CERNE

CLONAL COMPOSITES AS A STRATEGY FOR MITIGATING THE CLONES × ENVIRONMENTS INTERACTION IN EUCALYPTUS

Ana Flávia Cunha Fernandes de Oliveira — 2022-12-12

Background: One of the biggest challenges for breeders, especially for perennial plants, is to have strategies to reduce the risk of recommending new clones. One of the alternatives would be to use a mixture of clones, clonal compounds (CC), instead of monoclones (MC). This strategy has not yet been properly proven from experiments involving CC and MC simultaneously in different environments.

Results: The CC's contribution to the interaction was significant, although associated with a high MAI estimate (m³. ha^-1. year^-1). The CC's took better advantage of environmental stimuli than most MC's. The rick estimates in the CC recommendation were, in most situations, lower than those of the different monoclones.

Conclusion: The use of CC proved to be more efficient than the use of MC in mitigating the effects of the interaction of genotypes by environments, in recommending clones for forest exploitation.

ALLOMETRIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ABOVE-GROUND BIOMASS INCREMENT AND STAND CHARACTERISTICS FOR CRIMEAN PINE IN TAŞKÖPRÜ, TURKEY

Fadime Sağlam — 2023-04-26

Background: Biomass increment, one of the main components of net primary production (NPP) in forest ecosystems, plays an important role as well as total biomass in the global carbon cycle. In this study, the changes of increments of the above-ground total, stem and branch biomasses depending on stand characteristics (i.e., stand age, stand density, and site index) were investigated, and these relations were modeled for Crimean pine (Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe) stands in Taşköprü region of Türkiye. Data were obtained from 109 sample trees within 74 sample plots representing the wide range of possible stand characteristics.

Results: The equations developed for above-ground total, stem and branch biomass increments have quite high coefficients of determination (R²=0.784, 0.684 and 0.780, respectively), whereas low root mean square errors (RMSE=0.749, 0.692 and 0.116, respectively). The results indicated that the biomass increment estimates from the allometric equations developed were decreasing with stand age and increasing with stand density and site index and also stand density is the strongest stand characteristic on biomass increment.

Conclusion: The estimates are also consistent with the growth patterns, so the equations can be used for biomass increment estimations and also for carbon storage and NPP projections for Crimean pine stands of the region.

Characterization of raw and thermochemically-treated mesocarp fibers of Oenocarpus bataua, an Amazon palm

Orimax Monteiro Cruz — 2023-05-16

Background: Patauá (Oenocarpus bataua Mart.) is a palm tree belonging to the botanical family Arecaceae that occurs throughout the Amazon. Like açaí, an edible pulp is extracted from its fruits, remaining a fiber-rich waste. Revealing the potential of such raw or thermochemically modified fibers for producing bioproducts is a novelty in the literature. Therefore, this work aimed to characterize patauá fibers in natural and alkali-treated conditions to support future bioproduct applications. Alkaline treatments were performed under mechanical stirring combining two NaOH levels (5 and 10%) and two temperatures (80 and 100°C). Morphological characterization was performed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The contents of the structural and non-structural chemical components were determined, and chemical groups were evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The physical characterization included moisture content, apparent density, and water absorption tests.
Results: The macerate revealed short fibers with typical elongated morphology, mean cell wall thickness (4.10 μm) greater than the mean lumen width (3.01 μm), and mean length of 445 μm. The alkaline treatments partially individualized the fibers from bundles, cleaned extractives from the surface, and unblocked superficial pits by removing silica-rich structures. They substantially removed
non-cellulosic components, but FTIR showed condensed lignin exposed on the fiber surface. Density and water uptake increased concerning natural fibers. Patauá’s short length and susceptibility to modification through thermochemical treatments that concentrated cellulose up to 50% indicated great potential for developing composites and nanofibers. Regardless of the NaOH content, 100°C was more efficient in concentrating cellulose.
Conclusion: Patauá fibers have unique natural characteristics. They occur as flatted fiber bundles, have silicon-rich structures obstructing their superficial pits, and comprise more lignin than cellulose.

Influence of clear-cutting on ground vegetation biomass and dwarf shrubs increment in the Scots pine forests of the European North-East

Andrey Fedorovich Osipov — 2023-03-27

Background: In spite of important functions the ground vegetation performs, the research on global change and human impact on forests has traditionally focused on tree layer. We have analyzed the influence of clear-cuttings on ground vegetation biomass (GVB), fractional structure and annual increment of dwarf shrubs (bilberry and cowberry) shoots. The investigation was carried out at clear-cut areas of the Scots pine forests in the European North-East of Russia.

Results: The GVB value after clear-cutting increased by 1.9−2.4 times. The GVB values at particular technological elements of clear-cuts (apiaries, skidding tracks) were obtained. On skidding tracks, the biomass was by 1.2–1.7 time less than that on apiaries. Among individual species, Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) and Dicranum polysetum Sw. demonstrated a positive reaction to clear-cutting but mosses of the Sphagnum L. genus reacted negatively. Invasion of Epilobium angustifolium L. and Avenella flexuosa (L.) Drejer increased the grass biomass, especially on skidding tracks. The linear model was applied for describing the relationship between above- and underground dwarf shrub biomass. The clear-cutting had a negative effect on shoot age and mass of both bilberry and cowberry. However, comfortable light conditions raised the role of foliage in biomass and heightened the increments of studied dwarf shrubs by 1.2–1.3 time.

Conclusion: Clear-cutting had a positive effect both on UVB and increment of dwarf shrubs in Scots pine forests on the European North-East.

ECOLOGICAL PATTERNS AND CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES WITH CARBON CREDITS IN BRAZIL NUT GROVES: A STUDY-CASE IN THE SOUTHEAST AMAZON

Cléber Rodrigo Souza — 2023-04-04

Background: Brazil Nuts (BN) tree is a species of high importance in Amazon region. Their continuous use by traditional communities is often related to disturbances that lead to larger degraded areas where this species is commonly found (“BN groves”). Here we aimed to explore the ecological patterns of BN groves vegetation and its relationship with BN trees and evaluate their potential as a source of carbon credits. We sampled 15 circular plots, with Brazilian Nut trees as the center (focal trees) and collected morphometric data from the focal trees. Additionally, we evaluated fruit production for a period of 5 years to obtain annual measurements, which were used as a proxy of the anthropic impact associated with the collection process. Through analysis of the data, we: i) examined the effects of BN trees on the adjacent vegetation; ii) quantified the potential amount of carbon credits in the adjacent vegetation and in the focal trees by converting carbon stock to equivalent CO₂.

Results:The adjacent vegetation structure was influenced by the size of BN trees (focal trees). No important effects of BN trees on the adjacent vegetation floristic composition and functional attributes were found. Additionally, we found that Brazilian Nut groves possess a significant potential for carbon credits that could be leveraged in the future carbon credit market,

Conclusion: The study highlights the potential for carbon credit generation in Brazil nut groves in the Southeast Amazon as a means of supporting conservation and restoration efforts in these environments.

Appraisal of arp images and machine learning to detect Sapajus nigritus attacks on loblolly’s pine stands in Southern Brazil

Carla Talita Pertille — 2023-05-26

Background: This study aimed to evaluate UAV images of Pinus taeda L. stands for classifying trees attacked by Sapajus nigritus in Southern Brazil. UAV images were acquired on March 2018, using a DJI Phantom Pro 4 over 18.73 hectares. We evaluated different band compositions and vegetation indices. Using photo interpretation based on the color of the crown and field measurements, the
trees were manually labeled as not attacked, dead, and attacked. The classified trees were divided into training (75%) and validation (25%), considering three tree crown diameters (0.5, 1, and 1.5 m) and three region-oriented classification algorithms. The classification accuracy was assessed by overall accuracy and the kappa index.
Results: A total of 3,773 trees were manually detected, of which 39% were attacked, 5% died and 56% were not attacked. The results also indicated that the best-chosen diameter was 0.5 meters, the best classifier algorithm was the SVM, and the highest accuracy was represented by the composition of the ExG index associated with the original spectral bands.
Conclusion: We argue that the attacks can be monitored using UAV images and such results provide insights for forest management initiatives.

Investigation of the efficiency of MaxEnt, topsis and invest models on site suitability and decline potential of Persian oak forests in Zagros, Iran (Ilam Province)

Mohammad Javad Moradi — 2023-05-16

Background: Over the last decade, a significant area of Zagros forests, especially in Ilam Province, west of Iran, has been affected by the phenomenon of oak decline. The most basic item for fighting the decline of these forests is to know site suitability, the parameters affecting it, determining the criteria affecting the decline and preparing a map of the decline potential of these forests. In this study, the efficiency of Maxent on preparing site suitability map of Dalab and Bankol and the most important criteria affecting P.Oak decline was investigated by TOPSIS. The integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs (InVEST) was used to prepare a zoning map of decline potential of P.Oak site. Validation of maps was done with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and field visits.
Results: The results showed that pc-forest, distance from rivers and temperature are the most important criteria of the distribution of P.Oak. In addition, many parts of both sites were found to lack site suitability. The results of TOPSIS showed that the most important criteria of P.Oak decline are socio-economic criteria.
Conclusions: Decline potential in Bankol was much higher and the pressure caused by stressful criteria was higher in this site. The results showed 6 general stresses of land use change, grazing, pests, charcoal disease, fires and tourism in two sites. Dalab has shown a better condition in terms of decline potential. The reason for this is the operation of conservation management in this site. The obtained results show the efficiency of the used methods.

Change in oleoresin productivity between harvests and variable drillings of a Copaifera reticulata natural population in the Amazon

Lina Bufalino — 2022-04-10

Background: Many gaps in the copaifera oleoresin yield remain unfulfilled, preventing the sustainable management of this valuable non-timber forest product. This work aimed to characterize a natural Copaifera reticulata population in the Amazon rainforest, test different positions and depths in the trees to flow oleoresin, and analyze changes in the productiveness between two harvests ten months spaced. The study was conducted in a Brazilian rainforest area at the Jari Ecological Station (ESEC) in 2017 and 2018, including 26 trees.
Results: The diametric and height distributions evidenced light-demanding and mostly medium class-diameter trees. The annual increment (0.45 ± 0.003 cm/year) was average, while the occurrence was rare. The area hosts yielding and unyielding trees, providing an average oleoresin production of 603.60 mL/tree. Oleoresin only flowed by reaching the inner heartwood or the pith. Oleoresin was not fully replenished after ten months, but the first drilling stimulated some unyielding trees to deliver it later. Collecting should focus on medium-diameter trees.
Conclusion: The growth and distribution behaviors may challenge Copaifera’s sustainable management, which depends on the individual tree mechanisms to provide and replenish the oleoresin.

ESTIMATING THE COMMERCIAL VOLUME OF A Pinus taeda L. PLANTATION USING ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SENSORS

Carla Talita Pertille — 2023-01-18

Background: The objective of this study was to estimate the wood volume of a Pinus taeda L. plantation using variables extracted from the Sentinel-1 active sensor and the Sentinel-2 passive sensor. To do so, data from a forest inventory with rectangular plots of 550 m² were used to estimate the stand volume. We derived and adapted average vegetation indices per plot from images obtained by Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 sensors. The data were then correlated with the volume per plot based on the forest inventory. The Modified Radar Forest Degradation Index (mRDFI) showed the highest correlation for Sentinel-1 data, while the Difference Vegetation-Index (DVI) performed best for Sentinel-2.

Results:The regression models were built using Stepwise modeling, demonstrating that the models fit with only the Sentinel-2 indices performed better than the others (indices adapted for Sentinel-1 and a combination of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data), with an R² adjusted between 0.51 to 0.40 and a standard error (Syx%) of 3.66 to 8.97. According to the statistical analyses, we found no significant differences between the volume estimated by the forest inventory (12.56±1.17) and the remote sensing techniques used (Sentinel-2 with 12.56±1.03 and Sentinel-1 with 12.56±0.94). However, further tests should be conducted with other active sensors operating in different spectral bands and polarization modes for other forest species.

Conclusion: We found no significant differences between the volumetric estimates derived from remote sensing data and forest inventory techniques.

The influence of clear-cut area size on forest regrowth: a case study in the dry tropical forests of Pernambuco, Brazil

Visêldo Ribeiro de Oliveira — 2023-05-26

Background: Managed Caatinga forests in Northeast Brazil are an important source of wood products, however, successful regeneration and regrowth is important to guarantee sustainability in these forests. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the natural regeneration and forest regrowth ability of a Caatinga forest under varying clear-cut treatments, as well as to estimate the recovery time of stand parameters.
Results: An experiment was set up in Petrolina, Pernambuco state, Brazil, comparing five clear-cut strip widths: 0, 40, 60, 80 and 100 meters. Forest inventory data was gathered before and eight years after harvesting in 19 plots of 10 x 40 m. Tree seedling regeneration (individuals with circumference at breast height < 6 cm and minimum height of 0.5 m) was also monitored in 5 x 5 m sub plots, before harvesting, one, three and eight years after harvesting.
Conclusions: No influence of the clear-cut strip width on regeneration and forest regrowth ability was detected, with all treatments presenting similar growth and tree species diversity and similarity values. The estimated growth rates of the clear-cut plots were of 0.12 m2·ha-1·year-1 and 0.39 m3·ha-1·year-1 for basal area and volume, respectively, resulting in recovery times of 35 and 49 years, longer than the 15 years cycles generally adopted in Caatinga forest management plans.

Use of Acacia auriculiformis fast-growing tree species for the mitigation of climate change

Jesugnon Fifamè Murielle Féty TONOUEWA — 2023-05-29

Background: In the face of increasing wood demand in climate change context, fast-growing species are considered as a current solution. However, the ability of fast-growing species in agroforestry systems to contribute to bridging the gap between wood demand and supply and climate change mitigation also depends on the properties of the species, which vary based on locality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunningham ex Benth. wood in Benin to contribute to climate change mitigation while sustainably supplying wood. Tissues proportion (Vessels, ray parenchyma, axial parenchyma, fibers), in the wood; fiber parameters (length, diameter and lumen width); organic carbon content and natural durability of A. auriculiformis wood to termite (Macrotermes bellicosus) were determined.
Results: The results indicate that the species has a high proportion of fibers (58%), which are quite long (1 mm to 4 mm), an organic carbon content of 35%, and is moderately durable to very durable against termite infestations.
Conclusion: The species, thus, has strong potential for wood (high fiber content, high fiber length, greater durability), renewable bioenergy (good fiber length) and pulp (high fiber content) and could be valued to supplement the wood supply from natural forest and contribute to mitigating the effect of climate change (carbon sequestration and limitation of pressure on natural forests).

Organic waste and controlled-release fertilizer maximize the growth of Citharexylum montevidense in nursery and in the field

Adriana Maria Griebeler — 2022-12-12

Background: The increase in agricultural production requires sustainable alternatives development for reusing the waste generated, such as bovine manure, to obtain ecological, environmental, and economic benefits. In addition, proper fertilization is one of the main steps in the production of forest species seedlings. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the effect of different substrates formulations based on bovine manure and types of fertilizers on the quality of C. montevidense seedlings and verify if the field confirms the nurseries' responses. The treatments consisted of three BM-based substrates combinations (S0 - control, no manure; S30 – 30 % BM; and S60 – 60 % BM) and four types of base fertilizers [Control: no fertilizer, FRF - Fast Release Fertilizer (NPK + fritted trace elements), FRF2 - twice as used in FRF and CRF - Controlled Release Fertilizer]. The substrates quality and the seedlings' morphophysiological attributes were determined 160 days after sowing, then conducting the best treatments to the field.

Results: We verified that the use of bovine manure improved the physical and chemical properties of the substrates. For the C. montevidense cultivation, 30 % BM plus CRF provided the best seedling development. The substrate used in the seedlings production influenced the post-planting performance of C. montevidense, and the bovine manure use allows for more significant plant growth in the field.

Conclusion: For the cultivation of Citharexylum montevidense, it is recommended to use substrates composed of 30 % of bovine manure, associated with 6 g L^-1 of controlled-release fertilizer, as it provides higher quality seedlings in shorter production time in the nursery.

RADIAL VARIATION OF WOOD DENSITY AND FIBER MORPHOLOGY OF TWO COMMERCIAL SPECIES IN A TROPICAL HUMID FOREST IN SOUTHEASTERN PERU

Leif Armando Portal-Cahuana — 2023-05-16

Background: Knowledge of the anatomy and properties of wood help to understand the quality of wood and plan its ideal technological use, therefore, it is necessary to understand the variations in wood characteristics and properties. Here we evaluate the radial variation of wood density and fiber morphology of two commercial forest species in a tropical humid forest of the department of Madre de Dios in Peru: Jacaranda copaia and Hura crepitans collected in a management area.
Results: Forestry collecting 10 usable trees by species. We provide general values of the densities and fibers of the two species studied.
Conclusions: Regarding the variation of the radial density, J. copaia presented a density growth in the pith-bark direction, while for H. crepitans its variation was not significant, these variations are clearly explained by the morphology of its fibers.

Determining Indicator Plant Species of Pinus brutia Ten. Using Interspecific Correlation Analysis in Antalya (Turkey)

Serkan Özdemir — 2023-04-26

Background: We performed a vegetation study in Antalya, where the Mediterranean climate prevails, in order to determine the indicator plant species of red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.). Red pine can be widely distributed from sea level to 1200 meters. Its main distribution is in the main Mediterranean vegetation zone between 500-1000 meters. However, the variation of the habitat factors may be low in this range. Therefore, the productivity relationships of species such as red pine, whose sustainable use is important, cannot be directly explained by environmental variables. In such cases, it is important to determine the indicator plant species. For this reason, indicator plant species were determined by using interspecific correlation analysis (ICA) in the study. Then, using principal components analysis, the relationship of indicator plant species with the variables of elevation, slope, aspect and soil depth was revealed. In the principal components analysis, the plant species that were determined as an indicator were also added to the graph as a class variable, and the effects of the variables on the indicator plant species were also investigated.

Results: The results of the ICA showed that Dryopteris flix-mas (L.) Schott, Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carrière, Cedrus libani A. RICH and Colutea cilicica Boiss. & Bal. species were negative indicators of productivity. On the other hand, Cistus creticus L. and Smilax aspera L. species were positive indicators of productivity.

Conclusions: Interspecific correlation analysis is a useful tool to determine the ecological properties of species that have a local distribution or a vertical distribution in a narrow altitude range. It also offers practical and effective results, especially for species with high commercial value such as red pine.