Floristic composition and vegetation structure were described for the woodland vegetation around Dello Menna, Bale zone, southeast Ethiopia. A total 50 (20 m × 20 m) quadrats were sampled to identify and describe plant community types, species diversity, richness and evenness and to relate the identified plant community types with some environmental factors and describe the population structure of woody plant species. In each quadrat, data on species identity, abundance, height and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of woody plant species, altitude and slope were recorded. Vegetation classification was performed using PC — ORD software package. Sorensen’s similarity coefficient was used to detect dissimilarities among communities. Shannon — Wiener diversity index, species richness and Shannon’s evenness were computed to describe species diversity of the plant community types. Results show that a total of 171 vascular plant species representing 53 families were recorded. Fabaceae is the dominant family represented by 13 genera and 26 species (15%) followed by Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Anacardiaceae with eight species each (4.6%). Based on the results of vegetation classification, three plant communities (Dalbergia microphylla community, Grewia bicolar- Acacia brevispica community, and Combretum molle-Combretum collinum community) are recognized and described. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied among the plant communities. Species richness and diversity exhibit a bell — shaped pattern along altitude. Species turn over among communities more or less follow altitudinal gradients. Tukey’s pairwise comparison of means among the plant community types shows significant variations in altitude, implying that altitude is one of the most important factors determining the distribution of plant communities. The community Dalbergia microphylla type exhibits the highest species richness and diversity. Analysis of population structure of the dominant species reveals various patterns. Future research directions and recommendations are suggested for the sustainable utilization of the vegetation.

We recorded gregarious flowering of three bamboo species viz. Bambusa arundinacea, Bambusa tulda and Melocanna baccifera during rainy season from early March to late May, 2008 at lowland forest of Bajali area of Indo-Burma hotspot region. A regular method of field sampling of various forest types was used to map the bamboo species in Assam, India. Moreover, people’s perception on bamboo blooming was investigated at 17 sample plots covering 258 respondents inhabiting at the site at an average of 15 in each plots. A floral clump (inflorescence) emerged and developed into a giant panicle comprising of numerous florets. Two types of seeds viz. bacca and caryopsis were recorded in different species. Viviparous germination was noticed in few bacca seeds produced by M. baccifera and this has unusual occurrence in bamboo. Seed viability test shows that 75% caryopsis seeds were viable; these seeds had the potential of germination and can be used for mass regeneration. Most local respondents believe that bamboo flowering can result in population explosion of rodent, therefore, they think bamboo flowering is positively correlated with famine. This traditional belief results in massive destruction of bamboo clumps, which significantly impacts on rural economy.

Agroforestry is a ubiquitous landscape on the slopes in Loess Plateau, where soil moisture is a limiting factor for plant growth and development. The spatial and temporal characteristics of soil moisture were studied in three types of agroforestry boundaries: forest-grassland, forest-cropland and shelterbelt-cropland. The result shows that soil moisture content decreased with soil depth increasing from the surface to 110 cm. Soil moisture content differed significantly among the three boundaries all in the rainy season (July–September), dry season (May–June) and spring (March–April). The horizontal distribution of soil moisture in different soil layers in the three types of boundaries showed different patterns with line form, wave form, scoop form or “W” form. The distance of edge influence (DEI) of soil moisture in different types of landscape boundaries was estimated by variance analysis and multiple comparisons. In dry season the DEI in 0–10 cm soil layer was 0.4 H (H, average height of trees), which ranged from 0.2 H in grassland or in cropland to 0.2 H in forest field for both forest-grassland and forest- cropland boundaries, and 0.7 H (ranged from 0.2 H in cropland to 0.5 H in forest field) for shelterbelt-cropland boundary. In rainy season the DEI at soil depth of 0–110 cm was 0.7 H for the three boundaries. The results indicated that agroforestry type should be carefully selected to maintain soil moisture in land management, especially in restoring degraded land in Loess Plateau.

Arsenic (As) in the soils of South-Eastern Bangladesh is not only a threat for the health of millions of people but also a problem for plant growth due to its higher concentration in soil. Gmelina arborea Linn. is a promising fast growing tree species in Bangladesh which has also a potential to be planted in arsenic contaminated areas. This study assessed the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the growth of G. arborea in arsenic amended soils at nursery stage. Before sowing seeds, soils were treated with four different concentrations (10 mg·kg⁻¹, 25 mg·kg⁻¹, 50 mg·kg⁻¹, and 100 mg·kg⁻¹) of Arsenic. Growth parameters (length of shoot and root, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root) of the plant, and mycorrhizal root colonization and spore population in the rhizosphere soil of G. arborea were recorded. Mycorrhizal seedlings showed better growth than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Mycorrhizal seedlings planted in soil with 10-mg·kg⁻¹ arsenic showed best performance in terms of growth, biomass and mycorrhizal colonization, compared to other treatments with higher concentration of arsenic. With increasing arsenic concentration, growth of seedlings, mycorrhizal infection rate and spore population, all decreased significantly (p<0.05). The mycorrhizal seedlings had as much as 40% higher increment in total growth and 2.4 times higher increment in biomass compared to non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The study clearly indicated that mycorrhizal inoculation could reduce the harmful effects of arsenic on the initial growth of G. arborea Linn. in degraded soil at nursery stage.

Sprout contribution to natural regeneration of Rhododendron arboreum following the tree felling for fuel wood and other purposes was studied in two disturbed sites (Paipraw and Falockchar) of Rhododendron forest in Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India. Cut stumps were categorized into seven girth and height classes to evaluate the effect of stump girth and height on production of sprouts. Effect of stump girth on survival of sprouts was also investigated. Results show that highest number of cut stumps is recorded in medium girth classes (50–80, 80–110, and 110–140 cm) in both Paipraw and Falockchar stands. However, density of cut stumps is higher in Paipraw (1 210 stumps·ha⁻¹) than Falockchar (1 154 stumps·ha⁻¹). Nevertheless, a little higher percentage of sprouting is recorded in Falockchar (18%) than that of Paipraw (15%). Similarly, maximum number of cut stumps is observed in the medium height classes (50–80, 80–110 and 110–140 cm) in both the sites. Cut stumps with lower girths show greater ability of sprouting than that of larger girth classes. Significant correlations are observed between stump girth and sprout number and between stump height and number of sprouts. Survival of sprouts also depends on stump girth. Survival of sprout shows significant variations between different sampling times in both the sites. Though overall sprout regeneration of R. arboreum is very poor, sprouts arising from lower girth classes survive well than those of higher girth classes. The findings of this investigation signify that stump sprouting is not playing much role in the natural regeneration of R. arboreum though it has the ability to sprout. Sprout survival is not adequate to restore a stand where indiscriminate tree felling is continued and the species may be considered as a poor coppicer. Therefore, regeneration through seeds and seedlings should be preferred over regeneration through sprouting.

The present study deals with the regeneration status of a subtropical forest located between 950–1100 m above sea level in Garhwal Himalaya. The vegetation was quantitatively analyzed on four different aspects i.e., east, west, north and south. Results of the study indicated that across the aspects, Anogeissus latifolia was dominant in tree, sapling and seedling layers in all the aspects, except north aspect where Pinus roxburghii and Terminalia tomentosa were dominant in tree and seedling layers, respectively. The highest tree layer density (380 plant·ha⁻¹) was recorded on south aspect and lowest (260 plant·ha⁻¹) on west aspect. In shrub layer, highest density was on east aspect (1790 plant·ha⁻¹) and lowest on west aspect (970 plant·ha⁻¹). Tree and shrub layer diversity ranged between 0.846 to 1.710 and 1.943 to 2.847, respectively. The relative lopping intensity (%) was higher in Anogeissus latifolia (45%–57% as compared to 4%–33% in other species) which is the most important tree species on all aspects, except north aspect. The present study also reveals that if the current rate of exploitation continues, the species like Anogeissus latifolia may be replaced by other species and drastic changes may occur in species composition and regeneration of the forest. The anthropogenic pressure, aspect and soil nutrients have caused changes in regeneration status and species composition of forests.

Prescribed fire is used in the Sudanian savanna-woodland of West Africa as a forest management tool. An experiment was carried out to assess the effects of season of burning, and different vertical probe positions on maximum fire temperature and temperature residence time above 60°C which is considered lethal for plant tissues. Seasons of burning considered were: an early season fire set at the beginning of the dry season (beginning of December), mid-season fire set at the peak of the dry season (mid-January), and a late season fire at the end of the dry season (end of March). The effects of these fires on the germination of buried seeds of three socio-economically valuable tree species were also examined. Results indicated significant differences in maximum fire temperature and residence time with respect to season of burning and vertical probe position (p < 0.001). The highest and longest lasting temperatures were observed at 20 cm above ground during early fire and at the soil surface during mid-season and late fires. This, in turn, affected germination responses of seeds buried at different soil depths. Implications of these findings in the current management practices are discussed.

Land degradation in Chittagong hill tracts has been taking place due to shrinkage of forest cover, policy weakness, population explosion, and inappropriate hill farming system. Modern farming system in the Chittagong hill tracts like Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) is practiced to provide a new strategy for developing lands for economic productivity and bio-diversity conservation through establishment of ecological community rather than traditional shifting cultivation which is no longer sustainable according to the carrying capacity of ecosystem of Chittagong hill tracts. This study is to find out changing trends of soil chemical properties of sites under modern and traditional farming systems at Khagrachari district of Chittagong hill tracts. The result of the research shows that Sloping Agricultural Land Technology has significantly higher capacity of production due to the presence of the highest percentage of organic carbon, organic matter, compared with shifting cultivated site. The study recommends that shifting cultivation may be changed into a relatively stable semi-permanent farming system through developing participatory integrated farming systems to establish stable production environment in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

A study was conducted to evaluate the status of soil nutrients under E. grandis plantation in comparison with that in its adjacent submontane rain forest. Twenty sequare plots, with an area of 20 m×20 m for each, were established in both of E. grandis plantation and its adjacent sub-montane rain forest, independently. Soil samples were collected from each square plot, at five points (at the four corners and at the center) of each plot. The collected soil samples were mixed to make a composite and representative sample for each plot, independently. The analyses were done in a soil laboratory following appropriate methods. The analysis result indicated that there were no significance differences between E. grandis plantation and its adjacent sub-montane rain forest in the level of major soil nutrients (total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca and Mg), pH and total carbon of soils (p < 0.05). There were significance differences between two sites of forest soils in percentage of clay particles, and exchangeable Na content. E. grandis plantation was found improving soil nutrients and total carbon as compared with that of its adjacent submontane rain forest.

It was hypothesized that soil respiration can be affected by canopy composition. Hence, admixture of trees as a common forest management practice may cause significant change in the carbon cycling. This study was conducted in a mixed spruce-beech stand at Solling forest in central Germany to investigate the effect of canopy composition on soil respiration. The canopy cover was classified in four major canopy classes (pure beech, pure spruce, mixed and gap), and the area under each canopy class was identified as a sub-plot. Soil respiration in each sub-plot (n=4) was measured monthly from Jun 2005 to July 2006. Results show significant difference in annual soil respiration between the beech (359 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) and gap (211 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) sub-plots. The estimation of the total below-ground carbon allocation (TBCA) based on a model given by Raich and Nadelhoffer revealed considerably higher root CO₂ production in the beech sub-plot (231 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) compare to the gap sub-plot (51 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C). The contribution of the root respiration to the total soil respiration was higher in the soil under the beech canopy (59%) compared with the soil in the gap (29%). The findings suggested that the condition under the beech canopy may cause more desirable micro-site for autotrophic respiration and consequently higher CO₂ release into the atmosphere.

The effects of major veins severing on morphological and physiological features of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) leaves were investigated by observing leaf color change and measuring leaf temperature, green/luminance (G/L) value of half-lobes, leaf stomata conductance, and water content in Yamaguchi University, Japan. The palmately veined leaves of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) were found more sensitive to the major vein severing than that of other species. Major veins severing resulted in serious water stresses, as indicated by the persistent reddening and/or advanced reddening of local leaf, lower leaf stomatal conductance, and higher leaf temperature, etc. Severed leaf can be clearly divided into non-severed area, transitional area, and stressed area, which the three areas have different colours and temperature. The major vein barrier can also be seen clearly. The persistent reddening and advanced reddening seem consistent with the phenomenon of red crown top of some sweetgum trees and may have similar mechanism.

Spatio-temporal assessment of the above ground biomass (AGB) is a cumbersome task due to the difficulties associated with the measurement of different tree parameters such as girth at breast height and height of trees. The present research was conducted in the campus of Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, India, which is predominantly covered by Sal (Shorea robusta C. F. Gaertn). Two methods of regression analysis was employed to determine the potential of remote sensing parameters with the AGB measured in the field such as linear regression analysis between the AGB and the individual bands, principal components (PCs) of the bands, vegetation indices (VI), and the PCs of the VIs respectively and multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis between the AGB and all the variables in each category of data. From the linear regression analysis, it was found that only the NDVI exhibited regression coefficient value above 0.80 with the remaining parameters showing very low values. On the other hand, the MLR based analysis revealed significantly improved results as evidenced by the occurrence of very high correlation coefficient values of greater than 0.90 determined between the computed AGB from the MLR equations and field-estimated AGB thereby ascertaining their superiority in providing reliable estimates of AGB. The highest correlation coefficient of 0.99 is found with the MLR involving PCs of VIs.

Allometric models are necessary for estimating biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. Generalized allometric relationship exists for many tropical trees, but species- and region-specific models are often lacking. We developed species-specific allometric models to predict aboveground biomass for 11 native tree species of the Sudanian savanna-woodlands. Diameters at the base and at breast height, with species means ranging respectively from 11 to 28 cm and 9 to 19 cm, and the height of the trees were used as predictor variables. Sampled trees spanned a wide range of sizes including the largest sizes these species can reach. As a response variable, the biomass of the trees was obtained through destructive sampling of 4 754 trees during wood harvesting. We used a stepwise multiple regression analysis with backward elimination procedure to develop models separately predicting, total biomass of the trees, stem biomass, and biomass of branches and twigs. All species-specific regression models relating biomass with measured tree dimensions were highly significant (p < 0.001). The biomass of branches and twigs was less predictable compared to stem biomass and total biomass, although their models required fewer predictors and predictor interactions. The best-fit equations for total above-ground biomass and stem biomass had R ² > 0.70, except for the Acacia species; for branches including twig biomass, R²-values varied from 0.749 for Anogeissus leiocarpa to 0.183 for Acacia macrostachya. The use of these equations in estimating available biomass will avoid destructive sampling, and aid in planning for sustainable use of these species.

A forest carbon (C) sequestration project was conducted to evaluate the economic incentives that would be required by landowners to engage in C trading under different management regimes. Costs associated with joint management for C sequestration and timber would be valuable for establishing sound forest C trading systems. In this study, we calculated the C yield and amortized value of three Wyoming, ponderosa pine stands. The management practices examined were, unmanaged, even-aged (regeneration after clear-cut) and uneven-aged (selectively harvested). Costs and revenues associated with three stands were converted into 2006 real dollars using the all commodity producer price index to facilitate a comparison among the net revenues of three stands. Net revenues were annualized using a conservative annual interest rate of 4.5%. Our even-aged stand had the highest annual average C yield of 2.48 Mg·ha⁻¹·a¹, whereas, the uneven-aged stand had the lowest C accumulation (1.98 Mg·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹). Alternatively, the even-aged stand had the highest amortized net return of $276·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹ and the unmanaged stand had the lowest net return of $64 ·ha⁻¹·a⁻¹. On the plots examined, an annual payment of $22 for each additional Mg of C sequestered would encourage a change from uneven aged management to an unmanaged stand that sequesters additional C, in the absence of transactions costs.

Eighteen clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis (Sm.) were evaluated for three years by adopting randomized block design for various growth parameters at Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India and compared with two checks. Significant variations were recorded for height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and clear bole height (CBH). The broad sense heritability was low to moderate for both height and CBH. The genetic gain for height and CBH increased substantially per se with the increase in age of trees. The average genetic gain for three years was recorded maximum for height (159.60%) followed by DBH (110.97%) and CBH (70.34%). Clone 17 attained maximum DBH over other genotypes for second and third year followed by clones 14 and 11. Clone 5 showed an upward trend for DBH and maintained its superiority for CBH as the age of the tree increased. Similarly, clone 11 changed its ranking from 9th to 8th to 3rd for DBH and from 9th to 4th to 2nd for CBH, respectively for the age of one, two and three years. Nonetheless, clones 6 and 10 performed poorly for all the characters studied. Clones 17, 14 and 5 were found to be the most promising clones for commercial deployment.

A semi-greenhouse study was conducted to understand the effects of soil burial depth on seed germination and seedling development. The seeds of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca) were buried at the soil depths of 0-cm, 4-cm, 8-cm, and 12-cm, respectively, to simulate the seed hoarding behavior of rodents in the field. The results revealed that the rates of seed germination and established seedlings from buried seeds were both the highest in 4-cm burial depth group, and then decreased with increasing soil depth. The number of rotten seeds increased in deeper burial depth. It is unfavourable for seed germination at 0-cm burial depth (i.e., seeds were laid on soil surface). There was insignificant effect of burial depth on growth of established seedlings. The results from this study indicated that proper burial depth in soil would be helpful for the seed germination and seedling growth. The seedlings derived from buried seeds at shallower depth (4 cm) in this research have advantage in their early development.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of skid trail slope and traffic levels on soil disturbances at two soil depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm). The treatments were set at four traffic levels (2, 7, 12 and 20), two slope classes (<20% and >20%) and two soil depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm). Results show that skidder traffic, longitudinal slope and soil depth have significant effect on soil bulk density in skid trail. Comparison of average soil bulk density in different traffic levels shows that there are significant differences in average bulk density between different traffic levels and control (p<0.05). The average bulk densities in different slopes and soil depths are significantly increased with increase in traffic levels, maximized at 12 passes (p<0.05), but there are no significant differences between 12 and 20 passes. The interaction effects between traffic and soil depth are significant (F _0.05,3=0.109, p<0.001). For all traffic treatments, there are significant differences in soil moisture content between the two slope classes and the two depths (p<0.001). However, the interaction effects between traffic levels and slope classes are not significant (p >0.05), although skidder traffic and slope affected soil moisture content.

The composite board industry in Iran is obliged to use residues from forest operation as well as wood industry for competing with paper industry because of shortage of wood. In the present study we investigated the residues from poplar plantation used for particleboard production. Three kinds of wood materials, poplar branches, small diameter poplar wood (3–8 cm) and beech wood, were used in the experiment of particleboard production. The results demonstrated that the characteristic of particleboard made from poplar branches and small diameter wood is comparable to that made from mature beech wood. To avoid too much residual acid in the final board, the properties of boards produced with 1.5% hardener at 175°C press temperature are acceptable, although the properties of particleboard produced with 2% hardener were higher than were higher than that of the board produced with lower hardener (1% or 1.5%).. The MOR, MOE and IB of particleboard made from branches were measured as 14.57, 2015, and 1.32 MPa, respectively, while The MOR, MOE and IB of particleboard produced from small diameter poplar wood were 19.90, 2199, and 1.86 MPa, respectively. The thickness swelling of boards made from branches after 2 and 24 h immersion in water was 20.14% and 31.26%. The utilization of branches and very small diameter wood of poplar is recommended for the survival and developments of particleboard industry in Iran.

A continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) process with granular activated carbon (GAC) was developed for fermentation hydrogen production from molasses-containing wastewater by mixed microbial cultures. Operation at 35°C, an initial biomass of 17.74 g·L⁻¹ and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6 h, the CSTR reactor presented a continuous hydrogen production ability of 5.9 L·d⁻¹ and the biogas was free of methane throughout the experiment. Dissolved fermentation products were predominated by ethanol and acetate acid, with smaller quantities of propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid. It was found that GAC could make the immobilized system durable and stable in response to organic load impacting and low pH value. When the organic loading rate (OLR) ranged from 8 kgCOD/(m³d) to 4 kgCOD/(m³d), stable ethanol-type fermentation was formed, and the ethanol and acetate concentrations account for 89% of the total liquid products.

For determining the effect of tree-age on the fuel properties of Eucalyptus hybrid, the variability in basic density, calorific value, proximate and ultimate parameters of 2–6 years old trees and mature trees (20-year-old), grown under short rotation forestry regime, were measured and analyzed. Results show that there was no significant variation in the basic density of wood for 2–6 year-old Eucalyptus hybrid, with average value of 0.55–0.58 g·cm⁻³; the calorific value of mature trees was higher than that of lower age trees, but the ash content was much higher in lower age trees compared to mature trees. No particular trend was observed for volatile matter content and the fixed carbon content with tree-age. In conclusion, the fuel properties of mature tree were marginally better than trees of lower age.