bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change and forest seed zones: Past trends, future prospects and challenges to ponder
Authors: McKenney Dan , Pedlar John , O’Neill Greg
Published: February 2014

Canada regenerates more than 400 000 ha of forest land annually through planting and seeding operations. Much of the stock for this effort is selected to be climatically suited to the planting site—a match that is often facilitated through the development of seed zones. However, if climate change proceeds as predicted, stock that is well matched under current climate will be growing in sub-optimal conditions within the next 20 to 50 years—in some parts of the country, trees may already be growing outside their optimal climates. To provide a sense of the magnitude of these changes, we present past and predicted future climate trends for Ontario and British Columbia seed zones. For Ontario, over the period 1950 to 2005, minimum temperature of the coldest month has already increased by up to 4.3°C, growing season has lengthened by up to 6 days, and precipitation during the growing season has increased by up to 26%. Changes were more pronounced across British Columbia’s Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) seed zones, with minimum temperature increasing by up to 8°C, a growing season extension of up to 30 days, and growing season precipitation increases of up to 40%. Projections for the end of the current century include: minimum temperature increase of 5°C to 10°C, growing season extension of 31 to 60 days, and growing season precipitation increases of 3% to 42% across the seed zones in both provinces. These changes are certain to have extensive impacts on forest ecosystems. We briefly discuss 3 forest management adaptation strategies intended to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in Canada. Key words: climate change, seed zones, British Columbia, Ontario, Douglas-fir, seed transfer, assisted migration
Toward full, multiple, and optimal wood fibre utilization: A modeling perspective
Authors: Li Chao
Published: February 2014

The slow growth rates of Canada's considerable forest fibre supply give it exceptional characteristics. It is a challenge for forest managers, researchers, and stakeholders to realize the highest value creation from this opportunity for the benefit of Canadians. Ideally, this should be achieved with full, multiple, and optimal wood fibre utilization, whereby all quality classes of wood fibre are used to their fullest potential, and all possible value creation options are considered. This paper describes the concept of value chains in a global context, and how they can be applied to forestry using a modeling framework. This is followed by a discussion on how this modeling framework can be used to address the optimal use of wood fibre, and how it can be used to address forest management-related issues and concerns. Key words: forest management, ecological modeling, wood fibre valuation, forest inventory improvement
A method to map within-tree distribution of fibre properties using SilviScan-3 data
Authors: Defo Maurice , Goodison Andrew , Uy Nelson
Published: February 2014

This paper shows how SilviScan-3 data can be used to map the within-tree distributions of wood properties, and to compute relevant statistics useful for tree-to-tree comparisons. An algorithm named EvaluTreeMap was developed for this purpose, based on subdividing the stem into triangular elements. It was validated using a stem of conical shape with properties exhibiting conical symmetry. To illustrate some applications of the program, it was used for the preliminary evaluation of the impact of Armillaria root disease on the fibre coarseness of Douglas-fir trees. Key words: SilviScan-3, fibre properties, within-tree variations, EvaluTreeMap, meshing, mapping, stem volume, tree's mean properties and standard deviation, Armillaria ostoyae, fibre coarseness, Douglas-fir
Long-term black spruce plantation growth and structure after release and juvenile cleaning: A 24-year study
Authors: Cyr Guillaume , Thiffaul Nelson
Published: February 2014

Vegetation management is crucial to meet growth and yield objectives in conifer plantations. But, the combined and longterm effects of mechanical release and juvenile cleaning on growth and stand structure have yet to be documented in black spruce plantations. A long-term study was carried out in Quebec (Canada) to evaluate the interactions between initial mechanical release at age 2 years and juvenile cleaning at age 14 years (i.e., a second release treatment) on planted black spruce survival and dimensions at age 24 years. Population structure and stand species composition were also assessed. Results showed that release and juvenile cleaning had an additive, positive effect on survival, diameter at breast height (DBH), height, crown width, crown length, and the last 5-year DBH and height increments. Juvenile cleaning effects were of higher magnitude than release effects, especially on 5-year DBH increment. Combination of both treatments reduced DBH and height variability of saplings, whereas juvenile cleaning alone resulted in a higher proportion of saplings occupying higher height classes. Total merchantable basal area was constant among treatments. But, without juvenile cleaning, hardwoods occupied a higher proportion of the basal area and were taller than spruces. In a context of sustainable forest management, in which conifer plantations are expected to offer high wood yield, our results demonstrate the importance of juvenile cleaning following initial mechanical release to promote crop tree growth and yield. Key words: plantation, vegetation management, black spruce, growth, stand development
Guidelines for modeling natural regeneration in boreal forests
Authors: Blanco Juan A , Welham Clive , Kimmins J.P. (Hamish) , Seely Brad , Mailly Daniel
Published: February 2014

Natural regeneration is recognized as an important component of forest management. Field studies are usually combined with conceptual and mathematical models as the most effective way to understand and predict natural regeneration. In the case of the boreal forest, several important issues arise in the design of regeneration models and are reviewed here. The most important concerns the trade-off between complexity and portability. Complex models may mimic natural systems more closely than do simpler models, but this realism comes at a cost in terms of the volume of data necessary for their calibration. A second issue is that most regeneration models have been scaled to problems at the tree and stand level, but recent interest in landscape-level issues requires models applicable to this higher spatial scale. Finally, the conceptual framework underlying most regeneration models may need to be revisited in light of recent efforts to depict vegetation dynamics under changing climatic regimes. It is unlikely that any single modeling approach will prove adequate for modeling natural regeneration under all conditions, and we provided guidelines as to how to create effective regeneration models. Key words: climate change, disturbance, ecological models, forest regeneration, seedlings
A case of severe frost damage prior to budbreak in young conifers in Northeastern Ontario: Consequence of climate change?
Authors: Man Rongzhou , Kayahara Gordon J , Dang Qing-Lai , Rice James A
Published: February 2014

In spring 2007, young planted and natural conifers suffered extensive needle and bud injury near Hearst and Kapuskasing in northeastern Ontario. Damage was observed on all species of conifers up to 20 years old and 8 m in height. Taller trees, especially those in the overstory, and young understory trees protected by a closed canopy had less damage. The damage was caused by earlier than normal loss of cold hardiness followed by late spring frosts according to damage observations, weather station data, and calculated thermal time requirements for budbreak and cold hardiness of conifers. During May 19 to 21, 2007, minimum temperatures were recorded between -8°C and -9°C, and before this period, temperatures were warm enough to induce early dehardening and loss of trees' cold hardiness. According to the historical weather data for Kapuskasing, estimated budbreak time has become earlier since 1918 and freezing temperatures during budbreak and shoot elongation (between growing degree days 100 and June 15) have become more frequent since 1980. If the trend towards earlier budbreak is due to climate change, then the type of frost damage we observed in northeastern Ontario in 2007 could become more common. We discuss implications of such events and suggest research needed to understand the risk of frost damage with climatic warming and to reduce damage. Key words: conifer frost damage, mature needle and bud (or needle/bud) mortality, early dehardening and budbreak (or dehardening/budbreak), climatic warming
Forest modelling in Quebec: Context, challenges and perspectives
Authors: Larocque Guy R , Mailly Daniel , Gaudreault Mélanie
Published: February 2014

Forest productivity models are increasingly being used for the computation of allowable cuts and forest management decision-making in Quebec. A workshop was organized in the spring of 2008 to bring together modellers, managers, users and administrators to provide a forum for the exchange of views and opinions on the challenges and future perspectives in forest modelling. Following a series of oral presentations on the various types of models and their application in forest management, workshop participants held discussions on methodology, collaboration and future directions in modelling. The present article offers a summary of the ideas and suggestions generated during the discussions. Among other things, these dealt with the need to design user-friendly models, with known limitations, that could be used with good quality data and for which it would be possible to calculate the bias and forecasting error. Integrating different types of models or their forecasts is another avenue to consider. In order to effectively collaborate and contribute to the advancement of forest modelling, model developers and users must form multidisciplinary teams and develop efficient communication networks to share their knowledge outside of the usual circles. In the future, the development and adjustment of optimization and complex problem resolution methods as well as a greater use of sensitivity and uncertainty analytical methods will have to be emphasized. Finally, much more importance should be given to criteria other than wood fibre, such as biodiversity, habitat, soils and the effect of climate change. Key words: forest modelling, workshop, ACFAS
Sale of Canada’s public forests: Economically non-viable option
Authors: Kant Shashi
Published: February 2014

In recent years, some economists and journalists have argued that since only 7% of Canadian forests are under private ownership, Canadian public forests should be sold to private companies. In this paper, I examine and analyze global forest ownership and recent trends in the change in forest land ownership. In Canada, 26.5 million ha of forest land are under private ownership, while the area of forest land (of each country) of more than 200 countries, including Sweden, Finland, Germany, France, Japan, and New Zealand, is less than the area of Canada’s private forest land. Similarly, the forest industry in Canada owns more forest land available for wood supply than the forest industry in any other developed country except the USA and Sweden. There is no direct relationship between private forest ownership and the economic performance of forest industry in a country. I examine 3 cases of change in forest land ownership: Timber Investment Management Organizations and Real Estate Investment Trusts in the USA, restitution of forest land in economies in transition, and sale of plantations in Chile. None of the cases provide economic evidence in support of sale of Canadian public forests. I conclude that the sale of the Crown forest land will not only be environmentally, socially, and politically unacceptable, but will not be economically viable. Key words: Canada, economic performance, forest ownership, forest tenure, privatization, restitution of forest land, timber investment management organizations, wood supply
Model development for lumber volume recovery of natural balsam fir trees in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Liu Chuangmin , Ruel Jean-Claude , Groot Art , Zhang S Y
Published: February 2014

To improve the precision of sawing simulations, 4 regression models were developed to predict simulated lumber volume recovery using tree size variables. Simulated lumber volume recoveries from natural balsam fir trees based on the sawing simulator Optitek were different from real lumber volume recoveries from a stud sawmill because the simulation method only takes wane into consideration. Therefore, 2 methods were developed to correct estimated lumber volume recoveries. The results indicate that the lumber volume correction models for stem deformations could adjust the predictions of lumber volume recovery from the simulation and directly from the sawing simulator to obtain more accurate estimates. With the correction models, the lumber volume recovery from natural balsam fir trees could be estimated directly using easily measured tree DBH and height from the forest resource inventory. Key words: balsam fir, stem deformation, product recovery, sawing simulation, correction models, regression model
TRIAD zoning in Quebec: Experiences and results after 5 years
Authors: Messier Christian , Tittler Rebecca , Kneeshaw Daniel D , Gélinas Nancy , Paquette Alain , Berninger Kati , Rheault Héloïse , Meek Philippe , Beaulieu Nadyre
Published: February 2014

The TRIAD approach to forest management involves dividing the forest into 3 zones, each with its own management objectives, but with the overall goal of increasing the ecological and economic sustainability of the forest. For the past 5 years, we have been experimenting with TRIAD zoning in central Quebec, incorporating social interests into the original concept of TRIAD management. Results generally indicate that this approach is economically viable, socially acceptable, and preferable ecologically in this area. Although much remains to be done, thus far the consensus among the various project participants is that this approach may be a good fit for the public forest of Canada. Key words: TRIAD, functional zoning, sustainable forest management, ecosystem management, natural disturbance based management, intensive forestry, mixed plantations, partial cuts, eco-efficiency, conservation, new forestry, green accounting
Defining tree taper: A challenge for growth and yield modelling in Ontario
Authors: Zakrzewski W.T.
Published: February 2014

Key words: modelling stem profile, taper model evaluation, plantation, stand density, tree slimness, growth and yield modelling in Ontario
Increasing pressures to use forest biomass: A conservation viewpoint
Authors: Hesselink Trevor P.
Published: February 2014

Various policy, economic, and social drivers are pushing us towards utilizing our forests for a changing mix of products that include returning to them for biomass as a fuel source. While this is a use with some limited merit, it must be considered prudently and with the ecological limits of our forests clearly identified and understood before substantially investing our public resources towards this purpose. There is enough scientific evidence to suggest that caution and restraint is needed so that we can identify key ecological impacts and define sites on which increased fibre harvesting is not appropriate before biomass policies are put in place. Information is needed on monitoring methods, and effects on site productivity, biodiversity, and carbon cycling; full economic analyses and life-cycle carbon accounting is needed. Perverse incentives need to be avoided. A precautionary path is therefore required that makes ecosystem sustainability a priority, that builds confidence in application of current practices, that includes environmental assessment and pilot programs, and that operates under a clear regulatory regime that integrates bioenergy removals within clear forest management plans. The pervasive impacts of climate change are converging with an economic opportunity to set the groundwork for our next forest economy, and biomass utilization policy will play a key role in how well we choose to manage our forest resources in this unique context. To proceed with maximization of use as the dominant management priority is to ignore the critical obligation that managers must appreciate: that our forest resources have limits to their exploitation from which, once exceeded, they do not easily recover. On the evidence available, this is a time for government policy makers to take the precautionary path in allocating our forest biomass, and to ensure that we are comfortably living on the interest from our forest ecosystems but not tapping into its capital.

Key words: biomass, sustainability, policy, conservation, full-tree harvesting, environmental impacts, intensity, carbon, utilization pressures
L’aménagement durable des vieilles forêts boréales : mythes, pistes de solutions et défis
Authors: Le Goff Héloïse , De Grandpré Louis , Kneeshaw Daniel , Bernier Pierre
Published: February 2014

Old-growth boreal forests serve as focal points for many issues affecting the forest sector such as sustainable forest management and the development of a conservation network. They also challenge the implementation of an adaptive management framework and participative natural resources management. Old-growth boreal forests thus provide a good opportunity for the forest sector to develop transparent management that integrates the diversity of social values associated with old-growth boreal forests. In this paper, we present a review of the different issues related to the sustainable management and conservation of old-growth boreal forests and present these issues in terms of myths and solutions. Finally, we identify and discuss the current limits of our understanding of these issues and we propose research priorities to bridge these knowledge gaps.

Key words: sustainable forest management, old-growth boreal forests, biodiversity, social values, adapted silvicultural systems
Changes in stand structure in uneven-aged lodgepole pine stands impacted by mountain pine beetle epidemics and fires in central British Columbia
Authors: Axelson Jodi N. , Alfaro René I. , Hawkes Brad C.
Published: February 2014

We examined the development of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) in uneven-aged stands in the Interior Douglasfir (IDF) biogeoclimatic zone of central of British Columbia (B.C.), which are currently undergoing a massive outbreak of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins; MPB). Using historical ecological approaches, dendrochronology, and stand measurement data, we determined the roles MPB and fire disturbances have played in the ecological processes of lodgepole pine in an Interior Douglas-fir zone. We found that multiple mixed-severity fires created patchy uneven-aged stands dominated by lodgepole pine. Since fire suppression in the 20th century, multiple MPB disturbances have maintained the structural complexity of the stands and favoured regeneration of lodgepole pine in the understory despite the absence of fire, resulting in self-perpetuating multi-age lodgepole pine stands. Analysis of the stand structures remaining after multiple MPB outbreaks showed that, even with high overstory mortality, the sample stands contained several MPB-initiated cohorts, consisting of younger and smaller-diameter lodgepole pine. These surviving lodgepole pine layers, which are less susceptible to beetle, will provide important ecological legacies, and could play an important role in the mid-term timber supply chain. We concluded that, in the absence of fire, the MPB plays a more frequent role in directing stand dynamics and structure in uneven-aged lodgepole pine stands resulting in selfperpetuating complex stands in the central interior. We compared and contrasted these findings with those obtained in “even-aged” lodgepole pine stands, also in the Interior Douglas-fir zone in the southern interior, which were investigated in an earlier study.

Key words: lodgepole pine, mountain pine beetle, dendroecology, complex stands, mixed-severity fire regime
Early seedling response to group selection harvesting in a northern hardwood forest
Authors: Falk Karla J. , Elliott Ken A. , Burke Dawn M. , Nol Erica
Published: February 2014

We evaluated the immediate effects of group selection harvesting on the establishment of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) seedlings in maple-dominated hardwood stands of Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. Group selection gaps were compared to single-tree selection cutting and uncut reference stands pre-harvest and one growing season post-harvest using a before-after-control-impact (BACI) design. The percent cover of yellow birch seedlings increased significantly more in gaps than in single-tree selection and reference plots. Black cherry seedling cover increased significantly more in gaps than in reference plots, but increased at a similar rate in gaps and single-tree selection plots. Increased soil exposure and closer seed trees resulted in increased yellow birch recruitment when harvesting occurred in the late-summer-fall. These factors had little influence on yellow birch recruitment when harvesting occurred in the winter. The proportion of black cherry in the stand overstory had the greatest influence on black cherry recruitment; however, the uneven distribution of black cherry between stands may have precluded our ability to reliably test the influence of other factors. Concomitant increases in potential competitors such as wild red raspberry (Rubus strigosus Michx.) and sedges (Carex spp.) and the continued dominance of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) in gap openings may limit yellow birch and black cherry regeneration in successive growing seasons. While continued monitoring is required, our short-term results demonstrate that fall harvesting with group selection is effective at stimulating natural regeneration of yellow birch and black cherry.

Key words: yellow birch, black cherry, seedling recruitment, group selection, single-tree selection, mid-tolerant, shadeintolerant
Collaboration entre Autochtones et autres acteurs forestiers du Québec : portrait d’une diversité de pratiques et de modèles
Authors: Wyatt Stephen , Fortier Jean-François , Hébert Martin
Published: February 2014

Collaboration has now become a central element of relations between First Nations and other forest sector actors (notably the forest industry and governments). This article provides an overview of the extent of collaborative experience in Quebec. Our analysis is based on a diversity of information (scientific studies, a census of collaborative arrangements in 41 Aboriginal communities) compiled from a range of academic, governmental, industrial and independent sources. A workshop was also organised with Aboriginal managers responsible for forestry activities within their communities. This study indicates that Aboriginal groups and the forest industry in Quebec have established an wide variety of ways to collaborate, which we have organised into five general approaches : agreements to determine management responsibilities; mapping, planning and management activities ; consultation and certification ; forest tenures ; and economic partnerships and contractual relations. Our results show that nearly two-thirds of communities are engaged in at least three different approaches. This suggests that government policies should seek to encourage a diversity of collaborative arrangements, rather than promoting a single solution to respond to the varying interests of both Aboriginal peoples and the industry. Comparing experiences on the ground with scientific studies also shows that some practices, such as economic partnerships, have attracted little interest from researchers. Furthermore, university research has concentrated on the experience of the Cree, the Algonquins and the Innu. We consider that other groups, who also have long histories of relations with forest sector actors, are also deserving of greater study. Finally, we consider the impacts of several policy initiatives in Québec, including the current revision of the forestry regime.

Key words: Aboriginal forestry, consultation, partnerships, co-management, traditional knowledge, governance, collaboration, negotiation
Forest health and climate change: A British Columbia perspective
Authors: Woods Alex J. , Heppner Don , Kope Harry H. , Burleigh Jennifer , Maclauchlan Lorraine
Published: February 2014

BC’s forests have already faced two simultaneous, globally significant, epidemics linked to climate change; the Dothistroma needle blight epidemic in NW BC and the massive mountain pine beetle epidemic throughout the BC Interior. Building on these experiences, we have compiled our best estimates of how we believe other forest health agents may behave as climate change continues to influence our forests. We have drawn on literature from around the world but have focused on the situation in BC. We have made management recommendations based on what we have seen so far and what we expect to come.Key words: climate change, forest health, forest insects, forest pathogens, forest management, British Columbia
Early development of planted spruce and pine after scarification, fertilization and herbicide treatments in New Brunswick
Authors: Burgess Darwin , Adams Greg , Needham Ted , Robinson Craig , Gagnon Rolland
Published: February 2014

Scarification, fertilization and herbicide responses were investigated within nine years of planting black, Norway and white spruce, and jack pine seedlings in a clearcut in a mixedwood forest in New Brunswick, Canada. The study was designed as a complete, randomized block split-plot design with three replicates. Tree survival overall was 84%. Only jack pine survival improved significantly, with silvicultural treatment increasing from 51% to 78% with operational and to 82% with intensive herbicide applications, and to 84% after scarification alone. As expected, jack pine had greater early growth than spruce. Herbicide reduced competition and dramatically increased early growth of all four tree species, and scarification generally interacted with herbicide to further increase growth. Mean height at age nine increased with silvicultural treatments from 1.6 m to 4.0 m for jack pine, 1.2 m to 2.8 m for black spruce and 0.8 m to 2.2 m for Norway and white spruce. Foliar NPK nutrient concentrations generally increased after fertilization and herbicide applications, as did soil NPK availability when examined using ion exchange resins. Major plant competitors were trembling and largetooth aspen, red maple, beaked hazel and white birch. Higher competition after treatment at the New Brunswick site under more operational conditions was a key factor in lowering its tree productivity compared with a similar research study with much more aggressive competition control in northern Ontario involving both jack pine and black spruce.Key words: vegetation management, early plantation performance, seedling growth and nutrient uptake, Pinus banksiana, Picea mariana, Picea glauca, Picea abies, intensive silviculture
Forest certification audit results as potential changes in forest management in Canada
Authors: Masters Megan , Tikina Anna , Larson Bruce
Published: February 2014

An analysis of CSA, FSC, and SFI audit conditions was conducted identifying areas requiring operational changes to obtain certification. Audit reports for each standard differed in both number and focus of requirements. The FSC audits required more changes in environmental, social and economic themes, while CSA and SFI audit reports emphasized changes in management systems and aquatic ecosystems management. Although not a guarantee of changes in operations and management, the audit conditions point towards areas where forest certification can potentially have impacts on forest management.Key words: forest certification, standards, audit conditions, forest management
Understanding the social bases of satisfaction with public participation in forest management decision-making in British Columbia
Authors: Tindall D B , Harshaw H W , Sheppard S R.J.
Published: February 2014

This study draws upon the results of a survey of the general public in three communities in British Columbia to examinethe social bases of satisfaction with public participation in forest management decision-making at both the local andprovincial levels. The main findings are that those members of the general public who are relatively more biocentricallyoriented (as indicated by the NEP Scale) are less satisfied, and those who have acquaintanceship ties to people employedin the forestry sector are more satisfied. Women and those with more education were less satisfied (at the provincial level),and Vancouver residents were more satisfied (compared to Kelowna and Armstrong residents). Overall, satisfaction withpublic participation in forest management decision-making was relatively low. It was, however, slightly higher at the locallevel than at the provincial scale. Policy and research implications of this study are discussed.Key words: social networks, public participation, gender, New Ecological Paradigm, satisfaction with forest management,and sustainable forest management
A culturally appropriate approach to civic engagement: Addressing forestry and cumulative social impacts in southwest Yukon
Authors: Christensen Lisa , Krogman Naomi , Parlee Brenda
Published: February 2014

This article reports on an experimental civic engagement approach to link community observed cumulative effects ofnumerous local events and periods of resource development to indicators for sustainable forest and land management forthe future. We describe a process where the interview findings with 28 key aboriginal and non-aboriginal informants inthe Champagne Aishihik First Nations’ (CAFN) Traditional Territory were summarized into key themes by researchersin a community workshop to elicit a selection of social indicators for future cumulative effects assessments. Theseresponses were visions for the future based on a great deal of experiential learning that interviewees identified—part andparcel of any betterment to the community as new developments unfold. Themes such as “social healing” were furtherbroken into indicators such as “community support systems” and then further broken into local measures, such as “thepresence of, and access to, a youth centre, youth programs, and youth centres”. The local historical approach to cumulativeeffects assessment helps us not only understand more about forestry, but more about the broader connectionsbetween community members and leaders, forestry and other resource developments, and lessons people have learnedfrom the past and visions for the future.Key words: civic engagement, cumulative social impacts, social indicators, sustainable forest management, NorthernCanada
Assessing the effects of public participation processes from the point of view of participants: significance, achievements, and challenges
Authors: Martineau-Delisle Catherine , Nadeau Solange
Published: February 2014

Public participation practices are now common and recognized as a way of including a broader range of interests andsocial values in forest management. However, we know little about their real benefits. This article presents the results of astudy aimed at developing a deeper understanding of the diverse impacts of public participation and, in particular, of forest-related deliberative forums (i.e. committee types of processes). The study is based on an analysis of data collected from137 respondents–participants and coordinators–who have been involved in more than 120 forest-related public participationprocesses in the province of Quebec. The study examined the diversity of potential impacts of public participationprocesses, assessed the significance of the impacts, and evaluated the capacity of existing processes to achieve them.Overall, the study provides practical information to support the evaluation of public participation processes, a requirementthat is increasingly imposed on forest practitioners and decision-makers.Key words: forest governance, forestry, outputs/outcomes, impacts of citizen involvement/public participation processes,stakeholder consultation, advisory committees, evaluation, performance measurement, criteria and indicators, sustainableforest management, Canada, Quebec
Spatial analysis of response of trembling aspen patches to clearcutting in black spruce-dominated stands
Authors: Laquerre Simon , Harvey Brian D , Leduc Alain
Published: February 2014

While expansion of intolerant hardwoods, including trembling aspen, has been recognized as a problem by boreal forestmanagers in eastern Canada, the problem has mostly been associated with the boreal mixedwood and, with a few exceptions,the spatial aspects of the phenomenon have not been well documented in the scientific literature. The objective ofthis study is to evaluate how the density and size of aspen patches influence the change in density, size and persistence ofpatches following clearcutting of black spruce forests in the claybelt region of northwestern Quebec. To do this, we finelyinterpreted: 1) aerial photos taken between 1970 and 1979 of 12 mature black spruce-dominated stands containing varyingsizes and densities of aspen patches prior to being clearcut harvested and 2) aerial photos taken between 1992 and1995 of the 12 resulting clearcuts, 11 to 18 years after harvesting. Sketch maps of pre- and post-harvest aspen presencewere rasterized and changes in aspen patch size and cover were determined. As well, the probabilities of aspen colonizationwith increasing distance from pre-harvest patches were calculated for each site. Black spruce forests of the claybeltcontaining no aspen prior to harvesting are relatively resistant to aspen invasion. However, when forests do contain aspenpatches with cover values ≤25%, almost 60% of these patches increase to a higher density class. Aspen patches less than 2ha in area had about a 50% probability of disappearing following clearcutting whereas larger patches had about a 96%chance of persisting as a result of clearcutting. In the black spruce forest of the claybelt, thick organic layers appear to havea negative effect on aspen recruitment. Distances of regenerating aspen from pre-harvest patches suggest that recruitmentfrom seed is more important than previously thought.

Key words: encroachment, trembling aspen, clearcutting, black spruce, claybelt, aerial photography
Quantile Acoustic Vectors vs. MFCC Applied to Speaker Verification
Authors: Pedro Mayorga-Ortiz , Martín Olguín-Espinoza J. , Hugo González-Arriaga O. , Flores Nylsa , Luis Vizcarra-Corral
Published: February 2014

In this paper we describe speaker and command recognition related experiments, through quantile vectors and Gaussian Mixture Modelling (GMM). Over the past several years GMM and MFCC have become two of the dominant approaches for modelling speaker and speech recognition applications. However, memory and computational costs are important drawbacks, because autonomous systems suffer processing and power consumption constraints; thus, having a good trade-off between accuracy and computational requirements is mandatory. We decided to explore another approach (quantile vectors in several tasks) and a comparison with MFCC was made. Quantile acoustic vectors are proposed for speaker verification and command recognition tasks and the results showed very good recognition efficiency. This method offered a good trade-off between computation times, characteristics vector complexity and overall achieved efficiency.
How to Increase the Value of the Project Management Maturity Model as a Business-Oriented Framework
Authors: Nenni Maria Elena , Arnone Vincenzo , Boccardelli Paolo , Napolitano Iolanda
Published: February 2014

An organization's effectiveness partly depends on the success of its projects. With this in mind, many efforts have been spent in recent decades to enhance the project management culture, but results are still highly unsatisfactory. Project Management Maturity Models (PMMMs) are seen by both the academic and the industrial communities as a solid instrument to achieve this goal. The point at issue is that surveys and researches show PMMMs must be better linked to business and financial performance. The aim of this paper is to explore the scope for improvement to evolve PMMMs as business-oriented frameworks.
Adipose Stem Cells Used to Reconstruct 13 Cases With Cranio-Maxillofacial Hard-Tissue Defects
Authors: Sándor George K. , Numminen Jura , Wolff Jan , Thesleff Tuomo , Miettinen Aimo , Tuovinen Veikko J. , Mannerström Bettina , Patrikoski Mimmi , Seppänen Riitta , Miettinen Susanna , Rautiainen Markus , Öhman Juha
Published: February 2014

Although isolated reports of hard-tissue reconstruction in the cranio-maxillofacial skeleton exist, multipatient case series are lacking. This study aimed to review the experience with 13 consecutive cases of cranio-maxillofacial hard-tissue defects at four anatomically different sites, namely frontal sinus (3 cases), cranial bone (5 cases), mandible (3 cases), and nasal septum (2 cases). Autologous adipose tissue was harvested from the anterior abdominal wall, and adipose-derived stem cells were cultured, expanded, and then seeded onto resorbable scaffold materials for subsequent reimplantation into hard-tissue defects. The defects were reconstructed with either bioactive glass or β-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds seeded with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), and in some cases with the addition of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. Production and use of ASCs were done according to good manufacturing practice guidelines. Follow-up time ranged from 12 to 52 months. Successful integration of the construct to the surrounding skeleton was noted in 10 of the 13 cases. Two cranial defect cases in which nonrigid resorbable containment meshes were used sustained bone resorption to the point that they required the procedure to be redone. One septal perforation case failed outright at 1 year because of the postsurgical resumption of the patient's uncontrolled nasal picking habit.
Martin Luther et Francisco de Vitoria
Authors: Demelemestre Gaëlle
Published: February 2014

On attribue à la Réforme la paternité de notre intelligence libérale du pouvoir et de la société civile. La tradition théologique classique, maintenant la possibilité d’une médiation entre l’homme et Dieu, ne serait pas parvenue à dégager la sphère des activités proprement humaines à partir de laquelle la modernité a pris son essor. Nous nous proposons ici d’évaluer cette thèse en comparant la pensée de Luther à celle d’un de ses contemporains prenant explicitement le contre-pied de ses positions, Vitoria, sur trois points précis : leur intelligence de la relation homme-Dieu, la nature de l’action humaine et de la loi naturelle qui s’en déduit, et leur théorisation subséquente du pouvoir politique.
Potentia Dei, fecunditas entis
Authors: Tourpe Emmanuel
Published: February 2014

La voie traditionnelle de l’analogie de l’être s’accomplit en contexte post-heideggérien dans une analogie de la fécondité. Mais cette analogie de la fécondité a pour fondement une ontologie de la fécondité, qui suppose une reprise du questionnement thomiste sur la puissance de Dieu à la lumière des développements de Boehme et de l’idéalisme allemand. C’est en découvrant la positivité essentielle de la puissance féconde de Dieu que la métaphysique contemporaine peut se renouveler de manière décisive.
Development of educational software for beam loading analysis using pen-based user interfaces
Authors: Suh Yong S.
Published: February 2014

Most engineering software tools use typical menu-based user interfaces, and they may not be suitable for learning tools because the solution processes are hidden and students can only see the results. An educational tool for simple beam analyses is developed using a pen-based user interface with a computer so students can write and sketch by hand. The geometry of beam sections is sketched, and a shape matching technique is used to recognize the sketch. Various beam loads are added by sketching gestures or writing singularity functions. Students sketch the distributions of the loadings by sketching the graphs, and they are automatically checked and the system provides aids in grading the graphs. Students receive interactive graphical feedback for better learning experiences while they are working on solving the problems.
Design of a three-dimensional photonic crystal nanocavity based on a

-layered diamond structure
Authors: Tajiri Takeyoshi , Takahashi Shun , Tandaechanurat Aniwat , Iwamoto Satoshi , Arakawa Yasuhiko
Published: February 2014

We design a three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystal (PC) nanocavity based on a

-layered diamond structure. The designed structure, comprised of self-sustainable layers, is suitable for fabrication by layer stacking techniques. Quality factors (Q-factors) of nanocavities were calculated for the

-layered diamond and a commonly-used woodpile structures, both of which are generated from the same diamond lattice with a lattice constant a
diamond. The Q-factor of the designed nanocavity can reach as high as 230,000 with 35 stacked layers and a square in-plane PC area of the length of one side of

. This is 1.5 times higher than that of a 3D PC nanocavity based on the woodpile structure with the same in-plane PC size and with the same number of stacked layers. The higher Q-factor in the

-layered diamond structure originates from its stronger in-plane light confinement over the woodpile structure. The

-layered diamond structure will be beneficial for improving experimentally attainable Q-factors of 3D PC nanocavities particularly fabricated by a micromanipulation method.
Air-band optical resonators in one-dimensional Si photonic crystal waveguides for biosensing applications
Authors: Hirai Kakuro , Araki Takahiro , Cai Jingnan , Hayashi Katsuyoshi , Horiuchi Tsutomu , Iwasaki Yuzuru , Ueno Yuko , Tamechika Emi , Wada Kazumi , Ishikawa Yasuhiko
Published: February 2014

Optical cavities using air-band states in Si photonic crystals (PhCs) are proposed as biosensors. Since the light in the air band of PhCs is preferably located at the lower-index cladding rather than the inside of higher-index Si, interactions are enhanced between the light and the target molecules in the cladding, being effective for the sensitive detections. Such an air-band PhC is used as an optical cavity, which is surrounded with another PhC as the photonic-bandgap mirrors. Simulations are performed for air-band resonators in one-dimensional (1D) PhC of arrayed holes in a Si channel waveguide, in order to analyze a figure of sensing, i.e., red shifts in the resonance wavelengths induced by the presence of target molecules. The S value, the amount of red shift caused by the unit change in the cladding index, can be as large as 200 nm/RIU, which is 2 times larger than those for ordinary 1D-PhC resonators. Fabricated devices successfully show the resonance peaks, whose wavelengths and quality factors agree well with theoretical ones. These results suggest that the air-band resonators are promising for high-performance biosensors.
Phosphorus‐Containing Materials for Organic Electronics
Authors: Stolar Monika , Baumgartner Thomas
Published: February 2014

Phosphorus‐based materials have received widespread attention in recent years, in particular as possible candidates for practical application in organic electronics. The geometry and electronic nature of phosphorus make it a favorable heteroatom for property tuning in order to obtain better performing organic electronics. This Focus Review discusses recent structural modifications and syntheses of phosphorus‐based materials, illustrates property tuning at the same time, and highlights specific examples for device applications.
Intraspecific competition and light effect on reproduction of Ligularia virgaurea, an invasive native alpine grassland clonal herb
Authors: Xie Tian‐peng , Zhang Ge‐fei , Zhao Zhi‐gang , Du Guo‐zhen , He Gui‐yong
Published: February 2014

The relationship between sexual reproduction and clonal growth in clonal plants often shows up at the ramet level. However, only a few studies focus on the relationship at the genet level, which could finally account for evolution. The sexual reproduction and clonal growth of Ligularia virgaurea, a perennial herb widely distributed in the alpine grasslands of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau of China, were studied under different competition intensities and light conditions at the genet level through a potted experiment. The results showed that: (1) sexual reproduction did not depend on density or light, and increasing clonal growth with decreasing density and increasing light intensity indicated that intraspecific competition and light intensity may affect the clonal life history of L. virgaurea; (2) both sexual reproduction and clonal growth show a positive linear relationship with genet size under different densities and light conditions; (3) a threshold size is required for sexual reproduction and no evidence of a threshold size for clonal growth under different densities and light conditions; (4) light level affected the allocation of total biomass to clonal and sexual structures, with less allocation to clonal structures and more allocation to sexual structures in full sunlight than in shade; (5) light determined the onset of sexual reproduction, and the genets in the shade required a smaller threshold size for sexual reproduction to occur than the plants in full sunlight; and (6) no evidence was found of trade‐offs between clonal growth and sexual reproduction under different densities and light conditions at the genet level, and the positive correlation between two reproductive modes indicated that these are two integrated processes. Clonal growth in this species may be viewed as a growth strategy that tends to maximize genet fitness.
Synthesis of Indoles by Domino Reaction of 2‐(Tosylamino)benzyl Alcohols with Furfurylamines: Two Opposite Reactivity Modes of the α‐Carbon of the Furan Ring in One Process
Authors: Uchuskin Maxim G. , Molodtsova Natalia V. , Lysenko Sergey A. , Strel'nikov Vladimir N. , Trushkov Igor V. , Butin Alexander V.
Published: February 2014

An unusual domino reaction where the same furan α‐carbon atom reacts initially as a nucleophile and then as an electrophile is reported. In the presence of acid, N‐tosylfurfurylamines react with 2‐(tosylamino)benzyl alcohols to afford 2‐(2‐acylvinyl)indoles. The reaction proceeds by Friedel–Crafts alkylation at the C(2) atom of furan followed by acid‐catalyzed intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the ortho‐amino group onto the same carbon atom. The replacement of the tosylamino leaving group by phthalimide enables generation of a different type of indole yet allows the ambiphilic nature of C(2) to be retained. Both types of indoles were obtained when N‐furfurylbenzamides were employed.
Simultaneous Detection of Heavy Metals by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Using Carbon Nanotube Thread
Authors: Zhao Daoli , Guo Xuefei , Wang Tingting , Alvarez Noe , Shanov Vesselin N. , Heineman William R.
Published: February 2014

Carbon nanotube (CNT) threads are a type of CNT arrays that consist of super long CNTs. CNT threads inherit the advantages of CNTs, while avoiding the potential toxicity caused by individual CNTs. Electrodes based on CNT threads were fabricated and used for simultaneous detection of trace levels of Cu2+, Pb2+ Cd2+ and Zn2+ by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The detection limits are 0.27 nM, 1.5 nM, 1.9 nM and 1.4 nM for Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+, respectively, in 0.1 M acetate buffer pH 4.5. The CNT thread electrode gives well‐defined, reproducible and sharp stripping signals for individual and simultaneous detection of heavy metals.