Search Results (106)

Industrial tree plantations (ITPs) are increasingly recognized as a sustainable response to deforestation and the decline in native wood resources in the Philippines. This study presents LUNTIAN (Labor, UNiversity, Timber Investment, and Agent-based Nexus), an agent-based model that simulates an experimental ITP operation within a mountain forest managed by University of the Philippines Los Baños. The model integrates biophysical processes—such as tree growth, hydrology, and stand dynamics—with socio-economic components such as investment decision making based on risk preferences, employment allocation influenced by local labor availability, and informal harvesting behavior driven by job scarcity. These are complemented by institutional enforcement mechanisms such as forest patrolling, reflecting the complex interplay between financial incentives and rule compliance. To assess the model’s validity, its outputs were compared to those of the 3PG forest growth model, with results demonstrating alignment in growth trends and spatial distributions, thereby supporting LUNTIAN’s potential to represent key ecological dynamics. Sensitivity analysis identified investor earnings share and community member count as significant factors influencing net earnings and management costs. Parameter calibration using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm yielded an optimal configuration that ensured profitability for resource managers, investors, and community-hired laborers while minimizing unauthorized independent harvesting. Notably, even with continuous harvesting during a 17-year rotation, the final tree population increased by 55%. These findings illustrate the potential of LUNTIAN to support the exploration of sustainable ITP management strategies in the Philippines by offering a robust framework for analyzing complex social–ecological interactions. Full article

Logs supplied in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia are predominantly sourced from fast-growing tree species of plantation forests. The timber primarily consists of sapwood, which is highly susceptible to biodeterioration. At a training center, CCA (chromated copper arsenate) is still used for wood preservation, while in the wood industry, ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) is commonly applied to enhance the service life of timber. In the future, polystyrene impregnation or other non-biocidal treatments could potentially serve this purpose. This study aimed to determine the discoloration and resistance of polystyrene-impregnated and CCA-preserved woods. Wood samples, Anisoptera thurifera and Octomeles sumatrana from Papua New Guinea, and Anthocephalus cadamba and Falcataria moluccana from Indonesia, were used. The wood samples were treated with polystyrene impregnation, CCA preservation, or left untreated, then exposed at the PNG Forest Research Institute site for four months. After treatment, the color change in polystyrene-impregnated wood was minor, whereas CCA-preserved wood exhibited a noticeably different color compared to untreated wood. The average polymer loading for polystyrene-impregnated wood reached 147%, while the average CCA retention was 8.4 kg/m³. Densities of untreated-, polystyrene-, and CCA-wood were 0.42, 0.64, and 0.45 g/cm³, respectively, and moisture contents were 15.8%, 9.4%, and 13.4%, respectively. CCA preservation proved highly effective in preventing termite attacks; however, CCA is hazardous to living organisms, including humans. Polystyrene impregnation also significantly improved wood resistance to subterranean termites, as indicated by lower weight loss and a higher protection level compared to untreated wood. Additionally, polystyrene treatment is nonhazardous and safe for living organisms, making it a promising option for enhancing wood resistance to termite attacks in the future as an alternative to the biocides currently in use. Full article

In this work, we evaluated the silvicultural and ecological parameters of Populus bolleana Lauche trees growing in conditions of anthropogenic pollution, using the example of one of the largest megacities of the Donetsk ridge, the city of Donetsk. The objectives of this study included determining the level of anthropogenic load of the territory; conducting dendrological studies to assess morphometric and allometric parameters, age structure, and condition of P. bolleana stands under the influence of environmental factors; as well as completing biomechanical studies to assess and predict the mechanical stability of stands. A total of 1109 plants growing in areas with increased anthropogenic load and in the control areas were studied. The model territories of the study were located in the city of Donetsk on Fallen Communards Avenue (length of field routes: 2.6 km) and Ilyicha Avenue (length of field routes: 9.7 km). Control plantings grew on the territory of the Donetsk botanical garden and residential (dormitory) districts of the city. The age structure of P. bolleana plantations remained uniform throughout the city for 50–55 years due to the fact that the landscaping was under a single state program. In the steppe zone in the south of the East European Plain, with a high level of anthropogenic load and severe natural climatic factors, the critical age of P. bolleana (55 years) was determined. The condition of plantations and their morphometric indices correlate with the level of anthropogenic load of the city (H, Dbase, DBH). Under control conditions, the plants are in good condition with signs of weakening (2 points). Under conditions of increased anthropogenic load, the plants are in a severely weakened condition (3 points). A total of 25% of the plants in the sample are in critical condition (4–5 points). The main damages to the crowns and trunks of plants include core rot, mechanical damage to bark and tissues, the development of core rot through the affected skeletal branch, crown thinning, and drying. P. bolleana trees are valued for their crown area and ability to retain dust particles from the air. The analysis of experimentally obtained data on the crown area showed that in the initial phases of ontogenesis, the average deviation in the crown area of plants does not depend on the place of growth. Due to artificial narrowing and sanitary pruning of the crown, as well as skeletal branches dying along the busiest highways, the values do not exceed 22–23 m² on average, with an allometric coefficient of 0.35–0.37. When comparing this coefficient in the control areas, the crown area in areas with a high level of anthropogenic load is 36 ± 11% lower. For trees growing under the conditions of the anthropogenic load of an industrial city and having reached the critical age, mechanical resistance varied depending on the study area and load level. At sites with a high level of pollution of the territory, a significant decrease in indicators was revealed in comparison with the control (mcr—71%, EI—75%, RRB—43%). Having analyzed all the obtained data, we can conclude that, until the age of 50–55 years, P. bolleana retains good viability, mechanical resistance, and general allometric ratios, upon which the stability of the whole plant depends. Even with modern approaches and tendencies toward landscaping with exotic introductions, it is necessary to keep P. bolleana as the main species in dendrobanocenoses. Full article

White mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a tree growing up to 15 m in height. It is a plant whose cultivation is historically associated with silk production. Mulberry leaves are the only food source of the mulberry silkworm caterpillars (Bombyx mori L.). The cultivation of this tree has recently gained renewed importance. Due to the content of numerous bioactive substances, mulberry is a valuable raw material for the food, pharmaceutical and herbal industries. This article presents the results of tests on pellets from 1-, 3- and 5-year-old branches, which are waste biomass remaining after pruning mulberry shrubs cultivated to obtain leaves to feed silkworms. Additionally, analyses of pellets from mulberry leaves were also carried out. For the specified mulberry biomass yield, analyses of chemical composition of mulberry biomass (branches and leaves) were carried out, and energy properties (heat of combustion and calorific value) and energy potential were calculated. The heat of combustion of pellet from mulberry branches was, on average, 19,266 MJ∙Mg⁻¹, and the calorific value was 17,726 MJ∙Mg⁻¹. The energy potential, on the other hand, was, on average, 159 GJ∙ha⁻¹ and 44 MWh∙ha⁻¹. The obtained results indicate the possibility of the effective use of mulberry branches after the annual pruning of bushes in plantations for energy purposes. Full article

This study provides a bibliometric analysis of 926 scientific publications on Argania spinosa, representing the first investigation covering all aspects of the argan tree. By combining bibliometric performance indicators and scientific mapping, based on commonly used approaches in previous studies, the analysis examines the evolution, structure, and gaps in argan-related research. The results reveal that scientific production accelerated after 1996 during an industrial exploitation period, driven by the emergence of women’s cooperatives, international certifications, and national development programs. Morocco dominates the argan research landscape, benefiting from targeted policy support, international collaborations, and the species’ endemic status. Two major research aspects were identified: the valuation of argan oil, focusing on its chemical and therapeutic properties; and ecological restoration, encompassing genetic diversity, reforestation practices, and climate adaptation strategies. Despite these advancements, critical gaps remain in operational reforestation, assisted migration, post-plantation monitoring, and the integration of ecological modeling. Research remains skewed toward oil valuation, with insufficient attention to long-term forest sustainability under climate change. Future efforts should adopt a multidisciplinary framework that integrates genomics, nursery innovation, biotechnology, molecular genetics, digital monitoring tools, and socio-institutional governance. Research should also emphasize optimizing by-product use, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting gender-equitable, community-based forest management. Full article

Atmospheric pollution due to an increased particulate matter (PM) concentration imposes a threat for human health. This is particularly true for regions with intensive industrial activity and nature-based solutions, such as tree plantations, are adopted to mitigate the phenomenon. Here, we report on the case of the lignite complex of western Macedonia (LCWM), the largest in Greece, where extensive Robinia pseudoacacia L. plantations have been established during the last 40 years for post-mining reclamation, but their PM retention capacity and the controlling parameters have not been assessed to date. Thus, during the 2021 growth season (May to October), we determined the PM10 capture by leaves sampled twice per month, across four 10-m long transects, each consisting of five trees, and at three different heights along the tree canopy. During the same period, we also measured the leaf area index (LAI) of the plantations and collected climatic data, as well as data on PM10 production by the belt conveyors system, the main polluting source at the site. We estimated that the plantations’ foliage captures on average c. 42.85 μg cm⁻² PM10 and we developed a robust linear model that describes PM10 retention on a leaf area basis, as a function of PM10 production, LAI (a proxy of seasonal changes in leaf area), distance from the emitting source, and wind speed and foliage height within the crown. The accuracy of the estimates and the performance of the model were tested with the bootstrap cross-validate resampling technique. PM10 retention increased in spring and early summer following the increase in LAI, but its peak in August and October was controlled by the highest PM10 production, due to elevated energy demands. Moreover, PM10 retention was facilitated by wind speed, and it was higher at the lower part of the trees’ canopy. On the contrary, the PM10 load on the trees’ foliage decreased with an increasing distance from the conveyor belt system and the frontline of the plantations. Our findings support the positive role of R. pseudoacacia plantations for PM10 retention at heavily polluted areas, such as the lignite mines in Greece, and provide a model for the estimation of PM10 retention by their foliage based on basic environmental drivers and characteristics of the plantations, which could be helpful for planning their future management. Full article

The harvesting period is determined by forest maturity. However, there are few studies on the continuity of assessing cultivation duration based on both growth and wood quality, especially for Eucalyptus plantations. This study measures growth traits, such as the diameter at breast height (DBH), oblateness, and other characteristics, as well as wood properties like density and crystallinity, and axial surface growth strain levels at four age stages (6, 10, 22, and 34 years) of Eucalyptus cloeziana (E. cloeziana). By analyzing these factors, particularly the changes in growth strain throughout the tree’s development, the study aims to determine the optimal cultivation period for using E. cloeziana as solid wood. The survey revealed a two-stage pattern in the annual change rate of DBH, tree height, and oblateness: a decrease from 6 to 22 years followed by an increase from 22 to 34 years. In E. cloeziana, heartwood percentage and density rapidly declined during the first 6–10 years, then stabilized between 10 and 34 years. This suggested differential rates of growth and maturation. By analyzing the growth strain, it was observed that the growth strain of E. cloeziana exhibited an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease with age. It reached its peak at 22 years and then gradually declined. Remarkably, at 34 years, the growth strain was even lower than that of 10-year-old E. cloeziana, measuring only 2148 με. This reduction in growth strain is advantageous for minimizing defects such as brittle core formation, cracking, and warping during harvesting. In practical cultivation aimed at solid wood utilization, harvesting can be conducted between 22 and 34 years based on management strategies to reduce operating costs. However, with close-to-nature management practices and sufficient financial resources, extending the cultivation period to 34 years or beyond may result in superior wood quality. We aim to achieve the sustainable utilization of resources, foster the long-term development of the wood processing and solid wood utilization industries, and guide the entire sector towards the goal of sustainable development. Full article

The coconut is a perennial, evergreen tree in the palm family that belongs to the monocotyledonous group. The coconut plant holds significant economic value due to the diverse functions served by each of its components. Any ailment that impacts the productivity of the coconut plantation will ultimately have repercussions on the associated industries and the sustenance of the families reliant on the coconut economy. Deep learning has the potential to significantly alter the landscape of plant disease detection. Convolutional neural networks are trained using extensive datasets that include annotated images of plant diseases. This training enables the models to develop high-level proficiency in identifying complex patterns and extracting disease-specific features with exceptional accuracy. To address the need for a large dataset for training, an Enhanced Visual Geometry Group (EVGG16) model utilizing transfer learning was developed for detecting disease infections in coconut trees. The EVGG16 model achieves effective training with a limited quantity of data, utilizing the weight parameters of the convolution layer and pooling layer from the pre-training model to perform transfer Visual Geometry Group (VGG16) network model. Through hyperparameter tuning and optimized training batch configurations, we achieved enhanced recognition accuracy, facilitating the development of more robust and stable predictive models. Experimental results demonstrate that the EVGG16 model achieved a 97.70% accuracy rate, highlighting its strong performance and suitability for practical applications in disease detection for plantations. Full article

Eucalyptus globulus Labill. is one of the most important species in the paper industry. Teratosphaeria nubilosa has affected plantations worldwide, infecting young foliage. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are essential to identify genomic segments associated with susceptibility to this disease. The inclusion of genomic strategies in breeding programs is key to the sustainability of the species. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with growth and heteroblasty (change from juvenile to adult foliage: ADFO) in a tree breeding population of E. globulus. Tree growth was measured as total height (TH) and diameter at breast height (DBH). All traits were evaluated at 14 and 21 months. A multi-trait threshold linear model was developed following the single-step genomic selection methodology. Genetic correlations (r_g) and narrow-sense heritability (h²) for all traits were estimated. Windows of 0.2 Mb were used. Only the windows with an estimated variance greater than 1% were considered. The r_g ranged from 0.51 to 0.97. The h² was high for ADFO (0.83–0.84) and lower for HT (0.37) and DBH (0.53). In growth traits, no QTLs were found that explained more than 1% of the variance. However, two genomic regions related to ADFO were identified on chromosomes 3 and 11. Full article

The basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) family members are involved in plant growth and development, physiological metabolism, and various stress response processes. Pinus massoniana is a major turpentine-producing and wood-producing tree in seasonally dry areas of southern China. Its economic and ecological values are well known. The forestry industry holds it in exceptionally high regard. Drought severely limits the growth and productivity of P. massoniana, and the functional role of PmbHLH58 in drought stress is not clear. Therefore, PmbHLH58 was cloned from P. massoniana and its bioinformation was analyzed. Subcellular mapping of the gene was performed. The biological function of PmbHLH58 overexpression in Populus davidiana × P. bolleana was studied. The results show that the drought tolerance of PmbHLH58-overexpressed poplar was significantly improved, which may be due to the increase in water use efficiency and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation under drought stress. In an ethylene-responsive manner, PmERF71 interacted with the PmbHLH58 protein, which was found by yeast two-hybridization. We further demonstrated that the drought-induced PmbHLH58 transcription factor increased the expression of key enzyme genes in ABA receptor family genes in PmbHLH58-overexpressing poplar lines (OE). These findings provide new insights into transcriptional regulation mechanisms related to drought stress and will promote the progression of the genetic improvement and plantation development of P. massonsiana. Full article

Silvicultural operations such as planting, pruning, and thinning are vital for the forest value chain, requiring efficient monitoring to prevent value loss. While effective, traditional field plots are time-consuming, costly, spatially limited, and rely on assumptions that they adequately represent a wider area. Alternatively, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can cover large areas while keeping operators safe from hazards including steep terrain. Despite their utility, optimal flight parameters to ensure flight efficiency and data quality remain under-researched. This study evaluated the impact of forward and side overlap and flight altitude on the quality of two- and three-dimensional spatial data products from UAV photogrammetry (UAV-SfM) for assessing stand density in a recently thinned Pinus radiata D. Don plantation. A contemporaneously acquired UAV laser scanner (ULS) point cloud provided reference data. The results indicate that the optimal UAV-SfM flight parameters are 90% forward and 85% side overlap at a 120 m altitude. Flights at an 80 m altitude offered marginal resolution improvement (2.2 cm compared to 3.2 cm ground sample distance/GSD) but took longer and were more error-prone. Individual tree detection (ITD) for stand density assessment was then applied to both UAV-SfM and ULS canopy height models (CHMs). Manual cleaning of the detected ULS tree peaks provided ground truth for both methods. UAV-SfM had a lower recall (0.85 vs. 0.94) but a higher precision (0.97 vs. 0.95) compared to ULS. Overall, the F-score indicated no significant difference between a prosumer-grade photogrammetric UAV and an industrial-grade ULS for stand density assessments, demonstrating the efficacy of affordable, off-the-shelf UAV technology for forest managers. Furthermore, in addressing the knowledge gap regarding optimal UAV flight parameters for conducting operational forestry assessments, this study provides valuable insights into the importance of side overlap for orthomosaic quality in forest environments. Full article

The environmental impact of peat extraction in plant nurseries requires urgent attention due to climate change and habitat destruction. Substituting peat moss with compost derived from palm oil waste in oil palm nurseries presents a viable solution. However, the challenges in its implementation must be considered. This research focuses on optimizing composting conditions for palm oil waste and examines the impact of the compost on soil quality, nutrient availability, and seedling growth. Measurements such as the culling rate, plant height, leaf length, and chlorophyll content were taken to assess seedling growth in nurseries. The compost was also tested as a soil amendment for 5-year-old palm trees, with foliar analysis conducted to evaluate the nutrient assimilation. The results show that optimized compost significantly enhanced the seedling growth by 20–50%, evidenced by the increased plant height, longer leaf length, and higher chlorophyll content. Additionally, the foliar analysis demonstrated an improvement of 5–15% in the nutrient assimilation in the 5-year-old palm trees. This research highlights the potential of optimizing oil palm waste composting for sustainable planting media in nurseries, mitigating environmental impacts and promoting productivity in oil palm plantations. Adopting this circular economy model can address waste management challenges while ensuring a resilient and sustainable approach in the palm oil industry. Full article

Agroforestry systems are recognized as sustainable land use practices that foster environmental health and promote adaptive responses to global change. By harnessing the synergies between trees and agricultural activities, agroforestry systems provide multiple benefits, including soil conservation, biodiversity enhancement, and carbon sequestration. Windbreaks form integral elements of Hungarian agricultural landscapes, and the enhanced agroforestry subsidy framework might have a favorable impact on their expansion, underscoring the importance of evaluating their potential for carbon sequestration. In the present study, we assess the implications of doubling the extent of windbreak plantations in Hungary by planting an additional 14,256 hectares of windbreaks. We evaluate the total carbon sequestration and the annual climate change mitigation potential of the new plantations up to 2050. For the modeling, we use the recently developed Windbreak module of the Forest Industry Carbon Model, which is a yield table-based model specific to Hungary and allows for the estimation of living biomass, dead organic matter, and soil carbon balance. We project that new windbreak plantations will sequester 913 kt C by 2050, representing an average annual climate change mitigation potential of 144 kt CO₂ eq. Our findings reveal that doubling the extent of windbreak plantations could achieve an extra 5% carbon sequestration in forested areas as compared to business-as-usual (BAU) conditions. We conclude that new windbreak plantations on agricultural field boundaries have substantial climate change mitigation potential, underscoring agroforestry’s contribution to agricultural resilience and achieving Hungary’s climate goals set for the land-use (LULUCF) sector. Full article

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant functioning, photosynthesis, and metabolic activities. In terrestrial settings, nitrogen is not always sufficiently available because its basic form (N₂) must be fixed into other forms, such as nitrate and ammonium, to be usable by plants. Adding nitrogenous fertilizer to soils may provide a means of increasing forest productivity. Ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH₃), an effluent produced during gold extraction, requires mining companies to manage its long-distance and costly transportation offsite for disposal. Applying this nitrogenous effluent, in its treated form of ammonium sulfate (ammoniacal nitrogen from mine water was converted into ammonium sulfate locally), to regional forest stands could provide a cost-effective and more environmentally sound means of managing this waste product and enhance forest productivity. Here, we conducted greenhouse- and field-based experiments to evaluate ammonium sulfate fertilization on black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) seedling growth. We assigned five treatments, varying in terms of the fertilizer concentration and presence/absence of biochar, to seedlings in greenhouse trials. We also applied various concentrations of ammonium sulfate to an 8-year-old black spruce plantation in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec. We found that black spruce and jack pine seedlings experienced greater growth than the controls in terms of the stem diameter (32–44%), seedling height (21–49%), and biomass (86–154%). In the field experiment, we observed 37% greater volumetric growth in plots receiving medium-level fertilization than the control. Although nitrogen fertilization lowered the soil pH, essential nutrients increased to favor greater seedling growth. Thus, ammonium sulfate, derived from local mining effluent, appears to offer a suitable alternative for enriching nitrogen-limited boreal soils and increasing tree growth. This application could benefit both regional mining industries and forest management bodies. Full article

Field experiments were conducted on a four-year-old leaf-use ginkgo plantation in southern China to assess the impact of nine different fertilization strategies with varying N-P₂O₅-K₂O rates at three growth phases (FBD: March for bud development; FLG: May for leaf growth; FLS: July for leaf strengthening) on leaf-use ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) leaf productivity and ecological economic benefits (EEBs). The results indicated that regardless of timing and rate, fertilizer application led to an increase in leaf area and thickness, resulting in higher ginkgo leaf yield. The highest fresh (215.14 g tree⁻¹) and dry (78.83 g tree⁻¹) yields were observed with 3 g N + 2.5 g P₂O₅ + 1.5 g K₂O tree⁻¹ in FLG. FLS was found to mitigate the decline in SPAD values of leaves during late summer. Furthermore, fertilized ginkgo trees exhibited higher flavonoid concentrations in leaves, enhancing profitability. However, higher fertilizer rates were associated with elevated greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen losses and ecological costs. Despite these drawbacks, all fertilization treatments resulted in increased net economic income. Specifically, compared to no fertilization, FBD, FLG and FLS treatments boosted net income by 3.5~26.6%, 11.6~60.5% and 5.8~35.4%, respectively. Using the entropy weight TOPSIS method, it was concluded that optimizing the N, P and K fertilization rate and timing (applying 3–2.5–1.5 g tree⁻¹ of N-P₂O₅-K₂O in May) is a beneficial approach to maximize EEBs and industrial benefits in leaf-use ginkgo plantations in southern China. This study provides valuable insights into suitable fertilization patterns and management for leaf-use ginkgo plantations in southern China. Full article