Annual Cut Research Articles

Influence of climate variability on the potential forage production of a mown permanent grassland in the French Massif Central

Climate Services (CS) provide support to decision makers across socio-economic sectors. In the agricultural sector, one of the most important CS applications is to provide timely and accurate yield forecasts based on climate prediction.In this study, the Pasture Simulation model (PaSim) was used to simulate, for the period 1959–2015, the forage production of a mown grassland system (Laqueuille, Massif Central of France) under different management conditions, with meteorological inputs extracted from the SAFRAN atmospheric database. The aim was to generate purely climate-dependent timeseries of optimal forage production, a variable that was maximized by brighter and warmer weather conditions at the grassland.A long-term increase was observed in simulated forage yield, with the 1995–2015 average being 29% higher than the 1959–1979 average. Such increase seems consistent with observed rising trends in temperature and CO2, and multi-decadal changes in incident solar radiation. At interannual timescales, sea surface temperature anomalies of the Mediterranean (MED), Tropical North Atlantic (TNA), equatorial Pacific (El Niño Southern Oscillation) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index were found robustly correlated with annual forage yield values. Relying only on climatic predictors, we developed a stepwise statistical multi-regression model with leave-one-out cross-validation. Under specific management conditions (e.g., three annual cuts) and from one to five months in advance, the generated model successfully provided a p-value<0.01 in correlation (t-test), a root mean square error percentage (%RMSE) of 14.6% and a 71.43% hit rate predicting above/below average years in terms of forage yield collection.This is the first modeling study on the possible role of large-scale oceanic–atmospheric teleconnections in driving forage production in Europe. As such, it provides a useful springboard to implement a grassland seasonal forecasting system in this continent.

Morfología de nopal forrajero cv Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) en sistemas de cultivo del agreste de Pernambuco, Brasil

Las características morfológicas de las plantas forrajeras como el nopal, son influenciadas de acuerdo al manejo recibido, prácticas como la fertilización son importantes; debido a lo anterior el objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la fertilización con materia orgánica (MO) (0, 10,000, 20,000 y 30,000 kg MO ha-1 año-1 con estiércol bovino) o mineral (0, 120, 240 y 360 kg de N ha-1 año-1 utilizando urea) y la frecuencia de corte (anual y bianual) en la longitud, ancho, perímetro, e Índice del Área de Cladodio (IAC) en cladodios de nopal forrajero cv. Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck), y su relación con la productividad. El diseño experimental fue de bloques al azar, con el arreglo de parcelas sub-sub-divididas con cuatro repeticiones. La fertilización con 30,000 kg MO ha-1 año-1 incrementó el ancho y longitud de cladodio de 9.8 a 17.8 % respecto al tratamiento testigo. El perímetro de cladodio se incrementó proporcionalmente cuando aumentó la MO. El IAC fue 68.29 % mayor (con 25 970 kg ha-1) respecto al tratamiento testigo. La fertilización mineral sólo afectó el perímetro de cladodio en el corte anual con dosis de 120 kg ha-1 y el IAC fue mayor en el corte bianual. Se concluyó que la fertilización con MO aumentó el ancho, longitud e IAC en cladodios de nopal forrajero cv Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck), mientras que la fertilización mineral tuvo bajo impacto en el ancho, longitud e IAC, el corte bianual favorece el IAC. Se presentó una alta correlación entre las variables evaluadas y la producción de materia seca.

Energy efficiency programs in the context of increasing block tariffs: The case of residential electricity in Mexico

Increasing block pricing schemes represent difficulties for applied researchers who try to recover demand parameters, in particular, price and income elasticities. The Mexican residential electricity tariff structure is amongst the most intricate around the globe. In this paper, we estimate the residential electricity demand and use the corresponding structural parameter estimates to simulate an energy efficiency improvement scenario, as suggested by the Energy Transition Law of December 2015. The simulated program consists of a massive replacement of electric appliances (air conditioners, fans, refrigerators, washing machines, and lights) for more energy-efficient units. The main empirical findings are the following: in the main counterfactual scenario, the overall residential electricity consumption decreases 9.9% and the associated expenditure falls 11.3%. Additionally, the electricity subsidy decreases 7.5 billion of Mexican Pesos per year (i.e., 403 million of USD at the average exchange rate registered in 2017) and there is an annual cut in CO2 emissions of 3.9 million of tons.

Impacts on forest management and forest state in southern Sweden 10 years after the storm Gudrun

Abstract About 70 million m3 was damaged by the storm Gudrun that hit southern Sweden in January 2005, i.e. almost as much as the normal annual cut for the whole country. To establish any differences in forest state and forest management before and after the storm, measures such as growing stock, annual growth, age-class distribution, choice of species in regeneration and cleaning and thinning activities were studied for the area affected and the area unaffected by the storm. For all analyses, sample plots from the Swedish National Forest Inventory were used. Results based on mean values for the periods 2000–2004/2006–2010/2012–2016 showed that the total growing stock for the damaged area decreased significantly by ~30 million m3 directly after the storm but has now recovered to the same level as before the storm. Therefore, it seems clear that forest owners and forest managers made rational choices when aiming to restore the forest area. As expected , the annually cleaned area and the area in immediate need of cleaning increased significantly in the Gudrun area after the storm. No other significant changes in behaviour to reduce future storm damage risk could be detected.

Physiological bases of biomass accumulation of willow energy under the conditions of the Central Forest-Steppe

Purpose. To establish the parameters of the main physiological factors influencing the growth and productivity of energy plantations of Salix viminalis varieties depending on the technologies used during their establishment under the conditions of the Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Experimental energy plantations of willow were created with annual cuttings of clones ‘Tora’ and ‘Ternopilska’, planted in paired rows with a distance of 0,75 m between them and 1,5 and 2,5 m spacings. The density of cutting was 12, 15 and 18 thousand pcs/ha. Soil in the experiment was leached loamy chernozem. Results. At the end of the first year, the survivability of ‘Tora’ plants ranged 88% to 93% and ‘Ternopilska’ 89% to 95%. The average plant height for the first three years in all variants of the experiment was greater in variety ‘Tora’. In particular, at the end of the third year of vegetation, it was 524–604 cm vs. 414–557 cm in the ‘Ternopilska’ variety. In both cultivars, the plants were higher at the 1.5 m spacing. The average diameter of the shoots in all variants of the experiment correlated with plant height and, accordingly, were larger in ‘Tora’. The yield of dry biomass of this variety was 14.8–22.5 t/ha, and of ‘Ternopilska’ 6.2–14.8 t/ha per year. The largest leaf surface of ‘Tora’ variety (46,0 thousand m2/ha) was formed according to the planting scheme 0.75–2.50–0.75 m and the density of 18 thousand plants per hectare, and in the variety ‘Ternopilska’ (40,200 m2/ha), for planting scheme of 0.75–1.50–0.75. Maximum indices of the net productivity of photosynthesis (10.5 g of dry matter per m2 of leaf surface per day) were observed in the ‘Tora’ variety for planting scheme 0.75–1.50–0.75 m and density of plantings of 15 thousand plants per hectare. Conclusions. In the chernothems of the Central Forest-Steppe, the optimal scheme of cutting is the formation of coupled rows with a distance of 0.75 cm between them, 1.5 m spacing and a density of 12–15 thousand pieces/ha. Significantly higher rates of dry biomass productivity – from 14.8 to 22.5 t/ha per year – marked ‘Tora’ variety, while in ‘Ternopilska’ this indicator ranged from 6.2 to 14.8 t/ha per year. The higher productivity of ‘Tora’ variety, compared with ‘Ternopilska’, provided a larger leaf surface (up to 46.0 thousand m2/ha), higher photosynthetic potential (1.75–4.40 million m2∙days/ha), and the net productivity of photosynthesis (up to 10.5 g/m2 per day).

Growth pattern of Juncus effusus and Juncus conglomeratus in response to cutting frequency

SummaryIncreasing abundance of Juncus effusus (soft rush) and Juncus conglomeratus (compact rush) in pastures and meadows in western Norway has caused reductions in forage yield and quality in recent decades. Understanding plant development and regrowth following cutting is essential in devising cost‐effective means to control rushes. In a field experiment in western Norway, we investigated development of above‐ and below‐ground fractions of rush from seedlings to three‐year‐old plants, including the impact on vigour of disturbing growth by different cutting frequencies during the period 2009–2012. Each year, the plants were exposed to one or two annual cuts or left untreated and five destructive samplings were performed from March to early December. Juncus effusus showed significantly more vigorous growth than Juncus conglomeratus in the last two years of the study period. The above‐ground:below‐ground biomass ratio of both species increased mainly in spring and early summer and was reduced in late summer and autumn. Removal of aerial shoots also reduced the below‐ground fraction of both species. One annual cut in July effectively reduced biomass production in both species by 30–82%, which was only a slightly smaller reduction than with two annual cuts, in June and August. Mechanical control measures such as cutting can thus effectively reduce rush vigour when performed late in the growing season.

TUNING OF THE METAHEURISTIC VARIABLE NEIGHBORHOOD SEARCH FOR A FOREST PLANNING PROBLEM

ABSTRACT In forest science it is important evaluate new technologies from computational science. This work aimed to test a different kind of metaheuristic called Variable Neighborhood Search in a forest planning problem. The management total area has 4.210 ha distributed in 120 stands in ages between 1 and 6 years old and site index since 22 m to 31 m. The problem was modelled considering the maximization of the net present value subject to the restrictions: annual cut volume between 140.000 m³ and 160.000 m³, harvester ages equal to 5, 6 or 7 years, and the impossibility of division of the management unity at harvester time. It was evaluated different settings for the Variable Neighborhood Search, varying the quantity of neighbours, the neighbourhood structure and number or generations. 30 repetitions were performed for each setting. The results were compared to the one obtained from integer linear programming and linear programming. The integer linear programming considered the best solution obtained after 1 hour of processing. The best setting to the Variable Neighborhood Search was 100 neighbours, a neighbourhood structure with changes in 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of prescriptions and 500 iterations. The results shown by the Variable Neighborhood Search was 2,77% worse than one obtained by the integer linear programming with 1 hours of processing, and 2,84% worse than the linear programming. It is possible to conclude that the presented metaheuristic can be used satisfactorily in a resolution of forest scheduling problem when the best parameters are chosen.

Chlorophyll a Fluorescence and Freezing Tests as Selection Methods for Growth Cessation and Increased Winter Survival in ×Festulolium.

In a ×Festulolium population (FuRs0357) of parental origin Lolium perenne × Festuca pratensis, selection of freezing tolerance by freezing tests on whole plants (FT) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) fluorimetry on frozen detached leaves (CF) was assessed in high and low directions during two cycles of selection. The original population went through two cycles of random mating. All selections and non-selected intercrossed generations of the original population were established in field trials at a coastal site and a continental site in Norway. At the coastal site, analyses of Chl-a fluorimetry parameters and leaf growth on individual plants in autumn and winter hardiness observed in field plots in spring showed that the first-generation selections for high freezing tolerance were associated with winter hardiness and early growth cessation. The second-generation FT-selections for high freezing tolerance were also associated with winter hardiness, whereas the CF-high selections diverged toward high photosynthetic activity. Both low selections were correlated with high photosynthetic activity. There were smaller variations between generations in unselected generations of the original population. Low accumulated leaf growth and early growth cessation were observed in the second-generation FT-selection for high freezing tolerance, whereas high normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were seen in Chl-a selections. Both selection methods distinguished diverging selections with significantly different high and low freezing tolerance, but selection efficiency was comparable only for the first selection cycle. Moreover, due to mixed ploidy level in the original population, selection by FT and CF generated diploid and tetraploid plants, respectively, which intensified the response of selection, particularly in the diploid selections. Total dry matter yield (DMY) (mean of three annual cuts for 3 years) of the FT-high selections was lower than for the CF-selections. At coastal sites, selection intensity using freezing tests on whole plants should be adapted to actual climate conditions, to obtain genotypes that balance photosynthetic activity during autumn and good winter hardiness, making them persistent and high yielding.

Evaluating effects of weed cutting on water level and ecological status in Danish lowland streams

Abstract At present, scientific evidence documenting effects of weed cutting in streams as a measure to improve flood protection and run‐off from agricultural land is scarce, which is surprising considering the huge effect that it has on stream ecology. Instead, weed cutting is performed under the assumption that removal of aquatic plant biomass improves runoff from agricultural land and prevents flooding of adjacent areas provided that it is performed regularly. In this study, we examined linkages between weed cutting practice and water level reductions in 126 small‐ and medium‐sized Danish streams (catchment size &lt;100 km2) with continuously monitored discharge and water level data (from 1990 to 2012). Specifically, we hypothesised that (1) weed cutting reduces stream water levels more in late summer when the biomass of aquatic plants is higher than in early summer; (2) the efficiency of cutting declines with increasing cutting frequency as the aquatic plant community changes with increasing abundance of species able to regrow fast following a cutting event; (3) the high‐frequency cutting in Danish streams lowers the ecological status of the streams as evaluated from aquatic plant assemblages. The average effect of weed cutting on the water level was largest in July, August and September with an average reduction of 16 cm and lowest in early spring and late autumn with an average reduction of 11 cm. Regrowth was largest in June, with an increase in water level of 0.41 cm/day, whereas regrowth was absent in autumn. Regrowth also varied with the frequency of weed cutting, from an average of 0.04 cm/day in streams subjected to one annual cutting to an average of 0.6 cm/day in streams subjected to &gt;6 annual cuttings. Furthermore, we found that the ecological status was either moderate or poor/bad in streams with more than one annual cutting. Our findings highlight that it is by no means certain that the current weed cutting practice is efficient for flood control since (1) regrowth is stimulated by frequent cuttings and a positive feedback loop may develop, necessitating even more frequent cuttings to maintain the discharge capacity of the streams, and (2) many species stimulated by weed cutting, like for instance Sparganium emersum, form dense canopy beds across the entire stream profile and therefore reduce the discharge capacity of the stream more than species growing in confined patches. We encourage more studies with the aim to identify how stream maintenance should be performed to optimise flood control without compromising the ability to reach good ecological stream quality.

THE DYNAMICS OF MENSURATIONAL INDICES AND THEIR SHORT-TERM PREDICTION IN BIRCH-PINE STANDS UNDER A2 TYPE CONDITIONS (FRESH INFERTILE PINE SITE TYPE)

Здійснено моделювання основних лісівничо-таксаційних показників для березово-соснових деревостанів в умовах свіжого соснового бору. Використання деревом площі живлення у повному обсязі є верхнім обмеженням росту у фіксований момент часу. Досягнення максимальних біометричних показників дає змогу дереву найкраще використовувати потенційну родючість ґрунту. З погляду теорії систем, деревостан, що досягає стану динамічної рівноваги, називають оптимальним, який характеризується найвищою продуктивністю. Вплив природних чинників на формування деревостанів зумовлює природний, без антропогенного втручання, розвиток лісостанів, за якого ріст і розвиток дерев забезпечується саморегуляцією. Внаслідок цього формуються динамічно врівноважені,максимально продуктивні біологічні системи. Докладний аналіз процесів росту і розвитку деревостанів у конкретних умовах дає змогу визначати моделі короткотермінового прогнозу окремих показників деревостану для розрахунку інтенсивності та повторюваності доглядових рубань. Встановлено, що збільшення обсягу вирубуваноїдеревини сосни веде до зменшення запасу та істотного збільшення середнього діаметра кращих дерев. Результати прогнозу отримано для інтенсивності доглядових рубань в межах 16–30 % від запасу деревостану на контрольній пробній площі. Отримані динамічні ряди основних таксаційних показників соснових деревостанів у свіжому сосновому борі запропоновано використати як теоретичну основу для подальшого проектування доглядових рубань та формування березово-соснових насаджень із поліпшеною товарною структурою.

Production and Postharvest Evaluation of Selected Exotic Specialty Annual Cut Flower Species in Punjab, Pakistan

Favorable agro-climatic conditions and comparatively cheaper and readily available human resources offer a promising business opportunity to cut flower production in Pakistan. Presently, growers are limited to traditional cut flower crops such as rose (Rosa hybrids), gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrids), marigold (Tagetes erecta), and tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) because of unavailability of improved new species and cultivars. To diversify cut flower production in Pakistan, a study was conducted to evaluate the production and postharvest performance of different cultivars of delphinium (Delphinium hybrids), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), and stock (Matthiola incana) in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. ‘Guardian White’ delphinium had the shortest time to harvest first marketable stems (160 days) with comparatively shorter stems (87.7 cm). Whereas ‘Aurora White’ and ‘Aurora Blue’ were high-temperature tolerant and produced attractive racemes with longer stems; 112.0 and 99.7 cm, respectively. All cultivars lasted about 7 days in distilled water (DW). ‘Cheerful White’ stock had the shortest cropping time and produced highest quality double flowers with longest stems (51.8 cm) compared with other cultivars tested. Vase solution of 4% sucrose supplemented with 100 mg·L−1 silver nitrate (AgNO3) extended the vase life of ‘Cheerful White’ stock up to 11.8 days compared with 8.2 days in DW. Pulsing with 10% sucrose supplemented with 100 mg·L−1 AgNO3 extended the longevity of ‘Lucinda Dark Rose Double’ stock (10.2 days) similar to vase solution of 4% sucrose plus 100 mg·L−1 AgNO3; however, ‘Lucinda Dark Rose Double’ stock produced shorter stems than ‘Cheerful White’. ‘Appleblossom’ snapdragon produced &gt;10 marketable stems per plant with highest quality attractive flowers, and stout stems, which lasted 10.8 days in 4% sucrose vase solution supplemented with 100 mg·L−1 AgNO3. Among tested species/cultivars, all exotic species/cultivars produced uniform high quality stems resulting in higher productivity as compared with local cultivars and were favorably appraised by flower growers/retailers and are best suited for diversification of local cut flower industry.

GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF HYBRID POPLAR PLANTANIONS IN CONDITIONS OF WESTERN FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE

Досліджено особливості росту гібридних тополь в умовах свіжого груду Західного Лісостепу України до 9-річного віку з огляду на доцільність їх використання у короткоротаційних плантаціях. Насадження створено однорічними живцями клонів: 'Дружба' 'Канадська × Бальзамічна' 'Стрілоподібна' і 'Тронко'. Ґрунт – сірий лісовий свіжий. Розміщення садивних місць – 2,0×0,8 м. Під час проведення досліджень застосовано традиційні лісівницькі та таксаційні методи. Найвищу збереженість рослин у 7-річному віці виявлено у клонів 'Тронко' (88 %) і 'Дружба' (86 %), найменшу – у клону 'Канадська × Бальзамічна' – 78 %. Найбільшу середню висоту мав культивар 'Дружба' (10,3±0,33 м). Решта клонів за висотою практично не відрізнялися. Найбільший середній діаметр дерев (7,4±0,33 см) встановлено у клону 'Канадська х Бальзамічна', який мав найменшу збереженість. Найвищий запас визначено у деревостанів клонів 'Канадська × Бальзамічна' (113 м3∙га-1)і 'Дружба' (122 м3∙га-1). Отже, 7-річні насадження продукували від 13,3 до 17,4 м3∙га-1деревини на рік. За наступні 2 роки відбувся значний відпад дерев клонів 'Тронко' і 'Канадська × Бальзамічна', що негативно позначилось на показниках їх запасу. Найвищим запас був у клону 'Дружба' – 139 м3∙га-1. Середня зміна запасу та загальної продуктивності (запас + відпад) усіх клонів виявилися меншими у віці 9 років, ніж у 7, що свідчить про те, що в досліджуваних умовах оптимальний вік рубання деревостанів тополі густотою близько 6 тис. шт. на 1 га становить 6-7 років. При цьому, насадження клону 'Дружба' мають запас 122, 'Канадська × Бальзамічна' – 113, 'Тронко' – 105,'Стрілоподібна' – 93 м3∙га-1.

Econometric Modelling of Influence of Level of the Social and Economic Infrastructure On Quality of Life of the Population

Abstract In this article, the index approach to an estimation of situational multifactor economic categories is considered: a level of development of a social and economic infrastructure of region and population living conditions. Author’s mathematical models of formation of the integrated estimated indexes formulated on principles of the factorial analysis of hierarchies are used. The constructed estimated integrated indexes form a basis of ranging of territories, both in an annual cut and in dynamics on years that, in turn, allows to analyse the change in ratings of territories (during 5-10 years): on a level of development of an infrastructure and quality of life of the population. Authors give results of computer modelling of an index of development of a social and economic infrastructure. Here authors use additional parameters for the measurement of an index of capital investments in an infrastructure. Further, authors model an index of quality of life of the population. Here the methods used are the analysis of hierarchies, the factorial analysis and a method of the main things a component. Then the interrelation analysis between tendencies of change of indexes through comparison of ranks of territories is made. Theoretical offers of authors are accompanied by quantitative results of modelling experiments on materials of 30 Chinese provinces for the period of 10 years period.

Pluralism in grassland management promotes butterfly diversity in a large Central European conservation area

Extensively harvested grassland ecosystems contribute substantially to European biodiversity, but different kinds of grassland usage may selectively foster individual taxa. A combination of management options may offer a promising way to maximize biodiversity at the landscape scale. Here, we test this hypothesis based on 91 butterfly samples taken in the years 2013–2015 in differently managed areas within a large conservation area, the National Park Neusiedler See/Seewinkel in eastern-most Austria. Altogether, we recorded 4713 butterfly individuals of 35 species. Based on these records, we show that the parallelism of three management options, i.e. pasturing by mobile cattle herds, annual hay cut in early summer, and fallow land mulched in late summer, increase species diversity of butterflies and burnet moths in the regional meta-community. Even though spatial distances between our sample sites were small compared to the activity ranges of adult butterflies, we found that species composition of butterfly and burnet assemblages significantly differed between the three management options, indicating that assemblages were shaped by factors at the site level. Differences in species composition were stable across three consecutive years, even though there was annual variation in butterfly assemblages. Other tested co-variables (soil moisture, soil nitrogen, abundance of nectar flowers and local plant species richness) did not additionally contribute to explaining species composition of butterfly communities. We conclude that maintaining a combination of three complementary management options is indeed a relevant strategy for biodiversity preservation in this internationally renowned conservation area.

Preliminary estimation of carbon stock in a logging concession with a forest management plan in East Cameroon

ABSTRACTLogging operations in Cameroon are based on the extraction of wood from natural forests. In this article, we assessed the carbon stock in a forest management unit (FMU) located in East Cameroon from field inventory to postfelling operations up to sawmill and export terminals. Tree basal area and aboveground biomass were calculated based on trees inventoried in the annual allowable cut. We observed that from an exploitable tree potential of 0.696 trees ha−1 inventoried within a diameter range of 50–110 cm, 0.141 tree ha−1 (i.e., 20% of the inventoried trees) were logged. In other words, out of 6.78 tC ha−1 inventoried, 1.84 tC ha−1 (i.e., 27% was logged), 1.62 tC ha−1 arrived in the log yard and 1.3 tC ha−1 arrived in sawmill, while 0.32 tC ha−1 reached the export terminal. In terms of damages caused on vegetation, 4.45% of all the annual allowance cut (AAC) were affected during logging activities, this represents almost 33,188.07 tons of carbon. These findings show that the implementation of reduced-impact logging (RIL) could reduce these losses throughout the logging steps and help propose a process for the valuation of wood waste in the forest and sawmill. In this context, reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation will be engaged with the right approach.

What to harvest when? Autumn, winter, annual and biennial harvesting of giant reed, miscanthus and switchgrass in northern and southern Mediterranean area

Side by side biomass productivities, harvesting time (autumn vs. winter) and frequency (annual vs. biennial) of three perennial grasses were compared under northern and southern Mediterranean climates. Miscanthus (Miscanthus×giganteus Greef et Deu.) was compared to giant reed (Arundo donax L.) in Catania (37°24′N, 15°03′E), and to switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in Bologna (44°55'N, 11°45′E). Generally, giant reed produced about 50% higher biomass than miscanthus in Catania. Miscanthus almost halved biomass productivity in the driest year, while giant reed reduced biomass yield by only 30% under the same conditions. In Bologna, miscanthus and switchgrass produced similar amounts of cumulative biomass over 6 years. Switchgrass kept more stable annual yields than miscanthus, which, however, evidenced a higher potential under favorable climate conditions. Autumn harvest significantly reduced biomass productivity and quality (moisture content, ashes, cellulose and hemicellulose), particularly under South Mediterranean climate. In Catania, autumn biomass was 50% (giant reed) to 85% (miscanthus) lower than winter biomass, while in Bologna, autumn cut reduced switchgrass yield by 20%. Biennial harvesting resulted in almost 40% lower cumulative biomass yield than annual cut, after 6 years.

Studies in Spanish Children Bone Age and Adult Size Prediction: Forty Years of Own Investigation

Introduction: The authors make a historical review of his research over 40 years dedicated to the study of bone maturation in 5225 healthy children Spanish and Swiss. Bone ages are obtained using their own methodology and it lets you know whether the bone age of the child is normal, early or delayed, significantly or not. Numerical formulas are obtained from measurements of the carpal bones, metacarpals, phalanges and tarsal region, by radiographs of the left hand and foot. Lately, the authors have applied their methodology to all annual radiological cuts made since the child's birth through 20 years of 160 Spanish children. Materials & methods: The longitudinal case series studied includes 160 Aragon healthy children of both genders (Andrea Prader Center), aged between six months and 20 years old, and studied year after year. We obtained measurements (maximum diameters in mm) of each bone carpal and metacarpal and phalanges of the fingers I, III and V of the left hand. The radiological study has been conducted at Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza. For the statistic work we have used the “Statistix” statistics Packaged, as well as Excel program for the confection of the equation tables. Results: In this study we applied in our children, indexes: Ebri metacarpal, carpal and carpometacarpal Ebri and called IVO (Index Valuation Ossification) derived of each respective index, serving for very accurate estimate of bone age. The results can bring to a Gaussian shape equivalences, which gives us directly bone age of the child, and if it is late or early or not significant. Conclusions: The use by the pediatrician and researcher of Ebri equations for calculating bone age, allow very accurately assess bone maturation from one child to study. With the use of the software we offer, the results are obtained directly, without being required to pocket calculator. With the software, predicting adult height of children is also obtained. With our methodology we can dispense the use of American method of Greulich and Pyle, and English Tanner Whitehause, at least in children of Hispanic origin. The gold standard of our contribution is that this basic methodology can be applied to different populations in order to create international standards series. Comparative studies between them can be made by the researchers. The possibilities in this regard are many.

Outlook of logging perspectives in the Czech Republic for the period 2013-2032

The aim of the submitted work was to analyze the outlook of logging perspectives in the next two decades (2013&amp;ndash;2032) for all forests in the territory of the Czech Republic. The analyses made use of the national database of forest management plans and guidelines. For the purpose of these analyses, the forests were divided into commercially exploitable forests and forests commercially exploitable with restrictions. The latter ones included protection forests and the category of special purpose forests, i.e.&amp;nbsp; 31c &amp;ndash; forests in the territory of national parks and national nature reserves, and 32a &amp;ndash; forests occurring in the first zones of protected landscape areas, and forests occurring in nature preserves and nature monuments. In addition to the potential total volume of timber logging, perspectives were studied separately for coniferous and broadleaved tree species as well as for individual main tree species. The derived model mean annual cut of 15.51 mil. m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; corresponds to the current timber production in the Czech Republic. Results of the analyses indicate that reduced logging of coniferous, namely spruce, timber is to be expected in the next twenty years. &amp;nbsp;

Forest management and forest state in southern Sweden before and after the impact of storm Gudrun in the winter of 2005

About three times the annual cut in southern Sweden (Götaland) was damaged by the storm Gudrun in January 2005, i.e. almost as much as the normal annual cut for all of Sweden. To establish any differences in forest management and state before and after the storm, measures such as growing stock volume, age-class distribution, and species composition were analyzed within the damaged area. As a reference the situation before and after the storm within the area in Götaland not damaged by the storm was also analyzed. For all analyses, sample plots from the Swedish National Forest Inventory were used. Results based on mean values for the years 2000–2004/2005–2009 showed that the total growing stock for the damaged area decreased by approximately 30 million m3 after the storm. This was mainly caused by a decrease in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst). Annual growth for pine, spruce, and deciduous trees decreased by 1.8 million m3 in the damaged area. This mainly included stands already thinned and not, as expected, in the stands ready for final felling. Also, the proportional area within each of the age classes 21–40, 41–60, and 61–80 years decreased. The storm led to an increased area in immediate need of precommercial thinning. No changes in choice of species when regenerating could be observed. Furthermore, only marginal adaptation by forest owners to future risk of wind throw could be detected.

A growth and yield projection system for a tropical rainforest in the Central Amazon, Brazil

The aim of this study was to develop and apply an implicit yield model based on the Weibull probability density function for the predictions of yield by diameter class for a logged tropical rainforest located in the center of Amazon. The study area is located in the Tropical Forest Experimental Station, 90km from the urban center of Manaus, AM, Brazil. The data came from 12 permanent 1ha plots, logged at three levels of basal area removal intensities. In each plot all individuals with DBH⩾10cm between 1990 and 2009 were measured annually. Functions were used to describe the dynamics of tree abundance (recruitment and mortality), basal area, summed diameters per hectare, and a new statistic for classification of forest yield, in order to estimate the sample moments of minimum, average and quadratic mean diameter in 2009. The Weibull diameter distribution was fitted using the method of moments and validated by data collected in 2009. The inclusion of variables that reflect the productive potential in the proposed model facilitates the evaluation of forests that have undergone changes in its structural characteristics in the different sites. The use of an alternative technique for classification led to a better understanding of the management regimes applied to the forests under analysis. The proposed model proved efficient by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and thus may be used in updating inventory statistics, calculations of annual cut and in planning forest by companies that work in uneven aged and mixed forests in different sites of the Amazon.