bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mixed Conifer Forest Duff Consumption during Prescribed Fires: Tree Crown Impacts
Authors: Hille Marco G. , Stephens Scott L. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Fire suppression has produced large forest floor fuel loads in many coniferous forests in western North America. This study describes spatial patterns of duff consumption in a mixed-conifer forest in the north-central Sierra Nevada, California. Overstory crown coverage was correlated to spatial patterns of duff depth after prescribed fire. On one site that was burned under dry conditions, almost all duff was consumed, with some remaining in overstory gaps. On a second site that was burned under moist conditions a few days after the first annual precipitation, strong spatial patterns of duff consumption were recorded with increasing distance from the base of the nearest overstory tree, the probability of duff remaining after prescribed fire increased significantly. There is strong evidence that spatial variation of precipitation throughfall resulted in higher duff moisture in gaps, whereas duff beneath crown cover was drier, and therefore, totally consumed. This study demonstrates that including a spatial component in a process-based duff consumption model would improve the accuracy of fire-effect predictions. FOR. SCI. 51(5):417–424.
Analyzing the Spread of Beech Canker
Authors: Augustin Nicole H. , Kublin Edgar , Metzler Berthold , Meierjohann Elsa , von Wühlisch Georg 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
We investigate the spread of Nectria canker of beech, which is a fungal chronic disease caused by Nectria ditissima Tul. et C. Tul. Data are available from a beech provenance trial. A possible influential factor on the proportion of infected trees per plot is the wind dispersal zone(s) (wdz), a categorical variable describing the distance and wind direction from diseased shelterwood, the source of infection. We investigate the effect of wdz and whether the disease incidence in the regeneration can be explained alone by the wdz using different approaches accounting for spatial correlation in the data. One method uses generalized estimating equations (GEE) where, through specification of a general variance–covariance matrix allowing for nonindependence, spatial correlation can be accounted for in the model. The second method uses generalized additive models (GAM) and the spatial autocorrelation is dealt with by modeling it as a spatial trend. The third method uses generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) with a random effect accounting for spatial correlation and heterogeneity. We show that, in the beech data, some spatial correlation is present that is over and above that accounted for by the wdz. Therefore, methods not accounting for this correlation are inappropriate. The GLMM is the most appropriate model because it manages to model the biological process best: It explains the variation in disease incidence by the wdz and by secondary infection. Hence it yields the most precise estimates. FOR. SCI. 51(5):438–448.
Interest in Cross-Boundary Cooperation: Identification of Distinct Types of Private Forest Owners
Authors: Finely Andrew O. , Kittredge David B. , Stevens Thomas H. , Schweik Charles M. , Dennis Donald C. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This article presents quantitative results from a study that evaluated private forest (PF) owner interest in cross-boundary cooperation. The intent was to reveal subgroups, referred to here as segments, of PF owners that align with different forms and levels of cooperative activities. Segmentation analysis used 783 mail-back surveys from Franklin County, Massachusetts, PF owners in spring 2002. The analysis indicates that there are four segments of PF owners in Franklin County, each maintaining a distinct level of interest in proposed forms of cooperation. Two segments define positive interest in cooperation (General Cooperators, 27%; Conservation Cooperators, 21%), and the other two represent apathy (Neutralists, 27%), and disinterest (Non-Cooperators, 24%). Furthermore, each segment presents a unique profile of items and scales that measure personal values and attitudes about cross-boundary cooperation and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Segment profiles show a strong association between interest in cooperation and profiling variables such as age, affluence, personal values, and attitudes. By identifying the specific needs and wants among PF owners, these findings can help in the development of responsive initiatives to promote cross-boundary cooperation in Franklin County. Furthermore, the outlined segmentation analysis could aid PF owner studies identify and describe key segments and determine interest in cross-boundary cooperation.
Modeling Individual-Tree Growth from Data with Highly Irregular Measurement Intervals
Authors: Nord-Larsen Thomas 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Fitting annual tree growth and survival models to data with irregular measurement intervals requires special consideration to the interpolation of the independent variables. This study presents an iterative method for continuously updating individual-tree and stand attributes, using the hypothesized functional form of a system of forward difference equations. Based on data from permanent sample plots, parameter estimates were obtained for three first-order difference equations of diameter and height growth and mortality for European beech in Denmark. One parameter of the individual-tree diameter and height growth models was estimated locally and expresses apparent site quality. The plot-specific parameters of the individual-tree growth models were highly correlated with site index and plot-specific estimates of rate constants from a dominant height growth model. Parameter estimates of individual-tree models based on either of those indicators of site quality allow for a flexible use of the models. The study failed to establish any relation between plot-specific rate constants and soil texture variables. The resulting system of individual-tree models is consistent with tree growth and mortality expected for beech in Denmark.
Market Orientation, Strategy, and Performance in the Primary Forest Industry
Authors: Hansen Eric , Dibrell Clay , Down Jon 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Over a decade of research on market orientation has produced many insights into the market orientation–performance relationship. More recently, researchers have begun to incorporate other strategic phenomena into their market orientation work. We build on this growing knowledge base by investigating the mediating role of firm strategy on the market orientation-firm performance connection. Findings show that market orientation has a positive impact on all forms of firm strategy (i.e., customer differentiation, product differentiation, channel differentiation, and overall low cost). However, only a channel differentiation strategy in combination with a market orientation produced a positive impact on firm performance. In contrast, a low cost strategy had a positive impact on firm performance in the absence of a market orientation.
Alternatives to Incorporate Uncertainty and Risk Attitude in Multicriteria Evaluation of Forest Plans
Authors: Leskinen Pekka , Viitanen Jari , Kangas Annika , Kangas Jyrki 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This article studies alternative possibilities to incorporate uncertainty and risk attitude into multicriteria forest planning calculations. The interest is in studying the uncertainties involved in forest owner’s subjective preferences, but the presented approach could be applied also more generally with measurement and modeling errors concerning forest inventory and forecasting, for example. The models applied are based on ratio scale pairwise comparisons of decision elements and their statistical regression analysis, which enables versatile possibilities to incorporate the uncertainty into decisionmaking. In traditional statistical inference, uncertainty is not used directly as a decision criterion that would be required to include risk attitude. However, the statistical approach can be used, for example, to derive pairwise winning probabilities for forest plans beating each other and rank probabilities for forest plans for attaining a given rank. Several types of indices can be derived from these probabilities enabling the incorporation of risk attitude, but a more promising approach was to reduce the decisionmaking problem to contain mean and SD of the utility distributions for each forest plan and provide them as decision support to the forest owner. The approach is based on classical mean-variance utility in portfolio theory. Also, weighted average of certain percentiles of the utility distributions or weighted average of rank probabilities have their advantages.
Simulating Fire Spread with Landscape Management Scenarios
Authors: LaCroix Jacob J. , Ryu Soung-Ryoul , Zheng Daolan , Chen Jiquan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Collectively, landscape structure, fuel loading, and weather control wildland fires. Our objective was to examine the impacts of landscape structure, weather and fire-ignition location on fire spread using FARSITE. We simulated surface fires in the Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin, on five landscapes: a control and four harvested landscapes created using HARVEST by varying the amount (2% and 4%) and method of harvesting (i.e., clustered and dispersed), labeled C2, C4, D2, and D4. We applied three levels of precipitation and wind speed to examine weather influences. We found that fire-ignition location had the strongest effect on fire spread, followed by rain. The high-rain scenario (twice the actual rainfall) decreased burned area by an average of 241 ha (6.1%) for simulated 15-day surface fires, whereas the low-rain scenario (half of actual rainfall) increased burned area by an average of 74 ha (1.8%). The maximum size of burned area decreased in all harvest scenarios by 90 ha (1.6%), 143 ha (2.6%), 168 ha (3.1%), and 201 ha (3.7%), respectively, for landscapes D2, C2, D4, and C4. We concluded that management at the ignition location is critical and landscape-level management may be adapted to influence landscape predisposition to fire spread.
Predicting the Plot Volume by Tree Species Using Airborne Laser Scanning and Aerial Photographs
Authors: Packalé	n Petteri , Maltamo Matti 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Several studies have indicated that forest characteristics can be accurately predicted using airborne laser scanner (ALS) data, but there are very few studies in which species-specific forest characteristics have been estimated. This article compares two approaches for determining species-specific volumes at plot level by combining ALS data with aerial photographs. The first approach consists of two stages: (1) prediction of total volume using ALS data, and (2) assignment of this total volume to tree species by fuzzy classification and aerial photographs, in which three fuzzy classification methods were tested. In the second approach, volumes by tree species and the total volume are predicted simultaneously using a nonparametric k-most similar neighbor (k-MSN) method based on both ALS data and aerial photographs in one phase. The test area, located in Finland, consists of 463 sample plots. Species-specific volumes were estimated for pine, spruce, and the deciduous trees as a species group, total volume being the sum of the species-specific volumes. The k-MSN method produced considerably more accurate estimates for the species-specific volumes than any fuzzy classification method, the relative RMSEs for the volumes of pine, spruce, and deciduous trees being 45.50%, 61.98%, and 92.30%, respectively, and that for the total volume 23.86%.
Best Predictors for Postfire Mortality of Ponderosa Pine Trees in the Intermountain West
Authors: Hull Sieg Carolyn , McMillin Joel D. , Fowler James F. , Allen Kurt K. , Negron José F. , Wadleigh Linda L. , Anhold John A. , Gibson Ken E. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Numerous wildfires in recent years have highlighted managers' needs for reliable tools to predict postfire mortality of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) trees. General applicability of existing mortality models is uncertain, as researchers have used different sets of variables. We quantified tree attributes, crown and bole fire damage, ground fire severity, and insect presence from a total of 5,083 trees in four 2000 wildfires in four Intermountain states. Crown scorch (percentage) and consumption (percentage) volume collectively accounted for the majority of predictive capacity in all four individual models and in the pooled four-site model. The addition of tree diameter and presence of Ips beetles in the pooled model slightly improved predictive power. Four other statistically significant variables added little to the pooled model's predictive ability. The pooled model correctly classified 3-year postfire mortality of 89.9% of the trees and had a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) score of 0.96. In the external validation step, the model correctly classified 3-year postfire mortality of 96% of 1,361 trees in a 2001 wildfire. Our results and a number of previous studies suggest that a two-variable model using percentage crown scorch volume and crown consumed volume will have applicability beyond the Intermountain West.
Partitioning Error Components for Accuracy-Assessment of Near-Neighbor Methods of Imputation
Authors: Stage Albert R. , Crookston Nicholas L. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Imputation is applied for two quite different purposes: to supply missing data to complete a data set for subsequent modeling analyses or to estimate subpopulation totals. Error properties of the imputed values have different effects in these two contexts. We partition errors of imputation derived from similar observation units as arising from three sources: observation error, the distribution of observation units with respect to their similarity, and pure error given a particular choice of variables known for all observation units. Two new statistics based on this partitioning measure the accuracy of the imputations, facilitating comparison of imputation to alternative methods of estimation such as regression and comparison of alternative methods of imputation generally. Knowing the relative magnitude of the errors arising from these partitions can also guide efficient investment in obtaining additional data. We illustrate this partitioning using three extensive data sets from western North America. Application of this partitioning to compare near-neighbor imputation is illustrated for Mahalanobis- and two canonical correlation-based measures of similarity.
Insect-Fungal Complex Associated with Loblolly Pine Decline in Central Alabama
Authors: Eckhardt Lori G. , Weber Ann M. , Menard Roger D. , Jones John P. , Hess Nolan J. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Loblolly pine decline, characterized by an expanding area of declining and dead trees, is becoming increasingly prevalent in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forests in central Alabama. A 3-year study was conducted to determine the fungal, root, and lower stem-infesting insect, and/or soil parameters associated with this decline. Hylastes salebrosus, Hylastes tenuis, Pachylobius picivorus, and Hylobius pales were significantly more abundant in declining plots than in asymptomatic plots. Root- and lower stem-infesting insects consistently carried Leptographium terebrantis, L. procerum, and L. serpens. Sampled roots had high levels of root damage, mortality, and staining typically associated with Leptographium species. Root damage and mortality preceded aboveground symptoms of short chlorotic needles, sparse crowns, reduced radial growth, and tree mortality. A sequence of biotic and abiotic factors is proposed as the cause of loblolly pine decline complex.
Policy and Management for Headwater Streams in the Pacific Northwest: Synthesis and Reflection
Authors: Adams Paul W. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The primary policy and management concern for headwater streams in the Pacific Northwest has been their potential influence on downstream water quality and fish habitat; and on federal lands, riparian wildlife habitat also has been a significant consideration. Regulations have been the primary policy tool used by state and federal agencies in the region to promote desired management for these areas, and to comply with federal laws for water quality and species protection. Management directives initially were relatively minor for headwater areas, but in recent years increased science assessments, research, and legal issues resulted in some notable policy proposals and changes for public and private lands. These measures focus on greater retention of riparian trees and other vegetation, an approach that for fish and wildlife habitat assumes significant ecological functions and benefits will follow over extended spatial and temporal intervals. Research continues to clarify ecological features and functions of headwater areas, but policy and management remain challenging because of highly variable observations downstream and because socioeconomic concerns are inconsistently addressed. Given these limitations, our policies may continue to confound decisionmakers and discourage many forest owners and managers, while also adding to an array of unintended local and global environmental consequences.
Streamside Policies for Headwater Channels: An Example Considering Debris Flows in the Oregon Coastal Province
Authors: Burnett Kelly M. , Miller Daniel J. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Management policies are increasingly debated for headwater channels given their prevalence and ecological importance in many landscapes. Quantitative differences among headwater channels may offer an objective basis for prioritizing streamside protection. Here, we examine differences among headwater channels as potential transport corridors for debris flows. Specifically, we model differences among hill slopes and headwater channels in probabilities of initiating and being traversed by debris flows that deliver to fish-bearing channels. We develop an approach to rank these probabilities and apply the ranks in delineating alternative streamside management zones. Initiation and traversal probabilities are estimated from an empirically calibrated debris-flow model using regionally available 10-m digital elevation data. Alternatives are delineated by encompassing 25%, 50%, and 75% of debris-flow susceptible hill slopes and headwater channels. Highest initiation and traversal probabilities were contained in a relatively small percentage of the study area. Encompassing lower probabilities required disproportionately larger areas. Substituting delineated alternatives for currently prescribed headwater riparian management zones decreased the total area encompassed on federal lands but increased it on private and state lands. Our intent is not to advocate for any particular alternative but to demonstrate that knowledge about how headwater channels differ over large areas can help tailor riparian policies.
Periphyton and Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Structure in Headwaters Bordered by Mature, Thinned, and Clearcut Douglas-Fir Stands
Authors: Danehy Robert J. , Chan Samuel S. , Lester Gary T. , Langshaw Russell B. , Turner Ted R. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
We examined the structure of periphyton and macroinvertebrate assemblages in 18 Oregon Coast Range perennial headwater streams bordered by mature (6), clearcut (5), and thinned (7) forest treatments. Summer base flow discharge ranged from 0.02 to1.98 l/s (mean − 0.5 l/s). Periphyton was almost entirely diatoms (72 species) and assemblage characteristics were most strongly influenced by substrate characteristics. Mature treatment sites had fewer species of diatoms and less biomass than other treatments. Diatom richness was highest at sites with higher unit area discharge. Diatom assemblages were dominated by a single species (Achnanthes lanceolata [Brébisson] Grunow), which composed more than 50% relative abundance of the assemblage at nine sites. Macroinvertebrate assemblages were rich, with 194 taxa collected across all sites and 42 taxa found at a single site. Macroinvertebrate assemblages differed across treatments with higher abundance, more Chironomidae taxa, and more biomass at the clearcut treatment sites. We observed no difference in functional feeding group percentage composition across treatments, with collector-gatherers and shredders composing at least 50% abundance at all treatments. We found little difference in either periphyton or macroinvertebrate assemblages between thinned and mature treatments.
Headwater Streams and Timber Harvest: Channel, Macroinvertebrate, and Amphibian Response and Recovery
Authors: Rhett Jackson C. , Batzer Darold P. , Cross Sarah S. , Haggerty Stephanie M. , Sturm Christopher A. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Abiotic and biotic responses of 15 first-order streams to timber harvest were monitored at four sites in Washington's Coast Ranges (six watersheds clearcut to streambanks; four clearcut with stream buffers; and four references). Surveys of geomorphology, macroinvertebrates, and amphibians were conducted in 1998 (baseline), 1999 (immediately postharvest), 2000 (macroinvertebrates only) and 2001. Logging slash immediately covered or buried clearcut channels with 0.5 to 2 meters of slash, increasing roughness and trapping fine sediments, and slash still dominated channel conditions in 2001 when fine sediment fractions remained elevated relative to reference streams. In buffered and reference streams, particle size distributions were almost unchanged. Buffer blowdown was extensive (33% to 64%); increased light stimulated streamside vegetation. In 1999, clearcut streams supported higher macroinvertebrate densities of collectors and shredders, likely due to increased detrital resources. Collector response persisted into 2001, and new responses included higher overall macroinvertebrate biomass in buffered streams. No macroinvertebrate groups declined significantly in the three summers after harvest. Clearcutting to stream channels appeared to have short-term negative effects on local giant salamander and tailed frog populations but not torrent salamanders.
Biodiversity Conservation in Commercial Boreal Forestry: The Optimal Rotation Age and Retention Tree Volume
Authors: Koskela Erkki , Ollikainen Markku , Pukkala Timo 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This article examines biodiversity conservation in commercial boreal forests. The means of promoting biodiversity are green tree retention and prolonged rotation age, which create dead and decaying wood artificially and via natural mortality, respectively. We extend the Hartman model to cover biodiversity benefits and to allow for leaving retention trees standing at the final felling. We first characterize qualitatively the socially optimal choice of the harvest volume and rotation age. We then assess empirically the optimal solution in a simulation model calibrated to the Finnish forestry for a pine stand. We find that biodiversity conservation increases the socially optimal rotation age beyond the Faustmann rotation age. The optimal volume of retention trees increases (decreases) with biodiversity valuation (timber price). The optimal retention volume is higher than suggested by the current forest management recommendations or certification systems.