The current study determined the floristic composition, structure, and aboveground biomass (AGB) of the individuals of the Moraceae family. This occurred in order to value them as a source of biomass carbon, which itself is dependent on the altitudinal gradient (601–1000 m.a.s.l.) in the evergreen foothill forest of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The study encountered 117 individuals belonging to the Moraceae family, which was grouped into 32 species. Hereby, the most abundant were the genus Ficus sp., with 9.40% relative abundance, Brosimun alicastrum with 6.84%, and Aucleopsis sp. with 5.98%. Forest structural characteristics, such as the horizontal and vertical structure, diameter at breast height (DBH), and the diameter of the tree crown, were considered for the analysis. The horizontal profile determined that the crowns of the species of the Moraceae family cover approximately 16.43% of the upper canopy within the sampling unit area. The trees of the Moraceae family have a carbon capture capacity in the projected AGB per hectare of 35.09 (Mg ha⁻¹), with the Ficus cuatracasana Dugand species being the species with the highest projected capture per hectare, with 15.737 (Mg ha⁻¹). These results highlight the relevance of similar studies assessing the carbon accumulation capacity of species from other families, emphasizing high commercial value species due to their timber resource.

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) is a species with great economic interest worldwide and is classified as vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN. Deforestation and climate change are the main hazards to this species. Therefore, it is vital to describe possible changes in distribution patterns under current and future climatic conditions, as they are important for their monitoring, conservation, and use. In the current study, we predict, for the very first time, the potential distribution of Mahogany based on data that reflect the total distribution of the species, climatic and edaphic variables, and a consensus model that combines the results of three statistical techniques. The obtained model was projected to future climatic conditions considering two general circulation models (GCM), under two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP245 and SSP585) for 2070. Predictions under current climatic conditions indicated wide adequate areas in Central American countries such as Mexico and demonstrated a coverage of up to 28.5% within the limits of the protected areas. Under future scenarios, drastic reductions were observed in different regions, particularly in Venezuela, Perú, and Ecuador, with losses of up to 56.0%. On the other hand, an increase in suitable areas for the species within protected areas was also detected. The results of this study are certainly useful for identifying currently unrecorded populations of Mahogany, as well as for identifying locations that are likely to be suitable both now and in the future for conservation management planning. The methodology proposed in this work is able to be used for other forest species in tropical zones as a tool for conducting dynamic conservation and restoration strategies that consider the effects of climate change.

The Ecuadorian Amazon is home to a rich biodiversity of woody plant species. Nonetheless, their conservation remains difficult, as some areas remain poorly explored and lack georeferenced records. Therefore, the current study aims predominantly to analyze the collection patterns of timber species in the Amazon lowlands of Ecuador and to evaluate the conservation coverage of these species in protected areas. Furthermore, we try to determine the conservation category of the species according to the criteria of the IUCN Red List. We identified that one third of the timber species in the study area was concentrated in three provinces due to historical botanical expeditions. However, a worrying 22.0% of the species had less than five records of presence, and 29.9% had less than ten records, indicating a possible underestimation of their presence. In addition, almost half of the species evaluated were unprotected, exposing them to deforestation risks and threats. To improve knowledge and conservation of forest biodiversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon, it is recommended to perform new botanical samplings in little-explored areas and digitize data in national herbaria. It is critical to implement automated assessments of the conservation status of species with insufficient data. In addition, it is suggested to use species distribution models to identify optimal areas for forest restoration initiatives. Effective communication of results and collaboration between scientists, governments, and local communities are key to the protection and sustainable management of forest biodiversity in the Amazon region.

Las especies forestales no son inmunes a problemas fitosanitarios generados por microorganismos patógenos, tal es el caso de Gmelina arborea Roxb. (melina) que está siendo afectada por una “marchitez vascular y pudrición del fuste” en Ecuador, desconociéndose su etiología, generando inconvenientes socio-económicos por pérdidas de empleos. En ese sentido, el objetivo consiste en analizar la incidencia de estos problemas forestales en el ser humano. La investigación fue descriptiva-experimental, se describió la sintomatología, evaluó la incidencia (I%) y severidad de la enfermedad en cinco categorías, e identificó fitopatógenos asociados a árboles enfermos. Se estudiaron tres plantaciones (2; 3,5 y 5 años de edad) en el Trópico Húmedo Ecuatoriano. Se delimitaron tres parcelas de 500 m², donde se diseccionaron árboles, cuyos tejidos se analizaron mediante cámara húmeda, sándwiches de zanahoria, medio de cultivo PDA. Como resultados los árboles enfermos mostraron clorosis, pérdida de turgencia, yemas de crecimiento muertas, emisión de brotes epicormicos en el fuste, y marchitez. La I% fue del 24,1%, 7,1%, y 21,3% en plantaciones de 2; 3,5 y 5 años, respectivamente y se identificaron dos tipos de hongos, lo cual preocupa a los madereros. Se concluye, en fortalecer la interacción academia-sociedad como alianza estratégica para el desarrollo forestal ecuatoriano.

El aprovechamiento de especies maderables en la región amazónica ecuatoriana enfrenta desafíos relacionados con la diversidad y el mercado. En este estudio se analizaron datos oficiales del aprovechamiento forestal entre 2012 y 2021. Se levantó información en 24 establecimientos de seis provincias amazónicas. Se estableció una tipología de especies por categoría con base en su interés comercial y manejo sostenible. Según los resultados, las especies muy finas, como Cedrelinga cateniformis y Terminalia oblonga presentan los mayores precios (USD 696.m-³). Las maderas finas son lideradas por Erisma uncinatum, alcanzando USD 528 m-³. Las especies corrientes, como Otoba parvifolia, presentan el mayor volumen comercializado (637 206 m³), mientras que las ordinarias, como Ceiba pentandra, reportan 215 605 m³. Se recomienda diversificar el mercado, fortalecer la trazabilidad y realizar estudios sobre especies no categorizadas por la UICN. Promover el manejo forestal sostenible y emitir certificaciones podría equilibrar la conservación con el desarrollo económico, asegurando la sostenibilidad del sector maderero amazónico.