Annals of Forest Research is a semestrial open access journal, which publishes research articles and notes and critical review papers. Articles are peer-reviewed and should be original, of high scientific quality and of international interest. The journal scope is to cover aspects of both basic and applied research of all domain of forestry sciences and other related sciences, which contribute to forest sustainable management.
"Marin Drăcea" National Research-Development Institute in Forestry
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Optimizing forest-dominated campus environment: The impact of campus green and blue spaces on well-being and institutional per-formance
The built environment of a campus is characterized by forest-dominated landscapes, which may determine the competitiveness of host university by influencing the emotional perceptions of experiencers. Relevant evidence has been derived from studies in parks and neighborhood landscapes but less is known about the emotions of experiencers in indoor and outdoor settings. In this study, 50 top universities were randomly chosen from a list of highly competitive rankings along a competition gradient, with campuses distributed over a wide geographical range from mainland China. Volunteers were recruited from indoor and outdoor locations (either number of 50 individuals per campus) to collect facial photos as a source of data used for analyzing expression scores for happy, sad, and neutral emotions (n = 4824). The positive response index (PRI) and emotional nonparametric relation index (ENRI) were calculated to comprehensively assess emotions. The neutral score decreased with an increase in university competition evaluated using the A+ discipline number. The blue space area benefited presentations of PRI and ENRI in the cohort mainly at outdoor places, and the green space area increased the exposure of happy scores for the indoor population. The campuses of top universities with more competitive disciplines were built with larger areas of blue and green spaces and larger cohorts with less calm facial emotions. It is recommended that top universities aiming to enhance competitiveness prioritize incorporating well-designed green and blue spaces with size and distribution tailored to campus usage patterns.
built environment; sustainable university; higher education; campus construction; building and human emotion
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Twenty years of temperate montane forest progression in the oldest Polish national park
The historical fragmentation of forest ecosystems led to a significant spatial reduction in natural forest biomes. After centuries of exploitation for various purposes, the fragments remaining as national parks have been systematically monitored. This provides a wide range of field data and allows an in-depth understanding of processes responsible for short- and long-term forest dynamics. The existing monitoring systems should be considered unique and worth maintaining because they spanned before the era of remote sensing data acquisition in sufficient spatial and temporal resolution. We explored tree monitoring data from the oldest national park in Poland – Pieniny National Park (PNP) in the Western Carpathians, established in 1932. We assessed stand aboveground increment, recruitment, and mortality for 44 monitoring plots with field observations obtained in 1987, 1998, and 2009. Using a linear mixed-effects model, we assessed differences in stand biomass among sampling years and determined the drivers of biomass dynamics. For relative values of increment, recruitment, and mortality, we developed generalized linear mixed-effects models with a Beta distribution of the dependent variable. We found that stand composition was only slightly affected across 22 years. The mean aboveground biomass increased evenly and significantly (from 168 to 237 Mg/ha). Stand dynamics were mostly affected by stand structure characteristics, especially basal area (BA) and density, while other factors (geomorphometric and climatic characteristics) modified these relationships. The importance of climatic and geomorphometric factors shows local responses of stand dynamics, which can be utilized for fine-scale sites. We found twice higher relative increments in SW than in NE exposition, which can be related to higher insolation (sunlight and temperature) on SW-exposed hillslopes. The aboveground tree biomass change caused by mortality was partly controlled by several variables, among which the most important was BA. With increasing BA, mortality increased and was also slightly related to steeper slopes. Species-specific trends were dominated by species proportion. Fagus sylvatica had higher relative increment and mortality in plots with its dominance, while Abies alba absolute increment decreased. Studying the mountain forest dynamics is crucial for biodiversity, soil and groundwater protection, and tourism. Ground measurements are an accurate way to estimate biomass.
Abies alba, aboveground biomass, Fagus sylvatica, increment, monitoring, mortality, recruitment
Forest recreation and well-being - a survey of sanatorium patients' opinions
Numerous studies provide evidence of the positive effects of forest recreation on well-being. However, there is a lack of research conducted among sanatorium patients. Some sanatoria organize various exercises for patients, supervised by instructors in the forests surrounding the health resort. This study examined the opinions of patients in these sanatoria regarding the impact of such forest exercises on their well-being. An additional objective was to gain knowledge about the type of exercises held in the forest, as well as their frequency and duration. A total of 293 patients participated in the individual questionnaire interview. Ninety-five percent of respondents declared that forest exercises took place several times a week, while 5% indicated a frequency of 1-2 times a week. Seventy-five percent of patients spent 1 to 2 hours during individual forest exercises, 23% spent more than 2 hours, and 2% less than 1 hour. The most frequently organized forms of forest activities for sanatorium patients were walking (40%) and Nordic walking (31%), followed by exercising in the outdoor gym (17%) and gymnastics (12%). Almost all patients reported improved well-being after forest exercises. Additionally, 92% of patients also visited the forest during their leisure time. The results may pave the way for the potential development of forest bathing as an effective method to enhance the well-being of sanatorium patients, thereby positively influencing the process of improving their health. Considering health promotion, sanatorium management is encouraged to implement various forms of forest recreation, including forest bathing, into sanatorium treatment programs. It is essential to ensure that the form of forest recreation and the duration of sessions (1-2 hours) are tailored to the capabilities of sanatorium patients.
forest bathing, forest therapy, public health, shinrin-yoku, spas, wellness
Genetic parameters of Abies alba progenies from seed orchards and natural populations in Romania
A total of 204 silver fir open-pollinated families from four first-generation seed orchards and 12 natural stands were tested in a nursery experiment. The performances and genetic parameters of the seed orchards (SO) and natural populations progenies (NP) were determined and compared at ages from 3 to 6 years old. Several traits were assessed such as: the total height, the annual height increment, the root collar diameter, the branch length, the number of branches, and the bud burst evaluated during spring 2015-2016. On average, progenies derived from seed orchards outperformed those from natural stands, exhibiting 8–14% greater height and 4–6% greater diameter. Estimates of genetic variance components indicated that most of the variation was attributable to additive genetic effects. Total height and annual height increment showed the highest proportions of additive variance, ranging from 42 to 91% in NP progenies and from 41 to 78% in SO progenies. Narrow-sense individual heritability estimates were generally higher than those previously reported for silver fir, ranging from 0.12 to 0.83 for SO progenies and from 0.23 to 0.91 for NP progenies. Family heritability exceeded individual heritability in both progeny types investigated. Among the studied traits, total height exhibited the highest heritability for both progenies. Heritability of total height increased moderately from ages 3 to 6, whereas heritability for root collar diameter declined and remained relatively stable for branch-related traits. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between growth traits were relatively high, while those between bud burst and growth traits were positive and weak for both progenies. The correlations between growth traits and branch traits were positive but nonsignificant. A significant correlation was obtained between bud burst in 2016 and elevation of populations. The phenotypic correlations were higher than the genetic ones for both progenies. Genetic gain differed depending on the selection method, intensity, and traits examined. Across all selection methods, total height showed greater genetic gain than root collar diameter. Recurrent selections based on the parental genetic values will bring the greatest genetic gain in the next breeding generation. The genetic gains that could be achieved if the backwards selection will be used at the level of the first-generation seed orchards are between 19–27% for total height, 9–27% for diameter and 40–48% for current height increment. If the backward selection is used in natural populations, a genetic gain of 21–32% for total height, 13–22% for diameter and 42–55% for current height increment could be obtained. The results are discussed linking them to their implications for the development of a silver fir breeding strategy and also for the second-generation seed orchards establishment.
silver fir, open-pollinated progenies, early testing, quantitative traits, genetic parameters
Wood measurement at the factory gate: a comparison study to evaluate the accuracy of a state-of-the-art digital truckload measurement system
Precise wood measurement and traceability are important for increasing supply chain efficiency and guaranteeing legal compliance in the forest industry. Digitalization has emerged as a transformative trend globally, offering significant potential to address current challenges associated with wood transportation. This study investigates the accuracy of the CIND’s Timspec ® system in measuring the roundwood solid volume at the factory gate. It compares the system's performance using data from a number of 1,300 truckloads, of which 1,292 were retained after outlier removal, and were compared to data sourced by manual measurements performed in the forest and Microtec® measurements carried out in the sawmill yard. The study followed a comprehensive methodological framework from outlier removal using the DBSCAN (Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise) algorithm to statistical analysis and heteroskedasticity tests to assess the reliability of the system. The results indicate a high degree of agreement among the used measurement systems. However, it highlights the differences in volume estimations produced by these systems, revealing that while the Timspec system tends to overestimate wood volumes by approximately 0.5 m³ overall, which is likely attributed to operational factors such as truckload gaps and moving speed, Microtec system underestimates by about 0.8 m³ overall, primarily due to observable factors such as bark loss during mechanical handling in the sawmill yard. Based on the findings, Timspec® system can be used to effectively check the conformity regarding the quantity of wood delivered to the processing industry by those in charge with tactical and strategic decision making, mainly due to speed, effectiveness, and coverage of measurements. Following improvements, this digital system may stand as an effective tool for the wood supply chain, allowing for fast and accurate estimates of the truckload-based wood deliveries, as well as automation of the measurement processes at the factory gate.
transportation, supply chain, estimates, agreement, digital systems, traceability, decision making
Assessing spatial dynamics of GEDI biomass prediction in managed versus unmanaged tropical forest ecosystems in Kenya
Above ground biomass (AGB) estimation is vital for monitoring carbon storage and ecosystem fluxes, especially in tropical forests for climate mitigation in the Global South. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) instrument offers high resolution forest monitoring; however, field measurements are crucial to enhance spatial accuracy. This study assessed the limitations of using machine learning models trained on GEDI data to estimate AGB for two distinct forest ecosystems in Kenya: Kakamega National Forest Reserve (KNFR) and Karura Forest Reserve (KFR). Our specific objectives were (i) developing Random Forest (RF) machine learning model using GEDI data for training, (ii) comparing GEDI estimates with field measurements, and (iii) quantifying the limitations of using integrated GEDI-RF model. Plots were coincided with GEDI beams for comparison to assess variability and bias in AGB estimates. The p-value of 0.005 for heteroskedasticity in KNFR indicated high variability and bias of the GEDI-RF model relative to the field measured model. In contrast, p-value of 0.195 for heteroskedasticity in KFR indicated low variability and bias of the GEDI-RF model relative to the field measured model. 55% of plots which coincided with GEDI had less than 10% relative difference in AGB estimates between models. Plots outside of GEDI had a relative difference in AGB estimates between models greater than 10%. Relative to the field measured model, the GEDI-RF model overestimated AGB values less than 100 Mg ha⁻¹ and underestimated greater than 200 Mg ha⁻¹. This study contributes to effective forest monitoring, carbon accounting, and conservation in heterogeneous forests.
GEDI, forest monitoring, remote sensing, tropical forest, carbon storage
Evaluation of gene diversity and gain in Eucalyptus camaldulensis seed orchards of two generations
This paper is a comparative synthesis of the gene diversity and gain based on published results of two Eucalyptus camaldulensis breeding programmes (BP 1&2) in India. The dynamics and genetic gain of four first generation (F1) seedling seed orchards (SPA) of BP1 were compared with three second generation (F2) SPAs and two clonal seed orchards (CSO) of BP2. Three F1 orchards (F1 SPAs 1,3&4) of BP1 had low flowering (30%) and high fertility variation (sibling coefficient, Ψ = 5-11) whereas F1 SPA2 had 73% fertile trees (Ψ = 2.27). No significant gain was obtained in BP1 when the four F1SPA seed crops were evaluated at two locations in genetic gain trials - to estimate the gain obtained in comparison to native provenance and commercial clone checks. For infusing improved seed from BP1 to BP2, three F2SPAs were developed, of which two (F2 SPA 1-2) were thinned genetic gain trials that incorporated bulked seed lots from four F1 SPAs of BP1, and the third (F2 SPA 3) originated from bulked seed of only one F1SPA. Two clone trials of F1 progeny selections were converted to clonal seed orchards (F2 CSO 1&2). Flowering was low (26%) in the F2 SPAs also with high fertility variation (Ψ, 9-14). The CSOs had high flowering (81%) but fertility was highly skewed in CSO2 (Ns = 2) compared to CSO1 (Ns = 11). The F2 SPAs 1&2, which originated from four F1 SPAs in genetic gain trials, had higher effective population size (Ns, 95 and 74) than the F2 SPA3 (Ns = 39) and CSOs, and better progeny performance than the native provenance at 3 years. CSO2 had the lowest gene diversity and survival than the other taxa. Genetic composition and fertility status of the orchards affected the performance and genetic diversity of progeny.
clonal seed orchard, fertility, provenance, breeding programme, progeny trial
A case study on forest practitioners' perspectives on climate extremes: consensus on impacts and conflicts in responses
Climate extremes present significant challenges to the German forestry sector, impacting forest ecosystems, biodiversity, and overall forest health. This study examines the perspectives of forest practitioners regarding the impacts of climate extremes, such as drought, heat waves, storms, and heavy rainfall, as well as their proposed responses and potential conflicts. Utilizing a transdisciplinary approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 forest practitioners. The findings reveal that over 89% of practitioners acknowledge drought as the most significant climate extreme affecting forests, highlighting its detrimental impacts on tree health and forest ecosystems. Drought-related damage since 2018 has also resulted in significant economic losses and necessitates large-scale reforestation. Notably, two divergent management approaches were identified: those prioritizing wood production (FWP) tend to focus on economic viability and timber management strategies, while those emphasizing protection and recreation (FPR) concentrate on ecological sustainability and biodiversity conservation. There is a broad consensus on the impacts of climate change, but responses remain contested. Both groups agree on the importance of promoting mixed, multi-layered forest stands to enhance resilience to climate extremes. However, important differences remain: the FWP group advocates active interventions and favors conifer species such as spruce for economic reasons, while the FPR group emphasizes natural processes and prefers native species like beech. Although climate adaptation serves as a shared rationale, their underlying priorities differ considerably. These insights underscore the need for integrating diverse perspectives in forest management to effectively address the complexities of climate change, facilitating collaborative approaches that address both economic aspects and environmental co-benefits through integrated forest management.
forest management, resilience, stakeholder engagement, adaptive strategies, climate extremes, drought, storms, transdisciplinarity, sustainable forestry
Sentinel-2 and environmental data as predictors of the spatiotemporal dynamics of bark beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) - induced tree mortality in natural spruce forests
Biotic and abiotic disturbances affect forest ecosystems. Unlike sudden disturbances, bark beetle outbreaks are a gradual process. Bark beetle outbreak triggered by windstorm in Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests was analysed over a 6-year period (2016-2021) in mountainous conditions (890-2,100 m a.s.l.) with deep valleys and high ridges. The disturbance extent and dynamics were assessed via remote sensing (Sentinel-2 imagery) using a supervised maximum likelihood classification. Topographical variables, bark beetle-related spatial metrics and spectral indices were assessed for predictor importance for their influence on bark beetle-caused disturbance dynamics by boosted regression trees. The overall accuracy of the classification ranged from 87-92% (Kappa 0.84-0.89). Bark beetle spots were initiated mainly at relatively high altitudes and preferentially on exposed terrain. Spectral indices, such as the red-edge normalized difference vegetation index (RENDVI), played a consistent role across various years in predicting spot initiation. With respect to the spread of bark beetle spots, distance emerged as the most influential predictor across all years. Additionally, elevation and RENDVI had notable impacts on spot spreading. In the case of bark beetle spot initialization, the importance of different factors varied among years whereas for spot spreading distance was the most influential for each year.
Sentinel-2, bark beetle, disturbances, Ips typographus, Norway spruce, Picea abies
Mapping the monetary value of forest-based recreation: a case study in the Italian Carnic Prealps
In the last decades, ecosystem services are increasingly of interest to the scientific community and policy makers, due to their ability to improve people's physical and mental well-being. To better target forest management interventions, it is important to assign a spatially explicit monetary value to ecosystem services provided by forests. This study aims to defined a procedure to assess and map the monetary values of outdoor recreational in a case study in the north-east of Italy (Cansiglio Orientale forest). For that purpose, a zonal Travel Cost Method and a spatial analysis were implemented in order to map the outdoor recreation value in different forest areas. During the summer 2023, 118 questionnaires were collected through face-to-face administration on the site. The results showed an annual consumer surplus of 13,961,789 € that corresponds to 15.36 € per visit per person. According to the spatial analysis, accommodation facilities, points of interest, and roads and paths network are the elements that most affect the distribution of the outdoor recreation value.
ecosystem services; user perception; economic value; spatial analysis; Cansiglio Orientale forest (Italy)
Litter nutrient dynamics under different tree plantations of humid subtropical region of Uttarakhand, India
Litter plays a vital role in forest ecosystems, significantly contributing to nutrient cycling through litter production and decomposition. Understanding these processes is crucial for forest management and conservation, especially in the face of global environmental changes. This research is important because it provides insights into the litterfall patterns and nutrient dynamics of different tree species, which are essential for maintaining forest health and productivity. The present study aimed to determine the quantity and pattern of litterfall and nutrient return to the forest floor of Pinus roxburghii, Shorea robusta, and Bambusa tulda. We collected litterfall monthly over two years in three different plantations of P. roxburghii, S. robusta, and B. tulda, and measured the nutrient content of the litter. The mean annual litter production recorded in these plantations was greatest in B. tulda (4652.15 kg ha-1yr-1), followed by S. robusta (3731.4 kg ha-1yr-1) and P. roxburghii (2588.85 kg ha-1yr-1). The plantations included both the main species and associated understory vegetation, such as herbs and shrubs. Leaf litter from the main species accounted for the highest total litterfall in April. During this period, leaf litter accounted for approximately 24% of the total in S. robusta, 16% in P. roxburghii, and 15% in B. tulda. Minimum mean monthly litterfall was recorded in September and November for P. roxburghii and S. robusta, and in November and December for B. tulda. There was significant monthly variation in nutrient content between the species. Maximum nitrogen (N) was measured during June for P. roxburghii, December for S. robusta, and January for B. tulda, and phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations also varied significantly. Annual patterns of nutrient return followed the order N > K > P. Maximum nutrient return was observed during April in all species due to higher litter production during that month. There was greater variability in litter quality in the broadleaved forest (S. robusta) than in the coniferous forest (P. roxburghii), indicating the more dynamic functioning of broad-leaved plantations compared to coniferous ones.. This research highlights the critical role of litterfall in nutrient cycling within forest ecosystems and underscores the importance of considering species-specific litter dynamics in forest management and conservation strategies.
litter dynamics, nutrient return, Pinus roxburghii, Shorea robusta, Bambusa tulda.
How dynamic are structural and compositional changes at different scales? An example from the strictly protected forests of Roztocze National Park in Poland
In certain instances, forest managers are expected to emulate the structural patterns and disturbance regimes of primary forests. In this context, the forest cycle theory, established during the 20th century and widely adopted by many forest researchers and practitioners with little or no critique, suggests that particular patches (groups of trees) within an old-growth stand develop unidirectionally, progressing through stages from regeneration and initial growth to optimal and, finally, breakdown stage. However, due to the lack of long-term observations with detailed tree position data, little research has been conducted on this subject. Our study focused on proxy small-scale spatial dynamics based on patches of living trees for which exact positions and diameters were recorded from 1993 to 2023. First, we analyzed changes at the stand level in terms of diameter distributions and tree species composition over three decades. The distributions of European beech and silver fir remained relatively stable, while the cumulative distribution changed significantly due to a noticeable decrease in young trees of minor species. Secondly, we investigated the dynamics of basal area (BA) changes at the sub-stand level on small patches ranging from 0.01 ha to 0.0625 ha for each decade and over the entire observation period. At the decadal level, the values of Clark-Evans index indicated spatially random single-tree mortality as the predominant disturbance pattern. However, over a longer period, some of these small disturbances repeatedly occurred and concentrated at the same microlocations within the forest, which eventually resulted in spatially aggregated losses of BA by the end of the observation period. Another important finding from this study was that patches with non-directional BA dynamics were more common than those with continual positive BA accretion and/or continual negative BA trajectories. This finding significantly challenges the premises of unidirectional patch development.
forest dynamics, fine-scale patches, basal area trajectories, primary forests
Development of acorn discrimination model for warm-temperature evergreen oaks using hyperspectral analysis
We used hyperspectral analysis to distinguish between acorns of Japanese red oak (Quercus acuta Thunb.) and ring-cup oak (Quercus glauca Thunb.), two closely related species of the evergreen oaks. To accomplish this, 631 Japanese red oak acorns and 505 ring-cupped oak acorns were collected from the seed orchard in Jeju Island, Korea, and hyperspectral imaging was performed. Two types of hyperspectral devices, Corning and Korea Spectral Products (KSP), were used to calibrate images and extract regions of interest. Average spectra were obtained from the extracted regions of interest, and morphological variables were added to the Corning data to form a dataset. Partial least square (PLS) was used as the learning model, Standard normal variate, Multiplicative scatter correction, and Savitzky-Golay filtering were applied as preprocessing techniques, and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling and successive projection algorithm were applied as variable selection techniques ; and the combination of preprocessing method, the number of PLS components, and the number of selected variables were optimized.. The lightweight model was generated from the selected variables, and the performance was improved by combining the morphological variables. As a result, the lightweight model based on Corning dataset showed 45~85% accuracy, and the lightweight model based on the KSP dataset showed 75~90% accuracy. The model utilizing morphological variables in the Corning-based lightweight model showed a high accuracy of 98-100%, so we were able to discriminate the acorns of evergreen oaks between Q. acuta and Q. glauca. The results of this study are expected to serve as a basis for future model development for seed classification of hybrid oak acorns.
hyperspectral analysis; seed identification; variable selection; evergreen oak; species classification
Field assessment of synthetic attractants and traps for the cerambycid beetles Tetropium castaneum L. and Tetropium fuscum (F.) in the Eastern Carpathians, Romania
Tetropium species, significant forest pests in some countries, are expected to pose an even more significant threat in the context of climate change and biological invasions. The potential impact is substantial, making detecting their presence and monitoring their populations crucial. The research presented in the paper aimed to test the response of adults of Tetropium castaneum (Linnaeus,1758) and Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius, 1787) to synthetic attractants similar to those used in other countries (two experiments) and to verify the effectiveness of three types of traps in their capture (one experiment). The experiments were conducted in six freshly clear-cutting areas located in spruce or mixed stands in the northern part of the Eastern Carpathians. In the first two experiments, carried out between 2015 and 2016, we investigated the response to fuscumol, both alone and in combination with host tree volatiles (monoterpenes and ethanol) released at different rates. We also tested a combination of (-)-alpha-pinene, ethanol, and aggregative pheromone of Ips typographus (C.Linnaues, 1758). Barrier traps were used in these initial experiments. The third experiment, conducted in 2017, evaluated the effectiveness of Crosstrap, Barrier, and MultiWit traps, all baited with lures of fuscumol, (-)-alpha-pinene, and ethanol. Numerous specimens of both species were caught in all experiments, namely 7,824-10,466 T. castaneum and 1,041-1,215 T. fuscum. The sex ratio (M/F) varied from 1:1.02 to 1.36:1 for the first species and from 1:1.03 to 1.55:1 for the second. All the baits tested were found to be significantly attractive to the adults of both species. The differences in average catches recorded in traps baited with fuscumol or combinations of attractants were statistically significant compared to those in unbaited traps. Additionally, the catches from traps baited with fuscumol and host volatiles differed significantly from those baited with fuscumol alone. However, there were no significant differences in the average catches of traps baited only with fuscumol compared to those baited with (-)-alpha-pinene, ethanol, and synthetic I. typographus pheromone. Baits containing fuscumol primarily attracted female insects, but when baits with host volatiles were added to those containing fuscumol, the proportion of males in the total catches increased. The Crosstrap and Barrier traps captured significantly more specimens of T. castaneum and T. fuscum than the MultiWit traps, with capture rates 3.20 to 5.57 times higher for T. castaneum and 4.81 to 8.56 times higher for T. fuscum. However, the differences between the Crosstrap and Barrier traps were not statistically significant. Fuscumol baits, whether used independently or alongside host tree volatiles, demonstrate significant attractiveness to beetles of both Tetropium species in Romania. Adding monoterpenes and ethanol lures creates a powerful synergistic effect, remarkably enhancing the allure of fuscumol, particularly for T. fuscum compared to T. castaneum. Moreover, a combination of (-)-alpha-pinene, ethanol, and aggregative pheromone of Ips typographus matches the attractiveness of fuscumol lures, making it an effective alternative. For effective detection and monitoring of Tetropium native or exotic species, fuscumol lures in conjunction with host volatile baits and Crosstrap or Barrier traps are recommended. This approach improves population monitoring and ensures reliable results.
black spruce beetle, brown spruce longhorn beetle, fuscumol, (-)-alpha-pinene, monoterpenes, ethanol, Ips typographus aggregation pheromone, Crosstrap, Barrier trap, MultiWit trap.
Fertility variability among clones and genetic diversity of seed crops at seed orchards of Chamaecyparis obtusa in South Korea
Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl., commonly known as Japanese cypress or hinoki cypress, is widely cultivated for its high-quality timber and ornamental use. Despite its economic and ecological importance, the species faces challenges in adapting to various climates, necessitating the distribution of high-quality seeds and seedlings. This study aims to enhance the genetic improvement and stability of seed production by analyzing fertility characteristics and genetic traits from two clonal seed orchards of C. obtusa in two locations (Gochang and Seogwipo), South Korea. We examined patterns of strobilus and cone production from 2020 to 2022, assessed effective parent numbers, genetic diversity, and heritability estimates, and analyzed parental contribution for the reproductive traits. Results indicated significant annual variation in strobilus and cone production among clones, with higher male fertility variance than female parents. The effective parent number and genetic diversity were generally maintained sustainably, though Seogwipo showed slightly lower diversity. The study underscores the need for management practices to balance clonal contributions, and sustain long-term productivity and genetic diversity in the seed orchards of C. obtusa. Future research should focus on understanding environmental influences on clonal contributions and refining selection criteria for superior clones in the advanced generation breeding program.
Japanese cypress, gene diversity, fertility variation, genetic parameter, effective parent number, cone production
Structural features of Peleș Park Forest: managing for ecosystem services provision
The Peleș Park Forest (PPF), a semi-natural peri-urban forest near Sinaia, Romania, is essential in providing ecological benefits and improving human well-being through recreation. As the urban population grows and stress-related health problems increase, green spaces are increasingly recognised for their restorative functions, including air purification, temperature regulation and mental health improvement. This study aims to develop a sustainable management framework that reconciles forest conservation with recreational value use by assessing forest structure, evaluating tourism-related stressors, and proposing adaptive management strategies. We assessed forest structure through tree diameter, height, volume, and crown health measurements, applying principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the main structural drivers. The results revealed a strong correlation between tree diameter and height, modulated by species composition and site conditions. They showed pronounced crown defoliation in the upper canopy layers, particularly among trees of lower wood quality. The findings suggest that uneven-aged stand structures, which support biodiversity and ecological resilience, are subject to tourism-related pressures such as soil compaction and vegetation damage.
Forest Park, ecological functions, recreational value, forest structure, sustainable management.
Tree stem mean diameter reduction factor prediction through advanced modeling approaches
Sustainable management of natural resources relies on accurate modelling of forest attributes to prevent degradation. This study explores advanced modelling techniques, including Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Regression (SVR), for estimating the mean stem diameter reduction factor (taper) of standing fir trees (Abies x borisii-regis Matff.). These methods are compared against traditional non-linear regression model (NLR), developed using the Levenberg-Marquardt optimization algorithm. The ANN models employ cascade correlation, generalized regression, and Bayesian regularization back-propagation architectures, while the ε-SVR approach is assessed for its robustness. The results show that support vector regression (ε-SVR) achieved the lowest relative errors in model fitting, improving by 0.60% over cascade correlation and generalized regression and by 0.67% over Bayesian regularization. Regarding generalization ability, the ε-SVR model performed best, with a relative error of 4.90%, which was slightly lower than cascade correlation (by 0.1%), generalized regression (by 0.01%), and Bayesian regularization (by 0.04%). A comparative analysis between machine learning approaches and standard regression revealed that the ε-SVR model had the lowest mean error (0.0715), while the non-linear regression (NLR) model showed a higher mean error of 0.0955, which means 1.35 times greater. These findings highlight the strong capability of machine learning methods in accurately estimating and predicting the diameter reduction factor of trees, effectively capturing its non-linear behaviour compared to traditional regression models. Overall, this study underscores the potential of advanced machine learning techniques to enhance accuracy and adaptability in sustainable forest management.
mean diameter reduction factor, cascade correlation, generalized regression, Bayesian regularization, support vector regression
Insights into fallow deer population dynamics: Juvenile mortality in Arad County
The fallow deer (Dama dama) is one of the main species of large herbivores in Romania, with a fluctuating presence over time, particularly during the last century. Population fluctuations have been driven by a combination of factors including climate, habitat quality, interspecific competition, predation, and human activities. While mortality represents a key component in the population dynamics, this study aims to quantify juvenile mortality in fallow deer during their first year of life, representing one of the first investigations of this type conducted in Romania. The study examines juvenile mortality rate in a fallow deer population from the Western Plain of Romania over the period June 2020-May 2021. Population structure was analyzed by age classes, and temporal variation in reproductive performance was evaluated by examining the number of calves per mature female over one year. The results indicate a juvenile mortality rate of approximately 50% during the first year of life. This level of mortality is considered typical for natural habitats supporting free-ranging ungulate populations in the presence of substantial mesocarnivores populations. The age-class structure of female fallow deer, together with the population dynamics of mesocarnivores, particularly the golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), suggests that predation plays a significant role in juvenile mortality within the study area. These findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of reproductive indicators and predator populations to ensure more effective wildlife management strategies.
fallow deer, mortality rate, age structure
Structure and dynamics of deadwood in the mixed beech-conifers Frakto virgin forest of Greece
Virgin forests are considered valuable reference areas for studying forest ecosystem structures and functions as they have been naturally grown with no human interventions. In the Mediterranean region there are few such areas and even scarcer data on deadwood which is a key element for multi-functional forest management. Data regarding the amount and variety of standing and lying deadwood were recorded in the core zones of the Frakto virgin forest in the central Rodopi Mountains in eight square plots of 0.25 ha each. The average deadwood volume accounted for 175.71 m3 ha-1 with lying deadwood consisting mainly of conifers and representing over 60% of the total deadwood. The deadwood distribution showed a decreasing trend towards larger size classes while in terms of quality deadwood it was represented by all stages of decay, thus showing high variability. The research outcomes contribute to knowledge standards when adopting management regimes in mixed beech forests aiming at sustainable forest ecosystem management.
coarse woody debris, snags, logs, stumps, decay stages
The inevitable role of the oil market: Does its price really matter for forestry investment in China?
Delving into the intricate roles of oil prices holds the key to attaining sustainable growth of forestry investment in China. Utilising the full- and sub-sample approaches, this article aims to reveal the dynamically evolving relationships between oil price (OP) and forest investment (FI) in China. The quantitative outcomes underscore the complex interplay between OP and FI, highlighting favourable and unfavourable impacts. Notably, the findings indicate that a substantial surge in oil prices could potentially pose obstacles to forestry investment in China, whereas a decline in OP could serve as a stimulus. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that this inference is not uniformly applicable when the effect turns positive, primarily influenced by sluggish economic conditions resulting from the global trade wars. Conversely, FI positively influences OP, underscoring that the decline in forestry investment in China could drive down oil prices through psychological and environmental factors. Amid escalating economic and energy uncertainties globally, essential policy suggestions will be proffered to China, aiming to ensure the robust development of the oil market and forestry investment.
Copyright (c) 2024 Annals of Forest Research
Investigation of the effects of tree species on air quality using i-Tree software: A case study in California
The USDA Forest Service has developed a unique software and tree modelling suite called i-Tree. Several of its instruments are capable of exploring the benefits of trees and forests for pollution mitigation, reduction of storm water runoff, carbon sequestration and storage. However, the system remains underutilized for investigating the effects of trees on air quality. In this study, counties in California (CA), United States, were selected using the i-Tree Landscape tool. Next, several characteristics including land cover details, forest details, population, air quality, carbon sequestration capacity, and air pollution removal capacity, were investigated. When considering the air quality situation in these counties, O3 and PM2.5 are the primary pollutants. The planting prioritization map of California was created based on population density, tree cover, plantable space, average PM2.5 and O3 concentration values, and the counties with the highest planting priority were selected using i-Tree Planting tool. Using this instrument, a case study on the modelling of the removal performances of these air pollutants by multiple new species (Turkey oak, Siberian elm, European hackberry, European white elm, Common ash, European silver birch, Velvet ash, Black alder, Bigleaf linden) in priority areas was conducted. The most effective modelled tree species in the area was found to be Turkey oak for its effects in improving air quality in general and O3 in particular. When compared to the effects of modelled trees, the effects of the existing public trees in California were determined to have a comparatively minor impact.
Ecological species groups and interspecific associations of dominant woody species in a seasonal tropical forest of Laos
The study of ecological species groups (ESGs) and interspecific interactions offers important insights into the mechanisms that drive tree species coexistence and enhances our understanding of plant community structure, function, and taxonomy. This study aimed to identify ESGs within a seasonal tropical forest in Phou Khao Khouay National Park, located in central Laos, and to investigate the key environmental factors influencing their distribution. Additionally, the study analysed community stability and interspecific associations among woody species using various statistical techniques, including Variance Ratio (VR), chi-squared tests, Association Coefficients (AC), and percentage of Co-occurrence (PC). To collect data, thirty-two permanent plots, each covering an area of 2500 m² (50 × 50 m), were established. In each plot, floristic data and species abundance were recorded, along with soil samples from two depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) for physicochemical analysis. Vegetation data were classified using Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN), and differences between ESGs were evaluated using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) was applied to identify key species for each ESG, while Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was employed to explore the relationships between ESGs and environmental variables. The results revealed that the woody plant communities in the study area were relatively stable, exhibiting predominantly positive interspecific associations. Additionally, the distribution of the fosur identified ESGs showed a strong correlation with topographical factors – such as elevation, aspect, and slope – and soil properties, including pH, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and soil texture. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing microhabitats that support the growth and conservation of woody plant species in Phou Khao Khouay National Park, offering valuable insights for future ecological research and conservation initiatives.
Tradeoffs and limitations in determining tree characteristics using 3D pointclouds from terrestrial laser scanning: A comparison of reconstruction algorithms on European bech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees
Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) has quickly gained momentum in forestry as a fast and nondestructive alternative to determine tree shape and volume. Determining tree shape and volume is fundamental for a wide range of forestry applications, including the estimation of carbon stock and development of volume and biomass allometric models. However, tree shape and volume are often determined from TLS data based on different available algorithms, with direct implications on the measured tree feature. In this study we compared several algorithms for tree reconstruction from TLS data, with respect to their capacity to accurately determine tree characteristics such as diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), stem volume (Vst) and total aboveground tree volume (Vtot). The following algorithms were compared using Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LoA): (i) TreeQSM, (ii) 3D Forest, (iii) RANSAC and (iv) Poisson. The data used for the comparison was collected from 10 sample plots, totalizing 40 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees, covering a DBH range from 6.2 cm to 76.0 cm and H range from 9.5 m to 36.2 m. The results showed that the algorithm used to analyse the TLS data affected notably the tree characteristics. The LoA were up to 3.65 m? for Vtot, up to 7.5 cm for DBH and up to 1.1 m for H, suggesting a rather weak agreement between algorithms. From our comparison, TreeQSM emerged as the most reliable algorithm for comprehensive trait reconstruction, while Poisson was well suited for stem volume estimation. Moreover, determining H seems to be less affected by the algorithm selection compared to DBH. Our findings raise awareness about algorithm selection in TLS data processing and highlight the importance of selecting an appropriate algorithm to meet the specific objective when using TLS to determine tree shape and volume.
The importance of standing deadwood in white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) habitat from deciduous forests in central Romania
The white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) is one of the bird species which depends on dead and dying trees as their most important habitat resource. Because of this, it is affected by forest management that removes deadwood and changes the structure of old stands. In Romania, its relations with the structures of forests with and without management, including standing deadwood, are not known. The main objectives of this study were the analysis of the most representative elements of snags in its specific habitat – mainly beech forest in low mountains from central Romania. Based on the presence-absence of species, by applying the standard woodpeckers monitoring protocol using a total of 25 fixed points we compared deadwood variables (snag density, volume, basal area) for the entire study area, regardless of forest structure and management, and for stands over 70 years old, as potentially suitable or optimum habitat for the species. The comparison between plots with and without analysed species shows several significant differences especially regarding the number of snags, volume and basal area mainly for stands older than 70 years. The PCA of the variables for the trees with a DBH > 10 cm explained 74.4% of the variance, but for the very large trees (DBH > 40 cm) this percent is the highest one (89.9%). At the same time, the values of several variables (e.g. snag volume, basal area) are similar or higher than those in various areas of Europe. As a main conclusion, these forests are suitable or optimal for white-backed woodpecker and the Romanian forest management can be considered "closer-to-nature" at least for beech stands but for maintaining and improving the species typical habitat structure a few conservation measures should be applied in addition.
Plant species richness and conservation status of protected and unprotected areas of Kohat District, Northern Pakistan
Kohat, located in northern Pakistan, holds ecological importance due to its distinct climate, diverse vegetation, and conservation concerns. This study hypothesizes that protected areas exhibit higher plant diversity and biomass than unprotected areas, primarily due to the impact of protection measures on domestic and wild animal activities. We assessed the abundance and diversity of native vegetation across 25 plots in protected and unprotected areas. Our findings revealed 67 native plant species, including 39 herbs, 18 shrubs, and 10 trees. Key tree species such as Grewia opptiva, Vachellia nilotica, and Senegalia modesta demonstrated higher basal areas in protected areas. In contrast, shrub species like Rhazya stricta, Withania coagulans, and Gymnosporia royleana exhibited higher densities in these areas. Species of conservation concern, such as critically endangered W. coagulans and nearly threatened G. royleana, were more prevalent in protected areas, suggesting the effectiveness of conservation measures. Additionally, locally important and consumable medicinal plant species, including Ajuga bracteosa, Amaranthus viridis, Peganum harmala, Sonchus arvensis, and Zygophyllum indicum revealed substantial abundance, richness, and distribution within protected areas. In conclusion, the study indicates that conservation measures, particularly protected areas, play a crucial role in safeguarding and preserving native plant communities and enhancing species richness.
plant diversity, medicinal plants, forest restoration, vegetation assessment, threatened species, semiarid climates
Diallel crossing (10x10) in Swiss stone pine. Juvenile-adult correlations and genetic gain for predicting forward selection
Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) is a viable solution for afforestation in the high mountain zone, at the upper limit of the forests, due to the species adaptation ability to the limiting climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic variability, inheritance rate and juvenile-adult correlations, in a 26 years full-sib (10x10 complete mating design) trial, in order to predict the genetic gain of forward selection. In the spring of 2023, measurements and evaluations were carried out for all the existing trees, for Survival rate (Sr), growth (Diameter as breast height- Dbh, Trees' height- Th, Trees' volume- Tv) and quality traits (Forks, stem slenderness- Ss, branches' diameter- Bd, branches' finesse- Bf, defoliation- Def). The 90 cross-pollinated (CP) families registered 50% of Sr whereas the other 10 selfcross-pollinated (consanguineous) registered just 11% of Sr, and the majority of those trees are dominated and face extinction in the next years. Juvenile-adult correlations were highly significant (p<0.001), indicating that early selection (at the age of 14 years) might be efficient. At the trial age, based on the medium to high heritabilities, the forward selection of the best 10% individual trees from the top 20 of the 90 CP families, for Dbh, could be applied, which ensure at least 9.2% of genetic gain.
Comparing efficiency, timing and costs of different walking paths in HMLS LIDAR survey
The technological innovation of terrestrial LIDAR systems has recently given forest planners greater access to key features on forest structure. The Hand Held Mobile Laser Scanner (HMLS) is a recently developed LIDAR tool that is particularly user-friendly and reliable. It is especially useful in the mapping of forest stands, thanks to its implementation of the Simultaneous Location and Mapping Algorithms (SLAM) algorithm. Thus, the present study investigates the ideal walking path to follow during HMLS scanning to survey trees and estimates the biometric parameters of forest stands by testing three distinct schemes. Specifically, two different forest ecosystems are considered in experimental HMLS LIDAR surveys, a beech-dominated deciduous forest and an oak-dominated deciduous forest. Finally, a cost/benefit analysis of each laser survey is analysed according to three walking path models (STAR, GRID, BORDER). A control analysis is also performed of the traditional method without LIDAR. This study contributes to the advancement of a growing body of research on Precision Forestry by considering different characteristics of the forest environment. Regarding practical application, the resulting evaluation of field survey technology can help foresters integrate these techniques into their basic tool kit for forest planning and management processes.
Exploring the association between adaptive and growth traits and within-individual genetic diversity in common beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of Europe's most widespread forest tree species. In the actual context of climate change, this species has responded through its self-regulation mechanisms, proving a high plasticity. It is important to explore the specific mechanisms driving its response to climate change, taking into account silvicultural, phenological, and genetic perspectives and their interaction. Here, we tested for association between adaptive and growth traits and within-individual genetic diversity measured as individual heterozygosity (proportion of heterozygous loci per sampled individual), based on six genomic microsatellite markers (gSSRs, genomic simple sequence repeats) and six expressed sequence tag microsatellites (EST-SSRs) for 55 beech trees. We evaluated the spring and autumn phenology of beech trees sampled along an altitudinal gradient (560 - 1150 m) and the architectural traits using a non-destructive terrestrial laser scanning method (TLS). The effect of stand density at the onset of the growing season was evaluated by quantifying the competition through the Hegyi index. The onset of bud burst and senescence, as well as the length of the growing season, varied significantly and inversely proportionally with the altitudinal gradient. There was a difference of 14 days between the individuals located at the extremities of the altitudinal gradient in the onset of bud burst, 15 days in the onset of senescence, and 30 days in the length of the growing season. We obtained a very significant and positive correlation between altitude and bud burst and a very significant but negative one between altitude and the length of the growing season. An increase in tree competition directly implied a decrease in DBH and crown dimensions, especially by neighbours closer than 4 m. Stem's slenderness significantly increased with higher competition. Our results revealed a positive relationship between individual heterozygosity and the length of the growing season, as well as with the trunk volume and DBH. Higher individual heterozygosity was associated with a longer growing season, and a precocious onset of bud burst in beech. Higher heterozygosity was also associated with considerably higher total tree biomass. The genetic diversity was inversely proportional to stem forking. TLS shows great potential in extracting beech tree biomass indicators, but we still recommend using the conventional method as a complementary method for data validation, although it is time-consuming.
Prioritizing conservation areas based on contributions to rarity and beta diversity in Mediterranean forest ecosystems in Türkiye
The depletion of forest biodiversity arising from insufficient conservation of resources due to wood extraction, overgrazing, fire, and land use presents a significant challenge in the Mediterranean region. It becomes crucial to identify priority conservation areas for safeguarding biodiversity. We used plant species data taken from 800 plots in the Kuyucak mountain district, a typical Mediterranean forest ecosystem in Türkiye and maps of seven potential environmental predictors: elevation, aspect, slope, head index, topographical position index, landform characteristics, and bedrock geology. To assign priority areas for the conservation, local contribution to beta diversity (LCBD) and relative contribution to total rarity (RIRR) were examined with community metrics and environmental predictors, respectively. Correlation results showed that LCBD was positively related to rare species richness but negatively related to common species richness. RIRR was significantly associated with all the community metrics. According to the results of Random Forest regression models, elevation was the most important variable of LCBD, followed by slope, heat index, and pebblestone. For RIRR, the most contributed variables were elevation, heat index, limestone, and slope, respectively. The LCBD and RIRR Random Forest regression models were extrapolated along the Kuyucak mountain district, resulting in the creation of potential distribution maps for both LCBD and RIRR. Subsequently, from these maps, two distinct conservation value maps have been developed for the Kuyucak mountain district based on four conservation priority classes (Priority Class 1, Priority Class 2, Priority Class 3, and Priority Class 4): one employing a conservation cost approach and the other applying an ecology-centered approach. The results suggest that areas with elevated values of both LCBD and RIRR values are primarily situated below 1100 m on steep valley slopes, characterized by the presence of karstic limestone and intricate terrain. Compared to other areas, prioritizing the protection of such areas can provide greater benefits in contributing to ecological uniqueness. Keywords: Community rarity, Species contributions to beta diversity, Conservation priority, Ecological uniqueness, Indicator species analysis, Machine learning
Effect of Polyethylene glycol, temperature, and stratification in thirty plant species: Implications for conservation and management
Seed ecology is a fundamental view of a population's regenerative potential and under climate change needs investigation for proper management and conservation of plant populations. In the Mediterranean basin extreme rainfall variability is expected to prevail during the next decades. The aim of the study is to investigate the germination potential of thirty plant species by placing their seeds under gradients of water potentials with the use of polyethylene glycol, a polymer used to mimic water stress in seeds to assess their adaptive potential. We applied three different osmotic potentials (-0.03 MPa , -0.50 MPa, -1.56 MPa) using PEG6000 in seeds from thirty different plant species. Prior PEG treatment seeds grouped to non-stratified and stratified ones at +2°C for 1 month. Seeds were then germinated under either constant +21°C or alternate +25°C/+15°C temperature with 12-hours photoperiod. Germination was affected by PEG level, stratification and temperature which acted either independently or in combination, and the response to those factors was species specific. Most species that PEG had affected their germination, responded positively in water stress at -0.5 MPa and some of them further increased their seed germination under -1.56 MPa. However, in species where PEG had no effect, their germination response was driven by the other two factors either independently or in combination. Finally, there were also species that presented low germination, unaffected by the studied factors. The present study demonstrates the ability of several Mediterranean species to germinate under various levels of water stress and can be applied to species management and conservation strategies.