Journal of Forest Science, 2014 (vol. 60), issue 4
Changes of forest abiotic environment in the Western Carpathians assessed using phytoindicationOriginal Paper
W. Żelazny
J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(4):133-142 | DOI: 10.17221/8/2014-JFS 
To avoid ecosystem degradation, forestry planning needs to be based on current information about the state of forest environment. Phytoindication is an inexpensive tool that allows tracking the environmental change at fine spatial scales. The present study uses this approach to assess changes within abiotic conditions of forests in the area of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids Mts. (Czech Republic). Phytosociological relevés collected in 2013 at 118 permanent plots were compared with records from the 1960s and 1970s. The changes were expressed using average Ellenberg's Indicator Values and units of the Czech Forest Typological System. Persisting soil acidification...
Analysis of coniferous species to identify and distinguish juvenile and mature woodOriginal Paper
M. Nawrot, W. Pazdrowski, R. Walkowiak, M. Szymański, K. Kaźmierczak
J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(4):143-153 | DOI: 10.17221/78/2013-JFS
We conducted to describe methods used to differentiate the zones of juvenile and mature wood in stems of coniferous species and to present the importance of good identification of the shares of both types of wood to ensure a rational use of the raw material and final quality of wood products. This study describes in more detail a novel method to separate the juvenile and mature wood tissue in stems of European larch using cluster analysis in the form of the k-means algorithm. Moreover, guidelines were also shortly described for forest management which could result in a reduction of the share of juvenile wood in stems of forest trees.
Spring phenology of cockchafers, Melolontha spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), in forests of south-western Germany: results of a 3-year survey on adult emergence, swarming flights, and oogenesis from 2009 to 2011Original Paper
E. Wagenhoff, R. Blum, H. Delb
J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(4):154-165 | DOI: 10.17221/5/2014-JFS
Cockchafers are among the most dreaded insect pests in many European countries, causing economic losses in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. In forests of south-western Germany, populations of the forest cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani) and also the field cockchafer (M. melolontha) have been increasing during the past three decades and, therefore, monitoring of these populations has been intensified. In the present field study, data on adult emergence from the soil, male swarming flights and female oogenesis, collected at three infestation sites by visual inspection, with soil eclectors and with light traps in early spring...
Effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability (Hyrcanian Forest, Iran)Original Paper
E. Abdi
J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(4):166-173 | DOI: 10.17221/93/2013-JFS
Vegetation significantly affects hillslope mechanical properties related to shallow landslides and slope stability. The objective of this study was to investigate and quantify the effect of Oriental beech root reinforcement on slope stability. A part of Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran was selected for the study area. To do the research, the Wu model (WM) was used and data related to the distribution and tensile strength of Oriental beech roots were collected. Root distribution was assessed using the concept of the root area ratio and trenching method. Laboratory tensile tests were conducted on fresh roots for strength characteristics. The factor...
An assessment of the applicability of dung count to estimate the wild boar population density in a forest environmentOriginal Paper
R. Plhal, J. Kamler, M. Homolka, J.Drimaj
J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(4):174-180 | DOI: 10.17221/99/2013-JFS
Wild boar is a native species in the fauna of the Czech Republic. It is becoming a problematic game species both in the Czech Republic and in other European countries due to its harmful impacts. So far no suitable method of its sustainable management has been devised. Yet, a correct abundance estimate is essential for proper management, field crop damage prevention and proper hunting planning. This paper employed faecal pellet group count to estimate the wild boar density in a forest environment. The research was conducted in a study area covering 12.83 km2, which is surrounded by farmland. The count was done under ideal conditions in early...