Journal of Forest Science, 2014 (vol. 60), issue 5

Impact of risk factor management on the sanitary condition of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) pure stands in LatviaOriginal Paper

J. Ruba, O. Miezite, S. Luguza

J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(5):181-189 | DOI: 10.17221/4/2014-JFS  

In management of young forest stands, it is often the case in forestry that several risk factors, biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic ones, have to be dealt with. An anthropogenic factor is of great importance in management of forests, because humans, using ecosystems for their needs, still have to maintain the spatial structure of the forest and prevent the worsening of the health state. Covering all territory of Latvia, empirical material was gathered in 25 pure stands. To find out how neighbouring stands impact the young forest stands of spruce, the location in forest array was detected. In identifying the risk factors, attention should be paid to...

Comparison of different forest regeneration methods after windthrowOriginal Paper

A. Martiník, L. Dobrovolný, V. Hurt

J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(5):190-197 | DOI: 10.17221/66/2013-JFS  

The prosperity of various forest regeneration methods was evaluated on the prepared windthrow area established in 2010 in a previously allochthonous coniferous stand growing in mid-elevations of the Czech Republic. The forest regeneration variants were as follows: (1) "planting" of target species (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and Fagus sylvatica (L.), (2) "seeding" of pioneer (non target) species (Betula pendula Roth) and (3) spontaneous "succession". Two years after windthrow the "planting" was evaluated in accordance with the Czech forestry law as regeneration method with sufficient attributes, density (6,000-9,000 indd.ha^-1)...

Biomass and carbon stocks in Schima superba dominated subtropical forests of eastern ChinaOriginal Paper

A. Ali, W.J. Ma, X.D. Yang, B.W. Sun, Q.R. Shi, M.S.Xu

J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(5):198-207 | DOI: 10.17221/21/2014-JFS  

Quantitative relationships between stand indices and carbon dioxide (CO₂) stocking are missing in the evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLFs) in eastern China and this hinders to estimate carbon (C) budget in the subtropical region. We determined the vegetation-soil C pool and CO₂ stocking using stand indices [diameter at breast height (DBH), total height (H) and wood density] in Schima superba dominated EBLFs in the Tiantong National Forest Park in eastern China. Vegetation biomass was determined by a non-destructive method using the tree volume and wood density approach while soil C concentration was determined using...

Effects of vegetation type and horizontal curve radius on the rate of tree pruning to provide line of sight on main access roadsOriginal Paper

M. Nasiri, M.R. Pourmajidian

J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(5):208-211 | DOI: 10.17221/19/2014-JFS  

The present investigation was carried out to assess the influence of vegetation type and horizontal curve radius on the rate of tree pruning to provide the line of sight on horizontal curves in Caspian forests of Iran. For this purpose, the DBH (diameter at breast height) of trees around the curves which must be pruned was measured. Also, the horizontal curves radius was divided into 4 classes and for each class 10 horizontal curves (for each species) were selected and the species which required pruning were measured. The rate of radial pruning was determined to provide a minimum stopping sight distance by means of laser rangefinder along the line...

Influence of sycamore seed stratification length on their germination capacityOriginal Paper

J. Stejskalová, I. Kupka, O. Nováková

J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(5):212-217 | DOI: 10.17221/23/2014-JFS  

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) seeds are frequently used in forest nurseries and therefore the knowledge of their proper treatment is desirable. Seed stratification recommended by the Czech standard is two months but there are not many studies which review the appropriate length in Central European conditions. The paper evaluates the influence of seed stratification length on their germination capacity. The seed samples were treated in different ways to evaluate their reaction to these different handling conditions. The data proved a significant increase of germination after 42 days of stratification. The data also suggests that the better...