Unveiling African rainforest composition and vulnerability to global change.

Africa is forecasted to experience large and rapid climate change1 and population growth2 during the twenty-first century, which threatens the world's second largest rainforest. Protecting and sustainably managing these African forests requires an increased understanding of their compositional heterogeneity, the environmental drivers of forest composition and their vulnerability to ongoing changes. Here, using a very large dataset of 6 million trees in more than 180,000 field plots, we jointly model the distribution in abundance of the most dominant tree taxa in central Africa, and produce continuous maps of the floristic and functional composition of central African forests. Our results show that the uncertainty in taxon-specific distributions averages out at the community level, and reveal highly deterministic assemblages. We uncover contrasting floristic and functional compositions across climates, soil types and anthropogenic gradients, with functional convergence among types of forest that are floristically dissimilar. Combining these spatial predictions with scenarios of climatic and anthropogenic global change suggests a high vulnerability of the northern and southern forest margins, the Atlantic forests and most forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where both climate and anthropogenic threats are expected to increase sharply by 2085. These results constitute key quantitative benchmarks for scientists and policymakers to shape transnational conservation and management strategies that aim to provide a sustainable future for central African forests.

Ten principles for a landscape approach to reconciling agriculture, conservation, and other competing land uses.

"Landscape approaches" seek to provide tools and concepts for allocating and managing land to achieve social, economic, and environmental objectives in areas where agriculture, mining, and other productive land uses compete with environmental and biodiversity goals. Here we synthesize the current consensus on landscape approaches. This is based on published literature and a consensus-building process to define good practice and is validated by a survey of practitioners. We find the landscape approach has been refined in response to increasing societal concerns about environment and development tradeoffs. Notably, there has been a shift from conservation-orientated perspectives toward increasing integration of poverty alleviation goals. We provide 10 summary principles to support implementation of a landscape approach as it is currently interpreted. These principles emphasize adaptive management, stakeholder involvement, and multiple objectives. Various constraints are recognized, with institutional and governance concerns identified as the most severe obstacles to implementation. We discuss how these principles differ from more traditional sectoral and project-based approaches. Although no panacea, we see few alternatives that are likely to address landscape challenges more effectively than an approach circumscribed by the principles outlined here.

Biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes: challenges and opportunities of coffee agroforests in the Western Ghats, India.

The new approaches advocated by the conservation community to integrate conservation and livelihood development now explicitly address landscape mosaics composed of agricultural and forested land rather than only protected areas and largely intact forests. We refer specifically to a call by Harvey et al. (2008) to develop a new approach based on six strategies to integrate biodiversity conservation with sustainable livelihoods in Mesoamerican landscape mosaics. We examined the applicability of this proposal to the coffee agroforests of the Western Ghats, India. Of the six strategies, only one directly addresses livelihood conditions. Their approach has a clear emphasis on conservation and, as currently formulated risks repeating the failures of past integrated conservation and development projects. It fails to place the aspirations of farmers at the core of the agenda. Thus, although we acknowledge and share the broad vision and many of the ideas proposed by this approach, we urge more balanced priority setting by emphasizing people as much as biodiversity through a careful consideration of local livelihood needs and aspirations.

Reconciling certification and intact forest landscape conservation.

In 2014, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) added a new criterion to its principles that requires protection of intact forest landscapes (IFLs). An IFL is an extensive area of forest that lacks roads and other signs of human activity as detected through remote sensing. In the Congo basin, our analysis of road networks in formally approved concessionary logging areas revealed greater loss of IFL in certified than in noncertified concessions. In areas of informal (i.e., nonregulated) extraction, road networks are known to be less detectable by remote sensing. Under the current definition of IFL, companies certified under FSC standards are likely to be penalized relative to the noncertified as well as the informal logging sector on account of their planned road networks, despite an otherwise better standard of forest management. This could ultimately undermine certification and its wider adoption, with implications for the future of sustainable forest management.

Main ecological drivers of woody plant species richness recovery in secondary forests in China.

Identifying drivers behind biodiversity recovery is critical to promote efficient ecological restoration. Yet to date, for secondary forests in China there is a considerable uncertainty concerning the ecological drivers that affect plant diversity recovery. Following up on a previous published meta-analysis on the patterns of species recovery across the country, here we further incorporate data on the logging history, climate, forest landscape and forest attribute to conduct a nationwide analysis of the main drivers influencing the recovery of woody plant species richness in secondary forests. Results showed that regional species pool exerted a positive effect on the recovery ratio of species richness and this effect was stronger in selective cutting forests than that in clear cutting forests. We also found that temperature had a negative effect, and the shape complexity of forest patches as well as the percentage of forest cover in the landscape had positive effects on the recovery ratio of species richness. Our study provides basic information on recovery and resilience analyses of secondary forests in China.

Response to Comment on "The global tree restoration potential".

Our study quantified the global tree restoration potential and its associated carbon storage potential under existing climate conditions. Skidmore et al dispute our findings, using as reference a yearly estimation of carbon storage that could be reached by 2050. We provide a detailed answer highlighting misunderstandings in their interpretation, notably that we did not consider any time limit for the restoration process.

The global tree restoration potential.

The restoration of trees remains among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation. We mapped the global potential tree coverage to show that 4.4 billion hectares of canopy cover could exist under the current climate. Excluding existing trees and agricultural and urban areas, we found that there is room for an extra 0.9 billion hectares of canopy cover, which could store 205 gigatonnes of carbon in areas that would naturally support woodlands and forests. This highlights global tree restoration as our most effective climate change solution to date. However, climate change will alter this potential tree coverage. We estimate that if we cannot deviate from the current trajectory, the global potential canopy cover may shrink by ~223 million hectares by 2050, with the vast majority of losses occurring in the tropics. Our results highlight the opportunity of climate change mitigation through global tree restoration but also the urgent need for action.

Response to Comments on "The global tree restoration potential".

Our study quantified the global tree restoration potential and its associated carbon storage potential under existing climate conditions. We received multiple technical comments, both supporting and disputing our findings. We recognize that several issues raised in these comments are worthy of discussion. We therefore provide a detailed common answer where we show that our original estimations are accurate.

A predictive model of advancement genioplasty in Class III bimaxillary surgical cases.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to try to standardize the surgeon's clinical sense in order to avoid revision surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with skeletal Class III treated by bimaxillary surgery were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. These patients were divided into two groups according to the type of surgery: Group 1 (G1): bimaxillary surgery alone, and Group 2 (G2): bimaxillary surgery with genioplasty. The study was conducted based on the presurgical (t0) and postchirurgical (t1) lateral cephalograms. The different changes were compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney Test. One way and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the variables influencing the amount of displacement of the chin fragment during the genioplasty procedure. The significance level was fixed at 0.05. RESULTS: The labiomental profile was significantly more improved in group G2 (bimaxillary surgery with genioplasty), the aesthetic changes included the thickness increase of the lower labial sulcus and soft tissue pogonion, and also the reduction of the labiomental angle (P<0.05). Only the presurgical value of the labiomental angle would influence the amount of chin displacement. Starting from the regression analysis, we suggested a predictive equation allowing to predict this amount of displacement, based on the presurgical value of the labiomental angle. CONCLUSION: The analysis of changes (specifically the aesthetic ones) between the two groups of patients, allowed the proposal of a model predicting the amount of chin displacement performed in genioplasty group, based on the presurgical parameters. This model could contribute to determine an indicative value for bimaxillary surgery with additional genioplasty.

Games as Tools to Address Conservation Conflicts.

Conservation conflicts represent complex multilayered problems that are challenging to study. We explore the utility of theoretical, experimental, and constructivist approaches to games to help to understand and manage these challenges. We show how these approaches can help to develop theory, understand patterns in conflict, and highlight potentially effective management solutions. The choice of approach should be guided by the research question and by whether the focus is on testing hypotheses, predicting behaviour, or engaging stakeholders. Games provide an exciting opportunity to help to unravel the complexity in conflicts, while researchers need an awareness of the limitations and ethical constraints involved. Given the opportunities, this field will benefit from greater investment and development.

Recovery of woody plant species richness in secondary forests in China: a meta-analysis.

There is considerable uncertainty concerning changes in plant diversity of Chinese secondary forests, particularly with respect to diversity recovery following anthropogenic disturbance. Here we present a meta-analysis of the recovery of woody plant species richness in secondary forests in China, with nearby primary forests as a reference. A total of 125 pairs of secondary-primary forest data reported in 55 publications were identified across China. We analyzed the data by region and logging history to examine their influences on secondary forest recovery. Our results indicated that the woody plant richness of secondary forests in China was close to fully recovered when compared to the primary forest, with the recovery ratio being 85-103%. Higher recovery ratios were observed in central, northeast and southwest China, with lower recovery ratios seen in east, south and northwest China, and the recovery in central China significantly reached the primary forests (reference) level. Concerning logging histories, the recovery ratios showed two peak values, with one at 21-40 years after clear cutting and the other at 61-80 years. We reveal the fundamental recovery patterns of woody plant species richness in secondary forests in China. These patterns provide information for the sustainable management of secondary forest resources.

Does environmental certification in coffee promote "business as usual"? A case study from the Western Ghats, India.

Conservation initiatives are designed to address threats to forests and biodiversity, often through partnerships with natural-resource users who are incentivized to change their land-use and livelihood practices to avoid further biodiversity loss. In particular, direct incentives programmes that provide monetary benefits are commended for being effective in achieving conservation across short timescales. In biodiversity-rich areas, outside protected areas, such as coffee agroforestry systems, direct incentives, such as certification schemes, are used to motivate coffee producers to maintain native tree species, natural vegetation, restrict wildlife hunting, and conserve soil and water, in addition to encouraging welfare of workers. However, despite these claims, there is a lack of strong evidence of the on-ground impact of such schemes. To assess the conservation importance of certification, we describe a case study in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot of India, in which coffee growers are provided price incentives to adopt Rainforest Alliance certification standards. We analyse the conservation and social outcomes of this programme by studying peoples' experiences of participating in certification. Despite high compliance and effective implementation, we find a strong case for the endorsement of 'business as usual' with no changes in farm management as a result of certification. We find that such 'business as usual' participation in certification creates grounds for diminishing credibility and local support for conservation efforts. Working towards locally relevant conservation interventions, rather than implementing global blueprints, may lead to more meaningful biodiversity conservation and increased community support for conservation initiatives in coffee landscapes.

Nasolabial angle and orthognathic surgery.

The aim of orthognathic surgery is to achieve a Class I bite and enhance the esthetics of the face. The surgeon takes into account the volume of the nasal pyramid and the position of the upper lip when deciding on maxillary displacement. It is sometimes necessary to associate jaw surgery with cosmetic rhinoplasty in order to achieve the optimal facial outcome. In this setting, the principle underpinning morpho-functional surgery is fully expressed. Several examples will illustrate these techniques.

[Thirty years of working friendship]. / Trente ans de collaboration orthodontico-chirurgicale.

Being interested in dento-facial deformities for a surgeon is opening up on the orthodontic world and vice versa. Orthodontic-surgical collaboration is unavoidable and represents a real synergy. After setting out the various progresses interesting both disciplines, we will insist on the close collaboration that is meant to rule our specialties. To illustrate this cooperation, we will describe the treatment protocol of a class II with a hyperdivergent skeletal pattern.

Bi-maxillary advancement surgery: Technique, indications and results.

Esthetic analysis of the face in some patients presenting a dental Class II can reveal the need for maxillo-mandibular advancement surgery. In these cases, mandibular advancement alone would provide a result which was satisfactory from the occlusal viewpoint but esthetically displeasing. Using bi-maxillary advancement, the impact of nasal volume is reduced and the nasolabial relationship is corrected. The sub-mandibular length is increased, thus creating a better-defined cervico-mental angle. This treatment technique involving a prior mandibular procedure has the advantage of restoring patients' dental occlusion while optimizing their facial esthetics.

Successful orthodontic-surgical treatment: aiming for esthetics and function. Analysis of some clinical cases.

Adult patients who consult an orthodontist are looking for dental rehabilitation underpinned by an implicit esthetic demand, which needs to be analyzed. When the discrepancy involves more than the teeth and cannot be corrected by dentoalveolar compensation alone, there is a need, on account of the lack of growth, the periodontal setting and underlying dysfunctions, for an orthodontic-surgical solution. A clear understanding of the required future functional balance will help achieve a satisfactory esthetic target and give stable, lasting results.

Treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusions: orthognathic surgery or orthodontic camouflage? How to decide.

The choice of treatment in adult skeletal Class III occlusions often poses a particularly tricky problem for the orthodontist. Faced with the option of either orthodontic camouflage or orthognathic surgery, the clinician's clinical experience is of paramount importance, especially in borderline cases. The aim of our study was to uncover a guide model enabling the practitioner to distinguish between skeletal Class III cases which can be suitably treated with orthodontics and those requiring orthognathic surgery. The lateral headfilms of 47 adult patients exhibiting skeletal Class III occlusions were analyzed. The orthodontic group comprised 22 patients and the surgical group 25. Twenty-seven linear, proportional and angular measurements were scrutinized. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to identify the dentoskeletal and esthetic variables which most distinguished the two groups. The Holdaway angle was chosen to differentiate between patients prior to treatment. This model enables us to classify 87.2% of patients correctly.

[A novel protocol for hyperdivergent Class II surgery: innovation or breaking a taboo?]. / Nouveau protocole pour la chirurgie des Classes II hyperdivergentes : innovation ou rupture avec un tabou ?

The widespread distribution via Internet of images and even videos showing facial surgery has considerably contributed to our knowledge of orthodontic-surgical treatment. The never-ending increase in the number of patients receiving surgery has given us food for thought and statistics. If we are to progress further, we need to innovative in the area of surgical technique as well as in our clinical and psychological approach to patients. We have endeavoured to move forward from the idea of "straightforward" malocclusion repair to that of "morphofunctional surgery of the face" by emphasizing the esthetic and occlusal outcome.