Occupancy of avian foraging guilds in soybean fields and borders in Entre Ríos, Argentina: responses to vegetation structure and prey resources

Background:Reconciling agriculture and biodiversity conservation is a challenge given the growing demand for agricultural products.In recent decades,Argentina has witnessed agricultural expansion and intensification affecting biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.Within agroecosystems,the level of habitat quality is critical for birds,and may depend on vegetation structure,availability of invertebrate prey,and the use of pesticides.Although the relationship between vegetation structure and avian occurrence has been widely studied,to our knowledge,there are no studies that also incorporate prey availability throughout the cycle of soybean crops in Argentina.We estimated and predicted the effects of land cover and temporal variation on the occurrence of avian foraging guilds in Entre Ríos,Argentina,in order to guide management related to potential ecosystem services provided by birds.We also estimated temporal effects of vegetation structure and insecticides on the main arthropod orders consumed by birds to evaluate prey availability.Methods:We conducted bird and arthropod surveys for 2 years along transects located in 20 randomly selected soybean fields(N=60)and their adjacent borders(N=78)throughout the crop growing season,in four seasons.We estimated avian occupancy,accounting for imperfect detection,and arthropod counts fitting generalized linear mixed models.Results:The number of native trees in field borders positively influenced the occurrence of most bird species,mainly insectivores.Granivore foliage gleaners,also were positively affected by grass height.Salliers and aerial foragers were weakly affected by distance to forest and native trees.In general,the availability of invertebrates to birds was highest during the third season.Arthropod counts in borders were greater during the last three crop stages than during the pre-sowing period.Conclusions:We found that with 10 to 15 native tree species in borders,coupled with a complex vegetation structure with shrubs and grasses,we could conserve a wide spectrum of insectivorous birds,and may contribute to the invertebrate pest control service.Vegetated field borders function as a refuge for arthropods,especially agriculturally beneficial taxa such as Hymenopterans.Finally,several groups of birds use the interior of the fields and could help control pests.

Analysis of temporal changes in land cover and landscape metrics of a managed forest in the west Black Sea region of northern Turkey: 1970–2010

Forest structure changes continuously by natural and anthropogenic effects. Because the level of goods and services provided by forest ecosystems are related to this structure, some attributes have to be controlled while they are being managed. In this paper we describe the long-term temporal changes in land area and landscape metrics related to different land uses of a managed forest in Turkey. The study was carried out for the Daday Forest Planning Unit located in the west Black Sea region of northern Turkey. The total area is 16,813 ha and besides wood production, it is managed for erosion control, public health, aesthetics, and recreation. Stand type maps that were constructed in 1970,1989, 1999, and 2010 were used in this analysis. Transition matrixes that illustrate area changes among cover types and temporal changes on some landscape metrics were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. Stands were separated into small patches, and thus the number of patches increased nearly two-fold between 1970 and 2010. The total forest edge increased and through the associated fragmentation, the amount of core forest area decreased at the landscape scale. Landscape metrics were applied to digitized versions of historical maps to assess how forest area changed. Human use of the land has changed, forest management practices have evolved, and these along with natural forest growth have contributed to interesting changes in landscape character.

Lead-phase and red-stripe color morphs of red-backed salamanders Plethodon cinereus differ in hematological stress indices:A consequence of differential predation pressure?

Throughout the animal kingdom there are species that have two or more phenotypic forms or ‘morphs＇, and many of these are amphibians. In North America, the red-backed salamander Plethodon cinereus can have either a red dorsal stripe or no dorsal stripe （lead-phase form）, and evidence to date indicates the lead-phase form incurs a greater number of attacks from predators. In a recent collection of 51 P cinereus, blood smears of both color morphs （35 red-stripe, 16 lead-phase） were examined to obtain numbers of circulating leukocytes （via light microscopy）, which can be used to indirectly estimate levels of stress hormones in vertebrates via a ‘hematological stress index＇, which is the ratio between the number of two leukocyte types （neutrophils and lymphocytes）. Our results showed that lead-phase salamanders tended to have greater numbers of circulating neutrophils and lower numbers of circulating lymphocytes than red-stripe morphs, leading to higher average neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios in lead-phase individuals. Since the salamanders were held （refrigerated） for 7 days before sampling, we cannot be certain if this effect is a stress reaction to the captivity or the normal level for this morph. However comparison with two sets of related salamanders that were captured and sampled immediately indicates the red-stripe salamanders were either not stressed from the captivity at all, or their white blood cell distributions had returned to normal after 7 days of captivity. Taken together, our results indicate that lead-phase forms of P. cinereus have higher stress levels than the red-stripe forms, which may be a consequence of their higher exposure to, and/or attacks from, predators. They may also indicate that the lead-phase form is less-suited to captivity than the red-stripe form of this species.

Morphologic characters and element content during development of Pinus tabuliformis seeds

An embryo classification system for Pinus tabuliformis Carr. was established by time-tracing sam- pling and observation of zygotic embryos. The zygotic embryos were divided into nine stages. Key elements of the zygotic embryo and female gametophyte （FG） tissue of P. tabuliformis were analyzed, using inductively coupled plasma-emission spectroscopy. Several elements--includ- ing aluminum, iron, sodium, and copper--are found in both embryo and FG tissue. Boron, phosphorus, magnesium,zinc, and calcium are also required for zygotic embryo development and therefore accumulated. Manganese is selectively excluded from the embryo. The zygotic embryo development needs a low-sodium and high-potassium nutrition proportion. The results of elemental analysis from zygotic embryos and FGs can provide the mineral targets for optimizing the formulation of culture medium for somatic embryogenesis.

Estimation of premature forests in Georgia (USA) using U.S.Forest Service FIA data and Landsat imagery

We used geographic information system applications and statistical analyses to classify young, premature forest areas in southeastern Georgia using combined data from Landsat TM 5 satellite imagery and ground inventory data. We defined premature stands as forests with trees up to 15 years old. We estimated the premature forest areas using three methods: maximum likelihood classification(MLC), regression analysis, and k-nearest neighbor(k NN)modeling. Overall accuracy(OA) of classifying the premature forest using MLC was 82% and the Kappa coefficient of agreement was 0.63, which was the highest among the methods that we have tested. The k NN approach ranked second in accuracy with OA of 61% and a Kappa coefficient of agreement of 0.22. Regression analysis yielded an OA of 57% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.14. We conclude that Landsat imagery can be effectively used for estimating premature forest areas in combination with image processing classifiers such as MLC.

Utilizing <i>Spirogyra grevilleana</i>as a Phytoremediatory Agent for Reduction of Limnetic Nutrients and <i>Escherichia coli</i>Concentrations

The freshwater alga Spirogyra grevilleana was used in an experimental biofiltration system to reduce levels of Escherichia coli, nitrates, and phosphates. Water collected from a 2.32 ha lake in Atlanta, Georgia, USA was pumped at a constant rate (6.17 × 10-1 m3·hr-1) through the algal filtration devices with low and high concentrations of S. grevilleana. Effluent water was tested over time for E. coli, nitrate, phosphate, dissolved oxygen, and pH levels. Both concentrations of S. grevilleana reduced E. coli by 100% and significantly reduced nitrate concentrations (30% ± 13%) and phosphate concentrations (23% ± 5%) while maintaining dissolved oxygen and pH at normal levels. Utilizing S. grevilleana in an algal filtration device could potentially provide a sustainable, flexible, and low-cost method of E. coli reduction in freshwater lakes worldwide. Initial results indicate that the use of S. grevilleana in conjunction with an algal filtration device is potentially capable of creating potable water.

Using Biophysical Variables and Stand Density to Estimate Growth and Yield of <i>Pinus patula</i>in Antioquia, Colombia

Timberland investment opportunities in Colombia are expected to increase as a result of the peace agreement recently signed between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. This new socio-political environment may facilitate the expansion of commercial forest plantations on a wider range of site conditions that are currently considered in existing biometric tools. Data from 1119 temporary plots of unthinned, unmanaged, and genetically unimproved Pinus patula plantations in the Antioquia region were combined with a large set of biophysical attributes to identify spatial variation in yield. A wide array of biophysical covariates was explored to characterize the most favorable environmental conditions for the species, and to identify potential explanatory variables to be included in forest yield models. The mathematical form of the model is the von Bertalanffy-Chapman-Richards type, with parameters: asymptote, intrinsic growth rate and allometric constant. The parameters were expressed as linear functions of soil pH, terrain slope, the mean annual temperature to mean annual precipitation ratio, and stand density. The statistical contribution of selected covariates was evaluated using the likelihood ratio test. The model was validated using an independent set of 133 observations. The spatial representation of the model depicts the timber production potential and allows for the identification of the most suitable geographical areas to establish Pinus patula plantations in Antioquia, Colombia. The estimated yield model provides a reliable baseline for timber production, and insight into timberland investments in Colombia.

Mixed-effects modeling for tree height prediction models of Oriental beech in the Hyrcanian forests

Height–diameter relationships are essential elements of forest assessment and modeling efforts.In this work,two linear and eighteen nonlinear height–diameter equations were evaluated to find a local model for Oriental beech（Fagus orientalis Lipsky） in the Hyrcanian Forest in Iran.The predictive performance of these models was first assessed by different evaluation criteria： adjusted R^2（R^2_（adj））,root mean square error（RMSE）,relative RMSE（%RMSE）,bias,and relative bias（%bias） criteria.The best model was selected for use as the base mixed-effects model.Random parameters for test plots were estimated with different tree selection options.Results show that the Chapman–Richards model had better predictive ability in terms of adj R^2（0.81）,RMSE（3.7 m）,%RMSE（12.9）,bias（0.8）,%Bias（2.79） than the other models.Furthermore,the calibration response,based on a selection of four trees from the sample plots,resulted in a reduction percentage for bias and RMSE of about 1.6–2.7%.Our results indicate that the calibrated model produced the most accurate results.

Pelage color of red bats Lasiurus borealis varies with body size:An image analysis of museum specimens

Mammalian pelage color can vary among individuals of many species, although this intraspecific variation is oftenoverlooked by researchers, perhaps because of its sometimes subtle nature and difficulty in assessing it quantitatively. Thus, suchvariation is rarely studied in mammals, and this is especially true within the order Chiroptera, where there has been very little empiricalresearch. We examined museum specimens of red bats (Lasiurus borealis, family Vespertilionidae) from Georgia, USA, todetermine the extent of sexual dimorphism in pelage color and to explore possible associations between body size and pelagecolor. We photographed 54 specimens under uniform lighting, and used an image analysis program to measure pelage hue on theuropatagium region, which is fully furred in members of the genus Lasiurus. Statistical analyses of pelage hue scores showedmales had significantly redder pelage than females when considered alone, but when examined together with effects of body sizeand collection year, sex was not significant, and collection year and body size were. More recent specimens tended to be less redthan older specimens, which might indicate a wearing of the buffy tips of hairs from older specimens, and smaller bats of bothsexes tended to be more red. These interesting findings are encouraging and we suggest that future explorations into intraspecificvariation in pelage color of bats using this or similar approaches are warranted to clarify the significance of the patterns. Thisstudy also demonstrated that care must be taken in analyses of mammalian pelage color from older museum skins, or at least thatresearchers must take into account the age of the specimens .

Stem radial CO_2 conductance affects stem respiratory CO_2 fluxes in ash and birch trees

The CO_2 released from respiring cells in woody tissues of trees can contribute to one of three fluxes:efflux to the atmosphere(E_A),internal xylem sap transport flux(F_T),and storage flux(DS).Adding those fluxes together provides an estimate of actual stem respiration(R_S).We know that the relative proportion of CO_2 in those fluxes varies greatly among tree species,but we do not yet have a clear understanding of the causes for this variation.One possible explanation is that species differ in stem radial CO_2 conductance(g_c).A high g_c would favor the E_A pathway and a low g_cwould favor the F_Tpathway.However,g_chas only been measured once in situ and only in a single tree species.We measured g_cusing two methods in stems of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.(ash)and Betula platyphylla Suk.(birch)trees in situ,along with R_S,E_A,F_T and DS.Stem radial CO_2 conductance was substantially greater in ash trees than in birch trees.Corresponding to that finding,in ash trees over 24 h,E_Aconstituted the entire flux of respired CO_2 ,and F_Twas negative,indicating that additional CO_2 ,probably transported from the root system via the xylem,was also diffusing into the atmosphere.In ash trees,F_T was negative over the entire 24 h,and this study represents the first time that has been reported.The addition of xylem-transported CO_2 to E_A caused E_Ato be 9% higher than the actual R_Sover the diel measurement period.Birch trees,which had lower g_c,also had a more commonly seen pattern,with E_A accounting for about 80% of the CO_2 released from local cell respiration and F_T accounting for the remainder.The inorganic carbon concentration in xylem sap was also lower in ash trees than in birch trees:2.7 versus 5.3 mmol L^(-1),respectively.Our results indicate that stem CO_2 conductance could be a very useful measurement to help explain differences among species in the proportion of respired CO_2 that remains in the xylem or diffuses into the atmosphere.

Crown Ratio and Relative Spacing Relationships for Loblolly Pine Plantations

Two loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) culture/density studies were established in 1995-1998 across the Lower Coastal Plain and Upper Coastal Plain/Piedmont regions of the southern USA. Each installation contains 12 plots of loblolly pine planted at six levels of density from 741 to 4448 trees/ha in combination with two levels of cultural intensity, operational and intensive. The data from 37 viable installations were used to evaluate the crown ratio and relative spacing relationship of loblolly pine plantations. The effects of planting density, site quality, and cultural intensity on the relationship were investigated with a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach. The crown ratio and relative spacing relationship is exceedingly predictable. When loblolly pine plantation stands reached the average live crown ratio of 0.40, a critical point representing a generally acceptable level of tree vigor, the corresponding relative spacing index ranged from 0.11 to 0.20, mainly depending on initial planting density. The information about the crown ratio and relative spacing relationship would be useful for selecting the best intensity and timing of thinning.

Forest Tenure and Sustainable Forest Management

We reviewed the principles and key literature related to forest tenure and sustainable forest management, and then examined the status of sustainable forestry and land ownership at the aggregate national level for major forested countries. The institutional design principles suggested by Ostrom are well accepted for applications to public, communal, and private lands. The analyses of countries as a whole suggest that problems of forest land loss and sustainable forest management are related to the amount of public lands owned, as well as the difference between developed and developing countries. Developed countries have largely achieved a stable level of land use and resource extraction after centuries of exploitation of forests and natural resources. Many developed countries do have greater amounts of private forest land than developing countries, which have occurred as the countries transfer lands to private owners in the course of development. Public lands and management approaches require diligence, but can be developed to meet the design criteria suggested by tenure rights theorists. Private or communal ownership is often considered superior, but also must meet the criteria suggested above in order to foster sustainable forest management in poor countries.

The Local Migration of Plant-Based Medicines from Rural Communities to Gral. E. Aquino, Paraguay

Rural Paraguay presents interesting opportunities for investigating the subtle differences in the use of medicinal plants across seasons and the urban versus rural dichotomy in a local setting. This study investigates three aspects of plant-based medicinal use in rural Paraguay: 1) seasonal differences and 2) differences between urban and rural residents and 3) the source of medicinal plants used to treat thirteen common ailments. Interviews performed in January through March 2015 and repeated in June through August 2015 revealed small differences between seasons and between places of residence but a larger homogeneity in the two populations, a homogeneity that stems from the recent migration of urban residents from nearby rural communities. We also found that the important cultural and preventive medicinal use of plant-based additions to yerba mate contributes to the similarities between the urban and rural populations. The findings suggest the continued strength of medicinal plant use going into the near future.

Modeling height growth for teak plantations in Colombia using the reducible stochastic differential equation approach

Teak(Tectona grandis L.f.)plantations are increasingly being established in tropical regions to meet a rising demand for its highly valued timber.Teak plantations have been established in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of Colombia,a region climatically suitable for teak growth by having a monsoon climate with a unimodal precipitation pattern.Tree diameter at breast height(DBH,1.3 m above ground)and mean top height,periodically measured over a 17-year period in 44 permanent sampling plots of size 0.06 and 0.10 ha,were used in this study.A stochastic differential equation(SDE),along with a Bertalanffy–Richards-type height growth model,was used to model and estimate top height growth of teak plantations in Colombia.Environmental noise and height measurement errors were explicitly considered as the main uncertainty sources of mean top height growth.The best model for estimating mean top height,based on statistical performance and biological rationale,had the asymptote defined as a local parameter and the growth rate and shape specified as global parameters.This model outperformed its counterpart that had the growth rate specified as a local parameter and asymptote and shape as global parameters.The selected model also outperformed alternative approaches such as the mixed-effects model,generalized algebraic difference approach,and the dummy variable method.Estimated trajectories for the mean top height of teak in Colombia are biologically sound based on the measured height series and previous studies in Latin America.Results suggest that most of the uncertainty associated with the mean top height growth of teak plantations in Colombia was largely explained by environmental noise.The best estimated model using the SDE approach can be useful for predicting height growth and evaluating site productivity of teak plantations in Colombia and in neighbouring countries with biophysical characteristics similar to those where teak has been planted in Colombia.

Plant Promoters and Terminators for High-Precision Bioengineering

High-precision bioengineering and synthetic biology require fine-tuning gene expression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels.Gene transcription is tightly regulated by promoters and terminators.Promoters determine the timing,tissues and cells,and levels of the expression of genes.Terminators mediate transcription termination of genes and affect mRNA levels posttranscriptionally,e.g.,the 3′-end processing,stability,translation efficiency,and nuclear to cytoplasmic export of mRNAs.The promoter and terminator combination affects gene expression.In the present article,we review the function and features of plant core promoters,proximal and distal promoters,and terminators,and their effects on and benchmarking strategies for regulating gene expression.

Intraspecific temporal resource partitioning at white-tailed deer feeding sites

Individuals may reduce competition by temporally partitioning their use of a shared resource. Behavioral differences between sexes in ungulates may encourage segregation as individuals attempt to avoid antagonistic interactions. However, dominant sex and age groups may reduce subordinates' access to food resources, regardless of the subordinate's sex. We hypothesized that white-tailed deer Odocoileus Virginian us temporally segregated at supplemental feedi ng sites based on social rank (subordinate: yearling males and adult females;dominant: adult males) and that segregation was affected by phase of the breeding season and diel cycle. If deer temporally segregate according to social rank, we predicted that the resulting activity patterns would manifest in one social class being relatively more susceptible to hunter-induced mortality. We used a multistate modeling approach to quantify temporal segregation and calculated the probability that a feeding site was in a particular state during diurnal and nocturnal hours for each of the 3 phases of the breeding season. We determined that transition probabilities differed by season and diel cycle and dominant and subordinate social classes clearly avoided each other, with <1% co-occurrenee at feedi ng sites. During the pre-breedi ng seas on, the probability of a subordi nate being present during diurnal hours was 3.Ox more likely than a dominant being present, but did not differ during nocturnal hours. There was no difference for dominants and subordinates during diurnal or no cturnal hours during the breedi ng season .In the post-breedi ng season, subordi nates were 1.7x more likely to occur at the feeding site than a dominant during diurnal hours but they did not differ during nocturnal hours. Our results indicate that dominance status influences temporal segregation at feeding sites and is affected by the phase of the breeding season. Therefore, the resulti ng activity patterns may in crease subordi nates' risk to human predation during the prebreedi ng and post-breeding seasons.

基于根系发育分级的砂壤土下成熟林木根系构型分析

基于根系发育分级标准分析不同等级根系的形态特征和各级根系的生长发育策略,可以为未来成熟林木根系预测和模型构建提供参考。该研究以30多年生的两个毛白杨(Populus tomentosa)和一个刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)的根系系统为研究对象,通过全挖法获取研究材料,以Rose(1983)提出的发育分级标准作为根系分级标准,分析了不同等级根系的基径、根长、连结长度、根系数量等形态特征以及不同等级根系间的拓扑关系。研究结果表明:1)3个根系系统的修正拓扑指数qa、qb均接近于0,拓扑指数TI均接近于0.5,说明3个根系系统均呈现叉状分支;3个根系系统垂直分布最深达到5.7–6.4 m,水平分布最长达到7.6–13.5 m;同一树种根系存在连生关系。2)3个根系系统能够分支到7–8级根;一级根基径和长度显著高于后几级根,一级根基径是后几级根的5.79–36.92倍,一级根长度是后几级根的1.45–9.11倍;根系数量随着根系等级增加先增后减,在三级根上达到最大值。3)在前三级根中,各级根上的连结长度从根基到根尖变化不大,说明子级根在母级根上分布均匀,能够充分高效地吸收土壤资源。4)母级根对子级根的基径拟合线性方程斜率,一级根最小(平均斜率0.15),二级根和三级根的斜率相差不大(平均斜率0.34、0.35),说明一级根优先发育自身直径,达到锚固和支撑的作用,二、三级根则会优先发育子级根,通过不断增强子级根以达到高效占领土壤空间的目的。5)基径对长度的拟合线性方程斜率随着根系等级增加而增加(平均斜率从10.46增长至90.43),说明高级别根系会倾向于发展根系长度来达到探索资源、拓展空间的目的。

Eastern wild turkey nest site selection in two frequently burned pine savannas

Introduction:Reproductive success is a critical factor affecting avian demographics and can be influenced by many factors including nesting chronology,predation risk,and fine-scale nest site selection.Methods:We modeled the relative influences of habitat-related covariates at six spatial scales(nest site:15-,40-,80-,120-,160-,and 200-m radii)on Eastern wild turkey(Meleagris gallopavo silvestris)nest site selection in two pine savannas managed by frequent prescribed fire(≤3 years)in southwestern Georgia during 2011-2013.Results:Nest site(15-m scale)habitat metrics(mean visual obstruction[cm]and canopy closure[%])had the greatest influence on nest site selection relative to covariates measured at larger spatial scales.Scaled odds ratios suggested that nests were 26.8% more likely to occur for every 10 cm increase in mean vegetation height with a range of 7.5 to 150.0 cm and 18.5% less likely to occur for every 10% increase in canopy closure with a range from 0.0 to 97.8%.Total ground cover,canopy closure,edge density,and percent land cover type(e.g.,mature pine,mixed pine/hardwood,shrub/scrub)had minimal influence on nest site selection.Conclusions:Management of pine savannas for turkey nest sites should focus on creating early-successional vegetation to conceal nests from potential predators.Additionally,we suggest that future studies consider evaluating the influence of spatial scale on turkey nest site selection.

Adult bobcat(Lynx rufus)habitat selection in a longleaf pine savanna

Background:Pine savannas are primarily managed with frequent prescribed fire(≤3 years)to promote diversity of flora and fauna,and to maintain open,park-like conditions needed by species such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker(Picoides borealis).However,a knowledge gap exists in our understanding of bobcat(Lynx rufus)habitat selection in longleaf pine savannas and research is warranted to direct our future management decisions.Methods:We examined bobcat habitat selection in a pine savanna managed with frequent fires at two spatial scales(i.e.,study area boundary[hereafter,landscape scale])and annual area of use[95%kernel density;local scale],and assessed effects of prescribed fire on bobcat habitat selection.Specifically,we monitored 45 bobcats(16 males and 29 females)during 2001–2007.Results:We found differential habitat selection by sex.At the landscape scale,female bobcats were closer to mixed pine-hardwoods,young pine,and secondary roads,but farther from mature pine and hardwoods stands relative to males.We found no difference in selection of agriculture,shrub-scrub,and primary roads between sexes.At the annual area of use scale,female bobcats were closer to secondary roads,but farther from agriculture and shrub-scrub relative to males.We found no difference in selection of mature pine,mixed pine-hardwoods,hardwoods,young pine,and primary roads between sexes.Bobcats primarily selected for stands burned≤1.1 years post-fire.Conclusions:Our results show that bobcats exploit a broad range of habitat types in pine landscapes managed with frequent fire and commonly use recently burned stands(≤1.1 year post-fire),suggesting prey in many areas of this system are at risk of bobcat predation.Additionally,we suggest land managers consider scale of selection by bobcats when developing habitat management strategies.

Canopy Roughness:A New Phenotypic Trait to Estimate Aboveground Biomass from Unmanned Aerial System

Cost-effective phenotyping methods are urgently needed to advance crop genetics in order to meet the food,fuel,and fiber demands of the coming decades.Concretely,characterizing plot level traits in fields is of particular interest.Recent developments in highresolution imaging sensors for UAS(unmanned aerial systems)focused on collecting detailed phenotypic measurements are a potential solution.We introduce canopy roughness as a new plant plot-level trait.We tested its usability with soybean by optical data collected from UAS to estimate biomass.We validate canopy roughness on a panel of 108 soybean[Glycine max(L.)Merr.]recombinant inbred lines in a multienvironment trial during the R^(2) growth stage.A senseFly eBee UAS platform obtained aerial images with a senseFly S.O.D.A.compact digital camera.Using a structure from motion(SfM)technique,we reconstructed 3D point clouds of the soybean experiment.A novel pipeline for feature extraction was developed to compute canopy roughness from point clouds.We used regression analysis to correlate canopy roughness with field-measured aboveground biomass(AGB)with a leave-one-out cross-validation.Overall,our models achieved a coefficient of determination(R^(2))greater than 0.5 in all trials.Moreover,we found that canopy roughness has the ability to discern AGB variations among different genotypes.Our test trials demonstrate the potential of canopy roughness as a reliable trait for high-throughput phenotyping to estimate AGB.As such,canopy roughness provides practical information to breeders in order to select phenotypes on the basis of UAS data.