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Tree legumes such as Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. (Gliricidia) and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. (Sabia) are important options to enhance drought tolerance of livestock systems and improve the diet of grazing animals. This study assessed productive and nutritional potential of Gliricidia or Sabia in a silvopastoral system (SPS) with signalgrass [Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D Webster]. Treatments were the two SPS allocated in a randomized complete block (three replications). Trees were harvested four times, with 6-month intervals between harvests. Response variables included all dendrometry measurements, dry matter of tree components, chemical composition, δ15N, δ13C, and N derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa). Sabia had greater basal diameter (7.6 ± 1.2 vs. 6.0 ± 1.2 cm; P = 0.045), shaft length (7.5 ± 0.2 vs. 5.5 ± 0.2 cm; P = 0.002), Lorey’s height (7.2 ± 0.3 vs. 5.9 ± 0.3 cm; P = 0.023), tree volume (0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 m3; P = 0.014), intermediate branches (14 ± 0.8 vs. 8 ± 0.8 Mg DM/ha; P = 0.004), total leaf biomass (3053 ± 236 vs. 1829 ± 236 kg DM/ha; P = 0.029), dry matter concentration (427 ± 0.4 vs. 252 ± 0.4 g/kg; P = 0.021), lignin (233 ± 0.7 vs. 145 ± 0.7 g/kg DM; P = 0.001), and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (272 ± 1.2 vs. 168 ± 1.2 g N/kg; P = 0.004). Gliricidia presented greater crude protein (250 ± 0.7 vs. 187 ± 0.7 g/kg DM; P = 0.003), more enriched δ13C (−34 ± 0.2 vs. −35 ± 0.2 ‰; P = 0.006), and Ndfa (65 ± 4 vs. 47 ± 4 %; P = 0.041). Sabia demonstrated continued growth and potential to incorporate nutrients into the soil. Gliricidia had greater potential for biological N2 fixation. Both tree legumes have potential for use in SPS. Gliricidia is recommended when the livestock production is the major goal. Sabia is recommended when timber production is the most desirable activity.

Le système agroforestier à base d’anacardier est très dynamique mais fortement influencé par plusieurs facteurs sociaux dont l’importance varie d’une zone à une autre. Cependant, depuis leur mise en place, peu d’informations existent sur la situation de la ressource. L’objectif de cette étude est d’analyser la situation actuelle des plantations d’anacardiers dans les principales zones de production du Cameroun septentrional. Les données relatives aux caractéristiques socio-économiques des producteurs d’anacarde ont été collectées dans le Cameroun septentrional à l’aide d’un questionnaire. Il ressort de cette enquête que 98,04% des planteurs d’anacardier sont des hommes contre seulement 1,96% pour les femmes. Une proportion de 68,63% des enquêtés déclarent avoir des superficies de champs comprises entre 0 et 0,5 ha, seulement 3,922% ont 10 ha et plus. Les activités liées à la filière anacarde est rentable pour les enquêtés (90,2%). Le test ANOVA, des données dendrométriques révèle des différences significatives du diamètre au collet (P=0,000), du DHP (P=0,000001) et de la hauteur (P=0,000484) entre les différentes zones étudiées. Le test ANOVA ne révèle aucune différence significative (P=0,24) du recouvrement entre les zones. Toutefois, une valorisation de la filière par le gouvernement permettra aux producteurs d’améliorer considérablement leurs plantations et par conséquent, le niveau de revenu des producteurs.Mots clés : Caractéristique, culturale, producteur, anacarde, septentrional. English Title: Socio-economic characterization of the large cashew production basins (Anacardium Occidentale) and behavioral study of their populations in Northern CameroonThe cashew-based agroforestry system is very dynamic but strongly influenced by several social factors those importance varies from one area to another. However, since their establishment, few information exists on the situation of the resource. The objective of this study is to analyze the current situation of cashew plantations in the main production areas of northern Cameroon. Data relating to the socio-economic characteristics of cashew producers were collected in northern Cameroon using a questionnaire. This survey shows that 98.04% of cashew planters are men compared to only 1.96% for women. A proportion of 68.63% of the interviewed declared that they had areas of fields between 0 and 0.5 ha, only 3.922% had 10 ha and more. The activities linked to the cashew sector is profitable for the farmers (90.2%). The ANOVA test of dendrometry data, reveals significant differences in the diameter at the neck (P = 0.000), the DHP (P = 0.000001) and the height (P = 0.000484) between the different areas studied. The ANOVA test reveals no significant difference (P = 0.24) in the overlap between the zones. Taking these factors into account will allow sustainable management of the system. the government’s supply chain will allow producers to significantly improve their plantations and therefore the level of income generated of producers.Keywords: Characteristic, cultural, producers, cashew, Northern.

Dans la région de Tillabery au Sud-Ouest du Niger confrontée à des sècheresses récurrentes, les espèces agroforestières comme Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) jouent un rôle important dans la vie des communautés locales. Le présent article analyse les caractéristiques de Balanites aegyptiaca et son importance socioéconomique dans la région. L’étude se base sur des inventaires et des mesures dendrométriques menées dans les villages de Mari, Tamou Kaina, Kobio et Sansani Haoussa, et un total de 120 utilisateurs de Balanites aegyptiaca interviewés sur l’usage de l’espèce. Les résultats montrent que Balanites aegyptiaca occupe le premier rang des essences ligneuses avec un taux d’occupation de l’espace de 93%. Les diamètres varient de 24,25±0,7 à Tamou Kaina à30,60±1,9 à Sansane Haoussa. Les hauteurs varient de 5,30±0,1 à Mari et 6,16 ±1,6 à Tamou Kaina. Un indice de diversité de Shannon inférieur à 2,5 dans tous les sites indique une faible diversité. Les enquêtes montrent que toutes les parties de Balanites aegyptiaca sont utilisées dans l’alimentation humaine et animale, dans les autres activités domestiques, thérapeutiques et commerciales. Les fruits ont un d’usage plus important (80%) que les feuilles (60%), les racines (33%), le bois (53%), les écorces (46%), les fleurs (33%) et les branches (33%). Les actions anthropiques et les pâturages des animaux sont les principaux facteurs qui menacent la population de Balanites dans la zone. Malgré cela, Balanites aegyptiaca reste une espèce très utilisée par les communautés locales, et pourrait contribuer à renforcer leur résilience face à l’insécurité alimentaire et à d’autres chocs. Mots clés : Caractérisation, Balanites aegyptiaca, Perception, Dendrométrie, Carbone Niger. English title: Characterization of the population of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del and the perception of its socioeconomic potential in the southwestern part of NigerIn the region of Tillabery, in the South-western part of Niger confronted with recurrent drought, agroforestry species like Balanites aegyptiaca play an important role in the lives of local communities. The study is based on inventories and dendrometric measurements of trees conducted in the villages of Mari, Tamou Kaina, Kobio and Sansani Haoussa, and on interviews of 120 users of Balanites aegyptiaca on their usage of the species. Results show that Balanites aegyptiaca ranks first in the sites of Mari, Tamou Kaina, Kobio and Sansane Haoussa with an occupation rate of 93%. The average diameters ranged from 24.25 cm (± 0.7) at Tamou Kaina to 30.60 cm (± 1.9) at Sansani Hausa. Average heights ranged from 5.30 m (± 0.1) at Mari to 6.16 m (± 1.6) at Tamou Kaina. The Shannon Diversity Index of less than 2.5 found in all four sites, indicate a low diversity. Surveys carried out revealed that all parts of Balanites aegyptiaca are used in human and animal food, and in other domestic, medical and commercial activities. Fruits have a greater usage value (80%) than leaves (60%), roots (33%), wood (53%), bark (46%), flowers (33%) and branches (33%). Anthropic actions and pastures of animals are the main factors threatening the settlement of the species in the area. B. aegyptiaca remains a popular species among local populations and could contribute in reinforcing their resilience to food insecurity and other shocks.Keywords: Characteristic, Balanites aegyptiaca, Dendrometry, Perception, Socioeconomic factors, Niger.

This study aims to investigate the composition and Important Value Index (IVI) of the woody stands of Tchillala, a 130-ha area selected for future North-African ostriches (Struthiocameluscamelus) prerelease in the Koutous region in Niger. The forest inventory method was implemented in 42 plots of 50 m x 20 m (1000 m²) for tree-level observation, using stratified random sampling. For each woody specimen, the trunk diameter, total height and crown diameter have been recorded; thespecimens with a trunk diameter smaller than 5 cm are considered as regenerations. A total of 17 woody species distributed across 10 families have been identified and most of them belongs either to the Mimosaceae (4 species) or the Tiliaceae (3 species). The plants density, domination and frequency were used to determine the IVI: Acacia tortilis and Balanitesaegyptiaca are the species with the highest IVI(118.43 and 88.28 respectively). The woody plants condition assessment has emphasized that trees have been facing natural (uprooting) and anthropogenic (cutting, pruning) threats. Consequently, the diameter class structures within the whole woody species community of Tchilala, as well as of the Acacia tortilis and Balanitesaegyptiaca, are mainly small size trees. The results of this study inform silvicultural management actions that would benefit to the North-African ostrich’establishment in Tchilala and the data collected are considered as possible indicators for long-term monitoring of habitat.

[EN] A dendrometric and energetic characterisation of Tamarix africana L. was carried out in this study. This is an indigenous plant species in the Mediterranean area, and it can survive in semi-arid areas with saline soils and occasional floods. Owing to these characteristics, this species is a good candidate for its use in the restoration of several environments, such as the marshes. This opens up the possibility of improving the management of biomass, which can be used for obtaining economic benefits from its energetic use. For the stems, biomass volume functions were determined from their diameter and length with r(2) of 0.96. For the whole plant, biomass volume functions were determined from the diameter of the projected area in the soil and the height of the plant with r(2) of 0.95. For energetic characterisation, the density, higher heat value, and the composition of this wood were measured in terms of following elements: carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulphur and chlorine, volatiles and ash. The determination of its composition in C allows us to evaluate the CO2 fixed by the plant during its growth. The average catchment was estimated to be 2.58 kg/plant., This work was financed by Project 20170734 entitled as follows: Development of methods of quantification of riparian vegetation bio-mass for the management of channels of the Comunidad Valenciana. Direccion General de Universidades. Generalitat Valenciana (Spain).

Vegetation establishment, growth, and succession in riparian ecosystems are linked to river and groundwater dynamics. This is especially true in Alpine gravel-bed rivers with wide floodplains and a strong river-aquifer exchange. Here we provide data evidence of riparian plant response to short-term groundwater table fluctuations in a braided gravel-bed river (Maggia). We used indirect physiological variables for photosynthesis and transpiration – stomatal conductance gs and daily variation in stem diameter ΔDd – which we measured at six mature riparian trees of the Salicaceae family, one Populus nigra and one Alnus incana specimen at two sites during two growing seasons. The site where gs measurements were conducted showed a greater depth to groundwater with higher variability compared to the site were dendrometers were placed.We analysed the data by means of two different random forest regression algorithms for the two study sites. One with the transpiration-induced daily tree diameter drop during the growing season 2017 as the dependent variable, and one with the raw gs measurement sequence, obtained on 10 days throughout the growing season 2019, as the dependent variable. In both algorithms the independent variables consisted of meteorological measures (locally measured and at valley scale) and of groundwater and river stages near the individual plants. We also separated the gs measurements into low and high groundwater stage conditions observed during the gs field campaign and applied traditional regression analysis of gs on vapor pressure deficit VPD and global radiation rg for the 2 groundwater stage conditions separately.The data analyses demonstrate that:(a) short-term variation of the groundwater table affects riparian vegetation: at the site with deeper groundwater, the water table depth was the best predictor of gs variability, while at the site with shallower groundwater, temperature and vapor pressure deficit were the best predictors of ΔDd variability;(b) instantaneous stomatal conductance is related to vapor pressure deficit (VPD), but conditioned by groundwater levels, with higher stomatal conductance for the same radiative input and VPD when the water table was higher.(c) local micro-climate measured at tree locations had a stronger predictive power for gs than valley scale climate, suggesting local climate may be an important control on vegetated stands on gravel bars.Even though the considered plants are located in close proximity to the river and could be considered to be unaffected by water stress, our analysis provides evidence of riparian trees undertaking physiological adjustments to transpiration in response to groundwater stage, depending on their riparian floodplain settings. In the heavily regulated Maggia river this has implications on the minimum flow release by dams, as prolonged periods of low water stage in the river will lead to a decrease in groundwater stage, and subsequently in reduced growth of phreatophytic riparian plants on the floodplain. We argue such plant-scale measurements should be helpful for the optimisation of flow release levels in regulated riparian systems.

The development of new tools based on remote sensing data in agriculture contributes to cost reduction, increased production, and greater profitability. Airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data show a significant potential for geometrically characterizing tree plantations. This study aims to develop a methodology to extract walnut (Juglans regia L.) crowns under leafless conditions using airborne LiDAR data. An original approach based on the alpha-shape algorithm, identification of local maxima, and k-means algorithms is developed to extract the crowns of walnut trees in a plot located in Viver (Eastern Spain) with 192 trees. In addition, stem diameter and volume, crown diameter, total height, and crown height were estimated from cloud metrics and other 2D parameters such as crown area, and diameter derived from LiDAR data. A correct identification was made of 178 trees (92.7%). For structure parameters, the most accurate results were obtained for crown diameter, stem diameter, and stem volume with coefficient of determination values (R2) equal to 0.95, 0.87 and 0.83; and RMSE values of 0.43 m (5.70%), 0.02 m (9.35%) and 0.016 m3 (21.55%), respectively. The models that gave the lowest R2 values were 0.69 for total height and 0.70 for crown height, with RMSE values of 0.84 m (12.4%) and 0.83 m (14.5%), respectively. A suitable definition of the central and lower parts of tree canopies was observed. Results of this study generate valuable information, which can be applied for improving the management of walnut plantations.

This work used the Growth-Oriented Logging model to determine species-specific forest management criteria according to the growth model. The objective of this work was to define specific forest management criteria for the species Manilkara huberi (Ducke) A. Chev., using a Dendrochronology study by high frequency densitometry. The study was carried out in a forest management area, in Central Amazonia. The studied species forms annual growth rings depending on the seasonal rainfall. The annual growth rings were defined by high frequency densitometry, measuring the density variations in the wood, from the marrow to the bark. With the time series of the annual growth ring thickness obtained, it was possible to determine the forest management criteria for the studied species. The minimum logging diameter (MLD) obtained was approximately 63.4 cm, and its cutting cycles were estimated at 47 years, with an age of 297 ± 13.8 years. The estimated volume, equivalent to MLD, is 6.97 m3. With the study of Dendrochronology, it was possible to define the criteria for the specific forest management of the studied species, making it possible to apply this technique to tropical species with the same characteristics.

Drought-related tree mortality is increasing globally, but the sequence of events leading to it remains poorly understood. To identify this sequence, we used a 2016 tree mortality event in a semi-arid pine forest where dendrometry and sap flow measurements were carried out in 31 trees, of which seven died. A comparative analysis revealed three stages leading to mortality. First, a decrease in tree diameter in all dying trees, but not in the surviving trees, 8 months "prior to the visual signs of mortality" (PVSM; e.g., near complete canopy browning). Second, a decay to near zero in the diurnal stem swelling/shrinkage dynamics, reflecting the loss of stem radial water flow in the dying trees, 6 months PVSM. Third, cessation of stem sap flow 3 months PVSM. Eventual mortality could therefore be detected long before visual signs were observed, and the three stages identified here demonstrated the differential effects of drought on stem growth, water storage capacity and soil water uptake. The results indicated that breakdown of stem radial water flow and phloem function is a critical element in defining the "point of no return" in the sequence of events leading to mortality of mature trees.

The objective of this study was to analyze the performance of species-specific equations (SSEs) concerning generic ones in Annual Production Units (GEAPUs) and in a Forest Management Area (GEFMA) in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 29,119 trees from 43 species were inventoried, harvested, and volumetric measurements were taken in ten APUs, with 10% of this total being separated for validation and comparison of the selected equations. After selection and validation of the equations (GEFMA, GEAPUs and SSEs) they were compared using precision statistics, by contrasting estimated and observed volumes and by residual analysis. Precision statistics were clearly lower for the SSEs. Trend lines near the average observed volume were shown for the SSEs when the estimates were contrasted with the observations. The residuals generated by the SSEs were smaller and statistically different than those of GEFMA and GEAPUs for the majority of cases. The most important commercial species (M. huberi) had its volume overestimated by 10.6, 9.3 and 3.0% when the GEFMA, the GEAPUs, and the SSEs were applied, respectively. Among the species that generally had very large trees, H. petraeumhad its volume underestimated by 15.7, 16.6 and 4.4% by the GEFMA, GEAPUs and SSEs, respectively. The greater precision of the SSEs is reflected in better forest management planning decisions with respect to operational and economic aspects. These results show that besides being statistically valid, the SSEs are recommended for obtaining more precise estimates of commercial volume, especially since there is a great demand for reliable estimates for each individual species in forest management areas in the Amazon.

A stereovision system for the in-field estimation of trees parameters such as height and diameter is proposed. The system includes a specifically developed mobile application for the management and georeferencing of stereo images. Stereo imaging allows the measurement of the distance between two points using triangulation formulas for the extraction of three-dimensional coordinates. The methodology is structured following three phases: training using system calibration through stereovision analysis of known artificial known objects; testing using measurements of standing tree diameters and heights acquired through stereovision system, laser rangefinder (height) and tree calliper (diameter); field application testing using direct height and diameter measurements in natural and urban woods. For this last phase an Android application was developed. The results show that the error between direct measurements and those measured with both stereovision and traditional reference methods (laser rangefinder and tree calliper) were quite low: 6.8 ± 6.6% between direct and laser rangefinder height measurements; 5.8 ± 5.5% between direct and stereovision height measurements; 4.2 ± 3.0% between direct and stereovision diameter measurements. No significant difference was found between the different methods for estimating height and diameter. Around 200 images matched to stereovision acquisitions were acquired and georeferenced using the application.

This study presents an automatic method to identify tree stems, and estimate tree heights and diameters from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data. The method is based on the isolation and vertical continuity of the stems. First, a height-normalized version of the point cloud is created. From this, stems are individualized, an iterative process is applied to the points at breast height for estimating diameters, and tree heights are calculated after denoising and clustering the points of each tree. The method was tested in three different sites. All the elements detected as trees were actual trees, and more than 99% of the trees in the plots were detected. Root mean square error (RMSE) of the estimated diameters at breast height (DBH) ranged from 0.8 to 1.3 cm in the test plots, and total tree height (TH) RMSE ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 m. In the cases studied, the algorithm showed robustness to the presence of steep or irregular terrain, the presence of low vegetation and artifacts at breast height, the indistinct use of individual or multiple scans, and tree density in the plot.

This research aimed to evaluate the dendrometric development of four tree species (Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae); Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd (Fabaceae), Swietenia macrophylla King (Meliaceae) and Handroanthus chrysotrichus (Mart ex A. DC.) Mattos (Bignoniaceae)) in a silvopastoral system in Santarem, Para, Brazil. Productive activities in the forest sector create a demand for technical capacity to promote sustainable management, with the silvipastoral system presented as one of the paths to sustainability. Three permanent plots of 1 ha each were established on the 240-hectare Diamantino Farm, and stem DBH 1.30 m from the soil surface, total height and crown diameter data were obtained for all individuals. In addition to the quantitative data, crown regularity and bole tortuosity parameters were measured. S. macrophylla achieved better performance in almost all parameters. C. guianensis and D. odorata, respectively showed greater uniformity in growth. The species, H. chrysotrichus had the smallest crown diameter; however it was still able to provide enough shade for animal thermal comfort. Key words: Dendrometry, forest management, reforestation.

This paper seeks to estimate tree volumes of different species from the Brazilian savanna by using artificial neural networks and by making comparisons of results with estimates obtained from traditional volumetric equations. Data was obtained from 15 squared samples of 400 m² in an area of 29.6 ha. In each plot, breast height diameter (D) (diameter at 1.30 m from soil), total height (Ht) and commercial height (Hc) of all individuals with D equals or higher than 3.0 cm were measured. Afterwards, each tree was felled for volume measurement. Huber method was used considering measurement of stem diameters with more than 3.0 cm. Obtained data was used to train artificial neural networks (ANN) and to adjust volumetric equations to estimate total and commercial volume of trees. This study has shown that ANN and regression models are efficient for obtaining estimated volumes of trees in the Brazilian savanna. This suggests that artificial neural networks, that take into consideration species as a categorical input variable and were data trained, presented better results than those that are trained without categorical input. RESUMO Neste artigo buscou-se estimar os volumes de árvores de diferentes espécies do Cerrado usando redes neurais artificiais e fazer comparações dos resultados com estimativas obtidas a partir de equações volumétricas tradicionais. Os dados foram coletados em 15 parcelas de 400 m² em uma área de 29,6 ha. Em cada parcela, o diâmetro da altura do peito (D) (diâmetro a 1,30 m do solo), a altura total (Ht) e a altura comercial (Hc) de todos os indivíduos com D igual ou superior a 3,0 cm foram medidos. Depois, cada árvore foi derrubada para obtenção do volume. O método de Huber foi usado considerando a medida dos diâmetros do fuste até 3,0 cm. Os dados obtidos foram utilizados para treinar redes neurais artificiais (RNA) e ajustar equações volumétricas para estimar o volume total e comercial das árvores. Este estudo mostrou que as RNA e as equações volumétricas são eficientes para a obtenção de volumes estimados de árvores no Cerrado. As redes neurais artificiais, que consideram a espécie como uma variável categórica de entrada, apresentaram melhores resultados do que aquelas que são treinadas sem essa variável.

Satellite imagery allows to estimate vegetation parameters related to large areas and to evaluate biogeochemical cycles and radiative energy transfer processes between soil/vegetation and atmosphere.Moreover, the spectral indices derived from remote sensed data can be used for biomass estimation.This paper focuses on the evaluation of above-ground biomass in the Leonessa Municipality, Latium Region (Italy) by the use of Landsat 7 ETM+ (2001) and Landsat 8-OLI (2015) data. To achieve this goal, Rural Development Programs (PSR) and Forest Management Plans(FMP) (2001-2010) have been analyzed to retrieve the main information related to the different types of wood resources. In particular, dendrometry and prospects of different cultivation classes provide the main data such as the extension (ha), the biomass production (m3/ha), the number of plants, the cuts plan of each Forest Management Unit (FMU). This dataset was organized within a Geographical Information System (GIS) as well as Landsat images.Landsat 7 imagery was classified with two spectral indices, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Tasseled Cup, in order to find a correlation between remote sensed data and biomass production in m3/ha. Once obtained the spectral model, the analysis was extended to Landsat 8 and the 2015 biomass map was produced and exported on the web. The results, obtained by the exclusively analysis of open source optical remote sensing data, demonstrate their suitability to update FMPs with lower cost if compared to canonical field methods. Additionally, the analysis allows to extend the investigation to un-analyzed areas by forestry studies, too.

In the frame of the ALFORLAB project, a harmonised set of tree volume (and biomass) single entry tables (“tariffs”) was developed for the main 20 forest species of Calabria (Southern Italy), to outline the “coordinates” of volume expression for inventory purposes at both regional and forest planning level. The system, called TaCAL, was based on the double entry volume and biomass functions of the Italian National forest Inventory - INFC 2005 -, and was built studying the height/dbh relationships on 2300 trees measured during the INFC campaign in Calabria, on over 300 sampling plots randomly distributed. For each of the 20 species, or group of similar species, the tariff system is articulated into 9 h/d relationship curves, which are in turn related to corresponding single entry tables of tree volume (stem and branches with dbh above 5 cm), and respective biomass tables. According to INFC 2005 stereometric equations, TaCAL system is suitable for both high forests and coppices. TaCAL provides a uniform volume and biomass estimation system for all main forest species of Calabria as well as, under certain conditions, a unique criterion of expression of the site fertility. TaCAL tariff system has already been integrated into the construction of forecasting models of timber volume and biomass based on angle count samplings, at forest management scale. TaCAL has also provided the basis for ground truth volume estimates to develop forecast models through remote sensing LiDAR data. It must be emphasized that TaCAL represents the first case in Italy in which single tree data by INFC field surveys were used to carry out a comprehensive dendrometric system at a regional level.

The development of dendrometric methodologies could allow accurate estimation of variables associated with the crown, such as primary production (fruit and timber) and tree vigor. The aim of this work was to develop a suitable method to estimate woody biomass in plum trees (Prunus domestica L.) in Imbabura, Ecuador by using an adapted dendrometry. Form factors and regression models were defined for branch volume calculation. From this, the distribution of woody biomass in the crown tree was characterized in every stratum. Occupation Factor and regression models were obtained in order to calculate the biomass in the crown tree, which can be used to estimate the CO2 captured in its structure during its development. Regression models for calculation of whole volume of the tree and pruned biomass were directly obtained from crown diameter and crown height with Rajustated 2 of 0.74 and 0.81. The average moisture content of green material was 51%, and the average density of dry material was 0.66 ± 0.07 g cm−3. Proximate analysis of plum wood showed at 79.8 ± 9.2% volatiles and 2.1 ± 0.3% ash. Elemental analysis of the wood pointed to 46.5 ± 1.2% C, 6.1 ± 0.5% H, 46.3 ± 1.2% O, 0.6 ± 0.3% N, 0.06 ± 0.02% S and 0.02 ± 0.01% Cl. Cl, S and N contents are lower than the limits established by the standard EN 14691-part 4.With 46% of C, considering the relation 3.67 (44/12) between CO2 and C content, the CO2 sequestrated in the materials is 1.11 Mg m−3 wood material. Such method represents a tool to manage orchard resources and for assessing other parameters, such as raw materials for cultivation, fruit production, CO2 sink and waste materials (residual wood) used for energy or industry., The authors appreciate the financial support provided by the ECUMASA, Red ecuatoriana para la investigacion del aprovechamiento energetico de la biomasa.

While world records of tree heights were set by American, Australian and Asian tree species, Africa seemed to play no role here. In our study we show that Entandrophragma excelsum (Meliaceae) found in a remote valley at Kilimanjaro has to be included in the list of the world’s superlative trees. Estimating tree age from growth rates monitored by high resolution dendrometry indicates that tall individuals may reach more than 470 years of age. A unique combination of anatomical peculiarities and favorable site conditions might explain their enormous size. The late date of this discovery of Africa’s tallest trees may be due to the comparably low study efforts at Kilimanjaro compared with other biodiversity hotspots. Since only a few square kilometers of this habitat of Entandrophragma are left, Kilimanjaro (and Africa) is about to lose not only a unique biogeographical archive with highly diverse vegetation, but also its tallest trees. The inclusion of these valleys into the immediately neighboring Kilimanjaro National Park would be an excellent and urgent possibility of protection. Keyword

International audience; Background and aims: Measurement of grapevine size is necessary to assess carbon reserves at the level of individual vines and to estimate the carbon sequestration potential of vineyards. Methods of measurement rely mostly on traditional dendrological techniques that may be prone to error. In this study, we examined the use of structure-from-motion with multiview stereophotogrammetry (SfM-MVS) to obtain accurate measurements of vine trunk thickness and volume. SfM-MVS enables the creation of scaled, georeferenced three-dimensional models based on a set of overlapping photographs.000510827400003Methods and results: The study was conducted using field-grown Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling vines aged 5, 22 and 46 years and pruned in a bilateral Guyot. Trunk diameter, cross-sectional area and circumference 10 cm above the grafting point were measured by traditional dendrometry, and the values obtained compared with corresponding estimates from reconstructed three-dimensional SfM-MVS models. SfM-MVS was also used to estimate total trunk volume. Correlation between measured values and modelled estimates was close to unity (0.976

As in many archipelagos, the Azorean primary forest was largely cleared and replaced by secondary forest and grassland, the Azorean tree Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco being one of the dominant trees in the remaining natural forests. Dendrochronological and dendrometric studies in the Azores mainly focused on non-indigenous trees, either used for timber (e.g., Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) or considered as invasive (Pittosporum undulatum Vent.). Therefore, this study aims to describe the growth ring anatomy of L. azorica, and to understand the relationship between dendrometric traits (e.g., trunk diameter at breast height, tree height), and the number of growth rings. Growth ring anatomy was accessed by wood anatomical preparation of microcore samples while tree age estimation was based on growth ring counts in wood cores taken at breast height and at base. A total of 145 trees were sampled, resulting in 262 increment cores, at six representative stands of laurel forest in S&atilde, o Miguel Island (Azores). The wood anatomical analysis confirmed the presence of clear annual ring boundaries, and a high structural similarity towards Laurus novocanariensis Rivas Mart., Lous&atilde, Fern.Prieto, E.D&iacute, as, J.C.Costa &amp, C.Aguiar. Age at tree base averaged 33 years, with 60% of the trees between 25 and 50 years old, and only about 15% above 50 years old. This suggests the existence of a secondary forest that is more recent than expected, probably due to human disturbance. The allometric models showed best fit when calculated by stand, suggesting the effect of local environmental conditions on growth rate. Radial growth rate was estimated at 0.68 cm.year&minus, 1. Given the known dominance of this species and the threats affecting natural forests, this baseline study will allow a better understanding of forest distribution and dynamics, and support a more effective forest management approach.

Resumen La agricultura sustentable de plantaciones forestales exige la estimación permanente de la cantidad o volumen de madera que se está produciendo en un momento dado, lo que es difícil en extensas áreas de bosque, si solo se utilizan procedimientos manuales en campo. En la presente investigación se modelaron redes neuronales artificiales (ANNs, su sigla en inglés) de perceptrón multicapa para la estimación espacial de volúmenes de madera en una plantación de Eucalyptus sp. localizada en el estado de Mato Grosso del Sur, región Centro-oeste de Brasil. Para el efecto se emplearon como variables de predicción bandas espectrales, texturas de las bandas obtenidos con matriz de coocurrencia de niveles de grises e índice de vegetación, que fueron derivados de imagen digital de satélite Spot 6. La ANN resultante con mejor desempeño presentó una precisión de 93.32% y un coeficiente de determinación de 0.9761, con respecto a valores obtenidos con medidas de campo; no obstante, presentó un error cuadrático medio relativo de 16.32% (RMSE de 7.85 m3/ha), pero la distribución de los residuos no fue tendenciosa, por tanto, el modelo fue promisorio para mapear los volúmenes de madera en extensas áreas sin sobreestimar o subestimar la predicción. La red construida mostró mayor precisión y exactitud cuándo se comparó con otros métodos que usaron variables similares de estimación, inclusive en comparación con modelos neuronales que utilizaron solo bandas espectrales e índices de vegetación. Abstract The sustainable agriculture of forest plantations demands the permanent monitoring of the quantity of processed wood, thus becoming difficult to monitor large planted areas by using only manual procedures. Therefore, in this research artificial neural networks (RNA) of multilayer perceptrons, were modeled to estimate the spatial of wood volume in a Eucalyptus-sp plantation located in the state of Mato Grosso del Sur in the Central-West region of Brazil. As input variables in the RNA spectral bands, the textures of the bands obtained with Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrices and vegetation index were used, which were derived from digital satellite image Spot 6. The resulting RNA with the best performance presented accuracy of 93.32% and coefficient of determination of 0.9761. However, this network presented a mean square error of 16.32% (RMSE de 7.85 m3ha-1), but with a unbiased distribution of the residuals. So, the model showed to be suitable to monitor the amount of wood in large areas without overestimating or underestimating the prediction. Compared with different machine learning methods using the same variables, the built network seems to have a higher precision and accuracy. Even in the neuronal models using only spectral bands and vegetation indexes, a better performance was evidenced, showing that the textures contribute in the improvement of predictions.

Agroforestry plays an important role in food security and farmer’s resilience to climate change and variability in West Africa. However agroforestry parkland profile in the climatic zone in Burkina Faso are not well known. Therefore, agroforestry parkland profiles in three climatic zones of Burkina Faso were studied. Thirty (30) farmlands in each climatic zone representing about 35 ha were randomly selected on which systematic woody species inventory and dendrometry data collection was undertaken. Diameter classes’ distribution and agroforestry parkland typologies using Importance Value Index analysis were also done. The results showed 42, 31 and 34 woody species respectively in Sudanian, Sudan-Sahel and Sahel strict zones with corresponding density of 37, 30 and 35 trees/ha. Agroforestry parklands in Sudan-Sahel zone appeared to be unstable compared with the two others climatic zones. Mono-woody species parkland of Vitellaria paradoxa was observed in the Sudanian zone while multi-woody species parklands were observed in the Sudan-Sahel and Sahel strict zones. Both the density of trees/ha and the number of species constituting the agroforestry parklands have a direct impact of carbon sequestration potential. Taking in account agroforestry parklands profile is therefore determinant in evaluating smallholders’ farmers in potential benefit from carbon market in each climatic zone. Keywords : Parkland typology, woody species, density, smallholders.

Buttresses and other natural structures modify the shape of stems in Amazonia and change the diameter at breast height (DBH) measured at 1.3 m at ground level. The lack of adequate measurement techniques affects negatively forest dynamics analyses and biomass estimating. The study evaluated an indirect method of measuring diameters in trees with DBH > 40 cm using principles of digital photogrammetry. The results obtained with two cameras (smartphone and Sony) were compared with direct measurements using diametric tape and a ladder. The technique is adequate to measure the diameters of trees with measurement point above 2 m of ground, with a confidence interval of ±1cm. The use of photogrammetry as a supplementary tool to the diametric tape (IC ± 0.24 cm) is recommended, helping to measure trees with diameter above the reach of the technician in forest inventories. © 2019 Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ).

O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em indicar parâmetros fitossociológicos das espécies do gênero Handroanthus sp. em diferentes sítios e regiões do Estado do Pará. Os dados foram coletados do Sistema Integrado de Monitoramento e Licenciamento Ambiental público do estado do Pará e em trabalhos científicos. Foi registrada a região de ocorrência, o número de indivíduos, volume de madeira em metro cúbico total e por hectare, tamanho da área amostral ou do inventário florestal 100%, das licenças ambientais nos anos de 2012 a 2016, assim como em trabalhos científicos. Esses dados geraram mapas que demonstraram que o gênero Handroanthus sp. ocorre em quase todas as mesorregiões do estado. O Sudeste e Nordeste Paraense apresentaram menor ocorrência e baixa densidade da espécie. O Sudoeste Paraense e Baixo Amazonas são locais de maior ocorrência do gênero e densidades menor que 0,4 árvores/ha podem ser utilizadas como referência nas análises dos inventários florestais 100%.

Forest aboveground biomass (AGB), which plays an important role in the study of global carbon cycle, is one of the most important indicators in forest resource monitoring. Thus, how to estimate and map regional forest AGB quickly and accurately attracts more interests of researchers. Tomographic SAR (TomoSAR) is an advanced SAR technique developed in recent years, which has a wide range application in forest AGB estimation. In this paper, we proposed a multi-feature-based modeling method to estimate forest AGB by fitting backscattered power of TomoSAR vertical profile. The procedure of the proposed method includes four parts: (1) Processing TomoSAR data to obtain the backscattered power of vertical profile. (2) Fitting the backscattered power of the vertical profile. (3) Analyzing the fitted backscattered power distribution characteristic of the vertical profile. (4) Extracting the TomoSAR vertical profile features according to the forest AGB measurement factors based on the dendrometry theory. In this paper, we proposed two new features like the forest average height weighted by backscattered power (BPFAH) and the total length of the backscattered power curve (LBPC) as supplement features to estimate forest AGB by TomoSAR technique. We also used the traditional TomoSAR features including backscattered power at specific height layer of vertical power profile (BPV) and forest average height (FAH) for AGB estimation. After the feature selection, the selected features and the ground field data of the forest AGB were used for regression and modeling. Then the forest AGB was estimated and the accuracy was validated. The results showed that the accuracy of proposed method is 90.73%, and RMSE is 42.45 t/ha. Finally, we discussed the performance of our proposed method compared with traditional methods.

In this work, a new approach to evaluating the amount of residual biomass obtained from orange trees based on normalization of variables is proposed for Bolivar province, Ecuador. So far, several models to quantify the amount of residues obtained from pruning have been proposed from dendrometric and cultivation variables, such as height, crown diameter, stem diameter, area per plant, yield, and age. However, the high dispersion of their values, caused by uncontrolled conditions, gave models with a low-medium coefficient of determination. The aim of this work has been to develop several models in order to predict wet available biomass using dimensionless dendrometric parameters from height, diameter and height of the crown, and the stem height. They improved the coefficients of determination to 0.94 for the global mathematical model. The drying process of pruned materials has also been analyzed. Residual biomass with 50% initial moisture content was dried outdoors on cement and agricultural soil until it reached constant moisture content. Models used to describe the drying process of agricultural products were employed to fit the observed data of the drying process of orange tree chips. Among the tested models, the Midili and Page models were those that best fitted the observed data in the drying process. The information offered by these equations is of vital importance because they help estimate the amount of biomass that is generated in a given area, and the implementation geographic information system (GIS) maps. In addition, logistic algorithms can be applied. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

This work aims quantify and analyze the biomass of a forest area belonging to the Natural Space of the Alynia Mountain, located in Catalonia, Spain, by means of remote sensing tools. Thus for the study, they were used LiDAR data of the study area. From these data two Digital Terrain Models (Digital Surface Model and Digital Elevation Model of Vegetation) were generated, and other relevant statistical calculations were performed to then calculate the biomass, basal area and number of feet. The information obtained was embodied in maps to represent the results and other parameters related to biomass. As a result of this work, models of biomass, basal area and number of trees had a good relationship with the inventory data, so it was possible to estimate these parameters for the study area. In fact calculating biomass by LiDAR data resulted in 3059.76 tons for an area of ​​24.52 has drawn in the study area, while the inventory calculations resulted from 3341.42 tons in the same area. So, can be say that the LiDAR technology provides forestry research a number of applications, from dasometric order and / or dendrometry necessary for effective forest management.

Pine resin is a highly valuable and sought-after non-timber forest product with multiple uses in many industrial sectors. Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) is the main tapped species in Europe, where resin tapping activities are concentrated in only a few specific Mediterranean regions. Although maritime pine also occupies vast extensions under Atlantic climates, the resin tapping potential of these forests remains unexplored. The objectives of this study were to determine the main factors driving resin yield under Atlantic conditions and to adapt extraction practices to these regions. Resin yield was assessed in two naturally regenerated maritime pine forests in NW Spain. The effects of tree age, inter-tree competition, dendrometry, seasonality and wounding time on resin production were tested. The feasibility of a simple and rapid microtapping procedure to predict resin yield was also assessed. Tree age was identified as the main factor driving resin production, which increased considerably with tree age. Tree slenderness, tree size and inter-tree competition also significantly influenced resin production, although the effects were lower and likely mediated by age variation. Resin yield followed marked seasonal patterns, with maximum production in late summer and minimum production in winter. Resin flow decreased rapidly with time after wounding. More than 95 % of resin yield flowed in the first week after trees were wounded. The proposed microtapping procedure, which estimates resin flow from small wounds in just a few days, was shown to be a useful and reliable tool both for phenotyping and to predict resin yield in new stands. The results confirm the high potential for resin tapping in Atlantic maritime pine forests, although tapping should be restricted to stands older than 30 years and a season should be delimited for this activity in the region studied. Additionally, the periodicity of grooves (typically fortnightly) may need to be increased.

A dendrometria como indicador para o manejo racional da irrigação ainda vem sendo pauta de discussões nos últimos tempos devido à busca pelo menor consumo hídrico e aumento da eficiência no uso da água pelas culturas agrícolas. Tendo em vista a carência de informações, a presente revisão integrativa teve por objetivo apresentar um estudo sobre as técnicas de dendrometria utilizadas no manejo da irrigação que visam à determinação do consumo hídrico das culturas. Realizou-se um estudo com a coleta de dados a partir de fontes, por meio da pesquisa bibliográfica e revisão integrativa, tendo como pergunta norteada: as técnicas de dendrometria no manejo da irrigação garantem maior eficiência do uso da água e produção agrícola com menor consumo hídrico? Essas técnicas são baseadas na própria planta com necessidade de precisão na estimativa dos dados gerados e saber interpretá-los tornando um grande desafio no uso da dendrometria. A partir da análise de dados secundários disponíveis na literatura, as técnicas de dentrometria refletem sobre as interações entre a quantidade de água disponível no solo para a planta e a demanda hídrica da atmosfera. Por conseguinte, essas técnicas e outras estão sendo analisadas visando alcançar melhor eficiência do uso da água e a maior produção agrícola com menor consumo hídrico.

The effects of four silvicultural methods notably Layon, Blanc-Etoc (BE), Martineau and assisted natural regeneration (ANR) have been compared on the dendrometric traits of Pericopsis elata Harms and Entandrophragma cylindricum Sprague planted in 1938 in Yangambi for controlling anthropogenic activities (agricultural deforestation and forest degradation) threatening the species to extinction added to difficult natural regeneration. The sustainable pedo-silvicultural system will preserve Yangambi biosphere reserve. In case of variance analysis significance; the non-parametric test of Kruskal Wallis and the test of Tukey Honest Significant Differences were applied to separate the traits means. Results have revealed that the three plantation methods were significantly different from ANR. BE, Martineau and Layon have determined the Gaussian shape for P. elata diametric structures while Layon, Martineau and ANR presented the inversed J shape for E. cylindricum. BE method convenes for plantations of the two species whose trait values were higher than those of other methods. The difference was significant between the widest average breast height diameter (DBH) of 44.49±10.63cm with the total height mean of 24.46±4.45m for P. elata and DBH of 29.63±11.59cm with the total height mean of 22.04±5.80m for E. cylindricum. The differences were also identified respectively for the two species regarding the basal areas with 25.54±5.6 against 9.474±1.67 m2/ha, the aboveground biomasses with 318.81±77.2 against 94.315±11.59t/ha and the loose volumes with 45069.49±12219.30 against 14 471.348±3 645.692m3/ha. The Layon method did not have significant effect on the E. cylindricum, but has influenced the DBH, AGB and basal area of P. elata. The least productive method ANR has expressed a convenient natural regeneration inversed J shape for the two species, as related to Yangambi reserve preservation.

Agroforestry plays an important role in climate mitigation through atmospheric carbon removal by photosynthetic activity of tree. However, the carbon sequestration potential of smallholder’s agroforestry’s parklands is not well documented in Burkina Faso. Therefore, agroforestry parkland of smallholders’ farmers in three climatic zones was studied. Thirty household farmlands in each climatic zone representing about 35 ha were selected on which systematic woody species inventory and dendrometry data collections were undertaken. Nondestructive method using fitted allometrics equations was used to compute carbon stock. Sustainability analysis of carbon sequestration potential was done using ]0–10], ]10–40], and ]40–110 cm] diameter class as long term, medium term, and short term, respectively. The balance between marketable carbon value and the trade-off from tree conservation of three major crops was also analyzed. The results revealed 24.71 ± 5.84 tCO2 ha−1, 28.35 ± 5.84 tCO2 ha−1, and 33.86 ± 5.84 tCO2 ha−1 in Ouahigouya, Sapouy, and Bouroum-Bouroum at p

Commercial height of the tree is a key variable for estimating the wood stock in tropical forests managed for timber production purposes. Most available measurement devices suffer limitations in this type of forest, promoting low precision measurements with high variation errors. The laser meter device appears as a viable alternative, as in addition to using trigonometric principles, it is not necessary that the device is close to the eyes of the meter to carry out the measurement. The device can be used to measure commercial height of trees on flat or sloping terrain, at different distances from the tree. However, there are no studies evaluating the precision of this device. The objective of this study was to determine the precision of the laser meter method for estimating the commercial height of trees, as compared to the actual measurement in a tropical forest in the Brazilian Amazon. Measurements were made on 300 trees with commercial height between 7 and 14 m. Actual commercial heights were measured with graduated ruler. Applied tests were paired t test, graphical analysis of residuals and calculations of bias statistics, mean absolute deviation, standard deviation of differences, and coefficient of determination (R 2). Paired t test indicated that the mean of the heights measured by the laser meter is statistically equal to that of the graduated ruler. Measurements with laser meter did not show bias and had mean error of 0.0745. The standard deviation of the differences indicated dispersion of errors of 0.97, equal to that shown in the graduated rule. Laser meter presents an alternative method for estimating the commercial height of trees in tropical forest in the Brazilian Amazon. There was no tendency to underestimate or overestimate the commercial heights of trees. Use of the laser meter is potentially of use for measuring the commercial height of trees in tropical forests., A new method and device to measure commercial height of trees in natural forests is proposed. The method has, besides practicality, good precision, and low cost, a great differential: The technician does not need to use the device close to the eyes. The technician observes the laser beam in the tree trunk and remains in the same position to realize the three measures necessary to obtain the commercial height. The device can be used to measure commercial height of trees on flat or sloping terrain from any distance from the tree.

[EN] This study compares the estimations of biophysical parameters of Platanus hispanica urban trees, namely total height, crown height, crown volume, and the amount of residual biomass from pruning, obtained by terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), airborne laser scanner (ALS)of low density (0.7 points · m¿2), and measured by standard field methods. Regression models were calculated to obtain the relationships among parameters retrieved by all techniques, testing all possible combinations (manual-TLS, manual-ALS, TLS-ALS, and vice versa). The most accurate fits were found for vegetation attributes (stem and crown diameter) estimated by TLS and ALS data with R2 between 0.84 and 0.96, respectively. The least accurate models were found when crown height and pruning biomass were estimated from ALS data (R2 ¿ 0.68 and R2 ¿ 0.59, respectively). The methods reported in this research might be of interest for the management of urban forests to study residual biomass calculation, sink CO2, the influence of humidity and of shadow areas whatever the information capture system used, whether it is derived from ALS, TLS, or classical dendrometry measurements.

[EN] The objective of this work was to perform a complete evaluation of using biomass from pruning residues of ficus trees (Ficus benjamina), widely grown as ornamental plants in cities in Ecuador. Due to their great capacity for propagation and fast growth, these trees need frequent pruning and so generate a large amount of ligneous residues. A dendrometric analysis of the plant was performed to calculate the quantity of residues generated from easily measurable variables, such as crown diameter and plant height. The models obtained gave a coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.75. Pruning residues included mixtures of wood and leaves. The percentages of leaf and woody biomass were measured and a calorific analysis, elemental analysis, proximal analysis and structural analysis of the different mix proportions were carried out. Nitrogen content was acceptable for use as biofuel. Ash content in the wood is 5%, but the inclusion of leaves in the sample increases the ash content up to 11% when the leaf percentage is greater than 50%. About 10 kg of material, on average, was obtained from each tree. The mean calorific value of these residues was 19 MJ kg¿1 and was influenced by the volatile content and lignin., This work has been funded by Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil through a research program coordinated by the Sistema de Investigacion y Desarrollo (SINDE).

Slope movements are a common natural hazard. That is why considerable funds are spent annually to limit their effects or to research their prevention. This study evaluates dendrometric approaches as a fast and low-cost alternative to classical methods of slope movement mechanism analysis. A total of 1688 trees growing on the Mazak landslide in the Moravskoslezske Beskydy Mts. and 100 reference trees growing out of the landslide area were analysed. The Mazak landslide is approximately 400 m in length and presents varied morphological features (scarps, rotated blocks, scree slopes, shallow landslide areas, etc.). The slope and direction of stem inclination was recorded for each tree. The results were categorized into four distinct landforms (scarp with outcrops of bedrock, scree slope, front of partial landslide block, plateau of partial landslide block) and were then compared with parameters for the reference trees. The general model of tree tilting for the landslide area was verified and partially confirmed. Trees growing on the plateau of rotated blocks are predominantly oriented upslope; trees growing on scree slopes of shallow movement and creep are predominantly oriented downslope. Trees growing on rocky scars do not differ significantly from the reference trees. Trees growing from fronts of rotated blocks are oriented both upslope and downslope. From these results, several recommendations regarding dendrometric evidence of slope movement mechanisms are presented: (i) all trees growing on the landslide are to be analysed; (ii) old trees maintain stem tilt intensities and directions for long periods, but young trees are more sensitive to ground movements; (iii) tree root depth influences root sensitivity to movements of various depths; (iv) the general shape of a stem can denote specific mechanisms of slope movement and (v) comparisons with reference trees should always be conducted to exclude potential non-geomorphic effects on tree stem tilt.

[EN] The use of residual biomass from fruit tree pruning requires the creation of logistic schedules based on the knowledge of the amount of residues available in each plot. Remote sensing is shown as an important tool to quantify these resources. The objective of this research was to estimate the amount of pruned materials from olive trees (Olea europea L.) using dendrometric parameters obtained from field measurements and airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. Pruning, mean crown diameter, stem diameter, total height and crown height were measured in the field for a set of 25 trees in Viver, Central East Spain. Airborne discrete LiDAR data were acquired and used to extract the crown area of the trees and metrics based on the height distribution of the LiDAR points. Two types of regression models to predict the amount of pruned material were computed, firstly using dendrometic measurements obtained in the field, and then based on tree metrics derived from LiDAR data. The dendrometric variables obtained from field measurements were also compared with the metrics obtained from LiDAR data. High values of R2 were obtained for the models, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89. The regression models derived from LiDAR data used the area as an explanatory variable. The results of this study show the potential of airborne LiDAR data to predict pruning residues in olive trees, The authors appreciate the financial support provided by the Vice-Rectorate for Research of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Grant PAID-06-12-3297; SP20120534) and the Conselleria de Educacion, Formacion y Empleo de la Generalitat Valenciana (GV/2014/016).

Accurate tree measurement is necessary for applications such as resource appraisal, and biophysical and ecological modelling. This research tests the potential to use a low-cost hand-held camera alongside structure-from-motion with multi-view stereo-photogrammetry (SfM-MVS) to accurately measure trees. SfM-MVS is a computer vision technique, in which the geographic coordinates of objects are calculated from a series of photographs, resulting in a 3D point cloud model. This research tested the ability of SfM-MVS to reconstruct spatially accurate 3D models from which 2D (height, crown spread, crown depth, stem diameter) and 3D (volume) tree metrics could be estimated. Thirty small, potted trees were photographed and measured with traditional dendrometry to evaluate SfM-MVS derived tree size estimates. Tree volume was obtained via the water displacement approach xylometry. SfM-MVS estimates of 2D tree metrics had errors (RMSE – root mean squared error) as low as 3.74% (RMSEtree height = 3.74%, RMSEcrown depth = 11.93%, RMSEcrown spread = 14.76%, RMSEDBH = 9.6%). SfM-MVS estimates of 3D tree metrics were better for the main stem than for the slender branches (RMSEStem = 12.33%, RMSEBranches = 47.53%, RMSETotal Volume = 18.53%). Apart from height and crown depth, all modelled variables had negative bias, suggesting that SfM-MVS tends to underestimate the size of trees. The results show that SfM-MVS is capable of producing estimates of 2D and 3D metrics with accuracy comparable to that of laser scanning (i.e. LiDAR). Factors like the position of the tree relative to its surroundings, the background scene and the ambient lighting, appear to affect model success. SfM-MVS provides a low-cost alternative to remote sensing technologies currently used such as terrestrial laser scanning and, as no specialised equipment is required, it is able to be used by people with little expertise or training. Future research is required for exploring the suitability of SfM-MVS for specific applications requiring accurate dendrometry.

In 2O15, the structure of a forest stand growing on former agricultural land in subunit 277n of the Przymuszewo Forest Division (Regional Directorate of State Forests RDSF in Torun) was described. The study area was afforested in 199O - mostly with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and several seedlings of the European beech – after many years of agricultural cultivation of grain and potato crops. Characteristics of the forest stand comprised the following parameters: species composition and species diversity, density of individual components, the average tree diameter at breast height (DBH), and the height and aboveground biomass of trees divided into individual species. The species structure, dendrometric characteristics and spatial dis- tribution of trees studied in 2015 were compared with the situation assessed in 2000. Based on DBH and height values, as well as the use of dendrometric tables and basic wood density for tree species, the above- ground biomass and total biomass of trees with a minimum diameter of 7 cm were calculated. The aboveground and total biomass for trees with DBH less than 7 cm was calculated on the basis of density and weight of trees according to the classification into species and height classes. The aboveground and total biomass of the whole tree stand, including spontaneous non-native and invasive Padus serotina Ehrh., was compared with the standing biomass of agricultural areas in the Tuchola Forest region as well as with other Scots pine-silver birch plantations on former agricultural lands described in ecological literature. The paper presents also the differences in assessments of aboveground pine biomass at the study site obtained when using conver- sion factors established during direct measurements carried out in forests of the Przymuszewo Forest Division and conversion factors applied during inventories conducted in Poland according to the IPCC recommendations for international reporting submitted to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, FAO and UNFCCC

Introduction: Estimating the volume of individual trees is an important aspect in dendrometry and in the conducting of forest inventories. Objective: Significant differences were evaluated in additive equation systems for estimating the total volume of individual trees in nine species of the genus Pinus (P. cooperi, P.durangensis, P. arizonica, P. leiophylla, P. teocote, P. engelmannii, P. lumholtzii, P.strobiformisand P. herrerae), and three of the genus Quercus (Q. sideroxyla, Q. durifoliaand Q. rugosa), and among regional forest management units (UMAFOR) when dealing with the same species. Materials and methods: To evaluate whether equation systems are different among tree species of the same genus and among the UMAFORs for the same species, two complementary statistical analyzes were used based on the fitting of a reduced and a full equation system: the F test of nonlinear extra sum of squares method, and the parameter significance analysis. Results and discussion: For most of the species studied, equation systems are significantly different. The need to use regional models in 10 of the 12 tree species, except for P. strobiformis and Q. rugosa, is also reported. Conclusion: The use of a state model for P. strobiformis and Q. rugosa is recommended. Introducción: La estimación del volumen de árboles individuales es un aspecto relevante en la dendrometría y en la realización de inventarios forestales. Objetivo: Se evaluaron diferencias significativas en sistemas de ecuaciones aditivas para la estimación de volumen total de árboles individuales en nueve especies de Pinus (P. cooperi, P. durangensis, P. arizonica, P. leiophylla, P. teocote, P. engelmannii, P. lumholtzii, P. strobiformis y P. herrerae), y tres de Quercus (Q. sideroxyla, Q. durifolia y Q. rugosa), y entre unidades de manejo forestal regional (UMAFOR) cuando se trata de una misma especie. Materiales y métodos: Para evaluar si el sistema de ecuaciones difiere entre especies de un mismo género y entre las UMAFOR para una misma especie, se utilizaron dos análisis estadísticos complementarios basados en el ajuste de un sistema reducido y un sistema completo de ecuaciones: la prueba F asociada al método de la suma adicional de cuadrados no lineales y el análisis de significancia de los parámetros. Resultados y discusión: Para la mayoría de las especies estudiadas, los sistemas de ecuaciones son significativamente diferentes. Se reporta la necesidad de utilizar modelos regionales en 10 de las 12 especies, exceptuando a P. strobiformis y Q. rugosa. Conclusiones: Se recomienda el empleo de un modelo estatal para P. strobiformis y Q. rugosa. We thank the Program Fomento a la Organización Social,Planeación y Desarrollo Regional Forestal (PROFOS) of CONAFOR for funding the collection of the data used in this study SI

According to biomechanical processes, tree morphology (trunk inclination, height-to-diameter ratio and crown area) explains statistically silvicultural effects on growth stress variation. Growth stresses constitute the main mechanism allowing the tree to control its posture against its mechanical environment, but are also among the most important factors contributing to the depreciation of timber value. This study aimed at assessing the link between stand planting density and growth stress level in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands. Beech seedlings were planted in four plots corresponding to four planting densities: 2,500, 5,000, 10,000 and 40,000 stems/ha. They were left to grow for 26 years without any intervention, resulting in trees with highly different morphologies but of the same age and provenance. After 26 years of growth, both the tree morphology and growth stress indicators were measured on the standing trees in each plot and an attempt was made to establish a link between them. Our results showed that initial stand density influences growth stresses of the first order as a result of its impact on tree morphology. The best predictors of high growth stresses were high trunk inclination, high height-to-diameter ratio (slenderness factor) and low crown area. According to mechanosensing theories, these morphological criteria emphasised that growth stresses are due to a global mechanical stimulation rather than to local stem inclination alone. Research now has to be undertaken on new methods that combine the integrative assessment of tree morphology as well as its monitoring over time.

Iterative domestication processes by humans such as selection, translocation and cultivation are known to affect the morphological and genetic diversity of tree species. Since many of these species occur also in human-created homegardens (HG) this type of agroecosystem therefore represents an ideal setting to study such domestication processes. The threatened indigenous fruit tree Ziziphus spina-christi occurs in HGs and forests of the Nuba Mountains, Sudan, and was therefore selected as a model species. Five locations were sampled and the geographical position of 250 trees determined. Each location was subdivided into HG and forest sites. The diversities of morphological traits and amplified fragment length polymorphisms were assessed to study variation within and among locations and sites. Diversity of dendrometric parameters and fruit morphometries was high and differed significantly among locations. Environmental parameters affected dendrometry and fruit size, but applied regression models were of low explanatory power. Although statistically not significant, mean fruit measures were continuously larger in HGs than in forests. Higher genetic diversity was observed in HG samples. Larger dendrometric and fruit morphometric traits are likely to result from better growing conditions in HGs and/or human selection of germplasm. This is in line with the higher genetic diversity in HGs which may be a consequence of the admixture of germplasm from different origins planted in HGs. Z. spina-christi underwent incipient steps of domestication. High genetic diversity in HGs suggests those as valuable spots of improved germplasm and for on-farm conservation purposes.

The Mimosa tenuiflora is a species typical of the Brazilian semi-arid region, used as forage, energy source, fences and with potential for production of vegetable tannins. However, there are few studies on the relationships of dendrometric parameters of species. This study aimed to evaluate the volume and mass of wood (firewood) and the volume and mass of bark in Mimosa and verify their variation during the dry and rainy seasons. Thus, were collected, on a quarterly basis, in Santa Terezinha, Paraiba, Brazil, 10 plants of Mimosa tenuiflora, a total of 40 plants, and conducted strict cubic content of wood with and without bark, measurements, determination of moisture content of wood and bark and established relations between the dendrometric parameters. It was noted that the volume and mass of wood are not related to the volume and mass of bark. Moisture content in wood and bark showed that in the months of December 2008 (beginning of the rainy season) and April 2009 (the end of rainy season) was high. In the months of December 2008 and April 2009 higher percentage of green leaves in the trees was observed, due to the occurrence of rain during the collection of the material.

Pinus pinaster Ait. is the most widespread conifer in Spain and is now the only species tapped for its oleoresin. The role of tree size and xylem anatomy at distal parts (⩾10 cm) aside from the tapping wound in the resin yield potential of this species was evaluated. Twenty-six tapped trees with contrasting resin yield classes and 12 non-tapped (control) trees, growing in two locations with the same climate conditions but different stand density and soil characteristics, were selected for the study. In tissues not affected by the tapping wound, the number of radial resin canals per mm2 and resin canal volume per growth ring unit are related to resin yield. The number of radial canals per mm2 and resin yield are strongly related to tree diameter and percentage of live crown. The area per mm2 of axial resin canals is related to high yielding trees, but only in the location with higher plant density and poorer soil quality. In tapped trees, an increase in axial canal frequency and area was found during the three years following the start of tapping activity, suggesting that canal formation is a systemic induced response to wounding. Tree diameter and percentage of live crown and radial resin canal frequency could be useful criteria for estimating resin yields in P. pinaster and could be applied to improve tapping management and breeding programs. The systemic defense system of trees should be taken into account to improve tapping techniques and resin yield.

The aim of this study is to analyze methodologies based on airborne LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology of low pulse density points (0.5m(-2)) for height and volume quantification of olive trees in Viver (Spain). A total of 29 circular plots, each with a radius of 20m, were sampled and their volumes and heights were obtained by dendrometric methods. For these estimations, several statistics derived from LiDAR data were calculated in each plot. Regression models were used to predict volume and height. The results showed good performance for estimating volume (R-2=0.70) and total height (R-2=0.67)., The authors appreciate the financial support provided by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (Ministry for Science & Innovation) within the framework of the project AGL2010-15334 and by the Vice-Rectorate for Research of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia [Grant PAID-06-12-3297; SP20120534].

Les districts phytogeographiques Plateau et Pobe au Sud Est du Benin abritent de nombreuses especes reconnues pour leurs valeurs therapeutiques et alimentaires. Cependant, ces especes subissent une forte pression humaine. Cette etude analyse la structure des populations et l’etat de conservation de Parkia biglobosa et Daniellia oliveri . L’identification des populations des especes a ete effectuee le long des transects de 1 km de long et 10 m de large. La comparaison des parametres dendrometriques des especes revele une densite et une hauteur moyenne nettement superieures de Parkia biglobosa dans les deux districts phytogeographiques par rapport a ceux du Daniellia oliveri . Le modele de regression simple de Galton exprimant la relation allometrique existant entre la hauteur totale et le diametre des individus des deux especes a 1,30 m du sol dans les deux districts phytogeographiques est hautement significatif au seuil de 1% (F=135,98 ; P

[EN] The aim of this study was to compare geometric parameters of olive trees (tree height, crown base height, crown diameters, crown area), using LiDAR data of different densities: 0.5, 3.5 and 9 points m(-2). Two strategies were proposed and verified with a focus on raster and raw data analysis. Statistical tests have shown, that for the tree height and crown base height estimation, the choice of strategy was irrelevant, but denser LiDAR data provided more accurate results. The raster analysis strategy applied for sparse and dense LiDAR datasets allowed crown shape to be determined with a similar accuracy which means raster data are useful for estimating other indirect tree parameters. The quality of results was independent from the tree size., The authors appreciate the financial support provided by the Vice-Rectorate for Research of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia [Grant PAID-06-12-3297; SP20120534].

Peltophorum dubium can be an alternative of forestry species to be included in integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems in tropical region. The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of P. dubium under intraspecific tree competition and cardinal directions to measure the possibility of introduction in integrated livestock-forestry systems. The experiment was performed in a Nelder Wheel competition, which is used in forestry research to test tree competition. The experimental design was factorial (10×2×5) with 12 replicates. The treatments were accomplished by ten tree competitions (159, 201, 255, 322, 408, 516, 653, 827, 1,046 and 1,324 trees ha-1), two cardinal directions (North-South and East-West) and five times after planting (12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months). The highest tree competition (1,342 trees ha-1) in 36 months after planting, promoted increase in the cylindrical volume of the tree in both North-South and East-West cardinal directions. Nevertheless, the cardinal direction East-West was profitable to increase tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), cylindrical volume per tree and cylindrical volume per hectare. The DBH measured in 24 months after planting was 5.0 cm, which is considered the minimum DBH to introduce livestock into the integrated system without significant damage on trees. Regarding these preliminary results in the first three years, P. dubium was promising as Brazilian native species to be inserted in integrated livestock-forestry system or single forestry as an option for Eucalyptus spp. Key words: Forestry, dendrometry, Nelder Wheel, integrated systems, agroforestry

Tree ring analysis investigates growth processes at time horizons of several weeks to millennia, but lacks the detail of short-term fluctuation in cambial activity. This study used electronic high-precision dendrometry for analyzing the environmental factors controlling stem diameter variation and radial growth in daily resolution in five co-existing temperate broad-leaved tree species (genera Fraxinus, Acer, Carpinus, Tilia and Fagus) with different growth and survival strategies. Daily stem radius change (SRC(d)) was primarily influenced by the atmospheric demand for water vapor (expressed either as vapor pressure deficit (D) or relative air humidity (RH)) while rainfall, soil matrix potential, temperature and radiation were only secondary factors. SRC(d) increased linearly with increasing RH and decreasing D in all species. The positive effect of a low atmospheric water vapor demand on SRC(d) was largest in June during the period of maximal radial growth rate and persisted when observation windows of 7 or 21 days instead of 1 day were used. We found a high synchronicity in the day-to-day growth rate fluctuation among the species with increment peaks corresponding to air humidity maxima, even though the mean daily radial growth rate differed fivefold among the species. The five -species also differed in the positive slope of the growth/RH relationship with the steepest increase found in Fraxinus and the lowest in Fagus. We explain the strong positive effect of high RH and low D on radial stem increment by lowered transpiration which reduces negative pressure in the conducting system and increases turgor in the stem cambium cells, thereby favoring cell division and expansion. The results suggest that mechanistic models of tree growth need to consider the atmospheric water status in addition to the known controlling environmental factors: temperature, soil moisture and precipitation. The results further have implications for sensitivity analyses of tree growth to climatic changes.

Many tropical tree species have buttresses at the standard breast height (1.3 m above ground) of diameter measurement, with a presumable role in improving nutrient acquisition or tree anchorage in the ground (Newbery et al. 2009, Richter 1984). Measuring the diameter using standard dendrometrical tools such as callipers or graduated tapes, which require that the cross-section of the trunk has a convex shape, is then impossible (Nogueira et al. 2006). The recommended method in this case is to measure the diameter above the buttress (DAB), thus possibly leading to biased estimates of the basal area (West 2009), of tree above-ground biomass (Dean & Roxburgh 2006, Dean et al. 2003) and of tree growth (Metcalf et al. 2009). As an alternative, one can measure the basal area at breast height of buttressed trees, using a method that can deal with the irregular non-convex shape of the cross-section of the stem such as the Picus calliper, photogrammetry or 3D laser scanning (Badia et al. 2003, Dean 2003, Newbery et al. 2009).