Search

Background. The Oka-Don Plain is located in the north-west of Penza region. The vegetation of the territory is represented mainly by forests: secondary forests predominate, deciduous forests with a high proportion of pedunculate oak make up about 10%. Materials and methods. The composition and structure of broad-leaved forests was studied during route and stationary studies on sample plots. The analysis included 121 complete geobotanical descriptions within the natural contours of plant communities using generally accepted methods, indicating the percentage of projective plant cover. Vegetation classification was carried out from ecological and cenotic positions. The ordination of geobotanical descriptions was carried out using the method of indirect gradient analysis (DCA) using the PC-ORD5 package. The structural diversity of communities was assessed by the ratio of ecological-cenotic groups (ECG) species in the composition of the vegetation cover. We assessed the successional state of communities. Results and conclusions. Broad-leaved forests are not widespread on the Oka-Don Plain within the boundaries of the Penza region and are confined to weakly undulating interfluve spaces composed of thin fluvioglacial deposits. In the grass cover of broad-leaved forests, in terms of number and species abundance, nemoral species are the absolute dominants. The absolute dominant of broad-leaved nemoral forests is Carex pilosa. Boreal-nemoral forests are characterized by a dense canopy of Corylus avellana. As a result of economic activities, forests with a high participation of meadow species were formed. All modern forest cenoses are at different stages of demutation after logging of varying degrees of intensity, grazing, fires, and plowing.

Structural diversity is recognized as a complementary aspect of biological diversity and plays a fundamental role in forest management, conservation, and restoration. Hence, the assessment of structural diversity has become a major effort in the primary international processes, dealing with biodiversity and sustainable forest management. Because of prohibitive costs associated with the ground measurements of forest structure, despite their high accuracy, space-borne polarization coherence tomography (PCT) can introduce an alternative approach given its ability to provide a vertical reflectivity profile and spatiotemporal resolutions related to detecting forest structural changes. In this study, for the first time ever, the potential of space-borne PCT was evaluated in a broad-leaved Hyrcanian forest of Iran over 308 circular sample plots with an area of 0.1 ha. Two aspects of horizontal structure diversity, including standard deviation of diameter at breast height ( σ d b h ) and the number of trees (N), were predicted as important characteristics in wood production and biomass estimation. In addition, the performance of prediction algorithms, including multiple linear regression (MLR), k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), random forest (RF), and support vector regression (SVR) were compared. We addressed the issue of temporal decorrelation in space-borne PCT utilizing the single-pass TanDEM-X interferometer. The data were acquired in standard DEM mode with single polarization of HH. Consequently, airborne laser scanning (ALS) was used to estimate initial values of height h v and ground phase φ 0 . The Fourier–Legendre series was used to approximate the relative reflectivity profile of each pixel. To link the relative reflectivity profile averaged within each plot with corresponding ground measurements of σ d b h and N , thirteen geometrical and physical parameters were defined ( P 1 − P 13 ). Leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) showed a better performance of k-NN than the other algorithms in predicting σ d b h and N. It resulted in a relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of 32.80%, mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.69 cm, and R2* of 0.25 for σ d b h , whereas only 22% of the variation in N was explained using the PCT algorithm with an rRMSE of 41.56%. This study revealed promising results utilizing TanDEM-X data even though the accuracy is still limited. Hence, an entire assessment of the used framework in characterizing the reflectivity profile and the possible effect of the scale is necessary for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar (BC) soil amendments could partially counteract soil carbon (C) stock decrease in broad-leaved forests in Italy; however, its effects on the growth of representative tree species—Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus cerris L.—has not yet been addressed. We examine whether seed germination and growth of these species are affected by addition of BC obtained from deciduous broadleaf trees. Seeds were left to germinate in greenhouse conditions under three different BC amendments: 0% (control), 10% and 20% (v/v). Seedlings were then subjected to controlled conditions under the same BC percentage. Biochar effects on seed germination were assessed measuring germination time and percentage, while effects on photosynthesis were assessed using leaf chlorophyll content (mg/m2) and photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM). Plant growth was estimated by recording leaf number, longest leaf length and plant height. Biochar treatments had no negative effects on germination and early growth stage of the two species. Positive effects were found on the chlorophyll content of both species (ca. +8%) regardless of the treatment and on the leaf number (+30%), leaf length (+14%) and plant height (+48%) of Q. cerris (only with 10% BC). Biochar applications seem, therefore, a suitable method for increasing broad-leaved forest C stock in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural diversity is recognized as a complementary aspect of biological diversity and plays a fundamental role in forest management, conservation, and restoration. Hence, the assessment of structural diversity has become a major effort in the primary international processes, dealing with biodiversity and sustainable forest management. Because of prohibitive costs associated with the ground measurements of forest structure, despite their high accuracy, space-borne polarization coherence tomography (PCT) can introduce an alternative approach given its ability to provide a vertical reflectivity profile and spatiotemporal resolutions related to detecting forest structural changes. In this study, for the first time ever, the potential of space-borne PCT was evaluated in a broad-leaved Hyrcanian forest of Iran over 308 circular sample plots with an area of 0.1 ha. Two aspects of horizontal structure diversity, including standard deviation of diameter at breast height (σdbh) and the number of trees (N), were predicted as important characteristics in wood production and biomass estimation. In addition, the performance of prediction algorithms, including multiple linear regression (MLR), k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), random forest (RF), and support vector regression (SVR) were compared. We addressed the issue of temporal decorrelation in space-borne PCT utilizing the single-pass TanDEM-X interferometer. The data were acquired in standard DEM mode with single polarization of HH. Consequently, airborne laser scanning (ALS) was used to estimate initial values of height hv and ground phase φ0. The Fourier–Legendre series was used to approximate the relative reflectivity profile of each pixel. To link the relative reflectivity profile averaged within each plot with corresponding ground measurements of σdbh and N, thirteen geometrical and physical parameters were defined (P1−P13). Leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) showed a better performance of k-NN than the other algorithms in predicting σdbh and N. It resulted in a relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of 32.80%, mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.69 cm, and R2* of 0.25 for σdbh, whereas only 22% of the variation in N was explained using the PCT algorithm with an rRMSE of 41.56%. This study revealed promising results utilizing TanDEM-X data even though the accuracy is still limited. Hence, an entire assessment of the used framework in characterizing the reflectivity profile and the possible effect of the scale is necessary for future studies.

Biochar (BC) soil amendments could partially counteract soil carbon (C) stock decrease in broad-leaved forests in Italy; however, its effects on the growth of representative tree species—Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus cerris L.—has not yet been addressed. We examine whether seed germination and growth of these species are affected by addition of BC obtained from deciduous broadleaf trees. Seeds were left to germinate in greenhouse conditions under three different BC amendments: 0% (control), 10% and 20% (v/v). Seedlings were then subjected to controlled conditions under the same BC percentage. Biochar effects on seed germination were assessed measuring germination time and percentage, while effects on photosynthesis were assessed using leaf chlorophyll content (mg/m2) and photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM). Plant growth was estimated by recording leaf number, longest leaf length and plant height. Biochar treatments had no negative effects on germination and early growth stage of the two species. Positive effects were found on the chlorophyll content of both species (ca. +8%) regardless of the treatment and on the leaf number (+30%), leaf length (+14%) and plant height (+48%) of Q. cerris (only with 10% BC). Biochar applications seem, therefore, a suitable method for increasing broad-leaved forest C stock in Italy.

Background. The upper plateau of the Volga Upland occupies the eastern part of the Penza region. The features of the lithogenic base of the upper plateau of the Volga upland, the rugged terrain create a variety of ecological conditions, which is reflected in the species composition and structure of phytocenoses. Within the upper plateau of the Volga upland, all landscapes are united in the group of erosion-denudation upland plains (EDR). Information about the broad-leaved forests of this territory is not numerous, so this publication aims to analyze their current state within the boundaries of the Penza region. Materials and methods. The investigation of the flora composition and structure of broad-leaved forests was carried out in route and stationary studies on sample areas of 100 m2. The structural diversity of the communities was estimated by the ratio of ecologic-coenotic groups of species in the composition of the vegetation cover. The classification of communities was carried out according to the dominant principle, taking into account ecological and coenotic groups (ECG), as well as in accordance with the principles of floral classification. All descriptions were processed according to the ecological scales of D.N. Tsyganov. Ordination of geobotanical sites was performed by indirect gradient analysis. Results. Modern broadleaved forests in the landscapes of erosion-denudation plains are not widespread and account for about 20 % of the total forest area of the area. Five groups of associations have been identified: Querceta nemoro-herbosa (Q-Nm), Querceta boreo-nemoro-herbosa (Q-Br_Nm), Querceta nemoro-pine-herbosa (Q-Nm_Pn), Querceta nemoro-prato-steppeherbosa (Q-Nm_Md-St), Querceta nemoro-nitro-herbosa (Q-Nm_Nt). It is noted that the selected classification units are associated with the types of terrain and terrain elements, and the peculiarities of their ecology are noted. The growth of rare species in the area is noted. According to the ecologic-floristic classification, broad-leaved forests are represented by 2 classes, 3 orders, 4 unions and 5 associations. Conclusions. The formation of broad-leaved forests of the upper plateau of the Volga Uplands to a large extent and for a long period of time took place under the influence of economic activity. The overwhelming majority of communities are secondary, coppice. Forests dominated by Quercus robur of seed origin occupy very small areas and have survived in areas where felling is difficult. The species composition of communities and their structure, on the one hand, are directly or indirectly related to human activities, and on the other, are determined by the peculiarities of the lithogenic base of the upper plateau of the Volga Upland. The classification of broad-leaved forests using the ecologic-coenotic approach makes it possible to assess their successional state.

This study deals with the diversity of forest vegetation in the Slivenska Mountain (Eastern Stara planina) and presents a contemporary classification scheme for the identified syntaxa. A total of 137 relevés were collected and analyzed using specialized software (JUICE 7.0 and PC-ORD Version 4). As a result, forest vegetation is classified into 10 associations, 3 subassociations, 4 variants and 5 communities They belong to 7 alliances, 5 orders and 3 classes: Carpino-Fagetea sylvaticae, Quercetea pubescentis and Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae. The recorded 18 distinguished vegetation groups show a relatively high diversity of forest plant communities of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Position of the Penza region has played the leading role in the formation of its land-scapes: it lies within the Oka-Don plain and the west slopes of the Volga upland. Landscapes of water-glacial plains are common in the northwest of the Penza region, in the marginal part of the Oka-Don lowland. The border be-tween the Oka-Don plain and the Volga upland is indistinct and is currently not reflected in the relief. In general, the landscapes of the Oka-Don plain differ significantly from the landscapes of the Volga upland, which obviously should be also reflected in phytocenosis species composition and structure. Information about the vegetation of this territory is scarce, therefore this publication aims at analyzing the current state of vegetation cover of forest-steppe landscapes of water-glacial plains within the boundaries of the Penza region. Materials and methods. Floral composition and structure of broad-leaved forests were analyzed in route and stationary studies on test plots of 100 m2 each. The structural diversity of communities was assessed by the ratio of ecological-coenotic groups (ECGs) of species in the vegetation cover. Classification of communities was carried out according to the principle of dominance, taking into account ecological-coenotic groups, as well as in accordance with the principles of flo-ristic classification. Results. The modern vegetation cover of water-glacial plain landscapes within the Penza region is mainly represented by forests. Birch and aspen forests predominate, while pine forests occupy about a quarter of the territory, and broad-leaved forests with a high participation of oak account for about 10 %. Linden forests and maple forests (Norway maple) occupy rather small areas. Near springs, streams, along the floodplains of small rivers, black alder forests are formed, whereas around swamps (mostly with traces of anthropogenic activity in terms of drainage) willow forests appear. Vegetation classification was carried out, and the confinement of as-signed classification units to different types of locality was recorded. Conclusions. Active economic activity in the landscapes of water-glacial plains has led to a significant transformation of vegetation cover. Much of the water-shed has been ploughed and converted into farmland. Boreal pine forests are a rare type of forest in the Penza re-gion. Their communities include some species that are extremely rare for the region.

The composition of soil, ground litter, and litterfall water extracts was studied for zones affected by gray heron nesting places and for background sites covered by broad-leaved forests in the gray forest soil zone of Tula oblast. It is established that birds' activities result in an inflow of bird excreta, formation of specific forest ground litters, and increase in the share of large-size tree litter that accumulates in the course of nest building. It is shown that ground litter, litterfall, and upper horizons of the gray forest soil in nesting places feature higher concentrations of macroelements (calcium, potassium, and magnesium), microelements (copper, zinc, and strontium), and anions (NO , PO , and Cl−). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant biodiversity patterns were analyzed in seven temperate forest types [Populus deltoides (PD), Juglans regia, Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, mixed coniferous, Abies pindrow (AP) and Betula utilis (BU)] of Kashmir Himalaya. A total of 177 plant species (158 genera, 66 families) were recorded. Most of the species are herbs (82.5%), while shrubs account for 9.6% and trees represent 7.9%. Species richness ranged from 24 (PD) to 96 (AP). Shannon, Simpson, and Fisher α indices varied: 0.17–1.06, 0.46–1.22, and 2.01–2.82 for trees; 0.36–0.94, 0.43–0.75, and 0.08–0.35 for shrubs; and 0.35–1.41, 0.27–0.95, and 5.61–39.98 for herbs, respectively. A total of five species were endemic. The total stems and basal area of trees were 35,794 stems (stand mean 330 stems/ha) and 481.1 m2 (stand mean 40.2 m2/ha), respectively. The mean density and basal area ranged from 103 stems/ha (BU) to 1,201 stems/ha (PD), and from 19.4 m2/ha (BU) to 51.9 m2/ha (AP), respectively. Tree density decreased with increase in diameter class. A positive relationship was obtained between elevation and species richness and between elevation and evenness (R2 = 0.37 and 0.19, respectively). Tree and shrub communities were homogenous in nature across the seven forest types, while herbs showed heterogeneous distribution pattern.

Eleven taxa in the lichen family Pannariaceae connected with boreal coniferous or nemoral broad-leaved forests are documented. Notes on their taxonomy, ecology and geography are provided. Fuscopannaria leprosa is new to Eurasia; Fuscopannaria poeltii, Pannaria insularis, Pannaria lurida ssp. russellii and Parmeliella miradorensis are new to Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The change in the composition of the bryophyte component of succession communities that occur in the process of natural regeneration at the site of clear felling of the indigenous elm—maple-linden forests of the Bashkir Cis-Ural Region has been studied. The vulnerability of species to the consequences of felling is affected by their substrate confinement, ecological amplitude in relation to the factors of temperature, humidity, variability of soil moisture, and type of life strategy. In the secondary aspen forests, the absence or low constancy of nemoral epiphytic and ground mosses was noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species composition of mycorrhiza-forming fungi of the class Agaricomycetes of broad-leaved forests of the Volga forest-steppe in the area of the Penza region was studied. Those forests have the richest species composition of the fungi of the studied group among forest community of the region in which they are presented by 134 species. The most common species, identified in all studied associations, are Amanita crocea, A. pantherina, A. phalloides, A.rubescens, A.vaginata, B.reticulatus, Clytopilus prunulus, Hebeloma sinapizans, Lactarius quietus, L. piperatus, L. vellereus, , Neoboletus erythropus Russula foetens, R. delica, R. lutea, R. pseudointegra, Xerocomellus chrysenteron. Due to the diversity of soil and hydrological conditions, the settlement of the related symbiotrophic species seems rather complex. Impoverished species composition of the symbiotrophic species is typical for Quercus robur + Tilia cordata associations on acid soils with pH from 4.3 to 4.5 and much richer for the broad-leaved forests on soils with pH of 6-7. The forest-steppes in flood plains of the water-collecting area of the Volga river are easternmost point of settlement of South-European nemoral species. Therefore, they are important from the point of view of the protection of rare species of agaricomycetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forestry Chronicle is the property of Canadian Institute of Forestry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The multistep method here applied in studying the genetic structure of a low dispersal and philopatric species, such as the Fire Salamander Salamandra salamandra, was proved to be effective in identifying the hierarchical structure of populations living in broad-leaved forest ecosystems in Northern Italy. In this study, 477 salamander larvae, collected in 28 sampling populations ( SPs) in the Prealpine and in the foothill areas of Northern Italy, were genotyped at 16 specie-specific microsatellites. SPs showed a significant overall genetic variation (Global FST = 0.032, P < 0.001). The genetic population structure was assessed by using STRUCTURE 2.3.4. We found two main genetic groups, one represented by SPs inhabiting the Prealpine belt, which maintain connections with those of the Eastern foothill lowland ( PEF), and a second group with the SPs of the Western foothill lowland ( WF). The two groups were significantly distinct with a Global FST of 0.010 ( P < 0.001). While the first group showed a moderate structure, with only one divergent SP (Global FST = 0.006, P < 0.001), the second group proved more structured being divided in four clusters (Global FST = 0.017, P = 0.058). This genetic population structure should be due to the large conurbations and main roads that separate the WF group from the Prealpine belt and the Eastern foothill lowland. The adopted methods allowed the analysis of the genetic population structure of Fire Salamander from wide to local scale, identifying different degrees of genetic divergence of their populations derived from forest fragmentation induced by urban and infrastructure sprawl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is aimed at characterising the ecological niche of a typical forest orchid (Epipactis pontica) in Slovakia. Vegetation-environmental data were collected across mountain ranges and their foothills in the Western Carpathians in 2011. Numerical classification was performed to delimit the main forest vegetation types and a linear mixed effect model was applied to reveal differences between plots with versus without E. pontica. This endangered species of Slovak flora grows in thermophilous turkey oak forests (Quercion confertae-cerris), mesophilous broad-leaved mixed oak-hornbeam forests (Carpinion betuli), but most stands correspond to the acidic (Luzulo-Fagion sylvaticae) and mesotrophic beech forests (Fagion sylvaticae). Principal component analysis supported the floristic separation of plant communities and showed some significant vegetationenvironmental relationships. E. pontica prefers forests with closed canopy (mean canopy openness: 8.5-15.1%) occurring especially on slightly acidic (soil reaction: 4.48-5.65) and nutrient-poor soils (soil conductivity: 43.1-72.6 µS/cm). The proposed Ellenberg indicator values for light (4), temperature (5), continentality (4), moisture (5), soil reaction (6) and nutrients (5) follow species composition pattern of vascular plants in Slovak phytosociological relevés with E. pontica occurrence. They are also in accordance with its habitat conditions and ecological requirements in other parts of its range. The linear mixed effect model did not confirm any environmental peculiarity of plots with the presence of E. pontica at a microscale level and this result was consistent across the studied sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage to Japanese cedars caused by the sugi bark borer in plots with low, medium and high planting density (1,700, 3,200, and 7,300 trees/ha, respectively) was examined in a 20-year-old sugi plantation. Radial growth and annual ring-width at breast height of three trees sampled per plot were measured by stem analysis. Stand age when each pupal chamber formed on the sample trees by the borer was also investigated by sawing the trees. There was less damage in the high density plot than in the low density plot. Radial growth at breast height increased rapidly from the 7th year after planting in all plots. The width of the annual ring reached a maximum in the 9th or 10th year, and decreased gradually thereafter. Radial growth in the low density plot was larger than that in the high density plot. Pupal chambers were first observed in the 7th year. The number of pupal chambers increased yearly, reaching a maximum in the 12th or 13th year, and decreased rapidly thereafter. These results indicate that restriction of radial growth of trees in the juvenile period by high density planting can prevent infestation of the sugi bark borer. In this study, we measured the positioning accuracy of the Global Positioning System (GPS) while walking in forested areas and analyzed the GPS data to find factors that affected the positioning accuracy. In the field tests, we repeated GPS measurements with different types of GPS receivers, types of forests and modes of GPS positioning. The GPS data were analyzed using ANOVA. As a result, the type of GPS receivers, type of forests and modes of GPS positioning were found to be a significant factor (P < 0.001) to determine positioning accuracy while any interactions between these factors were not. The result also showed that the GPS receiver with multipath rejection technology produced higher positioning accuracy than without it. Therefore, multipath errors, which are caused by the reflection of GPS signals due to nearby stems, can be a critical cause to adversely affect GPS positioning accuracy. It was also suggested that GPS positioning accuracy while walking in forested areas was affected not by basal area but by stand density. That was because temporal signal blocking occurred more often with increasing stand density while walking forested areas. As a result of multiple regression analysis, the observed Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) was not a significant factor (P = 0.590) to determine positioning accuracy. Deciduous oak (Quercus serrata) forest is a major vegetation type of temperate broad-leaved forests in the north Kanto Region, Japan. The objective of this study is to examine the past and present human-use of the forests and to foresee the future prospects. The shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) producing districts in Saitama and Tochigi were selected as the study areas. Until the 1960s more than 70% of local broad-leaved forests were used as fuelwood in the areas studied. After the revolutionary change in the forms of energy used in the 1960s, oak forests turned to being used mainly for shiitake cultivation in many rural areas. Most oak logs for shiitake have been provided within the shiitake-producing area, but in recent years the number of logs brought from other areas is increasing in fresh shiitake cultivation. Because of the rapid expansion of shiitake imports, aging of the domestic cultivators and labor shortage, domestic shiitake cultivation has declined conspicuously for the last 15 years. In addition, many forest owners and cultivators have already stopped managing the forests as they used to. As a result, if the shiitake cultivation continues to shrink, it is estimated that around 90% of the local broad-leaved forests will be abandoned by the year of 2,015 even in shiitake-producing areas. This paper describes our comparative study on forest policies in Japan, the United States, and Sweden (EU) to assess the policies of Japan for preventing global warming. The forest policies in these three countries were compared in terms of the process of policy-making, overview of policy execution, forest management, forest conservation and protection, conserved and reserve forests, urban forests, biomass utilization, forest studies and indirect slash tools, and policies for attaining the goal of the first period. The forest policies of Japan are characterized by the use of non-physical methods of CO2 absorption, such as cultivating sound forests, managing reserve forests, promoting the use of biomass, and educating people. The United States has substantial policies for physical methods for actively absorbing CO2, such as planting trees. However, the US has not been able to acquire sufficient funds for the policies, and the target absorption has not been attained. Sweden has tended to use non-physical methods and has substantial policies for promoting the certification system, assigning conservation areas, and promoting the use of biomass energy. Hydrological control of streamwater NO3- concentrations was investigated in a weathered granitic headwater forest catchment. The catchment was divided into three parts: the stream channel area, the soil sedimentation area, and the hillslope area connected to the soil sedimentation area. The discharge rate of saturated throughflow within the hillslope and catchment and the groundwater levels in the soil sedimentation area were measured in tandem with the hydrochemical observations. At the points observed, the streamwater had the lowest NO3- concentrations. The concentrations were low during baseflow conditions and increased with the discharge rate. Considering the water budget in the hillslope, about half of the total rainfall infiltrated into the bedrock. This bedrock groundwater was the dominant component of the baseflow, with low NO3- concentrations, while groundwater in the soil sediment area with relatively high concentrations flowed into the stream during rainstorms. The dynamics of the streamwater NO3- concentrations were strongly affected by the hydrological processes in the forest catchment. Especially, the baseflow NO3- concentrations were kept low by the groundwater flow passing through the bedrock. The objective of this study is establishment of vegetative propagation of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii). We examined the effect of defoliation, disbudding and shape of basal cut on the rooting ability of cuttings, and we tried to find an optimal method of propagation. Cuttings were made from terminal shoots of 1-year-old seedlings. As a result, 1) When 0–46% of the needles of cuttings were removed, those rooting percentages were steady between 54 and 62%. However, when needles were removed excessively, rooting ability decreased notably. Moreover, 46% needle removal cuttings had the longest root systems. 2) In the case of cuttings with a part or all their buds removed, the rooting percentage was greater than that of control cuttings. 3) On the examination of treatments of the cut end, rooting ability was better for diagonal shape than for horizontal shapes, but difference in the effect was insignificant. So the optimal method is to remove half of the needles or buds from cuttings and to cut end in a diagonal shape. However, as growth of cuttings from which buds had been removed was bad, a careful needs to be paid to disbudding for commercial production. Chlorophyll fluorescence methods have been used to evaluate the effects of environmental stresses on photosynthetic properties. Chlorophyll fluorescence can provide detailed information of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry, which is vulnerable to environmental stresses such as strong light, low temperature, heat and drought. I reviewed photoinhibition of photosynthesis and discussed the mechanism to prevent photoinhibition in drought-acclimated leaves. As drought stress is often accompanied by strong light, a decline in photosynthesis caused by stomatal closure increases the risk of photoinhibition. Energy dissipation via electron flow would be an effective way to prevent photodamage as well as thermal energy dissipation in PSII antennae. When plants are illuminated by excess light, inhibition of photosynthesis occurs by harmful molecules generated by excess excitation energy. Photochemical efficiency is also decreased during the dissipation of excitation energy by protective mechanism. Inhibition of photosynthesis by low temperature results in a considerable excess of excitation energy leading to photodamage. Although evergreen woody plants are considered to be subjected to photoinhibition, they develop many photoprotective mechanisms against photoinhibition. In this review, I summarized the molecular aspects of photoinhibition and role of photoprotective mechanisms, and discus the ecophysiological meanings of photoprotections, especially xanthophyll cycle, water-water cycle, and photodynamic screen provided by the accumulation of pigments such as rhodoxanthin and anthocyanine observed in over-wintering woody plants. Acid fog is considered to have a large influence on tree physiology because it has a high concentration of air pollutants and is persistent in the atmosphere. Long-range transported pollutants contribute to acidification of fog in mountainous areas and therefore trees grown in these areas are thought to be affected by acid fog. The effects of acid fog using tree seedlings are well documented. From the results of these experimental studies, acid fog is known to induce visible injury, reduce the dry weight and photosynthesis systems, disintegrate the epicuticular wax, alter the nutrient status, and increase the sensitivity to other stresses, such as frost, wind and ozone. In addition, the extent of these effects is dependent on the pH and the components of acid fog and tree species. In this review, we summarize these reports and discuss further developments in research. Degraded lands abandoned after failures of agricultural development are widely distributed over tropical areas. – Environmental reforestation – in degraded lands is needed for the rehabilitation of regional environments. In this paper, I review properties of problem soils in tropical Asia and stress responses of tropical trees, and discuss the development of methods of environmental reforestation. Food shortage and environmental deterioration due to rapid growth of the global population are the most serious problems that face us human beings. Improvement of tolerance of plants to abiotic stresses such as drought, high salinity, low temperature, and heat is one of the promising approaches for the future of agriculture and environmental conservation. It is essential to know at first how plants respond to environmental stresses and which molecules are involved in stress tolerance. According to recent development in genomics in Arabidopsis, it has been shown that hundreds of genes are involved in stress response and/or stress tolerance. More recently, functional genomics in woody plants has been promoted mainly in the occident. A US group, in particular, is determining the nucleotide sequence of whole poplar genome, and this information will have been released by the end of the year 2003. We are convinced that the poplar will be more important as a model forest tree in the post-genome era. We here introduce the world-wide situation of genomics in the poplar and discuss a direction of study on stress physiology in woody plants. Genetic engineering has the potential to allow the selective improvement of individual traits in woody plants without the loss of any of the desired trait of the parental line. Using such techniques, we can overcome the difficulties associated with the breeding of long-lived perennials, which need to long time to produce progeny. In this paper, we introduce recent advances in the application of genetic engineering to forest trees to solve environmental problems. And, we also discuss the necessity of flowering control of transgenic woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]