bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The proteasome activity reporter GFP-Cl1 is degraded by autophagy in the aging model Podospora anserina
Authors: Wiemer Matthias , Osiewacz Heinz D.
Published: September 2014

The degradation of damaged proteins is an important vital function especially during aging and stress. The ubiquitin proteasome system is one of the major cellular machineries for protein degradation. Health and longevity are associated with high proteasome activity. To demonstrate such a role in aging of Podospora anserina, we first analyzed the transcript and protein abundance of selected proteasome components in wild-type cultures of different age. No significant differences were observed. Next, in order to increase the overall proteasome abundance we generated strains overexpressing the catalytic proteasome subunits PaPRE2 and PaPRE3. Although transcript levels were strongly increased, no substantial effect on the abundance of the corresponding proteins was observed. Finally, the analysis of the P. anserina strains expressing the sequence coding for the CL1 degron fused to the Gfp gene revealed no evidence for degradation of the GFP-CL1 fusion protein by the proteasome. Instead, our results demonstrate the degradation of the CL1-degron sequence via autophagy, indicating that basal autophagy appears to be a very effective protein quality control pathway in P. anserina.
Equimeasurable Rearrangements with Capacities
Authors: Ghossoub Mario
Published: September 2014

In the classical theory of monotone equimeasurable rearrangements of functions, “equimeasurability” (i.e., that two functions have the same distribution) is defined relative to a given additive probability measure. These rearrangement tools have been successfully used in many problems in economic theory dealing with uncertainty where the monotonicity of a solution is desired. However, in all of these problems, uncertainty refers to the classical Bayesian understanding of the term, where the idea of ambiguity is absent. Arguably, Knightian uncertainty, or ambiguity, is one of the cornerstones of modern decision theory. It is hence natural to seek an extension of these classical tools of equimeasurable rearrangements to the non-Bayesian or neo-Bayesian context. This paper introduces the idea of a monotone equimeasurable rearrangement in the context of nonadditive probabilities, or capacities that satisfy a property that I call strong diffuseness. The latter is a strengthening of the usual notion of diffuseness, and these two properties coincide for additive measures and for submodular (i.e., concave) capacities. To illustrate the usefulness of these tools in economic theory, I consider an application to a problem arising in the theory of production under uncertainty.
Clinical and practical importance vs statistical significance: Limitations of conventional statistical inference
Authors: Wilkinson Michael , Winter Edward M
Published: September 2014

Background:

Decisions about support for therapies are often made using statistical inference in light of data. The dominant approach is null hypothesis significance testing (NHST). Applied correctly, NHST provides a procedure for making dichotomous decisions about zero-effect null hypotheses with known and controlled error rates. Type I and Type II error rates must be specified in advance, and the latter controlled by a priori sample size calculation. However, NHST does not provide the probability of hypotheses or the strength of support for hypotheses in light of data. The outcomes allow conclusions about the existence of non-zero effects, but provide no information about the likely size of true effects or their practical or clinical value.

Content:

Magnitude-based inference allows researchers to estimate the ‘true’ or large sample magnitude of effects with a specified likelihood, and how likely they are to exceed an effect magnitude of practical or clinical importance. This approach integrates the elements of subjective judgement that are central to clinical practice into a formal analysis of data, which facilitates more considered and enlightened interpretations of data, and avoids rejection of possibly highly beneficial therapies that are not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Magnitude-based inference is gaining acceptance, but progress will be hastened if the shortcomings of NHST are understood.
How to perform effleurage and passive range of motion exercises
Authors: Cartlidge Helen
Published: September 2014

There are a number of basic physiotherapy techniques that can be performed by veterinary nurses, under the direction of a veterinary surgeon, which could be extremely beneficial to the patients in their care. For example, effleurage is a massage technique which helps relax the patient, reduces oedema, improves blood flow and reduces pain. Additionally, passive range of motion (PROM) exercises are essential to maintain the range of motion (ROM) of joints when patients have reduced mobility. Without the use of PROM exercises a permanent reduced ROM could result. These physiotherapy techniques are best used as part of a rehabilitation programme designed to support the patient to make a full functional recovery.
Effect of Alnus subcordata, Acer insigne and Sequoia sempervirens plantations on plant diversity in Hyrcanian forest of Iran
Authors: GHEIBI FATEMEH , AKBARINIA MOSLEM , KOOCH YAHYA
Published: September 2014

Gheibi F, Akbarinia M, Kooch Y. 2015. Effect of Alnus subcordata, Acer insigne and Sequoia sempervirens plantations on plant diversity in Hyrcanian forest of Iran. Biodiversitas 16: 10-15. Forest plantation is a common action in order to restore thedegraded forests in Hyrcanian forests of Iran. This study compares the plant biodiversity in four 25-year-old stands of plantation,adjacent understorey of alder (Alnus subcordata C. A. Mey.), maple (Acer insigne Boiss.), sequoia or red wood (Sequoia sempervirens(D. Don) Endl.) and mixed stand (maple and sequoia), located in Salmanshahr of Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Research carriedout in, 10 sample plots with 20m Ã— 20m area which taken by systematic-random in each plantation. All understorey species wereidentified, recorded and then the biodiversity indices (diversity, richness and evenness) were calculated. Our findings show that theplanted species had significant effects on understorey diversity. Statistical comparisons revealed that the highest and lowest diversity(Simpson and Shanon-Winer) and richness (Margalef and Menhinic) indices occurred in sequoia and alder stands, respectively. Theevenness indices (Camargo and Smith-Wilson) were significantly greater in maple, sequoia and mixed stands compared with the aldertype. As a conclusion, floristic change trends were different according to the planted tree species. A good understanding of thecomplexity of vegetation processes requires long-term monitoring of vegetation change.
Interactions of Radioactive and Stable Cesium with Hydroxy-Interlayered Vermiculite Grains in Soils of the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA
Authors: Goto Momoko , Rosson Robert , Elliott W. Crawford , Wampler J. M. , Serkiz Steven , Kahn Bernd
Published: September 2014

Sorption and fixation of Cs by the upland soils of the US Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site (SRS) have been attributed to micaceous grains consisting mostly of hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite (HIV). Results of experiments to characterize SRS soil samples, to examine aspects of their radiocesium sorption, and to determine how much of their natural Cs is accessible for chemical extraction and isotope dilution are presented in support of mechanistic hypotheses to explain Cs sorption and fixation in HIV grains. The HIV is responsible for most of the soil cation exchange capacity, and concentrations of naturally occurring Cs, Rb, and K in soil samples are closely related to the concentration of HIV. Experiments with 137Cs to examine (1) sorption kinetics, (2) blocking of exchange sites with silver thiourea, and (3) susceptibility of sorbed 137Cs to chemical extraction, support the idea that added Cs is sorbed at different kinds of cation exchange sites in HIV grains. Sites highly selective for Cs but relatively few in number are inferred to exist in interlayer wedge zones within such grains. Little of the naturally occurring Cs in the soil samples was extractable by chemical agents that would remove Cs from ordinary cation-exchange sites and from within non-silicate soil components. Furthermore, most of the natural Cs was inaccessible for isotope dilution under slightly acidic conditions approximating the natural soil environment. These observations support the idea that most of the Cs in these soils has become effectively fixed in the narrower parts of interlayer wedge zones. Control of Cs uptake and fixation by highly Csselective interlayer wedge sites would account for the large distribution coefficients found for 137Cs at the low aqueous Cs concentrations typical of environmental systems and also for the relatively large concentrations of stable Cs in the SRS soils.
The Pore Structure of Compacted and Partly Saturated MX-80 Bentonite at Different Dry Densities
Authors: Keller Lukas M. , Seiphoori Ali , Gasser Philippe , Lucas Falk , Holzer Lorenz , Ferrari Alessio
Published: September 2014

Compacted MX-80 bentonite is a potential backfill material in radioactive-waste repositories. Pore space in MX-80 has been the subject of considerable debate. 3D reconstructions of the pore space based on tomographic methods could provide new insights into the nature of the pore space of compacted bentonites. To date, few such reconstructions have been done because of problems with the preparation of bentonite samples for electron microscopy. The nanoscale intergranular pore space was investigated here by cryo-Focused Ion Beam nanotomography (FIB-nt) applied to previously high-pressure frozen MX-80 bentonite samples. This approach allowed a tomographic investigation of the in situ microstructure related to different dry densities (1.24, 1.46, and 1.67 g/cm3). The FIB-nt technique is able to resolve intergranular pores with radii >10 nm. With increasing dry density (1.24–1.67 g/cm3) the intergranular porosity (>10 nm) decreased from ~5 vol.% to 0.1 vol.%. At dry densities of 1.24 and 1.46 g/cm3, intergranular pores were filled with clay aggregates, which formed a mesh-like structure, similar to the honeycomb structure observed in diagenetic smectite. Unlike ‘typical’ clay gels, the cores of the honeycomb structure were not filled with pure water, but instead were filled with a less dense material which presumably consists of very fine clay similar to a colloid. In the low-density sample this honeycomb-structured material partly filled the intergranular pore space but some open pores were also present. In the 1.46 g/cm3 sample, the material filled the intergranular pores almost completely. At the highest densities investigated (1.67 g/cm3), the honeycomb-structured material was not present, probably because of the lack of intergranular pores which suppressed the formation of the honeycomb framework or skeleton consisting of clay aggregates.
Degree of previous cutting in explaining the differences in diameter distributions between mature managed and natural Norway spruce forests
Authors: Siipilehto Jouni , Siitonen Juha
Published: September 2014

The degree of naturalness was assessed in 37 mature (stand age 80 198 yrs) Norway spruce dominated stands located in southern Finland by measuring the number (0 610 haâ1) and basal area (0 33 m2 haâ1) of cut stumps. The Johnsonâs SB distribution was fitted for living spruce trees to describe the dbh-frequency and basal area-dbh distributions. Regression models were constructed for predicting the parameters of the SB distribution using traditional stand parameters (median diameter, basal area, stem number) and the cut stump variables (number, basal area). Stump variables improved the models and enabled to explain the differences in diameter distributions between stands with varying intensity of past cutting. Model for basal area-dbh distribution was more accurate than dbh-frequency model in terms of regression statistics, but less accurate in terms of generated stand variables. The number and basal area of cut stumps seem to be useful and simple measures of stand naturalness which have potential uses in stand modelling and biodiversity-oriented forestry planning.
Variation in forest fire ignition probability in Finland
Authors: Larjavaara Markku , Kuuluvainen Timo , Tanskanen Heidi , Venäläinen Ari
Published: September 2014

We examined climate-caused spatio-temporal variation of forest fire ignition probability in Finland based on empirical ignition experiments and 37 years of meteorological data from 26 meteorological stations scattered across Finland. First, meteorological data was used in order to estimate the variation in forest fuel moisture content with the model of the Finnish forest fire risk index. Second, based on data from empirical ignition experiments, fuel moisture content was linked with forest fire ignition probability. In southern Finland average forest fire ignition probability typically peaks in late May and early June, whereas in the northern part of the country the peak occurs at the end of June. There was a three-fold difference in the average annual ignition probability between the north-eastern part (3%) and south-western part of the country (9%). The observed differences in fire ignition probability suggest that the characteristics of the natural fire regime also vary considerably in the southern versus the northern part of the country.
Stress intensity factor of wood from crack-tip displacement fields obtained from digital image processing
Authors: Samarasinghe Sandhya , Kulasiri Don
Published: September 2014

Stress intensity factor of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) in Tangential-Longitudinal opening mode was determined from crack-tip displacement fields obtained from digital image correlation in conjunction with orthotropic fracture theory. For lower loads, experiments agreed with the linear elastic fracture theory but for higher loads, stress intensity factor and load relationship was nonlinear. For 41% of the specimens tested, tip-displacement based stress intensity factor agreed with that based on the ASTM standard formula for lower loads but deviated for higher loads closer to failure. The tip displacement plots showed that the nonlinear behaviour is due to large displacements which we attributed to large plastic deformations and/or micro-cracking in this region. The other 59% specimens showed a similar trend except that the crack-tip based stress intensity factor was consistently higher than the value obtained from the standard formula. The fracture toughness from tip displacements was larger than the standard values for all specimens and the two were related by a logarithmic function with an R2 of 0.61. The study also established that fracture toughness increases with the angle of inclination of the original crack plane to the Radial Longitudinal plane.
Testing a large-scale forestry scenario model by means of successive inventories on a forest property
Authors: Eid Tron
Published: September 2014

Modellers of large-scale forestry scenario models face numerous challenges. Information and sub-models from different disciplines within forestry, along with statistical and mathematical methodology, have to be considered. The individual biological sub-models (i.e. models for recruitment, growth and mortality) applied in large-scale forestry scenario models are in general well documented and extensively evaluated. However, evaluations by means of full-scale comparisons of observed and predicted values for continuous forest areas, where the totality of the large-scale forestry scenario model including interactions between sub-models and other parts of the model, are considered, have rarely been seen. The aim of the present work was to test the totality of the Norwegian large-scale forestry scenario model AVVIRK-2000, and thereby evaluate the applicability of the model for use in management planning. The test was done by means of successive inventories and accurate recordings of treatments over a period of 30 years for a property comprising 78.5 ha forest-land. Seen in the perspective of management planning, the differences between observed and predicted values for potential harvest level, growing stock and growth were small, e.g. a difference between observed growing stock in year 2000 and growing stock in the same year predicted from 1970 of 2.6%. The model may therefore be applied for practical purposes without any fundamental changes or calibrations of the biological model basis. However, the present test should be seen as an example that failed to falsify the model, rather than a final validation. As long as the model is in practical use, further evaluations should continue and subsequent possible calibrations should be performed.
A comparison of one- and two-compartment neighbourhoods in heuristic search with spatial forest management goals
Authors: Heinonen Tero , Pukkala Timo
Published: September 2014

This study presents a comparison of the performance of four heuristic techniques with one- and two-compartment neighbourhoods in harvest scheduling problems including a spatial objective variable. The tested heuristics were random ascent, Hero, simulated annealing and tabu search. All methods seek better solutions by inspecting the neighbourhood solutions, which are combinations that can be obtained by changing the treatment schedule in one (one-compartment neighbourhood) or two (two-compartment neighbourhood) compartments. The methods and neighbourhoods were examined in one artificial and four real landscapes ranging from 700 to 981 ha in size. The landscapes had 608 to 900 stand compartments, and the examined planning problems had 2986 to 4773 binary decision variables. The objective function was a multi-objective utility function. The spatial objective variable was the percentage of compartment boundary that joins two compartments, both of which are to be cut during the same 20-year period. The non-spatial objectives were net incomes of three consecutive 20-year management periods and the remaining growing stock volume at the end of the third 20-year period. In another problem formulation, the total harvest of the first 20-year period was used as an objective variable together with the spatial objective. The results showed that a two-compartment neighbourhood was systematically and often clearly better than a one-compartment neighbourhood. The improvements were greatest with the simplest heuristics, random ascent and Hero. Of the four heuristics, tabu search and simulated annealing proved to be the best methods, but with a two-compartment neighbourhood the differences between methods were negligible.
Logging versus fire: how does disturbance type influence the abundance of Pinus strobus regeneration?
Authors: Weyenberg Scott , Frelich Lee , Reich Peter
Published: September 2014

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) has decreased in abundance over the past century throughout the Great Lakes Region of North America, but the relative constraints placed on recruitment under contrasting disturbance regimes are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent to which white pine could invade areas recently disturbed by fire or logging (within 10â28 years), and assess the relative limitations placed on recruitment by seed supply, microsite habitat, and competition. We compared white pine regeneration on 61 sites disturbed by fire or logging that were adjacent to intact mature stands that provided a seed source. White pine seedling and sapling densities declined with increasing distance from a seed source, and the rate of decrease was determined by the interaction between seed supply and variation in number and quality of safe sites. For a given combination of seed source and site, white pine seedlings were three times more abundant on burned than logged sites. White pine seedlings grew into the sapling size class more often on burned than logged sites due to lower shrub cover on burned sites. At 25 years after disturbance, regeneration densities of white pine sufficient to achieve eventual future dominance occurred up to 80 m and 20 m from the edge of mature white pine stands after fire and logging, respectively. To attain a similar level of white pine stocking after disturbance, three to four times as many patches of mature white pine need to be left after logging than after fire.
Effects of three harvesting work methods on Harwarder productivity in final felling
Authors: Andersson Jonny , Eliasson Lars
Published: September 2014

During the last ten years interest in the harwarder has increased, however, studies have concentrated on effects of technical improvements on machine productivity. It has been noted that there is a large potential to increase the productivity through development of suitable work methods. To find efficient work patterns for a harwarder with a turnable loading area, three different harvesting methods were studied in final felling. Three work methods were used. Method 1: the harwarder drove backwards into the stand making a strip road, strip road trees were felled and left on the ground, on the way out of the stand the harwarder cut and processed the trees on both sides of the machine directly into the loading area. Method 2: the harwarder drove forward along the edge of the cut, cutting and processing trees directly into the loading area. Method 3: the harwarder drove forward into the stand and cut and processed strip road trees and trees standing on both sides of the machine directly into the loading area. The most efficient work method was method 2 where the productivity was 13.0 m3 u.b. per E0h (cubic metre under bark per effective hour). The productivities for method 1 and 3 were 12.1 and 11.9 m3 u.b. per E0h, respectively. In addition to work method harwarder productivity was shown to be dependent on load volume, average tree size and hauling distance. The only work elements significantly affected by work methods were processing and movement during processing. The operator had only a few weeks to get used to the machine and even less time to practise on the work methods. Thus, it is probable that the productivity for the studied methods will increase with increasing work experience. Furthermore, as only three work methods were studied, there are still untested work methods. The potential to further improve harwarder work methods is considerable.
Relationship between empty seed and genetic factors in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)
Authors: Wang K.
Published: September 2014

The relationship between percentage of empty seed (Pes) and genetic factors was explored in an isolated stand of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Nine allozyme loci (GOT-B, IDH-A, LAP-A, MDH-B, MDH-C, MNR-A, 6-PGDH-A, PGI-B and PGM-A) were used to estimate genetic factors. Pes ranged from 4.8% to 40.9% for seed samples of 91 trees within the stand and showed an approximate normal distribution. The average Pes was 21.4% and the repeatability of Pes was 43.4%. The multilocus estimate for outcrossing rate (tm) based on seed samples of 30 trees within the stand was 1.015 (SE = 0.011) and the mean single locus estimate was slightly higher at 1.061 (SE = 0.026). No evidence of biparental inbreeding was found. Weak positive correlation between Pes and maximum selfing rate as well as and significant negative correlation between Pes and multilocus outcrossing rate indicated that self-fertilization may be explained as one of the important causes of empty seeds in beech.
Nature conservation efforts by forest owners – intentions and practice in a Swedish case study
Authors: Uliczka Helen
Published: September 2014

Before a forest operation Swedish forest owners need to fill in a registration form. Since 1994, when a new Swedish Forestry Act came into force, intended nature conservation measures can also be noted on the form. I evaluate 1) if the self-reported nature conservation intentions displayed any trends from 1995 to 2000, and 2) if the intentions were implemented. All forms from these years, in one municipality, were analysed and the stand structure retention was measured on 40 clear-cuts. The intentions, noted as check-marks on the form, showed an increasing trend during these years. However, the increase may be an artefact of changes the form during the time period. The number of check-marks on the forms and the stand structure items actually present on the 40 clear-cuts showed a positive relation. The clear-cuts with â¤ 3 check-marks on the form had lower amounts of the three most common items, than those with â¥ 4 check-marks. To conclude 1) a true increase in the self-reported intentions of the forest owners could not be established; 2) the intentions were generally followed by associated practices on the clear-cuts; 3) the amounts of stand structures retained were probably not enough to reach the biodiversity goal of the Forestry Act. The registration form could be improved to become less open for interpretation and contain quantified recommendations. Self-reported intentions of the forest owners could then possibly be used as indicators of real structural retention, which could facilitate planning and allow for making predictions about the future forests.
Comparing simulation methods for modelling the errors of stand inventory data
Authors: Haara Arto
Published: September 2014

Forest management planning requires information about the uncertainty inherent in the available data. Inventory data, including simulated errors, are infrequently utilised in forest planning studies for analysing the effects of uncertainty on planning. Usually the errors in the source material are ignored or not taken into account properly. The aim of this study was to compare different methods for generating errors into the stand-level inventory data and to study the effect of erroneous data on the calculation of specieswise and standwise inventory results. The material of the study consisted of 1842 stands located in northern Finland and 41 stands located in eastern Finland. Stand-level ocular inventory and checking inventory were carried out in all study stands by professional surveyors. In simulation experiments the methods considered for error generation were the 1nn-method, the empirical errors method and the Monte Carlo method with log-normal and multivariate log-normal error distributions. The Monte Carlo method with multivariate error distributions was found to be the most flexible simulation method. This method produced the required variation and relations between the errors of the median basal area tree characteristics. However, if the reference data are extensive the 1nn-method, and in certain conditions also the empirical errors method, offer a useful tool for producing error structures which reflect reality.
Quality and yield of pulpwood in drained peatland forests: pulpwood properties of Scots pine in stands of first commercial thinnings
Authors: Varhimo Antero , Kojola Soili , Penttilä Timo , Laiho Raija
Published: September 2014

The inherent structural dynamics of drained peatland forests may result in a great variation in various wood and fiber properties. We examined variation in fiber and pulp properties i) among stands, ii) among trees within stands, and iii) within trees in young stands dominated by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The stands, selected to cover a maximal range of the potential variation, were all at a stage of development where the first commercial thinnings would be feasible. Differences in the processability of the thinning removals were small. In similar kraft cooking conditions, a 5-unit variation in the kappa number of unbleached pulp was observed among the stands. Stand origin had no effect on pulp bleaching. The wood formed prior to drainage had a higher density, shorter fibers, was slightly slower delignified by cooking, and its yield was slightly lower than that of post-drainage wood. These properties, except for high density, are typical for juvenile wood in general, and at stand level they did not correlate with the proportion of pre-drainage wood. When the variation in fiber and pulp properties was broken down into its components, most of it was derived from tree-level in all the cases. On average, the fiber and pulp properties did not differ from those observed for first-thinning pulpwood from upland sites. Consequently, peatland-grown pulpwood may be mixed with other pulpwood in industrial processes. It would probably be best suited as the raw material for pulps with high bonding requirements, e.g. in the top ply of multi-ply board grades or in some specialty grades.
Modeling mortality of individual trees in drained peatland sites in Finland
Authors: Jutras Sylvain , Hökkä Hannu , Alenius Virpi , Salminen Hannu
Published: September 2014

Multilevel logistic regression models were constructed to predict the 5-year mortality of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and pubescent birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) growing in drained peatland stands in northern and central Finland. Data concerning tree mortality were obtained from two successive measurements of the National Forest Inventory-based permanent sample plot data base covering pure and mixed stands of Scots pine and pubescent birch. In the modeling data, Scots pine showed an average observed mortality of 2.73% compared to 2.98% for pubescent birch. In the model construction, stepwise logistic regression and multilevel models methods were applied, the latter making it possible to address the hierarchical data, thus obtaining unbiased estimates for model parameters. For both species, mortality was explained by tree size, competitive position, stand density, species admixture, and site quality. The expected need for ditch network maintenance or re-paludification did not influence mortality. The multilevel models showed the lowest bias in the modeling data. The models were further validated against independent test data and by embedding them in a stand simulator. In 100-year simulations with different initial stand conditions, the models resulted in a 72% and 66% higher total mortality rate for the stem numbers of pine and birch, respectively, compared to previously used mortality models. The developed models are expected to improve the accuracy of stand forecasts in drained peatland sites.
Environmental activity and forest certification in marketing of forest products – a case study in Europe
Authors: Kärnä Jari , Hansen Eric , Juslin Heikki
Published: September 2014

Forest industries and their industrial customers from four European countries were surveyed by interviews to study the environmental emphasis and the role of timber certification in their marketing planning. Most of the Finnish, Swedish, German and British companies have begun to integrate environmental issues in their strategic, structural and functional level marketing decisions. They see forest certification as a necessary tool for marketing forest products. The level of environmental activity (greenness) of the companies was studied by creating a one dimensional factor score rating. The logic of marketing planning was tested by using one functional level marketing tool â forest certification â as an example to examine how well the level of greenness explains the importance of forest certification for the company. The results show that in the surveyed companies the level of greenness has more explanatory power than background factors such as country or industry sector. The integration of environmental issues into marketing planning and the interest in forest certification by these companies can provide meaningful insights for the forest industries worldwide as they confront similar issues.
Attitude of Finnish timber buyers towards implementation of a forest computer visualisation
Authors: Palander Teijo , Turunen Katja , Laukkanen Sanna
Published: September 2014

Timber buyersâ opinions as regards forest computer visualisation are studied. The results indicated that timber buyers are still rather conventional in their computer use since they mainly use only the information system of their own company. The majority of the buyers perceived computer visualisation to be slightly useful for their work, or they had no opinion concerning the usefulness of it. One third of the buyers considered computer visualisation to be a quality factor for timber trade, and the majority were willing to use it if a program is going to adopt by their company. In analysis, different personal characteristics were found for three timber buyer groups: qualified, neutral and reluctant. Qualified buyers were the largest one, about half of the buyers belonging to this group. The greatest barriers to adopting a positive attitude to computer visualisation turned out to be weak computer skills and a general lack of interest in computer use. On the other side, it was found that organisational factors did not influence the buyersâ computer skills or attitudes towards visualisation. The results of this study can be utilised by timber buying organisation in ensuring the successful adoption of a new computer system.
Early establishment of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies sown on soil freshly prepared and after stabilisation
Authors: Chantal Michelle , Eskola Laura , Ilvesniemi Hannu , Leinonen Kari , Westman Carl
Published: September 2014

The aim of this study is to investigate the early establishment of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) and Picea abies (L.) Karst. (Norway spruce) seedlings on soil freshly prepared and soil left to stabilise for one year after preparation. Three site preparation treatments were studied: exposed C horizon, mound (broken O/E/B horizon piled upside down over undisturbed forest floor), and exposed E/B horizon. The years investigated were different in terms of weather, one being rainy and the other one dry. As such, emergence was very low in the dry year. Content of fine silt particles, bulk density, water retention, air-filled porosity, loss-on-ignition, and near saturated hydraulic conductivity did not differ statistically between fresh and stabilised soil. Nevertheless, early establishment of P. sylvestris seedlings was improved on exposed C and E/B horizon after one year of soil stabilisation. In contrast, early establishment of P. sylvestris on mounds, and that of P. abies on all types of site preparation treatments were not improved by soil stabilisation. In addition, mortality due to frost heaving did not differ significantly between freshly prepared and stabilised soil. Considering the fact that growing season climate had a great influence on the sowing outcome, and that early establishment is also affected by other factors that vary yearly, such as predation, seedbed receptivity, and competition from vegetation, it may not be advantageous to wait for soil to stabilise before regenerating from seeds.
Multidimensional site description of peatlands drained for forestry
Authors: Hotanen Juha-Pekka
Published: September 2014

Sites (n = 119) on drained mires located in the southern aapa mire zone in Finland were analysed by multivariate techniques. The compositional trends of the understorey vegetation were analysed by means of hybrid multidimensional scaling (HMDS). In addition to field classification, two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and flexible unweighted paired group arithmetic average (FUPGMA) classifications were used. The 1st HMDS dimension primarily reflected variation along a gradient from spruce mire influence to hummock-level bog influence. Variation in nutrient status was also connected to this gradient. Factors underlying the 2nd dimension were variation in nutrient status and drainage succession (moisture). Some sample plots representing herb-rich or Molinia-rich types were separated along the 3rd dimension. The variation in understorey vegetation (i.e. the ordination space) showed high maximum correlation with stand volume r = 0.81, mean annual stand volume increment r = 0.76, and post-drainage dominant height r = 0.75. The covariation between the vegetation and peat bulk density in both the 0â10 and 10â20 cm peat layers was also strong: r = 0.55 and r = 0.80. The correlations for Hv.Post were 0.64 and 0.81, respectively. Of the total macronutrient concentrations, phosphorus (r = 0.73, r = 0.75) and nitrogen (r = 0.59, r = 0.64) were the most strongly correlated with species composition. The environmental sample variables were also presented by the vegetation units of numerical classification. Most of the recorded variables, including nutrient amounts (kg haâ1), were examined in site quality (fertility) classes by succession phases as well. Border variants or transitional forms of the site types were common. Additional vegetation criteria (e.g. surface-water influence) more closely defined the ecology of the site. In addition to the site quality classes, a considerable amount of information about the tree stands, vegetation diversity and peat properties was associated with the separation of the succession phases, i.e. in this study transforming (phase II) vs. transformed (final phase III) sites. In conclusion, the actual vegetation appeared to well reflect various aspects of the ecological conditions, even in labile communities of commercial forests on drained peatlands.
Alternative projections of the impacts of private investment on southern forests: a comparison of two large-scale forest sector models of the United States
Authors: Alig Ralph , Adams Darius , Mills John , Haynes Richard , Ince Peter , Moulton Robert
Published: September 2014

The TAMM/NAPAP/ATLAS/AREACHANGE (TNAA) system and the Forest and Agriculture Sector Optimization Model (FASOM) are two large-scale forestry sector modeling systems that have been employed to analyze the U.S. forest resource situation. The TNAA system of static, spatial equilibrium models has been applied to make 50-year projections of the U.S. forest sector for more than 20 years. Much of its input on forest management behavior and decisions about use of forestland derives from expert-based systems external to the TNAA system. FASOM, a spatial intertemporal optimization model, directly incorporates decisions on management investment and land use options relative to agricultural alternatives as endogenous model elements. The paper contrasts projections of private forest investment from the TNAA and FASOM models, focusing on the southern United States. Comparison of the TNAA base case and an investment-restricted scenario from FASOM, both of which reflect a continuation of recent behavioral tendencies by nonindustrial private owners, suggests that Southern private timberlands have considerable biological and economic potential for intensified forest management. Unrestricted FASOM projections confirm that added investment could lead to substantially larger timber harvest volumes and lower prices than those projected in the base/restricted cases. But even under the more intensive investment scenarios, naturally regenerated forests would cover three-quarters of the future private timberland base and hardwoods would continue to dominate the inventory structure.
Forestry development scenarios: timber production, carbon dynamics in tree biomass and forest values in Germany
Authors: Rohner Meinrad , Böswald Klaus
Published: September 2014

The dynamics of the age class structure stands at the center of modeling long-run forestry scenarios. This insight has been applied to the construction of the Forest Development and Carbon Budget Simulation Model (ForCaBSiM), a model which is used for the study of several interrelated questions: the development of timber stocks and the potential level of sustainable harvests, the stocks and fluxes of tree carbon in managed forests, the economy-wide effects of management practices on the value of forest lands and timber stocks. The combined study of these issues allows to assess development scenarios with regard to the productive potential of forestry, the carbon cycle, and forest values. At present, the model is adapted to German data, but it is designed for use with other data sets as well. This paper provides a description of core mechanisms in ForCaBSiM. On this background, the choice and impact of crucial assumptions is examined. Illustrative results are used to demonstrate the use of the model. The paper focuses on the impact of varying rotation ages and the tree species composition. Particular attention is given to the concept of steady states.
Can physiological and anatomical characters be used for selecting high yielding hybrid aspen clones?
Authors: Yu Qibin
Published: September 2014

Stomatal, CO2 exchange parameters and several leaf and growth traits were recorded in a five-year-old hybrid aspen clone trial. The field trial consisted of four aspen hybrid clones (Populus tremula L. x P. tremuloides Michx.) and one local Populus tremula seedling source. The mean estimated height of hybrid aspen clones was 1.6 times higher than for P. tremula. Similarly, basal diameter was 1.5 times and breast diameter 1.8 times higher in the hybrids. Differences were observed for physiological and growth traits among hybrid clones and P. tremula, but, only stomatal characters of hybrid clones differed significantly from those in P. tremula. Hybrid clones had larger guard cells (22.9 mm) than P. tremula (19.2 mm), whereas P. tremula had a higher stomatal density (211.3/mm2) than the hybrid clones (164.4/mm2). Among four hybrid clones, net photosynthesis was strongly correlated with foliar nitrogen. Height correlated significantly with foliar nitrogen, but negatively with leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight and stomatal density. The results suggested that yield components could be controlled by many genes, specific to each clone. No single gas exchange or morphological variable can provide a reliable indicator of yield potential.
Growth and phenology of hybrid aspen clones (Populus tremula L. x Populus tremuloides Michx.)
Authors: Yu Qibin , Tigerstedt P. , Haapanen Matti
Published: September 2014

Height, basal diameter, diameter at breast height, bud burst, and leaf development were recorded in a 5-year-old hybrid aspen clonal trial. The field trial consisted of four aspen hybrid clones (Populus tremula x Populus tremuloides) and one local P. tremula seedling source. Phenological traits were observed in the 3rd year. Growth patterns were recorded during the 3rd and 4th years. Phenological traits were explored in relation to hybrid vigor expressed as growth traits. Differences were observed for phenological and growth traits among hybrid clones and P. tremula. The growth period varied from 143â158 days for the four hybrid clones, and was 112 days for P. tremula. The correlation between growth period and yield was highly significant. The annual growth rate of height for the hybrids was 4.2 cm per 7 days (2.4 for P. tremula) in the 3rd year and 6.4 cm per 7 days (2.9 for P. tremula) in the 4th year. After 5 years, mean estimated stem volume of the hybrids was 3.9 times that of P. tremula. Significant clone by year interaction was observed for height, diameter, and volume growth. The hybrid vigor seems to be mainly attributable to a longer growth period.
Predictions of forest inventory cover type proportions using Landsat TM
Authors: Magnussen Steen , Boudewyn Paul , Wulder Mike , Seemann David
Published: September 2014

The feasibility of generating via Landsat TM data current estimates of cover type proportions for areas lacking this information in the national forest inventory was explored by a case study in New Brunswick. A recent forest management inventory covering 4196 km2 in south-eastern New Brunswick (the test area) and a coregistered Landsat TM scene was used to develop predictive models of 12 cover type proportions in an adjacent 4525 km2 region (the validation area). Four prediction models were considered, one using a maximum likelihood classifier (MLC), and three using the proportions of 30 TM clusters as predictors. The MLC was superior for non-vegetated cover types while a neural net or a prorating of cluster proportions was chosen for predicting vegetated cover types. Most predictions generated for national inventory photo-plots of 2 x 2 km were closer to the most recent inventory results than estimates extrapolated from the test area. Agreement between predictions and current inventory results varied considerably among cover types with model-based predictions outperforming, on average, the simple spatial extensions by about 14%. In this region, an 11-year-old forest inventory for the validation area provided estimates that in half the cases were closer to current inventory estimates than predictions using the optimal Landsat TM model. A strong temporal correlation of photo-plot-level cover type proportions made old-values more consistent than predictions using the optimal Landsat TM model in all but three cases. Prorating of cluster proportions holds promise for large-scale multi-sensor predictions of forest inventory cover types.
Adoption of value-adding processes in Swedish sawmills
Authors: Roos Anders , Flinkman Matti , Jäppinen Armas , Warensjö Mats
Published: September 2014

Adding value to lumber by processing it after sawing and standard drying is one means for the sawmilling industry to increase market shares in competition with other materials, e.g. glass, steel, concrete, aluminium, and plastics. In this study the adoption patterns of value-adding processes used in Swedish softwood sawmills were analysed based on production data from 1995. About 90% of the sawmills applied a value-adding process after initial sawing and drying, and 72% of the sawmills applied two or more processes. The total share of processed sawnwood was about 40%. Important dimensions of value-adding processes are: extra drying and production of blanks for doors/windows and for furniture; surface-treatment, mainly planing, which is sometimes associated with preservation and painting; length trimming and pallet production; extra drying and production of edge-glued panels and laminated beams; and stress grading and production of building components. The association of different value-adding dimensions with location, ownership and production characteristics were investigated. The total share of value-added production were higher for private sawmills than for mills owned by forest companies or by forest ownersâ associations, and it was higher for mills in southern Sweden than for sawmills in other parts of the country. Value-added share does not clearly correlate with mill size or with the dominating tree species being sawn.
Effect of diet and seed pretreatment on the biology of Bruchidius uberatus (Coleoptera, Bruchidae)
Authors: El Atta Hashim
Published: September 2014

Diet significantly (P < 0.0001) affected fecundity of Bruchidius uberatus Fahraeus. Provision of 1% sugar solution increased fecundity from 15 eggs/female to 47. Furthermore, sugar solution prolonged significantly the oviposition period of B. uberatus from one week to two weeks. Diet also significantly (P < 0.0001) increased adult longevity. Mean adult longevity recorded was 3, 7 and 13 days in control, water and sugar treatments, respectively. Seed pretreatment had a highly significant impact on the various developmental stages of B. uberatus. Maximum egg hatchability occurred in non-husked Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del. seeds (83%), moderate in de-husked seeds (74%) and least in seeds presoaked in concentrated sulphuric acid (42%). The frequency of larvae that developed successfully into pupae was greatest in non-husked seeds (72%), nevertheless in de-husked and acid pretreated seeds, absolutely no larvae developed into pupae and hence the adult stage was not reached in these two treatments. Thus, de-husking and acid pretreatment of A. nilotica seeds is highly recommended.