scholarly journals Control of Heterobasidion in Norway Spruce Stands: The Impact of Stump Cover on Efficacy of Urea and Phlebiopsis gigantea and Implications for Forest Management

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 679
Author(s):  
Astra Zaluma ◽  
Patrick Sherwood ◽  
Lauma Bruna ◽  
Uvis Skola ◽  
Talis Gaitnieks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Urea Solution ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Relative Area ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Phlebiopsis Gigantea ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
The Impact

This study investigated the efficacy of Rotstop®, a native Latvian Phlebiopsis gigantea strain and 35% urea solution in combination with a stump cover treatment to control against natural spore infection by Heterobasidion spp. upon precommercial thinning of Norway spruce in three stands growing on former agricultural lands. The major findings were that (i) infection rates of Heterobasidion spp. on stumps treated with the native P. gigantea strain, Rotstop® or urea are similar when stumps are uncovered, and (ii) stump cover promotes stump colonization by the Latvian P. gigantea strain and Rotstop®, leading to a significantly smaller relative area colonized by Heterobasidion spp., as well greater efficiency against Heterobasidion in comparison with urea. Covering of stumps appears beneficial for controlling Heterobasidion stump colonization and may be valuable to forest owners if used in small-scale operations, but it is impractical in automatized thinnings, where managers should consider using regular Rotstop® without covering the stumps.

Effect of forest management on a rare habitat specialist, the Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli)

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Chisholm ◽  
M. L. Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Habitat Specialist ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Catharus Bicknelli ◽  
Bicknell's Thrush ◽  
The Impact

Forest dwelling birds with narrow habitat preferences may be vulnerable to habitat changes from forest management. The Bicknell’s Thrush ( Catharus bicknelli (Ridgway, 1882)), a rare habitat specialist, occupies dense regenerating forest, including stands managed for timber. However, little is known of the impact of various forestry practices on Bicknell’s Thrush abundance. The purpose of our study was to determine how Bicknell’s Thrush abundance varied across the stages of a managed forest and to determine if abundance was affected by precommercial thinning, a practice that reduces stem density. Bicknell’s Thrush was most abundant in stands that were regenerating after being clear-cut 11–13 years earlier and of sufficient height and stem density to undergo thinning. Thrush abundance declined following thinning and was positively related to the amount of unthinned area remaining in the stand. Over all stand types, thrush abundance increased with increasing elevation and with the density of stems between 5 and 10 cm in diameter, but decreased with increasing amounts of bare ground. The results of this study suggest that Bicknell’s Thrush may benefit from the early successional habitat associated with managed forests, but may be negatively affected by treatments such as precommercial thinning that reduce stem densities.

scholarly journals THE INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF NORWAY SPRUCE: A COMPROMISE BETWEEN FINANCIAL GAIN AND GENETIC DIVERSITY?

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Solveiga Luguza ◽  
Endijs Bāders ◽  
Pauls Zeltiņš ◽  
Roberts Čakšs ◽  
Dainis Edgars Ruņģis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Seed Orchard ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Radial Increment ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
The Impact

INTRODUCTION Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is a high-yielding commercial tree species grown in the Baltic sea region. It not only ensures timber production, but also provides a notable amount of crown branch biomass and a substantial amount of technically accessible stump biomass for energy. Thus, it has a high potential as a source of renewable materials and energy in the bioeconomy. Recent studies in Latvia have shown no long-term negative consequences to forest ecosystems from whole-tree harvesting. Hence, this management method can be considered sustainable for Norway spruce stands in fertile mineral soils. Not only yield, but also risks need to be considered to ensure financial sustainability, mainly the impact of wind-storms, drought, and pests. A combination of silviculture and genetics (tree breeding) can be used to reduce the probability of damage to Norway spruce stands. The aim of our study was to assess the potential of simultaneously ensuring both genetic gain and diversity in Norway spruce plantations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data characterizing/showing tree growth – current height, diameter at breast height, survival, as well as radial increment (increment cores) – were obtained from a 50-year-old Norway spruce plantation. Data characterizing genetic diversity were collected from a gene reserve stand (48 trees), Norway spruce seed orchard progenies consisting of 20 clones, as well as 12 pure Norway spruce stands. DNA was extracted and analysed with 6 to 14 nuclear SSR markers. RESULTS No significant differences were observed between the seed orchard progenies, the trees from the gene reserve stand and other Norway spruce stands using the assessed parameters – allelic richness, observed heterozygosity, genetic diversity and relatedness. This indicates that the use of a seed orchard containing a relatively low number of clones as a seed source for plant production and forest regeneration would not have a negative impact on genetic diversity. However, notable gains in productivity can be achieved using selected plant material. At the age of 50 years, phenotypically selected clones in the low-density (5×5m) plantation had a mean yield of 327±42 m3ha-1, significantly exceeding the mean yield (277±56 m3ha-1) observed in Norway spruce stands of the same age and the same site conditions (forest type), while no significant differences were observed compared to the average stand yield at the age of 80 years (347±47 m3ha-1). The target diameter of 31 cm was reached at the age of 42±0.9 years on average, but this varied significantly among clones. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate a notable potential to reduce the rotation period, thereby: a) increasing the availability of raw material for further processing and energy production, and b) reducing financial risks due to lowering the probability that the stand will sustain substantial damage (i.e. wind storm). This gain can be achieved without significantly compromising genetic diversity. Further studies shall address potential changes in genetic diversity at the landscape level over a longer period when using a very limited set of clones. Stands in nature reserves could serve as a basis for comparison in such studies.

scholarly journals Norway Spruce Survival Rate in Two Forested Landscapes, 1975–2016

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Endijs Bāders ◽  
Oskars Krišāns ◽  
Jānis Donis ◽  
Didzis Elferts ◽  
Ieva Jaunslaviete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Forest Management Planning ◽  
Forest Inventories ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Forested Landscapes

The increasing frequency and severity of natural disturbances (e.g., storms and insect outbreaks) due to climate change are expected to reduce the abundance of Norway spruce stands in the European forests. Under such conditions, the assessment of status quo on focusing on survival of Norway spruce stands are essential for the agility of forest management strategies. The dynamics (mortality rate) of Norway spruce stands in hemiboreal forests based on forest inventories for the period from 1975 to 2016 (inventories of 1975, 1985, 1999, 2011 and 2016) were analyzed in two forest landscapes in the western and eastern parts of Latvia (Vane and Dviete, respectively). The spatiotemporal changes in age-dependent mortality differing by abundance of Norway spruce and disturbance regime were assessed, focusing on the transitions of stands between age groups (inventories). The age-related changes in probability of stands transitioning into the next age group contrasted (p < 0.001) between sites. In Vane, the survival of stands between inventories was constant (ca. 90%), while in Dviete, it decreased sharply from 85.7% during 1985–1999 inventories to 49.3% in 2011–2016. Age-related decreases in stand survival showed local dependencies between both landscapes, namely, in Vane, notable decreases started from 61 years, while in Dviete, the downward trends started already from 31 years, probably due to different disturbance regimes. This suggests that, in forest management planning, the different outcomes for mortality patterns between both landscapes must be considered and should not be generalized for a whole country.

scholarly journals Determination of Pleurotus abieticola ligninolytic activity on Norway spruce wood

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-277
Author(s):  
Anna Żółciak
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Protocatechuic Acid ◽  
Ligninolytic Enzymes ◽  
Heterobasidion Annosum ◽  
Ligninolytic Activity ◽  
Spruce Wood ◽  
Phlebiopsis Gigantea ◽  
Spruce Stands

Abstract The effect of Phlebiopsis gigantea treatment in control of Heterobasidion parviporum in Norway spruce is less effective than that in control of Heterobasidion annosum in pine. It is necessary to apply other fungi, for example, Pleurotus abieticola in Norway spruce stands. Thus, it is necessary to assess the activity of major ligninolytic enzymes, that is, laccase, lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and versatile peroxidase (VP) produced by P. abieticola, which may be effective in the fast degradation of Norway spruce wood. Three strains of P. abieticola (Pa1-3) were grown on pieces of Norway spruce sapwood and heartwood for 50 days in laboratory conditions. Enzymatic activity was determined using spectrophotometry. Pleurotus abieticola produced laccase, LiP, MnP and VP. The activity of laccase was low, ranging 0–3.696 and 0–0.806 mU/μg of protein in sapwood and heartwood, respectively. The highest activity in Pa1 = 3.696 mU/μg of protein in sapwood and in Pa3 = 0.806 mU/μg of protein in heartwood was observed after 30 and 50 days of incubation, respectively. The activity of LiP was also low, ranging 0–0.188 and 0–0.271 mU/μg of protein in sapwood and heartwood, respectively. The highest activity in Pa1 = 0.271 mU/μg of protein in sapwood and in Pa2 = 0.188 mU/μg of protein in heartwood was observed after 40 and 20 days of incubation, respectively. The activity of MnP ranged 0–17.618 and 0–12.203 mU/μg of protein in sapwood and heartwood, respectively. This enzymatic activity peaked at the 50th day of culture on sapwood for the Pa3 strain (17.618 mU/μg of protein) and at the 20th day of culture on heartwood for the Pa1 strain (12.203 mU/μg of protein). The activity of VP with manganese-oxidising properties was found to be high in all strains of P. abieticola, ranging 0–39.19 and 0–59.153 mU/μg of protein in sapwood and heartwood, respectively, whereas the activity of VP with guaiacol-oxidising properties was very low for all P. abieticola strains, ranging 0–0.248 and 0–0.225 mU/μg of protein in sapwood and heartwood, respectively. The values of released hydroxyphenols in P. abieticola strains ranged 24.915–139.766 and 25.19–84.562 µg of protocatechuic acid/ml in sapwood and heartwood, respectively. The values of released methoxyphenols for the evaluated strains of P. abieticola ranged 7.225–23.789 and 1.953–20.651 µg of vanillic acid/ml in sapwood and heartwood, respectively. Further studies with a higher number of strains of this species as well as an optimisation of conditions for the measurement of ligninolytic activity are needed.

scholarly journals Cost–Benefit Analysis of Measures to Reduce Windstorm Impact in Pure Norway Spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) Stands in Latvia

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valters Samariks ◽  
Oskars Krisans ◽  
Janis Donis ◽  
Ilze Silamikele ◽  
Juris Katrevics ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Wind Damage ◽  
Financial Benefit ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
The Impact

Wind is one of the major natural forest disturbances in Europe, and reduces the total economic (including carbon sequestration) value of forests. The aim of this study was to assess the financial benefit of silvicultural measures in young, pure, planted Norway spruce stands by reduction in the impact of wind damage over the rotation period. The analyzed measures are promptly applied precommercial thinning and low-density planting with improved plant material. Spatial information on factors affecting wind damage—wind climate and soil—were gathered and combined with the local growth model and empirical data from tree pulling experiments in Latvia to assess the economic value loss due to wind damage over a rotation period. Timely precommercial thinning and lower-density planting with improved plant material would ensure a positive net present value with an interest rate of 3%, using conservative estimates. The financial benefit is highest in windier (coastal) regions and for the planting, followed by moderate thinning. The results demonstrate that, even without changing the dominant tree species, a considerable reduction in wind-damage risk can be achieved.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Small-Diameter Norway Spruce Understory Stumps to Heterobasidion Spore Infection

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tālis Gaitnieks ◽  
Astra Zaļuma ◽  
Kristīne Kenigsvalde ◽  
Dārta Kļaviņa ◽  
Indulis Brauners ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Infection Frequency ◽  
Main Route ◽  
Phlebiopsis Gigantea ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Understory Trees ◽  
Cut Stumps ◽  
Stump Diameter

Heterobasidion spp. cause economically important losses in conifer forests in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in Norway spruce stands. Freshly cut stumps are the main route for Heterobasidion spp. infection. Even small stumps of spruce seedlings are known to be susceptible to spore infection, however, very little is currently known about the susceptibility of small stumps of understory spruce to Heterobasidion spore infection. To determine the frequency of spore infections among stumps of understory trees, we analyzed 756 Norway spruce stumps in eight sample plots in eastern Latvia. Understory trees 35–68 years of age, with a stump diameter of 2–10 cm, were felled 33–48 weeks before sampling. In total, 514 (68%) of the spruce stumps were infected by Heterobasidion spores. The infection frequency among the plots varied from 56% to 86%. Both infection frequency and stump surface area occupied by Heterobasidion positively correlated with stump diameter, but neither correlated with the time span elapsed between felling and sampling. Colonization of trees by a competitor fungus, Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jülich, was observed in 30 (4%) of investigated stumps, but did not have any effect on the frequency of Heterobasidion infections. Our data show that Norway spruce stumps can be highly susceptible to Heterobasidion spore infection. In order to control airborne Heterobasidion infections, stump treatment should be considered during the sporulation period of Heterobasidion spp.

scholarly journals Importance of logging technologies for economic effectiveness of tending Norway spruce stands

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 178-184
Author(s):  
P. Zehnálek ◽  
J. Remeš ◽  
K. Pulkrab
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Unit Volume ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Economic Effectiveness ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Thinning Operations ◽  
Traditional Technologies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Choice Of Technology

This article examines the impact of modern harvesting and hauling technologies on the economic effectiveness of tending Norway spruce stands. The analysis of more than 70 tending treatments showed how fundamental the choice of technology is with respect to the impact of tending treatments. The introduction of harvesters and forwarders, compared with traditional technologies, conclusively demonstrated a higher gross profit per unit area (CZK&middot;ha<sup>&ndash;1</sup>) as well as per unit volume of harvested timber (CZK&middot;m<sup>&ndash;3</sup>). In addition, the paper demonstrated economic effectiveness even in the first thinning operations in relatively young stands (30 years old)

scholarly journals Importance of light conditions for the height growth of underplatings in Norway spruce stands in the Oravské Beskydy Mts.

Beskydy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Jaloviar ◽  
M. Saniga ◽  
S. Kucbel
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Crown Architecture ◽  
Stem Number ◽  
Site Factor ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Main Component ◽  
The Impact

The study analyses the relationships between the components of relative irradiance and density of parent Norway spruce stand as well as the impact of light on height growth and crown architecture of beech and fir underplantings and natural regeneration of spruce. We observed three variants of regeneration: fir underplanting, beech underplanting and spruce natural regeneration. For each variant three circular research plots with the size 500 m2 were established. To determine the intensity of relative irradiance 15 hemispherical photographs in the height of 1.5 m were taken for each variant. The analysis confirmed a significant relationship only between indirect site factor (ISF) and basal area and partly stem number of parent stand. There is almost no influence of spruce overstorey density (within the observed range of basal area and stem number) on the values of total site factor (TSF) and its main component direct site factor (DSF). The relevant predictor for the height increments of underplanted saplings is ISF. Relationship between TSF and height increment is weak. Apical dominance ratio (ADR) that was used to characterize crown architecture is significantly correlated with ISF only for beech and fir. In the case of spruce, increase of light intensity in the observed range does not lead to a significant change of saplings crown architecture.

Can Values of Honesty, Hard Work, Loyalty and Discipline Predict Entrepreneurial Orientation of Muslim Owner Managers?

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohani Mohd ◽  
Badrul Hisham Kamaruddin ◽  
Khulida Kirana Yahya ◽  
Elias Sanidas
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Hard Work ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Learning Institutions ◽  
Innovative Orientation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
True Values

The purpose of the present study is twofold: first, to investigate the true values of Muslim owner managers; second, to examine the impact of these values on entrepreneurial orientations of Muslim small-scale entrepreneurs. 850 Muslim owner managers were selected randomly using the sampling frame provided by MajlisAmanah Rakyat Malaysia (MARA). 162 completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed. For this paper only two dimensions of entrepreneurial orientations were analyzed: proactive orientation and innovative orientation. Interestingly, the findings revealed that Muslim businessmen/women are honest, loyal, disciplined and hard working. Loyalty and honesty are positively related to proactive orientation, while discipline and hard-work are positively related to innovative orientation. The findings provide implications for existing relevant theories, policy makers, practitioners and learning institutions. 

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