Mixed Hardwood Research Articles

Contrasting Litter Nutrient and Metal Inputs and Soil Chemistry among Five Common Eastern North American Tree Species

Forest composition has been altered throughout Eastern North America, and changes in species dominance may alter nutrient cycling patterns, influencing nutrient availability and distribution in soils. To assess whether nutrients and metals in litterfall and soil differed among sites influenced by five common Ontario tree species (balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.), white pine (Pinus strobus L.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.)), litterfall and soil chemistry were measured at a managed forest in Central Ontario, Canada. Carbon (C) and macronutrient (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)) inputs in litterfall varied significantly among sites, primarily due to differences in litterfall mass, which was greatest in deciduous-dominated sites, while differences in elemental concentrations played relatively minor roles. Trace metal inputs in litterfall also varied, with much higher zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in litterfall within yellow birch dominated stands. Mineral soil oxide composition was very similar among sites, suggesting that differences in soil chemistry were influenced by forest composition rather than parent material. Litter in deciduous-dominated stands had lower C/N, and soils were less acidic than conifer-dominated sites. Deciduous stands also had much shorter elemental residence times in the organic horizons, especially for base cations (Ca, Mg, K) compared with conifer-dominated sites, although total soil nutrient pools were relatively consistent among sites. A change from stands with greater conifer abundance to mixed hardwoods has likely led to more rapid cycling of elements in forests, particularly for base cations. These differences are apparent at small scales (100 m2) in mixed forests that characterize many forested regions in Eastern North America and elsewhere.

Vascular Flora of the Yew Mountain Center, Pocahontas County, West Virginia

A baseline floristic study was conducted on the 500 acre Yew Mountain Center (YMC) in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The YMC is a non-profit educational center providing programs emphasizing Appalachian ecology, culture, and arts, with one of its goals being the development of field research and study opportunities for outside researchers and students. Fieldwork conducted in 2019-2021 resulted in 383 recorded vascular plant taxa, with 25 new additions to the known Pocahontas County flora (possibly as many as 83 total new taxa have been found by the author in the county). The majority of the new additions were not unexpected. Two taxa (Juglans cinerea and Prunus alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis) are significant occurrences tracked by the West Virginia Natural Heritage Program. Approximately 85% of the taxa are historical natives, as compared to 75% native flora for West Virginia as a whole. The primarily forested YMC harbors a diverse assemblage of Mixed Mesophytic, Mixed Hardwood and Appalachian Oak forest communities that is relatively free of exotic invasive and noxious weed infestations. The study demonstrates how a moderately-intensive examination of a small area can result in a significant increase in floristic knowledge of a region.

Eleven New Nearctic Species of Sciophila Meigen Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Mycetophilidae)

Eleven new species of Sciophila Meigen fungus gnats were discovered in mixed pine and hardwood forest in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The current effort (and five species in press elsewhere) presents the only Sciophila species known to the author that were described from Michigan. Sciophila ansluta Taber, Sciophila betula Taber, Sciophila enigma Taber, Sciophila impala Taber, Sciophila michigana Taber, Sciophila paludosa Taber, Sciophila platalea Taber, Sciophila rugosa Taber, Sciophila separata Taber, Sciophila sunda Taber, and Sciophila typha Taber are known from adult males. Adult females and immature forms are unknown.

Biochar as Influenced by Feedstock Variability: Implications and Opportunities for Phosphorus Management

Agricultural wastes from plant and animal operations are often land applied to recycle and manage residues. Compositional variability among these wastes is vast. Some waste components can potentially represent a threat to the environment and humans depending on their nature, application loads and soil type. Biochar, the product obtained by biomass heating under oxygen-limited conditions, has the potential to minimize risks associated with waste characteristics while promoting soil health. However, variation in the residue wastes (feedstocks) used to produce biochar carries over to the resultant biochar. In this study, we compare the chemistry and composition of biochars representing two broadly defined sources – animal (poultry litter, biosolids) and plant (mixed hardwoods, pure maple, pine) – and highlight phosphorus (P) management implications and opportunities presented by the variability among them. We also evaluate P leaching patterns of four selected biochars, (poultry litter, biosolids, hardwoods and maple) as applied at an identical rate (1% w/w) to two soils differing in P retention capacities. Cumulative P release following poultry litter biochar application and 20 leaching events was much lower for the more P retentive soil. Total P release from biochar-amended soils did not differ between soils when biochar from biosolids or from plant sources were used as the soil amendment. However, the biosolids-biochar released higher levels of P initially from the Candler compared with the Apopka soils, similar to that of poultry litter biochar. Compositional variations in feedstocks and resultant biochars must be understood in order to judiciously use them as crop nutrient amendments. There is potential to minimize nutrient deficiencies and environmental liabilities of biochars by matching feedstocks, or mixtures of feedstocks, to the needs of specific crops, and by considering the P retentive capacity of the soil where the biochar is applied.

The Influence of Old and New Machines on Productivity and Costs of Four Yarding Methods in Small-Scale Forestry in a Maine Forest

Small forest landowners and loggers require information on the cost and productivity of available timber harvesting systems in order to make the best equipment allocation decisions, especially when the current generation of highly productive, capital-intensive harvesting machinery is well suited for clearcutting in large stands. Conversely, small-scale equipment is becoming more readily available that can help minimize the capital and operating costs associated with partial cuts and intermediate stand treatments or when operating in small-scale forests. The present study evaluated the productivity and yardings costs of four different yarding systems for old machines—a farm tractor, bulldozer, cable-skidder and forwarder—working in a group selection harvest of a mixed hardwood stand in the state of Maine, USA. A sensitivity analysis using the break-even technique and considering the same harvesting productivity and machines brands and models was used in this study to assess study differences between yarding machines costs in two different scenarios: old and new machines. Results indicate that the total machine and yarding costs for old machines were lower than for the new machines. For old machines, the yarding cost per unit delivered to the landing was lowest for the forwarder method ($2.34/m3) and highest for the cable-skidder method ($4.46/m3). In the case of new machines, the yarding cost per unit was lowest for the forwarder method ($3.95/m3) and highest for the cable-skidder method ($9.46/m3). The older machines might be a better option than new machines, particularly for small landowners who need to harvest small areas with low levels of harvesting.

Squirrel-Seed Interactions: The Evolutionary Strategies and Impact of Squirrels as Both Seed Predators and Seed Dispersers

For many squirrel species, their intense—arguably coevolutionary— interactions with seed and nut producing trees have significantly shaped their biology and diversity. Here we provide an overview of this relationship in a range of forest types worldwide. We first review the evidence for how forest composition (conifer, hardwood, mixed hardwood and overall diversity of tree species) influences interactions between squirrels and seed trees and, ultimately, the role of squirrels as either seed predators or seed dispersers. We review, for example, the intense selective pressure squirrels exert on conifer trees as seed predators and the diversity of morphological traits and behavioral strategies that allow them to efficiently exploit this critical resource. In contrast, we show how the squirrel's role shifts to one of seed disperser in hardwood forests and how the specifics of this interaction varies further with forest structure, forest composition and climactic conditions. We then review the growing evidence for the tight ecological and evolutionary dance between the squirrels and the oaks that has shaped the biology of both across the globe. We show how a suite of seed (acorn) characteristics (e.g., chemical gradients, germination schedules, seedling morphology and tolerance-resistance strategies) are all intimately tied to the scatter-hoarding decisions of several squirrel species. And, based on studies in oak forests in Central America, Mexico, North America, and Eurasia–many by the authors–we also highlight the behavioral strategy of embryo excision now reported for six species across at least four genera of squirrels. This behavior, glaringly absent in other scatter-hoarding rodents worldwide, is now known be an innate trait in at least two species, one in Asia and another in North America. We review extensive recent research on one species of squirrel, the Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), which exhibits a suite of behavioral strategies unique to that of other squirrels that independently contributes to seed dispersal and establishment. Finally, we outline numerous remaining questions concerning plants and other taxa of squirrels still open to investigation.

Comparison of the electrochemical properties of activated carbon prepared from woody biomass with different lignin content

In this study, activated carbon was prepared from lignocellulosic biomass and its electrochemical properties were analyzed and compared. The highest total specific net energy efficiency was 1.12 kW/kg when the mixed softwood (MSW) was ground, while the value was as low as 0.54 kW/kg for logging residue (LOR). The lignin content ranged from 27.38 to 33.43% depending on the biomass type, and the value was the highest for LOR. The activated carbon was prepared by carbonization and activation with KOH. A partially graphitic structure was observed in the MSW by high-resolution transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The activated carbon prepared from MSW and mixed hardwood showed higher specific surface areas (> 1832 m2/g) and micropore volume (> 0.69 cm3/g) than commercial activated carbon (1729 m2/g and 0.64 cm3/g). The gravimetric specific capacitance (17.1 F/cc) and the specific capacitance retention ratio of cycling stability (91.1%) properties were excellent in MSW. However, lignin content was not proportional to the improvement in electrochemical properties.

A palynological perspective on the impacts of European contact: Historic deforestation, ranching and agriculture surrounding the Cuchumatanes Highlands, Guatemala

The Spanish conquest of the Cuchumatanes Highlands (1524–1541 ce) led to dramatic land use changes adhering to colonial practices and values, which included the rearing of livestock, agriculture, timber extraction, mining, and the relocation of indigenous populations to new settlements. These changes are often recorded in historical accounts and official records; however, these are sparse, incomplete, and have been lost over the passage of time. Here, we present a high-resolution palaeoenvironmental reconstruction for Cenote Kail (Guatemala) since the Spanish Conquest, to provide additional evidence of land use changes from an integrated multi-proxy perspective. We analysed: (i) fossil pollen; (ii) macroscopic and microscopic charcoal; and (iii) dung fungal spores (Sporormiella) from a lake sediment core extracted from Cenote Kail in the Cuchumatanes highlands, combining these analyses with remotely sensed satellite data. We reconstructed: (i) forest composition and dynamics; (ii) burning, (iii) fauna abundance, and (iv) agricultural activities. High resolution age-depth modelling was conducted using a combination of 210Pb and 14C dates. The high temporal resolution enabled a novel integrated validation of the charcoal data sets with remotely sensed satellite data and the historical record. Three stages of floral compositional change were discerned from the palynological assemblage data encompassing: (i) the decline of mixed hard wood forests (MHWF), associated with the building of new settlements, agriculture and timber extraction for fuel (1550–1675 ce); (ii) pastoral expansions involving the rearing of livestock (1700–1800 ce); and (iii) the expansions of urban settlements and increasing management of the land (1821–2015 ce). Seed predation is suggested as the dominant factor preventing MHWF from re-establishing in the Cuchumatanes Highlands over the past 500 years. Burning is limited locally and regionally and in line with the modern regime, which suggests that fire has been managed and controlled since European contact.

Effect of bark content in mixed hardwood chips on pulp and papermaking properties

AbstractEffect of different proportions of bark in mixed hardwood (about 70 % eucalyptus and 30 % poplar) chips on pulp and papermaking properties was studied. Increased proportion of bark in raw material chips resulted in increased active alkali consumption, increased reject content in pulp and reduced pulp yield after kraft pulping. The unbleached pulp obtained with higher proportion of bark in mixed hardwood chips also has higher kappa number, lower brightness and viscosity as compared to pulp obtained with bark free mixed hardwood chips. The soda loss and ash content in pulp were severely increased from 12.8 kg/t to 312 kg/t of pulp and 0.7 % to 21.1 %, respectively with the increase of bark portion from 0 to 100 % in raw material furnish. The physical strength properties like tensile, burst and tear indices in the pulp obtained from bark were reduced by 58.5 %, 60.7 % and 68.4 %, respectively as compared to that with bark free mixed hardwood.

Role of thinning intensity in creating mixed hardwood and conifer forests within a Cryptomeria japonica conifer plantation: A 14-year study

For managers of conifer plantations, conversion to mixed hardwood and conifer forests is an important management goal. However, the extent to which thinning intensity affects stand volume and timber quantity and quality remains unclear. We investigated the growth of conifer and hardwood trees over 14 years (at 5 and 9 years after the first and second thinning operations, respectively) under unthinned (Control), 33% thinned (Weak), and 67% thinned (Intensive) treatments in a Cryptomeria japonica plantation. The diameter growth of both conifers and hardwoods, stand volume of hardwoods, and relative increment of stand volume of conifers increased with greater thinning intensity in the order of Control < Weak < Intensive, whereas the reverse was observed for the stand volume of conifers, dead conifer trees, and total yield of stand volume (i.e., gross production). These results suggest that intensive thinning can create large conifers and hardwoods, but reduces gross production. Mean annual tree ring width (ATRW), consistency of ATRW value, and mean crown ratio increased with increasing thinning intensity in the order of Control < Weak < Intensive, while height-to-diameter ratio (i.e., slenderness) showed the opposite trend. These findings suggest that timber quality (e.g., wood density, stiffness, visual grading) was better under Weak than under Intensive thinning. However, the production of large conifer timbers with homogeneous ATRW may offset reductions in quality. This study suggests that intensive thinning is a reliable method for rapidly creating mixed hardwood–conifer forests at the canopy level and producing large timbers of both conifer and hardwood species, whereas weak thinning is suitable for producing high-quality conifer timbers and maintaining net primary production, although repeated thinning is necessary.

Logging damage to residual trees during sustainable harvesting of uneven-age stands in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran

Background: The frequency of wounded trees and intensity of wounds during logging operations can have serious impacts on stand growth and forest sustainability. The aims of the study were to evaluate and compare stand (tree and regeneration) damage level, wound characteristics, and damage types occurring when using a cable skidder in salvage logging and selection cutting.&#x0D; Methods: This study was conducted on four sites of mixed uneven-aged hardwood stands in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. At two sites, salvage logging was applied (SL1 and SL2), and low-intensity selection cutting (SC1 and SC2) was applied at the other two. A systematic plot sampling design was used on the study area for damage assessment.&#x0D; Results: The percentage of regenerating trees damaged was 2.8, 2.1, 4.3, 1.4 %, in SL1, SL2, SC1, and SC2, respectively. The corresponding percentage of damaged trees was 4.3, 3.7, 4.9, 1.7 %. Most of the damage (48–79%) to the stand occurred during the winching stage at all the sites. Most of the wounds were located on the bole (51–78%). The average wound height and wound size at selection cutting sites were significantly higher than at the salvage logging sites. The incidence of high-intensity wounds at the salvage logging sites (55% at SL1 and 57% at SL2) was higher than at the selection cutting sites (24% in SC1 and 30% in SC2). Regenerating beech (Fagus orienalis Lipsky) and alder (Alnus subcordata C.A.Mey) had the highest incidence of damage. The number of damaged trees increased with increasing winching distance.&#x0D; Conclusion: Damage levels in stands during salvage logging and low-intensity selection cutting are lower (about a quarter) than the damage level to residual trees (12–23%) and regeneration (5–11%) from conventional selection cutting in uneven-aged mixed hardwood stands in the Hyrcanian forests. Because of the ecological and conservation value of deadwood, if the incidence of wind-fallen trees is low, the wood should be left in forest stands due to the high cost of salvage logging and the damage caused to residual and regenerating trees.

Successful seedling establishment of arbuscular mycorrhizal-compared to ectomycorrhizal-associated hardwoods in arbuscular cedar plantations

Thinning is an effective method to create mixed hardwood-conifer forests, as it results in successful hardwood recruitment. However, it remains unclear to what extent mycorrhizal association (AM, or arbuscular mycorrhizae vs. ECM, ectomycorrhizae) affects hardwood recruitment. In this study, we explored which hardwood mycorrhizal type was more advantageous to recruit into a Cryptomeria japonica (AM conifer) plantation. We compared seedling recruitment success (i.e. seedling emergence, survival, and growth) between AM and ECM hardwoods during five years after thinning at various levels: 67% thinned (intensive), 33% thinned (weak) and un-thinned treatments (control). We also investigated the percent colonization of mycorrhizal fungi for the seedlings of the most dominant AM (Cornus controversa) and ECM (Quercus serrata) hardwoods in both the C. japonica plantation and an adjacent forest dominated by ECM tree species (e.g. Q. serrata, Alnus hirsuta var. sibirica, Castanea crenata). During the five years, seedling emergence and survival were greater in AM than ECM for most of the different emergence cohorts, resulting in a greater number of individuals for AM rather than ECM hardwoods for all thinning intensities. Vertical growth of the seedlings was also greater for AM than ECM species, particularly for early emerging cohorts in both the weak and intensive treatments. Percent colonization of AM fungi to AM seedlings was greater in the AM conifer plantation than in the adjacent ECM-dominant forest. In contrast, percent colonization of ECM fungi to ECM-type seedlings was lower in the plantation compared to the adjacent forest. These results suggest that AM hardwoods could easily be recruited to AM conifer plantations, probably due to the fact that AM-type seedlings could easily become associated with AM fungi in the same mycorrhizal-type plantation. Growth of the AM seedlings was enhanced, which was likely to be due to the sharing of AM fungi, which translocate nutrients via hyphal networks. In contrast, recruitment of ECM-type seedlings was strongly inhibited, probably due to the lack of colonization of the ECM fungi in the AM-type plantation. This study demonstrates that mycorrhizal associations play an important role in recruitment success of hardwoods into AM conifer plantations. Thus, when forest managers intend to convert conifer plantations to mixed hardwood and conifer forests, they should consider the role of mycorrhizal fungal type in future species composition.

Hot Water Extraction: Short Rotation Willow, Mixed Hardwoods, and Process Considerations

Short rotation woody crops (SRWC) like shrub willow are highly productive biomass resources of interest for energy and fuel applications. Hot water extraction (HWE) as an upgrading tool to enable the use of willow biomass in pellet applications has been proposed, and is of increasing interest. This study treats willow and mixes of willow and conventional mixed hardwood feedstock with HWE in a tumbling laboratory reactor to elucidate the effects of time, temperature, feedstock mixes, and other process considerations (water:biomass ratio, presteaming, counter-current processing) on mass removals and other extraction outcomes (e.g., sugar, acetate, and furan yields). Results demonstrated alignment of extraction outcomes with P-factor from 155 °C to 175 °C, with a good compromise of removed mass and co-product potential in the range from 575–800 P-factor. The preferred condition was chosen as 575 P-factor. HWE of mixes of willow and hardwood feedstocks showed a linear response of extraction outcomes to willow:hardwood ratios. Testing of water:biomass ratios demonstrated that this is a significant consideration, with each outcome being affected somewhat differently, and indicating that HWE is more diffusion dependent than expected. Presteaming shows little to no effect on extraction outcomes, while multi-stage cooks simulating counter-current operation indicate a significant potential value in counter-current extraction.

Cultural diversity and biodiversity as foundation of sustainable development

Cultural diversity and biodiversity as foundation of sustainable development

Polyacrylamide stabilized alkenyl succinic anhydride emulsion as sizing agent for various cellulosic pulps and fillers

Cellulosic fiber is hydrophilic in nature and making it hydrophobic represents a process called sizing in papermaking. Alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) sizing is dominating over other sizing processes due to its high reactivity and economy. The shelf life of conventionally used cationic starch (CS) stabilized ASA emulsion is 20−25 min. In our previous study, the ASA emulsion was found to be stable up to 4 h using anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) as stabilizer. Present communication was aimed to utilize, the APAM stabilized ASA emulsion with most commonly utilized cellulosic pulps (mixed hardwood, bagasse and recycled) and fillers to assist its commercial utilization in papermaking. APAM stabilized ASA emulsion facilitated back water utilization with improved sizing degree unlike CS based ASA emulsion. Lower amount of ASA sizing was required in bagasse pulp compared to other pulps which might be attributed to low crystallinity ratios and hydrogen bond energy.

Studies on ASA emulsion stabilized with anionic polyvinylamine and its evaluation for sizing of different types of paper furnishes

Low stability of cationic starch (CS) stabilized alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) emulsion is the main drawback of ASA sizing of paper to impart hydrophobicity. Present communication deals with the study of anionic polyvinylamine (APVAm) stabilized ASA emulsion at different process conditions viz. pH, temperature and pulps viz. mixed hardwood (MHW), bagasse (BBS), recycled (RCL) & fillers. APVAm stabilized ASA emulsion was found to be stable at higher pH and temperature. Sizing was better with BBS pulp followed by RCL and MHW pulps. It was evident from the crystallinity ratios and hydrogen bond energy that BBS pulp had the maximum amorphous region that was translated into lesser chemical requirement to attain same sizing followed by RCL and MHW pulps. The better sizing behaviour with lesser dosage of APVAm stabilized ASA emulsion was observed with unfilled and talc filled paper as compared to ground calcium carbonate and precipitated calcium carbonate filled paper.

Wait for Me

Wait for Me Katey Schultz (bio) Click for larger view View full resolution Photo by Jeff Turner Every day, I stepped off the school bus on Flat Run Road, and every day, on the other side of the fence, Judy Puckett sat astride a four-wheeler, gunning the engine. “Sarvis Morton, you’re dumber than a dummy!” she’d shout, then tear into the pasture, over the hill, and through the coal chute. We lived in Pentress, [End Page 91] seventeen miles from Morgantown, and even with the sock factory and a post office with Wi-Fi, Pentress was easy to miss. But Judy never missed the sad exhalation of the school bus, or me, abandoned along the roadside after it wheeled away. I had about fifteen seconds between insults while Judy took the four-wheeler through obstacles. I learned to walk fast. On a good day, I could be out of earshot after just four or five of her assaults. But sometimes the wind slowed me down. Or mud. The ditch along Flat Run Road was steep, and I’d fallen in once. “Sarvis Morton, your brother’s a retard, and so’re you!” “Sarvis Morton, if you had another brain, it’d be lonely!” I’d have settled for giving her a nasty look, but she already had one— pug nose that flared when she yelled, voice pitched like a pack of coyotes. Dirty brown hair like bitterroot vines slapping across her face and a neon tube top paired with whatever jeans her older sisters had worn the year before. I couldn’t cross the road because Old Man Mooney’s pit bull lived on the other side. It doesn’t take being on honor roll to know a chain only puts the inevitable on hold. When a pit wants something, it’ll get it. If that means breaking a chain or breaking skin, that’s what it means. “I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I’d shout back. “Earth is full. Go home!” But rain, scalding sunshine, sideways wind—Judy came at me. She never could have gotten to me—not with that ten-foot pole fence between us, barbed wire rimming the top. Still, I felt more intimidated by her than by the punks at school. The way her biceps flexed when she steered, rounded and limber arms framing her rib-thin torso. The neon tube top unnerved me. Like she couldn’t be bothered to get dressed all the way, or like nobody she lived with cared. I guess that’s what it came down to. Nobody did care. Not as far as I could tell. “Sarvis Morton . . .” “Sarvis Morton . . .” ________ As the crow flies, my house wasn’t far from a wildlife management area. We just called it “the lake,” because that was the only reason anyone would ever go. The foothills boasted hundreds of acres of mixed hard-wood, but all I’d ever seen of West Virginia was trees or the tops of mountains where trees used to live. More trees didn’t particularly excite me. A lake, however, was something special. Flush or poor—Morgantown [End Page 92] or Pentress—everybody loved a good swim in summertime. Even Judy Puckett. Judy had been giving me hell ever since I’d seen her at the lake, her older sisters ripping her tube top off and laughing. They had her outnumbered at the end of a dock that jutted into a deep, narrow finger of the water. I watched from the opposite shore just twenty feet away. The tube top came off fast—the tallest sister holding Judy in a full nelson while another pulled it down her waist and past her knees, throwing it into the water like a piece of trash. If that had been me, I’d have jumped into the water as soon as I got free. But when the tall one released her, Judy turned around and knuckle-punched her in the throat. The other sister got worked up then, and two more sisters came dashing down the dock, strutting in their bikinis and raising their fists, and it was only then—outnumbered by her own...

A New Nearctic Species of Diadocidia Ruthe Fungus Gnat (Diptera: Diadocidiidae)

A new species of Diadocidia Ruthe fungus gnat was discovered in a mixed pine and hardwood forest in the eastern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Diadocidia longivena Taber is the fourth species recorded from North America and the first new species of the genus described from the Nearctic in 63 years. The fly belongs to subgenus Adidocidia Laŝtovka and Matile, as do both of its congeners that were described in North America.

Pretreatment and cooking of forest residues

The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of processing forest residues by chemical delignification preceded by mild steam explosion. The focus was on using soda pulping, due to its simplicity. Kraft cooking was used for comparison to improve the understanding of the separation of the complex yet promising resource. The raw material consisted of chipped branches, bark, and twigs of mixed hardwood and softwood. Analysis of the raw material proved to be challenging due to the presence of a substantial fraction of extractives. Analysis of the pulps showed that the forest residue delignification was faster than that of wood. The effects of steam explosion were evaluated with the help of composition analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for the molecular weight of lignin, and NMR for the changes in its structure. The impact of steam explosion was found to be limited, possibly due to the relatively small size of the material.

Early Successional Forest Management on Private Lands as a Coupled Human and Natural System

Facilitating voluntary conservation on private lands is a crucial element of policies that seek to mitigate forest habitat loss and fragmentation around the world. Previous research emphasizes the role of social factors (e.g., landowner characteristics, economics) in forest management, but environmental outcomes of past management can also affect landowner decisions. Our objective was to evaluate how positive outcomes for wildlife and habitat might reinforce or amplify landowner efforts to manage forest habitats. We applied the lens of coupled human and natural systems to investigate private lands management for early successional forests, which are declining along with associated wildlife in rural areas of the eastern U.S. Efforts to restore early successional forest in this region involve active forest management to create patches of successional forest in native, mature mixed hardwood stands. By integrating field-based monitoring of wildlife with surveys of landowner perceptions, we examined how landowners observed, interpreted, and responded to property-scale ecological outcomes of forest management. We recorded presence of Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) and American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) and estimated bird species richness in spring 2015 and/or 2016 on private properties located in the Appalachians (Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) and Upper Great Lakes (Minnesota, Wisconsin). These properties were enrolled in early successional forest management programs administered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Bird surveys were paired with landowner responses to a telephone survey conducted from January to May 2017 (n = 102). Most (71.6–81.6%) landowners’ perceptions of avian presence on their properties matched monitoring results. These perceptions were informed by personal observations and by outreach from agency partners and field technicians. Landowners who already completed their conservation program contracts (n = 85) continued managing early successional forests. Continued management for early successional habitat was positively associated with perceived benefits to birds, forest health, and scenery. Our findings give insight into how private landowners respond to environmental effects of forest management. We conclude that positive environmental outcomes of these conservation programs are related to continued early successional forest conservation by private landowners.