Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. is a forest tree species native to Mexico, widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In Africa, the plantation of the species has gained considerable interest being represented in different African countries, and probably being the most widely planted pine in tropical Africa. The species traits and the diversity of wood use to highlight the importance and usefulness of the species in the tropical regions of the African continent. The aim of this chapter is to review the state-of-the-art on the knowledge of the species, namely their characteristics and their growth dynamics, present information on productions, silvicultural management and biotic vulnerabilities, and summarize the effects on biodiversity and relevance on carbon stock. Knowledge of species biological and silvicultural traits supports decision-making on sustainable forest management and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of UN Agenda 2030.
Part of the book: Conifers
Fungi are an integral part of the natural world, playing important roles in ecological processes and having considerable potential for use in diverse industries. Despite the rich fungal diversity in Ethiopia, limited information exists regarding their distribution, threats, and conservation efforts. Even, fungi are not included in the biodiversity database of the country. This chapter provides a synthesis of information gathered from different sources to understand fungal biodiversity, focusing on the distributions, threats to and conservation of fungal species across various land uses and sites in Ethiopia. The fungal biodiversity in the country is extensive, encompassing a wide range of fungal species. However, fungi in Ethiopia are threatened by multiple factors, including land use/land cover changes, deforestation, habitat degradation, the expansion of invasive plant species, and climate change. This leads to effective conservation and management of biodiversity to ensure their sustainable use, thus enhancing the resilience and productivity of habitats, different ecosystems, and mycological resources. To this end, this chapter will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and help in the formulation of strategies for sustainable management of fungal biodiversity.
Part of the book: The Diversity of Fungal World [Working title]