Search Results (78)

This study aims to develop and demonstrate a low-cost LiDAR-based 3D mapping approach for estimating tree carbon stock in university campuses. Unlike conventional field-based measurements, which are labor-intensive and error-prone, the proposed system integrates a 2D LiDAR sensor with a servo motor and odometry data to generate three-dimensional point clouds of trees. From these data, key biometric parameters such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height are automatically extracted and incorporated into species-specific and generalized allometric equations, in line with IPCC 2006/2019 guidelines, to estimate above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, and total carbon storage. The experimental study is conducted over approximately 70,000 m² of green space at Gazi University, Ankara, where six dominant species have been identified, including Cedrus libani, Pinus nigra, Platanus orientalis, and Ailanthus altissima. Results revealed a total carbon stock of 16.82 t C, corresponding to 61.66 t CO₂eq. Among species, Cedrus libani (29,468.86 kg C) and Ailanthus altissima (13,544.83 kg C) showed the highest contributions, while Picea orientalis accounted for the lowest. The findings confirm that the proposed system offers a reliable, portable, cost-effective alternative to professional LiDAR scanners. This approach supports sustainable campus management and highlights the broader applicability of low-cost LiDAR technologies for urban carbon accounting and climate change mitigation strategies. Full article

Cedrus atlantica wood tar (CAWT) is traditionally used as a medicinal product, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Despite its traditional use, scientific support for its efficacy remains limited. This study evaluated the biological properties of CAWT using an integrated approach that combined qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, disc diffusion and microdilution tests for antimicrobial assays (disc diffusion and microdilution), antioxidant activity (DPPH and ferric-reducing power assays), in silico ADMET/toxicity, docking, and MD/MMGBSA and provided a balanced comparison with reference antioxidants. This study demonstrated that CAWT is rich in secondary metabolites linked to biological activity, including polyphenols (307.39 ± 58.45 mg GAE/g), tannins (124.42 ± 6.14 mg TAE/g), and flavonoids (15.62 ± 2.53 mg QE/g). For free radical scavenging, CAWT inhibited DPPH with an IC50 of 19.781 ± 2.51 µg/mL and showed ferric-reducing activity with an IC50 of 83.7 ± 2.88 µg/mL for its antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa; inhibition zones reached 35.66 ± 0.58 mm. In silico analysis, Swiss ADMET and pkCSM predicted ≥94% intestinal absorption, no cytochrome P450 liabilities, and low acute toxicity for six dominant terpenoids. Docking pinpointed trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene and α/β-himachalene as high-affinity ligands of LasR and gyrase B (ΔG ≈ −8 kcal mol⁻¹). A 100 ns GROMACS run confirmed stable hydrophobic locking of the lead LasR complex (RMSD 0.22 nm), while MM/GBSA calculated a dispersion-dominated binding free energy of −37 kcal mol⁻¹. Overall, CAWT showed in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and ferric-reducing assays) and inhibitory effects in disc diffusion assays, while in silico predictions for major terpenoids suggested favorable oral absorption and low acute toxicity. However, chemical composition analysis and bio-guided fractionation are necessary to confirm the antimicrobial activity and to validate the compounds responsible for the observed effects. Full article

Due to their high content of bioactive compounds with anticancer properties, essential oils (EO) are increasingly viewed as valuable therapeutic strategies in oncology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and anticancer activity of Cedrus atlantica EO (CAEO) and its PEG-400 and Tween 20 formulations. The gas-chromatography (GC) analysis revealed a sesquiterpene-rich profile, with β-himachalene (39.32%) as the major constituent, followed by α-Himachalene (16.76%) and γ-Himachalene (12.92%). The cytotoxicity studies, performed using Alamar Blue assay on normal HaCaT human keratinocytes and A375 human melanoma and HT-29 colorectal carcinoma cell lines, revealed that CAEO displayed minimal toxicity on HaCaT cells, while significantly reducing A735 and HT-29 cell viability, at any of the concentrations tested. The PEG- and Tween-based formulations of CAEO exhibited the same effect on cell viability as the simple water dispersion of CAEO. The immunofluorescence-based examination of cellular morphology suggested that CAEO induces apoptosis in both cancer cell lines: A375 and HT-29; this apoptosis-related mechanism was further supported by the caspase-3/7 assay, which revealed a significant increase in caspase-3/7 activity after CAEO treatment. To further investigate the underlying mechanism, the JC-1 staining and high-resolution respirometry assays demonstrated that CAEO induces mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reduced mitochondrial active respiration (OXPHOS). Molecular docking further indicated that isoledene and β-himachalene exhibit the highest predicted affinity for PI3Kγ, suggesting a potential involvement of PI3K-related signaling in the pro-apoptotic activity of CAEO. Together, these results suggest that CAEO induces apoptosis through a mitochondria-mediated mechanism. Full article

Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière) is an endemic and relict conifer species from northwestern Africa, relatively drought-tolerant but also highly sensitive to recurrent summer heat stress. Cedar forests have undergone a dramatic range contraction in recent decades. The development of effective conservation strategies requires long-term perspectives to understand how forests have responded to past disturbances. We present a multi-proxy, high-resolution analysis of a 122 cm-deep fossil record (Merj Lkhil; LKH) located at 1213 m a.s.l. in Jbel Bou Hachem (Moroccan Rif), providing insights into the fragmentation of cedar stands. Cedrus likely formed extensive lowland populations during the final stages of the Late Glacial and began migrating upslope during the Greenlandian. It reached its maximum extent in the Rif around 7000 cal yr BP. Thereafter, increasing aridity, enhanced seasonality, and growing anthropogenic pressure triggered its long-term decline. This trajectory involved a vertical reorganization of montane ecosystems, with Cedrus progressively retreating within mid- and low-elevation forests, while deciduous oaks maintained a long-term co-dominance and Q. ilex L. gradually expanded, especially at lower elevations. Today, Cedrus is confined to isolated high-elevation stands in Jbel Bou Hachem. These relic populations should be prioritized for conservation under ongoing climate and land-use change. Full article

The Atlas cedar Cedrus atlantica is a relict and endemic conifer from Morocco and Algeria, although plantations may be found in several locations aside from its natural range. Recurrent droughts have been widely related to Atlas cedar dieback, growth decline, and mortality, but the genetic basis of potential adaptive capacity is unknown. We used the double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing technique (ddRAD-seq) to describe the genetic structure and variability of Atlas cedar along an aridity gradient in Morocco. Furthermore, we investigated the potential genetic origin of three Spanish plantations, also along an aridity gradient. The obtained single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to perform genotype–environment associations (GEAs) to define SNPs related to bioclimatic variables of temperature and precipitation. The vulnerability of this species to environmental variations was also estimated by its risk of non-adaptedness (RONA). Population structure showed a divergence between the Moroccan natural stands and some of the Spanish plantations, with each Moroccan nucleus being genetically distinct. The genetic variability was significantly lower in plantations than in natural populations. The drier Spanish plantations (easternmost) were genetically very similar to the driest Moroccan population (southernmost), suggesting that as its origin. A total of 41 loci under selection were obtained with the Moroccan dataset. In relation to temperature and precipitation variables, isothermality showed the highest number of associated loci (10) in GEA studies, and genotype–phenotype associations (GPAs) showed one locus associated with the Specific Leaf Area. RONA value was higher in the southernmost High Atlas population, where rising temperature was the main driver of expected genetic offset by allele frequency changes under the worst emissions scenario. In contrast, Spanish plantations would need smaller genetic changes to cope with the expected climate change. Likely gene flow from southern to northern areas suggests a latitudinal heading, where Spanish plantations might operate as an assisted migration. Moreover, one locus showed a northern/southern pattern in saplings but not in adults, suggesting a potential latitudinal pattern of selection. Our results are discussed on the basis of their management and conservation. Full article

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a serious forest disease caused by pine wood nematode (PWN). To examine the relationship between coniferous endophytes and PWD resistance, this study investigated endophytic bacterial and fungal communities in five conifer species: two Japanese black pine populations (Pinus thunbergii from Qingdao University, PQ, and Fushan Forest Park, PF), Chinese arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis, PO), cedar (Cedrus deodara, CD), and Masson pine (Pinus massoniana, PM). Results showed a strong correlation between endophytic microbial diversity and PWD resistance. PO with high PWD resistance hosted the most unique bacterial species, while PM with low PWD resistance had the fewest unique bacteria and significantly lower ACE and Shannon indices. At the bacterial genus level, dominant genera in resistant conifers often showed high nematocidal activity, whereas those in susceptible plants boosted nematode reproduction. PQ featured the unique dominant genus Pantoea, and PO’s unique Acinetobacter and the shared genus Bacillus (with CD) both displayed high toxicity to PWNs. In contrast, PF’s Pseudomonas and PM’s Stenotrophomonas significantly promoted nematode reproduction. Fungal community analysis revealed that the unique endophytic fungi in PQ are more abundant than those in PF, and the Shannon index of its endophytic fungi is comparable to that of CD and significantly higher than that of PF. PF’s dominant fungal genus Pestalotiopsis might facilitate nematode invasion, and its fungal Shannon index is significantly lower than PQ’s. Eight bacterial strains were isolated from these five conifer plants, with six highly nematocidal strains originating from PQ, CD, and PO. This study offers evidence that endophytic microbial communities critically influence PWD resistance, offering a microbial basis for developing resistant conifer cultivars through microbiome engineering. Full article

Maturity estimation before seed collection is necessary in reducing the costs of seed collection; it allows vigorous seeds to be collected, ensuring that maximum germination will be reached and producing quality planting stock. In addition to this, appropriate temperature, seed size, pH, light, and stress conditions also influence germination. Cones of Cedrus deodara were collected at different intervals to estimate the maturity of the cones. A seed germination test was conducted in the laboratory under constant temperature, seed size, pH, light conditions, and water and salinity stress conditions. Significant (p < 0.05) variations in cones, such as seed morphological characteristics, germination, and related parameters, of C. deodara at different maturity periods were observed. The morphological traits of cones, such as seed weight, seed length, seed width, and seed germination, increased with increasing maturity, while the cone weight, moisture contents, specific gravity, and seed moisture decreased with increasing maturity. A constant temperature of 15 °C to 20 °C (98.0% to 92.0%) and the use of large-sized seeds (99.0%) led to maximum germination. Lower concentrations of Polyethylene glycol (98.0%) and NaCl (78.0%) contributed to maximum seed germination. The germination of C. deodara is temperature-dependent and seed size, light, and high water and salinity stress significantly influence seed germination. Full article

Climate change poses significant threats to urban tree health and survival worldwide. This study evaluates climate suitability risks for 12 common tree species in Wuhan, a Chinese metropolis facing escalating climate challenges. We analyzed risk dynamics and interspecific variations across three periods, the baseline (1981–2022), near future (2023–2050), and distant future (2051–2100), quantifying climate risk as differences between local climate conditions and species’ climatic niches. We further examined how species’ geographic distribution and functional traits influence these climate risks. The results revealed significant warming trends in Wuhan during the baseline period (p < 0.05), with projected increases in temperature and precipitation under future scenarios (p < 0.05). The most prominent risk factors included the precipitation of the driest month (PDM), annual mean temperature (AMT), and maximum temperature of the warmest month (MTWM), indicating intensifying drought–heat stress in this region. Among the studied species, Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don, Platanus acerifolia (Aiton) Willd., Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & W.C.Cheng, and Ginkgo biloba L. faced significantly higher hydrothermal risks (p < 0.05), whereas Koelreuteria bipinnata Franch. and Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb.) Lour. exhibited lower current risks but notable future risk increases (p < 0.05). Regarding the factors driving these interspecific variation patterns, the latitude of species’ distribution centroids showed significant negative correlations with the risk values of the minimum temperature of the coldest month (MTCM) (p < 0.05). Among functional traits, the wood density (WD) and xylem vulnerability threshold (P50) were negatively correlated with precipitation-related risks (p < 0.05), while the leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and specific leaf area (SLA) were positively associated with temperature-related risks (p < 0.05). These findings provide scientific foundations for developing climate-adaptive species selection and management strategies that enhance urban forest resilience under climate change in central China. Full article

Mapping dominant forest habitats is essential for guiding reforestation practices, especially in areas affected by fires. This study focuses on identifying dominant forest habitats in selected forested areas in Cyprus using supervised, pixel-based classification algorithms to support the planning of post-fire reforestation actions. For this study, three classifiers were provided by the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Specifically, the Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Classification and Regression Trees (CART) were implemented utilizing Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data as well as topographic features and the tree density. Eight dominant forest habitats were mapped, including the Mediterranean pine forests with endemic Mesogean pines, Sarcopoterium spinosum phrygana, Thermo-Mediterranean and pre-desert scrub, Olea and Ceratonia forests, scrub and low forest vegetation with Quercus alnifolia, endemic forests with Juniperus, Cedrus brevifolia forests and Mediterranean pine forests with endemic Mesogean pines. The results revealed that RF and SVM outperformed CART. While SVM achieved the highest overall accuracy (OA) of 84.67%, it exhibited sensitivity to hyperparameter adjustments. In contrast, RF demonstrated greater stability and generalization across habitat types, attaining a reliable OA of 82.24%, making it the preferred classifier for this study. Full article

Tribals are known as the torchbearers of ethnobotany. Traditional plant-derived utility products (PUPs) are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and easy to handle, and are extensively used by the forest-dwelling Gaddi and Sippi tribes of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir for their subsistence. The present study is an attempt to document the invaluable traditional knowledge on wild plants and PUPs possessed by the Gaddi and Sippi tribes before it perishes completely, as this knowledge is transmitted orally to the next generation. Semi-structured schedules were used for the collection of data regarding the method of making and usage of PUPs and the plant species used for making such products. The cultural importance index (CI) and factor informant consensus (F_ic) were calculated to find the predominant plant species and the consensus among informants for species used in making PUPs, respectively. A total of 52 plant species from 28 families and 46 genera are used in the study area for making 93 PUPs. Tools, with a 55.9% contribution, were the major PUP category. Cedrus deodara, used for making 36 PUPs and having a 4.9 CI value, was the most utilized and important tree species for the Gaddi and Sippi tribes. The values of F_ic ranged between 0.97 (miscellaneous PUPs) and 0.99 (containers/storage PUPs). The present study documented 43 plant species as new ethnobotanical records from the UT of Jammu and Kashmir for their use in traditional plant products. The Gaddi and Sippi tribes in the study area have extensive knowledge about forest-based PUPs and the associated plant species. This invaluable knowledge can be exploited for developing new resources for some value-added traditional plant products and agro-based cottage industries, which could play an important role in socio-economic upliftment and livelihood promotion of tribals. Full article

Understanding the complex interplay among altitudinal gradients, tree species diversity, structural attributes, and soil carbon (C) is critical for effective coniferous forest management and climate change mitigation. This study addresses a knowledge gap by investigating the effects of altitudinal gradient on coniferous tree diversity, biomass, carbon stock, regeneration, and soil organic carbon storage (SOCs) in the understudied temperate forests of the Hindu-Kush Kalam Valley. Using 120 sample plots 20 × 20 m (400 m²) each via a field inventory approach across five altitudinal gradients [E1 (2000–2200 m)–E5 (2801–3000 m)], we comprehensively analyzed tree structure, composition, and SOCs. A total of four coniferous tree species and 2172 individuals were investigated for this study. Our findings reveal that elevation indirectly influences species diversity, SOCs, and forest regeneration. Notably, tree height has a positive relationship with altitudinal gradients, while tree carbon stock exhibits an inverse relationship. Forest disturbance was high in the middle elevation gradients E2–E4, with high deforestation rate at E1 and E2. Cedrus deodara, the dominant species, showed the highest deforestation rate at lower elevations (R² = 0.72; p < 0.05) and regeneration ability (R² = 0.77; p < 0.05), which declined with increasing elevation. Middle elevations had the highest litter carbon stock and SOCs values emphasizing the critical role of elevation gradients in carbon sink and species distribution. The regeneration status and number of trees per ha in Kalam Valley forests showed a significant decline with increasing elevation (p < 0.05), with Cedrus deodara recording the highest regeneration rate at E1 and Abies pindrow the lowest at E5. The PCA revealed that altitudinal gradients factor dominate variability via PCA1, while the Shannon and Simpson Indices drives PCA2, highlighting ecological diversity’s independent role in shaping distinct yet complementary vegetative and ecological perspectives. This study reveals how altitudinal gradients shape forest structure and carbon sequestration, offering critical insights for biodiversity conservation and climate-resilient forest management. Full article

Wood displays three-dimensional characteristics at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Accurately reconstructing its 3D structure is vital for a deeper understanding of the relationship between its anatomical characteristics and its physical and mechanical properties. This study aims to apply X-ray micro-computed tomography (XμCT) for the high-resolution, non-destructive visualization and quantification of softwood anatomical features. Six typical softwood species—Picea asperata, Cupressus funebris, Pinus koraiensis, Pinus massoniana, Cedrus deodara, and Pseudotsuga menziesii—were selected to represent a range of structural characteristics. The results show that a scanning resolution of 1–2 μm is suitable for investigating the transition from earlywood to latewood and resin canals, while a resolution of 0.5 μm is required for finer structures such as bordered pits, ray tracheids, and cross-field pits. In Pinus koraiensis, a direct 3D connection between radial and axial resin canals was observed, forming an interconnected resin network. In contrast, wood rays were found to be distributed near the surface of axial resin canals but without forming interconnected structures. The three-dimensional reconstruction of bordered pit pairs in Pinus massoniana and Picea asperata clearly revealed interspecific differences in pit morphology, distribution, and volume. The average surface area and volume of bordered pit pairs in Pinus massoniana were 1151.60 μm² and 1715.35 μm³, respectively, compared to 290.43 μm² and 311.87 μm³ in Picea asperata. Furthermore, XμCT imaging effectively captured the morphology and spatial distribution of cross-field pits across species, demonstrating its advantage in comprehensive anatomical deconstruction. These findings highlight the potential of XμCT as a powerful tool for 3D analysis of wood anatomy, providing deeper insight into the structural complexity and interconnectivity of wood. Full article

The relationships among species and the mechanics of those relationships are very complicated in mixed forests, and allelopathy is one of the most important mediators of these relationships. The types and quantities of allelopathic chemicals are different in coniferous and broadleaved trees; studying the responses of some sensitive plants, such as certain crops, to allelopathy mediated by the leaf extracts of coniferous and broadleaved trees would be an effective technique to evaluate the relationships among species in a mixed forest. In this paper, the effects of leaf extracts from Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Cedrus deodara, Liquidambar formosana, Platanus acerifolia and a mixture of of coniferous and broadleaved trees on seed germination and seedling growth of Sesamum indicum at a constant concentration (50 gDW/L) were investigated using an indoor filter paper culture dish method. The test results were evaluated using the response index (RI) and the synthesis allelopathic effect index (SE). The results showed that: (1) Four kinds of leaf extracts inhibited the germination and seedling growth of S. indicum. The order of the allelopathic inhibitory effects were as follows: L. formosana > M. glyptostroboides > C. deodara > P. acerifolia; (2) In this experiment, the single leaf extract of the coniferous species (M. glyptostroboides and C. deodara) and the single leaf extract of the broadleaved species (L. formosana and P. acerifolia) did not exhibit significant differences in the direction of the allelopathic effect on S. indicum; (3) Compared to their corresponding single leaf extracts, M. glyptostroboides + P. acerifolia and C. deodara + P. acerifolia mixed leaf extracts promoted the allelopathic effects of S. indicum, namely, the coniferous-broadleaved mixed leaf extract > one single leaf extract > another single leaf extract. The rest of the coniferous-broadleaved mixed leaf extract treatment groups neutralized the allelopathic effects of S. indicum, namely, one single leaf extract > coniferous leaf mixed extract > another single leaf extract. The conclusions could provide a scientific basis for managing forests, especially mixed forest ecosystems. Full article

To study the long-term hydroclimate variability in the Satluj Basin, streamflow data was reconstructed using tree-ring width datasets from multiple taxa available from the Kullu Valley, western (Indian) Himalaya. Five ring-width tree-ring chronologies of three conifer tree taxa (Abies pindrow, Cedrus deodara, and Pinus roxburghii) significantly correlate with the streamflow during the southwest monsoon season. Based on this correlation, a 228-year (1787–2014 CE) June–August streamflow was reconstructed using average tree-ring chronology. The reconstruction accounts for 34.5% of the total variance of the gauge records from 1964 to 2011 CE. The annual reconstruction showed above-average high-flow periods during the periods 1808–1811, 1823–1827, 1833–1837, 1860–1863, 1876–1881, and 1986–1992 CE and below-average low-flow periods during the periods 1792–1798, 1817–1820, 1828–1832, 1853–1856, 1867–1870, 1944–1947, and 1959–1962 CE. Furthermore, a period of prominent prolonged below-average discharge in the low-frequency streamflow record is indicated during the periods 1788–1807, 1999–2011, 1966–1977, 1939–1949, and 1854–1864. The low-flow (dry periods) observed in the present streamflow reconstruction are coherent with other hydroclimatic reconstructions carried out from the local (Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir Himalaya) to the regional (Hindukush mountain range in Pakistan) level. The reconstruction shows occurrences of short (2.0–2.8 and 4.8–8.3 years) to medium (12.5 years) periodicities, which signify their teleconnections with large-scale climate variations such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Full article