Forestry District Research Articles

Description of previously unknown male of Pedostrangalia signifera (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lepturinae) from Hubei, China

Previously unknown male of Pedostrangalia signifera Holzschuh, 1999 is described here for the first time based on specimen collected from Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei, China. Detailed diagnosis, description and illustration are presented.

Peculiarities of growth, development and climate-stabilizing significance of pine plantations of the Ukrainian Carpathians

Peculiarities of growth and development of pine forest plantations in the Ukrainian Carpathians by forestry districts: Precarpathian, Mountain Carpathian and Transcarpathian plains and foothills are determined. Mathematical dependences of pine growth and development on age, height and diameter are offered. According to the obtained mathematical empirical dependences, it was established that Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) grows and develops better in the Mountain Carpathian forest district. In the Mountain Carpathian Forestry County, the growth of pine is dominated by 2% for the Precarpathian forest district, and in Transcarpathian plains and foothills by 1%. By completeness in the Gorge of Cocarpathian forestry County, the diameter of the pine is higher than the Carpathian forest county on the 3%, and the Transcarpathian plains and the foothills — 1%. Using the Microsoft Excel data analysis package, correlation matrices were constructed and regression and variance analysis of such indicators as: age, height, diameter, phytomass — wood, bark, and crown was performed. Mathematical equations were obtained, which made it possible to establish the biological productivity of Pinus sylvestris L. Using the obtained empirical equations according to the methods of IPCC (Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change, 2015), G. Matthews (1993) and I.Ya. Liepa (1980) established the carbon-absorbing and oxygen-forming capacity of pine tree plantations at the age of 70 on an area of 1 ha. It is determined that on the area of 1 ha pine plantations absorb the most carbon — 88.9 tons, and produce oxygen — 262.2 tons in the Mountain Carpathian Forestry District, in the Precarpathian Forestry District 76.0 tons of carbon and 224.1 tons of oxygen, in the Transcarpathian plains and foothills Scots pine absorbs 69.5 tons of carbon and produces 204.9 tons of oxygen. The amount of CO2 emissions into the environment in the conditions of the Ukrainian Carpathians is analyzed, it was established that pine forests reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32%.

A new species of Kunbir/ Lameere, 1890 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) from Hubei, China.

In this work, a new species, Kunbir shennongjiaensis sp. nov., from Shennongjia Forestry District, China, is described and illustrated. The differences between Kunbir shennongjiaensis sp. nov. and related species are provided.

<strong><em>Trichosanthes sunhangii</em> (Cucurbitaceae), a new species from Hubei, China</strong>

Trichosanthes sunhangii D.G.Zhang, Z.M.Li, Qun Liu & T.Deng, a new species of Cucurbitaceae, is described and illustrated. It was collected in Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei province, east-central China. T. sunhangii is morphologically similar to T. kirilowii Maxim. and T. rosthornii Harms, but can be easily distinguished from them by its bracts, tendrils and fruits. Phylogenetic analyses based on three DNA barcode markers (ITS, matK and rpl20-rps12) indicated that two accessions of T. sunhangii were grouped together (PP=1.00, BP=100 and LP=100) in Sect. Foliobracteola.

Rediscovery of Mazus lanceifolius reveals a new genus and a new species in Mazaceae.

Mazus lanceifolius (Mazaceae) is a perennial herb with opposite leaves and endemic to central China that has not been collected for 130 years. Rediscovery of this enigmatic species in the wild allows for determination of its phylogenetic position within Mazaceae. Phylogenetic reconstruction of Mazaceae based on DNA sequences from four plastid markers (matK, rbcL, rps16 and trnL-trnF) and nuclear ribosome ITS consistently showed that Mazus was not monophyletic. Mazus lanceifolius is in the most basal clade within Mazaceae, as sister to the remaining species of three recognized genera Dodartia, Lancea and Mazus. These results support the separation of M. lanceifolius from Mazus as a new genus, which was established here as Puchiumazus Bo Li, D.G. Zhang & C.L. Xiang. Meanwhile, a collection from Shennongjia Forestry District of Hubei Province, China, misidentified as “M. lanceifolius” in previous molecular study, is here revealed to represent an undescribed species of Mazus, i.e., M. fruticosus Bo Li, D.G. Zhang & C.L. Xiang, sp. nov. Morphologically, Puchiumazus is clearly distinct from the other three genera by having quadrangular to somewhat ribbed stems, and obviously opposite leaves. In addition, we provide a taxonomic key to the four genera of Mazaceae.

A new species of Holangus Pic, 1902 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae) from Hubei, China

Holangus shennongjiaensis sp. nov. from Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei, China is described and illustrated.

Аналіз лісотаксаційної структури дубових лісостанів Західного Лісостепу

Проаналізовано особливості поширення дубових деревостанів у Західному Лісостепу України. Здійснено аналіз лісотипологічної структури деревостанів за участю дуба звичайного (Quercus robur L.) в умовах Західноукраїнського лісостепового лісогосподарського округу. Досліджено структуру площ дубових лісостанів у розрізі едатопів та типів лісу, вивчено їх бонітетну та повнотну структуру, склад та походження. Встановлено, що найбільша частка дубових лісостанів Західного Лісостепу зосереджена у грудових умовах – 79,3 %. Сугрудові типи лісорослинних умов становлять 20,5 % від площі дубових лісостанів. За ступенем зволоження ґрунтів, дуб звичайний, на теренах Західноукраїнського лісостепового лісогосподарського округу, віддає перевагу свіжим умовам, де зосереджено 65,6 % дубових лісостанів регіону. Встановлено, що у досліджуваному регіоні дуб звичайний бере участь у формуванні 47 типів лісу, з них у 19 виступає як типотвірна порода. Більшість дубових деревостанів має І клас бонітету (49,9 %) і значна частина (35,7 %) насаджень – ІІ. Середній бонітет становить І,3. Дубові деревостани у Західному Лісостепу, в основній масі, є середньоповнотними. Їх середня повнота становить 0,73. Найбільша частка (39,3 %) приурочена до повноти 0,7. Частка середньоповнотних деревостанів загалом становить 55,9 % від площі дубових лісів досліджуваного регіону. Питома вага високоповнотних насаджень у повнотній структурі дубових лісостанів Західноукраїнського лісостепового лісогосподарського округу становить 42,3 %. Виявлено, що у дубових лісостанах Західного Лісостепу за складом переважають насадження, де дуба у складі тільки 4 одиниці – 20 % від загальної площі. Середній коефіцієнт участі дуба у складі насаджень – 5,7. Вікова структура дубових лісів Західного Лісостепу є нерівномірною, із значною перевагою середньовікових деревостанів – 54,2 %. Стиглі деревостани займають тільки 8,0 % площі дубових лісів Західного Лісостепу. Середній вік дубових лісостанів Західноукраїнського лісостепового лісогосподарського округу – 61,2 років. З'ясовано, що у досліджуваному регіоні переважають (69,5 %) штучні насадження, створені, зазвичай, садінням лісових культур. Природні насінні дубові деревостани становлять 27,3 % від площі дубових лісів Західного Лісостепу, деревостани вегетативного природного походження – 3,2 %.

Primula sunhangii (Primulaceae): a new species from Hubei, Central China.

This report provides a description of Primula sunhangii from the Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province in Central China, which is categorized as a new species of the primrose family. Primula sunhangii is morphologically similar to P. involucrata Wall. ex Duby in terms of its simple umbel, efarinose, and prolonged bracts. However, P. sunhangii is distinguished by its glabrous sepal, short petiole (compare with blade) and cylindrical calyx and capsule. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear and cpDNA genes demonstrates that P. sunhangii and P. involucrata are closely related. Combining genetic and morphological data, the recognition of P. sunhangii as a unique new species is supported.

Female-Male and Female-Female Social Interactions of Captive Kept Capercaillie (Tetrao Urogallus) and Its Consequences in Planning Breeding Programs.

Simple SummaryThe Capercaillie is one of the most endangered bird species in many European countries. To prevent further population decline, breeding centers where birds are bred and later released into the wild were established. However, in many Capercaillie breeding stations, reproductive success is limited due to low fertility and problems with incubation behavior by females. Reasons for these problems are usually multidimensional, including misunderstanding Capercaillie behavior in the breeding environment. Research was conducted in Capercaillie breeding centers where birds were monitored 24 h/day by cameras. We observed that females preferred to mate with males with a longer tooting activity, but when males became too insistent and started to chase the females, they avoided contact. Even when the density of females was only one bird per 132 m2, nesting site competition occurred. In 67% of the nests, female intruder’s presence could be observed. Interactions between females were mainly antagonistic, and while none of the birds were harmed, this caused egg damage and nest abandonment. Nesting site competition in captive Capercaillie is high and may lead to antagonistic interaction between females, consequently lowering breeding success. Our research showed also that mate preference of males by females could be predicted by observing the male’s tooting activity.Capercaillie behavior, both in the wild and in captivity, is poorly known due to this species’ secretive way of life. Female-male and female–female social organization and interactions are especially poorly documented. The research was conducted in Capercaillie Breeding Center in Wisła Forestry District where a breeding flock is kept throughout the year. Thanks to video monitoring, we were able to observe mate choice, and then later, female–female interactions during laying and incubation period. Male individual variation in tooting latency and duration were recorded. Females’ interest in males was related to males’ tooting activity, but when males became too insistent and started to chase the females, the females avoided contact with them. There was a significant relationship between calendar date and when tooting starts, and between the tooting duration the female spent with a male. Two incidents of female-male aggression caused by competition for food were observed. Female intruder presence and competition for nesting place was observed in 66.67% nests. Most female–female interactions were limited to threat posturing, but fights and attempts to push out the intruder from the nest occurred as well. Such interactions may lead to nest abandonment and egg destruction, lowering the breeding success.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ И СОЦИАЛЬНОЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИХ ФАКТОРОВ НА ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ ЛЕСОВ ПОДМОСКОВЬЯ

Changes in forest management tasks in the Moscow region over 120 years from the end of the XIX century are considered. The analysis of forest exploitation from 1946 to 2018 is given. The principles of forest management have changed conceptually at least three times over the past 120 years. As a result of assigning all the forests of the Moscow region to protective categories, legally imposed restrictive measures have been introduced in forest territories that are largely occupied by artificial plantings, which initially characterized by a simplified structure and reduced thresholds of natural stability. There is an increase in the average age of plantings, the accumulation of standing volume of mature and overmature stands, particularly vulnerable to environmental hazards, the frequency and intensity of which will increase due to projected climate change. Currently, the forests of the Moscow region are losing their protective properties, and their environmental, sanitary, and recreational potential is decreasing. Standing volume of ripe and overmature forests increased 7 times over 50 years before the mass dying off and breakdown of stands related to the 2010 drought, including 25 times in coniferous forests. At the same time, the average age of plantings has almost doubled: from 36 years in 1966 to 62 years in 2016. In the case of mass dying off forests in large areas, forestry is not able to quickly solve the problems that arise. This leads to significant losses of wood, which has time to completely lose its liquidity before it is harvested by sanitary logging, and to large costs for the disposal of this wood. Variants of forest management and reforestation aimed at the formation of sustainable protective forest stands are proposed. The expediency of using natural regeneration in reforestation is proved. On the example of research on stationary objects in the National park "Losiny Ostrov" and “Shchelkovsky” educational and experimental forestry district shows a tendency to a significant increase in the natural renewal of broad-leaved species, primarily linden and Norway maple. In recent decades, complex spruce forests have been replaced by broad-leaved communities in National park "Losiny Ostrov". In General, in "Losiny Ostrov" since 1891, the area of stands with the dominance of linden trees, their age and standing volume are constantly growing. The initial stages of changing spruce forests linden ones are also marked on the territory of the “Shchelkovsky” educational and experimental forestry district. These trends should be taken into account when drawing up long-term forest management plans.

Methane Flux and Its Environmental Impact Factors in Dajiuhu Wetland of Shennongjia

Methane (CH4) flux was measured by using the Eddy covariance technique in the Dajiuhu Wetland of Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province, China. The seasonal and daily variation of CH4 emissions was investigated, and the correlation of CH4 fluxes with the environmental impact factors were discussed to understand the activity of CH4 flux and the effects of environmental factors including air temperature, soil temperature, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), and rainfall on a wetland ecosystem. The results indicated that CH4 flux was significantly correlated with air temperature and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), which may be the primary driver of controlling peatland CH4 flux.

Sanghuangporus toxicodendri sp. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from China.

Sanghuangporus toxicodendri (Hymenochaetales) is described as new based on collections made from Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province, China. All studied basidiocarps grew on living trunks of Toxicodendron sp. This new species is characterized by having perennial, effused-reflexed to pileate basidiocarps; pore surface brownish yellow or yellowish brown, pores 7–9 per mm; context 1–5 mm thick or almost invisible; setae ventricose, dark brown, 26–42 × 7–10 μm; basidia 4-sterigmate or occasionally 2-sterigmate; basidiospores broadly ellipsoid, smooth, brownish yellow, slightly thick-walled, mostly 3.5–4 × 2.8–3 μm. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenies inferred from internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA indicated that Sanghuangporus spp. formed a monophyletic clade and resolved as a sister to Tropicoporus spp., and six strains of S. toxicodendri formed a monophyletic group which is sister to S. quercicola. An identification key to known species of Sanghuangporus is provided.

A Conflict-Detecting and Early-Warning System for Multi-Plan Integration in Small Cities and Towns Based on Cloud Service Platform

Multi-plan integration (MPI) is a major effort initiated by China’s State Council for the purpose of streamlining development plans made by various public agencies in provincial and city governments. Small cities and towns are facing challenges to achieve MPI goals due to lack of technological infrastructure and professional expertise. This article presents a system to assist small cities and towns to carry out their MPI tasks. The system, named conflict-detecting and early-warning for MPI (CDEW4MPI) is developed based on a cloud service platform. CDEW4MPI enables small cities and towns in remote locations to detect inconsistency and conflicts among multiple plans. The system includes two modules. One is conflict-detecting, which identifies spatial conflicts in boundary designation among different plans from different agencies. The other is early-warning, which analyzes and reports potential encroachment of proposed local plans to urban growth boundary, the baseline for ecological protection, and the farmland under permanent preservation. CDEW4MPI was implemented as a demo project in Shennongjia Forestry District, a municipality in the western mountainous region of Hubei Province, China. The paper presents the design of CDEW4MPI and its implementation in Shennongjia and draws lessons from the Shennongjia case for broad interests in smart management of spatial resources.

Compactonostoc shennongjiaensis gen. & sp. nov. (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria) from a wet rocky wall in China

ABSTRACTPolyphasic taxonomic studies have been extensively carried out in cyanobacteria, resulting in the description of numerous cyanobacterial genera and species. The present study described a new cyanobacterial genus Compactonostoc gen. nov. based on a combination of morphological, genetic, and ecological evidence. The new genus was collected from a wet rocky wall in Shennongjia Forestry District, China. Colonies of the Compactonostoc strain were usually uniseriate or only in short segments biseriate when young, and filaments became densely entangled to form a macroscopic colony when mature; however, the filaments did not form spherical colonies. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that Compactonostoc formed a unique cluster, separating from the ‘Nostoc sensu stricto’ clade and from the clades of the morphologically similar genera Komarekiella, Desmonostoc and Mojavia. The 16S–23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) secondary structure of the Compactonostoc strain showed a unique pattern of D1–D1′, Box-B and V3 helix, which distinguished it from other heterocystous genera. Compactonostoc shennongjiaensis sp. nov. was designated as the type species of the genus.

ЛІСОТИПОЛОГІЧНА СТРУКТУРА ДУБОВИХ ЛІСОСТАНІВ ВОЛИНСЬКОЇ ВИСОЧИНИ

Oak (Quercus robur L.) is one of the most common and valuable tree species in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Much of the oak forests of the Western Forest-Steppe are concentrated in the forest district of Volyn Upland, which, despite belonging to the Western Ukrainian Forest-Steppe Forest District, is characterized by special geomorphological and climatic conditions, which contributed to the formation of valuable usually mixed oak stands,and also linden, maple, ash. The peculiarities of oak stands distribution in the northern part of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine are analysed in the work. The analysis of forest typological structure of stands with the participation of oak (Quercus robur L.) in the forestry district of Volyn Upland is carried out. The structure of areas and reserves of oak stands in the context of edatopes and forest types has been studied. The average stock per unit area of oak stands of the Volyn Upland is calculated and a comparative characteristic of its ratio with the reserves of oak stands of the Volyn Upland in different types of forest vegetation conditions is made. Based on this analysis, conclusions are made on the productivity and use of edaphic conditions by oak forests in the Volyn Upland. The largest share of oak stands in the Volyn Upland is concentrated in hail conditions – 70,9%. Soil types of forest vegetation conditions make up 23,1% of the area of oak stands. According to the degree of soil moisture, Quercus robur L., in the Volyn Upland, prefers fresh conditions, where 70,6% of oak forests in the region are concentrated. In general, oak (Quercus robur L.) in the study region is involved in the formation of 13 forest types, of which 7 act as a typical species.

PHYTOINDICATION OF EDAPHIC REGIMES OF FOREST ECOSYSTEM ECOTOPES FOR DNIPRO LEFT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE FORESTRY DISTRICT OF UKRAINE

Issues of phytoindication and phytomonitoring of major ecological factors for large-scale regional (zonal) investigations are analyzed. The presented methodical approaches of phytoindication and examples of their application show the prospects of this scientific direction for the regional (zonal) ecological monitoring of edaphic regimes in forest ecotopes. The subjects of research were the first level monitoring plots (146 plots) located within Dnipro Left Bank Forest-Steppe forestry district, Ukraine. A concept of “eco-background”, i. e. the background factors of forests (a range of values within the limits of standard deviations), in relation to which the direction and intensity of edaphic and climatic processes are measured in the forest ecotopes of specific region, and within the region, in the ecotopes of the coniferous, mixed and broad-leaved forests, is used for the comparative monitoring of fluctuations and dynamics of the ecological regimes in relation to typical and zonally-provided values in the forest ecotopes of the region. The total edaphic eco-background (including hydro-background, acido-background, total salt-background, carbonate content-background, nitro-background) was investigated for the district’s forests and within the district, the separate edaphic eco-backgrounds of coniferous, mixed and broad-leaved forests.

A data-driven approach for landslide susceptibility mapping: a case study of Shennongjia Forestry District, China

The main purpose of this study was to establish a data-driven approach and assess its potential for shallow landslide susceptibility mapping of the Shennongjia Forestry District, China. For the data processing, Fisher segmenting was used for the classification of topographical factors (gradient, relief amplitude, plan curvature, and normalized difference vegetation index) and the improved Otsu method was used to determine the buffer length thresholds of the locational factors (proximity to roads, rivers and faults). The computations show that these two objective methods help to avoid the uncertainty caused by the subjective judgments and the obtained thresholds are more consistent with actual conditions. Considering the different data types, the locational and topographical factors were evaluated by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation while the geological factors were evaluated by frequency index, and then the three separate evaluations were combined using radar chart analysis. The validation result shows that the susceptibility map based on a data-driven approach has a high accuracy of prediction and this approach will be salutary for risk mitigation and land-use management in mountainous regions.

Variable-Weighted Linear Combination Model for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping: Case Study in the Shennongjia Forestry District, China

A landslide susceptibility map plays an essential role in urban and rural planning. The main purpose of this study is to establish a variable-weighted linear combination model (VWLC) and assess its potential for landslide susceptibility mapping. Firstly, different objective methods are employed for data processing rather than the frequently-used subjective judgments: K-means clustering is used for classification; binarization is introduced to determine buffer length thresholds for locational elements (road, river, and fault); landslide area density is adopted as the contribution index; and a correlation analysis is conducted for suitable factor selection. Secondly, considering the dimension changes of the preference matrix varying with the different locations of the mapping cells, the variable weights of each optimal factor are determined based on the improved analytic hierarchy process (AHP). On this basis, the VWLC model is established and applied to regional landslide susceptibility mapping for the Shennongjia Forestry District, China, where shallow landslides frequently occur. The obtained map is then compared with a map using the traditional WLC, and the results of the comparison show that VWLC is more reasonable, with a higher accuracy, and can be used anywhere that has the same or similar geological and topographical conditions.

Elazığ Orman Bölge Müdürlüğü Çalışanlarının İş Doyumu ve Bazı Bireysel Özelliklerinin İş Doyumuna Etkisi

Bu araştırma çalışmasıyla, orman kaynakları yöneticileri ve çalışanlarının iş doyumu ölçeğinin hangi değişkenlere göre farklılaştığı ortaya konularak sürdürülebilir orman yönetimini sağlamaya, daha hızlı ve kaliteli hizmet sunmaya ve belirlenen stratejik amaçlara ulaşmaya yönelik kurumsal gelişimi sağlamak amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla; Elazığ Orman Bölge Müdürlüğü’ndeki memur çalışanlar ile tam alan örnekleme yöntemi ile anket çalışması yapılmıştır. Gruplar arası farklılık olup olmadığını belirlemek için t testi ve varyans analizleri yapılmıştır. Çalışanların çocuk sayısı, memuriyet süresi, yaş grupları, çalışanların eğitim düzeyi, çalışılan birimdeki pozisyon, medeni durum ve cinsiyetlerine göre iş doyumu puan ortalamaları karşılaştırıldığında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık saptanmamıştır. Gelir grupları itibariyle iş doyum ölçek puan ortalamaları ise istatistiksel olarak anlamlı çıkmıştır. Çalışanların geliri (aldığı ücret) artıkça iş doyumu ölçeği puanının arttığı tespit edilmiştir. Elde edilen tüm sonuçlar değerlendirilerek tartışılmış, iş doyumu düzeyinin yükseltilmesi için alternatif çözüm önerileri yapılmıştır.

An Efficient Vector-Raster Overlay Algorithm for High-Accuracy and High-Efficiency Surface Area Calculations of Irregularly Shaped Land Use Patches

The Earth’s surface is uneven, and conventional area calculation methods are based on the assumption that the projection plane area can be obtained without considering the actual undulation of the Earth’s surface and by simplifying the Earth’s shape to be a standard ellipsoid. However, the true surface area is important for investigating and evaluating land resources. In this study, the authors propose a new method based on an efficient vector-raster overlay algorithm (VROA-based method) to calculate the surface areas of irregularly shaped land use patches. In this method, a surface area raster file is first generated based on the raster-based digital elevation model (raster-based DEM). Then, a vector-raster overlay algorithm (VROA) is used that considers the precise clipping of raster cells using the vector polygon boundary. Xiantao City, Luotian County, and the Shennongjia Forestry District, which are representative of a plain landform, a hilly topography, and a mountain landscape, respectively, are selected to calculate the surface area. Compared with a traditional method based on triangulated irregular networks (TIN-based method), our method significantly reduces the processing time. In addition, our method effectively improves the accuracy compared with another traditional method based on raster-based DEM (raster-based method). Therefore, the method satisfies the requirements of large-scale engineering applications.