Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: B. Jarčuška Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia Author-Name: S. Kucbel Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia Author-Name: P. Jaloviar Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia Title: Comparison of output results from two programmes for hemispherical image analysis: Gap Light Analyser and WinScanopy Abstract: We compare the results of the analysis of hemispherical images (of a broadleaved and a coniferous forest) obtained using the Gap Light Analyser (GLA) software and the results obtained by analyzing the same images with the aid of WinScanopy. The two packages were used to calculate relative total, relative diffuse and relative direct transmittance, canopy openness, and leaf area index. Our aim was to find out whether it is possible to compare the studies using different software packages for determining light conditions. The binary pixel classification of images of canopy and sky was performed automatically (in the case of Gap Light Analyser, using the SideLook programme). The threshold values determined by the SideLook programme were lower compared to the WinScanopy, which was also reflected in the evaluated output results. There was a strong positive correlation between the results obtained with the two software packages (R2 ranges from 0.814 to 0.999). However, when the Gap Light Analyser analysis was applied to the threshold values obtained with the SideLook, the output results mostly manifested systematic differences in comparison with the output results obtained using the WinScanopy. Using the same threshold value in both programmes, the differences between the output values were quite small (a minimum of 0.038 m2.m-2 for LAI in the spruce forest and a maximum of 0.738% for total relative transmittance also in the spruce forest). The differences in some characteristics were statistically significant, on the other hand, both the photo series had only the identical direct transmittance values. The observed differences can be explained by differences in the calibration of the used camera-lens pair, different image registration techniques and different theoretical background and models used in the two software packages. It follows that it is also necessary to be aware of possible differences when comparing the outputs of the two compared software packages analyzing photos obtained applying the same methodical approach. Keywords: analyses, Gap Light Analyser, hemispherical photography, light, WinScanopy Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 147-153 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2010 DOI: 10.17221/76/2009-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/76/2009-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201004-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:56:y:2010:i:4:id:76-2009-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Kozioł Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Entomology, Agricultural University of Cracow, Cracow, Poland Title: Variability of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) cone entomofauna in the Tatra National Park in association with the development of cones Abstract: In the years 1987-1993 research aimed at the qualitative and quantitative composition of insects inhabiting the cones of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was carried out in the area of the Tatra National Park (Poland) for the first time. Approximately 72 thousand specimens of insects were obtained, representing 50 species from 8 orders. Kaltenbachiola strobi (Winn.), Plemeliella abietina Seitn. and Cydia strobilella L. were among the most frequently occurring species. The entomofauna of ripening, ripe and old, already lignified cones was determined, and among the insects found trophic groups were distinguished and, consequently, characterized by means of the following ecological indexes: constancy, dominance and species diversity. The qualitative and quantitative composition of spruce (P. abies) cone entomofauna was changing along with the development of the cones, due to the periods of occupancy and leaving the cones by species of varied bioecology. The entomofauna of ripe cones was characterized by higher species diversity (42 species) than that of ripening cones (25 species) and old cones (26 species). Keywords: cones, entomofauna, Norway spruce, sequence, Tatra Mts Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 154-164 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2010 DOI: 10.17221/119/2008-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/119/2008-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201004-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:56:y:2010:i:4:id:119-2008-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R. Petráš Author-Workplace-Name: National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia Author-Name: J. Mecko Author-Workplace-Name: National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia Author-Name: V. Nociar Author-Workplace-Name: National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia Title: Diameter structure of the stands of poplar clones Abstract: The construction of a continuous mathematical model of frequency distributions of the diameters of trees of poplar clones Robusta and I-214 in dependence on tree diameter and mean diameter of stand is presented. Empirical material consists of diameter measurements on research plots from poplar regions in Slovakia. There were 90 plots for I-214 clone and 142 plots for Robusta clone. There were about 10-250 trees with mean diameter 2-70 cm on the research plots. The model was derived according to the three-parameter Weibull function. Its parameters were estimated by maximum likelihood method of the logarithm of the probability density function. Smoothed sample probability densities were processed in continuous mathematical models where the probability density of trees in stands is a function of their diameters and mean diameter of the stand. The method of regression smoothing of the parameters of Weibull function from sample sets in dependence on their mean diameter was used. In the whole range of mean diameters both clones have slightly left-skewed distribution with a relatively small variation range. Keywords: diameter distribution function, frequency distributions of diameters, poplar clones, Robusta, I-214, Weibull function Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 165-170 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2010 DOI: 10.17221/65/2009-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/65/2009-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201004-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:56:y:2010:i:4:id:65-2009-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: V. Šebeň Author-Workplace-Name: National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia Author-Name: M. Bošeľa Author-Workplace-Name: National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia Title: Different approaches to the classification of vertical structure in homogeneous and heterogeneous forests Abstract: The paper shows difficulties in the evaluation of the forest status when considering forests with different height structure (uneven-aged forests). It is the main problem in categorizing such forests. Concerning the actual forest management conception in Slovakia, it is assumed that the area of forests with close-to-nature management system will increase. It leads to more structured forests, as for the tree species, age, height, as well as the spatial structure. The typical vertically homogeneous forests account for only 50% of all Slovak forests, according to results from the National Forest Inventory in Slovakia (NFI SR). During the processing of NFI data the stands were divided into 2 classes as follows: (i) vertically homogeneous stands, which are classified into nine growth stages; (ii) vertically heterogeneous stands, which are classified into two growth stages (lower and advanced), and stands in the process of regeneration. New approaches are not based on the visual subjective estimation of forest homogeneity, but on objective analyses of measured values from inventory plots (tree heights, diameters, and age). The paper shows a new approach to the classification of forest stands on an example of the variability of measured heights on inventory plots from NFI. Keywords: height variability, forest status survey, NFI, structural classification Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 171-176 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2010 DOI: 10.17221/49/2009-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/49/2009-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201004-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:56:y:2010:i:4:id:49-2009-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L. Matoušková Author-Workplace-Name: Charles University in Prague, Institute for Environmental Studies, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Novotný Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Hůnová Author-Workplace-Name: Charles University in Prague, Institute for Environmental Studies, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Prague-Komořany, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Buriánek Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady, Czech Republic Title: Visible foliar injury as a tool for the assessment of surface ozone impact on native vegetation: a case study from the Jizerské hory Mts Abstract: Surface ozone is considered to be a very phytotoxic gaseous air pollutant. Its negative impacts at both the cell and the organ level have been shown, mainly as a result of experiments. However, the demonstration of ozone negative impacts on native plants is not explicit. An assessment of ozone impact on vegetation and ecosystems using indicators based on ambient ozone concentrations is insufficient and assessment techniques based on internal ozone dose and on real plant damage are more appropriate. Such a possible technique is the mapping of ozone visible symptoms due to ozone influence. The ICP-Forest method concerning ozone visible symptoms and the assessment of ozone influence were applied for the purposes of this case study. The visible symptoms are characterized by a few typical signs. Nevertheless, the identification of visible symptoms in native conditions can be problematic and misleading conclusions could be drawn. Therefore it is necessary to complete the identification of visible symptoms with a validation in order to confirm ozone as the cause of plant injury. Keywords: Jizerské hory Mts., surface ozone, validation, visible symptoms Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 177-182 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2010 DOI: 10.17221/61/2009-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/61/2009-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201004-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:56:y:2010:i:4:id:61-2009-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Libus Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Establishment and Silviculture, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: O. Mauer Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Establishment and Silviculture, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: D. Vavříček Author-Workplace-Name: Department of geology and Soil Science, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Soil preparation by ploughing in the floodplain forest and its influence on vegetation and primary soil characteristics Abstract: The paper analyzes the effect of whole-area site preparation by ploughing and of alternate field and forest crops on the understorey, soil biological activity and physical and chemical characteristics in the commercial forest. Another factor of the study was to assess the effect of the clearcut size on forest stands. Analyzed were 20-years-old stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur [L.]) on alluvial sites 1L9 (Fraxino pannonicae-Ulmetum). It can be deduced from the conducted analyses that after twenty years neither different site preparation nor clearcut size affected the understorey and soil biological activity. Field crops and forestry in alternation had a significantly adverse effect on porosity and water-retention capacity in the lower layer of top-soil (25-30 cm). Whole-area ploughing had a negative influence on the loss of organic substances due to accelerated mineralization. Nevertheless, the observed differences are not significant; the values did not fall below critical limits and in no case did they affect other studied site parameters or the development of root systems and aboveground parts of oak trees. Keywords: floodplain forests, mechanical site preparation by ploughing, physical and chemical soil analyses, phytocoenology, soil biological activity Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 183-196 Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Year: 2010 DOI: 10.17221/46/2009-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/46/2009-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201004-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:56:y:2010:i:4:id:46-2009-JFS