Modeling the effect of stand and site characteristics on the probability of mistletoe infestation in Scots pine stands using remote sensing data

Over the past decade,the presence of mistletoe(Viscum album ssp.austriacum)in Scots pine stands has increased in many European countries.Understanding the factors that influence the occurrence of mistletoe in stands is key to making appropriate forest management decisions to limit damage and prevent the spread of mistletoe in the future.Therefore,the main objective of this study was to determine the probability of mistletoe occurrence in Scots pine stands in relation to stand-related endogenous factors such as age,top height,and stand density,as well as topographic and edaphic factors.We used unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)imagery from 2,247 stands to detect mistletoe in Scots pine stands,while majority stand and site characteristics were calculated from airborne laser scanning(ALS)data.Information on stand age and site type from the State Forest database were also used.We found that mistletoe infestation in Scots pine stands is influenced by stand and site characteristics.We documented that the densest,tallest,and oldest stands were more susceptible to mistletoe infestation.Site type and specific microsite conditions associated with topography were also important factors driving mistletoe occurrence.In addition,climatic water balance was a significant factor in increasing the probability of mistletoe occurrence,which is important in the context of predicted temperature increases associated with climate change.Our results are important for better understanding patterns of mistletoe infestation and ecosystem functioning under climate change.In an era of climate change and technological development,the use of remote sensing methods to determine the risk of mistletoe infestation can be a very useful tool for managing forest ecosystems to maintain forest sustainability and prevent forest disturbance.

Changes in the growth of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)stands in an urban environment in European Russia since 1862

A century and a half ago,in the European part of Russia(Moscow),forest scientists established the first long-term observations of forests,many of which are under observation to the present day.In the twentieth century,climate changes and,due to industrial development,forest areas were under air pollution.Based on observations from 157 sites,this study shows that the growth and density of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)have decreased by the end of the twentieth century.The environment has changed,and the growth and development of plantations has slowed.Pine yields(-34%stand volume)and their life expectancy(on average 50 years)have decreased.These changes are critical for forestry and for the management of forests in urban centers.Due to the decline in growth,ecosystem functions by urban forests has decreased.In order to increase the sustainability of urban forests and the provision of ecosystem services,it is preferable to create multi-species stands with a complex structure.

Microwave Drying of Scots Pine Lumber:Structure Changes,Its Effect on Liquid Permeability

Microwave(MW)drying method was adopted to enhance the liquid permeability of Scots pine lumber.Structure changes were characterized by stereoscope microscope,scanned electron microscope(SEM)and transmission electron microscope(TEM)examination.Pore parameters before and after MW treatment were detected by mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP)method,and the effect of structure changes on liquid permeability were analyzed.As stereoscope microscope,SEM and TEM examination results showed,macro and micro checks mainly developed at intercellcular of tracheids,intercellular of ray parenchyma and tracheid,while these checks extend main along the radial-longitudinal plane.Pit border destruction,aspirated pits’orus translocation and micro-checks in tracheid cell wall were also observed.MIP test shown that pore volume and pore area increased as macro and micro checks generated to form new cavities.Microstructure changes would increase the quantity of pores or enlarge the pore diameter.Liquid flow pathways increased as macro and micro checks generated,aspirated pits reopened to form new pathways;liquid flow efficiency improved as porosity,pore volume and pore diameter increased which facilitated the liquid flow.

Response of colour and hygroscopic properties of Scots pine wood to thermal treatment

The effect of heat treatment on the surface colour and hygro- scopic properties of pine wood were investigated in this study. Boards of Scots pine wood （Pinus sylvestris L.） were subjected to thermal treatment at 200℃, for 4, 6, and 8 h. The change of equilibrium moisture content and density values of the specimens in order to facilitate the understand- ing of the treated material behavior. The colour parameters L＊ a＊ and b＊, used to depict the total colour change （dE） of wood surface, were shown to change proportionally to the treatment intensity. Moreover, swelling in the tangential and radial directions and absorption of the specimens ap- peared to be enhanced in great extent by the thermal treatment process. The mean value of swelling percentage in the tangential direction de- creased 10.26%, 17.22%, and 19.60% for specimens treated for 4, 6, and 8 h, respectively, referring to the final measurement after 72 h of immer- sion. In radial direction, mean value of swelling percentage decreased 19.56%, 32.75%, and 34.65% for treated for 4, 6 and 8 h, respectively, after 72 h immersion, which attests the decrease in swelling and im- provement in the hygroscopic behavior of Scots pine wood.

Development and transferability of two multiplexes nSSR in Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)

Single sequence repeat（SSR） multiplexing is a semi high-throughput PCR methodology for the analysis of multiple SSRs.We developed two SSR multiplexes selected from SSR loci previously reported in the pine literature and tested the transferability of both SSR multiplexes in nine other pine species.We tested 234 nuclear SSR loci（n SSRs） previously described in the pine literature and selected ten n SSRs following the simple criteria of interpretability and reproducibility.Selected nuclear loci were divided into two n SSRs multiplex sets and their amplification was optimized for three different multiplex PCR methods based on：（a） a custom PCR protocol,（b） a custom protocol with hotstart taq polymerase,and（c） a commercially available kit for SSR multiplexing.To validate their performance,the level of genetic diversity was assessed in three Scots pine natural populations（Hungary,northern Sweden and southern Sweden）.In addition,we also tested the transferability of these multiplexes in nine other pine species.We have developed two n SSRs multiplexes of five loci each that will contribute to reduce the costs of n SSR scoring,while increasing the capacity of n SSR loci analysis.Amplification was successful in all three populations（94 % success） and the level of polymorphism（7.1 alleles/marker） was similar to that previously reported for other Scots pine natural populations.Transferability of both multiplexes was successful for those pine species closely related to Scots pine.

Longitudinal height-diameter curves for Norway spruce, Scots pine and silver birch in Norway based on shape constraint additive regression models

Background： Generalized height-diameter curves based on a re-parameterized version of the Korf function for Norway spruce （Piceo abies （L.） Karst.）, Scots pine （Pinus sylvestris L.） and silver birch （Betula pendula Roth） in Norwa are presented. The Norwegian National Forest Inventory （NFI） is used as data base for estimating the model parameters. The derived models are developed to enable spatially explicit and site sensitive tree height imputatio in forest inventories as well as future tree height predictions in growth and yield scenario simulations. Methods： Generalized additive mixed models （gamm） are employed to detect and quantify potentially non-linear effects of predictor variables. In doing so the quadratic mean diameter serves as longitudinal covariate since stand ag as measured in the NFI, shows only a weak correlation with a stands developmental status in Norwegian forests. Additionally the models can be locally calibrated by predicting random effects if measured height-diameter pairs are available. Based on the model selection of non-constraint models, shape constraint additive models （scare） were fit tc incorporate expert knowledge and intrinsic relationships by enforcing certain effect patterns like monotonicity. Results： Model comparisons demonstrate that the shape constraints lead to only marginal differences in statistical characteristics but ensure reasonable model predictions. Under constant constraints the developed models predict increasing tree heights with decreasing altitude, increasing soil depth and increasing competition pressure of a tree. / two-dimensional spatially structured effect of UTM-coordinates accounts for the potential effects of large scale spatial correlated covariates, which were not at our disposal. The main result of modelling the spatially structured effect is lower tree height prediction for coastal sites and with increasing latitude. The quadratic mean diameter affects both the level and the slope of the height-diameter curve and both effects are positive. Conclusions： In this investigation it is assumed that model effects in additive modelling of height-diameter curves which are unfeasible and too wiggly from an expert point of view are a result of quantitatively or qualitatively limited data bases. However, this problem can be regarded not to be specific to our investigation but more general since growth and yield data that are balanced over the whole data range with respect to all combinations of predictor variables are exceptional cases. Hence, scare may provide methodological improvements in several applications by combining the flexibility of additive models with expert knowledge.

Assessment of early survival and growth of planted Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris) seedlings under extreme continental climate conditions of northern Mongolia

Environmental factors play vital roles in successful plantation and cultivation of tree seedlings.This study focuses on problems associated with reforestation under extreme continental climatic conditions.The objectives were to assess relative seedling performance(survival and growth)with respect to plantation age,and to analyze the influence of specific climatic factors during the early stages of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)plantations.The study was carried out in reforested areas of the Tujyin Nars region of northern Mongolia on six Scots pine plantations ranging from 5 to 10 years.In each of the six plantations,five 900 m^2 permanent sample plots were established and survival rates and growth performance measured annually over 7 years.Results show high variation in survival among the plantations(p<0.001,F=29.7).Seedling survival in the first year corresponded directly to the number of dry days in May.However,survival rate appeared to stabilize after the second year.The insignificant variation of height categories throughout the observation period indicated low competition among individuals.Two linear mixed-effect models show that height and radial growth were best explained by relative air humidity,which we consider to be a reliable indicator of site-specific water availability.Insufficient amounts and uneven distribution of rainfall pose a major threat during the first year of plantation establishment.Humidity and water availability are decisive factors for a successful seedling plantation.This highlights the impact of drought on forest plantations in northern Mongolia and the importance of developing climate resilient reforestation strategies.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSES ON THE LITTER IN KOREAN PINE MONGOLIAN SCOTS PINE AND DAHURIAN LARCH PLANTATIONS(Ⅱ)CONTENT AND RETURNING AMOUNT OF NUTRIENT ELEMENTS

Comparative analyses were conducted on the nutrient element content and returning amount of main fractional compositions of litter in Korean pine (KP), Mongolian Scots pine(MSP) and Dahurian larch (DL) plantations in Laoshan Plantation Experiment Station of Maoershan Experiment Forest Farm of Northeast Forestry University. The results are as follows: (1) The nutrient element content and returning amount in litter varies among different fractional compositions and tree species, the total returning amount of all nutrient elements and the returning amount of K, Ca, Mg, N and P are DL>MSP>KP, the returning amount of Cu is DL>KP>MSP, the returning amount of Fe and Mn are MSP>DL>KP, (2) To KP and DL plantations, the main nutrient element returned is dead needles; dead branches, bark scales and dead cones account for a little proportion; whereas to MSP plantation, besides dead needles,dead branches and bark scales also play an important role in the return of nutrient elements; (3)A little deal of dead leaves can provided a great deal of returning amount of nutrient elements.

AN OBSERVATION OF FORMICA FUKAII WHEELER PREDATORY BEHAVIOR IN MONGOLIAN SCOTS PINE STANDS

The pine sawfly (Acantholyda posticalis Matsumura) is a serious pest of Pinus sylvestris; P. tabulaeformis and P. koraiensis. Chemical control has been generally applied, but caused a lot of problems. We first found Formica fukaii (new record in China). The ants nesting on Carex sp. preying on pine sawflics is an important predator. When nests are removed on purpose, the ant's behavior is normal and the nest are expanded. It is a dominant species and a natural enemy of pine sawfly in Nehe County.

INFLUENCE OF FIRE ON KOREAN PINE AND SCOTS PINE TREES IN PLANTATION

The plantations of korean pine (Pinus koraensis) and scots pine (Pinus sylvesris var. mongolica) are mainly pure stands. Fires are gradually causing problems in these plantations and being paid much more attention recently. Study on the influence of fire on trees and the adaptation to fire, therefore, is of great important to probe the fire ecological properties and the protection ways of these two species. The results are as follows: Both of the species are easily damaged by fire, but korean pine is more susceptible. In the same fire, korean pine is damaged more seriously than scots pine although they have the same size. Young individuals have low fire resistant capacity and can be damaged seriously, and older ones have strong fire resistance and can be damaged lightly. Up-hill fire makes a serious damage to the trees distributed in up-slopes with the reason of higher fire intensity. Down -hill fire makes a serious damage to the trees distributed in down-slopes with the reason of higher fire severity. The larger deocambium area in the tree bark is, the earlier tree growth after fire is. During the early growth stage, the damaged tree bark will Spill over much resin. The height of running resin is higher than that of dead cambium. Damaged trees sprout and grow more slowly and the length of leaves are shorter than these normal trees. The chiorophyll content of serious damaged trees is much higher than that of normal trees. The chiorophyll content of dying trees is 64. 29% higher than that of the contrast ones. Cell membrance penetrability of damaged trees is also higher than that of normal trees.

STUDY ON THE HALF-SIB FAMILY SELECTION FOR THE SUPERIOR TREE OF SCOTS PINE

Investigation and rescarches are carricd out in MaocrshanForcst Farm attached to Northeast Forcstry University in 1988. Comparedwith the contrast, 29 superior familics and 21 inferior families areselected from 112 families of half sib and open pollination of seven-year old scots pine stands by using multicharacters correlations analysis and variance analysis (ANOVA) as well as principal component index (PCI) selection. This index selection which collects multicharacters information has more advantage than monocharacter selection. It is very important to select fine famiIies for buildingthe first generation seed orchard and changing from trial stand toseeding orchard.

An integrated assessment approach to optimal forest bioenergy production for young Scots pine stands

Background: Bioenergy is re-shaping opportunities and imperatives of forest management. This study demonstrates,through a case study in Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.), how forest bioenergy policies affect stand management strategies.Methods: Optimization studies were examined for 15 Scots pine stands of different initial stand densities, site types, and temperature sum regions in Finland. Stand development was model ed using the Pipe Qual stand simulator coupled with the simulation-optimization tool Opti For Bioenergy to assess three forest bioenergy policies on energy wood harvest from early thinnings.Results: The optimal solutions maximizing bare land value indicate that conventional forest management regimes remain optimal for sparse stands. Energy harvests occurred only when profitable, led to lower financial returns. A forest bioenergy policy which included compulsory energy wood harvesting was optimal for denser stands. At a higher interest rate(4 %), increasing energy wood price postponed energy wood harvesting. In addition, our results show that early thinning somewhat reduced wood quality for stands in fertile sites. For less fertile sites, the changes were insignificant.Conclusions: A constraint of profitable energy wood harvest is not rational. It is optimal to carry out the first thinning with a flexible forest bioenergy policy depending on stand density.

Checking of Radially Sawn Scots Pine and Norway Spruce Wood

In exterior use, wood is subjected to weathering that causes checking and other deterioration in the appearance and technical properties. We studied quantitatively the surface checking of radially and tangentially sawn specimens of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) wood in a cyclic climate chamber test. The results strongly suggested that the sawing direction determines the checking performance of both Scots pine and Norway spruce wood. The radial surface of Scots pine specimens had 62% less checks than the tangential one, and the cumulative area of checks was 74% smaller. For Norway spruce, the respective figures were: 83% less in the check number and 91% less in the check area. Different from pine, in spruce specimens the checks of radial surface were significantly smaller. Thus, spruce timber gained clearly more about radial sawing pattern. The effect of annual ring width was similar for pine and spruce: the reduction in annual growth worsened the checking. The increase in density worsened the checking of spruce but did not change the performance of pine. In pine wood, the increase of heartwood proportion reduced the fluctuation of moisture content and the formation of checks.

Ecoregional height-diameter models for Scots pine in Turkiye

Ecoregion-based height-diameter models were developed in the present study for Scots pine(Pinus sylves-tris L.)stands in Turkiye and included several ecological factors derived from a pre-existing ecoregional classification system.The data were obtained from 2831 sample trees in 292 sample plots.Ten generalized height–diameter models were developed,and the best model(HD10)was selected according to statistical criteria.Then,nonlinear mixed-effects modeling was applied to the best model.The R2 for the generalized height‒diameter model(Richards function)modified by Sharma and Parton is 0.951,and the final model included number of trees,dominant height,and diameter at breast height,with a random parameter associated with each ecoregion attached to the inverse of the mean basal area.The full model predictions using the nonlinear mixed-effects model and the reduced model(HD10)predictions were compared using the nonlinear sum of extra squares test,which revealed significant differences between ecore-gions;ecoregion-based height–diameter models were thus found to be suitable to use.In addition,using these models in appropriate ecoregions was very important for achieving reliable predictions with low prediction errors.

The effects of data aggregation on long-term projections of forest stands development

Forest management planning often relies on Airborne Laser Scanning(ALS)-based Forest Management Inventories(FMIs)for sustainable and efficient decision-making.Employing the area-based(ABA)approach,these inventories estimate forest characteristics for grid cell areas(pixels),which are then usually summarized at the stand level.Using the ALS-based high-resolution Norwegian Forest Resource Maps(16 m×16 m pixel resolution)alongside with stand-level growth and yield models,this study explores the impact of three levels of pixel aggregation(standlevel,stand-level with species strata,and pixel-level)on projected stand development.The results indicate significant differences in the projected outputs based on the aggregation level.Notably,the most substantial difference in estimated volume occurred between stand-level and pixel-level aggregation,ranging from-301 to+253 m^(3)·ha^(-1)for single stands.The differences were,on average,higher for broadleaves than for spruce and pine dominated stands,and for mixed stands and stands with higher variability than for pure and homogenous stands.In conclusion,this research underscores the critical role of input data resolution in forest planning and management,emphasizing the need for improved data collection practices to ensure sustainable forest management.

Diameter distributions in Pinus sylvestris L.stands:evaluating modelling approaches including a machine learning technique

The diameter distribution of trees in a stand provides the basis for determining the stand’s ecological and economic value,its structure and stability and appropriate management practices.Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)is one of the most common and important conifers in Turkey,so a well-planned management schedule is critical.Diameter distribution models to accurately describe the stand structure help improve management strategies,but developing reliable models requires a deep understanding of the growth,output and constraints of the forests.The most important information derived by diameter distribution models is primary data on horizontal stand structure for each diameter class of trees:basal area and volume per unit area.These predictions are required to estimate the range of products and predicted volume and yield from a forest stand.Here,to construct an accurate,reliable diameter distribution model for natural Scots pine stands in the Türkmen Mountain region,we used Johnson’s SBdistribution to represent the empirical diameter distributions of the stands using ground-based measurements from 55 sample plots that included1219 trees in natural distribution zones of the forests.As an alternative,nonparametric approach,which does not require any predefined function,an artificial intelligence model was constructed based on support vector machine methodology.An error index was calculated to evaluate the results.Overall,both Johnson’s SB probability density function with a three-parameter recovery approach and the support vector regression methodology provided reliable estimates of the diameter distribution of these stands.

PSⅡ Photoinhibition and O_2~ Production

To know more about the site of O -· 2 production in thylakoids, the F v/F m ratio was measured in parallel with the oxygen free_radical production detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) using Tiron as a probe in the isolated thylakoids of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.). As the light intensity was strong enough to induce photoinhibition leading to reduction in the F v/F m ratio, the intensity of the TH · signal representing the superoxide production was enhanced. The TH · signal was also stimulated by 3_(3,4_dichloropheneyl)_1,1_dimethylurea but was suppressed by exogenous scavengers or by 2,6_dichlorophenol indophenol. Therefore, the superoxide production is closely related to photoinhibition in PSⅡ. The novel results may further promote research on the mechanism of photoinhibition and on the structure and function of PSⅡ as well.

‘Relationships between relationships’ in forest stands: intercepts and exponents analyses

Relationships between diameter at breast height(dbh) versus stand density, and tree height versus dbh(height curve) were explored with the aim to find if there were functional links between correspondent parameters of the relationships, exponents and intercepts of their power functions. A geometric model of a forest stand using a conic approximation suggested that there should be interrelations between correspondent exponents and intercepts of the relationships. It is equivalent to a type of ‘relationship between relationships’ that might exist in a forest stand undergoing self-thinning, and means that parameters of one relationship may be predicted from parameters of another. The predictions of the model were tested with data on forest stand structure from published databases that involved a number of trees species and site quality levels. It was found that the correspondent exponents and intercepts may be directly recalculated from one another for the simplest case when the total stem surface area was independent of stand density. For cases where total stem surface area changes with the drop of density, it is possible to develop a generalization of the model in which the interrelationships between correspondent parameters(exponents and intercepts) may be still established.

Forest land use discontinuity and northern red oak Quercus rubra introduction change biomass allocation and life strategy of lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Background:Multi-purpose use of forests in a sustainable way forces a recognition of how introduction of alien woody species in forests with different land use histories affect native plants other than trees.Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea is an important understory component of temperate and boreal forests and provider of valuable non-wood forest products.Here we studied effects of land use changes and introduction of Northern red oak Quercus rubra on lingonberry in mesic Scots pine forests(in central Poland).We measured lingonberry cover,height of shoots,biomass of stems and leaves,and fruit productivity.Shoots were collected within 200 research plots located in recent and ancient Scots pine forests,with and without Q.rubra.Results:We found that V.vitis-idaea reached lower cover,aboveground biomass and fruit production in recent than ancient forests and in forests with than without Q.rubra.The fruit production in recent pine forest was only 2%of that reported in ancient pine forest,and V.vitis-idaea did not reproduce generatively in forests with Q.rubra.Biomass and carbon sequestration of V.vitis-idaea in forests with alien(invasive)trees decreased by 75%compared to ancient pine forest.Effects were also clear at the individual shoot level–in less suitable conditions we found taller heights and higher biomass allocation into stems than foliage.Biomass allocation in fruiting and non-fruiting shoots in pine forests was also different–less of the dry biomass of fruiting shoots was allocated to leaves than to stems.Conclusions:In the age of high interest in ecosystem services and discussions about usage of alien tree species as alternatives in forest management,our results clearly indicate disruption of ecosystem services provided by V.vitisidaea in the presence of Q.rubra.Lingonberry benefited from the continuity of forest land use,however,regardless of land-use legacy,alien tree introduction led to decline in abundance of species crucial for ecosystem functioning.Therefore,to maintain valuable native species and for conservation of ecosystem services delivery,we suggest limiting the introduction of Q.rubra in areas with abundant V.vitis-idaea,especially in forests with continuous forest land-use history.

A theory to link relationships of stand volume,density,mean diameter and height in forestry data

In this study,a geometric model of a growing forest stand has been explored.The basic relationships considered link stand volume and stand density,diameter at breast height(DBH),mean DBH and mean height.The model provides simple formulas connecting the exponents of all the relationships.Application of the formulas to real forestry data provided a high level of predictions of an exponent from two others measured through regressions from empirical data.The Pinus sylvestris L.data were of a static nature,a collection of individual stands,while the Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.)Franco data were dynamic,representing forest stand development over time.The ability of the model to predict exponents in the empirical data implies,on the one hand,a substantial level of similarity between the model and the forestry data.And,on the other hand,the model gives an example in which parameters of one relationship may be linked to parameters of another.Supposedly this kind of‘relationship between relationships’may be observed in forest stands undergoing active growth and competition-induced self-thinning.