Using landscape metrics to measure suitability of a forested watershed: a case study for old growth

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1786-1792 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E Lundquist ◽  
Larry R Lindner ◽  
John Popp

Several metrics for spatial heterogeneity based on distribution of stands suitable for old growth were calculated for the actual and optimal conditions of a watershed in the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming. Optimal conditions were based on expert opinions. The actual condition was compared with target conditions using a multivariate method called profiling, which develops profiles based on various spatial statistics and examines the similarity of these profiles using a multidimensional scaling (MDS) procedure. Profiles for various target landscapes clustered together in MDS space, and this space could be defined and quantified using a kernel density estimator. The distance from the centroid of the target space to the position of the actual stand is used as a measure of dissimilarity. By comparing the condition of a given watershed to that of what experts envisioned would be optimal, we argue that the relative condition of the watershed can be characterized. We make a distinction between stand-scale metrics and landscape-scale metrics. We propose that this method may be useful in quantifying changes in landscape conditions and could be useful as a monitoring method in forest plans.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-32
Author(s):  
Faiqua Tahjiba

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the actual condition of the students of University of Rajshahi (RU) regarding drug abuse and addiction. Using case study method the research was conducted with four objectives: (a) to find out how respondents began drug abuse; (b) to discover the causes of their drug addiction; (c) to understand the process of their drug abuse; and (d) to find out the economic, social and health effects of drug abuse. Methods: Case study method was used in this research. Through snowball sampling 18 drug- addicted students of RU were selected as respondents. In-depth interview with a schedule was used to collect data from the respondents in January 2019. Results: Findings of the study show that the causes of drug addiction included curiosity, frustration, friends’ request, neglect from family and friends etc. The drugs which they usually abused were Yaba, Phensydyle, Ganja (Weed), Chuani etc. Their average monthly expenditure for collecting drugs was in between Taka 8,000-10,000. They collected those drugs from rickshaw pullers at different points within the campus and from Mizaner Mor, Budhpara slum and other places outside the campus. The respondents opined that drugs were available if sufficient money could be spent. The respondents had senior and junior fellow students and local boys as companions while taking drugs. Most of them faced physical problems after taking drugs, and some of them tried to get rid of this curse of drug addiction. Conclusion: The findings of this research show that the rate of drug addiction among the students of RU was quite alarming. Therefore, all stakeholders including the students, guardians, teachers, university authority, the law makers and law enforcing agencies, researchers, civil society, NGO’s and the state must come forward together to combat this formidable foe.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Lydia Olander ◽  
Katie Warnell ◽  
Travis Warziniack ◽  
Zoe Ghali ◽  
Chris Miller ◽  
...  

A shared understanding of the benefits and tradeoffs to people from alternative land management strategies is critical to successful decision-making for managing public lands and fostering shared stewardship. This study describes an approach for identifying and monitoring the types of resource benefits and tradeoffs considered in National Forest planning in the United States under the 2012 Planning Rule and demonstrates the use of tools for conceptualizing the production of ecosystem services and benefits from alternative land management strategies. Efforts to apply these tools through workshops and engagement exercises provide opportunities to explore and highlight measures, indicators, and data sources for characterizing benefits and tradeoffs in collaborative environments involving interdisciplinary planning teams. Conceptual modeling tools are applied to a case study examining the social and economic benefits of recreation on the Ashley National Forest. The case study illustrates how these types of tools facilitate dialog for planning teams to discuss alternatives and key ecosystem service outcomes, create easy to interpret visuals that map details in plans, and provide a basis for selecting ecosystem service (socio-economic) metrics. These metrics can be used to enhance environmental impact analysis, and help satisfy the goals of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 2012 Planning Rule, and shared stewardship initiatives. The systematic consideration of ecosystem services outcomes and metrics supported by this approach enhanced dialog between members of the Forest planning team, allowed for a more transparent process in identification of key linkages and outcomes, and identified impacts and outcomes that may not have been apparent to the sociologist who is lacking the resource specific expertise of these participants. As a result, the use of the Ecosystem Service Conceptual Model (ESCM) process may result in reduced time for internal reviews and greater comprehension of anticipated outcomes and impacts of proposed management in the plan revision Environmental Impact Statement amongst the planning team.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R Clarke ◽  
Jessica Hartshorn

Abstract The southern pine beetle (SPB) Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, is the most important insect pest of pines in the southeastern United States, with outbreaks often resulting in thousands of hectares of pine mortality. Natural enemies and competitors have been cited as significant regulators of SPB populations and, therefore, outbreaks. A recent outbreak on the Homochitto National Forest (NF) in Mississippi provided an opportunity to undertake a case study comparing population fluctuations of SPB, its major predator Thanasimus dubius, and its competitors, Ips bark beetles. Trap catches of all three were tracked through the course of the outbreak on the Homochitto NF as well as in two other forests with low or no SPB activity. The number of predators collected initially increased on the Homochitto NF in response to the SPB outbreak, but their impact on reducing infestation numbers was unclear. Numbers of Ips trapped were similar across all three forests, indicating that other factors were regulating SPB populations. The outbreak only lasted a single year, and its brevity likely limited the availability of host resources for natural enemy and competitor populations. Additional studies are warranted to explore the mechanisms affecting the extent and duration of SPB outbreaks, such as active forest management. Study Implications: The widespread application of cut-and-leave treatments during a short duration southern pine beetle (SPB) outbreak on the Homochitto National Forest did not result in immediate increased collections of Ips bark beetles, competitors of SPB. Similar population trends of Ips bark beetles in areas with and without SPB infestations suggest that other factors, such as climate, regulate population numbers. Low numbers of the main SPB predator, Thanasimus dubius, immediately preceded an outbreak, and trap collections increased after outbreak onset, reaffirming the importance of this natural enemy in SPB population fluctuations.


Holzforschung ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Jorge Oliveira ◽  
Bruna Santos ◽  
Maria J. Mota ◽  
Susana R. Pereira ◽  
Pedro C. Branco ◽  
...  

Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass represents a suitable feedstock for production of biofuels and bioproducts. Its chemical composition depends on many aspects (e.g. plant source, pre-processing) and it has impact on productivity of industrial bioprocesses. Numerous methodologies can be applied for biomass characterisation, with acid hydrolysis being a particularly relevant step. This study intended to assess the most suitable procedures for acid hydrolysis, taking Eucalyptus globulus bark as a case study. For that purpose, variation of temperature (90–120 °C) was evaluated over time (0–5 h), through monosaccharides and oligosaccharides contents and degradation. For glucose, the optimal conditions were 100 °C for 2.5 h, reaching a content of 48.6 wt.%. For xylose, the highest content (15.2 wt.%) was achieved at 90 °C for 2 h, or 120 °C for 0.5 h. Maximum concentrations of mannose and galactose (1.0 and 1.7 wt.%, respectively) were achieved at 90 and 100 °C (2–3.5 h) or at 120 °C (0.5–1 h). These results revealed that different hydrolysis conditions should be applied for different sugars. Using this approach, total sugar quantification in eucalyptus bark was increased by 4.3%, which would represent a 5% increase in the ethanol volume produced, considering a hypothetical bioethanol production yield. This reflects the importance of feedstock characterization on determination of economic viability of industrial processes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Rizal Aji Istantowi

4G LTE networks in big cities are already well available. Meanwhile, on small to medium-sized cities, the 4G LTE network is not evenly distributed and maximized. This study chooses the variable tilting antenna to the coverage area, because in sending information from a base station using an antenna. The average RSRP value (dBm) of the existing base station in the calculation with a distance of 200 m is -122.90 dBm, a distance of 500 m is -136.79 dBm, and a distance of 1000 m -147.30 dBm. Meanwhile, in the simulation with a distance of 200 m of -108.22 dBm, a distance of 500 m of -121.81 dBm, and a distance of 1000 m of -132.69 dBm. The coverage area value of the existing base station in the calculation is 5.29%, while in the simulation it is 11.18%. The average RSRP value (dBm) at optimal conditions for calculations at a distance of 200 m is -80.13 dBm, at a distance of 500 m is -94.03 dBm and at a distance of 1000 m is -104.56 dBm. Meanwhile, the simulation at a distance of 200 m is -98.09 dBm, at a distance of 500 m is -112.79 dBm and at a distance of 1000 m is -123.31 dBm. The value of the coverage area for the calculation is 20.32%, while for the simulation it is 15.01%. The current need for base stations in Trenggalek District that has been met is 68%.


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