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Forests, Volume 13, Issue 11 (November 2022) – 226 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): We statistically analyzed mineral forest soils WRC from over 130 sites in Finland, focusing on the humus layer and main root zone (0–19 cm depth). We showed that mineral forest soils can be grouped into five WRC classes that are well predictable from soil bulk density, organic matter content, and clay fraction. However, we found that neither topsoil maps nor any combination of open geospatial data were able to predict WRC. Thus, parameterizing WRC as a function of forest site fertility type was proposed in the absence of site-specific soil data. We demonstrated the approach in soil moisture modeling at a small forest headwater catchment and showed that the soil moisture response to weather conditions is jointly affected by WRC, stand attributes, and topography. View this paper
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14 pages, 3648 KiB  
Article
Deciphering the Ramet System of a Bamboo Plant in Response to Intensive Management
by Guibin Gao, Xing Wen, Zhizhuang Wu, Hao Zhong and Xiaoping Zhang
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1968; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111968 - 21 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1285
Abstract
Intensive management is a common practice in bamboo plantations to ensure higher shoot yields. However, the effects of these management practices on ramet systems are understudied. A pot experiment was conducted to explore the process of propagation for potted bamboo seedlings (Phyllostachys [...] Read more.
Intensive management is a common practice in bamboo plantations to ensure higher shoot yields. However, the effects of these management practices on ramet systems are understudied. A pot experiment was conducted to explore the process of propagation for potted bamboo seedlings (Phyllostachys praecox C. D. Chu et C. S. Chao “Prevernalis”) from a single mother bamboo to a ramet system exposed to a chronosequence of intensively managed bamboo forest soils. The ramet system of potted bamboo seedlings reached seven branching grades after two growth cycles. During ramet system expansion, the rhizome length and rhizome internodes decreased with increasing branching grade and the extension of intensive management periods. In the bud bank for each branching grade, the front branching grade was dominated by the bud output, which was conducive to consolidating the occupied living space. The back branching grade was dominated by bud input to continue rhizome penetration. With increasing branching, the mulching soil significantly inhibited rhizome bud germination and dormant bud accumulation. The mulching soil was not conducive to branch expansion in the ramet system, and ramet system expansion was predominantly based on the branching of the rhizome modules. With increasing branching and the extension of intensive management periods, rhizome branches decreased markedly. Our findings indicate that bamboo mulching inhibits branching and causes a differential reaction in branching types. The long-term mulching of bamboo forest soil was not conducive to the healthy and sustainable growth of bamboo. These results provide a basis for further research on the relationship between the bamboo ramet system and its productivity, as well as the population construction and maintenance mechanisms of bamboo ramet systems in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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24 pages, 4088 KiB  
Article
Effects of Particle Dimension and Constituent Proportions on Internal Bond Strength of Ultra-Low-Density Hemp Hurd Particleboard
by Johannes Fehrmann, Benoit Belleville and Barbara Ozarska
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1967; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111967 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2028
Abstract
The recent legalisation of hemp seeds for human consumption has revitalised the cultivation of hemp in Australia. This provides opportunities for the valorisation of the stem’s residual xylemic core (hemp hurd). This study investigated the effect of particle dimension and constituent proportions on [...] Read more.
The recent legalisation of hemp seeds for human consumption has revitalised the cultivation of hemp in Australia. This provides opportunities for the valorisation of the stem’s residual xylemic core (hemp hurd). This study investigated the effect of particle dimension and constituent proportions on the internal bond strength (IB) of single-layer, ultra-low-density hemp hurd particleboard (ULHPB) with densities between 219 to 304 kg/m3. Particle size distributions (PSD) and granulometry assessments were conducted on three particle size classes (fine (F), medium (M), coarse (C)) based on digital image analysis using ImageJ. Subsequently, four particle size mixes (100% C, 100% M, 50/50% CM, 25/50/25% CMF) were considered for the ULHPB manufacture with bio-epoxy (EPX), phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF) and emulsifiable methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) adhesives, respectively. The effect of particle loading and adhesive content varied significantly per adhesive type. Internal bond (IB) performance increased in most ULHPB comprising coarse particles and declined with the addition of smaller particle sizes. The granulometry assessment showed the smallest mean elongation amongst particles in the coarse PSD. The IB results confirmed a strong interdependence of particle size and constituent proportions and indicated that various MDI-ULHPB variants can surpass the minimum IB strength requirement of 0.30 MPa stipulated for standard particleboard (>12–22 mm) in AS/NZS 1859.1. Utilising residual hemp biomass as an alternative, renewable lignocellulosic feedstock in the manufacture of engineered lightweight panel products is a key principle of circular economy and an environmentally friendly strategy to address the increasing resource scarcity in the wood-based panel industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wood Science and Forest Products)
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12 pages, 3212 KiB  
Article
Impact of Environmental Factors on Short-Term Eye Strain Relief during COVID-19 Quarantine: A Pilot Study
by Yihao Lu, Jianan Wang, Jianhua Chen, Yufan Yan, Haicong Zeng, Baowei Zhang, Haohao Ma and Tingli Hu
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1966; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111966 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1795
Abstract
Some policies implemented during the pandemic extended the time that students spend on electronic devices, increasing the risk of physical and eye strain. However, the role of different environments on eye strain recovery has not been determined. We recruited 20 undergraduate students (10 [...] Read more.
Some policies implemented during the pandemic extended the time that students spend on electronic devices, increasing the risk of physical and eye strain. However, the role of different environments on eye strain recovery has not been determined. We recruited 20 undergraduate students (10 males and 10 females) from a university in eastern China and explored the restoration effects of their eye strain in different types of spaces (wayside greenspace, a playground, a square, and woodland) on campus through scale measurements. The results showed that the eye strain of the students accumulated by 15 min of e-learning was significantly relieved after 10 min of greenspace exposure compared to the indoor environment, and the recovery effect varied depending on the type of landscape. The effect of eye strain relief was found to be positively correlated with temperature, wind speed, visible sky ratio, canopy density, tree density, and solar radiation intensity, while it was negatively correlated with relative humidity. These findings enrich the research on the restoration benefits of greenspaces and provide a basis for predicting the effect of different environments on the relief of eye strain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Forestry)
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21 pages, 9099 KiB  
Article
Forest Ecosystem Services-Based Adaptation Actions Supported by the National Policy on Climate Change for Namibia: Effectiveness, Indicators, and Challenges
by Andreas Nikodemus, Miroslav Hájek, Albertina Ndeinoma and Ratna Chrismiari Purwestri
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1965; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111965 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2110
Abstract
Forest ecosystem services are crucial in adaptation, mitigation, and increasing climate change resilience. Although most climate change policies promote adaptation actions in forest ecosystem services, there are limited studies focusing on the forest ecosystem services-based adaptation actions supported by the National Policy on [...] Read more.
Forest ecosystem services are crucial in adaptation, mitigation, and increasing climate change resilience. Although most climate change policies promote adaptation actions in forest ecosystem services, there are limited studies focusing on the forest ecosystem services-based adaptation actions supported by the National Policy on Climate Change for Namibia (NPCC). This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of forestry adaptation actions of the NPCC. An independent t-test for non-categorical data was used for the statistical analysis to compare mean scores of the implementation effectiveness of adaptation actions and challenges before and after the NPCC implementation, according to the perceptions of forestry and climate change cross-sectoral experts. A p-value less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) was designated as the statistical significance. Adaptation actions in forest ecosystem services were significantly effective after the introduction of the NPCC. Biodiversity and carbon sequestration were significantly effective after the introduction of the NPCC. The most significant challenges identified were the lack of awareness, which affected adaptation actions before and after the policy. Afforestation, reforestation, awareness, and forestry research need strengthening to improve the effectiveness of the NPCC. Although our results showed that adaptation actions supported by the NPCC were generally effective after the introduction of the policy, we identified some implementation areas that require strengthening, mainly through research, to help in sound decision-making. We, therefore, recommend future research to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities (SWOT) of the NPCC and consequently design/propose a framework for forest ecosystem services-based adaptation actions in the policy to improve adaptation actions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Economics, Policy, and Social Science)
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14 pages, 2296 KiB  
Article
Calibration of Thermal Dissipation Probes for Xylem Sap Flow in the Wood of a Diffuse-Porous and a Conifer Species under Cyclic Heating
by Meijun Hu, Changming Ma, Jinsong Zhang, Yujie Ma, Chunyou Li and Wei Xiong
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1964; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111964 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1761
Abstract
The most popular sap flow measurement technique uses thermal dissipation probes. Differences in wood characteristics and the natural temperature gradient between probes have affected the accuracy and applicability of the sap flow equation. In addition, the continued heat of the probe can also [...] Read more.
The most popular sap flow measurement technique uses thermal dissipation probes. Differences in wood characteristics and the natural temperature gradient between probes have affected the accuracy and applicability of the sap flow equation. In addition, the continued heat of the probe can also cause thermal damage to tree tissue. The objectives of this study were to use cyclic heating and calibrate the probes with two species: Pinus bungeana Zucc. And Salix matsudana Koidz., two typical diffuse-porous species. This experiment evaluated a thermal dissipation probe in three heating modes: continuous heating, 10 min heating and 50 min cooling (10/50), and 30 min heating and 30 min cooling (30/30). The heating modes were evaluated on two species. Temperature differences between the heating needle and the control needle under different heating modes and transpiration water consumption (whole-tree weighing method) were observed simultaneously. The sap flow estimation equation under cyclic heating mode was established by analyzing the relationship between the sap flow rate and the values obtained from whole-tree weighing. The results showed that the original equation underestimated sap flow rate of P. bungeana and S. matsudana by 67% and 60%. Under the cyclic heating modes, the modified equations were different from the original equation, and their accuracy was improved. After verification, the corrected equations [Fd = 0.0264K0.738 (P. bungeana, 30/30, R2 = 0.67), Fd = 0.0722K1.113(S. matsudana, 30/30, R2 = 0.60), Fd is the sap flow density, K is temperature coefficient] reduced the influence of the natural temperature gradient on the estimation of sap flow rate, thereby significantly improving the accuracy of sap flow rate estimation. The resulting equation may be more suitable for actual field observations of sap flow in the two tested species. The cyclic heating mode has the potential to measure plant transpiration for extended periods in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sap Flow Measurements—A Tool To Talk with Trees)
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11 pages, 2167 KiB  
Article
X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning Is a Non-Destructive and Modern Technique to Identify and Assess the Characteristics of Armillaria solidipes Pathogen Infections in Poplar Roots
by Ping Zhang, Mingru Kong, Guangqiang Xie, Theo van der Lee, Lihai Wang and Yanqiu Xing
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1963; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111963 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1355
Abstract
(1) Objective: The opacity of soils complicates studies of root infection. An example of this is the infection of Armillaria solidipes on poplar (Populus davidiana × Populus alba var. pyramidalis Louche) roots systems, which risks damaging trees. (2) Methods: Only one of [...] Read more.
(1) Objective: The opacity of soils complicates studies of root infection. An example of this is the infection of Armillaria solidipes on poplar (Populus davidiana × Populus alba var. pyramidalis Louche) roots systems, which risks damaging trees. (2) Methods: Only one of the four tested substrates for tree species was shown to be suitable to perform X-ray computed tomography (CT). Three-dimensional (3D) imaging was used to reconstruct the root system of poplar seedlings and the changes caused by the infection. (3) Results: We developed a protocol to efficiently grow poplar on a synthetic matrix, vermiculite, that allows for monitoring the root system by X-ray CT. Poplar 3D reconstruction of the root system was automated using the software Win-RHIZO, and various infection parameters were identified. (4) Conclusions: Our procedure allows for monitoring the infection of root systems and provides new opportunities to characterize the complex Armillaria solidipes poplar interaction using X-ray CT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Health)
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1 pages, 661 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Toledo-Aceves et al. Financial Revenues from Timber Harvesting in Secondary Cloud Forests: A Case Study from Mexico. Forests 2022, 13, 1496
by Tarin Toledo-Aceves, Sven Günter, Manuel R. Guariguata, Martín García-Díaz and Eliza Zhunusova
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1962; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111962 - 21 Nov 2022
Viewed by 707
Abstract
There was an error in the original publication [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Trade and Consumption of Wood-Based Products)
25 pages, 3558 KiB  
Article
The Macroeconomic Implications of the Transition of the Forestry Industry towards Bioeconomy
by Alin Emanuel Artene, Lucian-Ionel Cioca, Aura Emanuela Domil, Larisa Ivascu, Valentin Burca and Oana Bogdan
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1961; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111961 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2028
Abstract
In a global economic system where essential resources are limited, demand is increasing and environmental degradation is more pronounced, the only viable option to ensure sustainable development is to create an environmentally friendly and efficient economy in order to produce more economic value [...] Read more.
In a global economic system where essential resources are limited, demand is increasing and environmental degradation is more pronounced, the only viable option to ensure sustainable development is to create an environmentally friendly and efficient economy in order to produce more economic value with the same or fewer resources. The aim of this paper is to provide insight into the macroeconomic implications determined by the transition to a forest bioeconomy, with a focus on the impact on the national gross value added. More specifically, this analysis assesses the relationship between the potential of the macroeconomic value creation on the forestry industry and the measures of progress on the transition towards sustainable forest management and long-term economic growth. The analysis refers to a period between 2013 and 2019, summing-up 133 observations, data that were reported by Eurostat for 23 European Union members. We propose a model that describes a construct of the potential of the value creation that can be generated by each country included in our sample, translated into an efficiency score determined using the Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA)methodology. The results highlighted that the evolution of economic, social, and environmental (ESG) context positively impacted the efficiency score. This positive evolution in time was mainly driven by the higher awareness of governments, companies, and people on the need for a transition to sustainable economic growth and sustainable forest management. Furthermore, this study highlights that the transition to sustainable economic growth implies negative changes to the cost structure of the economies, which lead to higher operational costs and lower gross value added. Moreover, our study provides more insight, from an econometric methodology perspective, regarding the synergy effect as determined by the transformation of business models in the forestry sector towards sustainable forest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Economics, Policy, and Social Science)
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18 pages, 4459 KiB  
Article
Forests and Forestry in Support of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Bibliometric Analysis
by Zhiyuan Ma, Chen Hu, Jinlian Huang, Tian Li and Jingpin Lei
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1960; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111960 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2979
Abstract
To address the world’s ongoing environmental challenges, 193 countries have committed to 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) concerning the economy, society, and the environment. However, there are gaps in our understanding of forests and forestry support SDGs. Through a systematized review, we identified [...] Read more.
To address the world’s ongoing environmental challenges, 193 countries have committed to 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) concerning the economy, society, and the environment. However, there are gaps in our understanding of forests and forestry support SDGs. Through a systematized review, we identified which SDGs are relevant to forests and forestry at the target level, along with their interactions (synergies or tradeoffs). In addition, a bibliometric analysis of 377 papers was conducted worldwide between 2015 and 2020, to elucidate the status and development trends of SDG research related to forests and forestry in this study. The research results show that: (1) 11 SDGs and 19 targets are related to forests and forestry, and 47 are interactions between SDG15 and other targets, including 35 synergy effects and 12 tradeoff effects. (2) The USA is the highest publication output country, while the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the highest publication output institution, and Jianguo Liu of the University of Michigan is the highest publication output author. (3) The keyword co-occurrence analysis results show that the research hotspots mainly focused on the impacts of and responses to climate change, biodiversity conservation, land resource protection and management, remote sensing, the impacts of deforestation, and the promotion of sustainable development through governance. (4) The co-citation results reveal the existence of nine research themes: human well-being, food security, land use, land productivity, land tenure, tree loss, simulation models, criteria, and resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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12 pages, 2219 KiB  
Article
Which Factors Determine the Distribution of Low-Impact Horse Logging in the Hungarian State-Owned Forests?
by Ákos Malatinszky, Csilla Ficsor and Eszter Tormáné Kovács
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1959; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111959 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1690
Abstract
Nowadays, forest management focuses on nature- and environmentally-friendly methods in Europe with less fossil fuel use; however, animal-powered logging is rarely covered by scientific papers despite the fact that it is considered to be less harmful to topsoil, wood stands, saplings, and natural [...] Read more.
Nowadays, forest management focuses on nature- and environmentally-friendly methods in Europe with less fossil fuel use; however, animal-powered logging is rarely covered by scientific papers despite the fact that it is considered to be less harmful to topsoil, wood stands, saplings, and natural values than heavy machines. The main goal of this study is to determine its characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages based on structured and semi-structured interviews with loggers and foresters in every Hungarian state-owned forest area. Our results show that while 39 out of the total 116 Hungarian forest districts hired teams that applied horses for logging in 2013, their number fell to 24 in 2021. Despite this negative tendency, 34 out of the 44 forest districts that operate in hilly and mountainous areas still find horses to be useful for timber extraction. Five forest districts own horses, but none of them use animal power for logging (only for touristic and hunting activities). The productivity of a logging team depends on the timber extraction distance, terrain slope, number of workers, and cut timber volume per turn. The average logging capacity of a brigade with horses is 0.78 m3 per load, 15 m3 per day, and 2413 m3 per year. The average terrain slope angle is 15°, situated 350–450 m above sea level. The average timber extraction distance is 185 m, and the width of a track made by a horse is 96 cm. The average distance from the barn to the cut-block area is 11 km. Lower impact of horse logging on the affected area is more important than the amount of the harvested wood. Therefore, from a nature conservation aspect, it is essential to maintain animal logging and promote it with training and financial incentives. Full article
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13 pages, 1054 KiB  
Article
Cost Analysis of Collection and Ex Situ Conservation of Seeds of Important Native Tree Species of Mexico
by Joel Rodríguez-Zúñiga, Manuel de J. González-Guillén, Horacio Bautista-Santos and Fabiola Sánchez-Galván
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1958; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111958 - 19 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1568
Abstract
In Mexico, there are barely any studies that estimate the cost of germplasm conservation especially that carried out ex situ. The objective of this study was to analyze the collection and storage costs (CSC) of seeds of some native tree species that have [...] Read more.
In Mexico, there are barely any studies that estimate the cost of germplasm conservation especially that carried out ex situ. The objective of this study was to analyze the collection and storage costs (CSC) of seeds of some native tree species that have social and economic importance in Mexico. Information on the importance of native trees was obtained through a literature review and research from a seed bank and forest technical service providers. Based on the environmental and social importance, as well as the conservation status of native species, poverty attention, and food security, an indicator of economic and social importance has been designed using multicriteria analysis. The highest value of the indicator included 32 species; Fabaceae was the most represented family (28%). The CSC analysis was applied to the species with the highest value indicator, currently available market price (CMP), and stored in the seed bank (SB). They were evaluated using the “cost of collection” method comparing CMP vs. SB. The cost of accession in the SB is 11 times higher than the CMP with 7% of nominal interest rate (NIR) and increases 24 times during a storage period of ten years with the same NIR per year. Despite the costs associated with the maintenance and management of SBs, their importance for conservation and contribution to society is highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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12 pages, 1983 KiB  
Article
Fire Severity in Reburns Depends on Vegetation Type in Arizona and New Mexico, U.S.A.
by Larissa L. Yocom, Jeff Jenness, Peter Z. Fulé and Andrea E. Thode
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1957; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111957 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1302
Abstract
After more than a century of low fire activity in the western United States, wildfires are now becoming more common. Reburns, which are areas burned in two or more fires, are also increasing. How fires interact over time is of interest ecologically as [...] Read more.
After more than a century of low fire activity in the western United States, wildfires are now becoming more common. Reburns, which are areas burned in two or more fires, are also increasing. How fires interact over time is of interest ecologically as well as for management. Wildfires may act as fuel treatments, reducing subsequent fire severity, or they may increase subsequent fire severity by leaving high fuel loads behind. Our goal was to assess whether previous wildfire severity influenced subsequent fire severity across vegetation types and over time in the Southwest U.S. using remotely sensed fire severity data in 2275 fires that burned between 1984 and 2019. Points that reburned tended to be those that burned with lower severity initially. Shrublands burned predominantly at moderate to high severity in initial fires and in reburns. Pinyon-juniper-oak systems burned with mixed severity, and fire severity was consistent from fire to fire. In ponderosa pine and aspen-mixed conifer, fire severity tended to decrease with each fire. Initial and subsequent fire severity was lower in points that reburned after a short interval. These remotely sensed observations of reburn severity need verification through field work to understand specific effects caused by reburns in different ecosystems. However, in ponderosa pine and aspen-mixed conifer forests, it may be beneficial to consider wildfires as fuel treatments and work to maintain the fuel reduction effects they have on forested ecosystems. Full article
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9 pages, 4349 KiB  
Communication
Sooty Bark Disease in Sycamore: Seasonal and Vertical Variation in Spore Release of Cryptostroma corticale
by Nicole Burgdorf, Lisa Härtl and W. Andreas Hahn
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1956; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111956 - 19 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1630
Abstract
Fungal pathogens that benefit from climate change have become more prevalent as a consequence of extended drought periods and higher temperatures. Since the dry and hot years of 2018/2019, the causative agent of sooty bark disease Cryptostroma corticale led to an increasing die [...] Read more.
Fungal pathogens that benefit from climate change have become more prevalent as a consequence of extended drought periods and higher temperatures. Since the dry and hot years of 2018/2019, the causative agent of sooty bark disease Cryptostroma corticale led to an increasing die back in sycamore forest stands in Germany. Thus, in 2019, spore traps were set up in one forest stand to investigate the dispersal of the pathogen under temporal and spatial aspects. The mortality rate in the study site due to sooty bark disease was quite high: 31% in spring, increasing to 49% in autumn 2019. Quantifying the airborne spores of C. corticale in consecutive periods of the year, a correlation with seasonal aspects was detected. In winter and spring, spore release was relatively low compared with summer months. In summer, high abundances of conidia of C. corticale were released. In July, 399 spores were detected per cm2 per day. From June to August, spore release was 12.6 times higher than in springtime. In autumn 2019, a decrease was visible, although the number of conidia was still higher than in spring. The vertical gradient of spore abundances changed over time: the lowest spore release was found along a gradient at 14 m of height in spring, which shifted down to 2 m in autumn. According to our results of spore release, sooty bark disease is strongly driven by the impact of seasonal factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Pathogens and Diseases under Changing Climate)
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24 pages, 4056 KiB  
Article
Tree Information Modeling: A Data Exchange Platform for Tree Design and Management
by Qiguan Shu, Thomas Rötzer, Andreas Detter and Ferdinand Ludwig
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1955; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111955 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3744
Abstract
Trees integrated into buildings and dense urban settings have become a trend in recent years worldwide. Without a thoughtful design, conflicts between green and gray infrastructures can take place in two aspects: (1) tree crown compete with living space above ground; (2) built [...] Read more.
Trees integrated into buildings and dense urban settings have become a trend in recent years worldwide. Without a thoughtful design, conflicts between green and gray infrastructures can take place in two aspects: (1) tree crown compete with living space above ground; (2) built underground environment, the other way round, affect tree’s health and security. Although various data about urban trees are collected by different professions for multiple purposes, the communication between them is still limited by unmatched scales and formats. To address this, tree information modeling (TIM) is proposed in this study, aiming at a standardized tree description system in a high level of detail (LoD). It serves as a platform to exchange data and share knowledge about tree growth models. From the perspective of architects and landscape designers, urban trees provide ecosystem services (ESS) not only through their overall biomass, shading, and cooling. They are also related to various branching forms and crown density, forming new layers of urban living space. So, detailed stem, branch and even root geometry is the key to interacting with humans, building structures and other facilities. It is illustrated in this paper how these detailed data are collected to initialize a TIM model with the help of multiple tools, how the topological geometry of stem and branches in TIM is interpreted into an L-system (a common syntax to describe tree geometries), allowing implementation of widely established tree simulations from other professions. In a vision, a TIM-assisted design workflow is framed, where trees are regularly monitored and simulated under boundary conditions to approach target parameters by design proposals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forest and Urban Microclimate)
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14 pages, 2657 KiB  
Article
Disturbance Severity and Human–Nature Relationships: A New Approach to Analyze People’s Well-Being along a Bark Beetle Infestation Gradient
by Mareike Kortmann, Per Angelstam, Marius Mayer, Franz Leibl, Jessica Reichert, Christine Thorn and Simon Thorn
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1954; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111954 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1621
Abstract
Contact to nature and greenspace is important for emotional well-being and can promote human health. Forest landscapes provide such access to greenspace, especially in protected areas. However, forested protected areas are impacted by natural disturbances such as bark beetle infestations. On the one [...] Read more.
Contact to nature and greenspace is important for emotional well-being and can promote human health. Forest landscapes provide such access to greenspace, especially in protected areas. However, forested protected areas are impacted by natural disturbances such as bark beetle infestations. On the one hand, such disturbances have positive impacts on ecological processes and biodiversity. On the other hand, they have allegedly negative impacts on the recreational value of a landscape. Limited knowledge about the public’s perception of forests subject to natural disturbances still hampers forest management to balance ecological functions and visitors’ recreational experience. Thus, our aim was to determine how attitudes towards nature influence the personal well-being in a naturally disturbed landscape. We investigated self-reported well-being and attitudes towards nature in a standardized questionnaire-based survey of 1008 German inhabitants in an experimentally adapted landscape visualization. Self-reported well-being was generally highest in landscapes with relatively few bark-beetle-killed trees. This was especially the case for people who felt included with nature and preferred an appreciative use or preservation of nature. Conversely, people who had previously visited a national park with visible bark beetle infestations rated their personal well-being highest in landscapes with larger proportions of beetle-killed trees. Our results indicate that it is necessary to analyze people’s knowledge about and relations to forest landscapes as well as concepts of nature conservation, natural landscapes, and biodiversity to gain a better understanding of people’s perceptions of natural disturbances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecosystem Services and Landscape Design)
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15 pages, 3698 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the MADS-Box Family in Ginkgo biloba
by Ke Yang, Zhongbing Liu, Xueyin Chen, Xian Zhou, Jiabao Ye, Feng Xu, Weiwei Zhang, Yongling Liao, Xiaoyan Yang and Qijian Wang
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1953; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111953 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1516
Abstract
As the most significant transformation stage of plants, the flowering process has typically been the focus of research. MADS-box gene plays an important regulatory role in flower development. In this study, 26 MADS-box genes were identified from Ginkgo biloba, including 10 type-I [...] Read more.
As the most significant transformation stage of plants, the flowering process has typically been the focus of research. MADS-box gene plays an important regulatory role in flower development. In this study, 26 MADS-box genes were identified from Ginkgo biloba, including 10 type-I genes and 16 type-II genes, which were distributed on eight chromosomes. There was no collinearity between the GbMADS genes, and the homology with genes from other species was low. All GbMADS proteins contain conserved MADS domains. The gene structures of GbMADS in the same gene family or subfamily differed, but the conserved protein motifs had similar distributions. The microRNA (miRNA) target sites of the GbMADS genes were predicted. It was found that the expression of 16 GbMADS genes may be regulated by miRNA. The results of cis-acting element analysis showed that the 26 GbMADS genes contained a large number of hormones regulated and light-responsive elements as well as stress-response elements. Furthermore, the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) experimental results showed that most GbMADS genes were differentially expressed in the male and female flowers at different developmental stages. Among them, the only MIKC * gene GbMADS16 has the highest expression in the metaphase development of the microstrobilus (M2) stage and is almost not expressed in female flowers. Taken together, these findings suggest that the MADS-box genes may play an important role in the development and differentiation of G. biloba flowers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Molecular Biology)
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15 pages, 5114 KiB  
Article
A UAV-Based Forest Fire Patrol Path Planning Strategy
by Yiqing Xu, Jiaming Li and Fuquan Zhang
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111952 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1749
Abstract
The application of UAVs in forest fire monitoring has attracted increasing attention. When a UAV carries out forest fire monitoring cruises in a large area of the forest, one of the main problems is planning an appropriate cruise path so that the UAV [...] Read more.
The application of UAVs in forest fire monitoring has attracted increasing attention. When a UAV carries out forest fire monitoring cruises in a large area of the forest, one of the main problems is planning an appropriate cruise path so that the UAV can start from the starting point, cruise the entire area with little detour, and return to the initial position within its maximum cruise distance. In this paper, we propose a flight path planning method for UAV forest fire monitoring based on a forest fire risk map. According to the forest fire risk level, the method uses the ring self-organizing mapping (RSOM) algorithm to plan a corresponding flight path. In addition, since it is difficult for a single UAV to complete a single full-path cruise task in a large area within its maximum cruise time, a multi-UAV cruise scheme is proposed. First, the Gaussian mixture clustering algorithm is used to cluster the study area and divide it into several subareas. In combination with the RSOM algorithm, the corresponding path is planned for each UAV. A simulation with an actual dataset showed that the proposed method solves the problem of UAV patrol path planning for forest fire monitoring and can complete the task within a reasonable time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Forest Fire and Other Detection Systems)
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11 pages, 1067 KiB  
Article
Type 2 Nondeep Physiological Dormancy in Seeds of Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla (Hance) A.E.Murray
by Kangming An, Minghan Yang, Carol Caudle Baskin, Mingyue Li, Meiru Zhu, Chunjing Jiao, Haibo Wu and Peng Zhang
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1951; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111951 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1357
Abstract
Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla (Oleaceae), hereafter F. rhynchophylla, is an important timber species in northeast China; however, little is known about its seed dormancy and germination, which hinders regeneration of the species from seeds for reforestation and conservation. Our aim was to determine [...] Read more.
Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla (Oleaceae), hereafter F. rhynchophylla, is an important timber species in northeast China; however, little is known about its seed dormancy and germination, which hinders regeneration of the species from seeds for reforestation and conservation. Our aim was to determine the class of seed dormancy and how to break it. Studies were conducted to determine the permeability of the seed coat to water, changes in embryo development during cold stratification and effects of cold stratification on germination over a range of temperatures. The seeds were water-permeable, and the embryo was fully developed and filled the embryonic cavity. Cold stratification at 5 °C for 8 weeks was effective in breaking dormancy; thus, we conclude that the seeds have nondeep physiological dormancy (PD). As cold stratification time was increased, the ability of seeds to germinate at low temperatures (e.g., 10 °C and 15 °C) increased, indicating the presence of Type 2 nondeep PD, in which the minimum temperature for germination decreases during dormancy-break. Nondormant seeds germinated to high percentages and rates at constant temperatures of 25 °C (germination percentage was 63%) and at alternating temperature regimes of 35 °C/25 °C, 30 °C/15 °C, 25 °C/20 °C and 20 °C/10 °C (germination percentage was 66%, 67%, 65% and 66%, respectively). To produce seedlings, we recommend 8 weeks of cold stratification at 5 °C before sowing the seeds at temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 30 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Topicalities in Forest Ecology of Seeds)
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10 pages, 2777 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Susceptibility of PLA Biocomposites to Drilling
by Piotr Borysiuk, Radosław Auriga, Jacek Wilkowski, Alicja Auriga, Adrian Trociński and Lee Seng Hua
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111950 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1104
Abstract
Wood–plastic composites (WPCs) increase the range of applications of materials by creating new material solutions. As part of this research, PLA (polylactic acid)- and HDPE (high-density polyethylene)-based composites were manufactured. Softwood sawdust or conifer bark with different sizes (large and small) were used [...] Read more.
Wood–plastic composites (WPCs) increase the range of applications of materials by creating new material solutions. As part of this research, PLA (polylactic acid)- and HDPE (high-density polyethylene)-based composites were manufactured. Softwood sawdust or conifer bark with different sizes (large and small) were used as filler. In selected cases, the addition of 3% additives, such as calcium oxide in the case of PLA or polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride in the case of HDPE, were tested. The manufactured composites were examined for their density profile and their susceptibility to drilling, defined by the value of the axial force occurring during drilling. The obtained results revealed that the type of matrix had the greatest influence on the axial forces during drilling. Regardless of the composite formulation, composites based on PLA had 25% to 56% higher axial forces during drilling than those based on HDPE. Furthermore, increasing the proportion of lignocellulosic fillers resulted in a decrease in the value of axial forces during drilling, with PLA composites experiencing a greater decrease than HDPE composites. The type and size of the filler had a minor impact on the axial force values during drilling. The statistical analysis indicated that the additives had a greater influence on HDPE than on PLA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Physical and Mechanical Wood Modification)
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12 pages, 722 KiB  
Article
Natural Resource Manager Perceptions of Forest Carbon Management and Carbon Market Participation in Minnesota
by Robert Lane Moser, Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione and Matthew B. Russell
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1949; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111949 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1532
Abstract
Forests and wood products, through the mechanisms of carbon sequestration and storage, can slow the rate of global climate change that results from greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, both natural resource managers and the public have placed greater focus on the role [...] Read more.
Forests and wood products, through the mechanisms of carbon sequestration and storage, can slow the rate of global climate change that results from greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, both natural resource managers and the public have placed greater focus on the role of forests and wood products as a solution to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Little is known about the perceptions and viability of carbon sequestration and storage as a management goal for natural resource managers of public agencies. We explored these perceptions in Minnesota, USA. Minnesota has 7.2 million hectares of forest land managed by a diverse array of landowners, from public agencies (55% of forest land) to private (45%) owners. We sought to (1) understand natural resource managers’ and forest owners’ perspectives on forest carbon opportunities and (2) understand the feasibility of management strategies that could be implemented to increase forest carbon sequestration and storage at a state level. We conducted two focus groups with 15 mid- and upper-level natural resource managers and non-industrial private forest landowners, representing both rural and urban perspectives and a variety of agencies and organizations. Minnesota natural resource managers and non-industrial private forest landowners indicated that they thought managing forests for carbon was compatible with other management goals but nonetheless represented a trade-off. However, they viewed the carbon credit market as the “Wild West” and noted several barriers to entering the carbon market, such as inconsistent carbon accounting protocols and a lack of connection between the price of carbon credits and the cost of managing forest land for carbon sequestration and storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Carbon Adaptation and Mitigation Management)
9 pages, 1207 KiB  
Article
Entropy Production Using Ecological and Physiological Models of Stand Growth Dynamics as an Example
by Victor Ivanovich Lisitsyn and Nikolai Nikolatvich Matveev
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1948; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111948 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1032
Abstract
According to the Prigogine–Glansdorff principle, in a thermodynamic system where non-equilibrium processes occur, the change in entropy production is negative or equal to zero. Forest plantations are an example of such thermodynamic systems. Based on the ecological–physiological models of the forest stand growth [...] Read more.
According to the Prigogine–Glansdorff principle, in a thermodynamic system where non-equilibrium processes occur, the change in entropy production is negative or equal to zero. Forest plantations are an example of such thermodynamic systems. Based on the ecological–physiological models of the forest stand growth dynamics developed by the authors of this work, the specific entropy production in the growth of stands was calculated, which is known to be proportional to the entropy production. It is shown that at the age when the minimum value of the specific entropy production is reached, the biomass of the stand has a maximum value. This conclusion is an important predictive factor for practical forestry, since determining the time of the minimum entropy production allows us to determine the time interval at which the biomass of the stand reaches its maximum value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Forestry: Problems, Priorities and Prospects)
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5 pages, 1210 KiB  
Brief Report
Cervid Bark-Stripping Is an Explicit Amplifier of Storm Legacy Effects in Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) Stands
by Guntars Šņepsts, Oskars Krišāns, Roberts Matisons, Andris Seipulis and Āris Jansons
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1947; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111947 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1094
Abstract
The interactions between wind damage and biotic agents, such as root-rot and cervids (bark-stripping), amplify the effects of storms on forests in Europe and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands, in the Eastern Baltic region in particular. Due to uneven manageability [...] Read more.
The interactions between wind damage and biotic agents, such as root-rot and cervids (bark-stripping), amplify the effects of storms on forests in Europe and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands, in the Eastern Baltic region in particular. Due to uneven manageability of the biotic agents, the information about their effects on susceptibility to wind damage can aid the prioritization of management for sustaining spruce stands. This study compared the effect of root-rot and bark-stripping on the mechanical stability of Norway spruce via mixed covariance analysis of basal bending moments, based on static tree-pulling test data of 87 trees from five stands in Latvia. Bark-stripping caused a significantly stronger reduction in resistance against the intrinsic wood damages (primary failure) compared to root-rot, while showing a similar effect on resistance to fatal (secondary) failure. This suggests that bark-stripping damage increases the susceptibility of spruce to storm legacy effects, and, hence, is a higher priority risk factor in Norway spruce stands under the climate-smart management approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart Forestry: Problems, Priorities and Prospects)
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26 pages, 5913 KiB  
Article
Pollen Morphological Inter- and Intraspecific Variability in Selected Species of Rubus L. (Rosaceae)
by Kacper Lechowicz, Jan Bocianowski and Dorota Wrońska-Pilarek
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1946; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111946 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1322
Abstract
Pollen morphology is one of the important vehicles in resolving some taxonomic problems on the family, genera or species level and has become part of the many disciplines and collaborative approaches in plant systematics and evolution. Palynological studies on the large and taxonomically [...] Read more.
Pollen morphology is one of the important vehicles in resolving some taxonomic problems on the family, genera or species level and has become part of the many disciplines and collaborative approaches in plant systematics and evolution. Palynological studies on the large and taxonomically highly complex genus Rubus L. have been limited, particularly concerning pollen variability. The aim of current study was to investigate the scope of inter- and intraspecific variability of the studied species based on pollen morphology, as well as verify taxonomic usefulness of pollen traits in distinguishing the studied taxa. The sixteen native Poland and Europe Rubus species were studied. Over a dozen quantitative and qualitative features of 2100 pollen (70 samples of 30 pollen each) were analyzed. Exine ornamentation and pollen size proved to be most useful pollen traits in the assessment of variability in the studied Rubus species. Pollen traits did not confirm the currently adopted taxonomical division of the genus Rubus into subgenera, sections and series. The greatest interspecific variability was found for traits P, E, Le and d, while variability was lowest in the case of Exp, Exe, P/E, Le/P, d/E, Exp/P and Exe/E. Intraspecific variability was determined by the following features ordered from those least to most variable: P, E, d, Le, d/E, Exp/P, Exp, P/E and Le/P. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecophysiology and Biology)
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11 pages, 1574 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Quercetin on the Growth, Development, Nutrition Utilization, and Detoxification Enzymes in Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)
by Yi-Lin Gao, Zhong-Yu Pan, Xiang Meng, Yu-Fei Yuan, Hong-Yun Li and Min Chen
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1945; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111945 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1749
Abstract
Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) is a worldwide quarantine pest that has a wide range of host plants. Quercetin is a secondary metabolite involved in chemical defense processes in plants. To understand how H. cunea adapt to quercetin in its host plants, we [...] Read more.
Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) is a worldwide quarantine pest that has a wide range of host plants. Quercetin is a secondary metabolite involved in chemical defense processes in plants. To understand how H. cunea adapt to quercetin in its host plants, we determined the effects of quercetin on larval mortality, growth, nutritional indices, and the activity or content of detoxification enzymes in H. cunea larvae by feeding them an artificial diet containing different concentrations of quercetin. Our results showed that 0.50% quercetin treatment significantly prolonged the development duration of H. cunea larvae and inhibited growth of H. cunea. Nutritional indices analysis indicated that quercetin significantly affected nutrient use, including effects on the approximate digestibility, consumption index, relative growth rate, and efficiency of conversion of ingested food to body substance. Furthermore, our results revealed that quercetin reduced the content of carboxylesterases, and increased the activity or content of glutathione S-transferases, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, and ATP-binding cassette transporters in H. cunea larvae. These results provide a foundation for revealing the adaptation that H. cunea use to adapt to quercetin in host plants. Full article
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12 pages, 3325 KiB  
Article
Dynamics of Enzyme Activities during the Decomposition of Castanopsis carlesii Leaf Litter in the Forest Canopy and Forest Floor in a Mid-Subtropical Area
by Ling Zhu, Wentao Wei, Ruobing Wu, Xiaoyue Zhang, Hongrong Guo, Dingyi Wang and Fuzhong Wu
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1944; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111944 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1327
Abstract
Enzyme activity plays a pivotal role in leaf litter decomposition, but the variations have not been well addressed in the forest canopy with amounts of leaf litter. Therefore, eight enzymes related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus mineralization were checked during Castanopsis carlesii leaf [...] Read more.
Enzyme activity plays a pivotal role in leaf litter decomposition, but the variations have not been well addressed in the forest canopy with amounts of leaf litter. Therefore, eight enzymes related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus mineralization were checked during Castanopsis carlesii leaf litter decomposition in the forest canopy and on the forest floor from April 2021 to February 2022. The results displayed that most enzyme activities were lower in the forest canopy compared to the forest floor during litter decomposition, except for acid phosphatase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activities. Moreover, enzyme stoichiometry and enzyme vector features indicated that the microbes in both habitats were limited by carbon and phosphorus during litter decomposition. Much stronger carbon limitation was detected on the forest floor, while phosphorus limitation was higher in the forest canopy. Phosphorus limitation was weakened, but carbon limitation was strengthened in the forest canopy with leaf litter decomposition. Additionally, the redundancy analysis revealed that air temperature dominated the variations in enzyme activities during litter decomposition in the forest canopy, and litter mass-loss rate in each period explained much more dynamics on the forest floor compared with those in the forest canopy. These results provide new insight into a comprehensive understanding of litter decomposition in subtropical forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Debris Decomposition and Soil Organic Matter Formation)
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16 pages, 2642 KiB  
Article
Soil Organic Carbon Distribution, Enzyme Activities, and the Temperature Sensitivity of a Tropical Rainforest in Wuzhishan, Hainan Island
by Xiaofang Wang, Jialing Li, Guitong Xing, Siwei Mai, Wenjie Liu, Yamin Jiang, Wenxian Xu, Qiu Yang, Huai Yang, Jingli Lu and Wenxing Long
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1943; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111943 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2053
Abstract
Soil carbon (C) distribution, which is deeply correlated with soil extracellular enzyme activity and its temperature sensitivity (Q10), are important for predicting the soil organic carbon (SOC) pools under climate warming. However, the high spatial heterogeneity in tropical forest soils makes [...] Read more.
Soil carbon (C) distribution, which is deeply correlated with soil extracellular enzyme activity and its temperature sensitivity (Q10), are important for predicting the soil organic carbon (SOC) pools under climate warming. However, the high spatial heterogeneity in tropical forest soils makes the predicted results vary significantly. Thus, a total of 87 soil samples of three forest types, eight slope orientations, and four vegetation types were selected from Wuzhishan in Hainan Island, China. SOC distribution, the activities of six soil enzymes, and Q10 at 10, 20, 30, and 40 °C were investigated to supplement the tropical data. The results showed that: (1) SOC ranged from 24.82 to 87.72 g/kg. SOC in the primary forest was significantly higher than that of the secondary forest, and SOC of the cloud forests and hilltop scrub at higher elevations was significantly higher than that of the lowland rainforests and montane rainforests at lower elevations. However, the amount of recalcitrant carbon in the primary forest was the lowest. (2) Under lab temperature conditions, the acid phosphatase and β-1,4-glucosidase in the plantation forest were significantly higher than that of the secondary forest, and the polyphenol oxidase and catalase in the plantation forest were significantly higher than that of the primary forest. Enzyme stoichiometry analysis indicated that microbials were limited by nitrogen in the study area. The six soil enzyme activities were strongly correlated with SOC and total nitrogen. (3) The Q10 of soil enzymes ranged from 0.61 to 1.92 under three temperature gradients. Most hydrolases enzymes (Q10 > 1) showed a positive response with temperatures from 10 to 30 °C, and showed a negative response (Q10 < 1) with temperatures from 30 to 40 °C. We concluded that the negative response of enzyme Q10 with global warming would slow down the SOC decomposition. Primary tropical forests could still sequester SOC; however, their ability to do so may be vulnerable to climate change, as the amount of soil C quality index was low. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Soil)
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12 pages, 3257 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Chloroplast Genome Structure of Gueldenstaedtia verna (Papilionoideae) and Comparative Analyses among IRLC Species
by Ogyeong Son and Kyoung Su Choi
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1942; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111942 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1240
Abstract
The genus Gueldenstaedtia belongs to Papilionaceae’s inverted repeat-lacking clade (IRLC) and includes four species distributed throughout Asia. We sequenced the chloroplast genome of G. verna and compared it with those of the IRLC clade. The genome was 122,569 bp long, containing 77 protein-coding [...] Read more.
The genus Gueldenstaedtia belongs to Papilionaceae’s inverted repeat-lacking clade (IRLC) and includes four species distributed throughout Asia. We sequenced the chloroplast genome of G. verna and compared it with those of the IRLC clade. The genome was 122,569 bp long, containing 77 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs. Comparative analyses showed that G. verna lost one inverted repeat region, the rps16 gene, an intron of rpoC1, and two introns of clpP. Additionally, G. verna had four inversions (~50 kb inversion, trnKpsbK; ~28 kb inversion, accDrpl23; ~10 kb inversion, rps15trnL; ~6 kb inversion, trnL–trnI) and one reposition (ycf1). Its G + C content was higher than that of other IRLC species. The total length and number of repeats of G. verna were not significantly different from those of the other IRLC species. Phylogenetic analyses showed that G. verna was closely related to Tibetia. A comparison of substitution rates showed that ycf2 and rps7 were higher than one, suggesting that these were positive selection genes, while others were related to purified selection. This study reports the structure of the chloroplast genome of a different type, i.e., with four inversions and one reposition, and would be helpful for future research on the evolution of the genome structure of the IRLC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Molecular Biology)
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12 pages, 1868 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Integrated Harvesting Systems on Productivity, Costs, and Amount of Logging Residue in the Clear-Cutting of a Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr. Stand
by Heesung Woo, Eunjai Lee, Mauricio Acuna, Hyunmin Cho and Sang-Kyun Han
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111941 - 17 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1404
Abstract
Two integrated harvesting methods have been primarily applied to increase the opportunity for forest biomass utilization. In Korea, small shovels with a carrier for cut-to-length harvesting (CTL system) and tower yarders for whole-tree harvesting (WT system) are commonly used for the transportation of [...] Read more.
Two integrated harvesting methods have been primarily applied to increase the opportunity for forest biomass utilization. In Korea, small shovels with a carrier for cut-to-length harvesting (CTL system) and tower yarders for whole-tree harvesting (WT system) are commonly used for the transportation of tree assortments (i.e., sawlogs and logging residue). No previous studies are available in South Korea that have compared and highlighted the operational performance and yield of logging residues between the CTL and WT harvesting systems. Thus, our study’s main objectives were to (1) evaluate the productivity and costs of the two harvesting systems through a standard time study method and (2) estimate the amount of harvesting logging residue at the landing. The productivities of the CTL and WT systems were 1.45 and 2.99 oven-dried tons (odt)/productive machine hour (PMH), at a cost of 86.81 and 45.41 USD/odt, respectively. In the WT system, the amount of logging residue (2.1 odt/ha) collected at the landing was approximately four-times larger than that of the CTL system (0.5 odt/ha). Our results suggested that the WT system is a less expensive and more suitable system when there are markets demanding logs and biomass, whereas the CTL system remains a less expensive option for stem-only harvesting. Furthermore, these results are important for estimating the economic and environmental amount of residue that could be potentially recovered and utilized from the forest types included in the study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Harvesting and Forest Product Supply Chain)
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15 pages, 4074 KiB  
Article
Early Signs of the Effects of Forest Fragmentation on the Genetic Diversity and Structure of the Threatened Ecuadorian Tree Ocotea rotundata (Lauraceae)
by Isabel Marques, David Draper, Lorena Riofrío and Carlos Naranjo
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1940; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111940 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1280
Abstract
The diversity of genetic resources is essential to cope with environmental changes. However, despite forests play a crucial role in mitigating changes, genetic knowledge has scarcely been used for forest conservation. In this study, we used nuclear microsatellites to understand the patterns of [...] Read more.
The diversity of genetic resources is essential to cope with environmental changes. However, despite forests play a crucial role in mitigating changes, genetic knowledge has scarcely been used for forest conservation. In this study, we used nuclear microsatellites to understand the patterns of genetic diversity and population genetic structure in Ocotea rotundata van der Werff (Lauraceae), an endemic Ecuadorian tree, highly affected by habitat changes and fragmentation. Our results show high levels of genetic diversity, except in one population. The level of genetic differentiation between populations was low and genetic clusters showed no apparent spatial pattern. In fact, a high degree of genetic admixture was found between most populations. Migration rates were asymmetric but overall high, except in one population, where outgoing gene dispersal was limited. Nevertheless, allelic fixation values suggested a general deficit in heterozygotes, probably due to an increase in the levels of mating between close relatives. Although long-lived organisms, such as trees, can often accumulate a surprising amount of genetic diversity, the results found here could be an early sign of a decline in the diversity of O. rotundata. These findings provide baseline information on genetic resources to support future restoration programs to mitigate the impacts of changes in O. rotundata populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Molecular Biology)
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21 pages, 1957 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study on the Drivers of Forest Fires in Different Countries in the Cross-Border Area between China, North Korea and Russia
by Donghe Quan, Hechun Quan, Weihong Zhu, Zhehao Lin and Ri Jin
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1939; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111939 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2072
Abstract
The occurrence and spread of forest fires are the result of the interaction of many factors. In cross-border areas, different fire management systems may lead to different forest fire driving factors. A comparative analysis of the forest fire driving factors in different countries [...] Read more.
The occurrence and spread of forest fires are the result of the interaction of many factors. In cross-border areas, different fire management systems may lead to different forest fire driving factors. A comparative analysis of the forest fire driving factors in different countries can help to provide ideas for fire prevention and control. In this study, based on the logistic regression (LR) model and standardized coefficients, we determined the relative impact of forest fire driving factors in different countries, in the cross-border area between China, North Korea and Russia from 2001 to 2020, and established a forest fire probability and fire risk level division using a Kriging interpolation. The results show that the climate is the most important factor affecting the probability of forest fires in the cross-border area, followed by the topography and vegetation factors; human activities have the least influence. From a country-by-country perspective, the forest fires on the Chinese side were more affected by humans than on the North Korean and Russian sides and they were mainly concentrated in areas with a low altitude and high population density. The forest fires on the North Korean side and the Russian side were more affected by nature than on the Chinese side and were mainly concentrated in areas with a low altitude, high temperature and little rainfall. The high-risk areas for forest fires were mostly concentrated near the border between China, North Korea and Russia, where transboundary fires pose a great threat to forest resources and rare animals. This study shows that there is a significant difference between the impact of different forest fire management systems on fire conditions, and that active forest fire control policies can effectively reduce the damage caused by forest fires. Due to the complexity of the geopolitics in cross-border areas, transboundary firefighting faces certain difficulties. In the future, it will be necessary to strengthen the cooperation between countries and establish transboundary joint defenses against forest fires in order to protect the declining forest resources and the habitats of rare animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Fires Prediction and Detection)
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