http://www.hindawi.comThe latest articles from Hindawi Publishing Corporation© 2012, Hindawi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2012/934974/While effects of thinning and natural disturbances on stand density play a central role for forest growth, their representation in large-scale studies is restricted by both model and data availability. Here a forest growth model was combined with a newly developed generic thinning model to estimate stand density and site productivity based on widely available inventory data (tree species, age class, volume, and increment). The combined model successfully coupled biomass, increment, and stand closure (=stand density/self-thinning limited stand density), as indicated by cross-validation against European-wide inventory data. The improvement in model performance attained by including variable stand closure among age cohorts compared to a fixed closure suggests that stand closure is an important parameter for accurate forest growth modeling also at large scales.Oskar Franklin, Elena Moltchanova, Florian Kraxner, Rupert Seidl, Hannes Böttcher, Dimitry Rokityiansky, and Michael ObersteinerCopyright © 2012 Oskar Franklin et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2012/265831/Lack of reliable and accurate field data affect assessments of population status of tree species, especially tropical taxa with broad distributions. Use of distance sampling techniques may help to overcome the problem. This paper describes a method for estimation of absolute density of a rare tree species with scattered and clumped distribution, using line transect distance sampling. The method was applied to previously harvested populations of Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex H. Lec. (Thymelaeaceae) at four sites in Northern Laos. This species is destructively harvested to yield agarwood, probably the world’s most valuable nontimber forest product and categorised as ”critically endangered“. The average density of felled A. crassna trees at the four sites was 2.2 ha−1, indicating that harvesting has been extensive. However, the estimated densities of living saplings, 10.9 ha−1, small trees (DBH < 10 cm), 10.6 ha−1, and larger trees (DBH ≥ 10 cm), 1.7 ha−1, suggest that populations are not wiped flat. The survey method should stand a good chance of wider use as a tool in management and conservation of a wide range of tree species. Results of the present case study could suggest that the conservation status of A. crassna should be re-categorised.Anders Jensen and Henrik MeilbyCopyright © 2012 Anders Jensen and Henrik Meilby. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2012/295414/This paper presents an economic analysis of the planting of trees on marginal lands in Ukraine for timber production, erosion prevention, and climate mitigation. A methodology combining econometric analysis, simulation modelling, and linear programming to analyse the costs and benefits of such afforestation has been adopted. The research reveals that, at discount rates lower than 2%, establishment of new forests is economically justified in the majority of forestry zones. Incorporating the effects of afforestation on mitigating climate change increases social benefits. However, the results indicate that whilst soil protection benefits to agriculture from afforestation in the Steppe are expected to be high, carbon sequestration and timber production activities in the Steppe are cost inefficient due to low rates of tree growth and relatively high opportunity costs of land. The opportunity costs of land are also high in the Polissja where afforestation is cost inefficient at 2% and higher discount rates.Maria Nijnik, Arie Oskam, and Anatoliy NijnikCopyright © 2012 Maria Nijnik et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/752359/We examined the effects of low-impact broadcast-burning and disk-trenching planting position (control, hinge, trench) on soil characteristics and lodgepole pine foliar nutrition and growth over two decades at a subboreal site in British Columbia, Canada. Broadcast burning had virtually no effect on either the bulk density or chemical properties of soil. In contrast, significant reductions in soil bulk density and increases in soil nutrient availability persisted for 20 years in hinge position soils relative to undisturbed (control) soil between trenches. These effects on bulk density and nutrient availability are associated with significant differences in pine size by year 6. Burning and planting positions interacted significantly in their effect on pine height, diameter, and stem volume for at least 19 years. Pine survival was high regardless of burning or planting position. Neither broadcast burning nor planting position significantly affected lodgepole pine foliar nutrient status in this study.Jacob O. Boateng, Jean L. Heineman, Lorne Bedford, and Amanda F. Linnell NemecCopyright © 2011 Jacob O. Boateng et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/320170/Loggers play a critical role in the sustainable production of wood and paper products, and harvesting activities contribute to economic health and viability of many Upper Midwest communities in the United States. If the logging sector is unable to procure wood efficiently and economically from an increasingly parcelized land base, the competitive ability of the forest industry could be jeopardized. Little is known about the functions of the logging sector related to the forest resource land base on which they depend, and it is imperative to improve our understanding of this important part of the forest industry. The purpose of this study was to determine prospective attitudes about the future of the logging industry and how trends in forestland parcelization and harvesting mechanization are impacting the logging industry, especially as it relates to smaller tracts of land.Shorna Allred, Charles Michler, and Cortney MycroftCopyright © 2011 Shorna Allred et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/516135/Transfer of technologies produced by research is critical to innovation within all organizations. The intent of this paper is to take stock of the conceptual underpinnings of technology transfer processes as they relate to wood utilization research and to identify conditions that promote the successful transfer of research results. Conceptually, research utilization can be viewed from multiple perspectives, including the haphazard diffusion of knowledge in response to vague and imprecise demands for information, scanning of multiple information sources by individuals and organizations searching for useful scientific knowledge, engagement of third parties to organize research results and communicate them to potential users, and ongoing and active collaboration between researchers and potential users of research. Empirical evidence suggests that various types of programs can promote technology transfer (venture capital, angel investors, business incubators, extension services, tax incentives, and in-house entities), the fundamental effectiveness of which depends on research results that are scientifically valid and consistent with the information needs of potential users. Furthermore, evidence suggests preference toward programs that are appropriately organized and governed, suitably led and creatively administered, and periodically evaluated in accordance with clear standards of success.Paul V. Ellefson, Michael A. Kilgore, Kenneth E. Skog, and Christopher D. RisbrudtCopyright © 2011 Paul V. Ellefson et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/980259/Eucalyptus species have been planted in Angola since the early twentieth century. The species introduction experiment of Tchianga, in the Angolan Highlands, was established in 1966/1967. The experiment included several tropical pines and eucalypts. The plots were 43 years old when measured in 2009. Species included Eucalyptus saligna Sm., E. camaldulensis Dehnh., E. macarthurii H. Deane & Maiden, E. resinifera Sm., E. siderophloia Benth., and E. grandis Hill ex. Maiden. E. saligna had the highest stand volume at 43 years (1427 m3 ha−1), followed by E. grandis (1006 m3 ha−1). E. macarthurii and E. camaldulensis had the lowest stand volume (423 and 511 m3 ha−1, resp.). Using X-ray analyses of increment cores, it was possible to study the temporal development of the stand characteristics. An analysis of the mean annual increment showed that the optimal rotation length for most of the studied eucalypts is around 22 years with the exception of E. resinifera, for which 12–15 years is the best. E. saligna had the highest maximum mean annual increment (MMAI) of 37 m3 ha−1 attained at 22 years of age. E. grandis reached its MMAI of 25 m3 ha−1 at 28 years. The results suggest that E. saligna is the most recommended Eucalyptus species for new plantations in Angola.Cristobal Delgado-Matas and Timo PukkalaCopyright © 2011 Cristobal Delgado-Matas and Timo Pukkala. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/290353/Ten million family forest owners own 35 percent of US forestland. Although one owner's action may be insignificant, many owners' decisions across the landscape and over time can together affect the forest ecosystem. By analyzing survey data from Massachusetts, this paper examines the thought processes of family forest owners when considering timber harvesting, land sale, and conservation easement decisions, all having great potential to shape the future of individual properties and forest landscape. Some factors (e.g., attitudes towards forestland and desire for and experience of cooperation) were important for engaged and unengaged owners, some factors (e.g., attained education level, age, and absenteeism) were irrelevant, and some factors (e.g., acreage and information sources) had mixed effects depending on the decision and landowner engagement level. The results suggest the need to avoid any one-size-fits-all approach, differentiate landowners based on their engagement level, and tailor outreach efforts to address the interests and concerns of particular audiences.Zhao Ma and David B. KittredgeCopyright © 2011 Zhao Ma and David B. Kittredge. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/728985/Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre is a fast growing leguminous tree with high potential for oil seed production. Fifty-three candidate plus trees (CPTs) of Pongamia pinnata were selected from different locations in Orissa, India, on the basis of their seed and pod characteristics to identify suitable seed source with high oil content for production of quality planting seedling for use in afforestation programs. All the CPTs showed significant variation among themselves in respect to their pod and seed characters. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) estimates were high for pod thickness, seed thickness, 100-pod weight, and 100-seed weight. High heritability values accompanied by high genetic advance for 100-seed weight (96.1%, 59.6) and 100-pod weight (90.9%, 37.3) indicated additive gene action. High estimates of genotypic correlations than the corresponding phenotypic correlations indicated the presence of strong inherent association between pod length and pod breadth; 100-pod weight, and pod thickness; 100-pod weight and seed length; 100-seed weight and 100-pod weight. Seed length, seed breadth, seed thickness, 100-pod weight and 100-seed weight had significant positive correlation with each other, and these characters should be considered as effective parameters to select CPTs for different agroforestry programs.Deebe Prasad Sahoo, Gyana Ranjan Rout, Swarnalata Das, Subhashree Aparajita, and A. K. MahapatraCopyright © 2011 Deebe Prasad Sahoo et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/108529/A multiyear study was conducted to determine if soil amendment combined with topical application of elemental sulfur could be employed to reduce deer browse damage to four conifer species. Fertilizer and sulfur were applied to conifer seedlings at seven sites near Corvallis, OR. Growth and browse damage data were collected for all seedlings over a period of 17 months. Additionally, foliar concentrations of monoterpenes and simple carbohydrates were assessed in western redcedar (Thuja plicata) seedlings over a period of three years. Fertilization and sulfur treatments had a moderate impact on growth and no influence on browse damage or the chemical responses. Over the course of the study, browse damage diminished while foliar monoterpene concentrations increased in redcedar. It appears that silvicultural manipulation via sulfur application and/or soil amendment cannot accelerate or alter the ontogenetical changes that may naturally defend seedlings against mammalian herbivores. In a brief trial with captive deer, redcedar browse resistance was influenced by seedling maturation, but not monoterpene content. Other maturation effects may yield significant browse protection to young seedlings.Bruce A. Kimball, Fred Pfund, Mark Gourley, Doreen L. Griffin, and John H. RussellCopyright © 2011 Bruce A. Kimball et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/212361/Moroni et al. (2010) reported extant, spatially representative carbon stocks for Tasmania's State forest. Their disputation of earlier work, contextual setting, redefinition of carbon carrying capacity (CCC), methods, adoption of ecological concepts and consequent conclusions on carbon flux were investigated. Their reported data was very useful; however, the absence of sufficient context and fundamental equations was atypical of scientific publications; old-growth should have been differentiated from mature forests and wet-sclerophyll from mixed-forest, redefinition of CCC was unwarranted, and several of their arguments and conclusions appeared unwarranted. From their graphs and tables, I estimated that the carbon deficit in State forest biomass (the amount below CCC) due to commercial forestry was conservatively 29(±4) Tg (or 106(±13) Mtonnes CO2-eq; with couped-production forests 29(±6)% below CCC) a greenhouse gas mitigation opportunity—indicating the usefulness of the existing definition of CCC. Also, using their data, earlier work on long-term fluxes accompanying conversion of wet-eucalypt forests to harvesting cycles was found to correspond to 0.56(±0.01) Mha (i.e., >1/3 of State forest), 76(±2)% of which is in the commercial production area—in contrast to their claim that earlier work referred to a small and atypical proportion.Christopher DeanCopyright © 2011 Christopher Dean. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/980670/Broadcast fertilization with an array of amendments was investigated for its capacity to stimulate growth and enhance nutrition of a three-year-old Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf.) plantation growing on an acidic Sierra Nevada surface mine. Four formulations that differed in N source, duration of release, and the suite of nutrients provided were evaluated, with each applied using four rates. Free Flow 29-3-4, a conventional amendment featuring urea as its near exclusive N source, and High N 22-4-6, a controlled release formulation containing ammoniacal, nitrate, and urea N, were the most stimulatory while an organic formulation relying exclusively on a municipal biosolid N source, Milorganite 6-2-0, was the least so. The lowest application rates employed were inadequate while the most advantageous was not the highest rate for any formulation. Foliar analysis revealed that improved N nutrition was probably critical in the favorable growth responses to fertilization, that of P was a likely contributor, and amelioration of potential Mn toxicity may have assumed an accessory role.Roger F. WalkerCopyright © 2011 Roger F. Walker. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2011/134526/In the context of the adoption at the 16th Conference of the Parties in 2010 on the REDD+ mitigation mechanism, it is important to obtain reliable data on the spatiotemporal variation of forest carbon stocks and changes (called Emission Factor, EF). A re-occurring debate in estimating EF for REDD+ is the use of existing field measurement data. We provide an assessment of the use of commercial logging inventory data and ecological data to estimate a conservative EF (REDD+ phase 2) or to report on EF following IPCC Guidance and Guidelines (REDD+ phase 3). The data presented originate from five logging companies dispersed over Gabon, totalling 2,240 plots of 0.3 hectares.We distinguish three Forest Types (FTs) in the dataset based on floristic conditions. Estimated mean aboveground biomass (AGB) in the FTs ranges from 312 to 333 Mg ha−1. A 5% accuracy is reached with the number of plots put in place for the FTs and a low sampling uncertainty obtained (± 10 to 13 Mg ha−1). The data could be used to estimate a conservative EF in REDD+ phase 2 and only partially to report on EF following tier 2 requirements for a phase 3.Danae Maniatis, Yadvinder Malhi, Laurent Saint André, Danilo Mollicone, Nicolas Barbier, Sassan Saatchi, Matieu Henry, Laurent Tellier, Mathieu Schwartzenberg, and Lee WhiteCopyright © 2011 Danae Maniatis et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/960912/Nonindustrial private—or “family”—forests hold great potential for sequestering carbon and have received much attention in discussions about forestry-based climate change mitigation. However, little is known about social and cultural influences on owners' willingness to manage for carbon and respond to policies designed to encourage carbon-oriented management. We review the published literature to examine how family forest owners' values, ecological knowledge, risk perceptions, and forest management and policy preferences may affect their interest in managing for carbon sequestration. We find that although family forest owners may not be particularly motivated to mitigate climate change, their forest management values and practices compliment many carbon-oriented management strategies. However, the strong value owners place on privacy and autonomy, and the weak importance many place on financial reward, may inhibit participation in policies and programs that incentivize carbon-oriented management. These findings also have implications for policy efforts to encourage management for other ecological values besides carbon sequestration on family forestlands.A. Paige Fischer and Susan CharnleyCopyright © 2010 A. Paige Fischer and Susan Charnley. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/690462/The mass of carbon (C) in standing trees on 1.5 M ha of Tasmanian State forest was 163 Tg C, with 139 Tg in eucalypt forest. The highest C densities occurred in the tallest, highest crown cover, mature, wet eucalypt forest, representing 0.2% by area containing only 1.3 Tg C. Shorter mature forests with lower crown cover contained 21–68% of this C density. Rainforests and forests containing regrowth or silvicultural regeneration components also contained lower C densities. Landscape-level C saturation of Tasmanian State forest could only be achieved when all forest was simultaneously mature eucalypt forest. This would sequester an additional 93 Tg C into trees, but would require fire to convert existing mixed forest and rainforest to eucalypt forest, and subsequent estate wildfire prevention while eucalypt forests mature and the prevention of eucalypt forests progressing to less C-dense rainforest. Theoretical C saturation at the landscape level is therefore ecologically impossible.M. T. Moroni, T. H. Kelley, and M. L. McLarinCopyright © 2010 M. T. Moroni et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/183735/We investigated the long-term effects of ground-base skidding on residual damage severity on the healing of residual damaged trees in forests of northern Iran twenty-years post logging operation. Characteristics examined included wound size, location, severity, height from ground level, number of wound on the damaged tree stems, and distance of damaged tree from centerline of the skid trail on a 8-meter distance alongside the abandonment skid trail. There were some crucial changes in the characteristics of the wounds on the damaged trees stems, which have been investigated on the high traffic intensity and the low traffic intensity. Results showed that an average amount of damaged trees alongside skid trails, which were 100% inventoried, were 18.83%. Results also confirmed that based on the available measurements of a twenty year period, it is too early to make any definite conclusion about how long it will take for occlusion of wounds on tree stems to fully heal from timber operations.Sattar Ezzati and Akbar NajafiCopyright © 2010 Sattar Ezzati and Akbar Najafi. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/162084/Ecotypes of Pinus sylvestris seedlings from Kuhmo (64°N) and Ranua (66°N) were transplanted to 0 (control), 1, 2, and 3°N higher latitude in Northern Finland in 1997. Sampling was carried out twice per year (spring/autumn) during 1998–2000. Shoot elongation, total nitrogen concentration, frost hardiness and oxidative stress state (lipid peroxidation, glutathione reductase activity, and protein oxidation) in the needles were analyzed. Comparison between the seasonal sampling times indicated that total nitrogen, lipid peroxidation, glutathione reductase activity, and protein oxidation were lower in autumn, during which the frost hardiness was higher. The above suggests that the stress conditions were higher in spring. Comparison between the origins of the seedlings demonstrated that shoot elongation of the northern origin were minor, while their total nitrogen concentrations and frost hardiness were more pronounced. Effect of latitude on elongation of Scots pine is most probably a result of a combination of temperature and light quality. No delay in frost hardening due to higher latitude was observed during the autumnal equinox. No marked stress caused by transplantation to the north was either observed. It is concluded that southern ecotypes of Scots pine have the potential to adapt to migration driven by a warming climate.Erja Taulavuori, Kari Taulavuori, Ahti Niinimaa, and Kari LaineCopyright © 2010 Erja Taulavuori et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/985364/Logging in natural forests is a vital economic activity in the Brazilian Amazon. However, illegal and unplanned logging is exhausting forests rapidly. In 2006, a new forestry law in Brazil (Lei 11,284/2006) established the legal framework to develop state and national public forests for multiple uses. To support public forest planning efforts, we combine spatially explicit data on logging profits, biodiversity, and potential for community use for use within a forest planning optimization model. While generating optimal land use configurations, the model enables an assessment of the market and nonmarket tradeoffs associated with different land use priorities. We demonstrate the model's use for Faro State Forest, a 636,000 ha forest embedded within a large mosaic of conservation units recently established in the state of Pará. The datasets used span the entire Brazilian Amazon, implying that the analysis can be repeated for any public forest planning effort within the region.Marco W. Lentini, Douglas R. Carter, and Alexander J. MacphersonCopyright © 2010 Marco W. Lentini et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/592034/We examined browsing patterns of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on a site in the central Appalachians that experienced a substantial (>50%) reduction in deer population density and an increase in the amount of timber harvest since 2001. We sampled woody browse in and immediately adjacent to 12 clearcuts ranging in age from 0–5 years postharvest in summer 2007. Clearcut-interior areas had higher woody browse abundance and browsing rates than clearcut-edge or mature forest areas. Woody browse abundance was slightly higher within individual clearcuts than in 2001 at higher population densities and lower timber harvest rates. Overall browsing rates declined from approximately 17% in 2001 to less than 5% during our study, suggesting that the combination of deer population control, and increasing the amount of timber harvest across the landscape can reduce herbivory to levels that may not impede growth and survival of forest vegetation.Shawn M. Crimmins, John W. Edwards, W. Mark Ford, Patrick D. Keyser, and James M. CrumCopyright © 2010 Shawn M. Crimmins et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/498189/Balsam woolly adelgid is an invasive pest of firs in the United States. Aerial surveys are conducted for detection of adelgid infestations but other remotely sensed data may also be useful. Our objective was to determine if high spectral resolution, branch-level data can be used to distinguish infested from noninfested trees. Stepwise discriminant analysis yielded a three-variable model (the red-green index and two narrow-bands (one at 670 nm and the other at 1912 nm)) that classified infested versus non-infested trees with 94% accuracy compared with the 83% accuracy obtained with a single-variable model. The response of trees in narrow spectral bands was integrated across wavebands to simulate measurements from the multispectral SPOT5-HRVIR sensor. Stepwise discriminant analysis again yielded a three-variable model (simple ratio, the SPOT5-HRVIR band in the SWIR region and NDVI) with similar accuracy (93%) at discriminating infested from non-infested trees compared with the 83% accuracy obtained with a single-variable model.Stephen P. Cook, Karen S. Humes, Ryan Hruska, Grant Fraley, and Christopher J. WilliamsCopyright © 2010 Stephen P. Cook et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/906310/Clonal identification in forestry may employ different means, each with unique advantages. A comparative evaluation of different approaches is reported. Nine quantitative leaf morphometric parameters, 15 variable codominant (isoenzyme) and 15 variable dominant (RAPD) loci, were used. All clones presented unique multilocus isoenzyme genotypes and 86% presented unique multilocus RAPD genotypes. Quantitative, isoenzyme and molecular data were subjected to principal component analysis, the latter two data sets after vector transformation. Most of the variability (quantitative 99%, isoenzyme 72.5%, RAPD 89%) was accounted for in the first three axes. This study has shown: (1) individual quantitative parameters were inefficient for clonal identification, (2) multilocus clonal identification was successful, (3) dominant markers were more polymorphic than codominant ones: 1.5 variable loci per enzyme system, 7.5 variable RAPD loci per primer, (4) 15 codominant marker loci could identify about 2.8 times more individuals than 15 dominant ones, but this advantage is surpassed when 42 dominant loci are employed, (5) multivariate analysis of morphological, codominant and dominant genetic data could not discriminate at the clonal level. It was concluded that due to their higher number of loci available dominant markers perform better than codominant ones, despite the higher informativeness of the latter.F. A. AravanopoulosCopyright © 2010 F. A. Aravanopoulos. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/507392/The gain in precision to explain the variation on tree growth performance as a function of a set of site indicators was analysed in a stepwise form, increasing its complexity and costs. Six native timber tree species were commonly found on farmer's fields and planted under different types of agroforestry systems. Localization of trees to be used for measurement was achieved through individual interviews to assess timing of introduction of trees. Results proved that native tree species planted on farmers' fields have similar growth rate other exotic timber species as Swietenia macrophylla that are widely spread in the Philippines. Nevertheless, the large fraction of the variation in tree performance that could not be explained by the biophysical site indicators measured implies that farmers take considerable risk in planting trees on the basis of current “scientific” knowledge. The complement of “site characteristics” is probably “management”, and the low determination of tree growth by site properties may in fact be good news for the farmers.F. Santos Martin, B. Lusiana, and M. van NoordwijkCopyright © 2010 F. Santos Martin et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/658396/Iroko (Milicia excelsa) is a commercially important timber tree species formerly known by local people in Benin. Because of the highly attractive technological properties of its wood and its multipurpose uses, the species was subjected to intensive human pressure. Apart from strong climate oscillation during the Pleistocene, human caused habitat fragmentation through continuous land clearing for agriculture, extensive forests exploitation and urbanization induced the occurrence of many isolated forest plots and trees species among which Milicia excelsa trees. As fragmentation was proved to have deleterious effects on genetic diversity within a species and its morphological structure, it was of interest to investigate the current demographic, morphological and genetic structure of M. excelsa before coming up with conservation strategies. In the current study, morphological variation and ecological structure of M. excelsa populations were assessed in Benin using transect sampling method and multivariate analyses including principal component, cluster and canonical discriminant analyses. On the basis of morphological parameters, M. excelsa individuals and populations were clustered into four and discrimination of groups indicated that most of variations were highly related to edaphic factors and annual rainfall. Erratic diameter distribution was found for many populations although most of them showed bell shaped diameter distribution.Christine Ouinsavi and Nestor SokponCopyright © 2010 Christine Ouinsavi and Nestor Sokpon. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/120979/Knowledge of genetic structure at different scales and correlation with the current landscape is fundamental for evaluating the importance of evolutionary processes and identifying conservation units. Here, we used allozyme loci to examine the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of 230 individuals of Protium spruceanum, a native canopy-emergent in five fragments of Brazilian Atlantic forest (1 to 11.8 ha), and four ecological corridors (460 to 1 000 m length). Wright's FST statistic and Mantel tests revealed little evidence of significant genetic structure at the landscape-scale (FST=0.027; rM=−0.051, P=.539). At fine-scale SGS, low levels of relatedness within fragments and corridors (Sp=0.008, P>.05) were observed. Differences in the levels and distribution of the SGS at both spatial scales are discussed in relation to biological and conservation strategies of corridors and forest fragments.Fábio de Almeida Vieira, Cristiane Gouvêa Fajardo, Anderson Marcos de Souza, and Dulcinéia de CarvalhoCopyright © 2010 Fábio de Almeida Vieira et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/815292/Hotspot detection has been widely adopted in health sciences for disease surveillance, but rarely in natural resource disciplines. In this paper, two spatial scan statistics (SaTScan and ClusterSeer) and a nonspatial classification and regression trees method were evaluated as techniques for identifying chestnut oak (Quercus Montana) regeneration hotspots among 50 mixed-oak stands in the central Appalachian region of the eastern United States. Hotspots defined by the three methods had a moderate level of conformity and revealed similar chestnut oak regeneration site affinity. Chestnut oak regeneration hotspots were positively associated with the abundance of chestnut oak trees in the overstory and a moderate cover of heather species (Vaccinium and Gaylussacia spp.) but were negatively associated with the abundance of hayscented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) and mountain laurel (Kalmia latiforia). In general, hotspot detection is a viable tool for assisting natural resource managers with identifying areas possessing significantly high or low tree regeneration.Songlin FeiCopyright © 2010 Songlin Fei. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/417595/We used a simulation model to investigate possible effects of a severe mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) epidemic under two management scenarios in Alberta, Canada. Our simulated outbreak was based on the current epidemic in British Columbia, which may kill close to 80% of the province's pine volume. Our two management scenarios were conventional harvest and a pine-reduction strategy modeled on a component of Alberta's Mountain Pine Beetle Management Strategy. The pine strategy seeks to reduce the number of susceptible pine stands by 75% over the next 20 years through targeted harvesting by the forest industry. Our simulations showed that the pine strategy could not be effectively implemented, even if the onset of the beetle outbreak was delayed for 20 years. Even though we increased mill capacity by 20% and directed all harvesting to high volume pine stands during the pine strategy's surge cut, the amount of highly susceptible pine was reduced by only 43%. Additional pine volume remained within mixed stands that were not targeted by the pine strategy. When the outbreak occurred in each scenario, sufficient pine remained on the landscape for the beetle to cause the timber supply to collapse. Alternative management approaches and avenues for future research are discussed.Richard R. Schneider, Maria Cecilia Latham, Brad Stelfox, Dan Farr, and Stan BoutinCopyright © 2010 Richard R. Schneider et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2010/419482/Seed bank composition was sampled in 192–2.5 m2 quadrats, established in six regenerating clearcut (∼7 years) and six second-growth (∼125 years) mixed-oak forest stands in southeastern Ohio. Seed bank and aboveground composition diverged markedly (Sørensen's coefficient <10%), emphasizing the importance of fast-growing, early-successional germinants to early ecosystem recovery. Seed richness was significantly (P<.01) higher in clearcut stands, suggesting declining richness with stand age. Richness estimations 28%–60% higher than observed values demonstrated high seed bank heterogeneity, emphasizing the need for intensive sampling to assess temperate forest seed bank variation. Site quality (topographic aspect) strongly influenced seed bank composition, with greater importance of early-successional trees, thicket-forming shrubs, and nonnative species on mesic sites. Thus, forest seed banks are likely to play an important, site-dependent role in shaping competitive environments for commercially important timber species after harvesting and soil disturbance and have the potential for marked influence on postharvest forest development.Christine J. Small and Brian C. McCarthyCopyright © 2010 Christine J. Small and Brian C. McCarthy. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2009/210179/To accurately estimate the genetic diversity and population structure for improved conservation planning of Milicia excelsa tree, 212 individuals from twelve population samples covering the species' range in Benin were surveyed at seven specific microsatellite DNA loci. All loci were variable, with the mean number of alleles per locus ranging from 5.86 to 7.69. Considerable genetic variability was detected for all populations at the seven loci (AR=4.60; HE=0.811). Moderate but statistically significant genetic differentiation was found among populations considering both FST (0.112) and RST (0.342). All of the populations showed heterozygosity deficits in test of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and significantly positive FIS values due to inbreeding occurring in the species. Pairwise FST values were positively and significantly correlated with geographical distances (r=0.432; P=.007, Mantel's test) indicating that populations are differentiated by “isolation by distance.” Bayesian analysis of population structure showed division of the genetic variation into four clusters revealing the existence of heterogeneity in population genetic structure. Altogether, these results indicate that genetic variation in Milicia excelsa is geographically structured. Information gained from this study also emphasized the need for in situ conservation of the relict populations and establishment of gene flow corridors through agroforestry systems for interconnecting these remnant populations.Christine Ouinsavi, Nestor Sokpon, and Damase P. KhasaCopyright © 2009 Christine Ouinsavi et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2009/572480/This study assessed biodiversity in the understory of two pine plantations where different management tools (fertilizer, prescribed burning, and herbicide application) were utilized. During three growing seasons, species, percent cover, and number of individuals, and physical characteristics were recorded. Responses to treatment were examined based on comparison of species richness, evenness, diversity, and importance. Two years after treatment, fertilized plots showed a decline in species richness, evenness, and diversity. Prescribed burning and herbicide treatments increased species richness but decreased species evenness, resulting in no change in diversity index. Herbicide treatment reduced the importance of dominant shrubs and increased the importance of disturbance-adapted species.Brian P. Oswald, Betsy Ott, Hans M. Williams, Kenneth W. Farrish, and James E. Van KleyCopyright © 2009 Brian P. Oswald et al. All rights reserved.http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2009/876965/Here we developed a simple linear model to estimate white spruce bark thickness in the northern forests of Alaska. Data were collected from six areas throughout interior and southcentral Alaska. Geographic variation of bark thickness was tested between the Alaska statewide model and for each geographic area. The results show that the Alaska statewide model is accurate, simple, and robust, and has no practical geographic variation over the six areas. The model provides accurate estimates of the bark thickness for white spruce trees in Alaska for a wide array of future studies, and it is in demand by landowners and forest managers to support their management decisions.Thomas Malone and Jingjing LiangCopyright © 2009 Thomas Malone and Jingjing Liang. All rights reserved.