Journal of Forest Science, 2012 (vol. 58), issue 3
Using linear mixed model and dummy variable model approaches to construct compatible single-tree biomass equations at different scales - A case study for Masson pine in Southern China
L.Y. Fu, W.S. Zeng, S.Z. Tang, R.P. Sharma, H.K. Li
J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(3):101-115 | DOI: 10.17221/69/2011-JFS 
The estimation of forest biomass is important for practical issues and scientific purposes in forestry. The estimation of forest biomass on a large-scale level would be merely possible with the application of generalized single-tree biomass models. The aboveground biomass data on Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) from nine provinces in southern China were used to develop generalized single-tree biomass models using both linear mixed model and dummy variable model methods. An allometric function requiring only diameter at breast height was used as a base model for this purpose. The results showed that the aboveground biomass estimates of individual...
Estimation of leaf area index and assessment of its allometric equations in oak forests: Northern Zagros, Iran
S. Khosravi, M. Namiranian, H. Ghazanfari, A. Shirvani
J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(3):116-122 | DOI: 10.17221/18/2011-JFS
The focus of the present study is the estimation of leaf area index (LAI) and the assessment of allometric equations for predicting the leaf area of Lebanon oaks (Quercus libani Oliv.) in Iran's northern Zagros forests. To that end, 50 oak trees were randomly selected and their biophysical parameters were measured. Then, on the basis of destructive sampling of the oak trees, their specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area were measured. The results showed that SLA and LAI of the Lebanon oaks were 136.9 cm.g-1 and 1.99, respectively. Among all the parameters we measured, the crown volume exhibited the highest correlation with...
Factors affecting the development of Phytophthora alni ssp. alni infections in Alnus glutinosa L.
P. Štochlová, K. Novotná, K. Černý
J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(3):123-130 | DOI: 10.17221/26/2011-JFS
Phytophthora alni is responsible for a devastating disease in alder and changes in the environment of riparian and alder carr ecosystems. One of the main approaches to solve this problem is to find naturally resistant genotypes using a series of artificial inoculation experiments, to preserve and use them in programmes for resistance breeding. However, the results of artificial inoculation experiments (screening for natural resistance) can be affected by several factors. The potential effect of the social status of the host, the presence of naturally occurring P. alni infections, the season and the size of the sections of branches...
Legal framework for payments for forest ecosystem services in the Czech Republic
K. Ventrubová, P. Dvořák
J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(3):131-136 | DOI: 10.17221/71/2011-JFS
Although examples of payments for ecosystem services (PES) can be traced back at least as far as the 1980's, it is still a relatively new instrument, and the hitherto experience in many parts of the world is not extensive yet, or based on a very long timeframe. In addition, PES is being introduced in more and more sectors (agriculture, water supply, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, etc.) and in relation to more and more ecosystems (surface water, groundwater, forest, etc.). But such PES can work only with good governance in place, comprising an effective political, legislative as well as institutional system. Nevertheless, an effective...
Molecular markers: their use in tree improvement
R. Mahajan, P. Gupta
J. For. Sci., 2012, 58(3):137-144 | DOI: 10.17221/5579-JFS
Earlier breeders used phenotypic selection based on morphological characteristics to improve tree varieties. These selections often take many cycles of breeding and backcrossing in order to place desired characteristics. But today the knowledge has paved the way for a much deeper understanding of the mechanics of cell biology and the hereditary process itself. Breeders are presented with numerous possibilities of altering the behaviour of existing varieties. Linkage between molecular markers can be translated to genetic linkage maps, which have become an important tool in plant genetics. They may choose to use marker-assisted approaches in order to...