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Woody species diversity and structure across natural forest coffee, semi-forest coffee, and homegarden coffee in the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve, Southwest Ethiopia

Published 01 Feb 2026

Tracey Hearn

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An assessment of woody species variation in coffee agroforestry systems in Ethiopia. From 90 plots, 27 woody species were recorded in natural forest, semi-forest, and homegarden coffee systems of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve.

Natural forest coffee showed the highest biodiversity, structural complexity, and shade-tree regeneration. Semi-forest coffee was similar structurally, while homegarden coffee had significantly lower diversity. Similarity indices showed strong species overlap between natural and semi-forest systems, confirming their key role in biodiversity conservation.

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Historical biogeography and character-mapping of Acridocarpus (Malpighiaceae) evidence a revised infrageneric classification system and shifts in African biomes from the Eocene to the Miocene

Published 17 Nov 2025

Tracey Hearn

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This study reconstructs the molecular phylogeny, historical biogeography, and morphological evolution of Acridocarpus (Malpighiaceae). Using six DNA markers, character mapping, and dated phylogenies, it proposes a new monophyletic infrageneric classification system.

The genus originated ~43 Ma in African–Madagascan rainforests, with multiple Oligocene colonisations of dry forests. The Miocene diversification of Madagascan savannas is corroborated.

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Multifaceted Assessment of Amazonian Tree Diversity Reveals Pervasive Impacts of Human Modification

Published 07 Nov 2025

Suman.R

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A Global Change Biology article presenting research that supports the project Enabling Large-scale and Climate-Resilient Forest Restoration in the Eastern Amazon, led by Lancaster University.

The article assesses how logging, fire and forest degradation alter taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity in Eastern Amazon forests, demonstrating significant biodiversity losses in disturbed landscapes. The project integrates field ecology, remote sensing and stakeholder engagement to inform evidence-based forest restoration and long-term resilience in the Brazilian Amazon.

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Global seaweed stock and Marine Protected Area assessments provide potential opportunities to protect wild seaweeds

Published 01 Nov 2025

Suman.R

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This Applied Phycology article presents findings from the GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR project, led by the Scottish Association for Marine Science, assessing seaweed aquaculture and wild harvesting in relation to biodiversity protection and Marine Protected Areas.

Using global mapping and multi-dataset analysis across 82 countries, the study identifies 261 commercially used species, highlights major gaps in species identification and production reporting, and shows that nearly half of seaweed activities occur within 1 km of MPAs.

With relevance to Indonesia and Malaysia, findings inform strategies to protect wild stocks, strengthen coastal ecosystems, build capacity and improve livelihoods.

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Recognising Seaweeds: Addressing Gaps in International Biodiversity Frameworks for Global Seaweed Conservation

Published 15 Apr 2025

Tracey Hearn

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A thematic analysis of 18 international biodiversity frameworks to assess the representation of seaweeds. It explores ways to better integrate them into policies. Obstacles preventing full integration include imperfect institutional coordination, inconsistent terminology use, limited representation within biodiversity targets and the absence of legally binding agreements with enforcement mechanisms.

It recommends improvement of seaweed integration into biodiversity frameworks, thereby supporting broader marine ecosystem resilience. This will contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water).

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Comparison of two cultivation methods for domesticating wild red algal eucheumatoids for use in the seaweed industry

Published 15 Aug 2024

Tracey Hearn

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A study of Eucheumatoid seaweed cultivation methods Semporna, East Malaysia. Seaweed farming supports coastal livelihoods in Malaysia but relies on old, genetically uniform Kappaphycus clones, increasing vulnerability to pests and diseases which in turn is exacerbated by climate change.

Two cultivation methods, tie tie and basket net, were tested for wild eucheumatoids from four sites. Tie tie cultivation produced higher growth rates, while basket nets improved survival by reducing grazing and detachment. Surviving wild strains show potential as resilient new commercial cultivars.

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