 species. Phaseoleae is the largest tribe with 7 genera and 9 species, followed by Mimoseae with 4 genera and 4 species. Indigofera emerged as the largest genus, comprising 8 species. The Simpson&rsquo;s index value proved that the Fabaceae family in Community Forests has high diversity. The analysis of growth form indicated that the Fabaceae family is dominated by Herbs with a proportion of 48%. Therophytes have highest number of species (44%), followed by Phenerophytes (36%), Chaemephytes (18%), Hemicrytophytes (2%). The findings of the present study will be helpful for botanists, conservationist, policy planners and local people for effective management of community forests.

Floristic Diversity of the Family Fabaceae (Leguminosae) in Community Forests of South Haryana, India

<div style="text-align:justify">The tissue-cultured seedlings of Betula alnoides were introduced to plant in Wanshiqing Area of Fujian Hua&rsquo;an Jinshan National Forest Farm and Beijing Area of Fujian Longhai Jiulongling National Forest Farm. B.alnoides was mixed with Castanopsis hystrix with 4 patterns in Wanshiqing Area, and mixed with Cunninghamia lanceolata with three patterns in Beijing Area. After one year the sample plots were set and each tree in the plots was investigated. The results showed the effects of the mix afforestation patterns to the growth of B. alnoides were significant difference in the early stage. The optimal pattern was the pure forest of B. alnoides with the best tree height and DBH. It was possible that the pure forest crowns closed after one year and created a small forest climate. The termites, crickets, Anoplophora chinensis and Batocera lineolata were found damaging to the B. alnoide in Wanshiqing Area, but not in Beijing Area.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Preliminary afforestation effect of the mixed forest Betula alnoides in southern Fujian China</div>

Background: The work was carried out in the arid environment of south-western Algeria using Retama retama (Forssk.) Webb and Berthel. an indicator shrub for forest protection and restoration. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;The experiment was conducted during the period 2024-2025 in university center of Naama, in the arid region of Na&acirc;ma, Algeria, North Africa.The study of dendrometric parameters such as height, circumference was based on inter-plant measurements,&nbsp; height of the shrubs and circumference of &nbsp;Retama&nbsp;plant. The soil chemical quality&nbsp; was examined by&nbsp; NMR spectroscopy magnetic and diffractometer. The statistical data representation was studied by descending hierarchical classification and correlation using R software. 
 
Result: A height range of&nbsp; 0.2 to&nbsp; 3 m, a crown circumference range from 0.03 m to 13.8 m and an equidistance between 0.2 m and 19.40 m was observed. This study helped&nbsp; to understand the links between dendrometric parameters such as height, circumference and the chemical quality of soil. The chemical analysis of the soil by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, XRD &ldquo;X-ray diffractometer&rdquo; and NMR &ldquo;nuclear magnetic resonance&rdquo;,shows that SiO2&nbsp;represent 90,83%, Al2O3: 7.45%, CaO:1.02%, Fe2O3:0.29%, Na2O and K2O:0.01%, TiO2: 0.09%. The significant dendrometric results of the retama shrub demonstrate a significant ability to combat erosion and improve soil chemical quality through the addition of nutrients and organic matter from the associated fauna of the retama shrub. Dendrometrics are a valuable tool for sustainable forest management in arid regions, as they link tree characteristics to soil quality and the protection of the forest ecosystem.

Combining Dendrometric Parameters and Soil Chemical Properties: An Useful Tool for Valorization of Shrubs in Forests

Background: Spider assemblages, which are easily sampled, are useful indicators that can be used to compare the biodiversity of various environments and assess the effects of disturbances on diversity. Because spiders are generally found in forests in high abundance, they form some good model taxa for biodiversity studies. 
 
Methods: The present study compares the composition and diversity of spiders in the Lian-Huo highway (Shangqiu section) shelter forest (HS) and campus habitat (CH) of Henan province, China. Sampling were collected from April to June 2018 and fourth time a month, a total of twenty-four samples were collected. Within each habitat type there were eight sites surveyed which represented a wide geographical spread of the habitats. 
 
Result: A total of 3725 individual spiders were collected from the two sites, representing 14 families and 23 species. Guild structure analysis of the collected spiders revealed 4 feeding guilds viz, web weavers, Sheet web weavers, Foliage hunter&rsquo;s spider and Ambush hunters. The abundance of spiders in the campus habitat is significantly higher than that in Lian-Huo highway (Shangqiu section) shelter forestand the Shannon-Wiener index (H&rsquo;) (HS=3.3827, CH=2.2007), Simpson index (D) (HS=0.8710, CH=0.7391), Evenness index (J) (HS=2.8391, CH=1.7088) and Richness index (E) (HS=0.7462, CH=0.6362) are significantly higher in the campus habitat than in the Lian-Huo highway (Shangqiu section) shelter forest. These results suggest that increasing the complexity of habitat structure and reducing anthropogenic disturbance is a meaningful way to conserve and restore Spiders diversity.

Composition and Diversity of Spiders in the Lian-huo Highway (Shangqiu Section) Shelter Forest and Campus Habitat of Henan Province, China

<div>Background: The purpose of the research is to study the features of contamination of dark gray forest soils with heavy metals and to establish the yield of oil cabbage crops as a result of the use of various levels of mineral nutrition in the conditions of the Non-black earth zone of Russia. 
 
Methods: The experiments were carried out on the dark gray forest soils of Ryazan region in crops of spring rape, white mustard and gray mustard (Sarepta). Soil sampling to determine HMs was carried out before the experiment. Determination of heavy metals was carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry using a semi-quantitative spectral method on a spectrophotometer in the laboratory of the State Station of the Agrochemical Service &ldquo;Ryazanskaya&rdquo; and the laboratories of the university.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The studied types and combinations of mineral fertilizers had effect on the growth and development of plants. The effectiveness of the use of mineral nutrition doses proves its high efficiency in studies with oilseed crops in the conditions of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia. The highest yields, for spring rapeseed (19.3 dt ha-1), for gray mustard (13.7 dt ha-1) and white mustard (12.2 dt ha-1), were observed in the variants with the action of N90-120P60K60.&nbsp;</div>