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Search Results (721)

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16 pages, 4190 KB  
Article
Effects of Top-Pruning Intensity Gradient on Root System Architecture and Allometric Patterns in Pinus yunnanensis Franch. Seedlings
by Guangpeng Tang, Jianzhen Liao, Yulan Xu and Nianhui Cai
Plants 2025, 14(20), 3210; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203210 - 19 Oct 2025
Abstract
Pinus yunnanensis, is an ecologically and economically important tree species in southwestern China. However, its natural renewal is relatively lagging behind, and it is difficult to achieve sustainable development. Apical removal (top-pruning) can eliminate apical dominance, stimulate sprouting, and provide high-quality scions [...] Read more.
Pinus yunnanensis, is an ecologically and economically important tree species in southwestern China. However, its natural renewal is relatively lagging behind, and it is difficult to achieve sustainable development. Apical removal (top-pruning) can eliminate apical dominance, stimulate sprouting, and provide high-quality scions for clonal propagation. Root systems are a critical foundation for sprouting capacity. In this study, one-year-old P. yunnanensis seedlings were subjected to four treatments: removal of 3/4 (H1), 2/4 (H2), or 1/4 (H3) of the seedling height, and a non-topped control group (CK). The objective was to investigate the seedlings’ responses in terms of root morphology, biomass allocation, and allometric growth. The results showed that by May, biomass allocation in the topped treatments increased by 13.37%, 11.01%, and 7.86%, respectively, compared with the control, and also exhibited higher coefficients of variation. Under the H2 treatment, both fine and coarse roots accounted for a higher proportion of total root biomass and displayed stronger water-retention stability. With increased top-pruning intensity and time, root volume, specific root length, root tissue density, and root tip number were the first to respond, indicating the onset of allometric growth. Notably, in May, the growth rate of specific root surface area followed the order: H3 > H1 > CK > H2. These findings suggest that the root system adapts to environmental changes by modulating growth patterns among various indicators to optimize resource allocation and enhance adaptability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)
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24 pages, 9038 KB  
Article
Synergistic Effects of Nitrogen Application Enhance Drought Resistance in Machilus yunnanensis Seedlings
by Jiawei Zhou, Mei Luo, Peng Ning, Songyin Gong, Xiaomao Cheng and Xiaoxia Huang
Plants 2025, 14(20), 3194; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203194 - 17 Oct 2025
Viewed by 181
Abstract
Drought poses a severe challenge to ornamental tree growth under climate change. This study employed a 2 × 4 factorial design—with two soil moisture levels (80–85% vs. 50–55% field capacity) and four nitrogen treatments (NN: no nitrogen; NO: nitrate nitrogen; NH: ammonium nitrogen; [...] Read more.
Drought poses a severe challenge to ornamental tree growth under climate change. This study employed a 2 × 4 factorial design—with two soil moisture levels (80–85% vs. 50–55% field capacity) and four nitrogen treatments (NN: no nitrogen; NO: nitrate nitrogen; NH: ammonium nitrogen; MN: mixed nitrate-ammonium nitrogen)—to examine the efficacy of nitrogen addition in enhancing drought resistance in Machilus yunnanensis seedlings. Results revealed that (1) drought stress leads to the acidification of rhizosphere soil, resulting in a decrease of 7.67%, 29.51%, 14.07%, and 44.09% in the content of soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), respectively. This adverse change directly impacts plant growth; it is manifested by a significant reduction of 45% in total chlorophyll (T Chl), a 67.18% decrease in photosynthetic rate (Pn), as well as reductions of 10.61%, 27.59%, 14.81%, and 12.35% in plant height, leaf, stem, and total biomass, respectively. (2) The application of all three forms of nitrogen helps alleviate drought stress, as evidenced by the recovery of photosynthetic levels and the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content, with ammonium-N exhibiting superior efficacy over nitrate-N across most metrics. (3) Strikingly, the mixed nitrogen form outperformed singular applications by demonstrating multifaceted advantages: It maintains soil pH levels and rhizosphere nutrient availability under drought conditions, particularly with a 10.99% and 33.44% increase in dissolved organic nitrogen and available phosphorus content, respectively. More importantly, under drought stress, it increased leaf water content by 20.31%, nitrogen use efficiency by 15.67%, and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency by 439.44%, promoted the accumulation of osmolytes, while upregulating antioxidant enzyme activity to counteract osmotic imbalance and alleviate oxidative damage. These findings highlight that nitrogen supplementation, particularly mixed nitrogen application, enhances drought resistance in M. yunnanensis, offering a viable management strategy to sustain urban tree landscapes in water-limited environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
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21 pages, 2583 KB  
Article
Soil Amendment with Poultry Manure, Biochar, and Coenzyme A Enhances Yield and Nutritional Composition of Moringa oleifera Lam.
by Baba Mamudu, Cristina García-Viguera, Diego A. Moreno, Eli Gaveh, Francis Appiah, Irene Idun, Sonia Medina and Raúl Domínguez-Perles
Foods 2025, 14(20), 3527; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14203527 - 16 Oct 2025
Viewed by 215
Abstract
This study assessed the combined application of poultry manure (Pm), biochar (B), and coenzyme A (CoA) into soils to enhance Moringa oleifera Lam. growth, biomass yield, and nutritional and phytochemical composition. This approach allowed us to cover the gap of knowledge on sustainable, [...] Read more.
This study assessed the combined application of poultry manure (Pm), biochar (B), and coenzyme A (CoA) into soils to enhance Moringa oleifera Lam. growth, biomass yield, and nutritional and phytochemical composition. This approach allowed us to cover the gap of knowledge on sustainable, low-cost agronomic management alternatives suitable for smallholder systems. To achieve this objective a field experiment was conducted using three treatments (control (no amendment), Pm + B, and Pm + B + CoA) and four consecutive harvests were monitored. Morphological traits (height, stem diameter, number of branches, and leaf yield) were recorded, and phytochemical analyses of glucosinolates and (poly)phenols were performed via HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn. Mineral and trace elements were quantified by ICP-OES. The main results retrieved allowed describing the capacity of the combined use of Pm + B + CoA to enhance plant growth and productivity, thus increasing the moringa trees’ height of 226.3 by 39.5%, on average, relative to control plants. ILeaf yield and branch number augmented up to 7.0-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively, under amendment treatments. Petiole girth also increased significantly by >50% (p < 0.01). Phytochemically, Pm + B + CoA significantly elevated total phenolics, vicenin-2, and quercetin acetyl-hexoside in leaves by 2.8-fold, on average, relative to control. The glucosinolate content also augmented as a result of the soil amendments assayed by 51.0%, on average, in stems and petioles, under Pm + B + CoA, compared to control samples. From these results, it can be concluded that the combined use of poultry manure, biochar, and CoA significantly improved M. oleifera growth, biomass yield, and nutritional quality, with a particular efficiency concerning (poly)phenolic accumulation. This low-cost, sustainable amendment strategy provides a viable agronomic solution in regions suffering socioeconomic constraints that hinder access to high-cost agronomic management options. Therefore, this approach effectively links ecological soil management with improved productivity, nutritional value, and potential for food industries. Full article
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18 pages, 14975 KB  
Article
Precision Carbon Stock Estimation in Urban Campuses Using Fused Backpack and UAV LiDAR Data
by Shijun Zhang, Nan Li, Longwei Li, Yuchan Liu, Hong Wang, Tingting Xue, Jing Ma and Mengyi Hu
Forests 2025, 16(10), 1550; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16101550 - 8 Oct 2025
Viewed by 272
Abstract
Accurate quantification of campus vegetation carbon stocks is essential for advancing carbon neutrality goals and refining urban carbon management strategies. This study pioneers the integration of drone and backpack LiDAR data to overcome limitations in conventional carbon estimation approaches. The Comparative Shortest-Path (CSP) [...] Read more.
Accurate quantification of campus vegetation carbon stocks is essential for advancing carbon neutrality goals and refining urban carbon management strategies. This study pioneers the integration of drone and backpack LiDAR data to overcome limitations in conventional carbon estimation approaches. The Comparative Shortest-Path (CSP) algorithm was originally developed to segment tree crowns from point cloud data, with its design informed by metabolic ecology theory—specifically, that vascular plants tend to minimize the transport distance to their roots. In this study, we deployed the Comparative Shortest-Path (CSP) algorithm for individual tree recognition across 897 campus trees, achieving 88.52% recall, 72.45% precision, and 79.68% F-score—with 100% accuracy for eight dominant species. Diameter at breast height (DBH) was extracted via least-squares circle fitting, attaining >95% accuracy for key species such as Magnolia grandiflora and Triadica sebifera. Carbon storage was calculated through species-specific allometric models integrated with field inventory data, revealing a total stock of 163,601 kg (mean 182.4 kg/tree). Four dominant species—Cinnamomum camphora, Liriodendron chinense, Salix babylonica, and Metasequoia glyptostroboides—collectively contributed 84.3% of total storage. As the first integrated application of multi-platform LiDAR for campus-scale carbon mapping, this work establishes a replicable framework for precision urban carbon sink assessment, supporting data-driven campus greening strategies and climate action planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Forests and Greening for Sustainable Cities)
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21 pages, 2096 KB  
Article
Dry Deposition of Fine Particulate Matter by City-Owned Street Trees in a City Defined by Urban Sprawl
by Siliang Cui and Matthew Adams
Land 2025, 14(10), 1969; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14101969 - 29 Sep 2025
Viewed by 511
Abstract
Urban expansion intensifies population exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Trees mitigate pollution by dry deposition, in which particles settle on plants. However, city-scale models frequently overlook differences in tree species and structure. This study assesses PM2.5 removal by individual [...] Read more.
Urban expansion intensifies population exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Trees mitigate pollution by dry deposition, in which particles settle on plants. However, city-scale models frequently overlook differences in tree species and structure. This study assesses PM2.5 removal by individual city-owned street trees in Mississauga, Canada, throughout the 2019 leaf-growing season (May to September). Using a modified i-Tree Eco framework, we evaluated the removal of PM2.5 by 200,560 city-owned street trees (245 species) in Mississauga from May to September 2019. The model used species-specific deposition velocities (Vd) from the literature or leaf morphology estimates, adjusted for local winds, a 3 m-resolution satellite-derived Leaf Area Index (LAI), field-validated, crown area modelled from diameter at breast height, and 1 km2 resolution PM2.5 data geolocated to individual trees. About twenty-eight tons of PM2.5 were removed from 200,560 city-owned trees (245 species). Coniferous species (14.37% of trees) removed 25.62 tons (92% of total), much higher than deciduous species (85.63%, 2.18 tons). Picea pungens (18.33 tons, 66%), Pinus nigra (3.29 tons, 12%), and Picea abies (1.50 tons, 5%) are three key species. Conifers’ removal efficiency originates from the faster deposition velocities, larger tree size, and dense foliage, all of which enhance particle deposition. This study emphasizes species-specific approaches for improving urban air quality through targeted tree planting. Prioritizing coniferous species such as spruce and pine can improve pollution mitigation, providing actionable strategies for Mississauga and other cities worldwide to develop green infrastructure planning for air pollution. Full article
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14 pages, 1678 KB  
Article
Habitat Condition of Tilio–Acerion Forest Facilitates Successful Invasion of Impatiens parviflora DC
by Kateryna Lipińska, Adam Cieśla, Olena Hrynyk, Karol Sokołowski and Radosław Gawryś
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1475; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091475 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 262
Abstract
Impatiens parviflora DC. occurs in various plant communities. Its occurrence has been confirmed in Poland across 13 natural habitats protected under the Habitats Directive. The aim of our work is to determine the differences between the plots with and without I. parviflora in [...] Read more.
Impatiens parviflora DC. occurs in various plant communities. Its occurrence has been confirmed in Poland across 13 natural habitats protected under the Habitats Directive. The aim of our work is to determine the differences between the plots with and without I. parviflora in terms of the species richness and ecological conditions of the 9180* habitat-type forest. Using data from 315 plots on which a phytosociological relevés was carried out, we analyzed the geographical variability, the Shannon-Winner index and the indicator species for old forests. Flora diversity was represented using the DCA, and the IndVal index was calculated to determine the species that best characterize the differentiated groups. The highest percentage of monitoring plots with I. parviflora is located in the Sudetes Mountains (67.7%) and the lowest in the Bieszczady Mountains (7.5%). Plots with I. parviflora were characterized by significantly lower tree cover, a higher number of tree species in the stand, a lower height of both the understory and herb layer and a lower number of old forest species. Impatiens parviflora does not affect the total number of species in the understorey but is associated with a lower proportion of species typical of old forests. The presence of I. parviflora also correlates with a higher proportion of young trees in the understorey, suggesting a link with successional processes and habitat disturbance. The spread of I. parviflora is limited by shade-loving trees such as Abies alba Mill. and Fagus sylvatica L. The diversity of the distribution of I. parviflora depends on local conditions, so conservation efforts should take into account the local ecological context. Full article
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20 pages, 3598 KB  
Article
Ecosystem Service Assessment of Campus Street Trees for Urban Resilience: A Case Study from Guangxi Arts University
by Mingxing Xu and Lu Ding
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1465; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091465 - 15 Sep 2025
Viewed by 417
Abstract
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) provides a practical framework for enhancing urban resilience. This study had three objectives: (i) to quantify the structural attributes and ecosystem services (ESs) of campus street trees, (ii) to integrate LiDAR-derived metrics with the i-Tree Eco model to improve assessment [...] Read more.
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) provides a practical framework for enhancing urban resilience. This study had three objectives: (i) to quantify the structural attributes and ecosystem services (ESs) of campus street trees, (ii) to integrate LiDAR-derived metrics with the i-Tree Eco model to improve assessment accuracy, and (iii) to evaluate how quantified ESs contribute to climate resilience and inform localized EbA strategies. Field surveys were complemented with LiDAR data to enhance estimation of leaf area index (LAI), canopy dimensions, and tree height. Results show that 2643 street trees representing 29 species provide substantial ESs, including carbon storage of 508,230 kg, annual carbon sequestration of 48,580.5 kg, removal of major air pollutants totaling 2132 kg/year, and stormwater runoff reduction of 2351.8 m3/year, with a combined annual economic value of USD 202,822.10. A small number of species dominated ES delivery, with C. camphora and M. indica contributing disproportionately to canopy structure and ecological benefits. These findings highlight the critical role of urban vegetation in carbon mitigation, air-quality regulation, and flood adaptation at the parcel scale. The study provides a replicable framework for integrating LiDAR-enhanced i-Tree assessments into urban greening policies. It also emphasizes the need for species diversification and the inclusion of omitted services (e.g., biodiversity support, microclimate regulation) in future work to deliver more comprehensive EbA planning. Full article
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21 pages, 11051 KB  
Article
Development and Testing of a Tree Height Measurement Device
by Chaowen Li, Jie Wang, Shan Zhu, Zongxin Cui, Luming Fang and Linhao Sun
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1464; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091464 - 14 Sep 2025
Viewed by 605
Abstract
Tree height is a key indicator in forest resource inventories, playing a vital role in evaluating forest resources, carbon stocks, and biomass. However, conventional tree height measurement methods often suffer from limitations such as inadequate accuracy and low efficiency. This paper proposes a [...] Read more.
Tree height is a key indicator in forest resource inventories, playing a vital role in evaluating forest resources, carbon stocks, and biomass. However, conventional tree height measurement methods often suffer from limitations such as inadequate accuracy and low efficiency. This paper proposes a portable tree height measurement device based on the integration of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology and an accelerometer, enabling high-precision, low-cost, and rapid tree height measurements. The device adopts a modular design, integrating a UWB ranging sensor, a triaxial accelerometer, a main control unit, and wireless communication modules. It acquires precise distance information via the double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR) algorithm and computes tree height by incorporating the pitch angle measured by the accelerometer. Through measurements on 80 trees of various species, compared to results from Total Station, the root mean square error (RMSE) was 0.621 m, with an overall bias of 0.104 m (0.79%) and an overall device accuracy of 95.75%. Additionally, the device features real-time data transmission and cloud storage capabilities, offering an efficient and convenient technical solution for the digital management of forest resources. It holds promising application prospects in areas such as forest resource inventories, ecological monitoring, and forestry production management. Full article
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20 pages, 2960 KB  
Article
Quantifying and Optimizing Vegetation Carbon Storage in Building-Attached Green Spaces for Sustainable Urban Development
by Wenjun Peng, Xinqiang Zou, Yanyan Huang and Hui Li
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 8088; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17178088 - 8 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1548
Abstract
Public building-attached green spaces are increasingly important urban carbon sinks, yet their carbon sequestration potential remains poorly understood and underutilized. This study quantified vegetation carbon storage across three attached green space typologies (green square, roof garden, and sunken courtyard) at a representative public [...] Read more.
Public building-attached green spaces are increasingly important urban carbon sinks, yet their carbon sequestration potential remains poorly understood and underutilized. This study quantified vegetation carbon storage across three attached green space typologies (green square, roof garden, and sunken courtyard) at a representative public building in Wuhan, China, using field surveys and species-specific allometric equations. Total carbon storage reached 19,873.43 kg C, dominated by the green square (84.98%), followed by a roof garden (12.29%) and sunken courtyard (2.72%). Regression analysis revealed strong correlations between carbon storage and morphological traits, with diameter at breast height (DBH) showing the highest predictive power for trees (r = 0.976 for evergreen, 0.821 for deciduous), while crown diameter (CD) best predicted shrub carbon storage (r = 0.833). Plant configuration optimization strategies were developed through correlation analysis and ecological principles, including replacing low carbon sequestering species with high carbon native species, enhancing vertical stratification, and implementing multi-layered planting. These strategies increased total carbon storage by 131.5% to 45,964.00 kg C, with carbon density rising from 2.00 kg C∙m−2 to 4.63 kg C∙m−2. The findings provide a quantitative framework and practical strategies for integrating carbon management into the design of building-attached green spaces, supporting climate-responsive urban planning and advancing sustainable development goals. Full article
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17 pages, 6224 KB  
Article
Assessing Umbellularia californica Basal Resprouting Response Post-Wildfire Using Field Measurements and Ground-Based LiDAR Scanning
by Dawson Bell, Michelle Halbur, Francisco Elias, Nancy Pearson, Daniel E. Crocker and Lisa Patrick Bentley
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(17), 3101; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17173101 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 818
Abstract
In many hardwood forests, resprouting is a common response to disturbance and basal resprouts may represent a substantial component of the forest understory, especially post-wildfire. Despite this, resprouts are often overlooked in biomass assessments and drivers of resprouting responses in certain species are [...] Read more.
In many hardwood forests, resprouting is a common response to disturbance and basal resprouts may represent a substantial component of the forest understory, especially post-wildfire. Despite this, resprouts are often overlooked in biomass assessments and drivers of resprouting responses in certain species are still unknown. These knowledge gaps are problematic as the contribution of resprouts to understory fuel loads are needed for wildfire risk modeling and effective forest stewardship. Here, we validated the handheld mobile laser scanning (HMLS) of basal resprout volume and field measurements of stem count and clump height as methods to estimate the mass of California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) basal resprouts at Pepperwood and Saddle Mountain Preserves, Sonoma County, California. In addition, we examined the role of tree size and wildfire severity in predicting post-wildfire resprouting response. Both field measurements (clump height and stem count) and remote sensing (HMLS-derived volume) effectively estimated dry mass (total, leaf and wood) of U. californica resprouts, but underestimated dry mass for a large resprout. Tree size was a significant factor determining post-wildfire resprouting response at Pepperwood Preserve, while wildfire severity significantly predicted post-wildfire resprout size at Saddle Mountain. These site differences in post-wildfire basal resprouting predictors may be related to the interactions between fire severity, tree size, tree crown topkill, and carbohydrate mobilization and point to the need for additional demographic and physiological research. Monitoring post-wildfire changes in U. californica will deepen our understanding of resprouting dynamics and help provide insights for effective forest stewardship and wildfire risk assessment in fire-prone northern California forests. Full article
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15 pages, 1070 KB  
Article
Influence of Location Type on the Regeneration and Growth of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) in Central Europe: Implications for Sustainable Forest Land Use
by Katarzyna Masternak, Michał Łukasik, Piotr Czyżowski, Joanna Gmitrowicz-Iwan and Krzysztof Kowalczyk
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 8011; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17178011 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1020
Abstract
In the context of climate change and the increasing ecological importance of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in European forests, sustainable regeneration strategies are essential for ensuring long-term forest resilience. This study investigates how different conditions of regeneration sites, namely areas under [...] Read more.
In the context of climate change and the increasing ecological importance of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in European forests, sustainable regeneration strategies are essential for ensuring long-term forest resilience. This study investigates how different conditions of regeneration sites, namely areas under pine canopies, gaps (openings within the pine stand), inter-gap area (open zone surrounding the pine gaps), and clear-cut area (zone where trees were completely removed), affect the early growth performance of artificially regenerated oak stands in Central Europe. Seedling height, root collar diameter, sturdiness quotient (SQ), and light availability (via hemispherical photography) were assessed. The most favorable growth occurred in gaps and under-canopy sites, where light intensity ranged from 44% to 57%, and seedlings reached mean heights of 148.7 cm and 143.4 cm, respectively. In contrast, seedlings in clear-cut and inter-gap areas exhibited lower growth and higher SQ values, suggesting lower seedling stability. In these areas, the average seedling height was 127.2 cm in clear-cut opening and 137.9 cm in inter-gap area. These sites also had the highest light intensity, amounting to 100% and 89.85% of total incident radiation, respectively. Growth performance was also affected by cardinal direction, except within gaps. This study highlights the importance of microsite selection in oak regeneration and demonstrates how optimizing light conditions can enhance reforestation success and climate resilience. These findings contribute to sustainable forest management practices aimed at supporting adaptive strategies in temperate ecosystems facing climate change. Full article
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22 pages, 2422 KB  
Article
Structure and Diversity of the Migration Habitats of Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno, Trogonidae) in Chiapas, Mexico
by Sofía Solórzano, Luis Carlos Vega-Castañeda and María del Coro Arizmendi
Diversity 2025, 17(9), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17090612 - 30 Aug 2025
Viewed by 916
Abstract
Pharomachrus mocinno breeds in the cloud forests of the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, and migrates annually for six months to elevations of 900–1600 m. On the Gulf slope, temperate forests were identified as habitats for migration, but the forests on the Pacific slope [...] Read more.
Pharomachrus mocinno breeds in the cloud forests of the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, and migrates annually for six months to elevations of 900–1600 m. On the Gulf slope, temperate forests were identified as habitats for migration, but the forests on the Pacific slope have not been similarly described. In this study we described the emergent properties and phenological behavior of the plant communities of five sites identified as migration habitats, in order to test if the number of fruit-bearing species is related to the migration period. At each site, 10,000 m2 was sampled, for which PBH (perimeter at breast height) and the height of shrubs and trees were annotated, including the number of palms and ferns included. We identified 25 orders, 41 families, 71 genera, and 94 species; 86.6% of these species produce fleshy fruits or fruits with modified structures that are eaten by Quetzals. During the migration period, 25–43% of these species have fruits. Eight woody species included 49% of the total individuals, which produce Quetzals’ feeding resources. The sites differed in vertical structure, composition and diversity levels. The rarefaction curve indicated that the upper site (1600 m) required more sampling. We identified three plant communities that were distributed either in montane rain forest or in the temperate forest. Since nearly 84% of the plant species are listed in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), these forests have an intrinsic importance. The number of fruit-bearing species did not differ between migration and breeding seasons (X2 (1, N = 76) 0.57; p = 0.32. Lauraceae did not stand out for the number of fruit-bearing species in any of the migration sites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2025)
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18 pages, 330 KB  
Article
Bacterial Isolates from Avocado Orchards with Different Agronomic Management Systems with Potential for Promoting Plant Growth in Tomate and Phytopathogen Control
by Adilene Velázquez-Medina, Evangelina Esmeralda Quiñones-Aguilar, Ernestina Gutiérrez-Vázquez, Nuria Gómez-Dorantes, Gabriel Rincón-Enríquez and Luis López-Pérez
Microorganisms 2025, 13(9), 1974; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13091974 - 23 Aug 2025
Viewed by 963
Abstract
The bacterial diversity of soils cultivated with avocado (Persea americana M.) is influenced by different factors, perhaps the most decisive being the type of agronomic management used by farmers. In conventional agronomic management (CM), high doses of agrochemicals are applied, in contrast [...] Read more.
The bacterial diversity of soils cultivated with avocado (Persea americana M.) is influenced by different factors, perhaps the most decisive being the type of agronomic management used by farmers. In conventional agronomic management (CM), high doses of agrochemicals are applied, in contrast to organic agronomic management (OM), where organic fertilizers are used. This alters the diversity and abundance of soil microorganism populations, which in turn affects crop health. This study aimed to isolate and morphologically characterize rhizospheric bacteria from avocado trees under different agronomic management systems (CM and OM). For the bacterial isolates, their ability to promote plant growth in vitro was determined through biochemical tests for phosphorus and calcium solubilization and nitrogen fixation. In addition, their in vivo effect on tomato (S. lycopersicum) growth was evaluated, and their antagonistic capacity against Fusarium sp. was assessed. The results showed differences in the quantity, diversity, and morphologies of bacterial isolates depending on the type of agronomic management. A higher Shannon diversity index was found in OM (2.44) compared to CM (1.75). A total of 35 bacterial isolates were obtained from both management types. A greater number of isolates from OM soils exhibited in vitro PGP activity; notably, eight isolates from OM plots showed phosphate-solubilizing activity, compared to only one from CM plots. Furthermore, although all isolates demonstrated nitrogen fixing capacity, those from OM orchards produced significantly higher nitrate levels than the control (Azospirillum vinelandii). On the other hand, inoculation of tomato plants with bacterial isolates from OM soils increased plant height, root length, and total fresh and dry biomass compared to isolates from CM soils. Likewise, OM isolates exhibited greater antagonistic activity against Fusarium sp. These findings demonstrate the impact of agronomic management on soil bacterial populations and its effect on plant growth and protection against pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant–Soil–Microbe Interactions)
19 pages, 5092 KB  
Article
Estimating Position, Diameter at Breast Height, and Total Height of Eucalyptus Trees Using Portable Laser Scanning
by Milena Duarte Machado, Gilson Fernandes da Silva, André Quintão de Almeida, Adriano Ribeiro de Mendonça, Rorai Pereira Martins-Neto and Marcos Benedito Schimalski
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(16), 2904; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17162904 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 835
Abstract
Forest management planning depends on accurately collecting information on available resources, gathered by forest inventories. However, due to the extent of the planted areas in the world, collecting information traditionally has become challenging. Terrestrial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has emerged as a [...] Read more.
Forest management planning depends on accurately collecting information on available resources, gathered by forest inventories. However, due to the extent of the planted areas in the world, collecting information traditionally has become challenging. Terrestrial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has emerged as a promising tool to enhance forest inventory. However, selecting the optimal 3D point cloud density for accurately estimating tree attributes remains an open question. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different point densities (points per square meter) in point clouds obtained through portable laser scanning combined with simultaneous localization and mapping (PLS-SLAM). The study aimed to identify tree positions and estimate the diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height (H) of 71 trees in a eucalyptus plantation in Brazil. We also tested a semi-automatic method for estimating total height. Point clouds with densities greater than 100 points/m2 enabled the detection of over 88.7% of individual trees. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the best DBH measurement was 1.6 cm (RMSE = 5.9%) and the best H measurement (semi-automatic method) was 1.2 m (RMSE = 4.2%) for the point cloud with 36,000 points/m2. When measuring the total heights of the largest trees (H > 31.4 m) using LiDAR, the values were always underestimated considering a reference value, and their measurements were significantly different (p-value < 0.05 by the t-test). For point clouds with a density of 36,000 points/m2, the automated DBH and total tree height estimations yielded RMSEs of 5.9% and 14.4%, with biases of 4.8% and −1.4%, respectively. When using point clouds of 10 points/m2, RMSE values increased to 18.8% for DBH and 28.4% for total tree height, while the bias was 6.2% and 18.4%, respectively. Additionally, total tree height estimations obtained via a semi-automatic method resulted in a lower RMSE of 4.2% and a bias of 1.5%. These findings indicate that point clouds acquired through PLS-SLAM with densities exceeding 100 points/m2 are suitable for automated DBH estimation in the studied plantation. Despite the increased processing time required, the semi-automatic method is recommended for total tree height estimation due to its superior accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Remote Sensing)
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Article
Weed Control Increases the Growth and Above-Ground Biomass Production of Pinus taeda Plantations in Southern Brazil
by Matheus Severo de Souza Kulmann, Marcos Gervasio Pereira, Rudi Witschoreck and Mauro Valdir Schumacher
Agrochemicals 2025, 4(3), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals4030014 - 16 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Pinus taeda plantations have been facing declining productivity in South America, especially due to competition for natural resources such as light, water, and nutrients. Competition with spontaneous vegetation in the early years is one of the main constraints on growth and biomass allocation [...] Read more.
Pinus taeda plantations have been facing declining productivity in South America, especially due to competition for natural resources such as light, water, and nutrients. Competition with spontaneous vegetation in the early years is one of the main constraints on growth and biomass allocation in trees. However, the best method and timing for weed control and its impact on the productivity of Pinus taeda plantations are unknown. This study aims to evaluate whether weed control increases the growth and above-ground biomass production of Pinus taeda plantations in southern Brazil. This study was conducted at two sites with five-year-old Pinus taeda plantations in southern Brazil, with each being submitted to different weed control methods. This study was conducted in randomized blocks, with nine treatments: (i) NC—no weed control, i.e., weeds always present; (ii) PC—physical weed control; (iii) CC–T—chemical weed control in the total area; (iv) CC–R—chemical weed control in rows (1.2 m wide); (v) C6m, (vi) C12m, (vii) C18m, and (viii) C24m—weed control up to 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after planting; and (ix) COC—company operational weed control. The following parameters were evaluated: the floristic composition and weed biomass, height, diameter, stem volume, needle biomass, branches, bark, and stemwood of Pinus taeda. Control of the weed competition, especially by physical means (PC), and chemical control over the entire area (CC–T) promoted significant gains in the growth and above–ground biomass production of Pinus taeda at five years of age, particularly at the Caçador site. The results reinforce the importance of using appropriate strategies for managing weed control to maximize productivity, especially before canopy closure. In addition, the strong correlation between growth variables and the total biomass and stemwood indicates the possibility of obtaining indirect estimates through dendrometric measurements. The results contribute to the improvement of silvicultural management in subtropical regions of southern Brazil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Herbicides)
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