Annual Cut Research Articles

Tree lines influence soil temperatures, sward growth dynamics and litter decomposition in permanent grassland

Climate change is likely to have a negative impact on soil functions in agro-ecosystems in the future. Alley cropping combines trees and agricultural crops or grassland on the same agricultural area. It has recently been discussed as more sustainable and resilient than comparable systems without trees for the temperate zone. So far, the influence of tree lines on biomass growth and decomposition of aboveground litter in the adjacent grassland is not fully clear. We measured the effect of tree lines on soil temperatures of an adjacent grass sward at five positions differing in distance and orientation (facing the tree line in the East or West) in a temperate alley-cropping system. Growth dynamics (sward height and soil cover) as well as litter half-life times for two cutting frequencies (four vs. two annual cuts) were monitored during two experimental years. The botanical composition at the transect positions was evaluated using the dry weight rank method. We found lower soil temperatures close to the trees, even though the proportion of soil cover was slightly lower close to the trees. The sward heights did not show a consistent pattern with respect to distance to the trees. Annual biomass accumulation was greatest at 6 m distance to the trees. An intermediate distance to the trees had a beneficial effect on productivity compared to the position with the lowest tree effect (25 m). Litter half-life times decreased with increasing sward height without a consistently positive/negative influence of the tree line over the examined growth periods. Lower litter half-life times in taller grass swards indicate that the sward height is the main factor driving litter decomposition while the influence of the trees is of minor importance.

Application of AHP in defining suitable locations for the construction of forest roads in protected areas: A case study of Fruska Gora

The construction of forest roads is considered to be one of the most pronounced anthropogenic impacts on the environment in the forests of national parks. In order to reduce the negative impacts of forest roads on the environment, the planning of a multifunctional network of forest roads must be approached systematically, taking into account a number of aspects. In recent years, a large number of methods have been developed to reach a final solution based on a multitude of criteria, with a particular emphasis on multi-criteria analysis (MCA) in combination with a geographic information system (GIS). This paper presents the possibility of applying the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in combination with GIS, in order to select suitable locations for the construction of forest roads in the ?Fruska gora? National park. The decision maker evaluated 6 selected criteria to determine the suitability of locations, where ?the presence of water sources? and ?the risk of fire? were identified as the criteria with the greatest impact on the suit?ability of locations, while the ?annual cut? criterion had the least impact.

Medium-term budget planning in the united territorial communities

Subject. The process of medium-term budget planning using the «Local Budget» software in Territorial Communities (TCs) to ensure rational planning and use of local budget funds. Purpose. The purpose of the work is to substantiate the importance of medium-term budget planning to ensure sustainable economic and social development of the TC in the conditions of intensification of automation processes using special software. Methodology. During the study, evolutionary (while studying the evolution of medium-term budget planning implementation) and systemic (in the process of studying the medium-term budget planning algorithm at the local level) approaches were used, as well as the main methods of visualization of research results. The «Local Budget» software package was used. Results. The study is devoted to consideration of the medium-term budget planning algorithm in united territorial communities. A clear sequence of actions during the justification of the expediency of using the financial resources of the community budgets determines the accelerated development of TC. Planning income and expenses for the medium-term period makes it possible to study potential directions for increasing income part and more effective directions for using financial resources. Annual adjustment allows for reducing or making it impossible to spend ineffectively financial resources. Automation of medium-term budget planning is an important step towards compliance with the European principles of financial provision of the needs and interests of citizens. Practical implications. The results of the research can be used in such areas of scientific knowledge as finance, money and credit, pedagogy, and the economic and social sphere, which allows us to identify the priority directions of financial support for the population's standard of living in TC. Conclusions. Medium-term budget planning at the level of the local community is an important and necessary process that allows for a comprehensive approach during the rational use of limited financial resources for the medium-term period to meet the needs and interests of every member of the community. The chief managers of funds, thanks to local target development programs, control the process of performance indicators, which are an integral part of the budget process. Medium-term planning is carried out for the planned and two following budget periods. We remember that in the process of implementing medium-term budget planning, an annual cut of all local target programs of social and economic development of the TC is carried out to control the level of reasonableness of the calculation of budget resources for the medium-term perspective. High-quality medium-term budget planning ensures the fact of using the IPC «Local Budget» at the level of local financial institutions.

Combining mechanical control and tree planting to restore montane Atlantic forests dominated by the Neotropical bracken (Pteridium arachnoideum)

Climate and land-use changes have driven the dominance of native herbaceous plants in degraded tropical forests, leading to losses in biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, controlling these super-dominant species to promote forest regeneration is often ineffective and may favour undesirable species. Native clonal ferns from the Pteridium genus often dominate degraded tropical forests subjected to repeated fires. Although many ways of controlling these species have been proposed, the efficiency of different combinations of strategies and their effect on forest recovery remain unknown. Here, we assessed to what extent removing the above-ground biomass of the shade-intolerant Pteridium arachnoideum and planting trees contributed to the control of this fern and the recovery of montane Atlantic forests in south-east Brazil. In four sites dominated by P. arachnoideum we applied five treatments in adjacent plots: (1) control without interference, (2) cutting twice per year, (3) cutting twice per year plus tree planting, (4) cutting three times per year, and (5) cutting three times per year plus tree planting. Over two consecutive years we repeated the treatments and monitored P. arachnoideum height, rhizome and above-ground biomass, as well as the composition of the established vegetation and soil seed bank. We also assessed the survival and growth of the planted trees. Tree planting accounted for over half of the treatment costs, whereas increasing the cutting frequency only increased costs by 15 %. After two years, the three times per year cutting treatment caused the largest decrease in above-ground biomass (1 to 0.1 kg/m2) and abundance (80 to 15 %) of P. arachnoideum. Planted trees exhibited low survival (47 %) rates and growth (30 cm/year), and hence had no effect on the dominance of P. arachnoideum. Treatments did not affect rhizome biomass, suggesting that P. arachnoideum could regain its dominance if cutting treatments were discontinued. Although two annual cuts slightly favoured tree regeneration, trees were rare in both the established vegetation (less than 10 %) and seed bank (less than 0.3 seeds/dm3). Conversely, under three annual cuts the African grass M. minutiflora became more abundant in both the established vegetation (5 to 25 %) and seed bank (1 to 4 seeds/dm3). Our findings show that intensive mechanical removal decreases the dominance of P. arachnoideum in Atlantic forests. However, its benefits to forest recovery seem to be limited by lack of tree regeneration, impoverished seed banks and invasive grasses. Therefore, planting fast-growing and drought-tolerant tree species may be essential to the recovery of these degraded Neotropical forests.

Buyer beware: analysis of changes to the 2021 Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services physician fee schedule for shoulder surgeons Medicare physician fee schedule changes

BackgroundBecause of budget neutrality rules in the United States Congress, the rates for reimbursable medical expenses with Medicare have been on a recent and consistent decline. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continued to proceed with cuts to the 2021 physician fee schedule. There has been an overall 3.3% decrease in the valuation of work relative value units per CMS guidelines. Conversely, CMS has increased the value of certain in office evaluation and management (E/M) services and changed the criteria for level of visit based on complexity of decision-making. The direct effects of these changes to shoulder and elbow surgeons are unknown. This study evaluates the effect of these changes in Medicare reimbursement from 2020 to 2021 among a group of high-volume shoulder and elbow surgeons. MethodsBilling data were queried for 9 fellowship-trained shoulder & elbow surgeons at a high-volume surgical practice from 2020 to 2021. Office-based E/M and surgical codes for shoulder arthroplasty and other common shoulder and elbow codes were used. We compared volume data and change to reimbursement using the 2020 and 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule. The impact of increased E/M billing levels using the new 2021 CMS criteria was also calculated and compared between years. ResultsComparing 2020 to 2021, there was a 18.7% decrease in level 3 visits (17,208 vs. 13,990) and a corresponding 371% increase in level 4 visits billed (1138 vs. 5362). Evaluating the overall impact of this shift on reimbursement from office-based E/M codes, there was a significant increase with an average of $57,954 per surgeon (range = $20,394-$118,916) for this group of 9 surgeons. However, surgical reimbursement for most commonly performed arthroscopic and open shoulder and elbow procedures decreased for 5 of 9 surgeons, with an average decrease of $13,015 (range = −$80,980 to $44,246). When arthroplasty reimbursements were combined with those for other common procedures, there was a decreased surgical reimbursement, totaling $117,135 for all surgeons combined. ConclusionIn this practice of 9 high-volume shoulder and elbow surgeons, a significant decrease in CMS reimbursement related to surgical procedural reimbursement from 2020 to 2021 was experienced. However, increasing the rates of E/M reimbursement and the augmented visit level rules helped offset and exceed the lost revenue from surgical procedures. Caution must be taken: this one time increase in office-based billing coupled with continued annual cuts to surgical procedure valuation is not a sustainable model moving forward. Level of EvidenceLevel IV; Retrospective Case Series; Economic Model.

A foliar spray application of indole-3-butyric acid promotes rooting of herbaceous annual cuttings similarly or better than a basal dip

Foliar rooting hormone applications containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to unrooted vegetative cuttings have gained popularity as they reduce labor costs and the risk of spreading diseases compared to standard basal dips. The objective of this study was to quantify if foliar applied 20% IBA promotes adventitious rooting of herbaceous annuals similarly to a basal dip application of IBA + 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata) Venti™ ‘Passion Fruit’, osteospermum (Osteospermum ecklonis) Serenity™ ‘Lavender Frost’, scaevola (Scaevola aemula) Scalora® ‘Brilliant’ and geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum) Sunrise™ ‘Lavender + Red Eye’ cuttings received a foliar spray of 0, 150, 300, or 600 mg·L–1 IBA at 0.2 L·m–2; 150 or 300 mg·L–1 IBA at 0.8 L·m–2; or a basal dip of 100 mg·L–1 + 50 mg·L–1 or 200 mg·L–1 + 100 mg·L–1 IBA + NAA. In most cases, cuttings receiving a foliar application of 300 mg·L–1 IBA at 0.8 L·m–2 had either comparable or greater root dry mass than cuttings receiving a basal dip of IBA + NAA and outperformed the control. After 14 d, root dry mass was generally greatest when cutting were treated with 300 mg·L–1 IBA at 0.8 L·m–2 and was an equal or better alternative to a basal dip. For the most effective results, rooting hormones should be utilized when the DLI integral is <12 mol·m–2·d–1.

Honey-Bearing Potential of Tilia cordata Mill. Forests in the Southern Urals

This article examined the honey-bearing potential of Tilia cordata Mill. stands in the Southern Urals using forest management and taxation methods. The studies were conducted in pure and mixed even- and uneven-aged forests with T. cordata Mill. in different natural zones of the Southern Urals on the territory of the Bashkirs. These were forests of the South Ural forest-steppe region, the forest-steppe region of the European part of Russia, the area of coniferous-deciduous (mixed) forests of the European part of Russia. The research employed the method of laying temporary and permanent trial areas. T. cordata Mill. forests on the republic’s territory were divided into zones by forest districts. There is a discrepancy between the territorial localization of “nectar” (honey-bearing) linden and designated forest areas, that is, honey-bearing forest areas on the republic’s territory. It could be due to the lacking methodology for assigning linden to these categories. The increased rotation age of linden trees to 81–90 years for several decades, a ban on final cutting, reduced annual cut of soft-leaved forests by 15% enlarged the stocks of overmature forest to 48%. Depending on the age, the number of flowers on one T. cordata Mill. tree varies from 0 to 60.2 thousand pieces. The maximum amount of nectar is 69.04 kg/ha at 12-day linden flowering. The honey productivity of plants including T. cordata Mill., calculated concerning the linden age, its share in the forest composition, the average number of flowers on the tree, nectar per 1 ha of linden and the flowering period ranged from 252.8 to 662.8 kg/ha.

Productivity of thinned black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) stands in Hungary: case studies

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is one of the most important introduced tree species in Hungary, covering more than 24% of the stocked area and providing approximately 20% of the country’s annual timber cut. Consequently, the research and development activities related to the improvement of the growing technology of black locust are also important, especially in mitigating the negative effects of climate change. The aim of this study was to quantify growth and yield, responses of even-aged 12–31–year–old black locust stand to thinning in Hungary. The study has proved that irrespective of the yield class, age and thinning intensity, thinning could not increase effectively the cumulative volume production. As percentage of the control it has changed between +0.6 and -8.4%. On the other hand, it could increase the stand value based on stem quality index by 10–21%.

Alfalfa forage yield, milk yield, and nutritive value under intensive cutting

AbstractForage yield, nutritive value, and stand persistence are key metrics in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) management. The combination of cultivar improvement, longer growing seasons in the Midwest, and trends of shorter alfalfa rotations offer opportunity to reevaluate the effects of increasing cutting frequency (CF) on these metrics. We evaluated forage yield, nutritive value, milk production, and persistence of eight alfalfa entries with fall dormancy (FD) ranging from two (FD2) to five (FD5) under CF of four (CF4), five (CF5), or six (CF6) annual cuts during two production years in two environments in the upper midwestern United States. Nutritive value and milk kg–1 alfalfa increased with increased CF and differed among alfalfa entries. Cutting frequency and alfalfa entry interactively influenced forage yield and milk production ha–1 yet optimal CF depended on environment. At one environment, increasing CF from CF4 to CF5 and from CF5 to CF6 caused a 5 and 29% decrease in milk ha–1, respectively. At another environment, CF5 had about 16% greater milk production than CF4 and CF6. The CF6 reduced persistence of 3rd‐year stand density with the effects especially severe for some entries. Alfalfa entry FD was not correlated to forage yield or persistence, but an entry with FD5 was consistently among those with the greatest in forage and milk yield ha–1 at CF5 and CF6. These results suggest that intensifying CF from four to five harvests per season of some cultivars can boost yield and nutritive value without negative effects on stand persistence in some environments.

Rooting of black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) by treating of indole-3-acetic acid

Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) is a perennial plant in the form of a shrub or semi-shrub in the Adoxaceae family. It spreads naturally in the Black Sea, Central Anatolia, Southern and Eastern Anatolia regions of Turkey. Black elderberry fruits are traditionally used as food and medicine in Europe. Hippocrates considered it the greatest medicinal plant of nature. In traditional treatment, its flowers are used as a diaphoretic analgesic. Its fruits are used to treat prostate and hemorrhoids; pharmaceutical products are used to treatment cold and flu symptoms. Propagation from seed is complex due to the plant's high seed dormancy. Therefore, the plant is propagated by cuttings. This study aimed to root the elderberry annual and biennial wood cuttings by IAA (Indol-3-Acetic Acid) application. Cuttings were taken on 09.11.2020 from annual and biennial wood branches, 10-15 cm long, with two nodes. On the same day, the cuttings were treated with 0-5-15-30 ppm doses of IAA for 15 seconds, then planted in 25x30 cm pots filled with a mixture of worm manure+peat+soil+perlite at a ratio of 1:1:1:1.5. According to the experimental design of split plots randomized blocks, the experiment was established in the greenhouse condition with 3 replications and 5 plants in each replicate (pot). In this research, it was observed that the first rooting was 17 days after planting. The root lengths were measured by removing them from the pots 120 days after planting, waiting for the strengthening of root development. As a result of the research, the best root length and development were determined by control (20.47 cm) and 30 ppm (22.53 cm) treatments. Annual cuttings (96%) are rooted better than biennial cuttings (76%). While the highest rooting rate in stem cuttings was obtained with 30 ppm (100%) IAA application, weak shoot development was observed in the identical wood cuttings. Control (93%) cuttings followed the rooting rate, but shoot development was better than other applications. As a result, considering the root length and shoot development, it was concluded that two-node annual wood cuttings taken in November could be used for rooting and reproduction without the need for IAA growth hormone

Root-To-Shoot Ratios of Flood-Tolerant Perennial Grasses Depend on Harvest and Fertilization Management: Implications for Quantification of Soil Carbon Input

Quantifying soil organic carbon stocks (SOC) is a critical task in decision support related to climate and land management. Carbon inputs in soils are affected by development of belowground (BGB) and aboveground (AGB) biomass. However, uncertain fixed values of root:shoot ratios (R/S) are widely used for calculating SOC inputs in agroecosystems. In this study, we 1) assessed the effect of harvest frequency (zero, one, two, and five times annually) on the root and shoot development of the perennial grasses Phalaris arundinacea (RCG), Festuca arundinacea (TF), and Festulolium (FL); 2) determined the effect of management on the carbon and nitrogen content in AGB and BGB; and 3) assessed the implications of R/S for SOC quantification. We found the highest yields of BGB in zero-cut treatments with 59% (FL)–70% (RCG) of total biomass. AGB yield was highest in the five-cut treatments with 54% (RCG)–60% (FL), resulting in a decreasing R/S with frequent management, ranging from 1.6–2.3 (zero cut) to 0.6–0.8 (five cuts). No differences in R/S between species were observed. Total carbon yield ranged between 5.5 (FL, one cut) and 18.9 t ha−1 year−1 (FL, zero cut), with a higher carbon content in AGB (45%) than BGB (40%). We showed that the input of total organic carbon into soil was highest in the zero-cut treatments, ranging between 6.6 and 7.6 t C ha−1 year−1, although, in the context of agricultural management the two-cut treatments showed the highest potential for carbon input (3.4–5.4 t C ha−1 year−1). Our results highlighted that using default values for R/S resulted in inaccurate modeling estimations of the soil carbon input, as compared to a management-specific application of R/S. We conclude that an increasing number of annual cuts significantly lowered the R/S for all grasses. Given the critical role of BGB carbon input, our study highlights the need for comprehensive long-term experiments regarding the development of perennial grass root systems under AGB manipulation by harvest. In conclusion, we indicated the importance of using more accurate R/S for perennial grasses depending on management to avoid over- and underestimation of the carbon sink functioning of grassland ecosystems.

Geographical spatial distribution and productivity dynamic change of eucalyptus plantations in China

The Eucalyptus spp. is fast-growing and is usually harvested at a young age, which enables efficient and sufficient timber supply. However, its negative impact on soil fertility incurs wide debates. Therefore it is necessary to study on the growing traits of eucalytpus to provide scientific guidance on its plantation management and associated policy-making. In this study, we collected the sample plot data from 9 National Forest Inventories (NFIs) during 1973–2018, China Forest-Land Database Map in 2003 and 2016, as well as climate and elevation data and analyzed how the spatial distribution of eucalyptus plantations in China changes with time. We quantitatively characterized and evaluated the productivity, carbon accumulation capacity, and abandonment rate of eucalyptus plantations. Statistical models on how eucalyptus productivity and abandonment rate change with time are established to evaluate the soil fertility and feasibility for growing eucalyptus plantations and predict the temporal productivity variation. The results show that regions with annual mean temperature of 19–21 °C, annual precipitation of 1400–1600 mm, and elevation of 0–300 m above sea level is most suitable for the growth of eucalyptus. The annual mean productivity of eucalyptus plantations ranges from 4.14–8.57 m3 hm−2 a−1. Higher productivity (9.32–10.88 m3 hm−2 a−1) could be reached in newly cultivated lands. Based on data from the 9th inventory (2014–2018), the mean carbon fixation of eucalyptus is 5.29 t hm−2 a−1, which is 2.95 and 2.18 times greater than Pinus massoniana Lamb. and Cunninghamia lanceolata Lamb. Its plantations area accounts for 6.85% of total plantations in China, but it contributes to more than 17.96% of total annual cut from plantations. In Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, areas of eucalyptus plantations are 30.32% and 34.91% of the total plantation area in each province respectively, but eucalyptus plantations contribute to 66.29% and 49.97% of harvested timber stock volume Eucalyptus pla consumes soil fertility significantly. The cumulative abandonment rate (based on area) is about 25%, 50%, and 75% after 5, 10, and 20 years of growing eucalyptus, respectively. The soil fertility decreases significantly after 50 years of growing eucalyptus continuously. In such case, it is difficult to restore the soil fertility. It is suggested that with improved management measures such as proper crop rotation rotating crops properly, it is possible for the abandoned plantations to be reused for growing eucalyptus. Currently the rates of replanting eucalyptus are still below 20% and 30% after 20 and 50 years of without growing eucalyptus, respectively. Although the proportion of eucalyptus area replanted to its abandoned area is now less than 20% in 20 years and less than 30% in 50 years, there is potential to keep increasing the replanting rate. We argue that developing eucalyptus plantations could contribute to global timber supply, help to protect natural forests, increase global carbon storage and fixation, and help to slow down global warming. In conclusion, we should not stop growing eucalyptus despite its high consumption of soil fertility.

Control of meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria through a change of management from grazing to mowing at an English floodplain meadow.

Floodplain meadow grassland is a diverse habitat which has become increasingly rare throughout Europe. Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, is a characteristic species of its plant community, however it can become overly dominant in the sward resulting in detrimental effects on the community as a whole. High abundance can reduce both the diversity of the sward, by shading out low growing species, and the quality of the hay crop. An eight-year management trial (2011-2019) was undertaken at Fancott Woods and Meadows SSSI by the BCN Wildlife Trust and the Floodplain Meadows Partnership, to test whether it was possible to reduce the dominance of meadowsweet through an annual hay cut with aftermath grazing instead of grazing management only, across three blocks of experimental treatments. A secondary aim of the trial was to investigate whether a change in management could also increase the plant-species diversity. Three plots were cut in June and then aftermath grazed, compared to three control plots that were only grazed from July onwards. The study found that cover of meadowsweet decreased from 55% to 6% under the annual cut and aftermath grazing treatment compared to a decrease from 58% to 35% in the control (grazed only) areas. This was accompanied by an increase in plant-species diversity in the cut areas compared to control plots. The study concluded that annual cutting can be used to control coarse and dominant meadowsweet effectively, and that cutting followed by aftermath grazing in a floodplain meadow delivers greater botanical diversity compared to grazing alone.

Effects of Harvest and Fertilization Frequency on Protein Yield and Extractability From Flood-Tolerant Perennial Grasses Cultivated on a fen Peatland

Paludiculture, and in particular the cultivation of perennial grasses as biomass feedstock for green biorefineries, may be an economic and environmentally sustainable option for agricultural peatlands in temperate regions. However, the optimal biomass quality for protein extraction from flood-tolerant grasses is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to define the combined effect of harvest and fertilization frequency, with one to five annual cuts, on protein yield and extractability for the grasses tall fescue (TF) and reed canary grass (RCG), cultivated on an agricultural fen peatland in Denmark.The content of protein fractions was determined according to the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS). We assessed protein extractability by lab-scale biorefinery techniques using a screw-press followed by acid precipitation of true protein. The two methods were compared to correlate potential extractable protein yields with actual biorefinery outputs. We found the highest annual biomass and crude protein (CP) yields in the two cut treatments, with 13.4 and 15.6 t dry matter (DM) ha−1 year−1, containing 2.9–3.4 t CP ha−1 year−1for TF and RCG, respectively. The highest neutral-extractable (fractions B1and B2) true protein yields of 1.1 and 1.5 t ha−1 year−1were found in the two cut treatments, representing 39% (TF) - 45% (RCG) of total CP. Using biorefining techniques, we were able to precipitate up to 2.2 t DM ha−1 year−1of protein concentrate, containing up to 39% CP. Significant correlations between methods were found, with a distinct relationship between CNCPS fractions B1+ B2and CP yield of the protein concentrate, indicating the suitability of the CNCPS as an indicator for extractable protein yields. Biomass and CP yields were not significantly improved beyond two annual cuts. However, timing and harvest frequencies significantly affected plant maturity and consequently extractable CP contents and protein concentrate yields. We conclude that TF and RCG are promising feedstocks for green biorefineries due to high biomass, extractable CP, and protein concentrate yields, and highlight the potential of flood-tolerant grasses, cultivated on wet agricultural peatlands, for an enhanced valorisation beyond the common utilisation for bioenergy.

ДИНАМИКА РАЗВИТИЯ ПОБЕГОВ КУСТАРНИКОВЫХ ИВ (SALIX, SALICACEAE)

The article presents the results of observations of the seasonal dynamics of the growth of annual shoots of two species of shrub willows: Salix triandra and Salix viminalis. Object: genetically aligned model inbred-clonal populations of S. triandra and S. viminalis. Material: growing shoots on annual cuttings. Methods: comparative morphogenetic, chronobiological, numerical analysis of the series of dynamics. Results. Clones of two species of shrub willows, phylogenetically distant from each other, demonstrated high productivity along the length of shoots on annual cuttings. On the shoots of the strongest clone of S. triandra, the length of mature shoots was 176–215 cm, on the shoots of the strongest clone of S. viminalis - 132–192 cm. As the shoots grow, the differences in length between them increase. No significant influence of the clone factor on the dynamics of the daily growth of S. triandra shoots was revealed, and the effect of the clone factor on the dynamics of the daily growth of S. viminalis shoots is insignificant. In the seasonal dynamics of the daily growth of shoots, regardless of their species and clonal affiliation, three stages of shoot development were identified: spring, early summer, and late summer. The transitions between stages are synchronized in clones regardless of species. Qualitative interspecific and interclonal differences in the seasonal dynamics of daily shoot growth were not revealed. Quantitative interspecific differences in the seasonal dynamics of daily increment were revealed only at the second stage of shoot development, with high values of daily increment. Significant interclonal differences in the seasonal dynamics of daily growth were not found: differences between the trajectories of shoot development are due to intraclonal variability within each species. Recommendations. When planning, creating and operating pure and mixed cultures of S. triandra and S. viminalis, take into account the fundamental similarity in the seasonal dynamics of the development of shoots of different species of shrub willows. When harvesting and planting cuttings, use a homogeneous mother material. Culling of weak cuttings that are lagging behind in development should be carried out in the first year of life.

Short rotation coppice of leguminous tree Leucaena spp. improves soil fertility while producing high biomass yields in Mediterranean environment

The use of woody nitrogen-fixing plant species as multipurpose and energy crops aims to enhance biomass yield while improving soil properties. Yet, the effectiveness of this option is still under debate especially the use of short rotation cropping in water and nutrient limited environments. This study investigated whether short rotation coppicing of four taxa of multipurpose biomass woody legume Leucaena spp. can improve soil conditions when grown for biomass under a Mediterranean environment. Biomass yield, mineral composition and heat value of the biomass and the mineral and organic matter content of soil were evaluated. Under favorable growing conditions, woody dry biomass production was up to 29 Mg ha−1 year−1 with slight but significant differences between the four taxa that were tested. After 11 years of cropping, the soil showed higher fertility and microbial activity compared to the uncropped plot. Leucaena cultivation increased soil nitrogen by 35 %, dehydrogenase activity by 98 %, and organic matter and carbon content (by 41 %). Annual cuttings resulted in the highest biomass production, followed by two and three year cuttings. The mineral composition and the calorific capacity of woody biomass make it suitable for commercial use as an energy source (generating on average 151 MW h ha-1 year-1). In conclusion, short rotation coppicing of nitrogen-fixing woody species results in high biomass production rates with the restoration of degraded soils, constituting a sustainable agroforestry system for rural areas.

Forest Roads from the Perspective of Managerial Accounting—Empirical Evidence from Austria

State-of-the-art forest management requires an adequate opening-up in terms of forest roads. In addition to the increased efficiency of harvesting operations, a higher road density may trigger other positive and negative side-effects. Austria has a long tradition of forestry, and also of monitoring the economic performance of forest enterprises by means of forest accountancy data networks. Using these almost unique preconditions, this research paper approaches the topic of forest roads from a managerial accounting perspective. Based on a specially designed report, the results for the fiscal years 2008–2017 were investigated. On average, Austrian forest enterprises larger than 500 ha report a road density of 50.5 m/ha. The yearly net cost of forest roads, including depreciation and reduction of revenue, is 32.4 €/ha. The pure maintenance cost amounts to 27.9 €/ha on average. The annual investment in forest roads accounts for 9.4 €/ha. Whereas the enterprises’ average annual cost of maintenance is 0.63 €/m, the actual maintenance cost of forest roads is 5.6 €/m. To cover the ongoing costs of maintenance, 12.1% of the allowable annual cut is needed. Grouping the analyzed enterprises according to different attributes, namely size of forest land, production conditions, coherence of estate, average slope, and share of forest land requiring cable yarding, showed some statistically significant differences in the maintenance costs of forest roads. In almost all of the tested groupings, significant differences of maintenance costs (expressed as €/ha, €/m3 felling volume, or €/m) were found. However, an initially expected significant correlation between road density and harvesting cost could not be established. The challenges brought about by the trend towards a bioeconomy on the one hand and climate change on the other most likely further enhance the significance of the opening-up of forests and the efficiency of road maintenance.

Demand Response in District Heating Market—Results of the Field Tests in Student Apartment Buildings

This article presents the field test of the developed demand response system installed in the central heating systems of existing apartment buildings. The buildings are occupied by students and located in Tampere, Finland, which is within the northern climate zone. The studied buildings are connected to the local district heating network. The presented demand response system takes into account weather forecasts, indoor temperatures and decreases in space heating temperatures when demand for domestic hot water is the highest. The owner of the buildings benefits from peak demand control and can save in fixed fees. If enough buildings would have this kind of demand response control system, there would be a decreased need for utility companies to use peak power plants that typically use fossil fuels for heat production. In this field test, the peak load decrease was 14%–15% on average. During the test, the heating period of February and March, the normalized energy consumption of eight buildings was reduced by 11%, which represents a 9% annual cut in energy, costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Demand Response (DR) heating aims to help in reaching the objectives of the National Energy and Climate Strategy for 2030.

Features of energy willow biomass accumulation on floodplain soils of Polissia (Ukraine)

Purpose. To determine the parameters of the main factors affecting the productivity of energy plantations of willow on the floodplain soils of Polissya (Ukraine).Methods. The experimet with energy willow plantations were created using annual cuttings of the varieties ‘Zbruch’, ‘Ternopilska’ and a Salix triandra willow clone, planted in double rows with a distance of 0.75 m between them and with a row spacing of 1.5 m. Planting cuttings density: 10, 15 and 20 thousand pcs/ha.Results. After the first growing season in the 'Ternopilska' variety, the survival rate of cuttings on peat-bog soil ranged from 48.6 to 54.8 %, in the 'Zbruch' variety from 72.8 to 86.6 %, and in Salix triandra from 71.0 to 82.3 %. During the second growing season there was a significant decline in plants, especially in denser stands. On sandy soil, after the second year of vegetation, from 74.1 to 87.5 % of plants remained. Biomass productivity in the first 3 years on peat-bog soil was 0.58–1.10 t/ha/year in ‘Ternopilska’ variety, 0.80 to 3.28 t/ha/year in ‘Zbruch’ variety, and from 0.62 to 0.96 t/ha/year. At the same time, the density of plantations and edaphic conditions significantly affected the productivity of the dry mass of plants. In particular, on sandy loam soil, 'Ternopilska' variety in the first 2 years had productivity from 0.77 to 3.21 t/ha/year, which is significantly higher than on rich of organic substainces moistened peat-bog soils. The largest leaf area was in 'Ternopilska' variety on sandy loam soil, from 22.0 to 31.3 thousand m2/ha, and in 'Zbruch' variety (from 17.2 to 27.5 thousand m2/ha). The average photosynthetic potential according to the experimental options ranged from 1.67 to 5.06 million m2·day/ha, increasing with increasing planting density and leaf area. The highest net productivity of photosynthesis indicators are observed in 'Ternopilska' variety on sandy soil, from 0.98 to 1.62 g/m2 per day and in ‘Zbruch’ variety (0.70–1.16 g/m2 per day). At the same time, these indicators were maximum with a density of 15 thousand plants./ha.Conclusions. In floodplains of the Polissia, sandy loamy soils are more suitable for growing the willow energy biomass compared to peat-bog soils. Willow energy plantations have a large leaf surface area, high photosynthetic potential and net photosynthesis productivity, which provides relatively high biomass productivity indicators. On peat-bog soils from the studied varieties, it is advisable to use ‘Zbruch’ variety, which is characterized by high biomass productivity (3.28 t/ha/year), to create willow energy plantations.

Private Forest Owners’ Social Economic Profiles Weakly Influence Forest Management Conceptualizations

Although several private forest owner studies have dealt with how private forest owners understand forest management, little is known about the determinants of specific forest management concepts. The study expands previous latent variable models of the perception of forest management by European private forest owners by looking at how age, income, education, annual cut, and holding size and type influence specific understandings of forest management. We applied a multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) structural equation model on a representative sample of 754 private forest owners from Slovenia. The MIMIC model confirmed the influence of six covariates on three concepts of forest management: the maintenance concept, the ecosystem-centered concept, and the economics-centered concept. The strongest determinants of perception were education and holding type. The maintenance concept was predominantly associated with less educated older full-time or part-time farmers working on smaller family farms and doing regular cuts. The perception of forest management as an economics-centered activity increased with increased education and dependence on income from intensive cuts. The ecosystem-centered concept was most strongly associated with younger, better-educated owners with smaller holdings and, surprisingly, not to non-farmers but to small-scale family farmers. However, the proportion of the variance of latent variables explained by the six covariates was low, ranging from 2.4% to 5.1%. Taking into account the influence of education and holding type on private forest owners’ perception of forest management, by increasing the level of education and raising the proportion of absentee owners in Europe, we expect a shift from the maintenance concept toward either an economics-centered or ecosystem-oriented concept for forest management. Despite the weak influence of private forest owners’ social economic profiles on forest management conceptualizations, governments should be aware of the trend and actively seek to prevent the polarization of forest management concepts.