The ecological footprint (EF) model has received much attention as an assessment indicator for sustainable development in recent years. Firstly, the temporal changes of domestic timber production, imports and exports in China were analyzed from 1973 to 2003, the analysis results showed an apparent fluctuation in timber production during 1973–1995 but a decreasing trend during 1995–2002, an increasing trend in timber imports since 1995 especially after the implementation of the Natural Forest Protection Project (NFPP), an decreasing trend year by year in timber exports since 1995. Secondly, this paper presented a time series analysis of actual forest area demand in the sustainable yield and production approach in China from 1973 to 2003, which includes both import and export forest area demand. The results showed the actual forest area demand simulated from the sustainable yield approach was slightly higher than that from the production approach during 1978–1988 and a little lower during 1989–2003; however, the actual forest area demands simulated by these two model approaches were larger than calculations that expressed in conventional forest EF. Meanwhile, the results indicated the forestry development in China during 1978–1988 was unsustainable due to overexploitation of forest stocking volumes, and China’s forestry moved toward sustainable development since 1989 because forest resources are exploited at lower rates than they are regenerated. However, compared to forestry developed countries, the forestry development capacity in China is still lower. Finally, based on the model results we analyzed the relationships between forestry EF and the key policies, including trade policy, economic policy and forest conservation programs. In addition, several suggestions about reducing forestry EF and enhancing sustainable forestry development in China are given.

An improved Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach model (CASA model) was used to estimate the net primary productivity (NPP) of the Northeast China Transect (NECT) every month from 1982 to 2000. The spatial-temporal distribution of NPP along NECT and its response to climatic change were also analyzed. Results showed that the change tendency of NPP spatial distribution in NECT is quite similar to that of precipitation and their spatial correlation coefficient is up to 0.84 (P < 0.01). The inter-annual variation of NPP in NECT is mainly affected by the change of the aestival NPP every year, which accounts for 67.6% of the inter-annual increase in NPP and their spatial correlation coefficient is 0.95 (P < 0.01). The NPP in NECT is mainly cumulated between May and September, which accounts for 89.8% of the annual NPP. The NPP in summer (June to August) accounts for 65.9% of the annual NPP and is the lowest in winter. Recent climate changes have enhanced plant growth in NECT. The mean NPP increased 14.3% from 1980s to 1990s. The inter-annual linear trend of NPP is 4.6 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹, and the relative trend is 1.17%, which owns mainly to the increasing temperature.

Microbial Inoculants as Effective Microorganisms (EM) were applied to find out their effects on germination and seedling growth of Albizia saman in the nursery. The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soils and cow dung (3:1) kept in polybags. The EM solution at different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%) was incorporated before and after a week of sowing seeds. Germination and physical growth parameters, including shoot and root length, vigor index, collar diameter, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total biomass increment over the control were measured. The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed along with the estimation of chemical parameters like chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid. Both germination and the measured physical growth parameters were found significantly (P<0.05) higher in seedlings treated with different concentrations of EM solution in comparison to the control. Maximum growth was found at 2% followed by 1% EM solution. Nodulation was higher at 0.1% concentration but it normally decreased with the increase of concentrations. Although there were a higher amount of pigments in leaves of the treated seedlings than of the control, the variations recorded with respect to chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were not significantly higher in most of the treatments. Treated seedlings showed variable results along with the increment of EM applications and most of the parameters showed best results at the medium range of concentrations. The study indicates that the Microbial Inoculant (EM) technology might be useful to improve the growth of seedlings in the nursery. This also indicates that the associated beneficial organisms along with the polybag soils might be of value in improving the degraded soil or poor field soil for better nutrient and water uptake during the initial growth of transplanted seedlings.

A study was conducted to determine the physiological characteristics changes of Aesculus chinensis seeds during natural dehydration in 2003. The results showed that A. chinensis seeds were recalcitrant with being highly desiccation-sensitive. The seed moisture content of fresh fruits was higher than 60%. When the seeds were naturally dried for 30 days, their moisture content declined to 30.2% and their viability was completely lost. The seed germination percentage had a small increase at the beginning of desiccation and then decreased rapidly. The relative electrical conductivity of the A. chinensis seeds increased along with a decrease in seed moisture content. However, there was an abnormal increase in relative electrical conductivity when the seed moisture content was between 53.7% and 50.9%. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased rapidly in the period of desiccation except for an abnormality when the seed moisture content was between 53.7% and 50.9%. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased slowly at the early stage of desiccation and then rose rapidly after the moisture content was below 50.9%. The soluble sugar content in seeds slowly increased with the increasing period of desiccation. The seed germination percentage was at the high level when seed moisture content was in range of 47%–60%, which suggests that this was the optimum moisture content for maintaining A. chinensis seed viability.

The contents of seven different phenolic acids such as gallic acid, catechinic acid, pyrocatechol, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid and benzoic acid in the poplar leaves (Populus Simonii × Populus Pyramibalis c. v and Populus deltoids) suffocated by Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and Methyl salicylate (MeSA) were monitored for analyzing their functions in interplant communications by using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the contents of phenolic acids had obviously difference in leaves exposed to either MeSA or MeJA. When P.deltoides leaves exposed to MeJA or MeSA, the level of gallic acid, coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and benzoic acid was increased, gallic acid in leaves treated with MeJA comes to a peak at 24 h while to a peak at 12-d having leaves treated with MeSA. When P. Simonii × P. Pyramibalis c. v leaves were exposed to MeJA or MeSA, the level of gallic acid, pyrocatechol and ferulic acid was increased; The catechinic acid and benzoic acid had a little drop; The caffeic acid and coumaric acid were undetected in both suffocated and control leaves. This changed pattern indicated that MeJA and MeSA can act as airborne signals to induce defense response of plants.

Fourteen plots were chosen along with the altitude of 1600–2600 m in Guandi Mountain, Shanxi Province, China to investigate all the trees in the plots, and the species diversity indexes were calculated for analyzing the effects of altitudinal gradient on plant species diversity. The results showed that the order of dominant species from low altitude to high altitude is as Quercus liaotungensis Koidz, Pinus tabulaeformis, Betula platyphylla, B. albo-sinensis, Picea wilsonii, P. Meyeri and Larix principis-rupprechtii. With altitude increasing, the average height and DBH of the arbor firstly increase and then decrease, the maximal height and DBH of the arbor present the unimodal variable trend, the maximal height of coniferous and broad-leaved trees firstly increases and then decreases, the maximal DBH of broad-leaf trees has no clear fluctuation, and the maximal DBH of the needle-leaf trees decreases gradually. Moreover, in middle altitudinal communities (the altitude of 1900–2200 m), the maximal height and DBH of the needle-leaf trees are larger than these of broad-leaf trees. Both Shannon-wiener index and Margalef index of the communities present the unimodal variable trend, with a peak in the mid-altitude. Plant species diversity in the mid-altitude (1900–2200 m) is higher than that of the low altitude (1600–1900 m) and the high altitude (2200–2600 m). In addition, the unimodal variable trend of α species diversity is clearly correlated with the altitudinal gradient. The change of plant species diversity is significantly correlated with the altitudinal gradient, and also related to the community structure, the community composition, the feature of species and the human disturbance.

Eupatorium adenophorum is one of main invasive plants in China and has caused great economic losses. A study was conducted to determine the biomass allocation, leaf morphology and growth response of E. adenophorum seedlings that grew under five different intensities (relative irradiances RI 10%, 20%, 30%, 55%, 100%) for 14 months. Results reveal that the species shows typical leaf morphological adaptation to different light conditions. The total biomass of seedlings increased with the increase of light intensity from 10% to 55% RI but decreased at RI 100% (full sunlight). Height growth increased with the increase of light intensity from 10% to 30% RI but decreased when light intensity was over 30% RI. At low light levels, plants enhanced light availability by means of increasing biomass allocation to leaves and formation of larger, thinner leaves with high specific leaf area (SLA), leading to a high leaf area ratio (LAR) and high stem strips length (SSL). The mean relative growth rate (RGR) of the plant increased with the light intensity increase and attained the maximum at 55% RI. The growth of seedlings at 30%–55% RI was much better than that at full light condition. This might be an adaptive strategy that supports the vigorous invasiveness of this species, because a high-shaded canopy could prevent other plant species from surviving and growing. This study indicates that E. adenophorum could adapt to different light conditions, especially to low light habit. This can explain its greater invasiveness.

Camptotheca acuminata seeds were sown in sterilized sands in the greenhouse in February of 2005. After 90-day growth, seedlings were inoculated with three species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Acaulo spora mellea, Glomus diaphanum and Sclerocystis sinuosa. The height, biomass, and absorptions of nitrogen and phosphorus of C. acuminata seedlings inoculated with AMF were investigated. The results showed that the formation of AM promoted the height growth and biomass accumulation of seedlings significantly and improved the absorption of phosphorus in seedlings. The height and biomass of mycorrhizal seedlings were 1.2 and 1.6 times higher than those of the non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The absorption of nitrogen was less influenced by the formation of AM. The nitrogen content in mycorrhizal seedling was equal to that of non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings, the nitrogen content of mycorrhizal seedlings inoculated with A. mellea changed considerably in the root, stem and leaves. The difference in nitrogen content was not significant between mycorrhizal seedlings inoculated with G. diaphanum and S. sinuosa. The AM formation stimulated the absorption of phosphorus, especially in roots, and also changed the allocation of nitrogen and phosphorus in different organs of seedlings. Compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings, the ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus in mycorrhizal roots increased, but reduced in stem and leaves.

S-RNase-mediated gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) is controlled by a multillalelic S-locus at which two separate genes, the female (pistil) and male (pollen) specificity determinants, are tightly linked. This review described both the identification of pollen specific F-box genes, SLF/SFBs, in Antirrhinum, Petunia and Prunus species and the demonstration of SLF/SFB as pollen determinant together with their functions in GSI response. Recent studies of how the pollen determinant functions in pollination reaction revealed that pollen determinant interacted with S-RNases in a non-allele-specific manner. It targeted all of the non-self S-RNases for ubiquitination through a functional SCF complex and subsequent degradation via 26S proteasome pathway in compatible reaction. It allows pollen tube to reach into the embryo sac and to finish double fertilization. In incompatible response, the intact self S-RNases were left to function as a cytotoxin that degrades self-pollen tube RNA, resulting in the cessation of pollen tube growth.

A modified guanidinium isothiocyanate method was used to extract total RNA from two forest insect species Clostera anastomosis and Saperda populnea. The integrity of RNA was demonstrated by the methods of gel electrophoresis and cDNA analysis. Typical A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ absorbance ratio of the total RNA was in range of 1.8 to 2.0. The size of double strand cDNAs obtained by RT-PCR was more than 2 kb, which indicated that intact mRNA was obtained. The fragments of β-actin and chitinase gene from the RNA of C. anastomosis were obtained by RT-PCR, which indicated that the RNA could be used for other molecular operation. By this procedure, RNAs could be extracted and analyzed by electrophoresis from at least 8 samples within 4 hours. These results showed that this method was time-and cost-saving and effective.

The scalar of Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) population and the relationship between individual distribution and site factors were analyzed according to investigating data in 74 sample belts with a total sampled area of 436.872 hm² in Muling Nature Reserve. The result showed that the distribution rules of Japanese yew population were correlated to elevation, slope position, slope aspect and slope gradient. The optimal distribution range in elevation for the natural Japanese yew population is at the attitudes of 700–800 m. The amounts of Japanese yew individuals on shady slope were more than those on sunny slope. On top slope and mid-slope, the individual amounts of Japanese yew are more than those on toe slope. Most of Japanese yew individuals occurred on slope gradient of less than 15. The scalar of the population was decreased with the slope gradient increasing.

The optimum models of harvesting yield and net profits of large diameter trees for broadleaved forest were developed, of which include matrix growth sub-model, harvesting cost and wood price sub-models, based on the data from Hongshi Forestry Bureau, in Changbai Mountain region, Jilin Province, China. The data were measured in 232 permanent sample plots. With the data of permanent sample plots, the parameters of transition probability and ingrowth models were estimated, and some models were compared and partly modified. During the simulation of stand structure, four factors such as largest diameter residual tree (L _DT), the ratio of the number of trees in a given diameter class to those in the next larger diameter class (q), residual basal area (R _BA) and selective cutting cycle (C) were considered. The simulation results showed that the optimum stand structure parameters for large diameter trees are as follows: q is 1.2, L _DT is 46cm, R _BA is larger than 26 m² and selective cutting cycle time (C) is between 10 and 20 years.

The temperature-humidity models of wood drying were developed based on Time-delay neural network and the identification structures of Time-delay neural network were given. The controlling model and the schedule model, which revealed the relation between controlling signal and temperature-humidity and the relation between wood moisture content and temperature-humidity of wood drying, were separately presented. The models were simulated by using the measured data of the experimental drying kiln. The numerical simulation results showed that the modeling method was feasible, and the models were effective.

The rheological behavior of low consistency thermomechanical pulp of Chinese fir harvested by intermediate thinning was analyzed. The results show that the apparent viscosity of pulp changed along with the beating degree, pulp consistency and shearing velocity. With the increasing of pulp consistency, the apparent viscosity of pulp increased gradually. Beating degree of pulp had an effect on micro-structure of pulp. The apparent viscosity of pulp declined as beating degree of pulp increased, and the apparent viscosity of pulp fell along with the shearing velocity increasing. Based on the results, the rheological models are set up. The models showed that the fluid types of the low consistency pulp could be described as pseudoplastics fluids (non-Newtonian fluids).

This paper describes a new method for simulation of the cross section shape of log. The self-developed MQK3102 log shape recognizing machine was used to acquire the finite discrete sampling points on the cross section of log and those points were fitted with the quadratic B-spline parametric curve. This method can clearly stimulate the real shape of the log cross section and is characterized by limited sampling points and high speed computing. The computed result of the previous curve does not affect the next one, which may avoid the graphic distortion caused by the accumulative error. The method can be used to simulate the whole body shape of log approximately by sampling the cross sections along the length direction of log, thus providing a reference model for optimum saw cutting of log.

An exploratory survey was conducted to assess economic profitability of cane based furniture enterprises in Chittagong City Corporation area of Bangladesh. A multistage random sampling was adopted to carry out the study. Based on the total investment the enterprises were divided into large, medium and small.. Most of the entrepreneurs (55%) are in the age class 40–50 years and only (18.33%) are >50 years. In small and medium category lowest entrepreneurs (8.33% each) are found graduate and 18.33% in large farm. Most of the enterprises are in the small category (45%) and 66.67% labors are skilled whereas only 33.33% are unskilled. Seven articles of sixteen different sizes were identified made from cane, which are Sofa (45 cm × 45 cm, 50 cm × 50 cm and 55 cm × 55 cm), Dinning (4ch. 1tab, and 6ch. 1tab.), Bed (1 m × 2m, 1.3 m × 2.3 m and 1.5 m × 2.3 m), Chair (45 cm × 45 cm and 50 cm ×50 cm), Rocking chair (large size, medium and small size), Dolna (Hanging and Running) and Partition. In all the three category enterprises chair (45 cm × 45 cm) was produced in highest number and the lowest production was Bed (1.5 m × 2.3 m). The total net benefit (2089 US$) and benefit cost ratio (1:16) was the highest for large cane enterprises. So among three categories of the cane enterprises the large enterprises are more profitable than others.

A study was conducted to determine the influences of initial planting densities, thinning intensities, exposures and slope sites on physical property (wood density) and mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity (MOE), bending strength, impact strength, compression strength along grain and hardness) of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantation in Mao’ershan Forest Farm, Northeast China. Results show that the different initial planting densities (1.5 m×1.0 m, 1.5 m×2.0 m and 1.5 m×2.5 m) had significant effects on wood density and MOE, and the highest mean wood density and indexes of mechanical properties occurred in the stand with an initial planting density of 1.5 m×1.0 m. The indexes of mechanical properties such as hardness of end, bending strength, MOE and compression strength along grain of wood increased after mild thinning, but decreased after violent thinning. The exposures (sunny slope and shady slope) had a significant effect on MOE, and the highest mean MOE occurred on sunny slope. The slope sites (upper site and lower site) had a significant effect on wood density and main mechanical properties, except hardness. The highest mean wood density and mechanical properties occurred at lower site.

A study was conducted on the identifications of the degraded samples of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) by phylogenetic and nucleotide distance analysis of partial Cytb and 12s rRNA genes sequences. 402 bp Cytb genes were achieved by PCR-sequencing using DNA extracted from 8 case samples, and contrasted with 27 sequences of Cytb gene downloaded from GenBank database. The values of three nucleotide distance between three suspected samples and sika deer were identical (0.26±0.006), which was smaller than the smallest nucleotide distance between eastern red deer and sika deer (0.036). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of sika deer and red deer indicated that the evidences located within the same cluster as sika deer. The evidences were sika deer materials. As the same way, other three suspected samples were derived from red deer. The results were further confirmed by phylogenetic and nucleotide distance analysis of 387 bp 12s rRNA gene. The method was powerful and less time-consuming and helpful to reduce the related cases with wildlife.

A surface variable, density of water-feather touching points (D_p) was proposed in this paper to express surface property of water repellency of contour feather. Tests in 29 species using breast contour feathers indicated that D_p was small in tericolous species, medium in wading and diving species, large in swimming species, with only a few exceptions. This implied that birds achieve appropriate D_p by optimizing the microstructure of feather to meet the requirement of water repellency. Therefore, D_p was a morphological marker linking structure and function of feather in studies of adaptive evolution of birds.

The soil hardness, soil water content and soil bulk density along the trails of six scenic spots in the Zhangjiajie World Geopark were measured and analyzed, and the integrated effects of tourism trampling on soils were evaluated for each scenic spots by calculating its soil impact indexes (SII) in the park. The results indicated that visitors’ activities caused a serious influence on the soil in the park, especially in the two most used scenic spots—Yellowstone Village and Gold Whip Stream. The impact of tourism on soil mainly occurred within 3 m along the trails. The impact shapes are classified into six type as single-sided node type, double-sided node type, cross node type, single-sided linkage type, double-sided linkage type and short-cut linkage type. Of six types of impact shapes, the single-sided node type and double-sided type were dominant. The average water contents of soil for six scenic spots at sample areas of 1 m, 2 m and 3 m from trial is 36.6%, 24.5% and 2.2% lower than that of the control area, respectively. The average soil hardness for six scenic spots at 1m, 2 m, and 3m from the trails tramped increased 167.9%, and 122.2%, and 15.8%, respectively, compared with the control area. Soil bulk density increased 26.5% at 1 m and 20.9% at 2 m from the trails. The main countermeasures for reducing the range and extent of tourism impact on soil are discussed.