scholarly journals Stem Decay in Live Trees: Heartwood Hollows and Termites in Five Timber Species in Eastern Amazonia

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1087
Author(s):  
Ana Alice Eleuterio ◽  
Maria Aparecida de Jesus ◽  
Francis E. Putz
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Logistic Model ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Timber Species ◽  
Hollow Trees ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Timber Tree ◽  
Species Characteristics ◽  
Components Analysis

Research Highlights: Tree size and wood characteristics influenced the susceptibility of five Amazonian timber tree species to heartwood decay and colonization by termites. Termites occurred in the heartwoods of 43% of the trees, with Coptotermes testaceus the most abundant species. Background and Objectives: Hollows and rotten cores in the stems of living trees have ecological and economic impacts in forests managed for timber. The decision on whether to cut or maintain hollow trees in such forests must account for the susceptibility of different tree species to decay. We investigated tree and wood characteristics of living trees of five commercial timber species in the eastern Amazon that influenced the likelihood of heartwood decay and the occurrence of termite nests inside the rotten cores. Materials and Methods: We used Pearson’s correlations and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to explore relationships among tree basal area and hollow area. We used principal components analysis (PCA) to analyze the variation of wood anatomical traits, followed by a linear regression to explore the relationships between PCA scores, and heartwood hollow area. We used a logistic model to investigate if the probability the occurrence of colonies of C. testaceus inside tree cores varied with tree and species characteristics. Results: Heartwood hollow areas increased with stem basal area. Larger hollows were more likely to occur in species with higher vessel and ray densities, and smaller diameter vessels. Termites occurred in the hollows of 43% of the trees sampled, with C. testaceus the most common (76%). The probability of encountering termite nests of C. testaceus varied among tree species and was positively related to wood density. Conclusions: This study shows that given the increased likelihood of stem hollows and rotten cores in large trees, tree selection criteria in managed tropical forests should include maximum cutting sizes that vary with the susceptibility of different tree species to stem decay.

scholarly journals Forest Tree Composition: A Comparative Study of Timber Species in Bayelsa State Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-73
Author(s):  
Samuel Olatokunbo Ihinmikaiye ◽  
Bernard Edache Ochekwu ◽  
Josiah Muonam Ikuli ◽  
Doris Akinjagunla Atinuke ◽  
Abel Zikenal Keresinbofa
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Timber Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Sample Plot ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Timber Tree

Measuring tree species diversity is critical for forest management, particularly where timber species suffer undue anthropogenic pressure. This study was carried out in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A sample plot was systematically chosen from randomly selected communities in each of the three senatorial districts Bayelsa West (BW), Bayelsa East (BE) and Bayelsa Central (BC) of the State. Each sample plots measured 25 m x 25 m and all timber tree species that were at least six feet above ground level within each sample plot were identified, counted and measured. Fifty individual timbers were encountered in the sample plot at Ogobiri community in BW, fifty-two at Kolo 1 community in BE and fifty-six at Gbarain community in BC belonged to 18, 16 and 14 different families respectively. Families with the largest number of species in the plots were Gentianaceae and Meliaceae, and the highest diversity indices were recorded from BE senatorial district. Generally, the basal area of the sample plots increases with an increase in diameter at breast height. The forested zones were on flat terrain characterized by seasonal flood inundation, and the similarities of timber species in the plots occurred as (BW-BC)> (BW-BE)> (BC-BE). Also, four tree species Coelocaryon preussii, Sacoglottis gabonensis, Milicia excelsa and Triplochiton scleroxylon were identified as rare species, and management options that would ensure ad infinitum supply of timber species were proposed.

scholarly journals Tree Species Composition and Natural Regeneration Status of Southeast Region of Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Abir Dey ◽  
Aklima Akther
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Importance Value Index ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Large Trees

The study aimed to quantify and discuss the current condition of the tree species composition and natural regeneration of southeast parts of Bangladesh (Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division). A total of 121 stems having dbh ≥10cm and 3481 stems of regenerating tree species (dbh <10cm) per hectare were recorded. A large trees comprised of 17 species belonging to 10 families and 14 genera and 30 regenerating tree species belonging to 19 families and 27 genera have been found. The forests were highly non-uniform, with three or four species represented most of the stands. The values of diversity indices indicated limited plant diversity, which is dominated by two or three tree species. Stems of 10-30 cm dbh contributed almost 90% of the total stem density, whereas more than 80% of the total basal area still belonged to trees with dbh 100 cm or above. Dipterocarpus turbinatus was the most dominant species which have the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) with 135.82 and embodied 37.71% of the total stand density and 72.19% of total basal area. The study will provide scientific basis for the future implementation of forest conservation strategies in tropical forests of Southeast Asia, particularly in Bangladesh. This study may also pave the way to further research on regeneration potentials of the native species for conservation and enhancement of forests in future.

Gap-phase regeneration in selectively logged lowland swamp forest, northeastern Costa Rica

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
EDWARD L. WEBB
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Swamp Forest ◽  
Gap Phase ◽  
Multiple Tree

For sustainable logging to be achieved in tropical forests, there must be successful gap-phase regeneration to restock the logged-over area. This study examined three aspects of gap-phase regeneration in selectively logged lowland swamp forest of northeast Costa Rica. First, logging gaps were censused immediately after extraction to determine the density of advanced regeneration. Stem density and basal area of residual trees ≥ 10 cm dbh in logging gaps was >85% lower than undisturbed forest, and all trees in gaps had sustained structural damage. The common canopy species Pentaclethra macroloba (Fabaceae) was the most abundant species in gaps whereas the timber tree Carapa nicaraguensis (Meliaceae) was absent from all censused gaps. This suggests that canopy replacement, particularly by Carapa, will depend on trees <10 cm dbh or by seed input into logging gaps. Second, the diversity of the understorey was compared with 6-y old single-tree and multiple-tree logging gaps. Multiple-tree logging gaps were the most diverse, but dominated by two ruderal species; however many shade-tolerant species were present in those gaps. This indicates that controlled selective logging can result in a localized shift in species composition, but that logging gaps should return to pre-logging composition with time under a carefully implemented, controlled harvesting regime. Finally, this study found a significant effect of a fringing Carapa tree on logging gap seedling density. Thus, seed arrival into gaps is a barrier to logging gap regeneration, particularly for a large-seeded tree species. Gap-phase regeneration by a large-seeded tree species in managed forest would benefit from seed broadcasting into gaps.

scholarly journals Edge-Interior Disparities in Tree Species and Structural Composition of the Kilengwe Forest in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sylvester Kacholi
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Structural Composition ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Brachystegia Spiciformis

A survey to determine the variation in species and structural composition of trees along the edge-interior gradient was done in the Kilengwe forest in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The forest was categorized into three habitats, namely, edge (0–100 m), intermediate (100–200 m), and interior (>200 m) depending on the distance from the forest margin. A total of six plots of 0.04 ha each were randomly placed in each of the habitats whereby all trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm were inventoried. A total of 67 species representing 26 families were recorded. Fabaceae was the most speciose and abundant family. Brachystegia spiciformis was the most abundant species. Of the recorded species, 10.45% were common in the three habitats while 8.95%, 13.43%, and 26.86% occurred exclusively to the edge, intermediate, and interior habitats, respectively. The forest interior was significantly rich in terms of species richness, diversity, density, and basal area than the edge and intermediate habitats. The edge had significantly higher number of stumps/ha. In summary, the results suggest that edge/intermediate and interior are contrasting habitats in terms of tree species richness, diversity, and structural composition. Moreover, the forest edge and intermediate habitats were found to be characterized by high anthropogenic activities compared to the forest interior habitat.

Environmental Correlates of Tree Species Diversity in Stage III of Kakadu National Park, Northern Australia

1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 649 ◽  
Author(s):  
DMJS Bowman ◽  
JCZ Woinarski ◽  
KA Menkhorst
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Environmental Correlates ◽  
The Family ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Soil Clay Content ◽  
Genus Eucalyptus

A quadrat based survey that sampled across the environmental range of the geologically and topographically diverse Stage III of Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, revealed that the region has a tree flora dominated by the family Myrtaceae, and the genus Eucalyptus in particular. Principal components analysis (PCA) defined three axes of environmental variation: site rockiness, site hydrology and surface soil clay content. The three PCA axes were divided into halves and a 2x2x2 matrix was created to classify eight environments; however, there were quadrats in only seven of the eight possible environments. Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVAs showed that there was significant variation of the following variables between the 7 environments: total basal area, tree species richness, proportion tree richness composed of eucalypt species, and proportion of eucalypt richness composed of the four subgenera Blakella, Corymbia, Eudesmia and Symphyomyrtus. Of the most abundant 25 tree species and other common eucalypts only five species (Allosyncarpia ternata, Eucalyptus bigalerita, E. clavigera, E. foelscheana and E. jacobsiana) did not have significant differences in their mean basal area between the seven environments. The above patterns are interpreted as evidence that the savanna is a highly evolved system rather than the product of geologically recent disturbance to a once widespread monsoon rainforest.

Structure, plant diversity and future management of Pentadesma butyracea stands, an endangered oil tree species in Burkina Faso, West Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 591-598
Author(s):  
Benjamin Lankoandé ◽  
Anne Mette Lykke ◽  
Joseph Issaka Boussim ◽  
Amadé Ouédraogo
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Management Guidance ◽  
Natural Stands ◽  
Pentadesma Butyracea

Abstract This paper aims to assess the population structure of Pentadesma butyracea Sabine, a local oil tree species and to analyze the occurrence of woody plants in P. butyracea natural stands. Data were collected in 41 plots of 50 × 20 m across natural stands of P. butyracea in two regions of the south-Sudanian phytogeographic zone of Burkina Faso. Stem diameter, total height and tree health were recorded and the woody plant diversity was assessed. Stand data were calculated and the diameter structure was analyzed at the regional level using the Weibull distribution. Significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) were found in density and basal area between regions. In both regions, 32 per cent of trees show signs of poor health. The diameter distributions of individuals showed a structure close to a reverse J-shape (c &lt; 1). Natural stands of P. butyracea exhibit good natural regeneration, but the large trees in the sampled populations commonly had poor health. The data may indicate early signs of stands of P. butyracea changing into savanna in the Banfora region as a consequence of human activities and climate deterioration. P. butyracea is a dominant species in riparian forest, its conservation has a potential to restore the riparian forest; appropriate management guidance and support that involves local communities is required to ensure sustainable management.

scholarly journals Multiple Stable Dominance States in the Congo Basin Forests

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
John M. Katembo ◽  
Moses B. Libalah ◽  
Faustin B. Boyemba ◽  
Gilles Dauby ◽  
Nicolas Barbier
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Positive Feedbacks ◽  
Strong Relation ◽  
Richness Patterns ◽  
Elevation Model

Understanding the dynamics of dominant tree species in tropical forests is important both for biodiversity and carbon-related issues. We focus on the Congo Basin (East of Kisangani) to investigate the respective roles of topographic/soil gradients and endogenous dynamics in shaping local variations in dominance. We used a dataset of 30 1-ha plots, in which all trees above 10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were censused. Soil samples were analyzed for standard pedologic variables and a digital elevation model permitted to infer topography and hydromorphy. We found that this forest is characterized by variations in the abundance of three dominant species: Petersianthus macrocarpus (P.Beauv.) Liben (PM), Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (De Wild.) J.Leonard (GD) and Julbernardia seretii (De Wild.) Troupin (JS). These variations occur independently of substratum or topography variations. At plot level, the local relative abundance never reached 50%, the threshold for monodominance proposed in the literature, but rather progressively increased to reach higher values for canopy trees (>60 cm DBH), where this threshold could be exceeded. We found no sign of shifting compositional dynamics, whereby the dominant species would switch between the canopy and the undergrowth. Our results, therefore, support the possibility of the existence of stable dominance states, induced by endogenous processes, such as biological positive feedbacks fostering monodominance. We also document a strong relation between monodominance level and alpha diversity, when giving more weight to abundant species which is expected (R² = 0.79) but also when giving more weight to rare species (R² = 0.37), showing that monodominance influences tree species richness patterns. Structural differences existed between groups, with the PM group having more (and on average smaller) stems and lighter wood on average, but paradoxically also higher biomass and basal area.

scholarly journals Sinecological analysis of the montane rain forrest of Omiltemi, Guerrero

2017 ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Jorge Meave ◽  
Miguel Angel Soto ◽  
Luz María Calvo-Irabien ◽  
Horacio Paz-Hernández ◽  
Susana Valencia-Avalos
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Important Species

The floristic composition, structure, and texture of 1 ha of mesophytic mountain forest in Omiltemi, Guerrero, is described. With 138 species of vascular plants in the plot, this forest is very rich, with epiphytes, trees and herbs comprising the most diverse growth forms. The geographic affinities of this forest are diverse; many elements are shared with the andean-mesoamerican regions, and others are present in the deciduous forests of eastern United States. The Omiltemi forest is similar to other communities from western Mexico, and many of the endemic elements of this region occur in Omiltemi. This forest is structurally dense, approximately 24 m high, without a well-defined stratification. The canopy is made up mainly by Carpinus caroliniana and Quercus uxoris; Pinus ayacahuite is an emergent tree. The understory is rich in small-statured tree species. The horizontal distributions of the trees were analyzed, and only two understory species had a clumped pattern. Density is 2,096 trees/ha, total basal area is 49.82 m2/ha and cover is 263.8% The most important! species in the forest structure are those reaching the canopy. Two trends in the diametric structures of tree species populations were found: 1) with classes of small sizes having high frequencies, and gradually decreasing towards classes of larger sizes, and 2) with classes of intermediate sizes having lower frequencies than classes of smaller and larger sizes. The internal spatial variation of the forest structure was analyzed using multivariate methods. Tropical species were usually found in more humid places, while species of temperate affinities occurred in more exposed sites. Five floristic groups were recognized, and their associated structural features are described. This forest bears leaves throughout the year, although some of the most abundant species of the canopy are deciduous. The textural characteristics of pollination, dispersal and tree architecture are described. In addition, the mixed character of the mesophytic mountain forest of Omiltemi is discussed and related to its marginal geographic location.

Effect of local topographic heterogeneity on tree species assembly in an Acacia-dominated African savanna

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Musili Mutuku ◽  
David Kenfack
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Tree Species Diversity ◽  
Knee Height ◽  
Local Species ◽  
Topographic Heterogeneity

AbstractStand structure and tree species diversity patterns were examined plot-wide and among four topographically defined habitats (plateau, cliff, low plain and depressions) in a 120-ha permanent plot in an Acacia-dominated savanna in Mpala Ranch, central Kenya. The four habitats were defined by clustering the 3000 quadrats of 20 × 20 m in the plot based on their altitude, slope and convexity. Structural and floristic differences among the four habitats were examined and species-habitat associations were tested for the 30 most abundant species using torus translation randomization tests. The plot included 113 337 trees in 62 species with diameter at knee height ≥ 2 cm (18.4 species ha−1), 41 genera and 23 families. Fabaceae with the genus Acacia were the dominant family, followed by Euphorbiaceae and Ebenaceae. Tree density and basal area were twice as high on low plain and depressions than on the plateau. Species richness was highest in the cliff and was seven times higher than in the adjacent plateau. Half of the species assessed showed significant positive associations with one habitat and 21 showed significant negative associations with at least one habitat. The variation in stand structure and tree species diversity within the Mpala plot shows that topography is among the important drivers of local species distribution and hence the maintenance of tree diversity in savannas.

scholarly journals Growth rates of valuable tree species in secondary tropical montane cloud forests in Mexico: influence of tree size, crown position and competition

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdaleno Mendoza-Hernández ◽  
Patricia Gerez-Fernández ◽  
Silvia Purata-Velarde ◽  
Tarin Toledo-Aceves
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Timber Species ◽  
Cloud Forests ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Tropical Montane Cloud Forests

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) are under severe threat from deforestation, fragmentation and degradation. Several tree species are harvested and commercialized by local communities through unplanned selective logging. Lack of information regarding the growth rates of the most economically valuable timber species hampers the design of effective sustainable management schemes for TMCF. The objective of this study was to determine the diameter growth rates and evaluate the influence of tree size, crown class and neighbouring tree basal area on the growth of common and valuable TMCF timber species. Annual diameter growth was measured during two years in 60 trees (10 to 45 cm in diameter at breast height; dbh) each of Alnus acuminata, Liquidambar styraciflua and Quercus xalapensis, located in two unmanaged secondary TMCF sites in Veracruz, Mexico. High diameter growth rates (centimeter per year [cm yr-1]; mean ± SE) were recorded in the three species; the highest was recorded in A. acuminata (1.62 cm yr-1 ± 0.08 cm yr-1), followed by Q. xalapensis (0.91 cm yr-1 ± 0.07 cm yr-1) and L. styraciflua (0.71 cm yr-1 ± 0.08 cm yr-1). Diameter growth rate was inversely related to the basal area of the neighbouring trees, indicating a negative effect of competition in the three species. Dominant trees had higher growth rates than supressed trees in the three species. The high growth rates recorded in forests with no previous management and the negative effect of basal area of neighbouring trees support the potential for silvicultural management in secondary TMCF.

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