The Munkoyo Root : Traditional Uses, Biochemistry, Fermentation, and Potential Cultivation

The munkoyo root is a rich source of amylases used in the production of munkoyo and chibwantu beverages that are widely consumed in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The munkoyo plant has several species that grow wildly in the forests and savannas of several southern African countries. Munkoyo is a general term used in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo for a traditionally fermented, cereal-based beverage produced by hydrolysis of gelatinized starch of maize porridge, which is spontaneously fermented by microbes at ambient temperature. The enzymes from the munkoyo root hydrolyze the starch. The munkoyo beverages are consumed by both children and adults (both women and men) in rural and urban areas. Small-scale producers are leading the efforts to commercialize these products in urban areas, which has led to increased demand for the munkoyo root to the point of acute scarcity. This chapter reviews the uses of the munkoyo roots, the production processes of munkoyo and chibwantu beverages, the biochemical aspects of the root and enzymes, the fermentation and microbial composition, and the nutrition and health aspects. This chapter also explores the agronomic potential of the munkoyo plant with a view to commercialize its production thereby ensuring sustainability

The Forest Observation System, building a global reference dataset for remote sensing of forest biomass

Forest biomass is an essential indicator for monitoring the Earth's ecosystems and climate. It is a critical input to greenhouse gas accounting, estimation of carbon losses and forest degradation, assessment of renewable energy potential, and for developing climate change mitigation policies such as REDD+, among others. Wall-to-wall mapping of aboveground biomass (AGB) is now possible with satellite remote sensing (RS). However, RS methods require extant, up-to-date, reliable, representative and comparable in situ data for calibration and validation. Here, we present the Forest Observation System (FOS) initiative, an international cooperation to establish and maintain a global in situ forest biomass database. AGB and canopy height estimates with their associated uncertainties are derived at a 0.25 ha scale from field measurements made in permanent research plots across the world's forests. All plot estimates are geolocated and have a size that allows for direct comparison with many RS measurements. The FOS offers the potential to improve the accuracy of RS- based biomass products while developing new synergies between the RS and ground-based ecosystem research communities.</p