Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Slodičák Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady, Opočno Research Station, Opočno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Novák Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady, Opočno Research Station, Opočno, Czech Republic Title: Nutrients in the aboveground biomass of substitute tree species stand with respect to thinning - blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) Abstract: The present paper is the first contribution from the biomass quantification series which is realized by Forestry and Game Management Research Institute in the Krušné hory Mts. (Northern Bohemia). This study is aimed at blue spruce substitute stands. Research was done within the blue spruce experiment Fláje II in the Krušné hory Mts. (800 m above sea level in the spruce forest vegetation zone, acidic category). Results showed that the aboveground biomass of the investigated substitute blue spruce stand without thinning amounted to approximately 56 thousand kg of dry matter per ha at the age of 22 years. Wood and bark of branches are the most important parts of the aboveground biomass (ca 40%). Needles and stem wood accounted for approximately 26 and 28% and stem bark only for 6%. At the age of 22 years, the investigated substitute blue spruce stand accumulated: N - 336 kg, P - 28 kg, K - 138 kg, Ca - 159 kg, Mg - 28 kg per hectare. Thinning with the consequent removal of aboveground biomass (54% of trees, 40% of basal area at the age of 16 years) represented a loss of ca 8.7 thousand kg/ha of total biomass, which contained 53 kg of N, 5 kg of P, 22 kg of K, 26 kg of Ca and 4 kg of Mg. The removal of biomass in areas previously degraded by acid deposition may result in the deficiency of Ca and Mg because of their low content in forest soil. On the other hand, thinning supported the faster growth of trees left after thinning and consequently faster biomass and nutrient accumulation. Keywords: aboveground biomass, blue spruce, Picea pungens Engelm., Krušné hory Mts., thinning, substitute stands Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 85-91 Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/3032-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3032-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200803-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:3:id:3032-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Š. Hofmeister Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Svoboda Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Souček Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Opočno Research Station, Opočno, Czech Republic Author-Name: S. Vacek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Spatial pattern of Norway spruce and silver fir natural regeneration in uneven-aged mixed forests of northeastern Bohemia Abstract: Two permanent sample plots (both 0.25 ha) were established in a mixed forest in the Orlické hory Mts. Protected Landscape Area (northeastern Bohemia) to analyze the natural regeneration of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). All the seedlings (height 0.1-0.5 m), saplings (height 0.5 m, d1.3 3 cm) and trees (d1.3 > 3 cm) were localized and measured. The analysis of the spatial pattern and statistical evaluation were carried out by means of Ripley's K-function. All the growth stages of the spruce and the fir showed an aggregated (clump) pattern, whereas the regeneration of fir was positively correlated with mature spruces and the regeneration of spruce was in a positive relation with mature firs. The results indicate that for germination and stable growth in the first stages of development, the fir can find more favourable conditions under the crowns of spruce trees and the spruce under mature firs. Keywords: Abies alba, Picea abies, natural regeneration, spatial pattern, Protected Landscape Area Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 92-101 Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/2/2008-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2/2008-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200803-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:3:id:2-2008-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G. J. Martínez Pastur Author-Workplace-Name: Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Author-Name: J. M. Cellini Author-Workplace-Name: Facultad de Cs. Agrs. y Ftales., Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina Author-Name: M. V. Lencinas Author-Workplace-Name: Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Author-Name: P. L. Peri Author-Workplace-Name: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Santa Cruz, Argentina Title: Stand growth model using volume increment/basal area ratios Abstract: Estimation of stand growth is crucial for forest planning. Estimations were usually done using fixed values, and recently growth equations have been used. An alternative is through stand growth models. The objective was to develop a simple model for Nothofagus pumilio stands with full density along site quality and age gradients. The sample was obtained from 125 stands. Data on forest structure and samples for tree-ring measurement were taken in all trees to estimate growths using biometric models previously developed. The growth values of each plot during the last twenty years were calculated to fit the model, using the ratio of total volume increment/basal area as an independent variable. The developed model gives a ratio between stand volume increment and basal area (m/year) in relation to the site quality and stand age. The statistics (r2 = 0.819, mean error = 0.019, absolute mean error = 0.033), residual analysis and biological performance were satisfactory. The obtained stand growths varied between 1 and 20 m3/ha/year. This simple model allowed to estimate growth values at a stand level from easy field measurements from forest inventories. Keywords: biometrics, forest planning, forest growth, stand models, Nothofagus pumilio Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 102-108 Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/3100-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3100-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200803-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:3:id:3100-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Cienciala Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Forest Ecosystem Research (IFER), Jílové u Prahy, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Apltauer Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Forest Ecosystem Research (IFER), Jílové u Prahy, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Exnerová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Forest Ecosystem Research (IFER), Jílové u Prahy, Czech Republic Author-Name: F. Tatarinov Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Forest Ecosystem Research (IFER), Jílové u Prahy, Czech Republic Title: Biomass functions applicable to oak trees grown in Central-European forestry Abstract: This study describes the parameterization of biomass functions applicable to oak (Quercus robur, Quercus petraea) trees grown in the conditions of Central-European forestry. It is based on destructive measurements of 51 grown trees sampled from 6 sites in different regions of the Czech Republic important for oak forest management. The samples covered trees of breast height diameter (D) ranging from 6 to 59 cm, tree height (H) from 6 to 32 m and age between 12 and 152 years. The parameterization was performed for total aboveground biomass and its individual components. The two basic levels of biomass functions utilized D either as a single independent variable or in combination with H. The functions of the third level represented the best function for each biomass component with the optimal combination of available independent variables, which included D, H, crown length (CL), crown width (CW), crown ratio (CR = CL/H), tree age and site altitude. D was found to be a particularly strong predictor for total tree aboveground biomass. H was found to always improve the fit, particularly for the individual components of aboveground biomass. The contribution of CW was minor, but significant for all biomass components, whereas CL and CR were found useful for the components of stem and living branches, respectively. Finally, the remaining variables tree age and altitude were each justified only for one component function, namely living branch biomass and stem bark, respectively. The study also compares the fitted functions with other available references applicable to oak trees. Keywords: Quercus robur, Quercus petraea, biomass components, carbon, forest, temperate region Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 109-120 Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/2906-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/2906-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200803-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:3:id:2906-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L. Šálek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: D. Zahradník Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Wedge prism as a tool for diameter and distance measurement Abstract: The wedge prism, which is generally used for the measurement of basal area in diameter at breast height, is also a tool for the measurement of distance as well as for the measurement of diameters at a certain height of the stem, in the upper stem. Measurements using the wedge prism are based on the same principle as measurements using Bitterlich mirror relascope. This method is appropriate for non-destructive determination of stem volume. Moreover, the wedge prism can be used for the sorting of logs in standing trees when the small end of expectant assortment has to be known. As the wedge prism is a common tool for foresters, its usage seems to be larger than only the measurement of basal area. Keywords: wedge prism, upper stem diameter measurement, distance measurement, log sorting Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 121-124 Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/3033-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3033-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200803-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:3:id:3033-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Janeček Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Skoupý Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Klvač Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Rationalization of the performance of a mobile off-road system working in the forest environment with respect to its emission load Abstract: This paper deals with the possibilities of minimizing the emissions of heterogeneous substances/pollutants (SO2, NOx and NCx) per volume unit of processed timber, based on measurements of the design and operating performance of a mobile off-road system working in the forest environment. The forest production system is taken to mean the production system into which the material and resource flow and/or even the workforce flow enter. During the production process the material, power and/or workforce flow is transformed into the final product (processed timber, soil preparation, afforestation, etc.). Operating and/or design capacity is the control variable optimizing the operating mode of the forest production system. The quantities of emitted pollutants related to the work unit done by the production system represent the criterional function specifying the optimization of parameters of the mobile off-road system working in the forest sector. The conditions for the operating mode (performance) of the mobile off-road system working in the forest environment under which the minimum emitted pollutants related to the unit of done work are reached have been determined. The theoretical conclusions have been verified experimentally. Keywords: forest technology, SO2, NOx, NCx, optimizing, minimization Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 125-130 Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/3098-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3098-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200803-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:3:id:3098-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: T. N. Maraseni Author-Workplace-Name: Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments (ACSC), University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Toowoomba, Australia Author-Name: J. Maroulis Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Education and ACSC, USQ, Toowoomba, Australia Author-Name: G. Cockfield Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Business and ACSC, USQ, Toowoomba, Australia Title: An estimation of willingness to pay for asparagus (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) collectors in Makawanpur District, Nepal Abstract: The collection and sale of asparagus (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) is a major source of income for Praja and Tamang castes around the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) in Nepal. However, the forests where asparagus is harvested are becoming depleted threatening the livelihood of collectors. To address this issue, at sustainable harvesting practices, the research reported here applied the contingent valuation method (bidding game) and estimated the average willingness to pay (WTP) of collectors to two asparagus collection scenarios. In the first scenario, if forests under the Department of Forests jurisdiction were managed for sustainable harvesting at 1995 rates, the average WTP of collectors was 4.4 NR/kg. In the second scenario, if the forest in the RCNP is managed in such a way that both the current harvesting rate of asparagus is sustained and they are legally allowed to collect asparagus at the present rate, the average WTP of collectors was 8.35 NR/kg. Consequently, there is a good chance of earning revenue for the government and sustaining the livelihood of asparagus dependents by the sustainable management of the Department's and the National Park's forests and giving legal permissions to collect asparagus from the National Park, which would have happened anyway but with financial and legal risks to collectors. Keywords: Asparagus racemosus, willingness to pay, contingent valuation method, Praja, Tamang Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 131-137 Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/3099-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3099-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-200803-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:54:y:2008:i:3:id:3099-JFS