This study examines the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade openness on economic growth in nine European countries using World Bank data (1995–2021). The analysis employs the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to capture both short- and long-run dynamics. The findings indicate that FDI has a positive short-term effect but a negative long-term impact on economic growth. Similarly, trade openness stimulates growth in the short run but exerts a negative influence in the long run. Gross fixed capital formation has no immediate effect on GDP per capita but contributes positively in the long term. Granger causality tests reveal a unidirectional relationship from GDP per capita to both trade openness and gross fixed capital formation, while a bidirectional relationship exists between gross fixed capital formation and trade openness. These findings suggest the need for balanced policy measures to maximize the benefits of FDI and trade openness while mitigating long-term risks. Policymakers should focus on strengthening domestic industries, enhancing economic resilience, and implementing strategies to improve the absorptive capacity of FDI to optimize its long-run contributions to growth.

Urban forests provide benefits in terms of the environment and society. Many people living in urban areas could profit from the recreational services provided by urban forests to alleviate the physical and psychological stresses caused by closure restrictions during the COVID-19 epidemic. However, limited research has been conducted on the role of forest recreation during the COVID-19 lockdown to support future policy decisions regarding such dramatic circumstances. The study aims to investigate the frequency of visitors in the reference Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny in Brno, Czech Republic, and to verify if the lockdown led to its intensified use, under the context of weather conditions. Data were collected using a Pyro Box Compact reader and TRAFx Infrared Trail Counter. Regression analysis was performed to determine whether individual weather factors significantly influenced the intensity of forest visitations before and during COVID-19. The number of visits in 2021 during the strict lockdown and post-lockdown periods was significantly higher during spring and autumn than in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The frequency pattern of forest users visibly changed in 2021, and the total number of visits was much higher, even though 2021 had worse weather than the reference years before the pandemic. The results show the recreational use and importance of the forest, especially during the pandemic. This work is a continuation of our previous research with regard to this area, which indicated the importance of forest recreational services for the well-being and health of city dwellers.

Globally, nations are targeting to achieve the “Green Deal 2030” and “Biodiversity Strategy 2030” to protect and conserve forest ecosystems. Forest land rights that define the nature of forest use have been rendered useless in many developing countries. Uganda is an African country endowed with tropical rainforests. Forests and other protected areas continue to decline due to deforestation and forest degradation in Uganda. Moreover, Uganda is an example of a country with a high allocation of virgin forest land to investors for development projects including agriculture. This paper examined perceptions of Ugandans on property rights and associated factors that impact the implementation of these rights in Uganda. The study conducted a questionnaire survey and obtained a sample size of 199. Key informant interviews (KIIs) on land and forest land rights in Uganda were conducted to get to the bottom of the problem. The results confirm high corruption (82%) and crime in Uganda’s land and forest rights management. Respondents highlighted limited transparency in implementing land and forest property rights. The study concluded that corruption and a lack of transparency frustrate property rights implementation in Uganda. The study recommends the government to prioritize fighting corruption and promoting transparency in the management of land and forest property, among others resources. Properly implementing land rights is vital in protecting and conserving forest ecosystems and other resources.

As foreign direct investment provides a new way for many countries to improve their economies with Ghana not being an exemption. The source of FDI countries looks on to give Ghana a new way of advancement. This study provides a general overview on the inflow of foreign direct investment to Ghana. By considering FDI component values, local currency values, the overall number of projects registered and employment creation to investigate their significance in Ghana’s economy. This study makes use of the descriptive statistical method that promote data analysis in a quantitative way. The results revealed that, FDI component contributes heavily to the total foreign direct investment values in Ghana. The outcome also shows that, of the whole number of registered projects, about 72.10% were wholly-foreign owned but in the aspect of the aggregate cost of these projects, the value of joint ventures (between Ghanaians and their foreign counterparts) weigh higher than that of wholly-foreign owned businesses. The result further indicates that, on the account of employment creation, Ghanaians enjoyed about 85% of the total jobs to be created. It is suggested that the government of Ghana should encourage its citizen to contribute more to investment.

Through some empirical studies, the flow of FDI and trade openness have proven to support economic growth in developing countries. This paper…