scholarly journals Influence of Forest Structure and Composition on Summer Habitat Use of Wildlife in an Upland Hardwood Forest

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent S. Pease ◽  
Eric J. Holzmueller ◽  
Clayton K. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Forest Structure ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Hardwood Forest ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Gray Squirrel ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Oak-hickory (Quercus-Carya spp.) forest types are widespread across the midwestern United States, but changes in forest disturbance regimes are resulting in little to no oak recruitment and a compositional shift to shade-tolerant, mesophytic species, such as American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). We conducted camera trap surveys in a mature upland hardwood forest of southern Illinois, USA during May to August 2015–2016 to document mammal summer habitat use in relation to forest structure and composition to further understand how regional shifts in forests may affect mammal communities. With nearly 4000 camera days of effort, we modeled occupancy patterns for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus canadensis). Forest composition models outcompeted forest structure models for white-tailed deer, where we observed a statistically significant negative relationship between white-tailed deer habitat use and beech dominance. Further, we found a strong, positive association between deer and oak dominance. Model selection indicated little support for within-stand forest structure or composition characteristics influencing habitat use for raccoons. Eastern gray squirrel occurrence was best described by forest composition, revealing a positive relationship with beech–maple importance values. Our predictive models indicated that the impact of forest changes underway will have varying impacts on wildlife species. We can expect changes in habitat use patterns to be more pronounced with time barring revised forest management practices, and these changes are likely to be most influential at the landscape-scale. We conclude that a patchwork mosaic of forest conditions will likely best support a diverse and abundant mammal community across the region.

Do corporate diversification and earnings management practices affect capital structure?

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 360-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjitha Ajay ◽  
R Madhumathi
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Corporate Diversification ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diversification Strategies ◽  
Market Product ◽  
Diversified Firms ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the impact of earnings management on capital structure across firm diversification strategies. Design/methodology/approach – The study focuses on firms operating in the manufacturing sector (diversified and focused). Panel data methodology compares diversification strategies and identifies the impact of diversification strategy with earnings management practices on capital structure decision. Findings – International and product diversified firms have lower levels of leverage than focused firms in their capital structure. Asset-based earnings management is positive for diversified (market/product) firms. Earnings management using discretionary expenditure (project based) is found to be higher for market diversified but product-focused firms. Earning smoothing method is found to be significant for focused firms and shows a negative relationship with capital structure. Originality/value – This study offers an insight into the relationship between corporate diversification, earnings management and capital structure decisions of manufacturing firms. The results provide an important contribution to accounting and strategy literature. A distinction is made between market- and product-diversified firms and influence of earnings management practices (asset-based, project-based and earnings smoothing (ESM)) on capital structure decisions. Diversified firms (market/product) tend to have lower levels of leverage than focused firms and earnings management practices within firm groups significantly influence the capital structure decisions.

scholarly journals The Impact of Forest Management Restrictions on Aspen Harvest Levels and Forest Structure in Itasca County, Minnesota

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-184
Author(s):  
Joan M. Nichols ◽  
Dietmar W. Rose ◽  
Syed A. Husain
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Timber Supply ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Spatial Attributes ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Potential management policies of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) designed to enhance nontimber values were examined to estimate their impact on permissible harvest levels, forest composition and spatial attributes of aspen in Itasca County, Minnesota. An allowable cut equal to the Long Run Sustained Yield (LRSY) was estimated and used as the target harvest level for each management policy. Results were analyzed in a number of ways including Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The study illustrates that the selection of specific management policies can have significant impacts on timber supply as well as forest structures. Therefore, any suggested policy should always be reviewed for its potential impacts and associated trade-offs before implementation. North. J. Appl. For. 16(4):177-184.

scholarly journals Woodland caribou calf recruitment in relation to calving/post-calving landscape composition

Rangifer ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara C. McCarthy ◽  
Robert B. Weladji ◽  
Christine Doucet ◽  
Paul Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Landscape Composition ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Theoretic Approach ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Explained Variation ◽  
The Impact

Since the 1990s, Newfoundland’s woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) population has declined by an estimated 66%. Low calf recruitment has been associated to the decline, possibly triggered by increasing calf predation and/or decreasing resources. To investigate the role of landscape composition in this system, we studied the yearly (2005-2008) calving/post-calving range (CPCR) of 104 satellite-collared females belonging to six herds. We mapped nine disturbance factors (e.g. roads, logging, etc), as well as vegetation cover types (e.g. coniferous, deciduous forests, etc), and determined the total area they occupied within CPCRs yearly for each herd. Using an information theoretic approach, we assessed the model that best explained variation in recruitment using these components. Based on corrected Akaike Information Criterion, the model that best explained variation in calf recruitment included total disturbance and deciduous forest area, both showing the expected negative relationship with calf recruitment. Other landscape variables among the models with ΔAICc < 2 were mixed forest, also with a suggested negative relationship, and barrens and wetlands with a significant positive trend. This study highlights the need to minimize total disturbance footprint and account for resulting changes in forest composition within CPCRs during land use planning. Expanding forestry operations and road infrastructure in critical woodland caribou habitat across Canada may additionally contribute to habitat loss via fragmentation. This in turn, may lead to range recession beyond the initial local avoidance footprint. We see the possibility of using calf recruitment models based on landscape parameters, among others, to predict the impact of new industrial developments on calf recruitment.

scholarly journals Structural Characteristics of the Main Resinous Stands from Southern Carpathians, Romania

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1029
Author(s):  
Gabriel Murariu ◽  
Lucian Dinca ◽  
Nicu Tudose ◽  
Vlad Crisan ◽  
Lucian Georgescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Forest Structure ◽  
Mass Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Statistical Approach ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Southern Carpathians

The purpose of this study, which contains historical data recorded over a period of 40 years, was to identify the main factors that influence and control the level of wood mass production. The main reason was to optimize the management of forest areas and was driven by the necessity to identify factors that can influence most of the volume produced by coniferous forests located in southeast Europe. The data was collected between1980 and 2005 at the National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry, for forests located in the Southern Carpathians, Romania. The studied data refer to the parameters that model forest structure for spruce, fir, pine, and larch. These are the main resinous species found in the Southern Carpathians. The total area covered by these forests is 143,431 ha. At the forest species level, the analysis consists of 16,162 records (corresponding to the elements of the trees), covering an area of 45,008 ha for fir, 4711 ha for larch, 81,995 ha for spruce, and 11,717 ha for pine. The aim of this research has been to investigate and to assess the impact and magnitude of abiotic factors such as altitude and field aspect on forest structures from the main resinous stands located in the Southern Carpathians. Taking into account the size of the database as well as the duration for collecting data, a complete statistical and systematic approach was considered optimum. This resulted from our wish to emphasize and evaluate the influence of each analysed factor on the wood mass production level. The relationship between abiotic factors and forest structure has been analysed by using a systematic statistical approach in order to provide a useful theoretical reference for the improvement of forest management practices in the context of multiple climatic, environmental, and socio-economic challenges. These common characteristics have been found by applying ANOVA and multivariate statistical methods such as PCA and FA methods. A series of parameters were considered in this investigation, namely altitude (ALT), forest site type (TS), forest type (TP), consistency (CONS) etc. In order to obtain a complete image, we have also applied multivariate analysis methods that emphasize the effect size for each database parameter. At such a level of recorded data, the statistical approach ensures a factor level of p <0.001 while the accuracy in evaluating effect size is increased. As such, they influence the spreading and structure of the studied resinous stands to a higher degree, regardless of species.

scholarly journals CASH WAQF INVESTMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION: CASE OF TABUNG MASJIDS IN MALAYSIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-346
Author(s):  
Rashedul Hasan ◽  
M. Kabir Hassan ◽  
Mamunur Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Sem Analysis ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
The Impact

Recent investigations of the financial management practices of mosques in Indonesia have influenced this study, which investigates the ability of mosques in Malaysia to invest cash waqf for development activities. The impact of cash waqf investment is further extended to study the importance of such cash waqf donations toward poverty alleviation. 100 mosques in Melaka and Terengganu are selected for the purpose of conducting a survey using a self-developed questionnaire. Data collected from the survey are tested for their validity and reliability before conducting Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis using Smart PLS 3.0. This study finds that cash waqf donation plays a positive role in increasing the ability of the selected states to alleviate poverty. The negative relationship between cash waqf investment and donation raises the need for a rigorous analysis. A conceptual model integrating cash waqf investment, donation, and poverty alleviation is provided in this study, which is the first of its kind. The results provided by the study will allow regulators and mosque fund managers to understand the significance of cash waqf donations and the importance of effective cash waqf management. Efficient investment of cash waqf can ensure sustainable and perpetual income that will allow a mosque to play a vital role in improving the living standards of the Muslim Ummah. The findings of the study cannot be generalized for all states in Malaysia due to the limitation of purposive sampling.

scholarly journals Effect of tillage and maize-cowpea intercrop on fractal features of particle and aggregate size distribution on a tropical sandy loam soil in southwest Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 102-110
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Fractal Dimension ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Fractal Dimensions ◽  
Cropping Pattern ◽  
The Impact

The effects of tillage and cropping pattern on soil aggregation, fractal dimensions and distribution of organic carbon fractions were studied. Treatments were notillage (NT), conventional tillage (CT), and four cropping patterns viz: sole maize, sole cowpea, maize-cowpea intercrops and control (no crop). Soil samples were analysed for particle size distribution (PSD); aggregation ratio (AR), meanweight diameter (MWD) and aggregated silt+clay (ASC). Mass fractal dimension (Dm) was obtained from PSD; while fragmentation fractal dimension (Df) was obtained from aggregate sizes. Total organic carbon (TOC), free and occluded particulate organic carbon (fPOC and oPOC), were measured. Results showed that structural stability at micro-aggregate scale measured by aggregated silt + clay (ASC) was significantly (p < 0.05) highest for NT (4.07) than CT (1.58). The CT significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the larger aggregate fraction (5.66-2.00 mm). The difference in fractal dimensions was significantly higher with NT than control with CT. Lower difference between Dm and Df with CT represents higher degree of fragmentation of aggregates. Correlation showed significant positive linear relationships between Dm and sand (p < 0.05, r = 0.627) and negative relationship with silt and clay (r = -0.675). Therefore, fractal dimensions derived from aggregates sizes rather than particle size distribution reflected the impact of land management practices on fragmentation of aggregates of most tropical soils.

scholarly journals Influence of individual tree characteristics, spatial structure and logging history on tree-related microhabitat occurrence in North American hardwood forests

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxence Martin ◽  
Patricia Raymond ◽  
Yan Boucher
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Spatial Aggregation ◽  
Beech Bark Disease ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Tree Characteristics

Abstract Background Tree-related microhabitats (hereafter, “TreMs”) are key components of forest biodiversity but they are still poorly known in North American hardwood forests. The spatial patterns of living trees bearing TreMs (hereafter, “TreM-trees”) also remain to be determined. As logging practices can lead to a loss of TreM-trees and of their associated biodiversity, it is essential to identify the factors explaining TreM occurrence to better integrate them into forest management. We therefore inventoried TreMs in 4 0.5-ha survey strips in northern hardwood forests in Quebec, Canada, while recording the spatial location of each tree. Two strips were located in unmanaged old-growth forests, and 2 were in forests managed under selection cutting. All 4 stands were dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrn.). Beech bark disease, an exotic pathology, was observed in all the strips. Results Large diameter at breast height and low tree vigor were the main characteristics explaining the presence of TreMs at the tree scale. TreM-trees presented slight spatial aggregation patterns. These aggregates, however, were not well-defined and were generally constituted by a large number of trees bearing few different types of TreMs. Two TreM classes (broken branch or top and woodpecker lodge) also presented a spatial aggregation. Logging practices had no significant effect on TreM occurrence. Beech bark disease increased the frequency of senescent beeches. The impact of this pathology on TreMs was however mitigated by the small size of infected trees and probably by the short time elapsed since its appearance. Conclusion The factors explaining the presence and abundance of TreMs on trees has so far been little studied in North American hardwood forests. Our results highlight that TreM-tree characteristics in the surveyed forests are consistent with those of previous studies conducted in other forest types and regions (e.g., Europe or Northwestern America). To our knowledge, this study is also the first to identify a spatial aggregation of TreM-trees and of specific TreM classes. It will be nevertheless necessary to determine whether the small impact of logging activities we observed results from current or past management practices.

Differential impacts of calcium and aluminum treatments on sugar maple and American beech growth dynamics

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Halman ◽  
Paul G. Schaberg ◽  
Gary J. Hawley ◽  
Christopher F. Hansen ◽  
Timothy J. Fahey
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Ice Storm ◽  
Al Tolerance ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
American Beech ◽  
The Impact

Acid deposition induced losses of calcium (Ca) from northeastern forests have had negative effects on forest health for decades, including the mobilization of potentially phytotoxic aluminum (Al) from soils. To evaluate the impact of changes in Ca and Al availability on sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) growth and forest composition following a major ice storm in 1998, we measured xylem annual increment, foliar cation concentrations, American beech root sprouting, and tree mortality at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (Thornton, New Hampshire) in control plots and in plots amended with Ca or Al (treated plots) beginning in 1995. Dominant sugar maple trees were unaffected by the treatment, but nondominant sugar maple tree growth responded positively to Ca treatment. Although plots were mainly composed of sugar maple, American beech experienced the greatest growth on Al-treated plots. Increases in tree mortality on Al-treated plots may have released surviving American beech and increased their growth. The Al tolerance of American beech and the Ca:Al sensitivity of sugar maple contributed to divergent growth patterns that influenced stand productivity and composition. Given that acidic inputs are expected to continue, the growth dynamics associated with Al treatment may have direct relevance to future conditions in native forests.

scholarly journals Accrual quality: The presence of women directors on audit committee boards

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 675-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zalailah Salleh ◽  
Hafiza Aishah Hashim ◽  
Nor Raihan Mohamad
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Women Directors ◽  
Female Representation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Accrual Quality ◽  
Participation Of Women ◽  
The Impact

This article examines whether the participation of women on audit committee boards enhances audit committee effectiveness to control earnings management practices. While numerous studies have investigated the effects of women audit committee on earnings management, empirical evidence is rather inconsistent. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the impact of female representation on audit committee effectiveness. In order to address the objective of the study, we use cross-sectional version of the performance-adjusted current discretionary accruals model to detect earnings management (Kothari, Leone and Wasley, 2005). Using a sample of 356 companies for the year ended 2007; we found a significant negative relationship between the presence of women directors on audit committee boards and earning managements. The results suggest that the presence of women directors on audit committee boards reduces earning management practices.

Dampak Kebijakan Moneter Pada Output Di Negara-Negara ASEAN Tahun 1980-2014

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-70
Author(s):  
Nur Widiastuti
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Interest Rate ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
State Data ◽  
Ordinary Least Square ◽  
The Impact

The Impact of monetary Policy on Ouput is an ambiguous. The results of previous empirical studies indicate that the impact can be a positive or negative relationship. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of monetary policy on Output more detail. The variables to estimatate monetery poicy are used state and board interest rate andrate. This research is conducted by Ordinary Least Square or Instrumental Variabel, method for 5 countries ASEAN. The state data are estimated for the period of 1980 – 2014. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the impact of monetary policy on Output shown are varied.Keyword: Monetary Policy, Output, Panel Data, Fixed Effects Model

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