Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Vejpustková Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště, Czech Republic Author-Name: D. Zahradník Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: T. Čihák Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Šrámek Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště, Czech Republic Title: Models for predicting aboveground biomass of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Czech Republic Abstract: We developed optimal models for predicting the aboveground biomass of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) applicable to the national forest inventory data of the Czech Republic. The models were based on a data set of 81 beech trees collected in 19 stands that represent a wide range of stand and site conditions. The relationship between biomass and tree dimensions (diameter D, height H) was modelled using non-linear regression equations with one (D) or two (D, H) independent variables and two or three parameters (D2, DH2, DH3 models). Subsequently additional predictor variables, i.e. tree age, site index and altitude, were added to the basic models. The inclusion of tree age (T) and altitude (A) in the basic DH2 model resulted in the best model for aboveground biomass (DH2AT model). The altitude (A) and site index (S) were important predictors for stem biomass estimate (DH3AS model). Similarly, branch biomass was predicted in the best way by four-variable model DH2AS. Keywords: beech, biomass function, temperate forests, tree allometry, wood density Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 45-54 Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/100/2014-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/100/2014-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201502-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:61:y:2015:i:2:id:100-2014-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Asciuto Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy Author-Name: V. Borsellino Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy Author-Name: M. D'Acquisto Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy Author-Name: C.P. Di Franco Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy Author-Name: M. Di Gesaro Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy Author-Name: E. Schimmenti Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy Title: Monumental trees and their existence value: the case study of an Italian natural park Abstract: This paper aims to the valuation of the benefits that a local community living in a protected area may perceive with regard to the presence of monumental trees. Financial resources to be destined for protection interventions have been decreasing more and more, with a high risk of losing this natural heritage. A CVM survey was carried out among theMadoniePark(Sicily,Italy) resident households, to evaluate the existence value of monumental trees of the Nature Trail named "Piano Sempria-Piano Pomo", represented by a population of "Giant hollies" and by 7 other individual trees. These are the main results of the CVM survey: the overall response rate was 40%, individual average WTPs were €12.37 for the protection of the holly population and €13.45 for all the monumental trees along the Nature Trail. The median WTPs were respectively €2.00 and €5.00. The aggregate WTP estimates for the Park residents range from a minimum of €10,520.40 to a maximum amount of €83,479.37 depending upon the investigated resource and the statistics considered. Keywords: Contingent Valuation Method, Giant hollies, Parks, Sicily, Willingness To Pay Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 55-61 Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/86/2014-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/86/2014-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201502-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:61:y:2015:i:2:id:86-2014-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: B. Konôpka Author-Workplace-Name: National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Pajtík Author-Workplace-Name: National Forest Centre - Forest Research Institute Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Marušák Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Canopy closure altered biomass allocation in young spruce stand Abstract: Growth intensity of particular tree components is controlled by a variety of factors and as a consequence, biomass allocation also changes over time. Since allocation of biomass controls the carbon regime in a forest stand, tree standing stock and biomass structure (with regards to tree components) was estimated in young Norway spruce (Picea abies) stand based on repetitive tree sampling and allometric equations (modelled for 2009 and 2013). Large differences were found between the two models in the contribution of the tree components to above-ground biomass. Between the years 2009 and 2013, below-ground to above-ground biomass ratio dropped from 0.36 to 0.23 and short-lived to long-lived tree part ratio from 0.65 to 0.25. At the same time, the stand possibly reached maximum standing stock of both needles and fine roots. It is concluded that for biomass allocation estimates in young stands, not only stand-specific but also time-specific allometric relations should be constructed and implemented. Further, there appears to be a canopy closure threshold beyond which there is biomass allocation different from the status in sparse young spruce stands. Keywords: tree allometry, repetitive sampling, tree components, Picea abies, carbon sequestration and cycling Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 62-71 Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/101/2014-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/101/2014-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201502-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:61:y:2015:i:2:id:101-2014-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: O. Haveraaen Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway Author-Name: L.H. Frivold Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway Title: Effect of repeated fertilization on stem growth in old stands of Pinus sylvestris in South East Norway Abstract: We studied effects of repeated applications of nitrogen on stem growth of mature Scots pine at four sites with yield potential around 3 - 4.5 m3 ha‑1 yr‑1. Treatments included control (0) and fertilization with ammonium nitrate at 100 and 200 kg N ha‑1. Some plots were supplied with corresponding doses of urea. Applications were repeated up to five times, at five to twenty years intervals. Plot size was 22 x 22 m with buffer zones of 4 m. Measurements were made on an inner plot, 14 x 14 m. Tree ring widths usually reached a maximum two to four years after fertilization, returning to about the original level after seven to ten years. Responses were larger to 200 than to 100 kg N ha‑1. Annual volume increment over the experimental period was 1.5 to 2.0 m3 ha-1 larger in plots provided with 200 kg N ha-1 than in control plots, or even more as the buffer zones of 4 m did not completely exclude tree roots from growing into neighbouring plots. Keywords: nitrogen, Scots pine, tree ring widths, volume increment Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 72-79 Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/110/2014-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/110/2014-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201502-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:61:y:2015:i:2:id:110-2014-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: O. Špulák Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště-Strnady, Opočno Research Station, Opočno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Martincová Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště-Strnady, Opočno Research Station, Opočno, Czech Republic Title: The influence of the method of silver fir growing and nutrition on sprouting and chlorophyll fluorescence during spring Abstract: To compare breaking of dormancy in relation with climatic conditions and reaction to late frost fir plants growing in sun, in shade and at magnesium deficiency were evaluated. Sprouting and chlorophyll a fluorescence of needles measured with the Plant Efficiency Analyser were evaluated from March to May 2011. As a consequence of May frost 100% of plants from sunny treatments and 70% of firs shaded with shade cloth were affected by necrosis of sprouting shoots; fir-trees shaded by the stand remained fully intact. No relationship between the index of shoot sprouting and damage was confirmed. Firs with Mg deficiency had the lowest maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry of the dark-adapted tissue (FV/FM) and performance index on absorption basis (PIabs) in the long term. Regression models of parameters FV/FM and PIabs and selected environmental parameters showed that chlorophyll fluorescence was influenced to the largest extent by minimum temperature of the day of measurement. The process of breaking of dormancy increased fir vulnerability to thermal stresses of the environment - late frosts. Keywords: Abies alba, breaking of dormancy, late frost, damage, sun and shade, magnesium deficiency Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 80-88 Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/99/2014-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/99/2014-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-201502-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:61:y:2015:i:2:id:99-2014-JFS