Mushroom Production as an Alternative for Rural Development in a Forested Mountainous Area

Wild mushrooms are recognized as important non-wood forest products in mountainous ecosystems, but their real potential for generating rural economies has not been fully evaluated due to the difficulties in obtaining reliable productivity data, minimizing their true potential as contributor to rural economies. Mushroom yield models based on large data series from Pinus forest ecosystems in the region of Catalonia(Spain), combined with data from the Spanish National Forest Inventory allow us to estimate the potential mushroom productivity by forest ecosystems. The results of 24,500 tons/yr of mushrooms of which 16,300 tons are classified as edible and 7,900 tons are commonly marketed demonstrate the importance of mushroom productions in Catalonian pine forests, mostly located in mountainous areas where the development of agricultural activities is limited. Economic mushroom value is estimated at 48 million € for the edible mushroom and 32 million € for those corresponding to marketable yields, confirming the potential of this non-wood forest product. These production results and corresponding economic values provide a basis for the incorporation of wild mushrooms as significant non-wood forest products in the development of forest policies in mountainous areas.

Yield models for predicting aboveground ectomycorrhizal fungal productivity in Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster stands of northern Spain

Background: Predictive models shed light on aboveground fungal yield dynamics and can assist decision-making in forestry by integrating this valuable non-wood forest product into forest management planning. However, the currently existing models are based on rather local data and, thus, there is a lack of predictive tools to monitor mushroom yields on larger scales.Results: This work presents the first empirical models for predicting the annual yields of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms and related ecosystem services in Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster stands in northern Spain, using a long-term dataset suitable to account for the combined effect of meteorological conditions and stand structure.Models were fitted for the following groups of fungi separately: all ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, edible mushrooms and marketed mushrooms. Our results show the influence of the weather variables(mainly precipitation) on mushroom yields as well as the relevance of the basal area of the forest stand that follows a right-skewed unimodal curve with maximum predicted yields at stand basal areas of 30–40 m2·ha-1.Conclusion: These models are the first empirical models for predicting the annual yields of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms in Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster stands in northern Spain, being of the highest resolution developed to date and enable predictions of mushrooms productivity by taking into account weather conditions and forests’ location, composition and structure.

Peculiarities of Rent Flows Formation in the Area of Renewable Natural Resources and the Necessity of Their Accounting for Regional Development

Natural landscapes provide ability to live of local people. Because of the lack of information about the rent streams which are created in non-wood resources usage sphere, the priority of the state policy is given to the wood crude product. The purpose of this article is to explain why the ecology-economic accounting of wildlife resources is needed. Methodological approaches of the environment resources by the United Nations allow to define the rent streams created in sector of private households. Based on full economic value of non-wood resources the measurement of rent flows will allow to carry out updating of a state policy and to develop the mechanism of natural landscapes preservation and to increase socially-ecological efficiency of it＇s using.

Thermal Diagnosis of Heat Conduction and Combustion Time of Fruits of the Brazil Nut Tree (<i>Bertholletia excelsa</i>Bonpl.)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the spatial and temporal dynamics of the process of combustion of fruits of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) using thermographic images in order to characterize the potential of this biomass as an energy source for use in ceramic kilns. Infrared thermography was used as a diagnostic tool, and the trial was conducted in November 2018, in two blocks with two repetitions in each, with the fruits organized so that the cavity was oriented upward and also downward. The thermograms were analyzed using Flir Tools (6.3 v). The temperatures were the highest in the center of the fruits (>160&deg;C), attaining incandescence in 6 min 30 s. Heat was propagated from the center to the edge, and this process was quicker for fruits with their cavities pointed upward. A second order polynomial model explained combustion time with a maximum duration of 7.2 minutes. The thermographic diagnostic has the potential to be used in management strategies for this biomass as an energy source, thus aggregating value to the residuals that are normally left in the forest during harvest by extractivists.

Optimum Control for Spread of Pollutants through Forest Resources

Pollution has become the most critical factor spread by forest resources through wood-based and non-wood based industries. In other words, pollution is omnipresent. In this paper, the major pollutants caused due to wood and non-wood based industries are discussed which are the primary resources of the forest in spreading the pollution. In order to study the impact of industrialization and associated pollution on forest resources, the system of non-linear ordinary differential equations is formulated. The controls are advised on both types of industries to reduce the pollution.

Textiles from non-wood feedstocks: Challenges and opportunities of current and emerging fiber spinning technologies

As the global population continues growing, the demand for textiles also increases, putting pres- sure on cotton manufacturers to produce more natural fiber from this already undersupplied resource. Synthetic fibers such as polyester (PET) can be manufactured quickly and cheaply, but these petroleum-based products are detrimental to the environment. With increased efforts to encourage transparency and create a more circular textile economy, other natural alternatives must be considered. This article discusses the existing condition and future possibilities for man- made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs), with an emphasis on using non-woody alternative feedstocks as a starting material. This work focuses on conversion technology suitable for producing textile- grade fibers from non-wood-based dissolving pulp, which may be different in nature from its woody counterpart and therefore behave differently in spinning processes. Derivatization and dissolution methods are detailed, along with spinning techniques and parameters for these pro- cesses. Existing research related to the spinning of non-woody-based dissolving pulp is covered, along with suggestions for the most promising feedstock and technology combinations. In addi- tion, an emerging method of conversion, in which textile fibers are spun from a hydrogel made of an undissolved nano/micro-fibrillated fiber suspension, is briefly discussed due to its unique po- tential. Methods and concepts compiled in this review relate to utilizing alternative feedstocks for future fibers while providing a better understanding of conventional and emerging fiber spinning processes for these fibers.

Potassium hydroxide based biorefinery concepts for non-wood bioresources

The paper and paperboard production in 2016 in the world was 110.07 million tones.1 Bangladesh consumes only about 3.5~4 kg paper and board products per capita,while the developed countries consume about 300 kg/capita.Bangladesh’s consumption is also much lower than the world’s average(@50 kg/capita)and the Asia’s average(@50 kg/capita).2 To reach the world’s or Asia’s level,Bangladesh’s consumption of paper and board products needs to increase 10 folds.As forest resources are very limited in Bangladesh,alternative fibrous raw materials are required to achieve this goal.Therefore many studies have been carried out on alternative raw materials available in Bangladesh.

Beyond cotton and polyester: An evaluation of emerging feedstocks and conversion methods for the future of fashion industry

As the global population grows,the demand for textiles is increasing rapidly.However,this puts immense pressure on manufacturers to produce more fiber.While synthetic fibers can be pro-duced cheaply,they have a negative impact on the environment.On the other hand,fibers from wool,sisal,fique,wood pulp(viscose),and man-made cellulose fibers(MMCFs)from cotton can-not alone meet the growing fiber demand without major stresses on land,water,and existing markets using these materials.With a greater emphasis on transparency and circular economy practices,there is a need to consider natural non-wood alternative sources for MMCFs to supple-ment other fiber types.However,introducing new feedstocks with different compositions may require different biomass conversion methods.Therefore,based on existing work,this review ad-dresses the technical feasibility of various alternative feedstocks for conversion to textile-grade fibers.First,alternative feedstocks are introduced,and then conventional(dissolving pulp)and emerging(fibrillated cellulose and recycled material)conversion technologies are evaluated to help select the most suitable and promising processes for these emerging alternative sources of cellulose.It is important to note that for alternative feedstocks to be adopted on a meaningful scale,high biomass availability and proximity of conversion facilities are critical factors.In North America,soybean,wheat,rice,sorghum,and sugarcane residues are widely available and most suitable for conventional conversion through various dissolving pulp production methods(pre-hydrolysis kraft,acid sulfite,soda,SO2-ethanol-water,and potassium hydroxide)or by emerging cellulose fibrillation methods.While dissolving pulp conversion is well-established,fibrillated cel-lulose methods could be beneficial from cost,efficiency,and environmental perspectives.Thus,the authors strongly encourage more work in this growing research area.However,conducting thorough cost and sustainability assessments is important to determine the best feedstock and technology combinations.