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Cet article vise à analyser les services (et dis-services) écosystémiques que la population cambodgienne retire de l’écosystème formé par le lac Tonle Sap et sa grande plaine d’inondation. Caractérisé par un phénomène de flux et de reflux du fleuve Mékong selon la saison des pluies, ce lac, dont la taille varie de un à cinq, est le lieu de la culture du riz, principale activité agricole du pays et denrée alimentaire de sa population. L’étude de cet agroécosystème, réalisé par des enquêtes dans six villages, montre une complexité dans la compréhension de ces services écosystémiques. Certains sont positifs, d’autres négatifs. Certains sont positifs jusqu’à un certain niveau, mais deviennent négatifs par la suite. Certains sont coproduits par la riziculture, qui au fil du temps a façonné l’écosystème. Nous montrons également, à partir d’une analyse des systèmes agraires, que les systèmes de production sont plus ou moins compatibles avec le maintien de ces services. This paper aims to analyze the ecosystem services and dis-services that the Cambodian population get from the ecosystem formed by the Tonle Sap Lake and its large flood plain. This lake is characterized by a phenomenon of ebb and flow of the Mekong River according to the rainy season. Its size varies from one to five, and it is the place where rice is cultivated. Rice is the main agricultural activity of the country and the main food of its population. The study of this agro-ecosystem, carried out through surveys in six rice-growing villages, shows a complexity in the understanding of these ecosystem services. Some are positive, others are negative. Some are positive up to a certain level but become negative afterwards. Some are co-produced by rice cultivation, which over time has shaped the ecosystem. We also show, from an analysis of agrarian systems, that production systems are more or less compatible with maintaining these services.

Cemeteries existing within cities are often omitted from the “green space” narrative despite their high levels of vegetation. Given the relatively small areas of green space in many cities, it is important to appropriately manage these landscapes to ensure that residents can access green spaces and enjoy the many benefits they offer. The purpose of our paper is to demonstrate that cemeteries should be managed and researched as urban green spaces that provide ecosystem services. We compared and contrasted cemeteries with urban parks and used their similarities and differences, as well as a review of existing cemetery and other green-space literature, to discuss how cemeteries can provide a wide variety of ecosystem services. We found that cemeteries and parks both have high levels of vegetation, similar perceived safety issues, and some common rules and regulations, while differing in their consideration as public spaces, effect on real-estate values, historical–cultural value, and funding and management goals. Despite the differences, we believe that the vegetation (particularly trees), monuments, other infrastructure, and atmosphere within cemeteries make them well-suited to providing ecosystem services such as recreation, human health and restoration, stormwater management, microclimate regulation, aesthetics, and so on. Cemeteries can also potentially provide ecosystem “disservices” such as allergens, invasive/dangerous/poisonous species, and the degradation of groundwater quality. However, we believe that the potential for ecosystem services far outweighs the potential for ecosystem disservices in urban cemeteries, and as such we believe they should be studied and managed as green spaces with functions beyond those of interment and mourning. Given the general superiority of trees over other vegetation in providing a diversity of ecosystem services, we urge cemetery managers to consider options for increases and improvements in cemetery tree populations. Les cimetières existant dans des villes sont souvent omis de l’exposé de faits « espace vert » malgré leurs hauts niveaux de végétation. Étant donné les zones d’espace vert relativement petites dans beaucoup de villes, il est important de convenablement gérer ces paysages afin d’assurer que les résidents puissent avoir accès aux espaces verts et profiter des nombreux avantages qu’ils offrent. Le but de notre étude est de démontrer que les cimetières devraient être gérés et faire l’objet de recherches en tant qu’espaces verts urbains qui fournissent des services écosystémiques. Nous avons comparé les cimetières avec les parcs urbains et avons utilisé leurs ressemblances et différences, ainsi qu’un examen de la littérature existante sur les cimetières et autres espaces verts, afin de discuter de la façon dont les cimetières peuvent offrir une grande diversité de services écosystémiques. Nous avons constaté que les cimetières et les parcs ont des niveaux élevés de végétation, des problèmes de sécurité perçus semblables et des règles et règlements communs, tout en étant différents par rapport à la façon dont on les considère en tant qu’espaces publics, leur effet sur les valeurs immobilières, la valeur historique et culturelle, et les objectifs de financement et de gestion. Malgré les différences, nous croyons que la végétation (particulièrement les arbres), les monuments, les autres infrastructures et l’atmosphère dans les cimetières font en sorte qu’ils sont bien adaptés pour offrir des services écosystémiques comme les loisirs, la santé humaine et la restauration, la gestion des eaux pluviales, la régulation de microclimat, l’esthétique, et cetera. Les cimetières peuvent aussi fournir « de mauvais services » à l’écosystème, comme des allergènes, des espèces envahissantes/dangereuses/vénéneuses et la dégradation de la qualité des eaux souterraines. Cependant, nous croyons que les possibilités pour des services écosystémiques l’emportent de loin sur les possibilités pour de mauvais services écosystémiques dans les cimetières urbains et comme tel nous croyons qu’ils devraient être étudiés et gérés comme des espaces verts avec des fonctions au-delà de ceux d’enterrement et de deuil. Compte tenu de la supériorité générale des arbres par rapport aux autres végétaux dans l’approvisionnement de diversité de services écosystémiques, nous conseillons fortement aux gestionnaires de cimetières à envisager des options pour l’augmentation et l’amélioration des populations d’arbres dans les cimetières.

Description du sujet. Les parcs agroforestiers de l’Afrique sub-humide connaissent des variations régionales de composition et de densité qui pourraient être liées à des facteurs naturels et aux savoirs et objectifs de leurs gestionnaires quant aux bénéfices et inconvénients des arbres. Objectifs. Afin de vérifier cette dernière l’hypothèse, nous avons utilisé le cadre d’analyse des services et desservices écosystémiques (SE/DSE) en partant du point de vue des familles paysannes qui gèrent les parcs. Méthode. Sur un transect sociétal en zone sud soudanienne du Burkina Faso, dans une zone au milieu suffisamment homogène, six villages divisés en deux groupes (Ouest, Est) selon des critères sociétaux ont fait l’objet de 67 entretiens auprès de familles exploitantes de champs inventoriés par ailleurs. Les enquêteurs ont employé des équivalents de l’idée de bénéfice ou avantage des arbres pour les cultures et l’élevage, et vice versa, dans les langues locales. La fréquence de citation d’un SE/DSE constitue un indicateur d’importance de ce dernier pour une population. Les SE/DSE reconnus par une majorité sont qualifiés « essentiels ». Résultats. Avec huit SE importants pour seulement deux DSE, les avantages mutuels perçus entre composantes de l’association arbres-cultures-élevage dominent. Les SE des arbres aux cultures et au bétail et les SE inverses sont presque aussi nombreux, créant une synergie. À l’Est du transect (parc dense et diversifié sur cultures manuelles de sorgho), l’ensemble constitué de cette synergie, des cinq SE essentiels (fertilité du sol, alimentation bétail – feuilles et fruits –, ombrage du bétail, fertilisation de l’arbre par bétail) et des SE directs (approvisionnement en bois et fruits), est interprétable comme une nécessité perçue d’un peuplement arboré dense et varié, plus qu’un simple bénéfice. Dans l’Ouest en revanche (parc peu dense et pauvre en espèces sur cultures intensives mécanisées), il est perçu un DSE essentiel des arbres (ombrage et gêne des cultures), aussi le parc est pensé comme moins nécessaire et réduit à son minimum pour la seule production lucrative de karité. Conclusions. Ces faisceaux de relations perçues qui dépendent des systèmes de culture et d’élevage menés sont donc à la base de l’arbitrage de densité et de composition. À l’Ouest, la réhabilitation du parc serait facilitée par des appuis et incitations provenant des filières coton et karité, responsables de l’appauvrissement du parc, pour y compenser l’arbitrage défavorable. Cette réhabilitation aurait pour but de rendre des SE spécifiques à la fois locaux (régénération du karité, fourrages, santé du sol) et globaux (biodiversité, carbone). Mutual services of trees, crops, and livestock in agroforestry parks of a sub-humid zone of Burkina Faso Description of the subject. Agroforestry parks in sub-humid Africa show regional variations in composition and density of trees, which may be linked to natural factors and to farmers' knowledge and opinions regarding the benefits and drawbacks of trees. Objectives. In order to test the latter hypothesis, we used the Ecosystem Services/Disservices (ES/DES) framework, starting from the point of view of the farming families who manage the parks. Method. On a societal transect in the sub-humid zone of Burkina Faso, in an area with a sufficiently homogeneous environment, six villages, divided into two groups (West, East) according to societal criteria, were the subject of 67 interviews with families operating inventoried fields. The interviewers used equivalents of the idea of benefit or advantage of trees for crops and livestock, and vice versa, in local languages. The frequency with which an ES/DES is cited is an indicator of its importance for a population. ES recognized by the majority were qualified as “essential ES”. Results. With eight important ES for only two DES, mutual benefits between components of the tree-crop-livestock association dominate. ES from trees to crops and livestock and inverse ES are almost equally numerous, creating synergy. In the eastern part of the transect (dense, diversified park on hand-cultivated sorghum), the combination of this synergy, the five essential ES (soil fertility, livestock feeding - leaves and fruit, cattle shading, tree fertilization by livestock), and the direct ES (wood and fruit supply) can be interpreted as a perceived need for a dense and diversified tree stand, rather than a simple benefit. In the western part, on the other hand (species-poor and sparse park on mechanized intensive crops), trees are perceived as an essential DES (shading and hindrance to crops). Here, the park is perceived as less necessary and is reduced to its minimum for the sole lucrative production of shea fruit. Conclusions. These bundles of perceived relationships, which depend on the cropping and livestock production system, are therefore at the root of density and composition trade-offs. In the West, in addition to conformation pruning to reduce the shading factor, incentives for park rehabilitation by the cotton and shea sectors, which are responsible for park impoverishment, would counterbalance the unfavorable trade-off. They would target both specific local (shea regeneration, fodder, soil health) and global ES (biodiversity, carbon, etc.).

The urban environment is becoming the most common setting in which people worldwide will spend their lives. Urban forests, and the ecosystem services they provide, are becoming a priority for municipalities. Quantifying and communicating the vulnerability of this resource are essential for maintaining a consistent and equitable supply of these ecosystem services. We propose a theory-based conceptual framework for the assessment of urban forest vulnerability that integrates the biophysical, built, and human components of urban forest ecosystems. A review and description of potential vulnerability indicators are provided. Urban forest vulnerability can be defined as the likelihood of decline in ecosystem service supply and its associated benefits for human populations, urban infrastructure, and biodiversity. It is comprised of (i) exposure, which refers to the stressors and disturbances associated with the urban environment that negatively affect ecosystem function, (ii) sensitivity, which is determined by urban forest structure and dictates the system response to forcing from exposures and the magnitude of potential impacts, and (iii) adaptive capacity, which is the social and environmental capacity of a system to shift or alter its conditions to reduce its vulnerability or to improve its ability to function while stressed. Potential impacts, or losses in ecosystem service supply, are temporal in nature and require backward-looking monitoring and (or) forward-looking modelling to be measured and assessed. Vulnerability can be communicated through the use of indicators, aggregated indices, and mapping. A vulnerability approach can communicate complex issues to decision-makers and advance the theoretical understanding of urban forest ecosystems.

Background The dynamics of phosphorus (P) in the environment is important for regulating nutrient cycles in natural and managed ecosystems and an integral part in assessing biological resilience against environmental change. Organic P (Po) compounds play key roles in biological and ecosystems function in the terrestrial environment being critical to cell function, growth and reproduction. Scope We asked a group of experts to consider the global issues associated with Po in the terrestrial environment, methodological strengths and weaknesses, benefits to be gained from understanding the Po cycle, and to set priorities for Po research. Conclusions We identified seven key opportunities for Po research including: the need for integrated, quality controlled and functionally based methodologies; assessment of stoichiometry with other elements in organic matter; understanding the dynamics of Po in natural and managed systems; the role of microorganisms in controlling Po cycles; the implications of nanoparticles in the environment and the need for better modelling and communication of the research. Each priority is discussed and a statement of intent for the Po research community is made that highlights there are key contributions to be made toward understanding biogeochemical cycles, dynamics and function of natural ecosystems and the management of agricultural systems.

The Canadian boreal forest is primarily public land, owned and managed by provincial governments on behalf of the public interest. Boreal forest governance consists of a complex patchwork of federal and provincial legislation, policies, tenures, and delegated authorities designed to achieve multiple (and often conflicting) social, ecological, and economic objectives. We examine the implications of boreal governance arrangements for sustainable management of ecosystem services. The paper shows how current multi-level governance arrangements that evolved from Canada’s Constitution Act are not effective at managing the cross-scale and cross-sectoral challenges of ecosystem services and have created a crisis of legitimacy for forest decisions. We show how the rise of nonstate arrangements, marketization, and decentralization are partly a response to governance gaps for ecosystem services as well as a reflection of global trends in forest governance. Past trends related to governance themes (the role and scope of government, the level of integration and coordination, Indigenous empowerment, and geopolitical influences) are used to motivate future governance scenarios.

The Canadian boreal zone provides ecosystem services from local to global scales. Either directly or indirectly, demands for these services have and will continue to serve as drivers of change in the region. Here we present evidence for past, present, and potential future demand for maintaining nonprovisioning ecosystem services (NPrES), defined as indirect and nonmarketable services obtained from ecosystems as a driver of change in the boreal zone. Our evidence of demand stems from federal and provincial policies, actions by Indigenous peoples, and nongovernmental initiatives that aim to maintain the sustainability of natural resource extraction and ecosystem condition of the boreal. Presently, the demand for NPrES influences decisions related to natural resource development (e.g., forestry) that in turn impacts the condition of the boreal zone. Informed by the present conditions and past trends, three future scenarios to the year 2050 are presented that contrast in their trajectory—status quo, increased demand for NPrES, and decreased demand for NPrES. We also summarize the interactions among other drivers of change in the boreal and the synergies and trade-offs among the different types of demand for NPrES. Ultimately, sustainability of the boreal zone and the ecosystem services it provides will result from a complex suite of interacting drivers of change, where the balance of demands for provisioning and NPrES will continue to influence regional conditions.

From September 2015 to January 2016, we studied the tree species diversity, biomass and biomass carbon stock of two different forests in Western Odisha: a wildlife sanctuary and a sacred forest. The wildlife sanctuary is entirely managed by the Forest Department, whereas the sacred forest is jointly managed by the local community and the Forest Department. Our results showed that the sacred forest had a greater species richness, density and diversity compared to the wildlife sanctuary. The density in different diameter classes showed that the sacred forest is regenerating with a good regeneration potential, but the wildlife sanctuary had a poor regeneration potential with lower numbers of saplings than adults. However, the biomass and carbon content of the wildlife sanctuary were higher than in the sacred forest. This may be due to the presence of a higher proportion of old trees in the wildlife sanctuary compared to the sacred forest. Biomass values can be used to emphasize the role of management in maintaining the carbon stock in forest ecosystems. Our results can be helpful in framing conservation strategies and action plans for forest patches in India and globally.

Dans un contexte de pressions toujours croissantes sur les milieux naturels, les travaux sur les multiples valeurs de la biodiversité et les services écosystémiques peuvent aider à mieux comprendre les interactions entre nature et société, à anticiper les bouleversements à venir et à concevoir des mesures de gestion appropriées. Cet ouvrage alimente le débat de société sur notre rapport à la nature et souligne les grandes questions qui devraient être au coeur des politiques de recherche sur la biodiversité dans les années à venir.