Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L.Y. Fu Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China Author-Name: W.S. Zeng Author-Workplace-Name: Academy of Forest Inventory and Planning, State Forestry Administration, Beijing, China Author-Name: S.Z. Tang Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China Author-Name: R.P. Sharma Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway Author-Name: H.K. Li Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China Title: Using linear mixed model and dummy variable model approaches to construct compatible single-tree biomass equations at different scales - A case study for Masson pine in Southern China Abstract: The estimation of forest biomass is important for practical issues and scientific purposes in forestry. The estimation of forest biomass on a large-scale level would be merely possible with the application of generalized single-tree biomass models. The aboveground biomass data on Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) from nine provinces in southern China were used to develop generalized single-tree biomass models using both linear mixed model and dummy variable model methods. An allometric function requiring only diameter at breast height was used as a base model for this purpose. The results showed that the aboveground biomass estimates of individual trees with identical diameters were different among the forest origins (natural and planted) and geographic regions (provinces). The linear mixed model with random effect parameters and dummy model with site-specific (local) parameters showed better fit and prediction performance than the population average model. The linear mixed model appears more flexible than the dummy variable model for the construction of generalized single-tree biomass models or compatible biomass models at different scales. The linear mixed model method can also be applied to develop other types of generalized single-tree models such as basal area growth and volume models. Keywords: aboveground biomass, dummy variable model, linear mixed model, Pinus massoniana Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 101-115 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/69/2011-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/69/2011-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201203-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:69-2011-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S. Khosravi Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Forest Economics Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran Author-Name: M. Namiranian Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Forest Economics Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran Author-Name: H. Ghazanfari Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran Author-Name: A. Shirvani Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Forest Economics Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran Title: Estimation of leaf area index and assessment of its allometric equations in oak forests: Northern Zagros, Iran Abstract: The focus of the present study is the estimation of leaf area index (LAI) and the assessment of allometric equations for predicting the leaf area of Lebanon oaks (Quercus libani Oliv.) in Iran's northern Zagros forests. To that end, 50 oak trees were randomly selected and their biophysical parameters were measured. Then, on the basis of destructive sampling of the oak trees, their specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area were measured. The results showed that SLA and LAI of the Lebanon oaks were 136.9 cm.g-1 and 1.99, respectively. Among all the parameters we measured, the crown volume exhibited the highest correlation with LAI (r2 = 0.65). The easily measured tree parameters such as diameter at breast height did not show a high correlation with leaf area (r2 = 0.36). Our obtained moderate correlations in the allometric equations could be due to the fact that branches of these trees had been pollarded by the local people when the branches were only 3 or 4 years old; therefore, the natural structure of the crowns in these trees might have been damaged. Keywords: allometric relationships, destructive sampling, leaf area index, Quercus libani Oliv., specific leaf area Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 116-122 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/18/2011-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/18/2011-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201203-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:18-2011-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: P. Štochlová Author-Workplace-Name: Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Průhonice, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Novotná Author-Workplace-Name: Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Průhonice, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Černý Author-Workplace-Name: Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Průhonice, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Factors affecting the development of Phytophthora alni ssp. alni infections in Alnus glutinosa L. Abstract: Phytophthora alni is responsible for a devastating disease in alder and changes in the environment of riparian and alder carr ecosystems. One of the main approaches to solve this problem is to find naturally resistant genotypes using a series of artificial inoculation experiments, to preserve and use them in programmes for resistance breeding. However, the results of artificial inoculation experiments (screening for natural resistance) can be affected by several factors. The potential effect of the social status of the host, the presence of naturally occurring P. alni infections, the season and the size of the sections of branches used were studied in a series of infection experiments. It was found out that the development of lesions was significantly affected by the year season (the largest lesions were found in summer) and by the presence of naturally occurring P. alni infections in the sampled trees (the lesions were five times larger in healthy trees and trees recovered from natural P. alni infections compared to trees with active disease development). Keywords: Alnus glutinosa, black alder, Phytophthora alni subsp. alni, infection experiment, natural infection, seasonal variation Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 123-130 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/26/2011-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/26/2011-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201203-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:26-2011-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. Ventrubová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forestry Economics and Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Dvořák Author-Workplace-Name: Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Legal framework for payments for forest ecosystem services in the Czech Republic Abstract: Although examples of payments for ecosystem services (PES) can be traced back at least as far as the 1980's, it is still a relatively new instrument, and the hitherto experience in many parts of the world is not extensive yet, or based on a very long timeframe. In addition, PES is being introduced in more and more sectors (agriculture, water supply, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, etc.) and in relation to more and more ecosystems (surface water, groundwater, forest, etc.). But such PES can work only with good governance in place, comprising an effective political, legislative as well as institutional system. Nevertheless, an effective introduction of PES system into national legislation calls for an appropriate analysis of the current legal system so that duplications can be excluded and only valuable measures can be added. The main goal of this paper is to analyze if the current legal framework of the Czech Republic provides an appropriate basis for establishing payments for a forest ecosystem services scheme. Keywords: forest ecosystem services, legal framework, legislation, payment for ecosystem services Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 131-136 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/71/2011-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/71/2011-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201203-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:71-2011-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R. Mahajan Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu, India Author-Name: P. Gupta Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu, India Title: Molecular markers: their use in tree improvement Abstract: Earlier breeders used phenotypic selection based on morphological characteristics to improve tree varieties. These selections often take many cycles of breeding and backcrossing in order to place desired characteristics. But today the knowledge has paved the way for a much deeper understanding of the mechanics of cell biology and the hereditary process itself. Breeders are presented with numerous possibilities of altering the behaviour of existing varieties. Linkage between molecular markers can be translated to genetic linkage maps, which have become an important tool in plant genetics. They may choose to use marker-assisted approaches in order to facilitate the selection of favourable combinations of genes that occur naturally within a tree species. Keywords: molecular markers, marker-assisted selection, genetic variation, QTLs Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 137-144 Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 DOI: 10.17221/5579-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/5579-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201203-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:3:id:5579-JFS