Inventory of aspen trees in spruce dominated stands in conserva-tion area

Background： The occurrence of aspen trees increases the conservation value of mature conifer dominated forests. Aspens typically occur as scattered individuals among major tree species, and therefore the inventory of aspens is challenging. Methods： We characterized aspen populations in a boreal nature reserve using diameter distribution, spatial pattern, and forest attributes： volume, number of aspens, number of large aspen stems and basal area median diameter. The data were collected from three separate forest stands in Koli National Park, eastern Finland. At each site, we measured breast height diameter and coordinates of each aspen. The comparison of inventory methods of aspens within the three stands was based on simulations with mapped field data. We mimicked stand level inventory by locating varying numbers of fixed area circular plots both systematically and randomly within the stands. Additionally, we also tested if the use of airborne laser scanning （ALS） data as auxiliary information would improve the accuracy of the stand level inventory by applying the probability proportional to size sampling to assist the selection of field plot locations. Results： The results showed that aspens were always clustered, and the diameter distributions indicated different stand structures in the three investigated forest stands. The reliability of the volume and number of large aspen trees varied from relative root mean square error figures above 50% with fewer sample plots （5-10） to values of 25%-50% with ]0 or more sample plots. Stand level inventory estimates were also able to detect spatial pattern and the shape of the diameter distribution. In addition, ALS-based auxiliary information could be useful in guiding the inventories, but caution should be used when applying the ALS-supported inventory technique. Conclusions： This study characterized European aspen populations for the purposes of monitoring and management of boreal conservation areas. Our results suggest that if the number of sample plots is adequate, i.e. 10 or more stand level inventory will provide accurate enough forest attributes estimates in conservation areas （minimum accuracy requirement of RMSE% is 20%-50%）. Even for the more ecologically valuable attributes, such as diameter distribution, spatial pattern and large aspens, the estimates are acceptable for conservation purposes

The Modernization of Small Town and the Continuation of Historical Context

In the process of criticizing complete westernization,the traditional culture and national culture have gained theirdeserved positions.However.it is still under discussion whether or not all the traditional culture should be encouragedand whether the enhancement of national culture means the advocation of traditional culture or not.It is generally heldthat feudalism dominates the former while the latter is dominated by socialism.In the course of strengthening spiritualcivilization the encouragement of the national culture will not be simply achieved by restoring fragments of ancientways,let alone the issues of rejecting the dross and assimilating the weeding through the old to bring forth the new inthe field of carrying forward the traditional culture.The author points out,through profound study in planning,modernization is not westernization,historical context is not simply the reappearance of the past and continuation isnot carrying on as before.