Search

International audience; AbstractSoil phosphorus (P) availability often limits plant productivity. Classical theories suggest that total P content declines at the temporal scale of pedogenesis, and ecosystems develop toward the efficient use of scarce P during succession. However, the trajectory of ecosystem P within shorter time scales of succession remains unclear. We analyzed changes to P pools at the early (I), middle (II), and late (III) stages of growth of plantation forests (PFs) and the successional stages of natural forests (NFs) at 1969 sites in China. We found significantly lower P contents at later growth stages compared to earlier ones in the PF (p < .05), but higher contents at late successional stages than in earlier stages in the NF (p < .05). Our results indicate that increasing P demand of natural vegetation during succession, may raise, retain, and accumulate P from deeper soil layers. In contrast, ecosystem P in PF was depleted by the more rapidly increasing demand outpacing the development of a P-efficient system. We advocate for more studies to illuminate the mechanisms for determining the divergent changes, which would improve forest management and avoid the vast degradation of PF ecosystems suffering from the ongoing depletion of P.

Liaodong oak (Quercus liaotungensis Koidz.) dominated forests contribute to the few natural forest ecosystems in the semiarid Loess Plateau region in China. This study investigated the influence of soil nutrients and stand structure on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) in the oak communities. We aimed to understand the major factors and their possible pathways that determine the ecosystem productivity. The biomass and the ANPP were estimated using plot surveys and litterfall collection in fixed plots. Linear regressions and structural equation models were used to evaluate the relationships among soil nutrients, stand structure (including vertical and horizontal structure), and ANPP. The results showed that the effect sizes of soil nutrients on ANPP and leaf production were near 60% and 70%, respectively. More than 70% of the variation in woody production was explained by stand structure, while litterfall production was largely dependent on stand vertical structure with effect size of 64%. The effect of soil nutrients on stand structural indices was detected only in the case of the vertical structure. The results suggested that soil nutrients could affect forest productivity both directly and indirectly in coordination with stand vertical structure, and that the effect of stand structure was limited in these communities.

The fruiting bodies of bracket fungi are a specific microhabitat colonized by various invertebrates of which mites (Acari) are rarely studied, and if they are, the study is usually faunistic. The aim of the research was to determine whether the diversification of mite assemblages (Mesostigmata, Oribatida) inhabiting the fruiting bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. (Polyporales) are connected with the character of the forests and/or the degree of decay (DD) of the fruiting bodies. The research was conducted at Białowieża National Park (BNP), in forests close to natural ones and in Karkonosze National Park (KNP) which was affected by a large-scale forest dieback in the 1980s. Eighty fruiting bodies (40 at each study site) of F. pinicola belonging to four DD categories were collected. In total, 4,345 individuals of 120 mite species were recorded at BNP, and 13,912 individuals of 96 species were recorded at KNP. Analyses revealed that the sample dispersion at each study site was comparable, nevertheless the samples from each study site were clearly grouped into slightly overlapping sets which allow observation of the differences between them. In the less decayed fungi (DD 1 and 2) there were fewer mite species and individual mites than in the more decayed samples (DD 3 and 4). There were also significant differences between the fauna of the fungi in each particular DD: the fauna of DD 1 differed from all others, whereas the fauna of heavily decayed fungi (DD 3 and 4) was more comparable. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10493-021-00635-1.

Kegiatan pemanenan kayu memberikan kontribusi yang sangat besar terhadap produksi kayu. Pohon produksi yang berada di dalam hutan tidak dapat dimanfaatkan jika tidak ditebang dan tidak dikeluarkan dari dalam hutan. Metode penelitian ini adalah membuat 6 plot contoh pengamatan (PCP) masing-masing 3 PCP untuk teknik perbaikan (TP) dan 3 PCP untuk teknik konvensional (TK) pada satu petak tebang, melakukan penebangan pohon dan penyaradan dengan TP dan TK, melakukan pengamatan dan pengukuran produktivitas pemanenan kayu dan luas areal hutan yang terbuka akibat penebangan dan penyaradan serta menganalisis pengaruh kedua teknik terhadap produktivitas areal hutan terbuka dengan uji t. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh dua teknik pemanenan kayu terhadap produktivitas dan areal hutan terbuka. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa : 1) Rata-rata produktivitas penebangan dengan TK dan TP masing-masing adalah 10,60 m 3 /jam dan 13,95 m 3 /jam 2) Rata-rata produktivitas penyaradan dengan TK dan TP masing-masing adalah 7,25 m 3 /jam dan 9,60 m 3 /jam; 3) Rata-rata areal hutan terbuka akibat penebangan dengan TK dan TP masing-masing adalah 15,67% dan 7,43% ; 4) Rata-rata areal hutan terbuka akibat penyaradan dengan TK dan TP masing-masing adalah 10,50% dan 6,68%. Menerapkan teknik perbaikan dapat mengurangi terjadinya keterbukaan hutan pada penebangan dan penyaradan masing-masing sebesar 8,24% dan 3,82%. ABSTRA CT Timber harvesting provides a very large contribution to timber production. Tree production that is in the forest can't be used if they are not felling and removed from the forest. This research method is to make 6 sample observation plot (SOP) each 3 SOP for improving technique (IT) and 3 SOP for conventional technique (CT) on one logging compartment, do felling and skidding by IT and CT, make observations, and measuring the productivity of timber harvesting and the area of open forest due to felling and skidding and analyzing the effect of the two techniques on the productivity of the open forest area with t-test. The research objective was to determine the effect of two timber harvesting techniques on productivity and open forest areas. The results showed that the average productivity of felling by CT and IT was 10.60 m 3 /hour and 13.95 m 3 /hour respectively. The average productivity of skidding by CT and IT was 7.25 m 3 /hour and 9.60 m 3 /hour respectively. The average open forest area due to felling by CT and IT was 15.6% and 7.43% respectively. The average open forest area due to skidding by CT and IT was 10.50% and 6.68% respectively. Applying improve technique reduced the open forest area through felling and skidding by 8.24% and 3.82% respectively.

Natural forest regeneration after natural or anthropogenic disturbance is difficult to predict given its high variability. The process is poorly documented for commercial northern hardwood species in the Acadian forest of eastern Canada. Our objective was to identify the silvicultural, environmental, and ecological factors that best explain the variability in sapling density and occurrence of two commercial tolerant hardwood species in New Brunswick: American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). Forty-three permanent sample plots were established in 2002 and measured before harvesting in 2004. Sapling density and occurrence were measured 14 years after harvesting. The results showed that the interactions between the species and the residual merchantable basal area and between the species and the percent of hardwoods in the original stand best explained the sapling density and occurrence variation of tolerant hardwoods. The sapling density of sugar maple increased with increasing merchantable residual basal area. However, the effect of this variable was not significant for the density of American beech saplings. The density and occurrence of tolerant hardwood saplings both increased along with the percent of hardwoods in the original stand. These results provide an improved understanding about tolerant hardwood regeneration dynamics in New Brunswick forests.

The present research deals with carbon sequestration, as an important process for mitigating the effects of climate change. The investigation focuses on a 30-year period and it covers only aboveground biomass that builds up from natural forest regrowth, excluding any plantation techniques. Potential carbon sequestration rate from natural forest regrowth in Godech Municipality was measured in Mg C ha−1 yr−1 and the resolution of the map was 1x1 km. The results of the study display that carbon accumulation values in the researched area were consistent with those that were expected in the largest parts of Bulgaria. The biggest share of Godech Municipality falls within the range of 0.82 – 0.96 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 with restricted areas around the villages of Barlya, Smolcha, Gubesh, Murgash and Varbnitsa that may accumulate between 0.96 – 1.11 Mg C ha−1 yr−1. In conclusion, carbon accumulation only from natural forest regrowth provides representative information, however it would have been better if different plantation techniques were regarded as well. The successful results of the investigation should encourage other studies of this type in the neighbouring municipalities.

Carbon accumulation in forests is an important step towards achieving better climate mitigation levels. The current research aims at uncovering the link between the NATURA 2000 habitats in Borino Municipality, Southern Bulgaria and the expected carbon sequestration from natural forest regrowth for the period 2020-2050. The case study area currently is of a predominantly mountainous character with a number of forests – a prerequisite for enlargement of the carbon pools. Nevertheless, there are also grassland habitats, which participate in this process as well. The results of the research show that the southern parts of the municipality possess a larger potential for carbon accumulation with levels, reaching 1.10 and 1.28Mg C ha−1 yr−1. The promising outcomes may be used as an example of an investigation of climate mitigation and may serve as a basis for broadening the geographical range in other municipalities in the region.

Following the nuclear disaster of 1986, forests have established throughout the abandoned agricultural landscapes within Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ). However, they are yet to be monitored prope...

Forest cover change analyses have an essential role in forest management. Thus, this study adopted Landsat satellite imagery to assess the decadal spatiotemporal forest cover changes that occurred ...

Determining forest volume increment, the potential of wood production in natural forests, is a complex issue but is of fundamental importance to sustainable forest management. Determining potential volume increment through growth and yield models is necessary for proper management and future prediction of forest characteristics (diameter, height, volume, etc.). Various methods have been used to determine the productive capacity and amount of acceptable harvest in a forest, and each has advantages and disadvantages. One of these methods involves the artificial neural network techniques, which can be effective in natural resource management due to its flexibility and potentially high accuracy in prediction. This research was conducted in the Ramsar forests of the Mazandaran Province of Iran. Volume increment was estimated using both an artificial neural network and regression methods, and these were directly compared with the actual increment of 20 one-hectare permanent sample plots. A sensitivity analysis for inputs was employed to determine which had the most effect in predicting increment. The actual average annual volume increment of beech was 4.52 m3ha−1 yr−1, the increment was predicted to be 4.35 and 4.02 m3ha−1 yr−1 through the best models developed using an artificial neural network and using regression, respectively. The results showed that an estimate of increment can be predicted relatively well using the artificial neural network method, and that the artificial neural network method is able to estimate the increment with higher accuracy than traditional regression models. The sensitivity analysis showed that the standing volume at the beginning of the measurement period and the diameter of trees had the greatest impact on the variation of volume increment.

Background The relationship between physiological age of parental trees and lifespan of clonal offspring is unclear. White oak (Quercus fabri Hance) has a high sprouting capability after harvest, with the regenerated sprouts being typical clonal individuals. To determine whether regenerated sprouts undergo rapid senescence compared with the parent, the senescence levels of 5-, 10-, 20- and 40-year-old regenerated stump sprouts in a natural forest were evaluated. The antioxidative abilities and transcriptomes in these leaves and shoots were compared. Results Older regenerated sprouts still had robust antioxidative systems, with 40-year-old sprouts having lower peroxidation product levels but similar antioxidative enzyme activity levels compared with 5-year-old sprouts. Older leaves had greater transcriptional activities in pathways related to cell growth and division than younger leaves. However, older sprouts had some unhealthy characteristics, such as increased base excision repair levels and upregulated phagosome, proteasome and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways in 40-year-old leaves, which indicates that DNA damage and tissue remodeling occurred more frequently than in younger leaves. Additionally, plant-pathogen interactions and MAPK signals pathways were upregulated in older shoots, which indicates that older shoots suffered from more pathogen-related biotic stress. Conclusions The 40-year-old sprouts still had the same vitality level as the 5-year-old sprouts, although the former had some unhealthy characteristics. We conclude that during their first 40 years of growth, regenerated stump sprouts do not begin to senesce, and that physiological age of parental trees does not significantly affect the lifespan of its clonal offspring.

The dry-hot valley region in China is one of the most severely affected soil erosion areas in the world; however, little research has been conducted on sediment source contributions for various land uses during rainfall events. In this work, we collected sediment samples during a rainstorm in four types of land-use areas in the Yuanjiang dry-hot valley region of China. Results showed that gullies are the primary source of sediments in all catchment areas, and the contributions varied between 43.6% and 93.9%, with an average of 64.9%. This was followed by farmlands (21.3% to 30.4% with an average of 25.9%) and then fruit forests (6.1% to 36.5% with an average of 20.5%). Natural forests had the lowest sediment contribution as their contribution varied between 0.6% and 6.1%, with an average of only 3.3%. During runoff-induced erosion and sedimentation, the sediment contributions of gullies decreased initially and then increased. The sediment contribution of potential sediment sources located on slopes (i.e., fruit forests, natural forests, and farmlands) initially increased over time, and then declines were detected after a certain point

This study brings insight into interpreting forest structural diversity and explore the classification of individuals according to the distribution of the neighbours in natural forests. Natural forest communities with different latitudes and distribution patterns in China were used. Each tree and its nearest neighbours form a structural unit. Random structural units (or random trees) in natural forests were divided into different sub-types based on the uniform angle index (W). The proportions of different random structural units were analysed. (1) There are only two types of random structural units: type R1 looks similar to a dumbbell, and type R2 looks similar to a torch. These two random structural units coexist in natural forests simultaneously. (2) The proportion of type R1 is far less than that of R2, is only approximately 1/3 of all random structural units or random trees; R2 accounts for approximately 2/3. Furthermore, the proportion of basal area presents the same trend for both random structural units and random trees. R2 has approximately twice the basal area of R1. Random trees (structural units) occupy the largest part of natural forest communities in terms of quantity and basal area. Meanwhile, type R2 is the largest part of random trees (structural units). This study finds that the spatial formation mechanism of natural forest communities which is of great significance to the cultivation of planted forests.

Ash dumps occupy significant areas around the world and make a negative influence on the environment. This effect is decreased by their natural colonisation determined by the bioclimatic conditions of the area. The purpose of the current study was to identify the structure of the forest communities and the initial stages of soil formation on the ash dump in southern taiga. This study was carried out on three sites in the forest phytocoenosis formed in the process of revegetation of the Verkhniy Tagil Power Station ash dump over 50 years, as well as on two background forest sites in the Middle Urals. Complex geobotanical and soil studies were carried out. The results of the study show that forest phytocoenoses with a predominance of hardwood species (Betula pendula Roth and Populus tremula L.) and a small admixture of coniferous species can form on the non-recultivated ash dump within 50 years in a boreal zone. In total, the studied mixed forest phytocoenoses are similar in composition to zonal secondary forests, but differ by having lower height and diameter of the stand, as well as herb–shrub layer coverage. Their species density and floristic richness are also lesser. The study proved that the process of soil formation is also proceeding according to the zonal type in the ash substrate under forest communities. The results of the study can be applied to justifying the forecasts of ecosystem restoration on the technogenic substrate, as well as for the species selecting for their recultivation in the studied area and similar to it.

The concept of site quality was developed to project the expected production of timber species in even-aged stands in order to produce standardized site index curves. This concept can also be used ...

Stem surface area (S) plays an important role in the eco-physiological processes of trees or forests such as stem respiration, self-thinning mortality, and rainfall interception. As the direct meas...

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) from natural forests in sub-Saharan Africa provide significant benefits to rural communities. In this study conducted on the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, we assumed that the extraction of NTFPs by local communities is related to sex, income, age, household size, and distance from the forest. We interviewed 313 household heads from six villages. We employed a logistic regression with a logit link to test the significance among the variables. Younger females of larger households with lower income and less cultivated land cut fodder and collected firewood more frequently than other villagers. Firewood collection frequency decreased with increasing distance from village to forest whereas fodder collection frequency increased. Men collected medicinal plants more frequently than younger women and if the distance from the village was greater. For firewood and fodder extraction, inter-village variation was greater than intra-village variation, suggesting that differences in access to infrastructure and alternative fodder sites also strongly determined NTFP extraction. Our results contribute to a better targeted participatory forest management.

SummaryPeople who live on the edges of protected areas may harvest timber to make their living from this natural forest product. Therefore, understanding timber consumption at the household level is critical for developing effective conservation policies. Previous studies have highlighted relationships between the consumption of forest products and socioeconomic status, but they have failed to examine timber consumption under cultural contexts. In this study, we interviewed 121 villagers to examine the socioeconomic profiles of timber consumers with regards to their indigenous culture in the buffer zones of Vietnam’s Bu Gia Map National Park. We found that indigenous identity, landownership, number of crops grown by villagers and proximity to markets are statistically significant for explaining the consumption of timber from natural forests. Given the high likelihood that most of this timber was collected illegally, we make several recommendations for forest managers on how to interact with villagers to improve park protection.

The establishment of agroforestry systems (AFS) is a consistent strategy to integrate sustainable supply of wood, food and environmental services in a single land plot. Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. F.) is an interesting option for the tree component in AFS, though there is a lack of information on its potential. This study aimed to characterize the quality of teak wood produced in an AFS regarding its technological characteristics and best end uses. Wood was sampled from a multi-stratified AFS located in the midwestern region of Rondônia state, Brazil, more specifically in a formerly deforested area of Amazon rainforest. The AFS is composed of double-ranked perennial crops and the forest component has growing space of 5.0 × 2.5 m. Physical-mechanical properties of teak wood were assessed and the results indicated its medium to high dimensional stability along with mechanical performance very close to that determined for wood from either homogeneous plantations or natural forests. Specific strength was significantly higher than some tropical wood species with higher densities. Teak wood from the AFS reached the minimum requirements for structural applications, with suitable properties to be used in the manufacture of decks, partitions and, residential flooring.

The wide distribution of Terminalia bellirica in natural forests of Odisha has a good opportunity to identify better genotypes with higher oil yielding potential. The study related to variation in oil content, morphometric characters and germination of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. seeds was carried out in nine provenances viz. Deogan, Bolangir Kasturi Bahal, Narada, Kantamal, Jeypore, Gunupur, Kuchinda and Ghatikia of Odisha (India) keeping in the importance of the seed oil for biodiesel production, soap industry and medicinal values. T. bellirica is widely distributed in Odisha with gregarious fruiting of which most of the fruits remain unused except used as myrobalan for medicinal purposes. It revealed that Kantamal provenance expressed highest fruits length (3.87cm) and 100 fruit weight (1340.17gm), 100 seed weight(649.05gm) and 100 kernel weight(99.43gm) with maximum oil yield which can be taken up for further improvement study. However, the progeny testing at nursey level was also found to have the same provenance performing best for germination and seedling characters.

This study aimed to understand bark thickness variations of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze trees growing in natural forest remnants in southern Brazil, and their relationship with quantitative and qualitative attributes. Bark thickness must be accurately estimated in order to determine timber volume stocks. This is an important variable for the sustainable management and conservation of araucaria forests. In spite of its importance and visibility, bark thickness variations have not been evaluated for this key species in southern Brazil. A total of 104 trees were selected, and their qualitative and quantitative attributes such as diameter at breast height (DBH), height (H), crown base height (CBH), crown length (CL), social position (SP), stoniness (ST), position on the relief (PR), vitality (VT) and branch arrangement (BA) were measured. The trees were categorized into two groups: red bark or gray bark. Regression analysis and artificial neural networks (ANN) were used for modelling bark thickness. The results indicate that: (1) bark thickness showed good correlation to DBH, with 0.76 as coefficient of determination (R2), 0.540 as Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and 22.4 root-mean-square error in percentage (RMSE%); (2) the trend changed according to bark colour, with significant differences for the intersection ( $$ \beta_{0} $$ – Pr > F: p = 0.0124) and slope ( $$ \beta_{1} $$ – Pr > F: p = 0.0126) of bark thickness curves between groups; (3) the highest correlation of bark thickness was found with: DBH (ρ = 0.88), H (ρ = 0.58), CBH (ρ = 0.46), SP (ρ = − 0.52), and BA (ρ = − 0.32); (4) modelling with ANN confirmed high adjustment (R2 = 0.99) and accuracy (RMSE% = 3.0) of the estimates. ANN is an efficient and robust technique for the modelling of various qualitative and quantitative attributes commonly used in forest mensuration. The effective use of ANN to estimate araucaria bark in natural forests reinforces its potential, besides the possibility of application for other forest species.

Information entropy has been widely applied to assess and analyze landscape ecology. Results from previous studies were the indicators only, not able to describe the spatial distribution of the landscape. In this article, the application results of information entropy in the assessment of ecological landscapes in Sa Pa district, one of the highest mountainous area in Vietnam, based on GIS (Geographical Information System) were simulated. GIS technology was used to store information of layers on landscape structure, indicator analysis, and a map-layer assessment. Results of information entropy were simulated by the map evaluation. Results from this work showed the landscape diversity in Sa Pa zone. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index was over 1.5. The connectivity level of natural forests increased 234.21ha; simulation results by GIS were identified two suitable groups of landscapes to protect and develop forest ecology.

Understanding the dispersal ability of invasive insects provides useful insights for developing effective management strategies. Historically, methods for marking insects for dispersal studies have been expensive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive, especially for woodboring beetles. In addition, capturing or rearing insects requires human handling, which can alter behavior. Immunomarking is a well-established technique for studying the dispersal of insects, however, it has not been broadly applied to woodborers. This study evaluates the potential for using immunoproteins applied directly to woodborer-infested trees to mark emerging beetles. Specifically, in the first experiment I sprayed varying concentrations of ovalbumin (egg white) solution directly onto logs infested with emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Buprestidae: Agrilini) and ELISA was used to detect the presence of protein on emerged beetles. To test the persistence of the mark, I applied varying concentrations of albumin to freeze-killed beetles, mounted them on pins, and placed them in an exposed location outdoors. Adult EAB self-marked as they emerged from protein-treated trees, with higher protein concentrations persisting for longer on the cuticle when exposed to sun and rain. This technique offers a convenient, inexpensive and durable means of marking woodborers and circumvents the need for human handling, allowing for more natural behavior and more realistic estimates of dispersal. Protein self-marking may find application in studies of woodborer dispersal within natural forest environments.

China holds the world’s largest area of planted forests, which play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. Knowledge gaps remain on the responses of the growth of planted forests to climate c...

Stomata control carbon and water vapor exchange between the leaves and the atmosphere, thus influencing photosynthesis and transpiration. Combinations of forest patches with different stand ages are common in nature, however, information of which stomatal traits vary among these stands and how, remains limited. Here, seven different aged forest stands (6, 14, 25, 36, 45, 55, and 100 years) were selected in typical temperate, mixed broadleaf-conifer forests of northeast China. Stomatal density, size and relative area of 624 species, including the same species in stands of different ages were selected. Stomatal density, size and relative area were distributed log-normally, differing across all species and plant functional groups. Stomatal density ranged from 4.2 to 1276.7 stomata mm–2, stomatal size ranged from 66.6 to 8315.7 μm2, and stomatal relative area 0.1–93.3%. There was a significant negative relationship between density and size at the species and functional group levels, while the relative stomatal area was positively correlated with density and size. Stomatal traits of dominant species were relatively stable across different stand ages but were significantly different for herbs. The results suggest that stomatal traits remain relatively stable for dominant species in natural forests and therefore, spatial variation in stomatal traits across forest patches does not need to be incorporated in future ecological models.

The new species Phytophthora oleae is a pathogen recently reported causing fruit rot on olive orchards in Italy and root rot in a natural wild-olive forest in Spain. Potassium phosphite, fosetyl-Aluminium and metalaxyl were evaluated in pot experiments for root disease control. All the three systemic products led to a significant decrease of root necrosis caused by olive Phytophthora pathogens (P. cryptogea, P. megasperma and P. oleae) when applied at recommended doses to inoculated seedlings, even though fosetyl-Aluminium did not significantly inhibit mycelial growth in vitro. The tested products have potential to protect commercially planted olive orchards from these Phytophthora pathogens, including the new species P. oleae in natural woodlands that, in turn, put at risk cultivated olive orchards.

In Vietnam, the expansion of plantation forests, the logging ban in natural forest, and the partial timber import ban were predicted to drastically change the industry’s procurement of raw material...

Aim We analyse how functional diversity (FD) varies across European natural forests to understand the effects of environmental and competitive filtering on plant trait distribution. Location Forest ecosystems in Europe from 11°W to 36°E and 29.5°N to 62°N. Taxon Pinaceae, Fagaceae and Betulaceae, Oleaceae, Tiliaceae, Aceraceae, Leguminosae (unspecific). Methods We adopted the existing Dynamic Global Vegetation Model Lund‐Potsdam‐Jena managed Land of flexible individual traits (LPJmL‐FIT) for Europe by eliminating both bioclimatic limits of plant functional types (PFTs) and replacing prescribed values of functional traits for PFTs with emergent values under influence of environmental filtering and competition. We quantified functional richness (FR), functional divergence (FDv) and functional evenness (FE) in representative selected sites and at Pan‐European scale resulting from simulated functional and structural trait combinations of individual trees. While FR quantifies the amount of occupied trait space, FDv and FE describe the distribution and abundance of trait combinations, respectively, in a multidimensional trait space. Results Lund‐Potsdam‐Jena managed Land of flexible individual traits reproduces spatial PFTs and local trait distributions and agrees well with observed productivity, biomass and tree height of European natural forests. The observed site‐specific trait distributions and spatial gradients of traits of the leaf‐ and stem‐resource economics spectra coincide with environmental filtering and the competition for light and water in environments with strong abiotic stress. Where deciduous and needle‐leaved trees co‐occur, for example, in boreal and mountainous forests, the potential niche space is wide (high FR), and extreme ends in the niche space are occupied (high FDv). We find high FDv in Mediterranean forests where drought increasingly limits tree growth, thus niche differentiation becomes more important. FDv decreases in temperate forests where a cold climate increasingly limits growth efficiency of broad‐leaved summer green trees, thus reducing the importance of competitive exclusion. Highest FE was simulated in wet Atlantic and southern Europe which indicated relatively even niche occupation and thus high resource‐use efficiency. Main Conclusions We find FD resulting from both environmental and competitive filtering. Pan‐European FR, FDv and FE demonstrate the influence of climate gradients and intra‐ and inter‐PFT competition. The indices underline a generally high FD of natural forests in Europe. Co‐existence of functionally diverse trees across PFTs emerges from alternative (life‐history) strategies, disturbance and tree demography.

As mycorrhizal fungi, endophytic fungi are ubiquitous in natural forest ecosystems. A great number of foliar endophytic fungi (FEFs) have been isolated from leaves of forest trees, and some metabolites are also isolated and characterized from the FEFs. These metabolites show strong potential to inhibit or kill insects and pathogenic fungi, especially those causing decline or damage of forest trees. In addition, FEFs can inhabit in leaf litter for a short or long period depending on endophytic species, thus they affect decomposition rate of leaf litter. Some FEFs can colonize in plant roots and promote plant growth. In the review, we provide an overview of the ecological roles of FEFs and hope the resources of FEFs can be developed and be used in forestry and agriculture to reduce use of insectcides and fungicides and in pharmacology to maintain human health.

Forest harvesting of natural-forest production in Indonesia is carried out with a high felling intensity, thus has changed the forest biomass. Several studies have shown a strong correlation between harvesting intensity and the reduction of wood volume in the forest. This condition may disrupt the stability of forest ecosystem. This study aimed to calculate and classificate logging residue of low-harvest intensity (one tree plots-1) in Indonesian Forest Concession. The study was conducted in private concessions in North Kalimantan and West Papua. Measurements were made in 30 dynamic circular sample plots with a radius of 2 times the height of the felled tree. The average size in North Kalimantan was 2.5 ha plot-1 and in West Papua was 1.5 ha plot-1. The sample plots were randomly placed in the cutting compartment. All logging residues with dbh ≥10 cm were measured after felling. The logging residue is classified into felled and unfelled trees and four types of logging residue (fallen tree, broken stem, stump, branches and twigs). The low felling intensity produced logging residue ranging from 4.98-5.55 m3 ha-1. The result indicated that logging residue came from felled trees (66%) was higher than those from unfelled trees (34%). The most common type of logging residue of felled tree was branches and twigs, broken stem and stump. The logging residue came from unfelled tree dominated by fallen tree followed by broken stem, branches, and twigs. Keywords: felling intensity, forest conservation, natural forest, selective cutting

In forests, edaphic microbial communities are involved in litter decomposition and soil forming processes, with major contribution to humification, especially bacteria and fungi being responsible for the main ecosystem services fulfilled by the soil. Research has been carried out aiming to characterize the structure and diversity of microbial communities in the Rendzic Leptosols (WRB) under natural deciduous forest from Visterna, Babadag Plateau and to assess their contribution to ecosystem services provided by soil. The paper presents the results of quantitative estimations and taxonomic composition of soil and litter communities of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi, identification of cellulolytic species, as well as the microbial biomass and global physiological activities expressed as soil respiration potential. More than a half of bacterial species were common in litter and soil (SI=57.14%) and were represented by dominant species of fluorescent or non-fluorescent pseudomonads and Bacillus subtilis but no similarity was found between the two fungal communities. Fungal populations included cosmopolitan species, such as antagonists and strong cellulolytic representatives of genera Penicillium, Trichoderma, Mortierella, Chaetomium, Epicoccum, Aspergillus. Microbial density and microbial biomass presented the highest values in the litter (684 mg C x kg-1 d.s.) and in surface horizon Am1 of soil profile than in the bottom layers. The highest diversity was found in Am1 horizon (0-5 cm) H’=1.983 bits and ε=0.869 for cellulolytic community. Soil respiration reflected the intense physiological activity of microbiome, with high values associated to numerous effectives of bacteria and fungi especially in surface horizon. Microorganisms identified contribute to formation of soil by recycling of nutrients, cellulose decomposition, the synthesis of stable organic matter (humic acids), aggregation of soil particles, biological control of pathogens by antagonistic activity. They improve plant uptake of water and nutrients by forming symbioses (ectomycorrhizae), thus modelling the structure of vegetation.

The article presents the results of geospatial analysis of natural forests of the Ukrainian Carpathians, among which two categories are distinguished – virgin forests and old-growth forests. Field identification of natural forests was carried out in accordance with the criteria and indicators defined by the Carpathian Convention. In total, such forests cover almost 95 thousand hectares in the region, most of which grow within the Zakarpattia region. Most of the natural forests are preserved in the ecoregions of the Polonyny Borzhavy-Krasnoi (17.6 thousand ha) and Central Gorgany (13.2 thousand ha). At the same time, the largest share of natural forests in the total forested area (more than 20 %) was revealed within the ecoregions of Polonyny Borzhavy-Krasnoi, Rakhiv crystalline polonyny and Chyvchyn crystalline polonyny. About 58 % of all identified natural forests are beech-dominated stands, 70 % out of which are pure beech stands. About one-third of the virgin and old-growth forests are spruce stands, which are attributed to the middle-mountain ecoregions. About 5 % of the total area is covered by mountain pine forests, which are mostly monodominant. It was found that currently less than half of the natural forests occur within different types of protected areas, and therefore are protected. About 49 % of all virgin and old-growth forests grow within the 22 sites of the Emerald Network in the Ukrainian Carpathians. At the two key study areas we analyzed the possibility of improving the connectivity of the Emerald Network using natural forest massifs. In some places this possibility is limited by the significant intensity of forest cover loss in the region, including some due to the cuttings. In general, within the identified natural forests, the loss of forest cover was recorded on an area of about 1 800 ha. It was found out also that in 2016–2018, the volume of losses in natural forests increased, while within all forested areas of the Ukrainian Carpathians, it has decreased. Key words: virgin forests, old-growth forests, geospatial analysis, Emerald Network, Ukrainian Carpathians.

Purpose Soil carbon (C) storage plays an important role in the mitigation of atmospheric CO2 emission. Soil C pools under different vegetation are distinct and need to be investigated. However, there are still large quantities of data shortages, which should be remedied by field and systematic studies. Materials and methods Soil was collected at 0–10 cm depth from subtropical natural vegetation and plantations both in southeast China and southeast Queensland, Australia, respectively. Soil samples were assayed for soil organic C; organic N and inorganic N; and mineralization of SOC; total C, N, and P; and pH. Results and discussion Our results suggested soil C concentrations in natural vegetation ranged from 6.25% to 9.20%, whereas soil C concentrations in plantations ranged from 1.08% to 2.69%. No significant differences were found among vegetation along altitudinal gradients, whereas plantations with different tree species had different soil C concentrations, being higher in broadleaf-species plantations than in coniferous-species plantations. But there were no differences in soil C between single-species plantations and mixed-species plantations. Soil C concentrations in plantations were correlated with soil moisture, soil pH and dissolved organic C concentrations; Whereas soil C concentrations in natural vegetation were significantly correlated with soil moisture, soil pH and NO3− concentrations. Conclusions These results can contribute to the remedy of data shortages and provide the data necessary for model projections and informed decisions in the future.

Mixed forests play an important role in promoting forest functions and services, and showed better resilience to perturbations than monospecific forests. In the Mediterranean Basin they constitute an important share of the total forest area. However, although mixed forests have been described, classified and mapped in most of the Mediterranean regions around the world, in the Mediterranean Basin they remain neglected, with direct negative consequences for forest management and conservation strategies. Our objective is to present a reliable, uniform classification along with a map of the Spanish Mediterranean Mixed Forests (MMF) as a tool for their management and conservation in Spain. The digital Spanish Forest Map was analyzed to identify MMF. The most frequent tree species combinations were identified and their representativeness in terms of the total forest area was analyzed. In addition, to ensure environmental homogeneity in the proposed classification, the arrangement of each tree species combination within the Spanish Mediterranean ecoregions was evaluated using the Pearson Chi-square test. Based on our results, Spanish MMF currently cover 27.07% of the Mediterranean natural forest area. They were divided into 9 main ecological groups and 23 subtypes. The classification of Spanish MMF and the distribution map represent a first step towards recognizing the importance of mixed forests in the vegetation of the Mediterranean Basin. Together they may provide a valuable basis to improve future forest management, monitoring and conservation strategies both at national and European level.

A new species of Olopachys Berlese, Olopachys (Olopachys) magnoexudatus sp. nov., is described herein, based on female specimens collected from soil and litter in the natural forests of Behshahr, M...

The rehabilitation of degraded subtropical natural forests is a global concern. A detailed assessment of their structure is a challenging and costly prerequisite because diverse structures ...

Introduction. Agroforests are often surrogate habitats for threatened bryophytes and other organisms. This is important in urban settings where natural forests are often absent. Unfortunate...

Agent/individual-based models (A/IBM) help to explain in a mechanistic way how spatial plant patterns evolve through time. In the past, seemingly different and independent types of A/IBMs were developed for modelling the dynamics of tree populations, e.g. growth interaction (GI) and shot noise (SN) models. In this paper, we present a new, advanced methodology of pattern-oriented modelling (POM) for the comparative, synoptic analysis of the behaviour of different types of A/IBMs by using recombinations of model components, validation and sensitivity analysis. We analysed model behaviour for spatio-temporal data from natural forests of interior Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var glauca ( Mirb .) Franco ) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations from Canada and the UK, respectively. Our detailed analysis clarified that both models, GI and SN along with their recombinations performed similarly and belong to the same group of A/IBMs. From the application of our new methodology we learnt that SN models were able to describe interactions more accurately than GI models and additionally produce interaction fields that can be used for other modelling purposes. On the other hand the GI model was more robust when using observed data that did not include sufficient information on tree interactions. Maximum-likelihood estimations were more reliable in spatial regression analysis than least-squares methods and should be preferred in spatial A/IBM parametrisation.

Dioecious Allanblackia stuhlmannii, in East Usambara Mountains becomes a farmland tree when farmers leave the species after clearing the forests. This study examined the process of continuous thinning on sex ratio. Density in natural forest was estimated to be 34–74 mature trees per hectare with an average male:female ratio among reproducing trees observed to be 1:0.59. Density in farmland was 0.5–20 trees per hectare with male:female ratio ranging from 1:0.48 on recent farmland to 1:2 on old farmland. Our results suggest that the reduction of Allanblackia trees in new clearings was not sex biased; however, subsequent cutting targeted mainly males leaving farmland to be populated predominantly with females. Initial sex segregation of A. stuhlmannii is not known, but a 10-year old gene bank of related Allanblackia parviflora in Ghana suggests an even segregation. Allanblackia is gender stable albeit there are few observations of plants changing from male to female during the first year’s flowering and occasional fruit production in males. Average diameter at breast height for first flowering of 44 males was 13.3 cm and that of 17 females 16.3 cm. Decline in Allanblackia trees in farmland from 2011 to 2016 was estimated at about 13% (range from 0 to 23% in monitoring plots) and most of these were male trees.

Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.) is a fast-growing species that exhibits a lower natural resistance than that exhibited by the timber sourced from natural forests. Jabon’s resistance to termite attack can be improved by impregnating its wood structure with poisonous organic materials. This study examined jabon’s resistance to termite attack when impregnated with wood vinegar and an animal adhesive. The wood specimens were impregnated using sengon wood vinegar and an animal adhesive (8% and 10%, respectively) using a vacuum pressure machine. The specimens were tested for their resistance to subterranean and dry-wood termites according to Indonesian National Standard (SNI 7207-2014). The results denoted that jabon impregnated with wood vinegar and an animal adhesive concentration of at least 8% with the addition of 4% borate was effective to resist termite attacks. The impregnated jabon exhibited a lower weight loss and higher termite mortality when compared with those exhibited by the control specimens. Thus, the resistance class improved from class IV to class I.

The properties of litter and soil, which are probably influenced by vegetation traits, have an effect on the fractions of C and N and ultimately global warming. In this study, litter and soil samples were collected from representative forestlands, including a mixed natural forest dominated by hornbeam‑ironwood and tree plantations of ash, maple, cypress and pine which are situated in a temperate area of Northern Iran. Main litter characteristics, soil aggregation and fractions of C and N were studied. Pine had the highest values of litter thickness (14.46 cm), C (60.31%) and C/N ratio (81.77 and 20.28 for litter and soil, respectively). However, litter N (2.20%), micro aggregates of total soil (39.75%), aggregate stability (73.86%) and macro aggregates of total soil (54.87%) were found significantly higher under the natural stands. Total C (2.58%), C in macro and micro aggregates (0.31 and 0.33 respectively), POM-C (4. 68 g/kg), DOC (125.54 mg/kg) and C sequestration (45.34 Mg/ha) were considerably higher under pine (for POM-C, pine ≈ cypress) and the greater values of total N (0.34%), N in macro and micro aggregates (0.10 and 0.08 respectively), POM-N (0.47 g/kg), DON (33.80 mg/kg) and N sequestration (6.86 Mg/ha) were observed under natural stands. Under our conditions, conversion of natural forest is due to reduction of soil N fractions and C increased under pine tree plantations.

Fire has been shown to shape successional pathways and dynamics of forest vegetation. However, its role in European hemiboreal forests remains poorly understood. Here we provide the first annually resolved reconstruction of fire history from the Eastern Baltic Sea region, developed in the pine-dominated landscape of Slitere National Park (SNP), northwestern Latvia, over the last 250 years. Our results suggest that forest fires have been a common disturbance factor in the studied landscape. In total, we dated 62 single fire years, with the mean-point scale fire return interval of 46 years and the length of the fire cycle ranging from 45 to 80 years. We identified periods of high (1750–1950) and low (1960–2000) fire activity, with the corresponding lengths of fire cycles being 45–68 and 58–80 years, respectively. Although both long-term (century and decade-long) and annual dynamics of fire activity in SNP was closely linked to socio-political changes in Latvia, fire activity in SNP was also affected by climate, as indicated by the close positive association of years with increased area burned and positive SST anomalies in the Baltic and North Seas. Future management of SNP should make fire an important element of natural forest dynamics and consider using prescribed fires of various spatial extent and severity.

This paper presents data on the localization and number of forest fires that occur in the Arctic zones of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, as well as the possible causes of their occurrence. It is established that the main cause of forest and landscape fires are natural phenomena. A database of data normalized in a certain way about the factors shaping the occurrence of natural forest and landscape fires has been formed. The practice of connectionist algorithms, a forecasting model has been developed, and, based on data on forest and landscape fires in the Krasnoyarsk Territory; a model has been evaluated for using the model to predict fires in 2018. In order to compile a forecast of forest and landscape fires for 2019 in the Arctic zones of the Krasnoyarsk Territory using the connectionist algorithms, an optimal neuroarchitecture was chosen, which allows long-term time series forecasting.

Forest stands in the semi-arid environment of northern Mongolia have an essential role in controlling ongoing desertification in the surrounding landscape. Over the last decade, the total forest area has decreased dramatically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of natural regeneration as an essential element for ensuring sustainability of these forests. Based on field measurements from 120 plots in six sites, our assessment tool revealed five qualitative categories of forest regeneration, allowing us to assess impacts of both grazing and environmental conditions on the regeneration process. Grazing is a crucial factor and adversely affects regeneration. For sites with relatively low grazing intensity, low soil moisture levels represent the main reason for reduced regeneration. The approach to classification proposed in this study allows for the identification and interpretation of stand conditions where natural regeneration has failed. This study provides an important foundation to inform decision- making related to land protection and restoration actions. Our findings could be used in comparative studies and, importantly, may aid further mapping of Mongolian forests.

Timber from plantation forests has inferior physical and mechanical properties compared to timber from natural forest because it is mostly from fast-growing tree species that are cut at a young age. Filling cell voids with methyl methacrylate (MMA) can improve the wood properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the physical and mechanical properties of MMA-impregnated wood from three fast-growing wood species, namely jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.), mangium (Acacia mangium Willd) and pine (Pinus merkusii Jungh. & de Vriese). Wood samples were either immersed in MMA monomer or impregnated with it and then heated to induce the polymerization process. Jabon, which was the lowest density wood, had the highest polymer loading, followed by pine and mangium. The physical and mechanical properties of samples were affected by wood species and the presence of MMA, with higher-density wood having better properties than wood with a lower density. Physical and mechanical properties of MMA wood were enhanced compared to untreated wood. Furthermore, the impregnation process was better than immersion process resulting the physical and mechanical properties. Based on MOR values, the MMA woods were one strength class higher compared to untreated wood with regard to Strength Classification of Indonesian Wood.

Planted forests are becoming increasingly common worldwide, replacing natural forests and compromising their associated biodiversity. However, not all forest plantations are the same. Aiming to identify key plantation features that could be managed to improve bird diversity, we conducted a meta-analysis examining the differential effects of several kinds of plantations on bird species richness and abundance. Our literature survey provided 123 case studies (68 cases for species richness and 55 for abundance), which showed that, although forest plantations have negative effects on both richness and abundance, there is a large heterogeneity of responses among plantation types. The least negative effects were found at plantations established with native tree species and mixed arrangements, along with those intended for protective uses. Moreover, exotic monocultures for commercial purposes were found to be the most negative plantations for bird diversity. Likewise, small (

Attempts to mitigate global climate change have brought forestry into focus. Forests absorb carbondioxide from the atmosphere, alleviate global warming and contribute for rural livelihoods. To real...

The heartwood borer Aristobia octofasciculata Aurivillius and red stem borer Zeuzera coffeae Nietner were found more prevalent infesting sandalwood in natural forest areas of Karnataka. In the sandalwood plantations, Z. coffeae was the major stem borer distributed in all the districts of Karnataka while the infestation of stem borer Purpuricenus sanguinolentus was prevalent in Bangalore rural district. In addition, two cerambycid beetles, viz. Ceresium gracile (Perroud) and Stenodryas nigromaculatus (Gardner), were found infesting sandalwood for the first time. The host plant of C. gracile is so far unknown and S. nigromaculatus is so far reported on Albizzia procera from India. The impact of infestation of these stem borers on the economy of cultivation of Indian sandalwood is discussed.

Mustikasari IA, Withaningsih S, Megantara EN, Husodo T, Parikesit. 2019. Population and distribution of Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica F. Cuvier, 1823) at designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 762-769. One of the endemic species of Indonesia is the Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica). Sunda porcupine is a big rodent which has unique defense mechanism behavior using its quills. This research was conducted in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower (PLTA Cisokan), in West Java, Indonesia. The method in this study is qualitative to determine the total population and distribution. Data collection techniques were carried out by sign surveys (burrow, footprints, quills, food sites, and feces), camera traps, and semi-structured interviews. The result shows the number of porcupine populations in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower is 6-29 individuals. Porcupine population is distributed in five regions, namely the first region consisting of Pasir Gagak, Cigintung, Batu Sahulu and Batu Nunggul; the second region is Batu Tumpeng and Batu Wulung; the third region is Curug Japarana; the fourth region consists of Sarongge and Cadas Gantung; and the fifth region is Pongpok. Based on the type of land cover, the porcupine population is commonly found in the types of shrub/huma /ladang, talun, and natural forests.

Windstorms are natural disturbance agents in forests playing a role in natural forest regeneration. In Finland, the most severe individual windstorms have commonly damaged 2–4 million m3 of timber. In addition to financial losses caused to forest owners, windthrown trees have in many cases seriously disrupted the functionality of the national power grid. Communicating windstorm risks in duty forecasting is difficult. In this study, we aimed at developing windstorm impact estimates for forest damage in Finland to help the forecaster to improve communication of the risks of windstorms. We have compared the volume of forest damage caused by the most intense windstorms in Finland during the recent decade to the observed maximum inland wind gust speeds associated with the same windstorms. It was found out that the volume of forest damage follows approximately a power relation as a function of wind gust speed with a power of ∼10. This is a tentative estimate because of a short time series and small number of inspected windstorms. Moreover, also wind direction, location of the affected area and soil properties among other factors have an impact to the amount of damage as illustrated in our inspection. Despite the shortness of the time series, we believe that our results demonstrating the steep increase in the impacts of windstorms with an increasing windstorm intensity are valuable. However, more detailed investigations with longer time series are needed in order to more specifically communicate the windstorm risks and their impacts in boreal forests.