Forest Information Research Articles

Hidden diversity under stripes: three new species of land flatworms of the genus Paraba (Platyhelminthes: Geoplanidae) from the southern Atlantic forest

ABSTRACT The dorsal color pattern, together with the morphology of the copulatory apparatus, provide important taxonomic characteristics for the identification of land planarians. In genera such as Paraba, in which most species have a morphologically similar copulatory apparatus and a dorsum with several stripes that vary according to color, width, and arrangement, the existence of pseudocryptic species can lead to a misidentification and underestimation of their diversity. In this work we describe three new species of Paraba which, due to the color pattern, have been mistaken for already described species of the genus. Specimens were collected in different forest formations of the southern Atlantic Forest, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from each other and from other congeners through the color pattern of the dorsal surface of the body combined with some features of the copulatory apparatus, like the anatomy of the prostatic vesicle and the male atrium. Additionally, we propose an emendation to the diagnosis of Paraba based on characters observed in the three new species and some characteristics occurring in other species of the genus.

Pola Zonasi dan Keragaman Jenis Penyusun Vegetasi Mangrove Di Desa Sidodadi, Kabupaten Pesawaran Lampung

Mangrove zoning describes the stages of succession that is in line with changes in site factors. Changes in the site and the adaptability of mangrove species to site status could determine the species of mangrove vegetation constituent. The objectives of the study were to determine the species constituent of mangrove vegetation, the index of species diversity and the formation of mangrove forests in Sidodadi Village, Teluk Pandan District, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung. Cluster sampling was employed as the sampling method. In each cluster, observation stations are placed as checkered lines as sample plots. The composition of the mangrove species’ vegetation was analyzed using descriptive analytic methods, and mangrove zoning was determined by grouping the dominant species and comparative analysis. The diversity index was analyzed using the Shanon-Wiener diversity index. The results showed that 21 plant species from 12 families comprise Pesisir Pesawaran mangrove vegetation. Of the 21 species, 10 are true mangroves, and 11 are classified as mangroves associates. The diversity of mangrove species in the Pesawaran Coast is in the moderate category (Shanon-Wiener) with a species diversity index value of 1.942. There are two mangrove zones in the Pesawaran Coastal area, namely the mid-mangrove zone, which is dominated by the Rhizophoraceae family, and the hinterland mangrove zone, which is dominated by associates mangrove groups.

New locality Goodyera repens (L.) R. BR. (Orchidaceae) on the southern border of the range (Male Polissya)

Goodyera repens (Orchidaceae) is a Holarctic species, evolutionarily and ecologically related to the forest formations of the dark coniferous taiga. In Ukraine, it occurs in the northern flat part of the forest-steppe zone, mainly in the Poliska lowland, in the Carpathians and the Crimean mountains.

Research on the forest ticket price formation mechanism based on three ecosystem service value pricing methods

PurposeCurrently, there is a conflict in developing countries between the requirements for the self-development of forestry and the insufficient investment in the forestry sector, and the forest ticket system is an innovative forestry management method to solve this contradiction. In the research on the forest ticket system, the study of its price formation mechanism is relatively important. The key issues of the forest ticket system are how to form the forest ticket price and whether the forest ticket pricing methods are reasonable. Solving these problems is the purpose of this study.Design/methodology/approachThis study will use three methods, namely the forest ecosystem service value evaluation index method, the ecosystem service value based on per unit area evaluation method and the contingent valuation method, to study the forest ticket price formation mechanism, filling the gap in the current research on forest ticket pricing methods. It will analyze how these three pricing methods specifically price the forest ticket and evaluate whether these pricing methods are reasonable. This study will then summarize and comprehensively study the forest ticket price formation mechanism and provide policy recommendations for decision-making departments.FindingsThe contingent valuation method and the forest ecosystem service value evaluation index method should be mainly used and given priority in the forest ticket pricing process. When the forest ticket is mainly issued for local residents' willingness to compensate for the forestry ecological value, the contingent valuation method should be mainly considered; when the forest ticket is mainly issued for compensating for the ecological value of local used forest land, the forest ecosystem service value evaluation index method should be mainly considered. The ecosystem service value based on per unit area evaluation method does not need to be the focus.Originality/valueCompared with existing research studies, which focus more on the forest ticket system itself and the definition of forest ticket, this study mainly focuses on the forest ticket price formation mechanism, emphasizing how to form the forest ticket price and whether the forest ticket pricing methods are reasonable, which has a certain degree of innovation and research value and can partially fill the gap in related fields. At the same time, this study has certain help for the enrichment of the forest ticket system and the extension of related research studies.

Updated Land Use and Land Cover Information Improves Biomass Burning Emission Estimates

Biomass burning (BB) emissions negatively impact the biosphere and human lives. Orbital remote sensing and modelling are used to estimate BB emissions on regional to global scales, but these estimates are subject to errors related to the parameters, data, and methods available. For example, emission factors (mass emitted by species during BB per mass of dry matter burned) are based on land use and land cover (LULC) classifications that vary considerably across products. In this work, we evaluate how BB emissions vary in the PREP-CHEM-SRC emission estimator tool (version 1.8.3) when it is run with original LULC data from MDC12Q1 (collection 5.1) and newer LULC data from MapBiomas (collection 6.0). We compare the results using both datasets in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado biomes during the 2002–2020 time series. A major reallocation of emissions occurs within Brazil when using the MapBiomas product, with emissions decreasing by 788 Gg (−1.91% year−1) in the Amazon and emissions increasing by 371 Gg (2.44% year−1) in the Cerrado. The differences identified are mostly associated with the better capture of the deforestation process in the Amazon and forest formations in Northern Cerrado with the MapBiomas product, as emissions in forest-related LULCs decreased by 5260 Gg in the Amazon biome and increased by 1676 Gg in the Cerrado biome. This is an important improvement to PREP-CHEM-SRC, which could be considered the tool to build South America’s official BB emission inventory and to provide a basis for setting emission reduction targets and assessing the effectiveness of mitigation strategies.

Insect galls of Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (Rio de Janeiro State, Southeastern Brazil)

The Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (PARNASO) is an integral protection conservation unit inserted in the domain of the Atlantic forest. This Park was investigated monthly from September to December/2021 and from March to May/2022 for insect galls. Host plants were identified and their exsiccates were deposited in the herbarium (R) of the Museu Nacional. Insects obtained by gall dissection and rearing were deposited in the Entomological Collection of Museu Nacional (MNRJ). The conservational status of the host plants and their origin were verified in the site Flora e Funga do Brasil (2023). New records of host plants in Brazil are presented based on comparison with literature data. PARNASO hosts a great richness of galls (290 gall morphotypes on 43 plant families). Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Rubiaceae, Mikania Willd. (Asteraceae), Miconia Ruiz & Pav. (Melastomataceae), and Eugenia L. (Myrtaceae), and Guapira opposita (Nyctaginaceae) were the botanical taxa with the highest number of gall morphotypes, all of them were previously indicated as super hosts in inventories in forest formations of the Atlantic forest, except Rubiaceae. PARNASO includes 148 gall-inducing species native to Brazil, being 69 endemic; among the last 23 are exclusive to the Atlantic forest. Eight gall-inducing species are endangered and four are near threathned. Most galls were found on leaves. The most frequent gall characters were: globoid shape, green color, and glabrous surface. Most galls were induced by Cecidomyiidae (Diptera), however galls of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, and Hymenoptera wera also found. These are the known patterns in Brazil. The secondary fauna was reported in 62 gall morphotypes and included parasitoids (Hymenoptera), successors (Collembola, Hemiptera and Thysanoptera), cecidophagous (Lepidoptera), and predators (spiders). Parasitoids were the most frequent. Seven gall midge species are recorded for the first time in this Park.

Эффективность рубок ухода в лиственно-еловых насаждениях в северной подзоне европейской части России

Research on permanent sample plots (Arkhangelsk, Northern district forestry, Obozerskoye forestry) in birch and spruce stands with an understory layer of spruce was carried out. The sample plots were established since 1966 and differed in the intensity of thinning. The results were analyzed by correlating them with the data of 6 previously conducted surveys (in 1966, 1974, 1986, 2001, 2010, 2020) for permanent sample plots 1K and 2RU and 5 surveys (1974, 1986, 2001, 2010, 2020) for permanent sample plot 19. In the absence of maintenance in young stands aged 20-30 years (permanent sample plot 1K), further growth of spruce was inhibited, competition between trees increased, and growth tension increased. Birch had a biophysical impact on spruce. Carrying out thinning of various intensities made it possible to form the most productive forest stand on the permanent sample plot 2RU. The total stand stock here is maximum - 435 m3/ha, the average heights for the whole growth period is also maximum. In terms of stock, spruce prevails, however, it is still located in the understory forest level, but will eventually enter the canopy forest level. According to the results of the study, three stages of stand formation were identified. The first stage, the stage of emergence, is characterized by the predominance of birch and spruce over the area, spruce regeneration lasting 15–25 years. In the process of passing this stage, favorable conditions for spruce settlement and its survival are created. The second stage is accompanied by deterioration of spruce growth conditions, as the birch layer differentiation and birch growth are intensively going on. The duration of the stage is 70–90 years. As a result, a new mixed biogeocenosis is formed. The final third stage lasts until the formation of a pure spruce forest. Thinning in natural young forest stands should be considered as a measure providing reliable restoration of forests with coniferous species with costs and labor much less than in case of full artificial reforestation. For citation: Surina E.A., Minin N.S. Efficiency of Thinning in Deciduous-Spruce Forest Stands in the Northern Taiga Forest Region of the European Part of the Russian Federation. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 5, pp. 103–114. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-5-103-114

ГИС-анализ влияния типа землепользования на современное разнообразие лесонасаждений в национальном парке «Кенозерский»

The problem of agricultural land abandonment is a worldwide problem. In the forest zone, the transformation of fallow lands is associated with afforestation and the formation of so-called secondary forest growths. Postagrogenic forests reflect the agricultural history of fallow areas, which imprint the "mute" realities of time and the social order of their development. The type of previous land use creates sufficiently stable factors, which in the process of natural overgrowth are weakly changed by natural factors and affect the emerging forests. In the key area of Kenozersky National Park (middle taiga forest region), located in the Plesetsk District of the Arkhangelsk region, we traced, according to the 1861 boundary plans, the regularities of evolution of land use areas of different categories during forest overgrowth. We assessed the area, tree species and typological structure of modern forests according to the 2014 forest inventory and traced the connection between the transformation of agro-ecosystems into forests and the history of the use of these lands after the land survey. As of the year when the boundary plans were drawn up, more than half of the territory of the key site was under agrarian influence (arable land, perelogs, haymaking, etc.). After 160 years a forest massif was formed (97 % of the territory), in which a part of hayfields was preserved. First of all, perelogs and hayfields were overgrown with forests (99 and 85 %, respectively). The allocation characterization of taxation descriptions of forest stands showed that bilberry and oxalis type pine forests were formed more often (89,7; 81,0; 78.5 %, respectively) on abandoned arable lands, perelogs and hayfields. All formed stands, classified as bilberry and oxalis type pine forests during forest inventory, have rather high productivity (I–II quality classes) and mixed composition. Forests of lower quality classes (III and IV) were rewealed in the formation of bilberry forest type. At present about 70 % of the bilberry and oxalis type pine forests on the 1861 boundary plan, formed on arable land, are dominated by birch (more than 3 units), about 10 % – by gray alder; the share of stands dominated by aspen is high. Reduced soil fertility on swidden plots ensured a more stable position of pine in the composition of emerging stands (60 % of pine-dominated stands). The character of tree species composition in stands formed on hayfields corresponds to lands with high soil fertility, which indicates the formation of hayfields on abandoned arable land. The studies have demonstrated significant differentiation of derived forest landscapes, sometimes hidden due to the widespread growth of the main forest-forming species and the formation of zonal-type forests. Intralandscape differentiation associated with the history of agricultural development has been preserved for more than 100 years and requires close study. For citation: Kozykin A.V., Nakvasina E.N. GIS-analysis of the Influence of the Land Use Type on the Current Diversity of Forest Plantations in the Kenozersky National Park. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 5, pp. 27–41. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-5-27-41

Carbon Sequestration by Soils of Ash Dump Forest Areas in the Middle Urals (Russia)

The purpose of this article was to assess the participation of young soils of ash dump forest communities in carbon sequestration by soils of southern taiga forests, considering the physico-chemical properties of the ash substrate and forest litter (pH, TOC, TN, content of P and K mobile compounds, and exchangeable Ca and Mg ions). It was revealed that on three Middle Ural ash dumps (composed of fly ash from various brown coals) over 50–60 years, forest communities spontaneously formed according to the zonal type (with the dominance of Betula pendula Roth and Populus tremula L.) with poorly differentiated young soils—technosols. For the first time, as a result of using an integrated approach to assess the direction of forest ecosystem formation on fly ash dumps, a tendency to increase carbon stocks in technogenic soils that have not reached the level of zonal soils was revealed, as well as the dependence of C accumulation on some physico-chemical characteristics of ash was established. Carbon stocks in Technosols are on average equal to 44 t/ha but vary significantly. It was shown that there is a medium negative relationship between the content and stocks of organic carbon in soils formed on a technogenic substrate and the content of mobile phosphorus compounds in them (the correlation coefficient is −0.58 and −0.53, respectively). The average carbon stocks in the litter of technosols, which is the main source of organic carbon in forest soils, are 3.2 t/ha. It was revealed that the carbon stocks in the litter are most influenced by the content of exchangeable calcium cations and magnesium in it (the correlation coefficients are −0.68 and −0.69, respectively). Any correlation between the studied litter parameters and carbon accumulation in the soils of ash dumps was found. The study revealed that the carbon stocks in the technosols of ash dump forest communities are two times less than the carbon stocks in the zonal forest soils of the Middle Ural southern taiga. The stocks of this element in the litter of young soils are equal to 1/3 of the litter of zonal soils. The composition of the humus substance system formed in the soils of forest areas of ash dumps and zonal soils is similar. The results of this study can serve to fill gaps in the knowledge about carbon sequestration by soils and aim to draw attention to forest communities of technogenic ecosystems to consider the contribution of their components to carbon sequestration.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of land use and land cover in the Alibori basin in Northern Benin Republic (West Africa)

Forest ecosystems of the Alibori basin are subject to multiple anthropogenic pressures witch therefore modify their land use and their land cover. This research aims at analyzing the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use and land cover in the Alibori basin in Northern Benin. The methodological approach used is based on the diachronic analysis of land cover from Landsat 2, 7, and 8 satellite images acquired respectively in 1980, 2000, and 2020, and the evaluation of land cover change parameters (conversion rate, level of deforestation, intensity and speed of change of land cover units). The results obtained reveal that the number of classes has increased from 8 to 9 with the appearance of plantations between 1980 and 2000. Between 1980 and 2020 the basin recorded a degradation of forest formations and an anthrogenization of savannah formations. The intensity and speed of loss of area are quite rapid in dense dry forests, open forests, and wooded savannahs between 1980 and 2020. The average rate of deforestation decreased from 1.27% annually between 1980 and 2000 to 1.26% annually between 2000 and 2020.

Time lag effect on malaria transmission dynamics in an Amazonian Colombian municipality and importance for early warning systems

Malaria remains a significant public health problem worldwide, particularly in low-income regions with limited access to healthcare. Despite the use of antimalarial drugs, transmission remains an issue in Colombia, especially among indigenous populations in remote areas. In this study, we used an SIR Ross MacDonald model that considered land use change, temperature, and precipitation to analyze eco epidemiological parameters and the impact of time lags on malaria transmission in La Pedrera—Amazonas municipality. We found changes in land use between 2007 and 2020, with increases in forested areas, urban infrastructure and water edges resulting in a constant increase in mosquito carrying capacity. Temperature and precipitation variables exhibited a fluctuating pattern that corresponded to rainy and dry seasons, respectively and a marked influence of the El Niño climatic phenomenon. Our findings suggest that elevated precipitation and temperature increase malaria infection risk in the following 2 months. The risk is influenced by the secondary vegetation and urban infrastructure near primary forest formation or water body edges. These results may help public health officials and policymakers develop effective malaria control strategies by monitoring precipitation, temperature, and land use variables to flag high-risk areas and critical periods, considering the time lag effect.

Bioclimatic characterisation of the Subtropical Mountain Forests of Yungas at the northern extreme of Argentina: Sierras de Tartagal, Alto Macueta and del Alto Rio Seco (Salta Province)

The Subtropical Mountain Forests or Yungas at the northern extreme of Argentina (Sierras de Tartagal, Alto Macueta and del Alto Río Seco, Salta Province) were bioclimatically characterized for the first time. In this study, the methodology of the Bioclimatic Classification of Earth was applied. Twelve Temperature and Precipitation climatic parameters were used and three bioclimatic indices corresponding to 54 Bioclimatic Reference Localities (BRL) established in the study area were also calculated. From them we determined the bioclimatic units of each BRL at the level of Macrobioclimate, Bioclimate, Thermotypes and Ombrotypes. Subsequently, three bioclimatic maps (Bioclimate, Thermotypes and Ombrotypes) and two bioclimatic distribution maps of the forests and its vegetation belt (Premontane Forest and Montane Rainforest) were digitally developed using the QGIS software. The results obtained show that these forests are distributed within the Tropical Macrobioclimate and Tropical Pluviseasonal Bioclimate, with Upper Thermotropical and Lower Mesotropical thermotypes and Lower Subhumid and Upper Subhumid ombrotypes. The lowest vegetation belt, the Premontane Forest, is distributed between (≈400) 429-889 (≈900) m asl and exhibits two thermal variants: the warm Thermotropical Premontane Forest and the more temperate Mesotropical Premontane Forest. The Montane Rainforest is distributed at higher altitudes between (≈900) 965-1178 (≈1200) m als under Lower Mesotropical Thermotype. Both vegetation belts present two ombric variants, whose geographic distribution is determined by the precipitation gradient operating in the region: towards the West, the more humid variants are distributed under the Upper Subhumid ombrotype, while towards the East, the less humid variants are found under Lower Subhumid ombrotype. The present work constitutes the first bioclimatic study carried out in this forest formation applying the methodology of the Bioclimatic Classification of the Earth. It also lays the foundations and contributes whith valuable information to future floristic, vegetational, ecological and biogeographical studies and those focused on the conservation and sustainable management of native forests at the northern extreme of Argentina.

Sex-determining region complements traditionally used in phylogenetic studies nuclear and chloroplast sequences in investigation of Aigeiros Duby and Tacamahaca Spach poplars (genus Populus L., Salicaceae).

Members of the genus Populus L. play an important role in the formation of forests in the northern hemisphere and are used in urban landscaping and timber production. Populus species of closely related sections show extensive hybridization. Therefore, the systematics of the genus is rather complicated, especially for poplars of hybrid origin. We aimed to assess the efficiency of application of the sex-determining region (SDR) in addition to the nuclear and chloroplast genome loci traditionally used in phylogenetic studies of poplars to investigate relationships in sections Aigeiros Duby and Tacamahaca Spach. Targeted deep sequencing of NTS 5S rDNA, ITS, DSH 2, DSH 5, DSH 8, DSH 12, DSH 29, 6, 15, 16, X18, trnG-psbK-psbI, rps2-rpoC2, rpoC2-rpoC1, as well as SDR and ARR17 gene was performed for 379 poplars. The SDR and ARR17 gene together with traditionally used multicopy and single-copy loci of nuclear and chloroplast DNA allowed us to obtain a clustering that is most consistent with poplar systematics based on morphological data and to shed light on several controversial hypotheses about the origin of the studied taxa (for example, the inexpediency of separating P. koreana, P. maximowiczii, and P. suaveolens into different species). We present a scheme of relationships between species and hybrids of sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca based on molecular genetic, morphological, and geographical data. The geographical proximity of species and, therefore, the possibility of hybridization between them appear to be more important than the affiliation of species to the same section. We speculate that sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca are distinguished primarily on an ecological principle (plain and mountain poplars) rather than on a genetic basis. Joint analysis of sequencing data for the SDR and chloroplast genome loci allowed us to determine the ancestors of P. × petrovskoe - P. laurifolia (female tree) × P. × canadensis (male tree), and P. × rasumovskoe - P. nigra (female tree) × P. suaveolens (male tree). Thus, the efficiency of using the SDR for the study of poplars of sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca and the prospects of its use for the investigation of species of the genus Populus were shown.

Динамика экосистем свежего бора центра Приволжской возвышенности

The results of a study of the dynamics of a rather rare type of forest ecosystem for the central part of the Volga Upland – fresh pinery (A2) – are presented. The research was carried out on the territory of the Upper Sura section of the Volga Forest-Steppe Nature Reserve. The progress of the process was studied in an age series, identified in homogeneous forest conditions based on the principles of dynamic classification of forest types. As a result of processing forest taxation data, average values of taxation indicators of forest stands were obtained for each age class. At the same time, an analysis of changes in all components of the plantings was carried out. On its basis, the age series was divided into separate periods and phases. Trends in the share of participation of each forest-forming species in the forest stand at different age stages are described by nonlinear equations. The study showed that the resulting age series represents a series of transformation of forest communities. Disruption of the forest formation process led to a large-scale replacement of indigenous plantings with derivatives. After the start of clear-cutting, the area occupied by deciduous trees (primarily birch) constantly grew. A consequence of the large-scale use of intermediate, sanitary and voluntary selective fellings was the formation of thinned pine stands. At the same time, a transformation of the lower tiers of communities also occurred. These factors caused a deterioration in the conditions for natural regeneration of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). As a result, to date, the possibility of forming pine stands through natural regeneration is almost completely excluded.

Differences in mammal communities between forest fragments and restoration areas in the Atlantic Forest

AbstractThe persistence of larger mammals in fragmented forest landscapes depends not only on the protection of remaining habitats but also on ecological restoration sites. It is known that the landscape context is an important predictor of species persistence, abundance and distribution. Here we evaluate how landscape characteristics influence the recovery of larger mammals in ecological restoration sites. We assess the richness and composition of mammals in forest fragments and restoration sites using landscape metrics such as forest cover and connectivity. Forest fragments and restoration sites present the same richness (n = 26), but differ in species composition. Some seed‐dispersing mammals were absent in restoration areas, such as Alouatta guariba (brown howler monkey) and Coendou spinosus (paraguayan hairy dwarf porcupine). The percentage of forest cover in the landscape was responsible for 29.09% of the variation in species composition between the evaluated forest formations, exerting a positive or negative influence depending on the species requirements. The results demonstrate the importance of considering not only landscape metrics in an ecological restoration plan, but also the historical landscape context, such as the fauna composition before the disturbance and how these species respond to environmental changes, thus improving the success of future ecological restoration measurements and policies.

Soil Respiration of Forest Ecosystems in the South of the Far East

The Far East has been and remains the part of Russia least studied with respect to carbon fluxes. We reviewed the results of in situ measurements of carbon emission from the surface of forest soils obtained at 26 points in the southern part of the Far East on the territory of 4 constituent entities of Russia. The measurements were taken in different forest formations (larch, cedar, oak, ash, and elm forests), including forests in the permafrost zone. Information on seasonal and daily dynamics of emission is presented. Equations are presented for 14 sites to estimate the emission from the air temperature of the nearest weather station. Annual fluxes vary by measurement points in the range of 5.5–10.1 t C/ha, with a maximum value in the old-growth cedar-fir forest of southern Primorye. The contribution of the summer season to the annual flux is 49–81%. In the western part of the territory under consideration (Buryatia), carbon emission from the soil surface strongly depends on soil temperature and moisture. In over moistened soils, the emission is significantly affected by the groundwater level (R2 = 0.42). In Primorye forests, the soil moisture factor ceases to have a significant effect on the emission. Discussion of the results in the context of modern studies in other regions shows comparability of the survey estimates and possibility of their use for analysis of global trends and regularities. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version).

Vitality Structure of the Middle-Aged Northern Taiga Pine Forest Stands

On the example of the northern taiga pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests of the western Kola peninsula (67°30′–68°10′ N, 33°57′–34°21′ W) the vitality structure of the middle-aged forest stands was studied in the communities within the lichen, lichen-green moss and green moss groups of forest types (12 permanent sample plots). It has been established that the studied forest stands are characterized by a numerical predominance of moderately and severely weakened trees (total share of 55–70%), and of moderately weakened and healthy trees in terms of trunk volume (total share of 50–75%). The significant factors found to contribute into the formation of the middle-aged pine forest stands’ vitality structure are their density, the sum of the basal areas and the forest type. The density of the forest stand is the main contributor to the nature of the trees’ vitality differentiation. Three main types of pine vitality spectra were identified, differing in the value of the stand vitality index.

Carbon Biomass Estimation Using Vegetation Indices in Agriculture–Pasture Mosaics in the Brazilian Caatinga Dry Tropical Forest

Remote sensing is valuable for estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) stocks. However, its application in agricultural and pasture areas is limited compared with forest areas. This study quantifies AGB in agriculture–pasture mosaics within Brazil’s Campo Maior Complex (CMC). The methodology employs remote sensing cloud processing and utilizes an estimator to incorporate vegetation indices. The results reveal significant changes in biomass values among land use and land cover classes over the past ten years, with notable variations observed in forest plantation, pasture, sugar cane, and soybean areas. The estimated AGB values range from 0 to 20 Mg.ha−1 (minimum), 53 to 419 Mg.ha−1 (maximum), and 19 to 57 Mg.ha−1 (mean). In Forest formation areas, AGB values range from approximately 0 to 278 Mg.ha−1, with an average annual value of 56.44 Mg.ha−1. This study provides valuable insights for rural landowners and government officials in managing the semiarid territory and environment. It aids in decision making regarding agricultural management, irrigation and fertilization practices, agricultural productivity, land use and land cover changes, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, conservation strategies, the identification of priority areas for environmental restoration, and the optimization of resource utilization.

Pathogenic fungi and oomycetes causing dieback on Fraxinus species in the Mediterranean climate change hotspot region

Environmental changes are occurring on a global scale, but their effects are most pronounced in climate change hotspot zones, such as the Mediterranean basin. Within this area Italy, extending from its southern coasts in the core of the Mediterranean Sea to its northernmost pre-Alpine and Alpine regions, is characterized by a variety of climatic conditions and vegetation types. Surveys conducted in 2018–2022 in forest formations of Central-Northern Italy revealed that the enhanced warming trend and irregular distribution of precipitations are strongly impacting the health of Fraxinus species, with some pathogenic fungi and oomycetes being important contributing factors to the decline of the three main ash species growing there: common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus), and narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia). Isolation from symptomatic plant material collected countrywide under different site conditions and pathogenicity tests revealed a complex phytopathological framework, with several pathogenic species in addition to Hymenoscyphus fraxineus involved with a prominent role in the ash dieback etiology. Key microbial taxa included the fungal and oomycete pathogens Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia fraxini, Diplodia subglobosa, Phytophthora acerina, and Phytophthora plurivora. The disease impact was higher on sites where ash trees grew under environmental stress (i.e., areas characterized by mild dry winters, hot summers with intense and prolonged drought) and exhibited reduced vigor, also as a consequence of anthropogenic interference (i.e., silvicultural management and fires). The identified causative agents are emerging pathogens that thrive under warmer conditions, their impact in the investigated areas being prevalent compared to H. fraxineus, which appears to be restricted on the Italian peninsula to the cooler and wetter valleys of the Alps and Central-Northern Apennines.

Weed Control Strategies for Restoration of the Atlantic Forest in the State of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

The objective was to evaluate the best weed control strategy, for the formation of forest stands in Atlantic Forest, Brazil, aiming at restoration in an area dominated by Urochloa decumbes, evaluating the biological indicators and costs. It also sought to verify the magnitude of response of mechanical control compared to treatment without intervention, for similar sites where the experiment was installed and conducted. The treatments were: T1 - mechanical (mowing and crowning); T2 - chemical (application of glyphosate syrup); T3 - mechanical cultural (weeding, seeding and cultivation of Cajanus cajan and Canavalia ensiformes); T4 - chemical cultural (application of glyphosate, seeding and cultivation of legumes); T5 - absolute control (no intervention after planting). Activities and evaluations were carried out up to 30 months after planting the seedlings of the five species used. It was observed that in all treatments the survival of the plants reached values higher than 80%, at 6 and 18 months after planting. It was found that, on average, the tree plants in T2, T3, and T4 showed significantly higher growth than those in T1 and T5, which did not differ. The control with glyphosate is indicated for areas with predominance of Urochloa sp. Strategy control with glyphosate and cultivation of herbaceous legumes has potential use and needs adjustments to reduce costs. Also, that the control with mowing and crowning is not indicated due to the high cost and not favoring the growth of the planted trees, because it did not show significant differences in relation to the controls.