scholarly journals Plantations and biodiversity: A comment on the debate in New Brunswick

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew G Betts ◽  
Antony W Diamond ◽  
Graham J Forbes ◽  
Kate Frego ◽  
Judy A Loo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
The Impact

The importance of biodiversity has become widely recognized but the best methods for conserving forest biodiversity are still being debated. Central to this debate is the influence of plantations and managed stands on local and landscape-scale biodiversity. A recent paper by Erdle and Pollard in The Forestry Chronicle (2002), which concluded that few plantations are strict monocultures in terms of the total number of tree species, could be interpreted as making the case that plantations have relatively minor consequences for biodiversity. We argue that: (1) it is not only the number of species, but also the identities and relative abundances of species that are of ecological importance, and (2) defining biodiversity in terms of tree species alone is of limited applicability. Existing research in New Brunswick on the impact of plantations on biodiversity at the stand scale reveals potentially significant biodiversity losses, at least in certain taxa. The proposal that incorporating more structural elements (e.g., snags, coarse woody debris, vertical structure) and retaining greater tree species diversity to ameliorate negative consequences of plantations remains a hypothesis to be tested in this region. Scientific information gathered in the following areas will allow better decision making: (1) to what degree are older plantations used by native species? (2) are productivity and survivorship of vertebrates in intensively managed stands similar to those in unmanaged forest? (3) are intensively managed stands suitable habitat for non-vertebrates? (4) are there thresholds in the response of some species to landscape-scale habitat loss caused by intensive forest management? Key words: plantations, biodiversity, species composition, landscape scale, stand structures

Do biomass removal and structure-enhancing treatments influence deadwood characteristics following commercial thinning in spruce plantations in New Brunswick, Canada?

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1407-1418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwadwo Omari ◽  
David A. MacLean
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Commercial Thinning ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Biomass Removal ◽  
The Status ◽  
Intensively Managed

Effects of commercial thinning on downed coarse woody debris (CWD) and standing dead trees (snags) were examined in six intensively managed 22- to 30-year-old white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) plantations in northern New Brunswick, Canada. Four alternative treatments were applied: (i) an unthinned control and three commercial thinning 40% basal area removals, with (ii) slash and tops remaining on the site (status quo), (iii) most of the branches and tops extracted from the site (biomass removal), and (iv) clumps of unthinned trees left, with one-half of the trees in each clump girdled to create snags (enhanced structure). Three years after thinning, CWD volume increased by 14%–27% in the status quo and enhanced structure treatments, by 6% in the biomass removal treatment, and by 0.1% in the unthinned treatment. Mean snag volume changed little, i.e., less than 1 m3·ha−1 among treatments, and stumps of thinned trees were 4.6–4.9 m3·ha−1. The girdled trees added 0.7 m3·ha−1 of snags, and 1.3 m3·ha−1 is expected to be added from girdling the remaining live trees in the unthinned clumps in 2016. The girdled trees and future to-be-girdled trees added up to 50% of the new deadwood in the enhanced structure treatments, but thinning treatments did not significantly affect total deadwood. The results indicate that commercial thinning produced fine debris but had little effect on overall deadwood amount. Girdling trees during commercial thinning, at the intensity used in this study, is unlikely to produce sufficient snags. Leaving islands and clumps during harvest before plantation establishment would be a more effective way of adding structure.

scholarly journals Invasion of alien plant species and their impact on different ecosystems of Panchase Area, Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Baral ◽  
A Adhikari ◽  
R. Khanal ◽  
Y. Malla ◽  
R. Kunwar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Gis Mapping ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
Alien Plant Species ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant ◽  
The Impact

The aggressiveness of invasive alien plant species has been amidst the changing climate, which has necessitated further research in this area. The impact of invasive alien plant species in the Panchase area of Nepal was assessed through the forest resource assessment and other methodologies such as, household survey, group discussion, direct field observation, participatory cluster mapping, quadrat sampling, laboratory analysis, and GIS mapping. A total of nine major invasive species, in which Ageratum houstonianum and Ageratina adenophora were found spread throughout the ecosystem. The invasion was fueled by anthropogenic disturbances such as leaving the agricultural lands, fallow and degradation of habitat. As a consequence, native species such as Artemisia indica and Urtica dioica were outcompeted mostly in the fringes of fallow lands, agricultural lands and in the disturbed sites. The intrusion was, however, less in the forest area, implying that community-managed dense canopy forests are less susceptible to invasion and routine management can offset the negative effects of invasion. Even though many negative consequences of the invasion were observed in the study sites, the possibility of the economically exploiting the biomass of invasive alien plant species for generating income locally was noticed.Banko Janakari, Vol. 27, No. 1, page: 31-42

scholarly journals Simulated encounters with a novel competitor reveal the potential for maladaptive behavioural responses to invasive species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Champneys ◽  
K. Ferry ◽  
S. Tomkinson ◽  
M. J. Genner ◽  
C. C. Ioannou
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Transparent Plastic ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact

AbstractDuring the early stage of biological invasions, interactions occur between native and non-native species that do not share an evolutionary history. This can result in ecological naïveté, causing native species to exhibit maladaptive behavioural responses to novel enemies, leading to negative consequences for individual fitness and ecosystem function. The behavioural response of native to non-native species during novel encounters can determine the impact of non-native species, and restrict or facilitate their establishment. In this study we simulated novel encounters between a widespread invasive fish species, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and a threatened native Manyara tilapia (Oreochromis amphimelas). In the first experiment single adult O. niloticus were presented with a stimulus chamber (a transparent plastic cylinder) which was empty during control trials and contained a pair of juvenile O. amphimelas in stimulus trials. In the second experiment, the reciprocal set up was used, with pairs of juvenile O. amphimelas as the focal species and adult O. niloticus as the stimulus. Both species approached the stimulus chamber more readily during stimulus trials, a behavioural response which would increase the prevalence of interspecific interactions in situ. This included physical aggression, observed from the competitively dominant O. niloticus towards O. amphimelas. Despite an initial lack of fear shown by O. amphimelas, close inspection of the stimulus chamber often resulted in an energetically costly dart response. Under field conditions we predict that naïve native individuals may readily approach O. niloticus, increasing the likelihood of interactions and exacerbating widely reported negative outcomes.

scholarly journals REGULARITIES OF CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF FIR FORESTS DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE INVASION OF POLYGRAPHUS PROXIMUS

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-23
Author(s):  
Никита Дебков ◽  
Nikita Debkov
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Southern Taiga ◽  
Green Moss ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Tomsk Region ◽  
Polygraphus Proximus ◽  
The Impact

The era of globalization is accompanied by large-scale invasions of dendrophilic insects into forest ecosystems around the world. As a rule, the impact of invaders on native species leads to negative consequences. Perspective fore-casts of the development of the situation with alien species are not encouraging. In this regard, research on the nature and degree of transformation of natural ecosystems under the influence of invasive organisms is becoming increasingly important. The mechanism of invasion of Polygraphus proximus Blandf. in forests dominated by Siberian fir Abies sibirica Ledeb. on the territory of the Tomsk region is considered in the article. The aim of the research has been to evaluate structural changes in fir forests of Western Siberia damaged by Polygraphus proximus. Studies have been conducted in the southern part of the Tomsk region on permanent trial plots. The objects of research have been ferns and small-grass-green-moss fir forests. The structure of fir forests has been studied using standard methods. When assessing the health status, a specialized scale has been used. The main taxation parameters of the stand and natural renewal have been measured. As a result of the research, it has been revealed that the main influence of the invader falls on trees having an average diameter up to an average step of thickness inclusive. A consequence of this is an increase in the mean values of height, age, and diameter of the stand. Also, the result of the direct impact of the Polygraphus proximus is a decrease in the density of the stand by 34-37%, and the reserve by 30%. There is no significant influence of the provider on the change in the completeness and bonitet of the plantation. Reducing the closeness of crowns has led to the replacement of typical southern taiga and moss with high-grass groupings in the windows of desiccation. It is established that the activity of Polygraphus proximus can lead to a short-term change of species in mixed plantations, which is observed in ferns

scholarly journals Forest Regeneration Patterns Differ Considerably between Sites with and without Windthrow Wood Logging in the High Tatra Mountains

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1349
Author(s):  
Bohdan Konôpka ◽  
Vladimír Šebeň ◽  
Katarína Merganičová
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Tatra Mts ◽  
Disturbance Management ◽  
The Impact

Our research focused on the impact of post-disturbance management on the subsequent forest stands in the territory of the High Tatra Mts. situated in the northern part of Slovakia. The field work was carried out within the post-disturbance area in 2019, i.e., 15 years after the windstorm. In total, we used data from 80 monitoring plots (MP): 40 plots situated inside the managed part and 40 in the unmanaged areas. Post-disturbance management specifically consisted of logging of wind-thrown wood; therefore, the main difference between the two areas (salvaged versus unsalvaged) was the amount of coarse woody debris (CWD) left on site. We focused on the characteristics of newly regenerated forest stands: the number of trees and tree species per MP, tree height and browsing (mostly by red deer, Cervus elaphus) were recorded as was their growth substrate, i.e., soil or CWD. Higher tree densities, larger trees as well as higher tree species richness were found at salvaged plots. In addition, more evident dominance of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L) Karst.) was recorded at unsalvaged plots. Common rowans (Sorbus aucuparia L.) were frequent at both plot types. Birch trees (Betula sp.) were very frequent at salvaged plots, while only a few birch individuals were recorded at unsalvaged ones. The proportion of trees growing on CWD was 15% at unsalvaged and 3% at salvaged plots. Trees growing on the soil contained nearly double the aboveground biomass than those on CWD. Red deer browsing was approximately two times more frequent at salvaged than unsalvaged plots. While rowan was extremely prone to browsing, spruce was damaged negligibly. These main findings could have two contradictory conclusions, the positive one being that differentiated post-disturbance management within a certain area can combine both forestry and nature conservation interests. Moreover, it can generate parallel forests with different properties that might positively influence the future stability of forest ecosystems as a whole. The negative side might be that contrasting post-disturbance management can cause an uneven distribution of red deer population and intensive browsing in areas favourable for game.

Responses of native and invasive fishes to carbon dioxide: potential for a nonphysical barrier to fish dispersal

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 1748-1759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Kates ◽  
Clark Dennis ◽  
Matthew R. Noatch ◽  
Cory D. Suski
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Silver Carp ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Bighead Carp ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
The Impact

Upon arrival in a novel environment, invasive species have the potential to cause negative consequences at their new location. Rather than try to eliminate invasive species after introduction, preventing their spread is a more efficient strategy to mitigate impact. The current study used a laboratory setting to quantify the efficacy of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) in water to act as a nonphysical barrier to deter fish movement. Our focus was on deterring the movements of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), but largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) were also examined to quantify the impact of elevated CO2 on native species. Exposure of all species to 30 mg·L−1 dissolved CO2 for 1 h, compared with ambient CO2 concentrations of 10 mg·L−1, resulted in an elevated stress response, along with alterations to ionic–osmotic balance. Exposure of fish to 70 mg·L−1 CO2 caused a reduction in ventilation rates after 1 h, while both silver carp and bighead carp lost equilibrium. Silver carp, largemouth bass, and bluegill also showed avoidance of CO2 at approximately 100 mg·L−1. Together, results suggest that zones of elevated CO2 have potential to deter the movement of fishes.

Conflicts in Biafra, Katanga and Cabinda as a result of the geopolitical legacy of colonialism

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (10-3) ◽  
pp. 238-246
Author(s):  
Olga Dzhenchakova
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Economic Factor ◽  
Colonial Period ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

The article considers the impact of the colonial past of some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and its effect on their development during the post-colonial period. The negative consequences of the geopolitical legacy of colonialism are shown on the example of three countries: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Angola, expressed in the emergence of conflicts in these countries based on ethno-cultural, religious and socio-economic contradictions. At the same time, the focus is made on the economic factor and the consequences of the consumer policy of the former metropolises pursuing their mercantile interests were mixed.

HOW CLIMATE CHANGE CAN INFLUENCE THE AGRICULTURE IN UKRAINE: A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Maidanovych ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Resource Saving ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Average Annual Temperature ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this work is to review and analyze the main results of modern research on the impact of climate change on the agro-sphere of Ukraine. Results. Analysis of research has shown that the effects of climate change on the agro-sphere are already being felt today and will continue in the future. The observed climate changes in recent decades have already significantly affected the shift in the northern direction of all agro-climatic zones of Europe, including Ukraine. From the point of view of productivity of the agro-sphere of Ukraine, climate change will have both positive and negative consequences. The positives include: improving the conditions of formation and reducing the harvesting time of crop yields; the possibility of effective introduction of late varieties (hybrids), which require more thermal resources; improving the conditions for overwintering crops; increase the efficiency of fertilizer application. Model estimates of the impact of climate change on wheat yields in Ukraine mainly indicate the positive effects of global warming on yields in the medium term, but with an increase in the average annual temperature by 2 ° C above normal, grain yields are expected to decrease. The negative consequences of the impact of climate change on the agrosphere include: increased drought during the growing season; acceleration of humus decomposition in soils; deterioration of soil moisture in the southern regions; deterioration of grain quality and failure to ensure full vernalization of grain; increase in the number of pests, the spread of pathogens of plants and weeds due to favorable conditions for their overwintering; increase in wind and water erosion of the soil caused by an increase in droughts and extreme rainfall; increasing risks of freezing of winter crops due to lack of stable snow cover. Conclusions. Resource-saving agricultural technologies are of particular importance in the context of climate change. They include technologies such as no-till, strip-till, ridge-till, which make it possible to partially store and accumulate mulch on the soil surface, reduce the speed of the surface layer of air and contribute to better preservation of moisture accumulated during the autumn-winter period. And in determining the most effective ways and mechanisms to reduce weather risks for Ukrainian farmers, it is necessary to take into account the world practice of climate-smart technologies.

Financial Risks of the Bank: Assessment and Mechanism of Neutralization

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Nelia Volkova ◽  
◽  
Alina Mukhina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Financial Risks ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Relevant Today ◽  
Banking Institution ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Introduction. The issue of financial risk management of commercial banks is quite relevant today, because the activity of banks is the most risky of all. The presence of risks in banking can lead to unexpected losses, namely the loss of own resources. That’s why for the stable operation of the bank without loss the priority is to assess the financial risks, which is the basis for their further neutralization. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to develop conceptual provisions for assessment financial risks and justifying the need to neutralize them. Results. The article analyzes the impact of risks on the financial stability of a banking institution. The main methods of bank risk assessment are considered. All these include the statistical method, the analytical method, the expert method, the analogue method and the combined method. The necessity of neutralization of financial risks in order to avoid negative consequences is substantiated. Also the methods of bank risks neutralization are considered. It should be noted that these methods of neutralization can not only be used, but also supplement the list with new methods must be done, which in the future will protect the bank from the influence of undesirable factors. A conceptual approach to the assessment and neutralization of financial risks is proposed. This conceptual approach aims to ensure effective assessment of the level of risk with their subsequent neutralization Conclusions. Use of a conceptual approach will allow an effective risk assessment and decision-making to avoid or accept risk. Thanks to using this approach, the banking institution will be able to react swiftly to the presence of financial risks and to prevent the occurrence of negative consequences, which may lead to a violation of the financial stability of the bank.

The Impact of Sanctions on North Korea’s Foreign Trade from the Perspective of the Comparative Advantage Theory

2019 ◽  
pp. 4-15
Author(s):  
I. A. Korgun ◽  
G. D. Toloraya
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Trade ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
National Economy ◽  
North Korea ◽  
Rent Seeking ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Global Trade ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

The presented study analyzes the opportunities for North Korea to capitalize on its competitive advantages in foreign trade in the context of sanctions.Aim. The study aims to identify mechanisms that allow North Korea to engage in foreign trade in circumvention of UN sanctions and to analyze their impact on the national economy.Tasks. The authors analyze the structure of North Korea’s national economy, its initial competitive advantage, identify the specific features of North Korea’s foreign trade in the context of sanctions, and determine the consequences of illicit trade in circumvention of sanctions for the national economy.Methods. This study uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines the classical theory of competitive advantage with the concept of rent seeking, with the concept of rent seeking and analysis of trade flows.Results. The study shows that, despite the restrictions imposed by sanctions, North Korea strives to make the most of its advantages, such as resource availability and cheap labor, in global trade. The country builds its own export-import chains in circumvention of sanctions. These chains are rather mobile, flexible, and controlled by the elite. As a result, benefits from trade that could be evenly distributed among the population are concentrated in the hands of a narrow segment of society. ‘Rent seeking’ makes it possible to formulate the negative consequences of these processes for the North Korean economy and the international community.Conclusions. Solving the North Korean issue requires an economic transformation in the country through the replacement of restrictive sanctions with more constructive ones. The exclusion of North Korea from open global trade leads to the country’s marginalization and impairs the transparency of international commodity flows.

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