Pine Stands Research Articles

Modeling Productivity and Estimating Costs of Processor Tower Yarder in Shelterwood Cutting of Pine Stand

Cable-based yarding technology has had a long tradition on steep slopes in Europe, and the new implementation of yarding functions in recent decades favored operational efficiency and lower extraction costs. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Syncrofalke 3t truck-mounted Processor Tower Yarder (PTY) on steep terrain, in coniferous forests managed with the shelterwood system. In particular, the aim was to determine PTY productivity and costs, with attention to parameters that could increase PTY effectiveness. The study was carried out in the Sredna Gora Mountains, Central Bulgaria, in pure Scots pine stand, with trees of average DBH = 34 cm and height = 22 m. The study was carried out in six corridors with 120 work cycles of tree extraction up the hill, 28° (53%). The mean productivity of PTY was 15.20 m3 per productive machine hour (PMH) and 12.29 m3 per scheduled machine hour (SMH) and was mainly influenced by the productivity of the yarder unit. Under the given conditions, the performance of PTY significantly increased if more than one tree (at least two trees) were attached and extracted per yarder cycle, since the productivity of the processor was approximately twice that of the yarder. The gross costs of the studied PTY were calculated at 297.48 EUR PMH−1 and 16.17 EUR m−3. The variable costs (75%) predominate in the net costs distribution, followed by the fixed costs (15%) and the labor costs (10%). The time, productivity and cost results obtained showed the high efficiency and level of integration of PTY operations in order to achieve economic efficiency of logging in montane pine forest managed in a shelterwood system.

Ecological integrity of whitebark pine ecosystems in California’s national forests

Whitebark pine ( Pinus albicaulis) forest ecosystems in California are diverse and unique, yet their current status and condition are uncertain. Using a combination of geospatial and field plot data, we assessed patterns in the structure, composition, and health of whitebark pine ecosystems on national forests throughout the state of California to evaluate potential signs of declining ecosystem integrity. We found whitebark pine ecosystems to be structurally, compositionally, and functionally distinct among subregions of California, and all subregions displayed some evidence of declining ecological integrity. Whitebark pine forests in northern California exhibited signs of greater stand densification (Cascade–Klamath), potential encroachment by shade-tolerant conifer species (Cascade–Klamath and Warner Mountains), and increased tree mortality associated with mountain pine beetle outbreaks (Warner Mountains) than elsewhere in California. Whitebark pine stands in the Sierra Nevada showed signs of stand densification (central Sierra) and localized mountain pine beetle outbreaks (southern Sierra east). Notwithstanding these negative signs, much of the state’s whitebark pine ecosystems on national forestlands appear to be relatively healthy and intact compared to more northern latitudes. Active management may be required to restore whitebark pine ecosystems on national forests in California with declining integrity, including stands experiencing substantial stand densification, encroachment by shade-tolerant conifers, and mountain pine beetle outbreaks.

Effects of compound disturbance on Canada lynx and snowshoe hare: Wildfire and forest management influence timing and intensity of use

Wildfires are increasing in scale and impact on the landscape, altering large amounts of wildlife habitat and forest ecosystems. The reduction of fuels through forest management is considered a primary way to reduce the extent and severity of wildfires before they occur but may lead to a decrease in tree density prohibitive of some species’ habitat. Alternatively, management actions undertaken after a fire may speed the trajectory of burned areas back into quality habitat but may also impede this development if the wrong type of treatment is undertaken. Thus, information on how different management actions, applied either pre- or post-fire, can influence the timing of a burned area’s return to suitable habitat will help managers conserve species on the landscape. Our study aims to understand how a rare carnivore, Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), uses stands managed with different silviculture actions at different times relative to wildfire. We used GPS locations from 39 individual lynx collected from 2004 to 2015 to examine the response of lynx to wildfire compounded by active forest management, where time since fire at time of use ranged from 1 to 27 years. To understand the drivers behind lynx use of wildfires, we also focused on the primary prey of Canada lynx, snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), using pellet counts across a similar range of post-fire treatment types in fires between 22 and 28 years old. We also assessed vegetation recovery and forest structure over time since wildfire using remotely sensed data and field measurements. We found that lynx intensity of use differed based on timing and type of management action, with the greatest lynx use ∼25 years after a wildfire managed with post-fire regeneration cuts (removal of the majority of the canopy). Lynx use was likely driven by hare abundance, which was also highest in post-fire regeneration cuts, characterized at time of use by dense lodgepole pine stands. We conclude that managing landscapes with a mosaic of active (pre- and post-fire treatments) and passive (hands-off) management will best conserve a desirable range of lynx habitat in an increasingly fire-impacted landscape.

Floristički diverzitet veštački podignutih sastojina različitih vrsta četinara na području Kosmaja (Srbija)

One of the causes of decrease of species diversity of forest ecosystems could be inadequate selection of tree species for afforestation and ameliorations. It is known that by establishing new forest ecosystem habitat conditions change, and thus, edaphic and hydrological conditions and light regime also change, which directly or indirectly reflects on plant species. The research included four artificially established stands (pure or mixed) in the area of Kosmaj, where various coniferous species were introduced in the process of substitution of autochthonous forests of Hungarian oak and Turkey oak. The largest total number of plant species was recorded in artificially established stand of common spruce, Atlas cedar, and Douglas-fir (41). The highest Shannon-Wiener diversity index was recorded in stand of Douglas-fir (3.22), and the lowest in pine stands (2.95-2.97). It was determined by cluster analysis that stand of Austrian pine and stand of Austrian pine and Scots pine have the largest degree of mutual floristic similarity.

Structural properties of pure and mixed bosnian pine stands on Mt. Zeletin

The subject of this research are stands of bosnian pine in the area of the mountain massif Visitor with Zeletin in Montenegro. Considering the fact that these forests are unexplored, due to their small area and the absence of economic interest (the strictest protection regime), the research task of this paper is to conduct an adequate research of one of the most preserved white-bark pine populations in this areas in structural and partly production terms. The bosnian pine stands on Mt. Zeletin belong to two management units: FMU ?Pisevska Reka - Zeletin? and FMU ?Kutska Reka? which occupy an area of 160 ha. The research included the accessible parts of sections 2/b, 3/a, 5/a, 28/a and 28/s, in which 8 sample plots (SP) of an 30 ar area each were established (4 SP in pure and 4 SP in mixed stands). The SPs are vertically distributed between 1,550 and 1,850 m a.s.l. In pure stands, the average number of trees (for 4 SPs) is 723 pcs?ha-1, the basal area is 74 m2?ha-1, and the volume is 529 m3?ha-1, which are considered high values given the conditions in which these stands have developed. In mixed stands, the numerical elements show significantly higher values: the number of trees is 875 pcs?ha-1, the basal area is 87 m2?ha-1 and the volume is 721 m3?ha-1. A high degree of correlation was found between the values of volumes (unweighted and weighted) and the values of dominant heights. The mixed stands reveal a more heterogeneous structural development. Bosnian pine trees cluster at short distances, which is probably the result of a struggle for survival in highly unfavorable conditions. As these stands are subjected to spontaneous development over a long period of time, their research provides the opportunity to get to know more about bosnian pine ecology. Considering its modest requirements towards habitat conditions, bosnian pine has considerable advantages when choosing a species for afforestation of the most unfavorable sites.

Effect of boom corridor and selective thinning on the post-treatment growth of young Scots pine and birch stands

Boom corridor thinning (BCT) is a harvester’s working method, primarily suitable for dense, unmanaged young stands. The method was first studied in Sweden in the early 2000s. In Finland, the idea has been further developed and studied for Finnish forests. The advantage is in the corridor, where the harvester head can move more swiftly, and there is no need to identify trees to grow as much as when using the traditional selective thinning (Sel) method. Moreover, the method can be conducted without cost-intensive pre-clearing of undergrowth, creating post-stands with higher biodiversity. This study is the sequel to a previous study in which experiments on BCT and Sel were established in 2017–2018. The experiments were remeasured 4–5 years after their establishment, and the effect of BCT treatments of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) on the post-treatment growth and growth reaction of individual trees within the treatments was compared to traditional Sel. During the post-treatment period, BCT did not result in growth or yield losses compared to Sel. Within the treatments, the increment of trees at the edge of strip roads or corridors was higher than that of trees located in the middle of strip roads and/or corridors. A longer post-treatment period needs to be studied to analyse the effect of BCT on the total yield and especially the yield of saw logs during the rest of the rotation period.

Effect of arginine-phosphate addition on early survival and growth of Scots pine, Norway spruce and silver birch

Applying arginine-phosphate (AP) to tree seedlings at planting is a novel silvicultural practice in Northern Europe to improve the success of forest regeneration. We present three case-studies of the potential advantages of adding AP at planting on the establishment and damage susceptibility of seedlings in pure and mixed plantings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. ) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) over two years in the field. Location of study sites were in southern (S), northeastern (NE) and northwestern (NW) Sweden. The main agents of damage were pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.) on conifers at the south site, browsing of birch at all sites and browsing/other top damage to conifers at the north sites. The effect of adding AP varied between the sites. It was positive for survival of pine at site S, despite considerable damage by pine weevil. However, at the S site more of the surviving spruce and birch were browsed when treated with AP. At the NE site AP-treatment had positive effects on conifer growth. At the NW site adding AP positively affected survival and growth of all three species, and AP-treated seedlings of all species were less browsed than untreated seedlings. AP treatment presents a potential tool to improve the success of forest regeneration, especially when establishing pine stands in south Sweden.

Allometric relationships between above-ground biomass increment and stand characteristics for crimean pine in Taşköprü, Turkey

Background: Biomass increment, one of the main components of net primary production (NPP) in forest ecosystems, plays an important role as well as total biomass in the global carbon cycle. In this study, the changes of increments of the above-ground total, stem and branch biomasses depending on stand characteristics (i.e., stand age, stand density, and site index) were investigated, and these relations were modeled for Crimean pine (Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe) stands in Taşköprü region of Türkiye. Data were obtained from 109 sample trees within 74 sample plots representing the wide range of possible stand characteristics. Results: The equations developed for above-ground total, stem and branch biomass increments have quite high coefficients of determination (R 2 =0.784, 0.684 and 0.780, respectively), whereas low root mean square errors (RMSE=0.749, 0.692 and 0.116, respectively). The results indicated that the biomass increment estimates from the allometric equations developed were decreasing with stand age and increasing with stand density and site index and also stand density is the strongest stand characteristic on biomass increment. Conclusion: The estimates are also consistent with the growth patterns, so the equations can be used for biomass increment estimations and also for carbon storage and NPP projections for Crimean pine stands of the region.

Assessment of Pinus sylvestris L. forests state near Krasnoyarsk (case study of the Karaul'noe forestry)

The research was conducted in Pinus sylvestris L. stands near Krasnoyarsk (subtaiga zone). The aim of the study is to assess the current state of recreational pine forests. Research methods included detailed forest pathological examination on six research plots, assessment of recreational disturbance (digression stage) by the transect method, integral assessment of forest health, graphical and correlation analysis. Recreational disturbance of the studied pine forests corresponds to I-IV stages of digression. From 1 to 40% of ground on the research plots has been trampled down. The vitality spectra of forest stands are characterized by right-sided asymmetry; the proportion of weakened trees is high in severely disturbed pine stands. With an increase in the recreational stress, the state of pine forests worsens significantly, and the proportion of dead trees increases. The absence of a significant relationship between the average health index and the stock of dead wood indicates that trees mortality cannot be used as an indicator when assessing the current state of recreational pine forests, which is explained by wood debris removal. The relative growing stock of healthy trees (with no signs of weakening), however, is an informative indicator.

DYNAMICS OF PINE STANDS FOR THE 20-TH PERIOD IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE educational and EXPERIMENTAL FORESTRY OF SIBSU

DYNAMICS OF PINE STANDS FOR THE 20-TH PERIOD IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE educational and EXPERIMENTAL FORESTRY OF SIBSU

Моделирование конверсионных коэффициентов фракций фитомассы для определения биологической продуктивности древостоев

The purpose of the research is to develop a multidimensional model of conversion coefficients of phytomass fractions for pine forests of the coniferous-deciduous forests of the European part of the Russian Federation. The approved standards are the values of the coefficients averaged over the age groups of stands related to different forest-forming species growing in the three natural and climatic zones of Russia. In contrast to the simplified approach to determining the biological productivity of stands by the values of conversion coefficients averaged in age groups, the most scientifically sound approach based on methods of statistical modeling of the relationship of phytomass fractions with inventory indicators of stands is shown. The obtained regression models, interconnected with the data of regional tables of the growth course of different authors, made it possible to obtain multidimensional models, and as a result, the most accurate standards for conversion coefficients. The differences between the two methodological approaches are confirmed by the example of pine stands. The results of assessing the accuracy of determining conversion coefficients indicate a significant advantage of an approach that takes into account, along with age, the average height of stands. At the same time, it should be pointed out that the age itself, and even more so the age group, which is the basis of the first approach, is not able to reliably characterize the accuracy of obtaining the values of conversion coefficients (R2 = 0.908) with an error ES = ± 35.4%. As for the influence of the average height of stands on the conversion coefficients, it is more reliable (R2 = 0.990) with an error ES = ± 11.5%. The specified accuracy of the first two models is significantly inferior to the combined influence of the predictors indicated in them (R2 = from 0.998 to 0.999) with an error ES = ± 1.76% for trunks, ES = ± 1.34% for roots, ES = ± 2.03% for branches, ES = ± 3.7% for needles, ES = ± 1.19% for bark.

Fuel characterization and crown fuel load prediction in non-treated Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) plantation areas

Successful management of young, fire-prone Calabrian pine forests requires an accurate characterization of surface and canopy fuel loads at stand level. This study characterizes the surface and canopy fuel characteristics in unthinned Calabrian pine plantations in Turkey. Fifteen sample plots were measured to determine the surface and crown fuel characteristics of very young, young and middle aged Calabrian pine stands (10 to 28 years old). Thirty-six trees were destructively sampled to quantify the crown fuel loads and canopy fuel characteristics of the stands. Surface fuel load ranged from 11.38 t ha-1 in the young stands to 35.27 t ha-1 in the middle aged stands. Dead fuel load as ladder fuels on the trees ranged from 0.77 kg in very young stands to 13.56 kg in the young stands. Live fuel loads on the trees ranged from 0.77 kg to 23.29 kg in the young aged stands. Total active crown fuel load was 58.7%, 52.1% and 49.5% of total crown fuel load in very young, young and middle aged stands, respectively. Our results improve the current crown fuel model predictions and showed the importance of dead fuel load in fire management studies both for the determination of crown fuel loads and the calculation of carbon stocks.

Natural regeneration and species diversification after seed-tree method cutting in a maritime pine reforestation

Forest adaptation to global change has become one of the main objectives of forest management in recent years. Species and structural diversification by thinning is a well-known adaptation measure, often applied by managers in monospecific even-aged stands. However, regeneration fellings may be more efficient for enhancing naturalization and resilience of monospecific reforested pine stands, widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin. This work focuses on the evaluation of natural regeneration after seed-tree method cuttings, adopted as a diversification strategy in a 60-year old P. pinaster reforestation with varying presence of broad-leaved species (mainly Quercus spp.) in mountains of Southern Spain. A trial consisting of 78 circular plots (1 m radius) was installed to monitor annual tree-species regeneration over seven years, classified into seedlings (0-10 cm height) and saplings (10-130 cm). Scrub coverage and other ecological variables were also measured. Sampling was carried out in three stand types (Pure, Mixed 1 and Mixed 2, in order of increasing presence of broad-leaved species), according to forest species composition before the felling. Maritime pine regeneration was successfully achieved by the end of the study period (over 2000 trees ha-1 widely distributed throughout the stand), whereas Quercus spp. seedlings even colonised plots in which there were no seed trees. Pine seedling density was positively affected by summer precipitation and the presence of conspecific adult pines, and negatively influenced by scrub coverage. High temperatures during the mid-summer months (especially August) negatively affected the seedling to sapling change ratio as well as sapling survival during the study period. Our results point to regeneration fellings with retention of pine and broadleaf species as a suitable method for diversifying species composition in Pinus pinaster reforestations in the Mediterranean region.

Assessment of Biological and Environmental Factors Influence on Fire Hazard in Pine Forests: A Case Study in Central Forest-Steppe of the East European Plain

Vast forest areas are spreaded in Russia and perform environment-forming, nature-protective and climate-regulating functions, including carbon sequestration. At the same time, increasing of destructive forest fires scale in recent decades has led to depletion of forest resources. To combat forest fires, it is necessary to develop preventive measures to reduce the number and severity of forest fires and establish reliable evaluation criteria for fire hazard assessment in forestry. However, indices of fire hazard assessment that exist in Russia are not always allowed to determine the degree of fire hazard reliably. The studies were performed in pine forests on the territory of the Central Forest-Steppe. The key forestry factors influencing the fire hazard situation in pine stands are identified: the presence and amount of combustible materials, the state of the stand, as well as the age structure of tree stand. According to burning indices, the highest fire hazard was common for young and middle-aged pine stands, while for ripening, mature and old-growth forests, fire hazard increasing was not observed. A set of parameters that characterize soil moisture and ground cover peculiarities have also a significant impact. Forest growth conditions were shown to be an important indicator for assessment of fire hazard class. Identified factors that have a key impact on the fire hazard in forests will make it possible to improve methodological approach for monitoring and preservation of forests.

Monitoring studies of habitats of rare species and tree-dwelling insects in the Emerald Network sites

The pine stands of the Vyshcha Dubechnia State Forestry Enterprise in the Emerald Network sites Kyivske Reservoir UA0000094, Kyivske Podesennia UA0000233, Mizhrichynsky Regional Landscape Park UA0000047 are an important reserve that includes species and habitats of insects that are subject to protection. Most of the existing studies in this area were designed to identify and describe individual habitats, while xylophagous insects were not considered. The purpose of the research was to identify rare and endangered species of tree-dwelling insects in unique natural complexes. The research methods included reconnaissance surveys to determine the species composition of insects and their density. The surveys were conducted in 2020-2022, covering 33 plots with a total area of 50.5 hectares. The monitoring was performed through regular surveys of the territories, during which rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and the Berne Convention resolution were identified. A desktop analysis of forestry materials was conducted. Rare species of insects subject to protection are encountered, but outside the areas where monitoring observations were conducted. These are mainly water, marsh, meadow lands, etc. Accounting for stem pests such as Scolytinae (small pine engraver Tomicus minor and pine shoot beetle Tomicus piniperda), Buprestidae (steelblue jewel beetle Phaenops cyanea) and Cerambycidae (pine sawyer Monochamus galloprovincialis and timberman beetle Acanthocinus aedilis). The identified populations of xylophagous insects are described as low to medium density, occurring only on very weakened trees, and species such as Chrysobothris affinis, Cerambyx scopolii, and Scolytus ratzeburgi are rare. The results of the study will serve as an informational base for the development of regional biodiversity conservation programs and the implementation of mechanisms for the sustainable use of forest resources

Distribution and habitat of the Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) in Corsica

The Eurasian Treecreeper is a forest bird distributed from South-Western Europe up to Northern Asia. Two phylogenetic groups have been recently identified within this species, one restricted to Corsica Island (Mediterranean) and the Caucasus region, the other distributed over most of Eurasia and in Northern Asia. Little is known on the natural history of the Corsican population. We present here new comprehensive data on its distribution and habitat. The Eurasian Treecreeper is found from sea level to the upper limit of the forest but absent from the treeless macchia, a dominant vegetation in Corsica. Breeding occurs in a variety of tree species with a strong preference for mature stands and large trees. Its preferred habitat consists of old stands of Corsican Pines and of Sweet Chestnuts, although they are not the commonest tree species in Corsica. The current decline of Sweet Chestnut orchards confers a particular importance to the future preservation of mature stands of Corsican Pine, a patrimonial habitat of great value hosting several endemic bird taxa.

Effects of logging residues and skid roads on litter decomposition rate and nutrient release of black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) and scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Needle litter decomposition rate and nutrient releases of pure stands of black pine and Scots pine under the three different micro-ecologic sites (skidding road, the logging residues and mineral topsoil) and the control site (non-harvesting site) were studied. The needle litters of Black pine and Scots pine were initially analysed for total carbon and nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg, Mn, and Fe). The litter decomposition experiment using the litterbags method was carried out in the field for 18 months. The Scots pine needle litters decayed faster than the black pine litters. Both the Scots pine and Black pine needle litters showed higher mean mass losses under the mineral topsoil and the logging residues than under the skid road and the control site.

Plant species-specific responses and community associations with fire season

Many temperate pine forests are characterized by midstory hardwood encroachment that inhibits timber production and limits herbaceous vegetation needed by wildlife. In the southeastern United States, lack of historical fire regimes compounds this problem and may require additional treatments to control woody vegetation. Research on fire season impacts on plant community dynamics exists, but studies often disagree on the most effective fire season for hardwood control. Our study evaluated the role species composition may have in overall plant community response to dormant season (March) and growing season (June) fire and explored associations with fire temperature 2 years post-fire in thinned (x = 22 m2 ha−1) loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands in east-central Mississippi. Growing season fire (Growing) reduced midstory stem density (shrubs and trees ≥ 1.37 m in height and ≤ 15 cm diameter at breast height) by 47 % relative to unburned control (Control) stands which did not differ from dormant season fire (Dormant; 1.3 % reduction). Five of 22 species responded to fire season similar to the midstory as a whole, but 77 % of species deviated. We identified 7 fire season response patterns, 3 of which are exemplified by: American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) stem densities increased 135 % following Dormant, persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) decreased 32 % after Dormant, and mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa) was unaffected by fire season. We found no influence of fire temperature on stem densities but Growing was hotter than Dormant with average temperatures of 376 (SE = 16) and 321 (SE = 12) C, respectively. In contrast to varied response patterns by midstory species, significant effects relative to Control in the understory include a 76 % increase in forb coverage by Growing and 18 % increase in grass coverage and 34 % increase in woody coverage by Dormant. Indicator species analyses showed non-native species in the midstory and understory were associated with Control and Dormant but not Growing. These results suggest the disparity in midstory community response reported in fire timing studies is partly due to differences in species composition. Managers can use these response patterns to tailor management plans to site conditions for a variety of objectives including timber production and wildlife.

Factors affecting pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) incidence in Mediterranean pine stands: A multiscale approach

The occurrence of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa, hereafter PPM) in Mediterranean pine forests and plantations is of increasing concern as processes such as global warming and forest cover expansion have amplified the frequency and virulence of outbreaks. This study attempts to provide as complete an overview as possible of the different factors involved in pine forest susceptibility to PPM in 98 pine stands in Central Spain. A large study area (∼3,000 km2) was considered, including three different spatial scales (<1 ha, 1 ha, 10 ha) and four different pine tree species (Pinus pinaster, P. nigra, P. sylvestris, P. pinea), monitored over a 4-year period. Models were fitted for each of the three spatial scales, as well as for a combination of them (multiscale model). Pine species had a strong influence on vulnerability to PPM, with higher incidences in stands dominated by P. pinaster and P. nigra and lower for those dominated by P. sylvestris and P. pinea. Grazing pressure, a factor thus far disregarded, was also determining, with a prominent role at both the multiscale and the stand-scale levels. Other variables were highly influential at some of the spatial scales, showing a greater resistance in pine forests or plantations with a higher diversity of pine sizes, greater tree density, and a larger cover of non-host tree species. Open habitats also played a role in PPM incidence: we detected that, both at the locality and the plot scale, the presence of clearings occupied by bushes or rocky outcrops reduced vulnerability to PPM, while the clearings with a more simplified structure produced the opposite effect. We conclude that PPM incidence is greater in structurally simple pine forests, with strong grazing pressure and abundant open spaces without woody vegetation that may favour PPM pupation. To reduce damage by PPM, pine forest and plantations should be managed to avoid oversimplified forest structures. Patches of non-host tree species should be promoted, as well as some presence of shrubs in open areas. This implies avoiding overgrazing and other management models leading to an excessive increase in bare soil. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the implementation of these recommendations should consider the remaining challenges that need to be addressed in the current context of global change, such as the increased risk of wildfires and the emergence of other pests and diseases.

Genç Kızılçam Biyokütle Denklemleri; Kozağacı Orman İşletme Şefliği Örneği

Ormanların karbon depolama kapasitelerine ilişkin hesaplamalar tüm dünyada giderek daha önemli hale gelmiştir. Karbon bildirimlerinde uluslararası kurumlar, orman ekosistemlerinde depolanan karbon miktarlarının envantere dayalı olarak, tam ve kesin olarak belirlenmesini arzu etmektedir. Tüm ülkenin ormanlık alanlarındaki karbon stokunun belirlenmesi için, her ağaç türünün farklı habitatlarda biriktirdiği biyokütle miktarının ve bağladıkları karbon miktarının yöresel olarak belirlenmesi gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmada genç kızılçamlar yöresel olarak dikkate alınarak, Mersin Kozağacı Orman İşletme Şefliği içerisindeki saf kızılçam meşcerelerine ait toprak üstü ve toprak altı biyokütle denklemleri geliştirilmiştir. Çalışmada ayrıca kızılçam için odun yoğunluk oranı ve ibre kuru ağırlık oranı belirlenmiştir.