Forestry Ideas

227-236

Authors: Milad Safari, Kiomars Sefidi, Ahmad Alijanpour, and Mohammad Razi Elahian

This study investigated the relationships between physiographical factors and trees structural characteristics in Arasbaran forest, northwest of Iran. Systematic randomized sampling method was used to collect data and in sample plot used the distance method for determination of spatial distribution pattern. Results of spatial distribution pattern indices showed the clumped spatial distribution for Caucasian oak trees (Quercus macranthera Fisch. & C.A.Mey. ex Hohen). In addition, the altitude affected the tree’s characteristics significantly. The greatest tree’s diameter at breast height was found in R3 and density of trees was decreased by increasing of altitude. Distance to neighbour index showed four to six meter distances between trees. DBH and height differentiation indices demonstrated uniformity in trees. Landform indices had the greatest average on R3 and had a significant correlation with trees density and crown area. It could be concluded that the difference in physiographical condition is one of the main factors of the tree’s spatial distribution and forest structure variation at physiographical units in this study area.

251-263

Authors: Tatiana A. Mikhailova, Olga V. Shergina, and Olga V. Kalugina

The biogeochemical data of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests have been studied in the impact and buffer zones of the influence of technogenic emissions from the large industrial center Usolie-Sibirskoe (East Siberia, Russia). Changes in the acid-base balance, accumulation and migration of elements-pollutants, the content of nutrient elements in the components of forest ecosystem – tree-stands, forest litter, soil horizons – on contaminated areas compared to the background sample plot have been revealed. A significant shift in the acid-base balance to the alkaline range and an active migration of elements-pollutants in soil horizons and forest litter have been shown to be key processes causing a disturbance of exchange reactions of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+ cations in the soil absorbing complex (SAC) and a decrease in nutrient elements migration into root systems of trees. Pronounced changes in the acid-base balance, high accumulation of elements-pollutants, binding of nutrient elements by pollutants in the soil horizons and in plant tissues lead to the disruption of nutrition and to the inhibition of pine trees growth processes. The biogeochemical parameters observed are characterized by interconnected changes in the main components of the forest ecosystem (soil and tree-stand) and can serve as adequate criteria for assessing its state under technogenic pollution.

275-288

Authors: Paolo Viola, Riccardo Primi, Federica Gabbianelli, Pier Paolo Danieli, Livia Lucentini, and Andrea Amici

Rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) is included in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive as Species of Conservation Concern (SPEC 1), because of the continuing decline in the area of occupancy. In this context, ex situ conservation programs and production systems of captive Rock partridges suited to the wild are necessary to ensure that insurance, reintroduction or restocking goals are met. Anyway, morphological changes occurring in captive-reared animals indicate the loss of animal’s ability to survive in natural environment. In this study, we used the offspring of wild Apennine rock partridges (Alectoris graeca graeca). The young birds were divided into two groups, the first (G1) was housed in enriched and wild-like environment, the second (G2) was subjected to intensive-rearing conditions. Starting at 14 days post-hatching (DPH) and continuing up to 98 DPH, body mass (BM), tarsus length (TL), tarsus depth (TD), tarsus width (TW), head width (HW), head length (HL), wing length (WL) and beak length (BL), were measured fortnightly. Birds in G1 showed shorter heads (F = 10.50, p = 0.000) and thinner tarsi (F = 9.80, p = 0.000) at 84 DPH. At 98 DPH also the TD measurement (F = 8.71, p = 0.001) became significantly lower in G1 then in G2. Birds in G1 showed morphological disadvantages (shorter heads and less developed limbs) as a possible result of limited physical and cognitive exercise in simple artificial environment. Our results suggest that intensive rearing does not contribute to relevant morphological disadvantages within 70 DPH. Accordingly, birds for restocking or reintroduction should be translocated within this time limit into enriched and wild-like environment where they can exercise before the release into the wild. A first figure of morphological measurements for Apennine Rock partridge is reported.

301-313

Authors: Anton Potapenko, Nikolay Bulko, Alexander Kozlov, Pavel Mohnachev, Nadezda Kuzmina, Konstantin Zavyalov, and Sezgin Ayan

The high radiosensitivity of woody plants and the large forest areas polluted by Chernobyl fallout demand assessment of radiation effect on the forest ecosystems components. This research aims to study the state of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands located in the far and near areas contaminated by Chernobyl fallout, and to assess the current dose loads on the structural elements of the trees 30 years after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP) accident. The study was conducted in radioactively contaminated Scots pine stands, which are the near and far areas, in the Chernobyl fallout areas. The experimental plots were established during the period from 1991 to 2006 inside Scots pine stands from the II–IV age classes. The retrospective assessment of dose loads of the Scots pine was conducted according to the data obtained on 13 experimental plots located in the far area of the Chernobyl fallout through the software RESRAD-BIOTA 1.5 (11/18/2009). The condition of pine stands in the near areas has significantly worsened since the accident, compared to their condition before the accident. The changes in the state of the pine stands after the accident were characterized by their strong weakening. Ambiguous trends were also observed in the stability of stands depending on the type of forest and land relief. In 1986, the radionuclide 134Cs accounted for 25 % of the total amount of soil pollution by mixture (134Сs + 137Сs) in pine stands. However, in 1995, this amount decreased to 2.5 %. The state of the Scots pine stands after the accident were characterized by their strong weakening.

329-338

Authors: Vladimir Tomov

The aim of the research was assessment of the vegetation in park Zaimov, situated in the central part of Sofia. The used methods represent a new approach for more profound assessment of urban green spaces vegetation in Bulgaria, in more than one aspect. Therefore, those methods could be a subject of improvement and development in future studies. All woody vegetation of the park was taxonomically identified and mapped. Forty-four tree species from 27 genera were registered in the park. The individuals count 1156 trees with calculated relative effective volume (REV) of 79,511.45 m3. This volume decreases 10 times during winter, which makes the park vegetation inefficient during this period. The vegetation is in good condition except trees at the south border of the park. Models of the tree crowns of four common species, well presented in the park, were made. The aesthetic values of the presented species give well-balanced and enough in quantity ornamental accents to the park environment in the different times of the year. The valuable old vegetation should be preserved in future reconstructions and better care should be provided to the new planted one. A strong suggestion for building a denser hedge barrier of evergreen vegetation across the south border or the park was made.

351-368

Authors: Tatiana Stankova, Veselka Gyuleva, Emil Popov, Krasimira Petkova, Dimitar N. Dimitrov, Vasil Biserkov, Ekaterina Andonova, and Penka Stefanova

The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of genotype, spacing, age and harvesting cycle on the woody biomass production from coppiced plants of the black poplar hybrids (Populus × euramericana (Dode) Guinier) ‘Agathe F’ and ‘Guardi’. The experiment was carried out in a Nelder wheel trial plantation with 11 nearly-square spacings, ranging from 1.0 to 11.5 m2 and data collection took place at the end of the 2nd, 4th and 5th year from plantation establishment. Spacing significantly affected dendromass production in both clones and all harvesting cycles considered. The individual plant biomass generally increased with spacing, but growth approached saturation at the lowest densities for the plants of clone ‘Agathe F’. Comparable dendromass amounts were recorded for both clones after 1 and after 3 years of shoot growth, and marginally significant genotype effect was found for the 4-year-period of dendromass production, when the plants of ‘Guardi’ attained higher biomass yields. No significant effect of the harvesting cycle was distinguished within 3-year production period, the accumulated amounts of 1- and 2-year-old shoots yielding similar quantities to those of 3-year-old sprouts for both clones. The black poplar hybrids did not differ significantly in the number of sprouts produced at any of the investigated ages. The shoot number increased with growing space and with stump age, the influence of age being obscured only at the highest planting densities. The plants of clone ‘Agathe F’ showed substantial growth decline in the 5th year from plantation establishment due to worsen environmental conditions and biotic pests, while clone ‘Guardi’ proved higher suitability for cultivation as a short rotation crop under Mediterranean climate, because of its steady growth even at worsen site conditions. Under unfavourable alterations in the water availability and without additional irrigation, coppiced plantations of ‘Guardi’ would produce above 4 Mg/ha/year dry dendromass, if cultivated on light arable Fluvisols.

385-393

Authors: Evlogi Angelov, Gradimir Gruychev, and Stoyan Stoyanov

Releasing of hand-reared game birds is a powerful tool to increase the population size of wild birds and to lower hunting pressure on their natural populations. Survival and adaptation in the wild of farm game birds is crucial for assessing game farming efficiency. Survival rate of 36 Grey partridges released in the autumn from cages in the harsh environment of Mala Mountain uplands (850 m a.s.l.) (Central Western Bulgaria) was estimated by applying radio-telemetry. The study area was covered mainly by hay fields and pastures, while arable land was below 10 % of the territory. The birds stayed within an area of 70 ha (100 % maximum convex polygon) with dispersion below 770 m from releasing points. Very few birds dispersed in such long distances, while most of them stayed close to the cages. After releasing partridges showed preferences to scrub near hay fields. The highest mortality rates occurred in the first week when almost 80 % of birds died, and only one bird probably survived more than two weeks. The main factor for mortality was predation by Red fox (66.7 %). Synthesis and application: Grey partridge population size in harsh environments could not be increased by releasing of farm birds using traditional methods. Still the use of farm produced birds is reliable way for wild bird populations recovery, but the correct methods and high-quality farm birds have to be used. Habitat quality also plays an important role in the survival of released birds and their interactions with wild populations.

404-412

Authors: Kameliya Petrova, Pavel Pavlov, and Yordan Ivanov

The soil fertility of Acrisols on the territory of ‘Petrohan’ Training and Experimental Forest Range was assessed by applying the National Classification System developed for soils in forest territories, according to which the following 4 indicators were used – soil depth, org. C stock, total N stock and available soil moisture. In accordance with it Acrisols were characterized from low to moderately fertile. The growth of tree species was also assessed and it was determined as very good for Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. and Betula pendula L. For Pinus sylvestris L. and Carpinus betulus L. was established low growth. The good growth of tree stands did not correspond to the soil fertility assessments. They were different regarding the different indicators. It is assumed that the static examination of nutrient stock should be replaced by studies on the balance of their use and recovery in soils through the biological nutrient cycling.

425-442

Authors: Stoyan Stoyanov

Craniometric characteristics and sexual dimorphism have been described for many carnivore species in Europe. However, very few studies have focused on cranial variability of golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) in Europe, despite its expanding distribution in recent decades. Although numerous works have addressed sexual dimorphism in carnivore skull size, only few studies have attempted to study dimorphism in overall cranial shape. The present study proposes the first comprehensive analysis of golden jackal skull morphometry in Bulgaria, trying to clarify shape and size related cranial variability and differentiation. Extensive morphometric data of jackal skulls were analysed by applying recently developed statistical tools to answer the following questions: (i) is there a geographic variation in skull size and shape among golden jackal population in Bulgaria, (ii) are there age-related cranial differences, and (iii) how pronounced is the sexual dimorphism in skull shape and size? A total of 176 skulls of golden jackals, collected all over the country, were analysed by univariate and multivariate statistical methods. Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were applied on the standardized and log-transformed ratios of the original measurements to clearly separate specimens by shape and size. Skulls of golden jackal in Bulgaria show considerable individual variability but weak intrapopulation differentiation. The differences in shape and size of the jackal skulls, as far as they exist, are age-related, but only juveniles younger than 11 months could be easily distinguished. Subadult and adult jackals largely overlap in skull size and shape. Sexual dimorphism in jackal skulls is weakly pronounced, with older males a little bit larger than females. The results of the present research are consistent with recent genetic and morphological studies and give new insights on patterns in cranial variability and population structure of golden jackal in Bulgaria.

451-458

Authors: Margarita Georgieva, Gergana Zaemdzhikova, Plamen Mirchev, and Georgi Georgiev

The hatching dynamics of larvae of early developing phenological form of pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) based on 93 egg batches was monitored under laboratory conditions. The egg batches were collected on July 12, 2018 in a 30-year-old Pinus nigra plantation, at an altitude of 450 m in the region of Fotinovo village, Kirkovo State Forestry, Eastern Rhodopes. Newly hatched larvae started appearing at the beginning of July 2018, and continued for a month, until August 8, 2018. The peak lasted for 13 days, from the 19th to 31th of July, during which 80.6 % of the larvae hatched. Field observations conducted in parallel, showed that the larval development in the studied habitat lasted for about three months.

3-9

Authors: Vasil Kolev

The populations of Maritsa barbel fish (Barbus cyclolepis Heckel, 1848) are under increasing anthropogenic pressure, necessitating constant monitoring and assessment of the demographic indicators of this endemic and protected species. The study empirically proves the utility of a hitherto theoretically-defined method of Marinov (1964) for determining the population sex structure. It uses the difference in the height of the anal fin between male and female the Maritsa barbels in order to determine the sex of a fish specimen. The empirical investigation, undertaken in order to test the method, utilized a large sample of 518 fish specimens, caught in the Chepinska River, outside of the spawning seasons, during the time period 2006–2010. The results are then compared with those, obtained from a smaller sample, caught in the same river in the years 2010–2011, during a period in which all mature individuals will have formed gonads. The comparative analysis of the results from the two samples proves the accuracy of the method for determining juvenile fish sex and thus provides a comprehensive representation of the sex structure of Maritsa barbel populations. Empirically proving the utility of the theoretical model entails two important conclusions for assessing the reproductive potential and estimating the stock size of the fish. First, this morphological peculiarity of the Maritsa barbel permits the accurate determination of its population sex structure throughout the year, not only during the spawning season. Consequently, no killing of fish from this endemic species would be necessary in order to monitor the populations.

20-36

Authors: Nikita Debkov

Some global markets’ demand towards sustainable forest management is contributing to the displacement of national governments as the central source of environmental rule-making authority. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a particularly innovative example of a voluntary nonstate market-driven governance mechanism. Hosting the largest proportion of the global forest resources the Russian Federation is particularly important arena for forest certification. A new Russian forest management FSC standard based on International Generic Indicators is planned for approval at the beginning of 2019. It is thus crucial to understand what this voluntary mechanism identifies as barriers to different aspects of sustainable forest management. We assessed the overall state of FSC forest management certification in Russia by analysing quantitative and qualitative variables of non-conformities exhibited regarding (1) regional specifics, (2) size of forest management units of certificate holders, (3) certification bodies and (4) type of evaluation. The current state of FSC forest management certification in Russia is characterized by the dominance of the certified area in the European part of the country, where its density is 3–4 times higher. The geographic location of various certification bodies has been established; in particular, LLC ‘Forest certification’ dominate in Siberia, ‘SGS Qualifor’ in Far East, and the rest are operating mainly in the European part. As a result of the analysis, no differences were revealed in the number of non-conformities exposed due to the size of forest management units and their geographical location. In most cases, there is no significant difference between the certification bodies. However, we reliably found a greater number of non-conformities exhibited by LLC ‘Forest certification’ in comparison with ‘NEPCon’. In addition, a significant difference is found between the number of non-conformities and the type of evaluation. Principles 6, 8, and 9 are more problematic, with a higher frequency of non-conformities.

49-55

Authors: Chrysto Myhailov, Gradimir Gruychev, and Nikolay Nenchev

The aim of the study is to establish the breeding success of Rock partridge (Alectoris graeca graeca Meisner, 1804), rearing in semi natural conditions. In 2014, in the western part of Stara Planina Mountain, we built light demountable aviary for raising Rock partridge. The location of the cage falls within the natural range of the Rock partridge. They were placed in typical of the species habitats. In each aviary with an area as about 300 square meters 4 males and 4–5 females were settled. Of a total of 73 nests surveyed for the entire study period in 22 (30.1 %) of cases nesting was unsuccessful. In 54 cases, the bird chose artificial nests or built nests around the facilities of the aviary. In 19 cases they chose natural places to build nests. The average clutch size during the experimental period 2014–2017 was 8.4±2.9 (2–13) (mean ± sd. min–max). The hatchability was 74.3 % ± 10.3 % (60–88.9 %) (n=11). The survival rate of fledglings to 90 days was 64.4 %. The breeding success was similar for wild Rock partridges. The average hatchability was higher than that recorded in captivity, but lower than in the wild.

70-90

Authors: Volodymyr Luk’yanets, Oksana Tarnopilska, Iryna Obolonyk, Serhiy Musienko, Vira Bondarenko, and Maryna Kolenkina

The study was carried out in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests in Gorodotske and Manevytske Forest Enterprises, which are situated in the Manevytsko-Volodymyretsky physiographic region of the Volyn Polissya zone in Ukraine. The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics and health condition of Scots pine stands, infected by annosum root rot (Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref.), in the disease centres and in the part of the stands outside the centres (the control areas), as well as of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) stands in Volyn Polissya. We have found that the density of planted 43–75-year-old stands of Scots pine, established on formerly arable lands, was 32–66 % lower in the centres of the root rot disease than in the control areas. The growing stock volume was 20–62 % lower, respectively. The health index of the stands varied from 1.7 (weakened trees) to 3.2 (severely weakened trees) in the disease centres and from 1.3 (healthy trees) to 1.6 (weakened trees) outside them. We revealed that birch stands established on formerly arable lands were more resistant to annosum root rot and had better health status compared to pine stands. A set of factors was found to cause the root rot of Scots pine stands on abandoned agricultural lands, some of which were growing overstocked pure stands and their untimely (late) thinning.

119-135

Authors: Patience Tugume, Mukadasi Buyinza, and Esezah K. Kakudidi

Contribution of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods is vital but often ignored when drafting resource management policies. Information on the value of NTFPs for subsistence use and trade is often inadequate due to market failure. This potrays a wrong message that non-marketed products lack economic value and are not worth protecting. The study estimated the value of NTFPs from Mabira Central Forest Reserve used for subsistence and trade by adjacent communities. Data were collected through key informant interviews, questionnaire survey of 342 resource users and spot market analysis to establish the market value of used NTFPs. Mainly poor women and men aged below 61 years and with low education levels extracted NTFPs. The annual value of identified NTFPs was $ 860,470 of which $ 58,688 was attributed to subsistence use and $ 801,782 to cash income. NTFPs value varied significantly between products (F=1.67, df 16 p=0.05) and between villages (F=0.000, df 13, p<0.05) with charcoal offering the highest annual value ($ 327,686) and palm leaves – the lowest ($ 187). NTFPs from Mabira CFR have a high potential to enhance livelihoods of the poor, women and youth in the study area if sustainably harvested since availability of some plant species used for firewood and charcoal production were reported to be declining. These results indicate the need for urgent intervention measures for alternative sources of income and sustainable extraction of NTFPs to minimize pressure on the forest reserve.

147-159

Authors: Ludmila Malinova and Kameliya Petrova

To classify Cambisols on a second taxonomy level, the territory of Training and Experimental Forest Range Petrohan was differentiated into 48 relatively homogeneous territorial units based on soil formation factors. The dominant influence of acidic products over the basic ones in soil formation process has been proven. Cause-effect relationships were established between ‘рНH2O – exchangeable Ca’, ‘cation exchange capacity – exchangeable acidity’ and ′рНH2O – exchangeable Ca: exchangeable Mg′. The leaching has been advanced, and in some cases, it covers the entire soil profile depth. The high soil acidity defines the main qualifier as dystric for the Cambisols classification on a second taxonomy level.

171-181

Authors: Valentyna Meshkova, Valentyna Borysova, Maxym Didenko, and Vitaliy Nazarenko

The aim of the research was to estimate the spread of bacterial disease on European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), ocularly estimated by lens-shaped blisters, swellings and cracs of the bark in Pridonetsky and Vorskla-Pselsky forest typological sector of the Left-bank Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Studies were carried out in the year 2018 at 112 sample plots in Trostyanetske Forest Enterprise of Sumy region (Vorskla-Pselsky forest typological sector), Chugujevo-Babchanske and Skrypayivske Forest Enterprises of Kharkiv region (Pridonetsky forest typological sector). In spite of the fact that both the incidence and severity of ash bacterial disease symptoms are significantly higher for particular forestries and pooled data from Sumy region, the health condition index (HCI) of ash trees is greater for forestries of Kharkiv region. Therefore, ash stands in the inspected forestries of Sumy region are weakened, and in those of Kharkiv region are severely weakened. Ash tree mortality was rather low in them. The highest ash mortality was registered in Krasnyanske forestry (12.1 %) of Trostyanetsky forest enterprise. No significant correlation was proved between parameters of ash bacterial disease and altitude. Significant correlation was proved between the incidence and severity of ash bacterial disease symptoms, health condition index and mortality, diameter at breast height (DBH) and disease severity. However, only the correlation of incidence and severity of ash bacterial disease symptoms is high for Kharkiv region (rp=0.74, rs=0.95) and moderate (rp=0.54) or high (rs=0.73) for Sumy region. Obtained distinction in ash disease incidence and severity in different forest typological sectors data may be explained by climate features. Higher precipitation and moisture indices in Vorskla-Pselsky forest typological sector is favorable for ash bacterial disease. However, higher temperature together with lower humidity in Pridonetsky forest typological sector are unfavorable to ash and increases its susceptibility to other damage causes, particularly frost and insects.