bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital response to a new case-based payment system in China: the patient selection effect
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Tang Shenglan , Wang Ruixin , Qian Mengcen , Ying Xiaohua , Maciejewski Matthew L
Published: April 2024

Providers have intended and unintended responses to payment reforms, such as China’s new case-based payment system, i.e. Diagnosis-Intervention Packet (DIP) under global budget, that classified patients based on the combination of principal diagnosis and procedures. Our study explores the impact of DIP payment reform on hospital selection of patients undergoing total hip/knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) or with arteriosclerotic heart disease (AHD) from July 2017 to June 2021 in a large city. We used a difference-in-differences approach to compare the changes in patient age, severity reflected by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and a measure of treatment intensity [relative weight (RW)] in hospitals that were and were not subject to DIP incentives before and after the DIP payment reform in July 2019. Compared with non-DIP pilot hospitals, trends in patient age after the DIP reform were similar for DIP and non-DIP hospitals for both conditions, while differences in patient severity grew because severity in DIP hospitals increased more for THA/TKA (P = 0.036) or dropped in non-DIP hospitals for AHD (P = 0.011) following DIP reform. Treatment intensity (measured via RWs) for AHD patients in DIP hospitals increased 5.5% (P = 0.015) more than in non-DIP hospitals after payment reform, but treatment intensity trends were similar for THA/TKA patients in DIP and non-DIP hospitals. When the DIP payment reform in China was introduced just prior to the pandemic, hospitals subject to this reform responded by admitting sicker patients and providing more treatment intensity to their AHD patients. Policymakers need to balance between cost containment and the unintended consequences of prospective payment systems, and the DIP payment could also be a new alternative payment system for other countries.
Intestinal Stromal Cells in the Turmoil of Inflammation and Defective Connective Tissue Remodeling in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Drygiannakis Ioannis , Kolios George , Filidou Eirini , Bamias Giorgos , Valatas Vassilis
Published: April 2024

In steady state, intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts form a thin layer below the basement membrane. Unlike the rest of the stromal cells in the lamina propria, they express tensile proteins, guide epithelial regeneration, and sense luminal microbiota. Upon inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), they express activation markers, accept trophic signaling by infiltrating neutrophils and macrophages, and are activated by cytokines from helper T cells to produce a narrow spectrum of cytokines and a wider spectrum of chemokines, attract cells of innate and adaptive immunity, orchestrate inflammatory responses, and qualitatively and quantitatively modify the extracellular matrix. Thus, beyond being structural tissue components, they assume active roles in the pathogenesis of complicated IBD. Discrimination between myofibroblasts and fibroblasts may be an oversimplification in light of single-cell sequencing data unveiling the complexity of multiple phenotypes of stromal cells with distinct roles and plasticity. Spatial transcriptomics revealed distinct phenotypes by histologic localization and, more intriguingly, the assembly of mucosal neighborhoods that support spatially distinct functions. Current IBD treatments target inflammation but fail in fibrostenotic or fistulizing disease. Baseline and recent findings on stromal cells, molecules, and pathways involved in disrupted extracellular matrix homeostasis are reviewed to provide relevant pharmacologic targets.
Integration of persistence in the 5P-medicine approach for age-related chronic diseases
Authors: Borrás-Blasco Joaquín , Ramírez-Herráiz Esther , Navarro-Ruiz Andrés
Published: April 2024

5P medicine is defined as Personalized, Predictive, Preventive, Participatory, and Population-based. 5P medicine may be improved by including a factor that could provide information about the therapeutic value of a particular drug treatment and measure its effectiveness in clinical practice. We propose that this factor may be treatment persistence, and that its addition to 5P medicine would allow to define a new improved 6P medicine. Persistence is the length of time between initiation and the last dose, which immediately precedes discontinuation, that is, a definitive suspension of the treatment. By including this sixth P, the persistence, we would be able to present the value of a treatment for each individual patient with its own characteristics, state of the disease, with more than one age-related diseases and patient journey. Persistence is a concept of the value of a treatment that includes the three main stakeholders of the pharmacotherapeutic process: Patient, Physician, and Pharmacist. Persistence is becoming a useful measure to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of therapies in real-world setting in chronic diseases. Drug treatments with longer persistence are more likely to provide better disease control and to be amenable to dose adjustment in order to optimize treatment cost in age-related chronic diseases. Long-term persistence could be a measure of a drug´s real-world performance and has been shown to aid in clinical decision-making.
Ten-year results of an international external quality control programme for measurement of anti-tuberculosis drug concentrations
Authors: Stemkens Ralf , Mouhdad Chaima , Franssen Eric J F , Touw Daniel , Alffenaar Jan-Willem , Te Brake Lindsey H M , Sturkenboom Marieke G G , Aarnoutse Rob E
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Participation in an external (interlaboratory) quality control (QC) programme is an essential part of quality assurance as it provides laboratories with valuable insights into their analytical performance. We describe the 10 year results of an international QC programme for the measurement of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs.

Methods

Each year, two rounds were organized in which serum (or plasma) samples, spiked with known concentrations of anti-TB drugs, were provided to participating laboratories for analysis. Reported measurements within 80%–120% of weighed-in concentrations were considered accurate. Mixed model linear regression was performed to assess the effect of the measured drug, concentration level, analytical technique and performing laboratory on the absolute inaccuracy.

Results

By 2022, 31 laboratories had participated in the QC programme and 13 anti-TB drugs and metabolites were included. In total 1407 measurements were reported. First-line TB drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) represented 58% of all measurements. Overall, 83.2% of 1407 measurements were accurate, and the median absolute inaccuracy was 7.3% (IQR, 3.3%–15.1%). The absolute inaccuracy was related to the measured anti-TB drug and to the performing laboratory, but not to the concentration level or to the analytical technique used. The median absolute inaccuracies of rifampicin and isoniazid were relatively high (10.2% and 10.9%, respectively).

Conclusions

The 10 year results of this external QC programme illustrate the need for continuous external QC for the measurement of anti-TB drugs for research and patient care purposes, because one in six measurements was inaccurate. Participation in the programme alerts laboratories to previously undetected analytical problems.
MiR-144-5p and miR-21-5p do not drive bone disease in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Daamouch Souad , Blüher Matthias , Vázquez David Carro , Hackl Matthias , Hofbauer Lorenz C , Rauner Martina
Published: April 2024

The increased risk of fractures in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is nowadays well recognized. However, the exact mechanism of action of diabetic bone disease has not been fully elucidated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are gene regulators that operate post-transcriptionally and have been implicated in the development of various metabolic disorders including T1DM. Previous studies have implicated a role for miR-144-5p and miR-21-5p, which are involved in controlling oxidative stress by targeting Nrf2, in T1DM. To date, it is unclear whether miR-144-5p and miR-21-5p affect bone health in T1DM. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the influence of miR-144-5p and miR-21-5p knockdown in the development of bone disease in T1DM male mice. Therefore, T1DM was induced in 10-wk-old male mice using streptozotocin (STZ). One week later, after development of hyperglycemia, antagomir-144-5p and antagomir-21-5p or their non-targeting control were administered at 10 mg/kg BW once a week until the end of the experiment. At 14 wk of age, glucose levels, bone, and fat mass were analyzed. The results revealed that treating T1DM male mice with antagomir-144-5p and antagomir-21-5p did not protect against diabetes development or bone loss, despite the successful downregulation of the miRNAs and the normalization of Nrf2 mRNA levels in bone tissue. Histological and serological parameters of bone formation or resorption were not altered by the antagomir treatment. Finally, we measured the expression of miRNA-144-5p or miRNA-21-5p in the serum of 30 individuals with T1DM and compared them to non-diabetic controls, but did not find an altered expression of either miRNA. In conclusion, the knockdown of miR-144-5p and miR-21-5p does not affect STZ-induced diabetes development or loss of bone mass in male mice. However, it does normalize expression of the anti-oxidant factor Nrf2 in diabetic bone tissue.
Regulating Heat Networks: An Appraisal of the Energy Act 2023
Authors: Caine Catherine Ann
Published: April 2024

Heat networks have the potential to deliver up to 20% of heat to homes in the UK by 2050 and are able to deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions contributing substantially to the UK’s 2050 net zero target. However, for many years the sector has been unregulated which means that some consumers of heat networks have been paying high prices for heating systems which may have been poorly constructed and which they do not understand. This analysis identifies three key problems that have arisen from a lack of regulation in the sector: higher prices for consumers, a lack of transparency and understanding of heat networks, and design and build problems, which have all served as barriers to realising low carbon heating in the UK. The recently enacted Energy Act 2023 will be analysed to determine the extent to which it will resolve these problems.
How Election Rules Affect Who Wins
Authors: Grimmer Justin , Hersh Eitan
Published: April 2024

Contemporary election reforms that are purported to increase or decrease turnout tend to have negligible effects on election outcomes. We offer an analytical framework to explain why. Contrary to heated political rhetoric, election policies have small effects on outcomes because they tend to target small shares of the electorate, have a small effect on turnout, and/or affect voters who are relatively balanced in their partisanship. After developing this framework, we address how the findings bear on minority voting rights. We then show that countermobilization from political parties cannot explain the small effects of election laws. We explain that even when a state passes multiple policies at the same time, the reforms will still only have a marginal effect on turnout and an ambiguous effect on who wins. Finally, we explain what policies should raise alarm about affecting outcomes.
Effects of a Forest Health Thinning Program on Land and Timber Values in Eastern Oregon
Authors: Adams Darius M. , Latta Gregory S.
Published: April 2024

The Healthy Forests Restoration Act authorizes programs of thinning on public forest lands to reduce fire hazard and improve the vigor of residual stands. These programs could generate significant volumes of merchantable sawtimber, potentially altering supply-demand conditions in local sawtimber markets and the values of private timberland. We examine the effects of two hypothetical programs on timberland prices in eastern Oregon using a model of the region's market. We find both reductions and increases in the values of various types of private timberland due to changes in the output of the region's industry, the timing of private harvests, and long-term sawtimber prices. Thinning programs in other western regions with comparable conditions of private inventory and a declining sawtimber processing industry could produce similar changes.
Forest Service Nurseries: 100 Years of Ecosystem Restoration
Authors: Dumroese R. Kasten , Landis Thomas D. , Barnett James P. , Burch Frank
Published: April 2024

The USDA Forest Service broke ground on its first nursery in 1902 and since then its nurseries have adapted to many changes in scope and direction: from fire restoration to conservation, to reforestation, and back to restoration. In addition to providing a reliable source of native plant material, they have also been a source of research and technology transfer in seedling production and quality. Today, Forest Service nurseries face difficult times due to sharp declines in reforestation seedling orders, but strive to respond to increased demand for a wide variety of native plants for ecosystem restoration.
Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Annual Inventory Answers the Question: What Is Happening to Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands?
Authors: Shaw John D. , Steed Brytten E. , DeBlander Larry T.
Published: April 2024

Widespread mortality in the pinyon-juniper forest type is associated with several years of drought in the southwestern United States. A complex of drought, insects, and disease is responsible for pinyon mortality rates approaching 100% in some areas, while other areas have experienced little or no mortality. Implementation of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annual inventory in several states coincided with the onset of elevated mortality rates. Adjunct inventories provided supplemental data on damaging agents. Preliminary analysis reveals the status and trends of mortality in pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR): An Emerging Tool for Multiple Resource Inventory
Authors: Reutebuch Stephen E. , Andersen Hans-Erik , McGaughey Robert J.
Published: April 2024

Airborne laser scanning of forests has been shown to provide accurate terrain models and, at the same time, estimates of multiple resource inventory variables through active sensing of three-dimensional (3D) forest vegetation. Brief overviews of airborne laser scanning technology [often referred to as “light detection and ranging” (LIDAR)] and research findings on its use in forest measurement and monitoring are presented. Currently, many airborne laser scanning missions are flown with specifications designed for terrain mapping, often resulting in data sets that do not contain key information needed for vegetation measurement. Therefore, standards and specifications for airborne laser scanning missions are needed to insure their usefulness for vegetation measurement and monitoring, rather than simply terrain mapping (e.g., delivery of all return data with reflection intensity). Five simple, easily understood LIDAR-derived forest data products are identified that would help insure that forestry needs are considered when multiresource LIDAR missions are flown. Once standards are developed, there is an opportunity to maximize the value of permanent ground plot remeasurements by also collecting airborne laser data over a limited number of plots each year.
The Increasing Influence of Urban Environments on US Forest Management
Authors: Nowak David J. , Walton Jeffrey T. , Dwyer John F. , Kaya Latif G. , Myeong Soojeong
Published: April 2024

The expansion of urban land promises to have an increasingly significant influence on US forest management in the coming decades. Percent of the coterminous United States classified as urban increased from 2.5% in 1990 to 3.1% in 2000, an area about the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Patterns of urban expansion reveal that increased growth rates are likely in the future. The most urbanized regions of the United States are the Northeast (9.7%) and the Southeast (7.5%), with these regions also exhibiting the greatest increase in percent urban land between 1990 and 2000. Forests near urban communities face a special set of challenges that will only intensify as these communities grow in area, population, and complexity.
Harvesting Where the People Are: Aesthetic Preferences for Logging-in-Progress
Authors: Eckley Michael , Egan Andrew
Published: April 2024

As forested areas become more populated, the aesthetic values associated with logging-in-progress are increasingly driving public reaction to and concern about timber harvesting. Using a video-based survey, this research assessed the public's visual and aural preferences for five ground-based timber harvest yarding methods—a forwarder, rubber-tired cable skidder, bulldozer, farm tractor, and workhorse—based on a battery of attributes and situations. In addition, this study investigated the relationships between several possible explanatory variables—respondents' gender, knowledge of timber harvesting, and place of residence—and their preferences for the logging methods studied. Survey respondents preferred the horse and farm tractor methods for their visual, aural, and forest disturbance effects, whereas the forwarder method ranked highest for efficiency. The horse and tractor methods also were preferred for logging in residential areas. In several cases, survey respondents' gender and knowledge of timber harvesting were associated with their preferences for the logging methods studied.
Municipal Forest Benefits and Costs in Five US Cities
Authors: McPherson Greg , Simpson James R. , Peper Paula J. , Maco Scott E. , Xiao Qingfu
Published: April 2024

Increasingly, city trees are viewed as a best management practice to control stormwater, an urban-heat–island mitigation measure for cleaner air, a CO2-reduction option to offset emissions, and an alternative to costly new electric power plants. Measuring benefits that accrue from the community forest is the first step to altering forest structure in ways that will enhance future benefits. This article describes the structure, function, and value of street and park tree populations in Fort Collins, Colorado; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Bismarck, North Dakota; Berkeley, California; and Glendale, Arizona. Although these cities spent $13–65 annually per tree, benefits ranged from $31 to $89 per tree. For every dollar invested in management, benefits returned annually ranged from $1.37 to $3.09. Strategies each city can take to increase net benefits are presented.
Dogwood Anthracnose in Eastern Hardwood Forests: What Is Known and What Can Be Done?
Authors: Holzmueller Eric , Jose Shibu , Jenkins Michael , Camp Ann , Long Alan
Published: April 2024

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.), one of the most common understory tree species in eastern North America, currently is threatened throughout its native range by a fungus that causes dogwood anthracnose. This aggressive disease rapidly kills dogwood trees and mortality hasexceeded 90% in some forest types. The health and ecological integrity of forest ecosystems throughout the eastern United States are threatened by the rapid decline of dogwood populations. The severity and rate of infection are reported to vary with several environmental factors. Within individualstands, disease severity increases with decreased light availability and increased moisture. Management techniques to control anthracnose have received little attention; however, recent findings suggest that prescribed burning may offer an effective management tool for controlling anthracnose.
Building and Maintaining Successful Relationships between Reservation and University Programs: Summer School Experiences on the White Earth Reservation
Authors: Blinn Charles R. , Zak Deborah M. , Vogt Mitchell
Published: April 2024

Building and maintaining successful relationships between Indian reservations and University faculty create opportunities to improve educational outcomes for American Indian students and increase the diversity of young people who consider attending college. The University of Minnesota and the White Earth Reservation developed an ongoing, outdoor-based summer school program on the Reservation, which has been successful in a number of ways. Factors to consider in the development and maintenance of such a cross-cultural program are presented.
The Use of Arthropods as Indicators of Ecosystem Integrity in Forest Management
Authors: Maleque M. Abdul , Ishii Hiroaki T. , Maeto Kaoru
Published: April 2024

Arthropods play vital roles in various ecosystem functions and respond acutely to habitat manipulation. Diversity and community dynamics of arthropods are strongly correlated with ecosystem functioning. Arthropod community structure reflects habitat heterogeneity, as well as development and recovery of forest ecosystems after natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Arthropod community structure also reflects the degree of fragmentation and isolation of forest ecosystems on the landscape. Arthropods are good indicators of the overall biodiversity and ecosystem integrity of forests and can be used for evaluating and designing sound ecosystem management plans.
Timber-Processing Capacity and Capabilities in the Western United States
Authors: Keegan Charles E. , Morgan Todd A. , Gebert Krista M. , Brandt Jason P. , Blatner Keith A. , Spoelma Timothy P.
Published: April 2024

This examination of milling capacity and timber use in the western United States summarizes changes in the region’s wood products industry and its ability to use trees of various sizes. Between 1986 and 2003, total timber-processing capacity in the West (excluding pulpwood and fuelwood) declined from 5.0 to 3.2 billion cubic feet annually, and capacity utilization decreased from 3.6 to 2.5 billion cubic feet. During 2003, 2.2 billion cubic feet of timber processed in the West was from trees ≥10-in. dbh, and 2.5 billion cubic feet (80%) of capacity was not capable of efficiently processing trees <10-in. dbh. Geographic distribution of existing capacity and small-tree capabilities is critical to forest management activities throughout the West.
Performance Comparison of a Low-Cost Mapping Grade Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Receiver and Consumer Grade GPS Receiver under Dense Forest Canopy
Authors: Wing Michael G. , Eklund Aaron
Published: April 2024

We compared the measurement accuracy and reliability of a low-cost mapping grade global positioning systems (GPS) receiver to a consumer grade GPS receiver while operating under a very dense forest canopy. The mapping grade GPS receiver collected both autonomous (uncorrected) GPS measurements and measurements that were differentially corrected in real time through the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Although we found average measurement accuracies of 7.2 m for uncorrected data and 7.8 m for differentially corrected data for the mapping grade GPS, these differences were not statistically significant. The overall average positional error for the consumer grade GPS was larger (8.9 m) than that of the mapping grade GPS but the consumer grade GPS collected data more efficiently and, for about half of all points collected, with smaller measurement errors.
Conifer Regeneration after Forest Fire in the Klamath-Siskiyous: How Much, How Soon?
Authors: Shatford J.P.A. , Hibbs D.E. , Puettmann K.J.
Published: April 2024

The increasing frequency and extent of forest fires in the western United States has raised concerns over postfire management actions on publicly owned forests. Information on ecosystem recovery after disturbance is lacking and has led to heated debate and speculation regarding thereturn of forest vegetation after disturbance and the need for management actions. One critical question emerges, will these ecosystems recover on their own, and if so, over what time frame? We report on one aspect of recovery, the spatial and temporal variation of natural conifer regenerationevident 9–19 years after forest fires in California and Oregon. In contrast to expectations, generally, we found natural conifer regeneration abundant across a variety of settings. Management plans can benefit greatly from using natural conifer regeneration but managers must face thechallenge of long regeneration periods and be able to accommodate high levels of variation across the landscape of a fire.
Simulating Nontimber Forest Product Management in Tropical Mixed Forests
Authors: Ribeiro do Valle Denis , Staudhammer Christina L. , Cropper Wendell P.
Published: April 2024

Models of tropical mixed forests for simulation of multiple-use forest management are of importance because of the significance of both timber and nontimber forest products (NTFP) to large numbers of rural poor. Models capable of accurately simulating multiple-use forest management and their impacts could be used to address questions such as, how much of a given NTFPs can be extracted before jeopardizing production of other products, and how should NTFPs be extracted or silvicultural treatments applied to increase timber and NTFP production? Based on a literature review, we observed that (1) there is practically no integration between studies that focus on timber and those of NTFPs and (2) in most cases, the limitations of common NTFP modeling approaches are rarely acknowledged. We identify key processes that require empirical data collection and suggest modifications to models to better represent multiple-use forest management.
Assessment of Pre- and Post-Katrina Fuel Conditions as a Component of Fire Potential Modeling for Southern Mississippi
Authors: Cooke William H. , Grala Katarzyna , Evans David , Collins Curtis
Published: April 2024

Geographic information system models that assess fire hazard in southern Mississippi were developed in response to damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Long time series of Landsat imagery, pre- and post-Katrina satellite imagery, and aerial imagery were integrated in a rapid-response sampling design to assess changes in fire hazard. The study assesses pre- and post-Katrina fuels as one component of fire potential models. Determining how these changes affect fire hazard is important for natural disaster response and recovery efforts. The analysis resulted in spatial depictions and summary statistics of fire hazard. Overall accuracy of the remotely sensed damage assessment was 72%. Because of the hurricane, areas of very low hazard decreased from 19 to 3%, whereas areas of very high hazard increased from 3 to 13%. These results were validated with actual fire occurrence data and indicate that increased numbers of fire suppression personnel may be needed for coming fire seasons in the region.
Postfire Communications: The Influence of Site Visits on Local Support
Authors: Toman Eric L. , Shindler Bruce , Absher Jim , McCaffrey Sarah
Published: April 2024

The prevalence of large wildfires has increased in recent years. In many cases, agency personnel have little prior experience to draw from to organize their postfire response to uncharacteristically large events. However, local residents look to resource managers to provide the necessary leadership to work through these difficult decisions. In particular, methods to create meaningful discussion of management priorities with local citizens are essential. This article reports results from a telephone survey of participants in a US Forest Service–led tour after the Booth and Bear Butte Complex Fires in central Oregon. Findings indicate that the tour provided local residents with useful information and contributed to improved understanding of potential actions. Participants also expressed a high level of support for active management to restore forest conditions. The most striking outcome was the substantial goodwill generated by the tour among participants. Responses showed a high level of appreciation for and improved confidence in local US Forest Service personnel.
Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Planted Coniferous Forests: An Israeli Definition
Authors: Osem Yagil , Ginsberg Paul , Tauber Israel , Atzmon Nir , Perevolotsky Avi
Published: April 2024

The definition of sustainable forest management (SFM) in Israel is unique, because the majority of its forests are constructed and the availability of natural or historical forest references to serve as benchmarks is very limited. The aim of this article is to propose a definition and a suitable framework for the sustainable management of Mediterranean planted coniferous forests (MPCF) in Israel. We consider the unique historical and ecological characteristics of the MPCF and discuss their implications for SFM. We propose a list of indicators specifically designed to suit the MPCF and a framework for evaluating sustainability according to forest objectives. We discuss the possibility of adopting a more extensive management scheme based on natural processes of regeneration and succession. Our approach, which is based on the definition of forest objectives, on one hand, and the understanding of the local ecological and socioeconomical conditions, on the other hand, may be appropriate for SFM in other constructed forests throughout the world.
Investor Responses to Timberlands Structured as Real Estate Investment Trusts
Authors: Mendell Brooks C. , Mishra Neena , Sydor Tymur
Published: April 2024

This project uses event study methodology to analyze equity market responses to four announcements of forest industry firms converting their corporate structures from traditional C-corporations to real estate investment trusts (REIT). These announcements were Plum Creek in 1998, Rayonier in 2003, Potlatch in 2005, and Longview Fiber in 2005. All four announcements were associated with significant abnormal increases in the stock prices of the four firms on the day before, day of, or day after each firm's announced REIT conversion. Results indicate investor preference for holding industrial timberlands within an REIT rather than traditional C-corporation structure.
Reforestation after the Fountain Fire in Northern California: An Untold Success Story
Authors: Zhang Jianwei , Webster Jeff , Powers Robert F. , Mills John
Published: April 2024

Forest fires have been burning “hot” across the United States and particularly in the West in recent years. So, too, will the debate on postfire management strategies. In this article, we present a successful reforestation project after a catastrophic fire in 1992. Sixteen years later, most lands are covered with vigorous young forest stands. These regenerated stands have sequestered a large amount of atmospheric carbon, although still not to the level of previous stands. Furthermore, these managed stands will provide wood to consumers and support the local economy in the future. In contrast, adjacent lands without reforestation are fully occupied with shrubs and a few hardwood tree species, going through a long process of natural succession. We conclude that in this particular case active reforestation is the most effective method to quickly restore forest cover.
Sugar Maple Decline after Defoliation by Forest Tent Caterpillar
Authors: Wood Dustin M. , Yanai Ruth D. , Allen Douglas C. , Wilmot Sandra H.
Published: April 2024

Defoliation is a significant stressor of forest stands that may incite decline disease of sugar maple ( Acer saccharum: Marsh). The recent outbreak (2002-2007) of forest tent caterpillar (FTC; Malacosoma disstria: Hübner) in the northeastern United States offered the opportunity to assess the effects of defoliation and site conditions on sugar maple health. We measured 51 North American Maple Project stands in New York and Vermont in the summer of 2007. Dieback (P = 0.07) and mortality (P = 0.04) were both worse in stands defoliated by FTC. Low growing-season soil moisture during the outbreak, indicated by Palmer's Z-index; cool mean temperature during the outbreak; and concave microrelief were also important predictors of forest damage. We present the results of our multiple regression equations for stand dieback (R2 = 0.71) and mortality (R2 = 0.64) in tables that can be used by forest managers to evaluate the vulnerability of their sugar maple stands to decline after defoliation by FTC.
German Impact and Influences on American Forestry until World War II
Authors: Schmidt Uwe E.
Published: April 2024

Natural resources of North America ensured the existence of German immigrants in the late 17th century. In Pennsylvania and North Carolina, measures for forest protection and sustainable forestry were invoked at an early date. Efforts were based on inventory of the resources and controlled use. During the 18th and 19th centuries, German emigration was boosted by the scarcity of wood. Proto-industry in Germany strongly depended on wood and coal resources, causing negative effects in the forest and environment. Increasing population and developing industrialization devastated the forests. International scientific contact in forestry started during the American Revolutionary War. German influence on American forestry began in 1873, when the Austro-Hungarian government hosted an international exhibition in Vienna. German forest scientists and politicians focused on sustainable forestry and initiated a fundamental forest education system in the United States. An intensive German–American exchange on a professional basis took place until the beginning of World War II. The acquired historical knowledge on this subject demonstrates that German and North American environmental perception had interacted considerably.
Assessment of Geospatial Technologies for Natural Resource Management in Florida
Authors: Selvarajan Sowmya , Mohamed Ahmed , White Timothy , Boodram Natalie
Published: April 2024

At a time when growing populations are taxing the earth's resources as never before, natural resource managers and users are discovering the power of geospatial technologies. These evolving technologies, once expensive and exclusive to domains of researchers and scientists, are now the choice of local, state, and national resource managers around the globe. This research presents the results of a preliminary survey of benefits and limitations of geospatial technologies for natural resources applications in the state of Florida. The survey was sent to users and producers of relevant geospatial technologies applicable to natural resource management. Results from 134 respondents show that 98% of the organizations surveyed still conduct field surveys for data collection, monitoring, and inventories, while 88% of those organizations develop maps to summarize and visualize their data. Approximately 87% of the surveyed organizations use one or many types of geospatial technologies to collect, visualize, integrate, or interpret their information about natural resources with the most common technologies being aerial imagery, geographic information systems, and global positioning systems, followed by topographic maps and satellite imagery. However, there were also some available technologies in which their capabilities were little known or appreciated by these organizations such as terrestrial light detection and ranging and integrated mapping technology. These results will serve as a source of information regarding how geospatial technologies are used in Florida and their current real or perceived limitations. The study is also important for educational institutions and producers to provide appropriate training for basic technologies and to encourage users to integrate the latest and cost-effective geospatial technologies efficiently.
The Changing Social Landscape in the Midwest: A Boon for Forestry and Bust for Oak?
Authors: Knoot Tricia G. , Schulte Lisa A. , Grudens-Schuck Nancy , Rickenbach Mark
Published: April 2024

Recent forest surveys report poor oak regeneration on the privately held forestlands of the Midwest. Data from in-depth interviews with natural resource professionals from the region suggested that changing ownership patterns, increasing property values, widespread forest parcelization, and exurban residential development, both directly and indirectly, limit the likelihood of oak regeneration. Foremost, interviewees noted that typical practices used to regenerate oak, such as clearcutting, were often viewed by landowners as incompatible with expectations of how forestland should be experienced under their care. Such constraints may be countered by the observation that new family forest owners are more economically able to engage in sustainable forestry practices and are highly motivated to manage their forests when compared with owners of the past. Interviewees provided a multifaceted portrait of new opportunities for engaging private landowners in sustainable forest management but posed a questionable future for oak.
Urban Forestry Research Needs: A Participatory Assessment Process
Authors: Wolf Kathleen L. , Kruger Linda E.
Published: April 2024

New research initiatives focusing on urban ecology and natural resources are underway. Such programs coincide with increased local government action in urban forest planning and management, activities that are enhanced by scientific knowledge. This project used a participatory stakeholder process to explore and understand urban forestry research and technology transfer needs in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The approach can be readily used for any geographic region or metropolitan area. A two-phase, abbreviated Delphi process was conducted, inviting input from urban forestry professionals, academics, and agency-based managers. Research issues were identified and prioritized within three themes: urban forest resource, resource management, and community framework. The results serve as a stakeholder relevant research framework to guide science proposals for funding initiatives at regional and national levels. Notable is major support by respondents for a better understanding of the transactional dynamics of human systems and urban natural resources.
Efficiencies of Forestry Best Management Practices for Reducing Sediment and Nutrient Losses in the Eastern United States
Authors: Edwards Pamela J. , Williard Karl W.J.
Published: April 2024

Quantifying the effects of forestry best management practices (BMPs) on sediment and nutrient loads is a critical need. Through an exhaustive literature search, three paired forested watershed studies in the eastern United States were found that permitted the calculation of BMP efficiencies—the percent reduction in sediment or nutrients achieved by BMPs. For sediment, BMP efficiencies ranged from 53 to 94% during harvest and up to 1 year after harvesting. For nutrients, BMP efficiencies were higher for total nitrogen (60-80%) and phosphorus (85-86%), which included particulate and sediment-bound forms, than for nitrate-nitrogen (12%), which occurs primarily in the dissolved phase. Results indicate forestry BMPs can significantly reduce sediment and nutrient loads; however, BMPs appear to be more effective at reducing pollutants associated with surface runoff than with subsurface flow.
Trends for Forestry Best Management Practices Implementation
Authors: Ice George G. , Schilling Erik , Vowell Jeff
Published: April 2024

The 1972 Clean Water Act initiated a national effort to address all sources of water pollution. One outcome was development of forestry nonpoint source control programs that use best management practices (BMP) and other tools to minimize water quality impacts. These programs can only be successful if BMPs are effective and if implementation rates are high. Many states have assessed rates of forestry BMP implementation with more than one survey and are beginning to develop histories that track trends. Trend data at the regional and national levels show generally high and increasing levels of implementation. Here, we use the volume of timber harvested in each state to adjust contributions to a national implementation average. The overall national forestry BMP implementation rate is estimated to be 89%. Factors contributing to increased implementation include federal and state legislation, regulation, and extension; certification programs; and public pressure.
Conventional Wisdoms of Woody Biomass Utilization on Federal Public Lands
Authors: Becker Dennis R. , McCaffrey Sarah M. , Abbas Dalia , Halvorsen Kathleen E. , Jakes Pamela , Moseley Cassandra
Published: April 2024

The appeal of biomass utilization grows as the need for wildfire risk reduction, economic development, and renewable energy generation becomes more pressing. However, uncertainty exists regarding the factors necessary to stimulate use. We draw on in-depth interviews with local industry, agency, community, and tribal representatives from 10 study sites on federal public lands across the United States to examine persistent conventional wisdoms about what hinders biomass use. Findings indicate that the conventional wisdoms were reasonably accurate although the degree to which each impeded progress varied. Their interconnectedness also varied depending on local conditions. Supply guarantees, industry presence, transportation, and the value of the biomass were limiting factors to use, whereas agency budgets and staffing, environmental concerns, and partnerships more aggravated the problem than impeded progress. Understanding the scope and consistency of these accepted truths is important for ensuring that management efforts and ensuing policy effectively targets local use challenges.
Women Owning Woodlands: Understanding Women's Roles in Forest Ownership and Management
Authors: Redmore Lauren E. , Tynon Joanne F.
Published: April 2024

The number of women who own and make decisions about forestland is growing, but ownership has traditionally been viewed as a male domain, with systems (intergenerational transfer, information dispersal, support organizations, and lifestyle responsibilities) mostly designed to support men. This article describes a qualitative study of members of the Women Owning Woodlands network (WOWnet), a forestry extension program in Western Oregon, to learn about women's roles in forest ownership and management. Regardless of their management objectives, WOWnet women consistently emphasized good stewardship for their land now, and effective transfer of their land in the future. Involvement in organizations such as WOWnet and the Oregon Small Woodlands Associations is an important part of their overall awareness of management, standards, and regulations, by supplying information that women in forest management need to know. Results suggest changes that extension and other similar natural resource organizations can make to support these women.
Conducting Seedling Stocktype Trials: A New Approach to an Old Question
Authors: Pinto Jeremiah R. , Dumroese R. Kasten , Davis Anthony S. , Landis Thomas D.
Published: April 2024

Seedlings for reforestation and restoration come in many shapes and sizes, i.e., a variety of stocktypes. With so many choices available, land managers commonly ask which stocktype will best meet their management objectives. For years, stocktype studies have been initiated in search of an answer to this question, but few have been done without some degree of confounding. Past studies often confounded seed sources, nurseries, and culturing regimes, and/or failed to address differences in initial seeding quality, which sometimes led to inappropriate conclusions. This article reviews the reasoning behind stocktype studies, reviews common pitfalls of past studies, and suggests some key considerations to making future stocktype studies a viable resource to the practicing forester.
Options for Reducing "Waste" in the Management of Old-Growth Forests
Authors: Hrubes Robert J. , Rensi Giuseppe
Published: April 2024

Some critics of the USDA Forest Service's timber management policies claim that retention of old-growth is "wasteful" because replanting to more productive stands is precluded. Such other factors as political feasibility and resource self-sufficiency, however, weigh in favor of not accelerating the rate of old-growth harvesting. Three possible options for resolving the issue are to determine levels of nondeclining yield on a regional basis rather than by smaller local units, to intensify management of young stands, and to accelerate harvest of old growth but release the logs to market at a controlled rate.
World Forestry: Silviculture in Taiwan
Authors: Kao Ching
Published: April 2024

Forest types in Taiwan change with altitudes. Under 1,500 feet, tropical forests cover the land and fast-growing trees are planted by private owners. Between elevations of 1,500 and 6,500 feet, the Taiwan Forestry Bureau operates a large afforestation project. Above 6,000 feet, alpine types are preserved as watershed cover and have to be regenerated naturally.
Water Resources and Multiple-Use Forestry in the Southwest
Authors: Ffolliott Peter F. , Thorud David B.
Published: April 2024

Research indicates that modification of vegetation on upstream watersheds can increase water yields in the arid Southwest, while still permitting--and sometimes enhancing--other resource values.
Red Pine Plantation Biomass Exceeds Sugar Maple on Northern Hardwood Sites
Authors: Frederick Douglas J. , Coffman Michael S.
Published: April 2024

Red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) less than 40 years old and planted on former northern hardwood sites in Michigan produced more volume, dry weight biomass, and mean annual growth than adjacent naturally established sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stands approximately twice as old. Intensive management of red pine would increase volume and fiber production on some lands presently supporting second-growth maple.
Douglas-fir Tussock Moth: Did It Affect Private Recreational Businesses in Northeastern Oregon?
Authors: Downing Kent B. , Williams William R.
Published: April 2024

A survey of resort owners, packer-guides, and motel operators in northeastern Oregon revealed little evidence that a recent outbreak of Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata McDonnough} had influenced recreational business.
Early Infection as a Predictor of Mortality Associated with Fusiform Rust of Southern Pines
Authors: Wells O. O. , Dinus R. J.
Published: April 2024

In loblolly and slash pine (Pinus taeda L., P. elliottii var. elliottii Engelm.) provenance plantations observed for 10 to 20 years, stem infections (Cronartium fusiforme Hedgc. & Hunt ex Cumm.) of living trees increased slowly at first, then more rapidly, and finally peaked about 10 years after planting. Rust-associated mortality lagged behind but closely paralleled stem infection. Stem infection 5 years after planting proved a reliable predictor of rust-associated mortality at 10 years. Predictive equations are given for slash pine and for susceptible and resistant loblolly seed sources.
Wetland Classification in the United States
Authors: Cowardin Lewis M.
Published: April 2024

Wetland is part of a continuum of land types between deep water and dryland. Only one wetland classification was available for the United States prior to preparation of the new system described here, but numerous regional and special-purpose classifications are in use. The new classification is hierarchical, progressing from five systems (marine, estuarine, lacustrine, riverine, and palustrine) at the most general level to dominance types based on plant or animal communities at the most specific level. The system is currently in use for prototype maps of wetlands of the United States. It is hoped that it may be incorporated into a classification of all land.
Canada's Land Capability Inventory Program
Authors: Lacate D. S. , Romaine M. J.
Published: April 2024

The Canada Land Inventory was conducted cooperatively by the federal and provincial governments to provide an information base for a variety of land-use planning and rural development activities, including recent applications in assessment of potential environmental impacts. This inventory program comprised a series of interpretive classifications developed for agriculture, forestry, wildlife, and recreation. The land-capability ratings were based on an evaluation of information available in existing soil-landform and vegetation surveys, or obtained through new biophysical land-classification surveys in previously unsurveyed areas.