Black Pine Trees Research Articles

The influence of road traffic and industrial plant-induced air pollution on the physical, mechanical, chemical and morphological properties of the black pine wood

Road traffic pollution and industrial plant-induced pollution affect negatively the development of forest trees. How forest trees are affected by their growing environment is important for sustainable environment. The study aimed to investigate the physical, mechanical, chemical, and morphological properties of the Pinus nigra (black pine) tree which grows under different conditions. Tree samples were chosen from three different lands where were inside the forest (O), near the roadside (Y), and near the factory (F). It was studied whether there were any significant differences among the “O”, “Y” and “F” in terms of their wood properties such as physical, mechanical, chemical, and morphological. As a result, the “O” samples demonstrated more regular annual ring structure. On the other hand, it was observed that the “Y” samples had longer and wider tracheid cells. In addition, “Y” samples had better mechanical strength than “O” and “F”. Environmental pollution caused the presence of some different elements (chlorine and iron) in “Y” and “F”. As a result, it was determined that the trees growing near the roadside or near industrial plants have significant differences from forest trees which are far away from pollutions. It is possible to say that Pinus nigra (black pine) is resistant to environmental stress. For this reason, it can be recommended to use it as a barrier to reduce air pollution on the roadsides.

Monitoring Intra-Annual Wood Formation of Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold (Black Pine) to Understand the Fire Seasonality in Western Anatolia

Recent climate and societal changes have increased wildfire activity and prolonged the fire season in many regions of the world. The precision of fire seasonality analysis from tree-ring records can be improved by complementing the subjectively determined intra-ring position of fire scars with more precise studies of wood formation. With this aim, we monitored the wood formation dynamics of Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold (black pine) trees along a climatic gradient in western Anatolia to better understand the wood formation for the interpretation of fire seasonality. Wood microcores were collected from April to November 2021 from trees at four sites across (from north; the Black Sea climate in Bolu to the south; and the Mediterranean climate in Isparta) the areas where previous fire history reconstructions were conducted. These previous studies showed that most fires occurred during the latewood formation period. We found that matured latewood tracheids were observed between September (August) and November, thus suggesting that these fires occurred during late summer and fall. Our results show the importance of temperature and water availability for the timing of earlywood and latewood formations. These findings can be used to better inform planning activities for fire management and as a proxy to reconstruct past fire seasonality.

Description and Molecular Characterization of a New Dorylaimid Nematode, Mesodorylaimus pini n. sp. (Nematoda: Dorylaimidae) from Korea.

Mesodorylaimus pini n. sp., a new species isolated from the bark and cambium layer of a dead black pine tree is characterized herein using integrative taxonomy, considering both morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the 18S- and 28S-rRNA genes. Mesodorylaimus pini n. sp. is characterized by having a medium-sized body 1.50-1.89 mm long; lip region angular and offset by a depression; a relatively long odontostyle (17.0-19.0 μm); vulval opening a transverse slit, positioned slightly posteriorly; pars refringens vaginae with two elongated drop-shaped to spindle-shaped sclerotizations; an intestine-prerectum junction with a long anteriorly directed conical or tongue-like projection; a relatively long female tail (115-187 μm); spicules 48.0-57.0 μm long; and regularly spaced 7-8 ventromedian supplements. It is closest to M. subtilis, especially in having similar body length and number of ventromedian supplements but can be differentiated from M. subtilis by the longer odontostyle, tongue-like projection, and longer spicules. The phylogenies based on the 18S- and 28S-rRNA sequences showed a well-supported sister relation of M. pini n. sp. with M. subtilis, M. japonicus, M. bastiani, M. pseudobastiani, Calcaridorylaimus castaneae, C. heynsi, and other member species of the group.

Canopy Structural Changes in Black Pine Trees Affected by Pine Processionary Moth Using Drone-Derived Data

Pine species are a key social and economic component in Mediterranean ecosystems, where insect defoliations can have far-reaching consequences. This study aims to quantify the impact of pine processionary moth (PPM) on canopy structures, examining its evolution over time at the individual tree level using high-density drone LiDAR-derived point clouds. Focusing on 33 individuals of black pine (Pinus nigra)—a species highly susceptible to PPM defoliation in the Mediterranean environment—bitemporal LiDAR scans were conducted to capture the onset and end of the major PPM feeding period in winter. Canopy crown delineation performed manually was compared with LiDAR-based methods. Canopy metrics from point clouds were computed for trees exhibiting contrasting levels of defoliation. The structural differences between non-defoliated and defoliated trees were assessed by employing parametric statistical comparisons, including analysis of variance along with post hoc tests. Our analysis aimed to distinguish structural changes resulting from PPM defoliation during the winter feeding period. Outcomes revealed substantive alterations in canopy cover, with an average reduction of 22.92% in the leaf area index for defoliated trees, accompanied by a significant increase in the number of returns in lower tree crown branches. Evident variations in canopy density were observed throughout the feeding period, enabling the identification of two to three change classes using LiDAR-derived canopy density metrics. Manual and LiDAR-based crown delineations exhibited minimal differences in computed canopy LiDAR metrics, showcasing the potential of LiDAR delineations for broader applications. PPM infestations induced noteworthy modifications in canopy morphology, affecting key structural parameters. Drone LiDAR data emerged as a comprehensive tool for quantifying these transformations. This study underscores the significance of remote sensing approaches in monitoring insect disturbances and their impacts on forest ecosystems.

Başkent Üniversitesi Bağlıca Kampüsü ağaçlandırma alanında karaçamlara zarar yapan Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1776) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)'un ergin popülasyon gelişimi ve mücadelesine yönelik olarak feromon tuzak kullanım olanaklarının araştırılması

The six-toothed pine bark beetle, Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1776) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is one of the important pests of Pinus and Picea species in the forests of Türkiye. Başkent University Bağlıca Campus was established in 1993 and approximately 5 million trees have been planted in the area to date, including those that have dried up. Pheromone traps were hung in campus for monitoring the adult population development, determining the flight activities of the insect and controlling it on IPM principles. The first adult emergence of I. sexdentatus in Bağlıca took place in the first half of April, the highest flight activity was in April. Ips sexdentatus produced three generations in the region. The highest numbers of adults caught in traps were 741 (27 July 2021) and 421 (25 April 2022), respectively. In the Bağlıca Campus, a total of over 19,000 insects were caught and eliminated. Almost 328 tC of carbon stock was preserved and prevented from being released into nature and at least 11.100 black pine trees were saved or 26.640 USD was contributed to the economy. Using pheromone traps for the control of I. sexdentatus is recommended as a sustainable method that protects biodiversity, without any disturbance of the ecological balance.

Stem Profile Patterns ofPinus nigraandPinus sylvestrisGrowing in Mixed Stands

AbstractTaper equations provide one of the most successful approaches of calculating tree volume to specified top diameters from standing tree measurements. This study assessed the stem profile patterns of Black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees growing in mixed stands in northwestern Türkiye using a segmented polynomial taper equation. Models were fitted with the continuous second-order autoregressive structure to correct for the autocorrelation. The models fit the data well, describing more than 99%, 98%, and 97% of variation in diameter, merchantable volume, and total stem volume, respectively. However, the prediction errors were slightly larger for black pine than for Scots pine. Results also revealed that the model coefficients for these species were significantly different. Models developed in this study should provide more accurate upper stem diameter and volume estimates when the objective is to estimate such attributes for black pine and Scots pine growing in the mixed stands.Study Implications: Estimates of total and merchantable tree volume in a stand are essential for forest management and planning. Taper models are one of the most accurate approaches to estimating upper stem diameters and volume to any merchantability limit. There has been an increasing interest in managing mixed-species stands but limited work has been done on taper equations for trees growing in mixed stands. This study assessed the stem profile patterns of black pine and Scots pine trees growing in mixed-species stands in northwestern Türkiye. As has been reported for pure stands, species-specific taper equations were more accurate upper stem diameter and volume estimations in mixed-species stands. The developed taper models should play an important role in planning and inventorying mixed Black pine and Scots pine stands in Türkiye.

Variability of morpho-anatomical features of black pine needles at the area of Jastrebac and Goč

In this paper the variability of morphological (needle length and needle width) and anatomical (needle thickness, resin ducts width, epidermis thickness, hypodermis height and number of the hypodermis layers) properties of black pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold) needles were studied at the intra- and inter-population levels. Two mountains in Serbia, Jastrebac and Goč, were selected as experimental plots. Three black pine trees were selected from both localities (6 in total). Obtained results showed that trees on Goč had bigger dimensions of the following elements: needle length, needle width, hypodermis height, number of hypodermis layers, needle thickness and epidermis thickness. On the other hand, only resin ducts width was greater by the trees from Jastrebac. The results of the analysis of variance showed that variation between studied populations, as well as variation between trees within populations was statistically significant for all needle traits except resin ducts width and hypodermis height.

Peculiarities of the Vital Functions Restoration in Pallas Black Pines Following a Forest Fire

Using the biophysics and visual assessment methods, a study on the vital state dynamics of the Pallas black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana D. Don) trees damaged by fire was conducted. It is shown that a ground fire has a noticeable effect on the biophysical characteristics of the Pallas pine. In the post-fire period, there is a change in the electrical resistance of the tree trunk tissues, as well as an increase in its variation coefficient, which reflects the deterioration of their vital condition. The relationship between the parameters of the trunk tissues’ polarization coefficient and the level of the pine trees’ pyrogenic damage was revealed. The intensity of the needles yellowing reflects the amount of stress the trees experience during the pyrogenic impact, it is determined not only by the severity of the impact, but also by the protective response resulting in the mobilisation of the vitality reserves during the post-shock period. The negative effects of stress are manifested in a prolonged decline of the plants’ vital state. Differentiation of the Pallas black pine trees based on the types of response to the damaging impact was revealed. The individuals of an increased regenerative capacity ensure the group preservation under a strong short-term negative impact. Individuals with a weak response realise their advantage in a situation of a lingering stress, conservatively utilising their vitality reserves, which ensures the possibility of long-term survival under inhospitable conditions. Currently, the natural populations of Pallas black pine, are forming “scissors” of two evolutionarily different natural selection tendencies. Under the lingering stressful conditions, individuals with weaker reaction are more likely to survive and the elimination of individuals with a strong response to stress increases, which entails a decrease in the resistance of populations to a strong destructive effect.

Application of YOLOv5 for Point Label Based Object Detection of Black Pine Trees with Vitality Losses in UAV Data

Monitoring tree diseases in forests is crucial for managing pathogens, particularly as climate change and globalization lead to the emergence and spread of tree diseases. Object detection algorithms for monitoring tree diseases through remote sensing rely on bounding boxes to represent trees. However, this approach may not be the most efficient. Our study proposed a solution to this challenge by applying object detection to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based imagery, using point labels that were converted into equally sized square bounding boxes. This allowed for effective and extensive monitoring of black pine (Pinus nigra L.) trees with vitality-related damages. To achieve this, we used the “You Only Look Once’’ version 5 (YOLOv5) deep learning algorithm for object detection, alongside a 16 by 16 intersection over union (IOU) and confidence threshold grid search, and five-fold cross-validation. Our dataset used for training and evaluating the YOLOv5 models consisted of 179 images, containing a total of 2374 labeled trees. Our experiments revealed that, for achieving the best results, the constant bounding box size should cover at least the center half of the tree canopy. Moreover, we found that YOLOv5s was the optimal model architecture. Our final model achieved competitive results for detecting damaged black pines, with a 95% confidence interval of the F1 score of 67–77%. These results can possibly be improved by incorporating more data, which is less effort-intensive due to the use of point labels. Additionally, there is potential for advancements in the method of converting points to bounding boxes by utilizing more sophisticated algorithms, providing an opportunity for further research. Overall, this study presents an efficient method for monitoring forest health at the single tree level, using point labels on UAV-based imagery with a deep learning object detection algorithm.

Above-ground biomass allocation and potential carbon sink of black pine – a case study from southern Poland

Biomass allocation is a key factor for understanding the forest carbon balance and reflects plants’ ecological strategies in different environmental conditions. Allocation patterns and biomass models outside of the native range of black pine have not been analyzed in the context of the observed climate changes. The study's goals were to develop biomass equations for mature black pine from southern Poland and assess biomass and carbon allocation patterns and the potential of trees of different social statuses for carbon sequestration. A total of 129 felled black pine trees were measured, among which 14 were destructively sampled to determine biomass and carbon content in tree components. The developed set of biomass equations provided allocation patterns and accumulation of trees of different social statuses. Biomass and carbon allocation patterns were different but related to tree social status. The introduction of diameter at crown base significantly improved the accuracy of the developed models. The analyzed trees allocated relatively more in stem than in crown in comparison with that observed in other studies. Biomass and carbon allocation patterns of the analyzed black pines differ from those of the native range. They should be considered in biomass modeling with factors influencing social status structure.

DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOCESIUM IN BLACK PINE TREE FORESTS IN ROKKASHO, AOMORI, JAPAN.

Since the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNNP) accident in 2011, 134Cs had been detected in atmospheric deposition samples collected in Rokkasho and Aomori in Japan, located ~400-km north of the FDNNP, during March 2011-May 2015. To study the distribution of radiocesium (134, 137Cs) in a Japanese black pine tree forest, we measured the activity concentration of 134, 137Cs in whole black pine trees, including roots collected during 2017-19 along with soil samples in 2015 and 2017-19. The results show that most of the deposited 134Cs was retained in the forest floor in 2015, with depth distribution different from that of the weapon testing fallout. Proportions of the weapon fallout 137Cs in trunks, branches, needles and roots were 44, 17, 13 and 26%, respectively, indicating that >50% of 137Cs in above-ground part existed in the trunks. The total inventories of 134Cs and 137Cs in the forest were estimated to be 8.9 and 2.5·103Bqm-2, respectively, and ~4.8% of 137Cs inventory was originated from the accident. Inventory of 134Cs in the forest-including the black pine trees-was 1.6 times larger than cumulative deposition outside of the forest due to the canopy effect.

First Report of Needle Blight on Pinus thunbergii Parl. Caused by Fusarium proliferatum in China.

Pinus thunbergii Parl. (Japanese black pine), an evergreen species, is distributed along the seacoasts of China. In addition, this species has been planted along seacoasts as a windbreak to prevent soil erosion due to its resistance to salt and various environmental stresses. It can also be found in public parks and gardens due to its exquisite appearance and toughness. In August 2020, needle blight symptoms were found on several black pine trees in Sichuan Province, China. Further surveys showed that these symptoms are common. The disease incidence is less than 30% while severity of the disease is high. The tips of old needles first turn grayish green that developed into brown bands ranging from 1 to 2 mm. To determine the pathogen, small needle pieces (3-4 mm2 long) from the margin of fresh lesions were surface-sterilized for 30 s in 75% ethanol, follow by 1% NaOCl for 90 s, then washed three times with sterile water, and then were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) with 0.1 mg/mL ampicillin and incubated at 25°C. Pure cultures of 8 isolates were obtained by monosporic isolation, and a representative isolate (SC03) was deposited in the Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University. When cultured on Spezieller Nährstoffarmer Agar medium (Leslie and Summerell, 2006), the SC03 colony was beige-white, cottony from top view and pale orange near the center on the reverse side. The daily growth rate was 11.8 mm/day at 25°C in the dark. Microscopic observations showed hyaline and septate hyphae, slightly curved macroconidia with two to three septa measuring 17.5 - 30 × 3.7 - 7.5 μm (23.2 × 5.7 on average), and aseptate microconidia measuring 7.5 - 12.5 × 2.5 - 5.0 μm, (9.7 × 4.3 on average). The morphological characteristics of conidia and other structures of SC03 matched those of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC) (Abdalla et al. 2000). For accurate identification, translation elongation factor 1-alpha（TEF-1α） , and the second largest RNA polymerase subunit (RPB2) were amplified and sequenced using the primer pairs EF1 and EF2, RPB5f2 and RPB7cr. The sequences were deposited in GenBank [Accession TEF-1α: ON049647, RBP2: ON049648]. A Blast search of GenBank showed that TEF-1α and RPB2 sequences of SC03 matched Fusarium proliferatum (Matsush) Nirenberg at a high level (>99%). Phylogenetic analysis using neighbor joining and concatenated sequences (TEF-1α and RPB2) with MEGA X placed SC03 in F. proliferatum. For the pathogenicity test, a conidial suspension was prepared with a concentration of 2.0 × 107 conidia/ml. The suspension was sprayed onto 3 annual seedlings' needles, and the control was sprayed with sterile water. Inoculated and uninoculated plants were kept in humid chambers in a glasshouse where the average humidity was 60% and the average temperature was 27℃. After 10 days, typical symptoms appeared on inoculated needles, whereas control needles remained symptomless. These symptoms were similar to those observed in field. The fungus, F. proliferatum, was reisolated from those lesions, confirming Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed on control plants. Fusarium proliferatum is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus on cankers and very rarely reported to cause disease on pine needles. It has been reported to cause leaf blight of Polygonatum cyrtonema (Zhou et al. 2021) and Majesty palm (Polizzi and Vitale 2003). To our knowledge, this is the first report of needle blight on P. thunbergii caused by F. proliferatum in China. The disease represents a threat to producers and more research on the biology and management is needed.

Nonlinear Quantile Mixed-Effects Models for Prediction of the Maximum Crown Width of Fagus sylvatica L., Pinus nigra Arn. and Pinus brutia Ten.

In the current study, a novel approach combining quantile regression with nonlinear mixed-effects (QR-NLME) modeling was applied to predict the maximum crown width (cwmax) of three economically important forest species—the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), the black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.), and the Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) at tree level. A power QR-NLME model was fitted first to a dataset including 1414 European beech trees obtained from 29 randomly distributed sample plots, 770 black pine trees from 25 sample plots, and 1880 Calabrian pine trees from 41 sample plots in Greece, to predict the cwmax at tree level. Additionally, a nonlinear mixed-effects model (NLME) was fitted to the same dataset to predict the average crown width at tree level for all species. In the second stage, the crown competition factor (CCF) was estimated based on the population average response of the cwmax predictions. The proposed approach presented sound results when compared with the outcomes of relevant models from other regions fitted to open-grown tree data, and therefore, it can be well implemented on clustered data structures, in cases of absence of open-grown tree data.

Effect of black locust trees on the nitrogen dynamics of black pine trees in Shonai coastal forest, Japan

Effect of black locust trees on the nitrogen dynamics of black pine trees in Shonai coastal forest, Japan

Pine wilt disease and feeding conditions of Japanese squirrels (<i>Sciurus lis</i>) in mountainous green areas where Japanese black pine and Japanese red pine grow

A study was conducted to examine the prevalence of pine wilt disease and the feeding conditions of the Japanese squirrels (Sciurus lis) in mountainous green areas where Japanese black pine and Japanese red pine grow. This study aimed to explore conservation measures for Japanese squirrels and the green areas. Here, we determined that Japanese squirrels clearly preferred Japanese black pine trees in the target area. Feeding remains were visible on black pine trees throughout the study period. Pine cones served as a stable food source for the Japanese squirrels throughout the year. On the other hand, it was shown that pine wilt disease affects the feeding of squirrels. Considering this result and the prevalence of pine wilt disease, it would be appropriate to grow multiple trees in the same place rather than planting isolated trees. This strategy would facilitate the efficient preservation of the pine trees used by the Japanese squirrels and the green areas in which they are located. The lack of pine forests near the target area may lead to a decrease in the local Japanese squirrel population. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt measures to protect the pines, which would simultaneously aid in maintaining the squirrel population.

Legacies of past forest management determine current responses to severe drought events of conifer species in the Romanian Carpathians

Worldwide increases in droughts- and heat-waves-associated tree mortality events are destabilizing the future of many forests and the ecosystem services they provide. Along with climate, understanding the impact of the legacies of past forest management is key to better explain current responses of different tree species to climate change. We studied tree mortality events that peaked in 2012 affecting one native (silver fir; growing within its natural distribution range) and two introduced (black pine and Scots; growing outside their natural distribution range) conifer species from the Romanian Carpathians. The three conifers were compared in terms of mortality events, growth trends, growth resilience to severe drought events, climate-growth relationships, and regeneration patterns. The mortality rates of the three species were found to be associated with severe drought events. Nevertheless, the native silver fir seems to undergo a self-thinning process, while the future of the remaining living black pine and Scots pine trees is uncertain as they register significant negative growth trends. Overall, the native silver fir showed a higher resilience to severe drought events than the two introduced pine species. Furthermore, and unlike the native silver fir, black pine and Scots pine species do not successfully regenerate. A high diversity of native broadleaf species sprouts and develops instead under them suggesting that we might be witnessing a process of ecological succession, with broadleaves recovering their habitats. As native species seem to perform better in terms of resilience and regeneration than introduced species, the overall effect of the black pine and Scots pine mortality might be compensated. Legacies of past forest management should be taken into account in order to better understand current responses of different tree species to ongoing climate change.

High-Resolution Temperature Variability Reconstructed from Black Pine Tree Ring Densities in Southern Spain

The presence of an ancient, high-elevation pine forest in the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla in southern Spain, including some trees reaching >700 years, stimulated efforts to develop high-resolution temperature reconstructions in an otherwise drought-dominated region. Here, we present a reconstruction of spring and fall temperature variability derived from black pine tree ring maximum densities reaching back to 1350 Coefficient of Efficiency (CE). The reconstruction is accompanied by large uncertainties resulting from low interseries correlations among the single trees and a limited number of reliable instrumental stations in the study region. The reconstructed temperature history reveals warm conditions during the early 16th and 19th centuries that were of similar magnitude to the warm temperatures recorded since the late 20th century. A sharp transition from cold conditions in the late 18th century (t1781–1810 = −1.15 °C ± 0.64 °C) to warm conditions in the early 19th century (t1818–1847 = −0.06 °C ± 0.49 °C) is centered around the 1815 Tambora eruption (t1816 = −2.1 °C ± 0.55 °C). The new reconstruction from southern Spain correlates significantly with high-resolution temperature histories from the Pyrenees located ~600 km north of the Cazorla Natural Park, an association that is temporally stable over the past 650 years (r1350–2005 > 0.3, p < 0.0001) and particularly strong in the high-frequency domain (rHF > 0.4). Yet, only a few of the reconstructed cold extremes (1453, 1601, 1816) coincide with large volcanic eruptions, suggesting that the severe cooling events in southern Spain are controlled by internal dynamics rather than external (volcanic) forcing.

Growth Response of Endemic Black Pine Trees to Meteorological Variations and Drought Episodes in a Mediterranean Region

Weather variations affect natural ecosystems, while in regions where climate change is anticipated to intensify extreme events such as droughts, the vitality of vulnerable species may be reduced. The sensitivity of key-species to the climatic conditions may illustrate their adjustability in specific areas and assist decision making towards proper mitigation and adaptation measures. Pinus nigra, commonly known as black pine, is an endemic species, forming many protected habitats in the Mediterranean. In this study, black pine tree-ring data from Greece are used to assess the response of tree growth to specific temperature-related (mean, max. and min. temperature and diurnal temperature range) and water-related (precipitation, evapotranspiration, relative humidity and vapor pressure deficit) meteorological parameters. Additionally, the effect of drought episodes is estimated using indices, including the well-established standardised precipitation index (SPI) and reconnaissance drought index (RDI), as well as two recently proposed modifications, namely, the agricultural SPI (aSPI) and the effective RDI (eRDI). The outcomes reveal several seasonal patterns, emphasising the sensitivity of black pine principally to water-related meteorological parameters, with winter and early spring conditions having a primary role on annual tree growth. Black pine seems to be tolerant to drought in the study region, in terms of its resilience; however, there are indications that multiyear droughts may have prolonged effects on tree growth, which may last approximately three years after drought ends. Additionally, it is derived that both aSPI and eRDI illustrate more efficiently tree growth response to drought, indicating that these modifications provide increased accuracy regarding drought characterisation in the forest environment.

A comparison of artificial neural network models and regression models to predict tree volumes for crimean black pine trees in Cankiri forests

Cilj ovog rada je usporediti modele umjetne neuralne mreže (ANN) za predviđanje pojedinih drvnih volumena krimskih borova u šumama Çankirija. Jednoulazne i dvoulazne jednadžbe i kompatibilna volumna jednadžba Fang et al. (2000) temeljena na klasičnim i tradicionalnim metodama primijenjena je na 360 krimskih borova u cilju dobivanja ovih drvnih volumena. Kako bi se odredila najbolja alternativna metoda za predviđanje ANN modela, ukupno je obučeno 320 treniranih mreža u višeslojnom perceptronu (MLP) i ukupno 20 treniranih mreža u arhitekturi Radial Basis Function (RBF). Na temelju statistike goodness-of-fit, ANN u smislu MLP 1-9-1 uključujući dbh kao input varijablu za jednoulazna volumna predviđanja pokazao je bolju fitting sposobnost sa SSE (2.7763), Radj2 (0.9339), MSE (0.00910), RMSE (0.0954), AIC (-823.25) i SBC (-1421.81) nego onaj u ostalim proučavanim volumnim metodama koje uključuju dbh kao eksplanatornu varijablu. Za dvoulazna volumna predviđanja, što uključuju dbh i ukupnu visinu kao input varijable, ANN temeljen na MLP 2-15-1 rezultirao je boljom fitting statistikom sa SSE (0.8354), Radj2 (0.9801), MSE (0.00274), RMSE (0.0523), AIC (-579.55) and SBC (-1788.11).

Influence of Climate on Radial Growth of Black Pine on the Mountain Regions of Southwestern Turkey.

In this study, we identified the most important climate factors affecting the radial growth of black pine at different elevations of the mountain regions of Southwestern Turkey (Sandıras Mountain, Muğla/Turkey). We used four black pine tree-ring chronologies, which represent upper and lower distribution limits of black pine forest on the South and North slopes of Sandıras Mountain. The relationships between tree-ring width and climate were identified using response function analysis. We performed hierarchical cluster analysis to classify the response functions into meaningful groups. Black pine trees in the mountain regions of Southwestern Turkey responded positively to a warmer temperature and high precipitation at the beginning of the growing season. As high summer temperatures exacerbated drought, radial growth was affected negatively. Hierarchical cluster analysis made clear that elevation differences, rather than aspect, was the main factor responsible for the formation of the clusters. Due to the mountainous terrain of the study area, the changing climatic conditions (air temperature and precipitation) affected the tree-ring widths differently depending on elevation.