Forest Experiment Station Research Articles

The Technical Quality of the Wood of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) of Diverse Genetic Origin

This work contains the preliminary results of research into the technical quality of the wood from Scots pine trees of diverse genetic origin, grown on an experimental plot at the Forest Experimental Station in Rogów. The following are the parent stands, numbered: 5 (the Tucholskie Forest 130 m a.s.l.), 7 (the Napiwodzko–Ramuckie Forest 145 m a.s.l.), 10 (the Piska Forest 145 m a.s.l.), 12 (the Biała Forest 95 m a.s.l.), 13 (the Namysłowsko–Ostrzeszowskie Forest 190 m a.s.l.), 15 (the Knyszyńska Forest 165 m a.s.l.), and 16 (the Nowotarskie Forest 590 m a.s.l.). The tested wood was obtained in 2018 from trees aged 52 years. The research material came from 100 trees in total. After felling, two logs approximately 0.5 m in length were cut from each tree. The height on the tree from which the material was taken ranged from breast height (1.3 m) to approximately 2.5 m. Next, planks were cut from the logs in a north–south direction; these were precisely described and then left to season. The work included the measurement and statistical analysis of one physical property, wood density (kg/m3), and of the following mechanical properties: compressive strength along the fibres, Rc12 (MPa); static bending strength, Rg12 (MPa); modulus of elasticity under static bending, Eg12 (MPa); and indices of strength quality of the tested mechanical properties, JRc12, JRg12, and JEg12 (km). The origin of the logs was shown to have a significant influence on wood density, compressive strength, static bending strength, and modulus of elasticity under static bending. The highest mean density was found for trees originating from stand 10 (537 kg/m3). The highest values of compressive strength were obtained for trees originating from stands 5 (45 MPa), and the highest static bending strength and modulus of elasticity under static bending were obtained for trees originating from stand 12 (102 and 9825 MPa, respectively).

The First Silvicultural Study of the Southern Forest Experiment Station

The First Silvicultural Study of the Southern Forest Experiment Station

University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘Harley Blackwell’

‘Harley Blackwell’ is a potato variety that is commonly grown for the potato chip market. It was selected from the progeny of a cross between B0155-24 and B9935-8 and tested under the pedigree B0564-8. It was released and named jointly by the Agricultural Research Service, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Service of North Carolina, the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New York, and the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station in 2000. Tuber production and quality results provided in this spotlight are summarized from various variety trials conducted at the UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural Extension Center between 1998 and 2019.This is a minor revision with an author addition, last updated 5/2017. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1298

University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: 'Peter Wilcox'

‘Peter Wilcox’ is a fresh market potato variety selected from progeny of a cross between B0810-1 and B0918-5 and tested under the pedigree B1816-5 by the United States Department of Agriculture. In 2007, ‘Peter Wilcox’ was joint relesead with the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, the Agricultural Experiment Stations of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New York, and the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station. In Florida, ‘Peter Wilcox’ demonstrates good tuber characteristics and high yields. Tuber production and quality results provided in publication are from Florida Potato Variety Trials conducted at the UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural Extension Center between 2001 and 2019.

The Cloquet Forest Experiment Station in 1910

In 1909, the University of Minnesota secured 2,640 acres of tribal forest lands on the Fond du Lac Reservation in northeast Minnesota for a school forest.1 The station’s purpose was “to demonstrate proper methods of forest management and reforestation in the Lake States; and to advance the science of forestry as a whole” (Zon 1912, p. 1; Figure 1). The station was intentionally “situated…in the heart of a cut-over and burned-over area” to be an “ideal location” for the long-term demonstration of silvicultural practices (University of Minnesota 1914, p. 61). University staff primarily reserved red and white pine seed trees along existing forest roads for the purpose of public education, as well as for their scenic value. Among these reserves was “a beautiful grove of large red pine” where future buildings would be “carefully planned to harmonize with the environment” (Tierney 1910;...

Shifts in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition of Betula alnoides along young, middle-aged plantation and adjacent natural forest

Betula alnoides is a fast-growing and native timber species prevalently planted in tropical and subtropical areas of southern China. Despite the large-scale development of B. alnoides plantations, knowledge of its association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is limited. In the present study, we chose young (3-year-old sapling, P3y) and middle-aged (12-year-old stand, P12y) B. alnoides plantations and adjacent native forest (N) in the Puwen Tropical Forest Experimental Station located in Xishuangbanna prefecture of Yunnan Province, southwestern China, as study materials and explored the change in AMF community composition in the plantation chronosequence. In addition, we combined morphological methods and Illumina MiSeq sequencing techniques to analyze rhizosphere soil AMF. The results indicated that the AMF richness and diversity indexes of B. alnoides at two ages tended to be similar to those of natural growing trees in native forest. However, the specific AM fungal compositions were distinctly different, providing evidence of the conservation value of the native forest, which harbors a unique AMF diversity. Hierarchical cluster analysis further revealed that the AMF community composition of trees in the mid-aged stand (P12y) was more similar to that of naturally growing B. alnoides (N) than that of the young-aged trees (P3y), which proved the considerable resilience of AMF to the establishment of the B. alnoides plantation. A set of at least five soil properties (available phosphorus, available nitrogen, organic matter, total nitrogen and silt content) was found to play a significant role in shaping the AMF communities. These results contribute to the understanding of the impacts of B. alnoides plantations on AMF diversity and composition. Such information is critical for the efficient planting and sustainable management of B. alnoides plantations.

Ecological and Phytocenological Characteristics of the Vegetation of the National Park “Buzuluksky Bor”

The uniqueness of the territory of Buzuluksky Bor as an object of national and world natural heritage was first identified by outstanding domestic naturalists S.I. Korzhinsky. In historical terms, scientific research in Buzuluk pine forest has been carried out since the creation in the pinery of a scientific base - the pine forest experimental station named after A.P. Tolsky. Buzuluksky Bor's problems include: periodic droughts; forest fires over large areas; previous clear cutting; damage to forest crops by pests. On the territory of Buzuluksky Bor, 679 species of vascular plants belonging to 97 families and 353 genera grow (excluding producers), which makes 56% of the total number of species of the Orenburg region. The dominant breed Buzuluk pine forest is an Scotch pine. Buzuluksky Bor is bordered on almost all sides by a strip of deciduous forest, bordering a treeless steppe. About 40% of the area is currently occupied by pine, 21% by oak, 11% by maple, linden and alder, and about 28% by birch, aspen and other small-leaved species. According to V.N. Sukachev, the pine forests of the Buzuluksky Bor are represented by 17 types, which fall into four groups: a) lichen pine forests (Pineta cladinosa), b) mossy pine forests (Pineta pseudoherbosa), c) false grassy pine forests (Pineta pseudoherbosa), d) complex pine forests).

Reflections on the contributions of Populus research at Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service established three regional Institutes of Forest Genetics in the United States in the 1950s to improve trees for reforestation and improve the management of forests. The institute in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, started in 1956 as part of the Lake States Forest Experiment Station. Since that time, the “Rhinelander Lab” has undergone changes in research priorities, organizational changes, and name changes while becoming an international center of forest scientific excellence. Many of the researchers’ key findings over the years were published in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research. In this paper, for the 50th anniversary edition of the Journal, we reflect upon one part of those accomplishments: the history of the contributions of Populus L. research at Rhinelander. We discuss major research programs and the scientists conducting this work, including (i) physiology of wood formation, (ii) short rotation intensive culture and short rotation woody crops, (iii) intensively cultured plantations, (iv) physiology and utilization of short rotation poplar yields, (v) breeding and selection, (vi) biotechnology and molecular genetics, (vii) atmospheric pollution and climate change, (viii) phytotechnologies, and (ix) ecosystem services. Also, we describe four major international conferences held in Rhinelander and (or) hosted by Rhinelander researchers.

A Qualitative Study of Nutrition Literacy in Undergraduate Students

Abstract Objectives To determine which nutrition literacy domains (functional, interactive, critical) influence dietary decisions of young adults. Methods A thematic analysis was conducted using four transcribed focus group discussions, recorded at the University of Maine in February of 2019. Each focus group consisted of five to seven undergraduate students. Ten prompted questions were discussed within the three domains of nutrition literacy: functional, interactive, and critical. Focus groups were transcribed by two research assistants, and reviewed for accuracy by a third research assistant. Transcriptions were then coded for primary and secondary themes. Participants completed a demographic survey before participating in the focus group. Results Mean age was 20.1 ± 1.5 years old, 70.0% were female, and 76.7% were white. Majors included natural sciences (56.7%), liberal arts and sciences (23.3%), and other (20.0%), health majors were excluded from participating. Themes emerged that fell under the three nutrition literacy domains. (1: Functional) Intuition guides eating decisions. Students reported that they “listen to their bodies” and “just know” which foods are healthy. (2: Interactive) Diet trends affect dietary choices. Many students mentioned following various diet trends and the high frequency of diet trend advertising within social media spaces. (3: Critical) Nutrition information is sought out online. Students reported using government websites and academic journals, but the most popular source for seeking out nutrition information was Google. Students reported that they “just know” which sources of information are credible. Conclusions College students referenced the three nutrition literacy domains when discussing factors that impact dietary choices, showing that nutrition literacy plays a role in college students’ nutrition and health decisions. Understanding how the different nutrition literacy domains relate to young adults’ decisions surrounding food choices can inform future programs aimed at improving dietary behaviors of young adults. Funding Sources This project was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ME022004 through the Maine Agricultural & Forest Experiment Station.

Оценка роста и развития княженики арктической (Rubus articus L.) при использовании минеральных удобрений

Приведены результаты изучения влияния припосадочного иповторных внесений минеральных удобрений на рост, развитие иплодоношение растений княженики арктической (Rubus articus L.). Установлена оптимальная доза повторного внесения удобрений. The reason for investigation of the cultivation of Arctic raspberry is the exhaustion of its natural stock. The first works on growing of this species in Russia dates back to the year 1860. Later some small experiments with this species were produced in the middle of XX century. More intensive work with it was held since the 60s of the last century in Finland and Sweden. They are working on selecting of new cultivars of this species. Studies conducted to date show the prospective of the introduction of this valuable berry plant. The experiments of cultivating of Arctic raspberry on depleted peat deposits were started on the Central European Forest Experiment Station in 2005. Arctic raspberry is relatively new species in culture. So, some issues on its growing on peat substrates, including the use of mineral fertilizers, are still insufficiently developed. The article addressed the issues of the use of mineral fertilizers in plantings of the Arctic raspberry on depleted peat depositof intermediate type. The repeated use of mineral fertilizers stimulates growth, development and fruiting of the plants. The optimal dosage of the fertilizers during repeated use is N30P30K30.

Analysis of the characteristics of seismic and acoustic signals produced by a dam failure and slope erosion test

Landslides and floods occur with a significant generation of energy release producing seismic and acoustic signals. The analysis of these signals aims to identify vital and specific characteristics of landslide and flood events, such as frequency content, spectral magnitude, energy variation, and timing of the events. This study examined the seismic and acoustic signals recorded during a large-scale physical dam model failure test. The tests were conducted on the streambed under the No. 2 Bridge in Huisun Forest Experimental Station in Nantou, Taiwan. A dam and a slope model were constructed, and dam failure and slope erosion tests were induced by releasing water to slowly accumulate at the upstream side of the dam and letting water overtop the dam, causing a breach. After dam overtopping, the lowering of the dam crest led to dam failure, causing a large volume of floodwater, resulting in erosion of the toe of the slope model, triggering landslides. Accelerometers and microphones were installed to collect the acoustic and seismic signals produced by the water flow and landslides generated. Unmanned aerial vehicles were used to continuously capture the topography of the slope to produce elevation models to calculate the volumes of the six landslides. Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) was performed to evaluate the time–frequency spectra for the seismic and acoustic signals, and their spectral magnitudes were discussed. The results showed that the acoustic signals depicted and reacted to the failure event earlier than seismic signals; however, both types of signals were in agreement. The velocity of the flood energy was estimated to be 5.71 and 5.06 m/s by monitoring the seismic signals at different locations of the riverbank and through the analysis of spectral magnitude, respectively. Furthermore, the Arias intensity and the landslide volumes were found to be correlated through a quadratic relationship.

Seed dispersal of anemochoric Abies alba Mill.: lessons learned from seed tracking, seed trap experiments and genetic parentage assignment of seedlings

Several methods are used to estimate the spatial pattern of seed dispersal. However, each method has specific shortcomings that limit the accuracy and reliability of the resulting dispersal models. In this study we compared seed shadows of the anemochoric species Abies alba Mill. obtained from (1) phenomenological models derived from seed trapping data and inverse modelling, (2) ballistic models based on wind speed at canopy height and an exponential wind profile and (3) empirical models parameterised from seed-tracking data. In addition, we checked whether the empirical model coupled with multiannual wind characteristics provides a dispersal pattern concordant with the gene shadow obtained from parentage assignment between seedlings and overstorey trees. The seed trap and seed-tracking experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2015 with contrasting wind conditions in five study plots located in the Krynica Forest Experimental Station in southern Poland. Genetic data originated from 16 mature stands with dominant A. alba . The study revealed that the distances reached by single seeds strongly vary at the same wind speed at canopy height. The ballistic model overestimated the flight distances of A. alba seeds. Similarly, the empirical model calibrated on data that disregarded seeds trapped in the crowns of neighbouring conifer trees predicted longer flight distances than those derived from the seed trap experiments. The gene shadow obtained from the parentage analysis suggests dispersal patterns concordant with those anticipated by the empirical model based on the seed-tracking experiments, with a possible shift towards an increased proportion of seeds landing close to the source. It was concluded that in dense canopies collisions with canopy elements during seed flight and secondary dispersion of seeds trapped in the canopy zone may considerably shorten the travel distances of A. alba seeds .

Основы создания лесных культур на Среднем Урале

Основы создания лесных культур на Среднем Урале

Differences in atmospheric CO2 concentration and δ13C value between green spaces and its adjacent roads as well as the influencing factors in Beijing, China.

Near-surface atmospheric CO2 concentration and δ13C value in four greenspaces and on their adjacent roads in Beijing were measured by off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy to analyze the influence of urban greenspace on spatial distribution of near-surface atmospheric CO2. The results showed that atmospheric CO2 concentration and δ13C value varied substantially both temporally and spatially. The highest CO2 concentration was found in the urban area, followed by the suburbs, and the lowest CO2 concentration was in the outer suburbs. There was a clear near-surface atmospheric CO2 dome, but a reverse pattern for δ13C value. During the non-growing season, the ΔCO2 and Δ13C between greenspace and adjacent roads were low. The differences among the four experimental sites were not significant. In the growing season, the ΔCO2 and Δ13C at the BLA4th RR (Beijing Institute of Landscape Architecture and 4th Ring Road) and BOP5th RR (Beijing Olympic Forest Park and 5th Ring Road) in urban areas were significantly higher than those at DPSR (Daoxianghu Park and Sujiatuo Road) and MTGMR (Mentougou forest experimental station and an adjacent road) in the suburbs. During the growing and non-growing seasons, CO2 concentration of all examined sites was significantly positively related with the traffic volume, indicating that traffic volume was an important factor affecting the spatial distribution of CO2. The δ13C value was significantly negatively related with traffic volume during non-growing season, but no significant relationship was found during the growing season. The ΔCO2 concentration between the four green-spaces and their adjacent roads were significantly negatively related with leaf area index (LAI). The Δ13C value were significantly logarithmically related to LAI. Results from stepwise regression showed that solar radiation, temperature, and LAI significantly affected ΔCO2 in urban areas and suburbs during the growing season, and that temperature and solar radiation were the major driving factors for Δ13C. During the growing season, plants in the greenspaces assimilated CO2 via photosynthesis and thus reduced the near-surface atmospheric CO2 concentration. Our results indicate that green-spaces play a positive role in improving ecological environment in urban areas.

Совершенствование методов учета и оценки запасов недревесных ресурсов леса на современном этапе

Приведены основные результаты разработки и совершенствования методов учета и оценки запасов различных видов недревесных ресурсов леса. Показана возможность определения их запасов по материалам государственной инвентаризации лесов Forest resource rational utilization is unfeasible without inventory and unbiased assessment of all forest values including nonwood resources regarded as valuable components of sustainable forest management both at national and international levels. The paper highlights key results of various nonwood forest resource inventory and assessment procedure development and improvement. Scientific and practical values of these studies is noted. As stressed systematic studies of nonwood vegetative forest resources at VNIILM commenced in mid60s of the XX century since establishment of the indirect forest utilization in 1969. Regional forest experiment stations (FES) Kostromskaya, North Caucasus, Bashkirskaya and Tumenskaya contributed to the Institute studies. Outstanding that as other sectoral institutes joined the studies VNIILM became a coordinating center and the leading institute in this research area. It is noted that although most intensive and largescale studies were in 80s and early 90s of the last century it is still ongoing now. Key guidelines and practical recommendations reflecting research findings are presented. An opportunity to define nonwood forest resource stocks based on state forest inventory materials is presented. SFI indicators applicable in assessment of such resource various types are numbered. Some algorithms of such calculations are presented. A number of proposals to specify and extend the information gained in permanent sample plots during SFI needed to define various nonwood forest resource type stocks. It is stressed that SFI material applications to assess nonwood forest resource various type stocks enable correct information and its assessment at federal and regional levels.

Influencia de la cobertura, pendiente y profundidad, sobre el carbono y nitrógeno del suelo

El estudio conjunto del carbono orgánico del suelo (COS) y el nitrógeno total del suelo (Nt) es importante debido a que sus ciclos interaccionan, además de que son considerados parámetros de fertilidad, calidad e impacto. Sus contenidos en el suelo inciden en la productividad de los bosques y tienen relación con la mitigación del cambio climático cuando el suelo se conserva. Se realizó un muestreo de suelos en la Estación Forestal Experimental de Zoquiapan, con el objetivo de obtener y analizar el contenido de COS y Nt del suelo a las profundidades de 0 a 10, 10 a 20 y 20 a 30 cm, con tres grados de pendiente donde se desarrollan bosques de oyamel, pino y pino-aile. Los mayores almacenes de COS y Nt se ubicaron en los primeros 10 cm. El suelo con la cobertura de oyamel, pendiente mayor y profundidad menor presentó el mayor contenido de COS y Nt (132.20 y 14.19 Mg ha-1 respectivamente). El suelo con cobertura de pino, pendiente y profundidad mayor tuvo los contenidos más bajos de COS y Nt (30.86 y 3.37 Mg ha-1, respectivamente). Se concluye que los contenidos de COS y Nt mostraron diferencias por tipo de cobertura, por pendiente y por profundidad. Aunque fue con relación a la profundidad que los contenidos de COS y Nt tuvieron un comportamiento más regular, que disminuye a medida que la profundidad se incrementó, independientemente de la cobertura y pendiente.

Andropogon virginicus L.

<i>Andropogon virginicus</i> L.

Post-earthquake spatio-temporal landslide analysis of Huisun Experimental Forest Station

Post-earthquake spatio-temporal landslide analysis of Huisun Experimental Forest Station

Bat assemblages in fragmented forest complexes near Rogów (central Poland)

AbstractHabitat fragmentation affects bat assemblages living in forests by changing species composition, species richness and population densities. The aim of this paper was to determine the structure of bat assemblages in fragmented forests of central Poland (Experimental Forest Station SGGW in Rogów) based on data concerning bat fauna of this area.Our work is based on published as well as unpublished data collected between 2011–2017 and the two main methods employed during field work were: (1) evening and night bat netting, (2) detection of flying bats on transects or in points by using ultrasound detectors. 16 bat species were observed with the most common ones being serotine batEptesicus serotinus(Schreb.), common noctuleNyctalus noctula(Schreb.) and brown long-eared batPlecotus auritus(l.). less numerous in overall but frequently observed in some sites were the western barbastelleBarbastella barbastellus(Schreb.) and the Daubenton's batMyotis daubentonii(Kuhl). The following species occurred rarely: greater mouse-eared batMyotis myotis(Bork.), Natterer's batM. nattereri(Kuhl), whiskered batM. mystacinus(Kuhl), Brandt's batM. brandtii(evers.), northern batEptesicus nilssonii(Keys. &amp; Blas.) parti-coloured batVespertilio murinusl., lesser noctuleNyctalus leisleri(Kuhl), common pipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus(Schreb.), nathusius' pipistrelleP. nathusii(Keys. &amp; Blas.), soprano pipistrelleP. pygmaeus(leach) and grey long-eared batPlecotus austriacus(Fish.).Fragmented forests of the study area did not differ significantly in terms of bat species composition from other fragmented forests of central Poland (Płońsk Plain) nor the large forest complexes of the Bolimowska and Kampinoska Forests. In this study area, however, bat assemblages were characterized by a lower relative abundance of the common noctule and a higher relative abundance of the serotine bat as compared to assemblages in other forests of central Poland.In conclusion, the forest fragmentation near Rogów does not significantly affect bat richness and fertilized habitats are suitable for relatively large populations of species such as the western barbastelle and lesser noctule.

Correction: Five-year study of the effects of simulated nitrogen deposition levels and forms on soil nitrous oxide emissions from a temperate forest in northern China.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189831.].