Background: Continuous Cover Forestry(CCF) is a type of forest management that is based on ecological, environmental, and biological principles. Specific definitions of CCF greatly vary and the concept usually include...Background: Continuous Cover Forestry(CCF) is a type of forest management that is based on ecological, environmental, and biological principles. Specific definitions of CCF greatly vary and the concept usually includes a number of tenets or criteria. The most important tenet of CCF is the requirement to abandon the practice of largescale clearfelling in favour of selective thinning/harvesting and natural regeneration methods.Methods: CCF is commonly believed to have its main origin in an academic debate that was conducted through publications in a number of European and North American countries towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Our findings are exclusively based on a literature review of the history of CCF and they revealed that the European origins of CCF go much further back to a form of farm forestry that started to be practised in Central Europe in the 17th century. Eventually, this type of farm forestry led to the formation of the single-tree selection system as we know it today. Another influential tradition line contributing to modern CCF is individual-based forest management, which breaks forest stands down into small neighbourhood-based units. The centres of these units are dominant frame trees which form the framework of a forest stand. Consequently, management is only carried out in the local neighbourhood of frame trees. Individual-based forest management also modified inflexible area-control approaches of plantation forest management in favour of the flexible sizecontrol method.Results and conclusions: We found evidence that the three aforementioned tradition lines are equally important and much interacted in shaping modern CCF. Since CCF is an international accomplishment, it is helpful to thoroughly study the drivers and causes of such concepts. Understanding the gradual evolution can give valuable clues for the introduction and adaptation of CCF in countries where the concept is new.展开更多
Emissions trading schemes(ETSs)have been a central component of international climate change policies,as a carbon pricing tool to achieve emissions reduction targets.Forest carbon offset credits have been leveraged in...Emissions trading schemes(ETSs)have been a central component of international climate change policies,as a carbon pricing tool to achieve emissions reduction targets.Forest carbon offset credits have been leveraged in many ETSs to efficiently meet emission reduction targets,yet there is little knowledge about the perceptions,experiences,and challenges associated with the forest carbon offsetting in existing and pilot ETS.Given that the future inclusion of forest carbon offset in ETS management activities and policies will require strong support and acceptability among the institutions and experts involved in ETS,this study explores the experiences and lessons learned with 16 globally engaging experts representing major existing ETSs(North America,Europe,and New Zealand)and Chinese pilot ETSs towards the inclusion of forestry offsets,major concerns and challenges with existing implementation models.Findings revealed that many respondents particularly from North America,New Zealand,and Chinese pilot systems portrayed positive attitudes toward the inclusion of forestry carbon offsets and its role in contributing to a viable ETS,while European experts were not supportive.Respondents cited leakage,permanence,additionality,and monitoring design features as the major challenges and concerns that inhibit the expansion and inclusion of forest carbon offsetting.Respondents from Chinese pilot schemes referenced a unique set of challenges related to implementation,including the increasing cost of afforestation and reforestation projects,the uncertainty in the future supply and demand for their national Certified Emissions Reduction(CER)scheme and landowner engagement.Existing and future ETSs should learn from and address the challenges experienced by global experts and carbon pricing mechanisms to design,evaluate,or enhance their forest carbon offset programs for an effective and viable system that successfully contributes to GHG mitigation practices globally.We recommend inclusion of forest carbon offsets at the early stages of ETS improves the perceptions and experience of policy makers and practitioners toward the success and potential of forestry offsets in ETS ensuring familiarity and confidence in the mechanism.展开更多
Innovation in forestry education is needed to address changing contexts of the positionality of forests.This is particularly signifi cant in the Asia–Pacifi c region,where deforestation and degradation are high.Howev...Innovation in forestry education is needed to address changing contexts of the positionality of forests.This is particularly signifi cant in the Asia–Pacifi c region,where deforestation and degradation are high.However,the accessibility of high-quality forestry education to address changing regional and global contexts is lacking.A series of innovative sustainable forest management(SFM)open education resource(OER)courses were developed and implemented to improve the accessibility of SFM education to enhance teaching quality,curriculum,and research capacity of universities in the Asia-Pacifi c Region.To evaluate the SFM-OER program in terms of student experiences,this study investigated student achievement,perceived success of the pedagogical approach and instructional design,and perceived eff ectiveness of the learning activities in promoting active and transformative learning through the assessment of a 1,191-course feedback survey between 2018 and 2020,including the global pandemic.This study revealed that the program attracted diverse student demographics,including a higher proportion of female students majoring in forestry,ecology,and other environmental studies.Their primary motivation to participate in the courses was to gain international experience,followed by the fl exibility of online learning,mandatory course requirements,and earning course credits.Students were satisfi ed with the Canvas learning management system.Most students spent less than 5 to 10 h of their weekly time in the course and agreed or strongly agreed that the workloads were manageable.Students refl ected positively on various learning activities and assignments,such as watching lecture videos,taking quizzes,reading and summarizing,having discussions,and peer review writing.However,they did not clearly prefer specifi c learning activities,signifying the importance of using diverse learning activities to satisfy diverse individual learning styles in online settings.This analysis contributes to the further development of student-centered pedagogical development for online learning and provides insight into the ways forward for online higher forestry education,while repurposing existing OER courses in a post-Covid-19 era.展开更多
One of the objectives of the 1257/99 EU regulation was that rural populations should be able to gain an extra income. This regulation may not be any longer in force, but soon a new one will replace it. The plantations...One of the objectives of the 1257/99 EU regulation was that rural populations should be able to gain an extra income. This regulation may not be any longer in force, but soon a new one will replace it. The plantations that are created by Greek farmers more specifically the plantations of poplar trees-have a ten-year rotation at least. This means that the time between the establishment of the plantation and the harvest is high. As a consequence, during this time, the market environment （e.g. prices） may face substantial changes. Frequently, these changes are so immense that producers are driven in economic distress. This situation is also linked to the domestic timber supply and imports, and as a result to the product prices. Concerning the market prices of poplar trees, one additional factor that has probably deteriorated the situation is the E.U. expansion. This paper examines a case study in North Greece. Vital conclusions are made which may be useful for the Greek and E.U. decision makers regarding the process of dealing with current issues such as the 1257/99 regulation replacement （1698/2005）.展开更多
Understanding the impacts of climate change on the future growth of tree species is particularly important for conserving endemic species with limited geographic distributions,such as Serbian spruce(Picea omorika(Panc...Understanding the impacts of climate change on the future growth of tree species is particularly important for conserving endemic species with limited geographic distributions,such as Serbian spruce(Picea omorika(Pancic)Purk.).This study describes an approach to assessing the effects of future climate conditions on the growth and the implications for future management to conserve this endangered species on the IUCN Red List.To investigate the climate-growth relationship,age structure and diameter growth trends,we have sampled 231 trees across 11 locations at National Park"Tara"in western Serbia.The existence of heterogeneous age structures suggests that Serbian spruce poses considerable potential for continual regeneration in stands with open canopy.Conducted dendroclimatological analysis exhibits exceptional coherence in growth patterns within populations(Rxy 0.67–0.78),allowing the established climate-sensitive mixed-effect model to achieve conditional R^(c)^(2)=0.683.It is revealed that the radial increment of Serbian spruce is dominantly regulated by water deficit in the summer season.The rainfall amount during the spring is another meaningful climatic factor for growth trends,while minimal winter temperatures and previous autumn water balance show varying influences.Finally,the growth projections under climate change scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 foreseen reductions of up to one-third and almost half from the historical mean growth rate.The given estimations should be seen as a critical warning signal calling for immediate conversion from passive to active protection to preserve this unique species.展开更多
Critical Height Sampling(CHS)estimates stand volume free from any model and tree form assumptions.Despite its introduction more than four decades ago,CHS has not been widely applied in the field due to perceived chall...Critical Height Sampling(CHS)estimates stand volume free from any model and tree form assumptions.Despite its introduction more than four decades ago,CHS has not been widely applied in the field due to perceived challenges in measurement.The objectives of this study were to compare estimated stand volume between CHS and sampling methods that used volume or taper models,the equivalence of the sampling methods,and their relative efficiency.We established 65 field plots in planted forests of two coniferous tree species.We estimated stand volume for a range of Basal Area Factors(BAFs).Results showed that CHS produced the most similar mean stand volume across BAFs and tree species with maximum differences between BAFs of 5-18m^(3)·ha^(−1).Horizontal Point Sampling(HPS)using volume models produced very large variability in mean stand volume across BAFs with the differences up to 126m^(3)·ha^(−1).However,CHS was less precise and less efficient than HPS.Furthermore,none of the sampling methods were statistically interchangeable with CHS at an allowable tolerance of≤55m^(3)·ha^(−1).About 72%of critical height measurements were below crown base indicating that critical height was more accessible to measurement than expected.Our study suggests that the consistency in the mean estimates of CHS is a major advantage when planning a forest inventory.When checking against CHS,results hint that HPS estimates might contain potential model bias.These strengths of CHS could outweigh its lower precision.Our study also implies serious implications in financial terms when choosing a sampling method.Lastly,CHS could potentially benefit forest management as an alternate option of estimating stand volume when volume or taper models are lacking or are not reliable.展开更多
Extreme disturbance activity is a signature of anthropogenic environmental change. Empirical information describing the historical normative limits of disturbance regimes provides baseline data that facilitates the de...Extreme disturbance activity is a signature of anthropogenic environmental change. Empirical information describing the historical normative limits of disturbance regimes provides baseline data that facilitates the detection of contemporary trends in both disturbances and community-level responses. Quantifying the attributes of historical disturbances is challenging due to their transient episodic nature, with decades-to centurieslong intervals between recurrences. Unmanaged primary forests that support centuries-old trees therefore serve as unique reference systems for quantifying past disturbance regimes. We surveyed relict stands of primary beech-dominated forests over wide environmental gradients in the Carpathian Mountains of Europe. We collected core samples from 3,026 trees in 208 field survey plots distributed across 13 forest stands in two countries. We used dendrochronological methods to analyze time-series of annually-resolved ring-width variation and to identify anomalous growth patterns diagnostic of past forest canopy removal. A 180-year record(1810–1990) of spatially and temporally explicit disturbance events(n =333) was compiled and used to derive s tatistical attributes of the disturbance regime. We quantified disturbance severity(canopy area lost), patch size, and return intervals. Our analyses describe a complex regime where a background of relatively frequent, smallscale, low-to intermediate-severity disturbance was punctuated by episodic large-scale high-severity events. Even the most severe events were non-catastrophic at a stand level, leaving significant residual tree cover that supported a continuity of ecological function. We did not detect evidence for an expected climate-induced intensification of disturbance with time, but methodological limitations precluded an assessment of disturbance activity in the decades since 1990.展开更多
Herbivorous ungulates are vital elements of forest ecosystems,yet their impact on tree regeneration and forest dynamics is challenging to assess.Despite their significant influence,few studies measure browsing pressur...Herbivorous ungulates are vital elements of forest ecosystems,yet their impact on tree regeneration and forest dynamics is challenging to assess.Despite their significant influence,few studies measure browsing pressure independently of precise ungulate population data.This study aimed to determine the regeneration mechanisms of palatable tree species in natural forest ecosystems by measuring the forage abundance from young trees of focal species and estimating the browsing pressure exerted by ungulates.We analyzed an extensive dataset of 2,838 tree saplings in two national parks in Poland to examine relationships between variables using a zero-intercept linear regression,and multiple linear regression models,and performed parametric and nonparametric tests.We found that the browsing intensity index(BI)is a good predictor of browsing pressure.Both total abundance and twig dry mass loss due to ungulate browsing were more pronounced in shorter saplings,with these effects decreasing as sapling height increased.Picea abies was the most abundant browse source in the Tatra National Park(TNP),whereas Fagus sylvatica dominated in the Roztocze National Park(RNP).Acer pseudoplatanus and Sorbus aucuparia experienced significantly higher browsing pressure in the TNP,whereas Carpinus betulus was more heavily browsed than other species in the RNP.The increase in browse abundance rapidly reduced ungulate browsing pressure on highly palatable tree species.We conclude that despite the high browsing pressure on the palatable species,the contribution of browse from focal species helps to mitigate this pressure and supports their regeneration in the forest canopy.Therefore,this finding provides valuable insights for managing and conserving tree species vulnerable to ungulate browsing in natural forest ecosystems.In addition,the method we used in this study is novel to estimate browsing pressure and assess the recruitment potential of vulnerable tree species;hence,it can be applied in large-scale studies with similar scenarios.展开更多
Adsorbents with three-dimensional porous structures have gained widespread attention due to their unique characteristics,including a large surface area,high porosity,and excellent absorption capacity.One of the produc...Adsorbents with three-dimensional porous structures have gained widespread attention due to their unique characteristics,including a large surface area,high porosity,and excellent absorption capacity.One of the products is the wood sponge.The key to successfully producing wood sponges lies in an optimal multistage delignification process,which is particularly influenced by wood species,solvent,time,and temperature.The aim of this research was to analyze the characteristics of wood sponge derived from sengon wood(Falcataria moluccana Miq.)after multistage delignification.The process involved delignification using NaOH and Na_(2)SO_(3) solutions at 100℃ for 8,9 and 10 h,followed by further delignification in H_(2)O_(2) solution at 100℃ for 1,2,3,and 4 h.The samples were then frozen at -20℃ for 24 h and freeze-dried at -53℃ for 48 h.The results showed that wood sponges treated at 100℃ exhibited lower density,larger pore diameters,brighter color,and superior absorption capacity compared to untreated wood and sponges treated at room temperature for 24 h.FTIR analysis confirmed a decrease in wavelength between 1032–1035 cm^(-1),indicating the degradation of hemicellulose and lignin.XRD analysis revealed that crystallinity increased as amorphous content decreased with prolonged delignification.The wood sponges demonstrated good porosity,with an absorption capacity ranging from 0.65 to 2.24 g/g.The optimal treatment suggested in this research was multistage delignification using NaOH and Na_(2)SO_(3) solution for 10 h,followed by a 1 h treatment with H_(2)O_(2) solution.展开更多
Lonchodidae is the family with the largest number of genera in Phasmatodea.Due to the lack of complete mitochondrial genome data for most genera,it is not possible to determine the phylogenetic relationships between d...Lonchodidae is the family with the largest number of genera in Phasmatodea.Due to the lack of complete mitochondrial genome data for most genera,it is not possible to determine the phylogenetic relationships between different genera in Lonchodidae.This study reports the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence in the genus Paramenexenus,represented by the species P.congnatus.The mitochondrial genome of P.congnatus is 17,315 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes,2 ribosomal RNA genes,22 transfer RNA genes,and one non-coding control region.The evolutionary rates of the 13 PCGs in Lonchodidae,the atp8 and nad2 genes exhibit higher rates of evolution,while the coxI and cox2 gene have lower rates of evolution.We conducted phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods,with 20 species from 13 genera as ingroups and one species of Phylliidae as outgroups.The phylogenetic trees show that Lonchodidae was mainly divided into two clades,the subfamily Necrosciinae from the monophyletic group,and the genus Paramenexenus belonged to Necrosciinae.展开更多
Understanding the ecological processes shaping competitive interactions among forest trees is crucial for predicting ecosystem productivity and climate change resilience.However,few studies have investigated how the b...Understanding the ecological processes shaping competitive interactions among forest trees is crucial for predicting ecosystem productivity and climate change resilience.However,few studies have investigated how the biological attributes of tropical species may affect competitive outcomes under varying resource conditions.We collected and analysed a 10-year dataset of radial growth rates in canopy trees from a network of forest inventory plots located in divergent forest types over an extensive meteorological gradient in Ghana,West Africa.We used nonlinear models to estimate the relative reduction in potential growth(basal area increment)of individual target trees of a given species as a consequence of the combined effects of(1)target tree size,(2)variation in crowding levels by neighbouring trees,(3)the functional attributes of those neighbours(wood density and shade tolerance),and(4)local soil moisture levels.Analyses were conducted separately for the 15 most common species in the inventory network.In opposition to neutral theory,our findings indicate that the strength of interactions among competing species was distinctly asymmetric and dynamic.Wood density was an important characteristic that modified competitive outcomes for most species,particularly under varying levels of resource availability.Specifically,dense wood was an attribute that conferred comparatively stronger competitive ability in moisture-limited conditions.Larger individuals were notably less sensitive to the effects of moisture-dependent competition.Our results suggest that attributes such as wood density may reflect divergent life history strategies that differentiate species’fitness and competitive ability in varying environments.The dynamic nature of competition,influenced by a complex interplay of biological and abiotic factors,implies that more prevalent dry periods,which have been forecast for tropical Africa,may impact the physiognomy and function of future forest communities in the region.展开更多
The level of genetic variation within a breeding population affects the effectiveness of selection strategies for genetic improvement.The relationship between genetic variation level within Pinus tabuliformis breeding...The level of genetic variation within a breeding population affects the effectiveness of selection strategies for genetic improvement.The relationship between genetic variation level within Pinus tabuliformis breeding populations and selection strategies or selection effectiveness is not fully investigated.Here,we compared the selection effectiveness of combined and individual direct selection strategies using half-and full-sib families produced from advanced-generation P.tabuliformis seed orchard as our test populations.Our results revealed that,within half-sib families,average diameter at breast height(DBH),tree height,and volume growth of superior individuals selected by the direct selection strategy were higher by 7.72%,18.56%,and 31.01%,respectively,than those selected by the combined selection strategy.Furthermore,significant differences(P<0.01)were observed between the two strategies in terms of the expected genetic gains for average tree height and volume.In contrast,within full-sib families,the differences in tree average DBH,height,and volume between the two selection strategies were relatively minor with increase of 0.17%,2.73%,and 2.21%,respectively,and no significant differences were found in the average expected genetic gains for the studied traits.Half-sib families exhibited greater phenotypic and genetic variation,resulting in improved selection efficiency with the direct selection strategy but also introduced a level of inbreeding risk.Based on genetic distance estimates using molecular markers,our comparative seed orchard design analysis showed that the Improved Adaptive Genetic Programming Algorithm(IAPGA)reduced the average inbreeding coefficient by 14.36% and 14.73% compared to sequential and random designs,respectively.In conclusion,the combination of the direct selection strategy with IAPGA seed orchard design aimed at minimizing inbreeding offered an efficient approach for establishing advanced-generation P.tabuliformis seed orchards.展开更多
Forest ecosystems are one of the largest terres-trial carbon(C)reservoirs on Earth and an important sink of anthropogenic CO_(2) emissions.Abiotic and biotic distur-bances such as windfalls,fires,outbreaks of insects ...Forest ecosystems are one of the largest terres-trial carbon(C)reservoirs on Earth and an important sink of anthropogenic CO_(2) emissions.Abiotic and biotic distur-bances such as windfalls,fires,outbreaks of insects or pests may negatively affect C storage in forest ecosystems decreas-ing their role as CO_(2) sink.The objective of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the impact of large-scale forest ecosystem disturbances caused by windthrow and insect outbreaks on soil C stocks and cycles,and to gather information on the impact of restoration treatments performed in disturbed stands in the context of carbon accumulation in forest soils.Discussed were effects of wind-storms and insect outbreaks as well as impacts of various approaches of forest regeneration after disturbance on C stocks and fluxes.Disturbances decrease C stocks in forest ecosystems and turn them from C sink into C source for a certain time.Regeneration of the disturbed forest restores its role as a CO_(2) sink.In montane forests artificial afforestation seems to shorten the time of achieving C parity.However,no data exists for lowland forests.Hence,there is an urgent need for studies that assess effect of windfalls and insect outbreaks on carbon storage in forests of lowland Europe.展开更多
Anthropogenic activities have significantly contributed to the loss and fragmentation of primary forests across the globe,which has accelerated biodiversity decline,particularly among highly specialised species depend...Anthropogenic activities have significantly contributed to the loss and fragmentation of primary forests across the globe,which has accelerated biodiversity decline,particularly among highly specialised species dependent on unique forest structures.Nevertheless,comparative studies between primary and managed forests are scarce,despite their importance for effective monitoring and conservation planning.To address this knowledge gap,we conducted a comparative study using a unique dataset of permanent study plots established across some of the best-preserved,mixed-beech primary forests and their adjacent managed counterparts in the Western Carpathian Mountains.We assessed the effects of forest structure and tree age—determined through extensive dendrochronological reconstructions—on contemporary lichen communities.Lichen species richness and the richness of red-listed species were 26%and 50%higher in primary forests than in managed forests,respectively,highlighting the outstanding conservation importance of primary forests.Generalised least squares(GLS)modelling demonstrated that in managed forests,lichen species richness was strongly associated with structural attributes:It increased with maximum tree age and the diameter of standing deadwood,and decreased with higher basal area(BA)of living trees,likely due to reduced understory light.In contrast,no structural variables significantly explained richness in primary forests,likely due to structural saturation and widespread microhabitat availability.Elevation emerged as the sole variable with significant explanatory strength.These findings underscore the critical role of structural complexity in supporting lichen diversity under different management regimes and provide a robust evidence base for promoting elements such as old trees,deadwood—especially large standing deadwood—and reduced canopy density.At the same time,they reaffirm the irreplaceable value of primary forests as biodiversity refuges and highlight the need for landscape-level conservation strategies that integrate both intact primary and structurally enriched managed forests.展开更多
Activated charcoals were synthesized from sugar palm bunches(SPB)of the native tree of Arenga longipes in Indonesia.The synthesized activated charcoal(AC)was characterized,and utilized as an absorbent for heavy metals...Activated charcoals were synthesized from sugar palm bunches(SPB)of the native tree of Arenga longipes in Indonesia.The synthesized activated charcoal(AC)was characterized,and utilized as an absorbent for heavy metals(lead/Pb and copper/Cu)through thermal activation.The synthesis of AC was accomplished through furnace activation at temperatures of 500℃,600℃,700℃,and 800℃.Acid chlorides were blended with the SPB-AC samples at 5%impregnation level and subsequently subjected to washing for activation,resulting in the elimination of volatile substances and ash content,which facilitates the development of a porous structure in the activated charcoal.The proximate analysis results indicated a reduction in weight and moisture content with an increase in activation temperature.The C-O,C=C,O-H stretching chains were not visible in the SPB-AC,indicating that the chains were broken after activation.The treatments at 600℃ and 700℃ exhibited superior thermal stability relative to the others.Moreover,there was a notable reduction in the signal strength of low-crystallinity amorphous carbon,indicating that the high-temperature treatment substantially altered the structural characteristics of the crystal.The SPB-AC produced at 700℃ exhibited a primarily microporous architecture,characterized by a maximal surface area,reduced total pore volume,and small particle size.In conclusion,elevating the activation temperature to 700℃ leads to notable improvement in the adsorption of Pb(91.61%)and Cu(95.19%)metals.展开更多
We tested the effectiveness of the gradual removal of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)in former plantations of this species in Roztocze National Park(SE Poland)to support the restoration of natural herbaceous flora and...We tested the effectiveness of the gradual removal of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)in former plantations of this species in Roztocze National Park(SE Poland)to support the restoration of natural herbaceous flora and forest structure.We compared 0.5-ha study plots subjected to selective removal of pine trees with control plots excluded from any kind of human intervention for half a century.The observed changes in forest floor vegetation in the converted plots showed naturalization towards habitat-specific species.However,differences in the spatial distribution of trees between the treatment and control plots showed no universal pattern and revealed subtle but positive shifts from regular to random or clustered patterns.The mean tree diameters were higher in plots subjected to Scots pine removal,which resulted from the vigorous growth of tree species,consistent with habitat types.We conclude that forest restoration through the removal of planted trees can support the naturalization of former Scots pine plantations in protected areas.However,the selection of an appropriate method and its intensity are of vital importance.Methods that resemble typical management practices,such as selection thinning,are not always the best approach,as they may preserve or even increase the regular distribution of trees.Therefore,for restoration purposes,we recommend testing other methods that increase spatial heterogeneity,including systematic cutting or emulating natural disturbances.In addition,low-intensity thinning may not be sufficient to support the restoration of natural forest floor vegetation and the variability in forest stand structure.展开更多
Furfurylation,a renowned chemical modification technique,uses furfuryl alcohol to enhance the properties of wood.This technology can be further refined by incorporating renewable tannins,which promote cross-linking wi...Furfurylation,a renowned chemical modification technique,uses furfuryl alcohol to enhance the properties of wood.This technology can be further refined by incorporating renewable tannins,which promote cross-linking with furfuryl alcohol.This study investigates the effects of furfurylation and tannin-modified furfurylation on the physical and mechanical properties of tropical Gmelina wood(Gmelina arborea Roxb.).Experiments involved impregnating Gmelina wood with aqueous solutions of furfuryl alcohol(FA)at 40%and 70%concentrations,as well as FA-tannin combinations(FA 40%-TA and FA 70%-TA),followed by polymerization at 103℃.The results demonstrated that both FA and FA-tannin treatments significantly improved the wood’s physical and mechanical properties.Notably,FA-tannin treatments achieved anti-swelling efficiency comparable to FA alone.However,the addition of tannins(FA 70%-TA)enhanced leaching resistance by up to 47%,contributing to a more environmentally sustainable modification process.Mechanically,the inclusion of tannins in FA 70%-TA slightly increased the modulus of elasticity(14%~8732 kg/cm^(2))and the modulus of rupture(9%~40.9 kg/cm^(2)).Furthermore,the tannin addition imparted a darker color to the modified wood,enhancing its aesthetic appeal.This study highlights the potential of tannin-modified furfurylation to advance wood modification technology,combining improved performance with environmental benefits.展开更多
The significant amount of ash content in agricultural biomass presents an enormous challenge for efficient conversion processes.In addressing this issue,various deashing treatments have been tested and established,inc...The significant amount of ash content in agricultural biomass presents an enormous challenge for efficient conversion processes.In addressing this issue,various deashing treatments have been tested and established,including simple leaching techniques,which can either be performed with or without the addition of chemical agents.These techniques hold promise for improving the deashing efficiency while potentially altering the structural and chemical composition of biomass,specifically lignin content,which is the key focus of this review.This review starts by exploring the presence of ash in agricultural residues and its impact on biomass properties.Next,this review examines deashing strategies aimed at reducing ash levels in biomass followed by analysis of the resulting changes in lignin physical and chemical properties as well as its thermal characteristics.The final part of this review is concluded by the discussion on the limitations of current approaches and the possible future directions to address the challenges covering the environmental impacts of the deashing treatments.A green process approach is emphasized as a sustainable solution with the aim to minimize negative environmental impacts associated with chemical usage during deashing.Finally,this review highlights the potential for ash recovery as a byproduct of the deashing processes,paving the way for an integrative,closed-loop approach within the biorefinery concept.展开更多
Assessing the benefits and costs of digitalization in the energy industry is a complex issue.Traditional cost-benefit analysis(CBA)might encounter problems in addressing uncertainties,dynamic stakeholder interactions,...Assessing the benefits and costs of digitalization in the energy industry is a complex issue.Traditional cost-benefit analysis(CBA)might encounter problems in addressing uncertainties,dynamic stakeholder interactions,and feedback loops arising out of the evolving nature of digitalization.This paper introduces a methodological framework to help address the intricate inter connections between digital applications and business models in the energy industry.The proposed framework leverages system dynamics to achieve two primary objectives.It investigates how digitalization generally influences the value proposi-tion,value capture,and value creation dimensions of business models.It also quantifies the financial and social impacts of digitalization from a dynamic perspective.The proposed dynamic CBA allows for a more precise quantification of the benefits and costs,associated with evidence-based decision-making.Findings from an illustrative case study challenge the static assumptions of conventional methods.These methods often presume continuous operation,neglecting reinvestment and operational feedback loops,and resulting in negative net present values.Conversely,the outcomes of the proposed method indicate positive net present values when accounting for factors such as reinvestment rates and the will-ingness to invest in digitalization projects.The principles outlined in this paper can enable a more accu-rate assessment of digitalization projects,thus catalyzing the development of new CBA applications and guidelines for digitalization.展开更多
Indonesia,with its vast forested regions,has experienced significant deforestation,adversely affecting the wood industry.As a result,alternative sources of lignocellulosic biomass are required to mitigate this impact....Indonesia,with its vast forested regions,has experienced significant deforestation,adversely affecting the wood industry.As a result,alternative sources of lignocellulosic biomass are required to mitigate this impact.Among the abundant lignocellulosic raw materials in Indonesia,particularly in Sumatra,bamboo stands out as a promising substitute.Bamboo is a highly versatile resource,suitable for various applications,including its use as a composite raw material to replace traditional wood-based products.This research work aimed to investigate and evaluate the characteristics—morphology,anatomy,physical and mechanical properties,chemical composition,starch content,and natural resistance—of three bamboo species:hitam bamboo(Gigantochloa atroviolacea),betung bamboo(Dendrocalamus asper),and belangke bamboo(Gigantochloa pruriens),as well as their suitability for the production of oriented strand boards(OSB).The lumen values of the bamboo samples ranged between 10 and 15μm,with hitam and betung bamboo exhibitingmedium-thickness cell walls(>5μm).Based on fiber dimension analysis,belangke,and betung bamboo are classified within quality class II,whereas hitam bamboo falls into class Ⅰ.The highest recorded tensile,shear,and compressive mechanical strength values were observed at the tips of hitam bamboo,measuring 563.43 MPa,15 MPa,and 6.87 kN/mm^(2),respectively.The bamboo samples underwent three different treatments:(1)immersion in water for 24 h,(2)autoclaving at 120℃ for 1 h,and(3)a control group with no treatment.OSB panels were produced with dimensions of 20 cm×20 cm×1 cm(length×width×thickness)using isocyanate adhesive and conditioned for 14 days.The physical and mechanical properties of the OSBs were evaluated based on the Japan Industrial Standard(JIS)A5908:2003 and theCanadian StandardsAssociation(CSA)0437.0:2011 criteria.The density of the laboratory-produced OSB panels ranged from 0.60 to 0.73 g/cm^(3),moisture content varied from5.4% to 8.1%,water absorption ranged between 31.6% and 45.8%,and thickness swelling was recorded at 5.1% to 16.3%.The modulus of elasticity(MOE)ranged from2745.1 to 7813.3 MPa,themodulus of rupture(MOR)from 30.8 to 58.8MPa,and internal bonding(IB)from 0.27 to 0.47 MPa.Overall,all OSB panels produced in this study met the specifications outlined in JIS A 5908(2003)and CSA 0437.0(2011),demonstrating the viability of these bamboo species as raw materials for OSB production.展开更多
基金supported by the Swedish Government Research Council for Sustainable Development(Formas)grant#2023-00994.
文摘Background: Continuous Cover Forestry(CCF) is a type of forest management that is based on ecological, environmental, and biological principles. Specific definitions of CCF greatly vary and the concept usually includes a number of tenets or criteria. The most important tenet of CCF is the requirement to abandon the practice of largescale clearfelling in favour of selective thinning/harvesting and natural regeneration methods.Methods: CCF is commonly believed to have its main origin in an academic debate that was conducted through publications in a number of European and North American countries towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Our findings are exclusively based on a literature review of the history of CCF and they revealed that the European origins of CCF go much further back to a form of farm forestry that started to be practised in Central Europe in the 17th century. Eventually, this type of farm forestry led to the formation of the single-tree selection system as we know it today. Another influential tradition line contributing to modern CCF is individual-based forest management, which breaks forest stands down into small neighbourhood-based units. The centres of these units are dominant frame trees which form the framework of a forest stand. Consequently, management is only carried out in the local neighbourhood of frame trees. Individual-based forest management also modified inflexible area-control approaches of plantation forest management in favour of the flexible sizecontrol method.Results and conclusions: We found evidence that the three aforementioned tradition lines are equally important and much interacted in shaping modern CCF. Since CCF is an international accomplishment, it is helpful to thoroughly study the drivers and causes of such concepts. Understanding the gradual evolution can give valuable clues for the introduction and adaptation of CCF in countries where the concept is new.
基金funded by the China Green Carbon Foundation and the Faculty of Forestry,University of British Columbia。
文摘Emissions trading schemes(ETSs)have been a central component of international climate change policies,as a carbon pricing tool to achieve emissions reduction targets.Forest carbon offset credits have been leveraged in many ETSs to efficiently meet emission reduction targets,yet there is little knowledge about the perceptions,experiences,and challenges associated with the forest carbon offsetting in existing and pilot ETS.Given that the future inclusion of forest carbon offset in ETS management activities and policies will require strong support and acceptability among the institutions and experts involved in ETS,this study explores the experiences and lessons learned with 16 globally engaging experts representing major existing ETSs(North America,Europe,and New Zealand)and Chinese pilot ETSs towards the inclusion of forestry offsets,major concerns and challenges with existing implementation models.Findings revealed that many respondents particularly from North America,New Zealand,and Chinese pilot systems portrayed positive attitudes toward the inclusion of forestry carbon offsets and its role in contributing to a viable ETS,while European experts were not supportive.Respondents cited leakage,permanence,additionality,and monitoring design features as the major challenges and concerns that inhibit the expansion and inclusion of forest carbon offsetting.Respondents from Chinese pilot schemes referenced a unique set of challenges related to implementation,including the increasing cost of afforestation and reforestation projects,the uncertainty in the future supply and demand for their national Certified Emissions Reduction(CER)scheme and landowner engagement.Existing and future ETSs should learn from and address the challenges experienced by global experts and carbon pricing mechanisms to design,evaluate,or enhance their forest carbon offset programs for an effective and viable system that successfully contributes to GHG mitigation practices globally.We recommend inclusion of forest carbon offsets at the early stages of ETS improves the perceptions and experience of policy makers and practitioners toward the success and potential of forestry offsets in ETS ensuring familiarity and confidence in the mechanism.
基金Asia-Pacifi c Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation SFM-ORE-2018。
文摘Innovation in forestry education is needed to address changing contexts of the positionality of forests.This is particularly signifi cant in the Asia–Pacifi c region,where deforestation and degradation are high.However,the accessibility of high-quality forestry education to address changing regional and global contexts is lacking.A series of innovative sustainable forest management(SFM)open education resource(OER)courses were developed and implemented to improve the accessibility of SFM education to enhance teaching quality,curriculum,and research capacity of universities in the Asia-Pacifi c Region.To evaluate the SFM-OER program in terms of student experiences,this study investigated student achievement,perceived success of the pedagogical approach and instructional design,and perceived eff ectiveness of the learning activities in promoting active and transformative learning through the assessment of a 1,191-course feedback survey between 2018 and 2020,including the global pandemic.This study revealed that the program attracted diverse student demographics,including a higher proportion of female students majoring in forestry,ecology,and other environmental studies.Their primary motivation to participate in the courses was to gain international experience,followed by the fl exibility of online learning,mandatory course requirements,and earning course credits.Students were satisfi ed with the Canvas learning management system.Most students spent less than 5 to 10 h of their weekly time in the course and agreed or strongly agreed that the workloads were manageable.Students refl ected positively on various learning activities and assignments,such as watching lecture videos,taking quizzes,reading and summarizing,having discussions,and peer review writing.However,they did not clearly prefer specifi c learning activities,signifying the importance of using diverse learning activities to satisfy diverse individual learning styles in online settings.This analysis contributes to the further development of student-centered pedagogical development for online learning and provides insight into the ways forward for online higher forestry education,while repurposing existing OER courses in a post-Covid-19 era.
文摘One of the objectives of the 1257/99 EU regulation was that rural populations should be able to gain an extra income. This regulation may not be any longer in force, but soon a new one will replace it. The plantations that are created by Greek farmers more specifically the plantations of poplar trees-have a ten-year rotation at least. This means that the time between the establishment of the plantation and the harvest is high. As a consequence, during this time, the market environment （e.g. prices） may face substantial changes. Frequently, these changes are so immense that producers are driven in economic distress. This situation is also linked to the domestic timber supply and imports, and as a result to the product prices. Concerning the market prices of poplar trees, one additional factor that has probably deteriorated the situation is the E.U. expansion. This paper examines a case study in North Greece. Vital conclusions are made which may be useful for the Greek and E.U. decision makers regarding the process of dealing with current issues such as the 1257/99 regulation replacement （1698/2005）.
基金supported by the perennial project activities financed by National Park“Tara”(grants no.1159&1344)The research engagement of M.K.and B.S.was supported by the Ministry of Education,Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia within the framework of the program technological development(grant no.200169)+1 种基金The work of M.K.was also supported by the Science Fond of the Republic of Serbia,grant no.6686EO and in situ based information framework to support generating Carbon Credits in forestry-ForestCO2。
文摘Understanding the impacts of climate change on the future growth of tree species is particularly important for conserving endemic species with limited geographic distributions,such as Serbian spruce(Picea omorika(Pancic)Purk.).This study describes an approach to assessing the effects of future climate conditions on the growth and the implications for future management to conserve this endangered species on the IUCN Red List.To investigate the climate-growth relationship,age structure and diameter growth trends,we have sampled 231 trees across 11 locations at National Park"Tara"in western Serbia.The existence of heterogeneous age structures suggests that Serbian spruce poses considerable potential for continual regeneration in stands with open canopy.Conducted dendroclimatological analysis exhibits exceptional coherence in growth patterns within populations(Rxy 0.67–0.78),allowing the established climate-sensitive mixed-effect model to achieve conditional R^(c)^(2)=0.683.It is revealed that the radial increment of Serbian spruce is dominantly regulated by water deficit in the summer season.The rainfall amount during the spring is another meaningful climatic factor for growth trends,while minimal winter temperatures and previous autumn water balance show varying influences.Finally,the growth projections under climate change scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 foreseen reductions of up to one-third and almost half from the historical mean growth rate.The given estimations should be seen as a critical warning signal calling for immediate conversion from passive to active protection to preserve this unique species.
文摘Critical Height Sampling(CHS)estimates stand volume free from any model and tree form assumptions.Despite its introduction more than four decades ago,CHS has not been widely applied in the field due to perceived challenges in measurement.The objectives of this study were to compare estimated stand volume between CHS and sampling methods that used volume or taper models,the equivalence of the sampling methods,and their relative efficiency.We established 65 field plots in planted forests of two coniferous tree species.We estimated stand volume for a range of Basal Area Factors(BAFs).Results showed that CHS produced the most similar mean stand volume across BAFs and tree species with maximum differences between BAFs of 5-18m^(3)·ha^(−1).Horizontal Point Sampling(HPS)using volume models produced very large variability in mean stand volume across BAFs with the differences up to 126m^(3)·ha^(−1).However,CHS was less precise and less efficient than HPS.Furthermore,none of the sampling methods were statistically interchangeable with CHS at an allowable tolerance of≤55m^(3)·ha^(−1).About 72%of critical height measurements were below crown base indicating that critical height was more accessible to measurement than expected.Our study suggests that the consistency in the mean estimates of CHS is a major advantage when planning a forest inventory.When checking against CHS,results hint that HPS estimates might contain potential model bias.These strengths of CHS could outweigh its lower precision.Our study also implies serious implications in financial terms when choosing a sampling method.Lastly,CHS could potentially benefit forest management as an alternate option of estimating stand volume when volume or taper models are lacking or are not reliable.
基金supported by the Czech Science Foundation project GACR21-27454STechnology Agency of the Czech Republic(project Center for Landscape and Biodiversity,SS02030018).
文摘Extreme disturbance activity is a signature of anthropogenic environmental change. Empirical information describing the historical normative limits of disturbance regimes provides baseline data that facilitates the detection of contemporary trends in both disturbances and community-level responses. Quantifying the attributes of historical disturbances is challenging due to their transient episodic nature, with decades-to centurieslong intervals between recurrences. Unmanaged primary forests that support centuries-old trees therefore serve as unique reference systems for quantifying past disturbance regimes. We surveyed relict stands of primary beech-dominated forests over wide environmental gradients in the Carpathian Mountains of Europe. We collected core samples from 3,026 trees in 208 field survey plots distributed across 13 forest stands in two countries. We used dendrochronological methods to analyze time-series of annually-resolved ring-width variation and to identify anomalous growth patterns diagnostic of past forest canopy removal. A 180-year record(1810–1990) of spatially and temporally explicit disturbance events(n =333) was compiled and used to derive s tatistical attributes of the disturbance regime. We quantified disturbance severity(canopy area lost), patch size, and return intervals. Our analyses describe a complex regime where a background of relatively frequent, smallscale, low-to intermediate-severity disturbance was punctuated by episodic large-scale high-severity events. Even the most severe events were non-catastrophic at a stand level, leaving significant residual tree cover that supported a continuity of ecological function. We did not detect evidence for an expected climate-induced intensification of disturbance with time, but methodological limitations precluded an assessment of disturbance activity in the decades since 1990.
基金funded by Polish National Science Foundation(NCN)(grant No.2018/31/B/NZ8/02786,project title:“How do largescale disturbances influence the relationship between ungulate herbivory and natural regeneration in temperate forests?”)from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland within the framework of statutory activities SUB/040011-D019/2020 of the Department of Forest Biodiversity,University of Agriculture in Krakow.
文摘Herbivorous ungulates are vital elements of forest ecosystems,yet their impact on tree regeneration and forest dynamics is challenging to assess.Despite their significant influence,few studies measure browsing pressure independently of precise ungulate population data.This study aimed to determine the regeneration mechanisms of palatable tree species in natural forest ecosystems by measuring the forage abundance from young trees of focal species and estimating the browsing pressure exerted by ungulates.We analyzed an extensive dataset of 2,838 tree saplings in two national parks in Poland to examine relationships between variables using a zero-intercept linear regression,and multiple linear regression models,and performed parametric and nonparametric tests.We found that the browsing intensity index(BI)is a good predictor of browsing pressure.Both total abundance and twig dry mass loss due to ungulate browsing were more pronounced in shorter saplings,with these effects decreasing as sapling height increased.Picea abies was the most abundant browse source in the Tatra National Park(TNP),whereas Fagus sylvatica dominated in the Roztocze National Park(RNP).Acer pseudoplatanus and Sorbus aucuparia experienced significantly higher browsing pressure in the TNP,whereas Carpinus betulus was more heavily browsed than other species in the RNP.The increase in browse abundance rapidly reduced ungulate browsing pressure on highly palatable tree species.We conclude that despite the high browsing pressure on the palatable species,the contribution of browse from focal species helps to mitigate this pressure and supports their regeneration in the forest canopy.Therefore,this finding provides valuable insights for managing and conserving tree species vulnerable to ungulate browsing in natural forest ecosystems.In addition,the method we used in this study is novel to estimate browsing pressure and assess the recruitment potential of vulnerable tree species;hence,it can be applied in large-scale studies with similar scenarios.
基金funded by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization of Japan(NEDO)—NET ZERO EMISSION TA 2023 BATCH-2—with the Grant Number 28/Ⅲ.5/HK/2023Research Program by Research Organization of Nanotechnology and Materials,National Research and Innovation Agency(Grant Number B-1484/Ⅲ.10/TK.01.00/2/2024)Research Program by Research Assistant,National Research and Innovation Agency(Grant Number B-6932/Ⅱ.5/S1.06.01/9/2023).
文摘Adsorbents with three-dimensional porous structures have gained widespread attention due to their unique characteristics,including a large surface area,high porosity,and excellent absorption capacity.One of the products is the wood sponge.The key to successfully producing wood sponges lies in an optimal multistage delignification process,which is particularly influenced by wood species,solvent,time,and temperature.The aim of this research was to analyze the characteristics of wood sponge derived from sengon wood(Falcataria moluccana Miq.)after multistage delignification.The process involved delignification using NaOH and Na_(2)SO_(3) solutions at 100℃ for 8,9 and 10 h,followed by further delignification in H_(2)O_(2) solution at 100℃ for 1,2,3,and 4 h.The samples were then frozen at -20℃ for 24 h and freeze-dried at -53℃ for 48 h.The results showed that wood sponges treated at 100℃ exhibited lower density,larger pore diameters,brighter color,and superior absorption capacity compared to untreated wood and sponges treated at room temperature for 24 h.FTIR analysis confirmed a decrease in wavelength between 1032–1035 cm^(-1),indicating the degradation of hemicellulose and lignin.XRD analysis revealed that crystallinity increased as amorphous content decreased with prolonged delignification.The wood sponges demonstrated good porosity,with an absorption capacity ranging from 0.65 to 2.24 g/g.The optimal treatment suggested in this research was multistage delignification using NaOH and Na_(2)SO_(3) solution for 10 h,followed by a 1 h treatment with H_(2)O_(2) solution.
基金supported by the Yunnan Provincial High-level Talent Training Support Program"Youth Top-notch Talent"Special Project(YNWR-QNBJ-2020-176)the Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects(202001AT070142)the Open Foundation of Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province(ZKJS-T-202205).
文摘Lonchodidae is the family with the largest number of genera in Phasmatodea.Due to the lack of complete mitochondrial genome data for most genera,it is not possible to determine the phylogenetic relationships between different genera in Lonchodidae.This study reports the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence in the genus Paramenexenus,represented by the species P.congnatus.The mitochondrial genome of P.congnatus is 17,315 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes,2 ribosomal RNA genes,22 transfer RNA genes,and one non-coding control region.The evolutionary rates of the 13 PCGs in Lonchodidae,the atp8 and nad2 genes exhibit higher rates of evolution,while the coxI and cox2 gene have lower rates of evolution.We conducted phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods,with 20 species from 13 genera as ingroups and one species of Phylliidae as outgroups.The phylogenetic trees show that Lonchodidae was mainly divided into two clades,the subfamily Necrosciinae from the monophyletic group,and the genus Paramenexenus belonged to Necrosciinae.
基金We express our gratitude to the Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences,Czech University of Life Sciences,Prague(Grant No.IGA A_24_24)the Ministry of Education,Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic(Grant INTER-TRANSFER No.LTT20017)for funding this study.
文摘Understanding the ecological processes shaping competitive interactions among forest trees is crucial for predicting ecosystem productivity and climate change resilience.However,few studies have investigated how the biological attributes of tropical species may affect competitive outcomes under varying resource conditions.We collected and analysed a 10-year dataset of radial growth rates in canopy trees from a network of forest inventory plots located in divergent forest types over an extensive meteorological gradient in Ghana,West Africa.We used nonlinear models to estimate the relative reduction in potential growth(basal area increment)of individual target trees of a given species as a consequence of the combined effects of(1)target tree size,(2)variation in crowding levels by neighbouring trees,(3)the functional attributes of those neighbours(wood density and shade tolerance),and(4)local soil moisture levels.Analyses were conducted separately for the 15 most common species in the inventory network.In opposition to neutral theory,our findings indicate that the strength of interactions among competing species was distinctly asymmetric and dynamic.Wood density was an important characteristic that modified competitive outcomes for most species,particularly under varying levels of resource availability.Specifically,dense wood was an attribute that conferred comparatively stronger competitive ability in moisture-limited conditions.Larger individuals were notably less sensitive to the effects of moisture-dependent competition.Our results suggest that attributes such as wood density may reflect divergent life history strategies that differentiate species’fitness and competitive ability in varying environments.The dynamic nature of competition,influenced by a complex interplay of biological and abiotic factors,implies that more prevalent dry periods,which have been forecast for tropical Africa,may impact the physiognomy and function of future forest communities in the region.
基金financially supported by the Biological BreedingNational Science and Technology Major Project(2023ZD0405806)the National Key R&D Program for the 14th Five-Year Plan in China(2022YFD2200304).
文摘The level of genetic variation within a breeding population affects the effectiveness of selection strategies for genetic improvement.The relationship between genetic variation level within Pinus tabuliformis breeding populations and selection strategies or selection effectiveness is not fully investigated.Here,we compared the selection effectiveness of combined and individual direct selection strategies using half-and full-sib families produced from advanced-generation P.tabuliformis seed orchard as our test populations.Our results revealed that,within half-sib families,average diameter at breast height(DBH),tree height,and volume growth of superior individuals selected by the direct selection strategy were higher by 7.72%,18.56%,and 31.01%,respectively,than those selected by the combined selection strategy.Furthermore,significant differences(P<0.01)were observed between the two strategies in terms of the expected genetic gains for average tree height and volume.In contrast,within full-sib families,the differences in tree average DBH,height,and volume between the two selection strategies were relatively minor with increase of 0.17%,2.73%,and 2.21%,respectively,and no significant differences were found in the average expected genetic gains for the studied traits.Half-sib families exhibited greater phenotypic and genetic variation,resulting in improved selection efficiency with the direct selection strategy but also introduced a level of inbreeding risk.Based on genetic distance estimates using molecular markers,our comparative seed orchard design analysis showed that the Improved Adaptive Genetic Programming Algorithm(IAPGA)reduced the average inbreeding coefficient by 14.36% and 14.73% compared to sequential and random designs,respectively.In conclusion,the combination of the direct selection strategy with IAPGA seed orchard design aimed at minimizing inbreeding offered an efficient approach for establishing advanced-generation P.tabuliformis seed orchards.
基金funded by DGLP-General Directorate of the State Forest,Poland,in frame of the grant:“Changes in the carbon fixation potential of forest ecosystems in various regeneration scenarios after large-scale disturbances and stand decay in the context of climate protection and the role of forest management”,Agreement No.MZ.271.3.12.2023.University Grant No.BZ 4436/WL URK.
文摘Forest ecosystems are one of the largest terres-trial carbon(C)reservoirs on Earth and an important sink of anthropogenic CO_(2) emissions.Abiotic and biotic distur-bances such as windfalls,fires,outbreaks of insects or pests may negatively affect C storage in forest ecosystems decreas-ing their role as CO_(2) sink.The objective of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the impact of large-scale forest ecosystem disturbances caused by windthrow and insect outbreaks on soil C stocks and cycles,and to gather information on the impact of restoration treatments performed in disturbed stands in the context of carbon accumulation in forest soils.Discussed were effects of wind-storms and insect outbreaks as well as impacts of various approaches of forest regeneration after disturbance on C stocks and fluxes.Disturbances decrease C stocks in forest ecosystems and turn them from C sink into C source for a certain time.Regeneration of the disturbed forest restores its role as a CO_(2) sink.In montane forests artificial afforestation seems to shorten the time of achieving C parity.However,no data exists for lowland forests.Hence,there is an urgent need for studies that assess effect of windfalls and insect outbreaks on carbon storage in forests of lowland Europe.
基金Funding for this research was provided by the TAČR SS06010420the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague(grant no.IGA A_13_23).
文摘Anthropogenic activities have significantly contributed to the loss and fragmentation of primary forests across the globe,which has accelerated biodiversity decline,particularly among highly specialised species dependent on unique forest structures.Nevertheless,comparative studies between primary and managed forests are scarce,despite their importance for effective monitoring and conservation planning.To address this knowledge gap,we conducted a comparative study using a unique dataset of permanent study plots established across some of the best-preserved,mixed-beech primary forests and their adjacent managed counterparts in the Western Carpathian Mountains.We assessed the effects of forest structure and tree age—determined through extensive dendrochronological reconstructions—on contemporary lichen communities.Lichen species richness and the richness of red-listed species were 26%and 50%higher in primary forests than in managed forests,respectively,highlighting the outstanding conservation importance of primary forests.Generalised least squares(GLS)modelling demonstrated that in managed forests,lichen species richness was strongly associated with structural attributes:It increased with maximum tree age and the diameter of standing deadwood,and decreased with higher basal area(BA)of living trees,likely due to reduced understory light.In contrast,no structural variables significantly explained richness in primary forests,likely due to structural saturation and widespread microhabitat availability.Elevation emerged as the sole variable with significant explanatory strength.These findings underscore the critical role of structural complexity in supporting lichen diversity under different management regimes and provide a robust evidence base for promoting elements such as old trees,deadwood—especially large standing deadwood—and reduced canopy density.At the same time,they reaffirm the irreplaceable value of primary forests as biodiversity refuges and highlight the need for landscape-level conservation strategies that integrate both intact primary and structurally enriched managed forests.
基金the Government Collaboration Research Scheme of the TALENTA Grant of Universitas Sumatera Utara,No.41/UN5.2.3.1/PPM/KP-TALENTA/R/2023,29 August 2023.
文摘Activated charcoals were synthesized from sugar palm bunches(SPB)of the native tree of Arenga longipes in Indonesia.The synthesized activated charcoal(AC)was characterized,and utilized as an absorbent for heavy metals(lead/Pb and copper/Cu)through thermal activation.The synthesis of AC was accomplished through furnace activation at temperatures of 500℃,600℃,700℃,and 800℃.Acid chlorides were blended with the SPB-AC samples at 5%impregnation level and subsequently subjected to washing for activation,resulting in the elimination of volatile substances and ash content,which facilitates the development of a porous structure in the activated charcoal.The proximate analysis results indicated a reduction in weight and moisture content with an increase in activation temperature.The C-O,C=C,O-H stretching chains were not visible in the SPB-AC,indicating that the chains were broken after activation.The treatments at 600℃ and 700℃ exhibited superior thermal stability relative to the others.Moreover,there was a notable reduction in the signal strength of low-crystallinity amorphous carbon,indicating that the high-temperature treatment substantially altered the structural characteristics of the crystal.The SPB-AC produced at 700℃ exhibited a primarily microporous architecture,characterized by a maximal surface area,reduced total pore volume,and small particle size.In conclusion,elevating the activation temperature to 700℃ leads to notable improvement in the adsorption of Pb(91.61%)and Cu(95.19%)metals.
基金financially supported by a grant from the Forest Fund of the Polish State Forests(Grant No.EZ.0290.1.16.2021).
文摘We tested the effectiveness of the gradual removal of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)in former plantations of this species in Roztocze National Park(SE Poland)to support the restoration of natural herbaceous flora and forest structure.We compared 0.5-ha study plots subjected to selective removal of pine trees with control plots excluded from any kind of human intervention for half a century.The observed changes in forest floor vegetation in the converted plots showed naturalization towards habitat-specific species.However,differences in the spatial distribution of trees between the treatment and control plots showed no universal pattern and revealed subtle but positive shifts from regular to random or clustered patterns.The mean tree diameters were higher in plots subjected to Scots pine removal,which resulted from the vigorous growth of tree species,consistent with habitat types.We conclude that forest restoration through the removal of planted trees can support the naturalization of former Scots pine plantations in protected areas.However,the selection of an appropriate method and its intensity are of vital importance.Methods that resemble typical management practices,such as selection thinning,are not always the best approach,as they may preserve or even increase the regular distribution of trees.Therefore,for restoration purposes,we recommend testing other methods that increase spatial heterogeneity,including systematic cutting or emulating natural disturbances.In addition,low-intensity thinning may not be sufficient to support the restoration of natural forest floor vegetation and the variability in forest stand structure.
基金funded by the Directorate General of Higher Education,Research,and Technology,Ministry of Education,Culture,Research,and Technology,Indonesia,which sponsored the research grant via the National Competitive Basic Research Scheme,No.027/E5/PG.02.00.PL/2024facilitated by IPB University(Bogor Agricultural University)through Research Contract No.22055/IT3.D10/PT.01.03/P/B/2024+1 种基金funded by Research Organization for Nanotechnology and Materials No.3/III.10/HK/2023National Research and Innovation Agency(BRIN),Indonesia.
文摘Furfurylation,a renowned chemical modification technique,uses furfuryl alcohol to enhance the properties of wood.This technology can be further refined by incorporating renewable tannins,which promote cross-linking with furfuryl alcohol.This study investigates the effects of furfurylation and tannin-modified furfurylation on the physical and mechanical properties of tropical Gmelina wood(Gmelina arborea Roxb.).Experiments involved impregnating Gmelina wood with aqueous solutions of furfuryl alcohol(FA)at 40%and 70%concentrations,as well as FA-tannin combinations(FA 40%-TA and FA 70%-TA),followed by polymerization at 103℃.The results demonstrated that both FA and FA-tannin treatments significantly improved the wood’s physical and mechanical properties.Notably,FA-tannin treatments achieved anti-swelling efficiency comparable to FA alone.However,the addition of tannins(FA 70%-TA)enhanced leaching resistance by up to 47%,contributing to a more environmentally sustainable modification process.Mechanically,the inclusion of tannins in FA 70%-TA slightly increased the modulus of elasticity(14%~8732 kg/cm^(2))and the modulus of rupture(9%~40.9 kg/cm^(2)).Furthermore,the tannin addition imparted a darker color to the modified wood,enhancing its aesthetic appeal.This study highlights the potential of tannin-modified furfurylation to advance wood modification technology,combining improved performance with environmental benefits.
基金funded by the joint research collaboration of the Research Organization of Nanotechnology and Material,National Research and Innovation Agency(BRIN)(Grant number:8/HK/II/2024)with the title Organosolv Lignin-Based Hydrogels from Sugarcane Leaves and Their Potential as Wound Dressings with Widya Fatriasari as the Principal Investigatorthe Degree by Research(DBR)program of BRIN with scheme number:20/III.10/HK/2024 and scholarship number 4637/II.5.4/SI.06.01/7/2024 for Eko Budi Santoso。
文摘The significant amount of ash content in agricultural biomass presents an enormous challenge for efficient conversion processes.In addressing this issue,various deashing treatments have been tested and established,including simple leaching techniques,which can either be performed with or without the addition of chemical agents.These techniques hold promise for improving the deashing efficiency while potentially altering the structural and chemical composition of biomass,specifically lignin content,which is the key focus of this review.This review starts by exploring the presence of ash in agricultural residues and its impact on biomass properties.Next,this review examines deashing strategies aimed at reducing ash levels in biomass followed by analysis of the resulting changes in lignin physical and chemical properties as well as its thermal characteristics.The final part of this review is concluded by the discussion on the limitations of current approaches and the possible future directions to address the challenges covering the environmental impacts of the deashing treatments.A green process approach is emphasized as a sustainable solution with the aim to minimize negative environmental impacts associated with chemical usage during deashing.Finally,this review highlights the potential for ash recovery as a byproduct of the deashing processes,paving the way for an integrative,closed-loop approach within the biorefinery concept.
基金conducted as part of the project Innovative Tools for Cyber-Physical Energy Systems(InnoCyPES)received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation pro-gram under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie(956433).
文摘Assessing the benefits and costs of digitalization in the energy industry is a complex issue.Traditional cost-benefit analysis(CBA)might encounter problems in addressing uncertainties,dynamic stakeholder interactions,and feedback loops arising out of the evolving nature of digitalization.This paper introduces a methodological framework to help address the intricate inter connections between digital applications and business models in the energy industry.The proposed framework leverages system dynamics to achieve two primary objectives.It investigates how digitalization generally influences the value proposi-tion,value capture,and value creation dimensions of business models.It also quantifies the financial and social impacts of digitalization from a dynamic perspective.The proposed dynamic CBA allows for a more precise quantification of the benefits and costs,associated with evidence-based decision-making.Findings from an illustrative case study challenge the static assumptions of conventional methods.These methods often presume continuous operation,neglecting reinvestment and operational feedback loops,and resulting in negative net present values.Conversely,the outcomes of the proposed method indicate positive net present values when accounting for factors such as reinvestment rates and the will-ingness to invest in digitalization projects.The principles outlined in this paper can enable a more accu-rate assessment of digitalization projects,thus catalyzing the development of new CBA applications and guidelines for digitalization.
基金supported by the TALENTA research grant scheme of the“Kolaborasi Nasional Penerima Dana Hibah WCU(World Class University)Universitas Sumatera Utara”in the year 2022(Number:353/UN5.2.3.1/PPM/KP-TALENTA/2022)supported by the project“Development,Exploitation Properties and Application of Eco-Friendly Wood-Based Composites from Alternative Lignocellulosic Raw Materials”,Project No.HHC-b-1290/19.10.2023,carried out at the University of Forestry,Sofia,Bulgaria.
文摘Indonesia,with its vast forested regions,has experienced significant deforestation,adversely affecting the wood industry.As a result,alternative sources of lignocellulosic biomass are required to mitigate this impact.Among the abundant lignocellulosic raw materials in Indonesia,particularly in Sumatra,bamboo stands out as a promising substitute.Bamboo is a highly versatile resource,suitable for various applications,including its use as a composite raw material to replace traditional wood-based products.This research work aimed to investigate and evaluate the characteristics—morphology,anatomy,physical and mechanical properties,chemical composition,starch content,and natural resistance—of three bamboo species:hitam bamboo(Gigantochloa atroviolacea),betung bamboo(Dendrocalamus asper),and belangke bamboo(Gigantochloa pruriens),as well as their suitability for the production of oriented strand boards(OSB).The lumen values of the bamboo samples ranged between 10 and 15μm,with hitam and betung bamboo exhibitingmedium-thickness cell walls(>5μm).Based on fiber dimension analysis,belangke,and betung bamboo are classified within quality class II,whereas hitam bamboo falls into class Ⅰ.The highest recorded tensile,shear,and compressive mechanical strength values were observed at the tips of hitam bamboo,measuring 563.43 MPa,15 MPa,and 6.87 kN/mm^(2),respectively.The bamboo samples underwent three different treatments:(1)immersion in water for 24 h,(2)autoclaving at 120℃ for 1 h,and(3)a control group with no treatment.OSB panels were produced with dimensions of 20 cm×20 cm×1 cm(length×width×thickness)using isocyanate adhesive and conditioned for 14 days.The physical and mechanical properties of the OSBs were evaluated based on the Japan Industrial Standard(JIS)A5908:2003 and theCanadian StandardsAssociation(CSA)0437.0:2011 criteria.The density of the laboratory-produced OSB panels ranged from 0.60 to 0.73 g/cm^(3),moisture content varied from5.4% to 8.1%,water absorption ranged between 31.6% and 45.8%,and thickness swelling was recorded at 5.1% to 16.3%.The modulus of elasticity(MOE)ranged from2745.1 to 7813.3 MPa,themodulus of rupture(MOR)from 30.8 to 58.8MPa,and internal bonding(IB)from 0.27 to 0.47 MPa.Overall,all OSB panels produced in this study met the specifications outlined in JIS A 5908(2003)and CSA 0437.0(2011),demonstrating the viability of these bamboo species as raw materials for OSB production.
