Branch Wood Research Articles

Effects of biomass briquetting and carbonization on PM2.5 emission from residential burning in Guanzhong Plain, China

In this study, maize straw, wheat straw, and wood branches and their processed products (i.e., briquettes and charcoals) were used to investigate the emission factors (EFs) of PM2.5 components and the influence of form changing. The EFs of organic carbon (OC) was 241 ± 39.7 to 3920 ± 792 mg kg−1; OC was the largest contributor in PM2.5. The EFs of PM2.5, OC and elemental carbon (EC) demonstrated that charcoal was the most efficient in reducing PM2.5 and carbonaceous fraction emissions, followed by briquettes compared with raw fuels in residential burning use. Among cations, K+ had the highest EF, whereas Cl− has the highest EF among anions; the presence of both K+ and Cl− was attributable to high abundance in biomass. Cl, K, S, and Na (in descending order) contributed more than 95% of total elements with high EFs; the other elements, particularly heavy metals, had very low EFs. The EFs of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and saccharides were in the following order of magnitude: raw fuels > briquettes > charcoals. PAHs with four rings (i.e., pyrenes) dominated the total PAHs in PM2.5−, whereas among saccharides, levoglucosan had the largest EFs (0.03–110.41 mg kg−1). Briquettes, with simple process and reasonable cost, demonstrated a good ability in decreasing PM2.5 emission with potential of 53% (765,000–427,000 t year−1), and their emission reduction potential were much higher for straws than for branches. Charcoals demonstrated considerable emission reduction potential for straw (93.7% averagely for PM2.5 and compositions) and comparable for wood branches (80% averagely) while its complex process and high cost should be considered. More than 600,000 t of PM2.5 and thousands of tons of PAHs and saccharides are estimated to be eliminated annually if all raw biomass fuels are processed through carbonization. Considering the efficiency–cost ratios, biomass briquetting may aid clean heating in rural areas, in addition to the “natural gas and electricity replacement strategy,” in China and other countries facing similar problems.

PENGUKURAN KEPUASAN NASABAH TERHADAP CUSTOMER SERVICE PADA PT BANK RAKYAT INDONESIA (PERSERO) Tbk, PEMBANTU KAYU TANGI BANJARMASIN

Banks as financial services sector must absolutely pay attention to the quality of service to their customers. The service performed is a form of the best service provided by a bank to provide satisfaction to customers. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of customer satisfaction with the service of Customer Service of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, the Banjarmasin branch of Kayu Tangi. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach, which is to give an overview of the events studied so that it is easier for writers to get objective data in order to know and understand how employee motivation affects performance. The population in this study is the customer who made the main transaction in the Customer Service section of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, Banjarmasin Tangi Wood Branch Office. Samples are taken randomly and are considered to represent the answers of all customers in the bank. The number of samples taken was 80 respondents. The results of this study indicate that the measurement of customer satisfaction with Customer Service at PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, Kayu Tangi Banjarmasin Sub-Branch Office still needs to be developed because there are some criticisms from customers of the servqual dimensions namely, Tangible, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance and Empaty. Keywords: Customer Satisfaction, Customer Service, Service Quality, Customer and Service

The effect of mistletoe (Viscum album) on branch wood and needle anatomy of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

ABSTRACTMistletoes are hemi-parasitic plants growing on many tree species. They grow on the tree branches or trunk of a tree and form root-like structures called haustoria that penetrate into the tree, taking up water and mineral nutrients. Mistletoe is capable of causing a variety of effects to its hosts, including changes in wood formation and leaf development. We investigate and discuss the effects of pine mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. austriacum, Santalaceae) on branch wood and needle anatomy of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris, Pinaceae). Parasitized and nonparasitized branches of Scots pine were sampled from host tree crowns of trees growing on the same site. Branches were taken from mid-crown facing south. They were cut at 2 cm proximal and 2 cm distal to the mistletoe on each host branch and at the corresponding position in the case of uninfected branches from the same host. The wood anatomy at proximal and distal parts and the parts at the corresponding position in the non-parasitized section was compared. The anatomy of one-year-old needles from both parasitized and non-parasitized branches was also compared. Mistletoe had significant influences on wood and needle anatomy. The major changes were the decreases in the double wall thickness, lumen area, tangential lumen area and radial lumen area of the tracheids in the wood and a decrease in vascular area in the needles. These results help to understand how mistletoe acts on its host.

Methodology for the characterization of elastic constants of wood from tree branches

In biomechanical analyses, computational models are essential tools for simulating the behavior of a tree subjected to a load. However, such models allow only approximation of the actual behavior of the tree if the elastic parameters of the wood in different tree parts (stem, branches, and roots) and at least orthotropic behavior are not considered. In addition, as the wood is green, the parameters of strength and stiffness must be adequate for this level of moisture. However, even for stem wood, knowledge of elastic properties is not available for most species used in urban tree planting, and this scarcity of information is even greater for wood branches. The objective of this research was to evaluate methodology, based on wave propagation, in characterizing the 12 elastic constants of wood from branches. Complementarily, compression tests were performed to characterize the strength. The obtained elastic parameters using ultrasound tests were comparable with the values expected based on theoretical aspects related to the behavior of the wood. The results of the compression test complemented the ultrasound characterization, but the application of this method for the complete characterization of the elastic parameters is not feasible for tree branches because of their small size.

Comparative phytochemical constituents of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) leaves, fruits, stem barks, and wood branches grown in Egypt using GC-MS method coupled with multivariate statistical approaches

This work, for the first time, identified the phytochemical constituents of leaves, fruits, stem barks, and wood branches extracted from the tree pruning wastes of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. grown in Egypt, showing 49, 29, 34, and 27 phytocomponents, respectively, as assayed by gas chromatograph-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. The major components of leaves were 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (17.7%), betulin (15.7%), lupeol (14.7%), androstan-17-one,3-ethyl-3-hydroxy-, (5à)- (12.3%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- (11.6%), betamethasone (9.7%), and β-sitosterol (9.1%). The major phytocomponents of fruits were β-sitosterol (55.7%), 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholen-24-oic acid (48.7%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (42.9%), lupeol (29.3%), betulin (15.8%), stigmasterol (12.8%), and campesterol (7.6%). The major phytocomponents of stem barks were 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester (65.7%), β-sitosterol (27.2%), betulin (22.1%), lupeol (21.1%), and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (8.8%). Wood branches contained β-sitosterol (60.1%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (47.2%), lupeol (22.5%), campesterol (15.6%), and stigmasterol (14.1%). Most of the identified compounds have been reported to possess important biological activities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. The four constituents of L. leucocephala were statistically independent in these phytocomponents. The phytocomponents in five solvents were mixed in describing the four constituents. These constituents of L. leucocephala are potential bioresources for phytopharmaceutics.

Birch leaves and branches as a source of ice-nucleating macromolecules

Abstract. Birch pollen are known to release ice-nucleating macromolecules (INM), but little is known about the production and release of INM from other parts of the tree. We examined the ice nucleation activity of samples from 10 different birch trees (Betula spp.). Samples were taken from nine birch trees in Tyrol, Austria, and from one tree in a small urban park in Vienna, Austria. Filtered aqueous extracts of 30 samples of leaves, primary wood (new branch wood, green in colour, photosynthetically active), and secondary wood (older branch wood, brown in colour, with no photosynthetic activity) were analysed in terms of ice nucleation activity using VODCA (Vienna Optical Droplet Crystallization Analyser), a cryo microscope for emulsion samples. All samples contained ice-nucleating particles in the submicron size range. Concentrations of ice nuclei ranged from 6.7×104 to 6.1×109 mg−1 sample. Mean freezing temperatures varied between −15.6 and −31.3 ∘C; the range of temperatures where washes of birch pollen and dilutions thereof typically freeze. The freezing behaviour of three concentrations of birch pollen washing water (initial wash, 1 : 100, and 1 : 10 000) were significantly associated with more than a quarter of our samples, including some of the samples with highest and lowest activity. This indicates a relationship between the INM of wood, leaves, and pollen. Extracts derived from secondary wood showed the highest concentrations of INM and the highest freezing temperatures. Extracts from the leaves exhibited the highest variation in INM and freezing temperatures. Infrared spectra of the extracts and tested birch samples show qualitative similarity, suggesting the chemical components may be broadly similar.

First Report of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae Associated with Bacterial Blossom Blast on Apple (Malus pumila) in the United States

In May 2017, dead buds at pink and tight cluster growth stages were observed on young apple trees of cultivar SnapDragon at two orchard sites in Marlboro, NY. Disease symptoms included necrosis of lateral and terminal flower buds that were wilted and drooping. Bark below the dead buds on severely affected trees showed black streaking with or without interspersing white streaks. On the cross-section of branch wood, just below the buds, light brown xylem and glossy water-soaked sections resembling frost damage were observed. After bark shaving, dark xylem tissue was visible along the branch length, in contrast to the light or pale color of the healthy tissue. The incidence of the disease on trees was 3 to 5%, and 0.5% of trees died. There were five near-frost events recorded on 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11 May 2017, leading us to suspect that the observed symptoms were blossom blast caused by the ice-nucleating strains of Pseudomonas syringae. Isolation from the affected tree samples was performed on King’s B (KB) and nutrient sucrose agar (NSA) media. After 3 days at 25°C, most of bacterial isolates formed round, shiny, gray-white colonies producing green fluorescent pigment on KB medium and typical levan-positive colonies on NSA. Eight isolates, inducing a hypersensitive reaction on tobacco plants, were further characterized by conventional bacteriological and molecular tests (Braun-Kiewnick and Sands 2001). The analyzed bacterial isolates were Gram-negative, aerobic, hydrolyzed gelatin and aesculin, but not pectate, and were negative for oxidase and arginine-dihydrolase activity. All strains were ice-nucleation active and utilized sucrose, sorbitol, and inositol as carbon sources, but not tyrosine and tartaric acid. Results of levan, cytochrome c oxidase, potato soft rot, arginine dihydrolase, and tobacco hypersensitive reaction (LOPAT) tests indicated that the isolates belong to P. syringae group Ia, and gelatin hydrolysis, aesculin hydrolysis, tyrosinase activity, and tartrate utilization (GATTa) tests designated them as pathovar (pv.) syringae (Kaluzna et al. 2012). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers B1/B2 (Sorensen et al. 1998) and SyD1/SyD2 (Bultreys and Gheysen 1999) showed that isolates possessed genes responsible for synthesis (syrB) and secretion (syrD) of syringomycin, respectively. Partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene of three isolates (GenBank MG788015 to MG788017) showed 99 to 100% identity with sequences of P. syringae pv. syringae previously deposited in the NCBI GenBank database. To complete Koch’s postulates, pathogenicity of the four isolates was confirmed by inoculation of 1-month-old potted apple plantlets grown from seeds collected from mature apple fruit of cultivar SnapDragon. One plant per isolate was inoculated multiple times as follows: using a needleless syringe, two leaves per plant were spot-infiltrated with bacterial suspension (10⁶ CFU/ml); on the same plants, stem was also inoculated by inserting a sterile toothpick previously dipped into a bacterial colony. Sterile distilled water was used as a negative control. Inoculated plantlets were sealed within plastic bags for 48 h and further incubated at 22°C. Inoculation test was repeated in two independent experiments. Necrosis of the leaf and stem tissue developed at the point of inoculation, and its progression was observed daily for 2 weeks. No symptoms developed on the control plants. Bacteria were reisolated from inoculated tissues and confirmed as P. syringae pv. syringae by PCR for syrB and syrD genes. This is the first report of P. syringae pv. syringae causing blossom blast symptoms on developing apple buds in commercial orchards in the United States. Even though it rarely occurs on apples, with most recent frosts significantly lowering apple yields in Michigan (2012) and New York (2016), blossom blast might become a more common problem in U.S. orchards. Previously, P. syringae pv. syringae was isolated from dormant apple buds without and with internal necrosis in the United States (Burr and Katz 1984).

Wood density and fiber dimensions of root, stem, and branch wood of Populus ussuriensis Kom. trees

In order to determine the possibility of whole-tree wood utilization of a native tree species in Northeast China (P. ussuriensis), this study investigated the air-dried wood density and fiber dimensions for each ring in the branch, stem, and root wood of the tree species. The results showed significant differences in wood densities and fiber dimensions among tree positions (p <0.05). The root had the highest average density (0.596 g/cm3), and branch had the lowest average density (0.506 g/cm3). The root and branch wood exhibited larger fibers than that of the stem wood. The root wood had the highest average fiber wall (6.038 µm). The fiber wall of branch wood appeared thinner than the stem wood, although the difference was not statistically significant. The radial pattern of wood density and fiber dimensions indicated that branches and roots did not have juvenile wood such as was found in the stems. The study concludes that the use of branch or root wood of P. ussuriensis would be favorable for papermaking or wood-based panels.

Wax lipids in fresh and charred anatomical parts of the Celtis australis tree: Insights on paleofire interpretation

Leaf waxes have been assumed to be the dominant source of wax delivered to sediment. However, wooden branches and twigs have not been widely considered in this context and could be a potential source of wax lipids in fire places or combustion structures. Black sedimentary layers are the main material of open-air archaeological combustion structures and represent either carbonized fuel (wood) or the charred ground beneath the fire (mainly leaves) and it is difficult to discern between the two sources. To identify different plant parts as components of combustion residues, fresh and charred leaves, branches and twigs (bark and xylem) of the Celtis australis tree were analyzed for aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and fatty acid concentrations, as well as the carbon isotopic composition of n-alkanes (δ13Calkane). Charred biomass was produced under limited oxygen conditions at 150, 250 (3 and 5 h), 350 and 450 °C for 1 h. The n-alkyl profiles in different parts of C. australis are sufficiently distinct to allow their identification as components of combustion structures under low combustion temperature conditions. Average chain lengths and carbon preference index ratios decrease with increasing temperature and vary among plant parts. The δ13Calkane values remained slightly unaltered up to 350 °C and changed by 3–4‰ at 450 °C. Our results provide new information on the molecular and isotopic changes that occur upon burning different plant parts, which in turn show potential for good preservation of organic matter in archaeological black layers and for positive identification of burned leaf and wood residues in them.

МОДЕЛІ ДИНАМІКИ НАДЗЕМНОЇ ФІТОМАСИ ДЕРЕВ ЯЛИНИ ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОЇ ЗАЛЕЖНО ВІД ЇХНІХ ТАКСАЦІЙНИХ ПОКАЗНИКІВ У ПЕРЕВАЖАЮЧИХ ТИПАХ ЛІСОРОСЛИННИХ УМОВ ПОЛОНИНСЬКОГО ХРЕБТА УКРАЇНСЬКИХ КАРПАТ

Для аналізу надземної фітомаси дерев ялини європейської залежно від їхніх таксаційних показників на основі встановленої щільності в абсолютно сухому стані компонентів фітомаси, розрахованих на основі лабораторного опрацювання зразків із загалом 120 модельних дерев? розроблено відповідні математичні моделі, які адекватно описують динаміку досліджуваних комипонентів залежно від таксаційних ознак дерев у типах лісорослинних умов С3 та D3. Значення фітомаси збільшується із збільшенням значення діаметра та висоти стовбура в обох досліджуваних типах лісорослинних умов (ТЛУ). Для більшості компонентів надземної фітомаси дерев ялини відзначено вищі значення в ТЛУ D3, порівняно із аналогічними значеннями в C3, за винятком фітомаси хвої. Встановлено, що різниця у значеннях досліджуваних компонентів надземної фітомаси в різних типах лісорослинних умов відрізняється незначно і для фітомаси: деревини стовбурів спадає від 12,4 до 8,8 %; кори стовбурів – від 6,2 до 1,8 %; деревини гілок – від 18,0 до 14,6 %; кори гілок – від 10,8 до 6,4 %; стовбура у корі – від 11,7 до 8,3 %; крони – від 3,6 до 3,2 %; надземної фітомаси дерев – від 9,1 до 7,0 %. Тільки для фітомаси хвої виявлено збільшення різниці у значеннях для різних ТЛУ: від 14,2 до 14,8 %. Загальна фітомаси крони дерева опосередковано повторює динаміку фітомаси деревини гілок крони та фітомаси хвої. Ці два компонента комплексно впливають на формування фітомаси крони. Встановлено, що в ТЛУ D3 частка фітомаси хвої у загальній фітомасі крони є нижчою, порівняно із ТЛУ C3, та максимально становить до 45 % фітомаси крони. Залежність сумарного значення надземної фітомаси від висоти та діаметра стовбура дерева характеризується збільшенням значення цього показника зі збільшенням значень таксаційних показників: для ТЛУ С3 – від 14,1 до 1607,1 кг, а для ТЛУ D3 – від 15,5 до 1727,9 кг.

Analysis of logging forest residues as an energy source

Forest residue extraction levels in Greece are currently very low, but logging residues have the potential to be an important component of the wood energy supply chain. Forests are a major supplier of renewable energy. Exploring the possibilities of utilizing the biomass of logging residues for energy requires analysis and knowledge of its properties. In this research work the properties (ash, volatiles, fixed carbon, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and calorific value) of the various constituents of the biomass of fir (Abies borisii - regis), pine (Pinus nigra), oak (Quercus frainetto) and beech (Fagus silvatica) logging residues were determined. Bark and ash content increased with decreasing diameter of branches. Ash content was higher in bark than in wood of branches in all species. Ash and nitrogen content was several times higher in bark and in foliage or needles than in wood of branches. Oak branches and twigs of all species had ash and nitrogen content higher than that required by the EN ISO 17225-2 standard for domestic pellets and they should not be used for energy, at least for pellets production. Volatile mater, fixed carbon, carbon and hydrogen content were in the range given by other researchers. Heating value is higher in softwood (fir and pine) than in hardwood (oak and beech) and ranged from 18.72 MJ/kg to 21.00 MJ/kg. In addition, Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare the means between the various constituents in all species.

Anatomical investigation of root, stem and branch wood in 10-year-old Inga laurina in the context of anatomical adaptation to hydraulic and mechanical stresses

La madera varía entre las especies, desde la médula hasta la corteza, desde las raíces hasta la corona dentro de la misma planta, para garantizar la seguridad y la eficiencia hidráulica. La heterogeneidad de la madera de Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. es aquí investigada, siendo una especie que prospera bien en todos los bosques brasileños importantes. La madera de tallo de I. laurina poseía vasos estrechos; fibras de paredes gruesas; rayos más anchos, altos y en mayor frecuencia, características que proporcionan ajustes hidráulicos y mecánicos. Las fibras de paredes gruesas y menos parénquima, en comparación con la raíz, brindan la fuerza suficiente para apoyar la corona grande. Una mayor proporción de células de parénquima en las raíces da como resultado una gran capacidad de almacenamiento de almidón, que es importante para la recuperación de los brotes después del daño por fuego, común en el Cerrado. Wood varies between species, from pith to bark, roots to crown within the same plant to ensure hydraulic safety and efficiency. Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. is investigated herewith for the structural heterogeneity of the wood, since this species thrives well in all major forests of Brazil. I. laurina stem wood possessed narrow vessels; thick walled fibres; wider, taller and higher frequency of rays, features that provide hydraulic and mechanical adjustments. Thick walled fibres and less parenchyma as compared to root provide enough strength to stem to support the large crown. Higher proportion of parenchyma cells in roots results in a high storage capacity for starch, which is important for the shoot recovery after fire damage, common in the Cerrado.

Is there a tree economics spectrum of decomposability?

The plant economics spectrum (PES) integrates trade-offs and coordination in resource traits among species within and between organs, and affects ecosystem processes such as litter decomposition. This PES is currently based on trait variation among a wide range of plant types and growth forms. Here we ask whether the PES also features within the same growth form, i.e. within and between organs among temperate tree species. If so, is there a tree economics spectrum (TES) of decomposability driving the decomposition rates across the coarse branches, twigs and leaves of different species? And how robust would this TES of decomposability be to different environmental conditions?To investigate these questions, we conducted a “common garden decomposition experiment” with ten temperate tree species in two contrasting forest environments in the Netherlands for 47 months. We evaluated the effects of functional traits of leaves, twigs, branch wood and branch bark on the decomposition rates of those organs. We measured the same resource traits for all those organs of the ten tree species and assessed whether there was a multivariate axis of functional traits explaining decomposition rates in both environments.We report three key findings. First, tree organ specific economics spectra were significantly correlated with each other for the studied tree species. Second, tree organs differ significantly in decomposition rates, i.e. leaves were consistently more decomposable than twigs and twigs more than coarse branches. Third, we found some evidence of a TES with important afterlife effects driving coordinated decomposability of twigs and leaves but not of coarse branches across the tree species, and the effects of this TES on decomposition rates strongly depended on local forest environment.The consistent contrasting decomposability between tree organs across species confirms an important role of plant litter inputs of different organs in forest biogeochemistry and carbon storage. There is also substantial coordination of interspecific trait variation between the finer tree organs. Knowledge about relationships of the TES and decomposability taking interactions with environmental variation into account can help for predicting whole-tree carbon and nutrient turnover as dependent on forest and soil type, even within the same climate zone.

SOME MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF COMPONENTS OF ABOVE-GROUND PHYTOMASS OF BEECH TREES DEPENDING ON THEIR ASSESSMENTS INDEXES IN THE PREVAILING FOREST VEGETATION TYPES OF POLONYNSKY RANGE OF THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS

SOME MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF COMPONENTS OF ABOVE-GROUND PHYTOMASS OF BEECH TREES DEPENDING ON THEIR ASSESSMENTS INDEXES IN THE PREVAILING FOREST VEGETATION TYPES OF POLONYNSKY RANGE OF THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS

Isolasi dan Uji Aktivitas Antimikroba Kapang Endofit dari Kayu Ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm & Binn.) (Isolation and Antimicrobial Activity of Endophytic Fungi from Ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm & Binn.))

Endophytic fungi are reported to be potential as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, and antivirus. One of the source of endophytic fungus is ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm & Binn.) which produced the same antimicrobial compound with ulin wood itself. The purpose of this research was to isolate endophytic caps from ulin wood branch, and tested the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The isolates were fermented on PDB media (Potato Dextrose Broth), and then tested the antimicrobial activity on Eschericiacoli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus aerogenes). In this research, there were two endofit isolates (white/PT and greenish black/HT). HT endophytic isolate exhibited strong antibacterial activity against the two pathogens (P. aeruginosa and E. coli) shown in 12 mm inhibition zone, while PT endophytic isolate exhibited the E. coli in 11.5 mm inhibition zone. The highest antioxidant activity found in HT endophytic shell was 47.47%. Keywords : antimicrobial, endophytic, Eusideroxylon zwageri, fungi, ulin

Pengaruh Jenis Bahan terhadap Proses Gasifikasi Sampah Organik Menggunakan Updraft Fixed Bed Reactor

<p>Organic wastes has potential as a renewable energy resource. The waste could be converted as a gaseous fuel through gasification method. The objective of this reserach was to study the performance of gasification of various organic waste using fixed bed updraft gasifier especially in term of production of heat and stability of gas production. The raw material that used are rice husk, sawdust pellet, and wood branch. The stabilization of gas production was measurdd based on the time interval of gas could be burnt. The result shows that the kind of biomass has influenced the heating rate and stability of gas production. Sawdust pellet have the biggest burning stabilisation, that is 45 minute of burning time, compare to rice husk that have 15 minute burning time, and wood branch that have 30 minutes burning time. The main problem of gasification of organic waste was less stabilization of gas production due to low material compaction and uncontinuous mass flow.</p>

Can Leaf Spectroscopy Predict Leaf and Forest Traits Along a Peruvian Tropical Forest Elevation Gradient?

AbstractHigh‐resolution spectroscopy can be used to measure leaf chemical and structural traits. Such leaf traits are often highly correlated to other traits, such as photosynthesis, through the leaf economics spectrum. We measured VNIR (visible‐near infrared) leaf reflectance (400–1,075 nm) of sunlit and shaded leaves in ~150 dominant species across ten, 1 ha plots along a 3,300 m elevation gradient in Peru (on 4,284 individual leaves). We used partial least squares (PLS) regression to compare leaf reflectance to chemical traits, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, structural traits, including leaf mass per area (LMA), branch wood density and leaf venation, and “higher‐level” traits such as leaf photosynthetic capacity, leaf water repellency, and woody growth rates. Empirical models using leaf reflectance predicted leaf N and LMA (r2 > 30% and %RMSE < 30%), weakly predicted leaf venation, photosynthesis, and branch density (r2between 10 and 35% and %RMSE between 10% and 65%), and did not predict leaf water repellency or woody growth rates (r2<5%). Prediction of higher‐level traits such as photosynthesis and branch density is likely due to these traits correlations with LMA, a trait readily predicted with leaf spectroscopy.

Structure and allometry in tropical forests of Chocó, Colombia

Abstract The very wet forests of Choco on the Pacific region of Colombia are unique in their plant diversity and function but are poorly known in aboveground structure and biomass (AGB). Conservation of these forests from widespread degradation in recent years has resulted in numerous REDD+ projects that require rapid assessment of the carbon stocks and changes. Here, we use a combination of inventory plots and harvested trees to develop allometric models and to quantify the variations of forest structure and carbon density across the Choco region. We used 45 ha of inventory plots sampled in 15 1-ha permanent and 120 temporary 0.25-ha plots set under a stratified design. Likewise, we used 296 and 96 harvested trees and palms, respectively, with diameter ranging between 5 and 158.6 cm to develop the tree and palm allometry for AGB estimation. A model to estimate stem wood density from branch wood density was applied. Coarse woody debris (CWD) was also tallied and the dry mass stored quantified. We evaluated an alternative method to rapidly estimate wood density in tropical forests from sampling small branches. The total mean AGB in the 15 plot clusters was 239.8 ± 73.2 Mg ha−1. The mean percentage of AGB represented by trees, palms, and CWD was 88.6 ± 3.2, 3.1 ± 2.0, and 8.3 ± 3.0, respectively. Overall, our total AGB estimates are similar to those reported for wet lowland tropical forests but lower than those reported in tropical dry-seasonal forests. Our results emphasize on the advantage of employing height-diameter models developed from harvested trees to increase the accuracy of the AGB estimation in tropical forests. The wood density estimation was in good agreement with mean plot estimates made to reliable floristic inventories available for four 1-ha plots. This methodology can be further improved by including a sampling design based on tree diameter classes, which can help overcome the use of “static” databases built on species names. Finally, our findings support the use of the existing regional and pantropical allometries to estimate both tree height and the aboveground biomass in tropical wet forests, but emphasize the need of having more local and regional models to quantify the bias and improve the estimation of forest carbon density across different forest types.

Net calorific values and mineral concentration of thirteen tree and shrub species in Ghana

ABSTRACTObtaining accurate and reliable information on biomass characteristics of tree species is important as it aids in selecting plant species that optimize fuel production for bioenergy. In this study, the net calorific value (NCV) and mineral concentration of 13 plant species selected from the Guinea savanna ecological zone of Ghana were investigated. Significant variation in NCV across the species components was found, with branch wood from most of the species exhibiting higher values compared to stem wood or the bark tissues. Accurate and reliable information on plant biomass could therefore be obtained through plant partitioning. High mobility of Zn and Pb after uptake was observed in the studied species. Apart from Cd whose concentrations in the species exceeded the recommended levels, no toxic levels were observed for the rest of the heavy metals. Thus, the major drawbacks in the use of the species as biomass resource are their higher concentrations of Cd and to some extent, higher ash contents. On account of the relatively high NCV, low ash content and low mineral concentrations, D. microcarpum, and C. febrifuga were found to be most suitable candidates for biomass production and subsequent bioenergy optimization in the Guinea savanna of Ghana.

Characterization of density and selected anatomical features of stemwood and branchwood of E. cylindricum, E. angolense and K. ivorensis from natural forests in Ghana

This study investigated density and some anatomical features, and also assessed the correlations among them in stem and branch woods of Entandrophragma cylindricum, Entandrophragma angolense and Khaya ivorensis. Branch and stem wood samples were sampled from two natural forest reserves. Wood density was determined in accordance with ISO 3131 whereas anatomical investigations followed IAWA committee’s recommendations-1989. Results indicated that at 5% level of significance, wood density was significantly higher in branchwood than stemwood for all three species. Generally for all the three species, significant differences were found in fibre length and vessel diameter between branchwood and stemwood of same species but no significant differences were found in both ray and axial parenchyma quantities. Stemwood density correlated significantly and positively with fibre (r = 0.408, p < 0.01) and ray parenchyma (r = 0.280, p < 0.05) proportions but negatively with fibre length (r = −0.528, p < 0.01), vessel lumen diameter (r = −0.304, p < 0.05) and axial parenchyma proportion (r = −0.679, p < 0.01). However, branchwood density correlated significantly and positively with fibre (r = 0.505; p < 0.01) and axial parenchyma (r = 0.385; p < 0.01) proportions but negatively with fibre length (r = −0.316, p < 0.05), vessel proportion (r = −0.486, p < 0.01) and ray parenchyma proportion (r = −0.357, p < 0.01). The study suggests that wood type (stem or branch) is an important factor to consider in terms of their effect on some properties of products produced from them, since differences in fibre length, vessel lumen diameter and vessel proportion could affect strength, porosity, leachability, natural durability and drying properties of wood.