Monitoring of Forests Indicates Decrease of Important Elements in Tree Nutrition of Main Tree Species across the Czech Republic and Slovakia over the Long Term

Authors analysed foliar nutrition data from the ICP Forests(International Co-operative Programme on the Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution on Forests)monitoring network in two neighbouring Central European countries:the CZ(Czech Republic)and SK(Slovakia).Authors evaluated altogether seven coniferous(six Norway spruce and one Scots pine)and six broadleaves(five European beech and one Sessile oak)in intensively monitored plots.The longest time series cover more than 20 years(1995-2017 in CZ;1995-2013 in SK).The data show a significant decrease of the concentration of major nutrients,mainly P and K.On roughly half of plots,the concentration of P is near or below the deficiency limit(1.2 g·kg-1),the concentration of K has dropped by 10%to 50%,especially in stands of broadleaves during the evaluated period.Over time P and K have shown significantly decreasing trends on one third of the evaluated coniferous plots and a similar situation has occurred on broadleaf plots.Both countries differ in Mg trends-there is a decrease of Mg concentration in needles in SK compared with Czech coniferous plots.On the other hand,in beech leaves there is a decrease of Mg in both countries,and in CZ the trend over time for Mg is significant.The observed changes in nutrition level with stable or slightly increasing N concentration and with a drop in phosphorus and base cations have led to nutrient imbalance,especially between N and P.

History, Present and Expected Future of Forests in Slovakia

In this paper, we briefly summarize the problems that have been affecting Slovakian forestry in the past, in the present and are expected in the future. In the past, the forests in Central Europe were significantly harmed by the development of mining, metallurgy, wood processing industry, agriculture and grazing of sheep and cattle. Many areas have been completely deforested. Fundamental change occurred in the 18th Century, when the regulations about forest management, declared by Empress of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy Maria Therese, came into force. With the changing level of forest cover, there have been changing as well the problems in the forestry. Forests in Slovakia are nowadays dealing with the climate change, which is causing extreme weather fluctuations. It is connected with the emergence of abiotic disturbances after which usually occurs activation of biotic harmful agents. We expect that the most serious problem of forests in the future will be their state of health. We expect an increase representation of thermophilic tree species (beech and oak) at the expense of upland trees such as spruce. An important role will be played by the invasive species of plants, fungi and animals that can compete with native species and their habitats or in the situation of the absence of their reducents these can cause serious economic and environmental damage.

Competitive effect, but not competitive response, varies along a climatic gradient depending on tree species identity

Background: Understanding the role of species identity in interactions among individuals is crucial for assessing the productivity and stability of mixed forests over time. However, there is limited knowledge concerning the variation in competitive effect and response of different species along climatic gradients. In this study, we investigated the importance of climate, tree size, and competition on the growth of three tree species: spruce(Picea abies), fir(Abies alba), and beech(Fagus sylvatica), and examined their competitive response and effect along a climatic gradient.Methods: We selected 39 plots distributed across the European mountains with records of the position and growth of 5,759 individuals. For each target species, models relating tree growth to tree size, climate and competition were proposed. Competition was modelled using a neighbourhood competition index that considered the effects of inter-and intraspecific competition on target trees. Competitive responses and effects were related to climate.Likelihood methods and information theory were used to select the best model.Results: Our findings revealed that competition had a greater impact on target species growth than tree size or climate. Climate did influence the competitive effects of neighbouring species, but it did not affect the target species? response to competition. The strength of competitive effects varied along the gradient, contingent on the identity of the interacting species. When the target species exhibited an intermediate competitive effect relative to neighbouring species, both higher inter-than intraspecific competitive effects and competition reduction occurred along the gradient. Notably, species competitive effects were most pronounced when the target species' growth was at its peak and weakest when growing conditions were far from their maximum.Conclusions: Climate modulates the effects of competition from neighbouring trees on the target tree and not the susceptibility of the target tree to competition. The modelling approach should be useful in future research to expand our knowledge of how competition modulates forest communities across environmental gradients.

Physicochemical, Biochemical and Antioxidant Potential Characterisation of Cashew Apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) from the Agro-Ecological Zone of Casamance (Senegal)

In Africa, the number of undernourished people is increasing at an alarming rate. However, fruits play an important role in humans, especially as a source of vitamins and minerals. In Senegal, there is research on the nut, but no attention given to the cashew apple. The present study contributes to the evaluation of the physicochemical and biochemical properties of cashew apple juice from the eco-geographical area of Casamance, in southern Senegal. The plant material consists of cashew apples collected in June 2021 from 120 cashew trees. Three batches were constituted for this purpose, taking into account the colour of the apples (red, yellow, and orange). AFNOR standardised methods were used for the physicochemical and biochemical characterisation of cashew apple juice. The dry extract, dry matter, and ash content of the red, yellow, and orange varieties ranged from 14 to 14.70 °Brix;12.96% to 14.17%, and 0.24 to 0.35 g/100g respectively. The multivariate analysis of variance by permutation allowed us to identify two groups of cashew apples. The first group, consisting of orange cashew apples, had the best nutritional quality and was very rich in total minerals (0.35 g/100g) and reducing sugars (18.69 mg/100g). The second group, made up of red and yellow apples, is particularly rich in protein (0.52 g/100ml) and antioxidants (43.28% in IP). Antioxidant power is positively correlated with total phenolic content (r = 0.99). Cashew co-products have a high nutritional value and a considerable economic issue.

Douglas-fi r(Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.)Franco)in Europe:an overview of management practices

Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.)Franco),one of the most commercially important tree species in western North America and one of the most valuable timber trees worldwide,was introduced to Europe in 1827.It became a major species for aff orestation in Western Europe after WWII,currently grows in 35 countries on over 0.83 million ha and is one of the most widespread nonnative tree species across the continent.A lower sensitivity to drought makes Douglas-fi r a potential alternative to the more drought-sensitive Norway spruce so its importance in Europe is expected to increase in the future.It is one of the fastest growing conifer species cultivated in Europe,with the largest reported dimensions of 2.3 m in diameter and 67.5 m in height.Pure stands have high productivity(up to 20 m 3 ha−1 a−1)and production(over 1000 m 3 ha−1).The species is generally regenerated by planting(initial stocking density from less than 1000 seedlings ha−1 to more than 4000 ha−1),using seedlings of European provenance derived from seed orchards or certifi ed seed stands.As the range of end-uses of its wood is very wide,the rotation period of Douglas-fi r is highly variable and ranges between 40 and 120 years.When the production of large-sized,knotfree timber is targeted,thinnings are always coupled with pruning up to 6 m.There is an increasing interest in growing Douglas-fi r in mixtures and managing stands through close-to-nature silviculture,but the species’intermediate shade tolerance means that it is best managed through group selection or shelterwood systems.