Eurasian Journal of Forest Science

1-11

Authors: Melih Öztürk1*, Ercan Gökyer2

Based on the sunlight duration, percentage of light transmission and canopy gaps vary within the phenological stages involving budburst, flushing, leaf development, senescence, fading and leaf fall. In this study, the seasonal pattern of light transmission and canopy gaps of deciduous vegetation along a rural road section was monitored. The rural road is surrounded by forest landscape and, connects Bartın and Safranbolu cities. The road is located within the Bartın watershed of Turkey. Hemispherical photographing and image processing techniques were used to analyze the percentage of light transmission and canopy gaps throughout a foliage year in between 2012 and 2013. During 22 field visits, 220 hemispherical photographs were taken from 10 points along 700 m of the experimental site. Percentage of light transmission, and canopy gaps data were evaluated together with the daily sunlight duration data from the meteorological station. The correlation (r) between mean sunlight duration (msd) and the percentage of mean light transmission (mplt) were -0.68. On the other hand, the correlation (r) between mean sunlight duration (msd) and the percentage of mean canopy gaps (mpcg) were -0.75. Both of the correlations were highly significant (P < 0.01). The seasonal patterns of mplt, mpcg, and msd were assessed considering both the roadside vegetation and the surrounding landscape, emphasizing travelers’ and drivers’ perceptions.

19-27

Authors: M. Cüneyt Bağdatlı1*, KorkmazBellitürk2, Anahita Jabbari3

This study is performed in Nevşehir province at central Anatolian parts of Turkey. The aim of the current study was to investigate the yearly changes of rainfall and temperature climatic parameters in the long data period from 1975 up to 2014 years. The total of 40 years precipitation and temperature monthly data were first separated and classified seasonally and then were assessed by Mann-Kendall and Spearman Rho tests. The long term average of monthly rainfall data was recorded about 421 mm and the average temperature amount was calculated 20.9 °C for summer months. The maximum and minimum temperature values in summer months were recorded 33.5 °C and 7.7 °C respectively. The study was performed on long term rainfall and temperature data sets in order to investigate the transformations effects on soil and water resources, and that was obvious the rainfall data did not follow an increasing slope within different years, but a serious additive trend was observed in the average, maximum and minimum long term temperature amounts. Moreover along with the increasing temperature rate at the region, the growing surface water vaporing was recorded. The gradual reduction of rainfall amounts causes some difficulties in solution and absorption of fertilizer nutrient elements by plants and in addition leads to unsufficient amounts of soil moisture in dry farming lands.

1-13

Authors: İlyas BOLAT1*, Ömer KARA2 , Metin TUNAY3

A significant parameter that links plants to soil is microbial biomass. Therefore, measurement of the biologically-active fractions of the soil organic matter, such as microbial biomass C, N and P, is a good way to quantify the quality of the soil. In this study, the seasonal dynamics of microbial biomass C, N and P and associated microbial properties were investigated in the forest’s floor (litter, fermentation and humus) and topsoil (0 – 5 cm) under a stand of Bornmullerian fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf.). According to One-Way ANOVA, the study showed that seasonal changes have a significant effect on the quantities of microbial biomass C, N and P and associated microbial properties in the forest’s floor and soil. For example, the greatest amounts of microbial biomass C, N and P in the forest’s floor and topsoil occurred during summer. Also, seasonal variations have significant effects on microbial biomass C, N and P in the forest’s floor and soil because they alter the climate and chemical characteristics of the soil. Annual releases of C, N and P through microbial biomass were higher in the forest’s floor than in soil. The results of this study indicated that variations in the microbial biomass and basal respiration during the different seasons are related to changes microbial activity.

22-28

Authors: Wang Xiao HONG 1*

Phyllostachys heteroclada olive (P. Het) and Neosinocalamus affinis King (N. Aff) flowered from 2003 to 2007 in Ya’an district in China. We determined metabolism indices of these two bamboo species, and analyzed the key flowering metabolism factors by PCA (principal component analysis). The result showed that GA (Gibberellin), GA/ABA (Gibberellin/Abscisic Acid) were the most important factors of bamboo flowering, followed by starch, amylase activity and soluble sugar, all of which were positively correlated with bamboo flowering. ZT (Zeatin) was negatively correlated to bamboo flowering, it obstructed bamboo flowering and contributed to bamboo flower reversion. Based on the above and former research, we built a bamboo flowering model which showed that bamboo flowering is a long and complicated process. External factors, especially harsh environments such as droughts and high temperatures and internal mechanisms such as GA, GA/ABA, starch, amylase and soluble sugar would possibly accelerate or terminate growth and florescence, making bamboo florescence highly variable.

1-6

Authors: Nadir Ayrilmis [1] , Alireza Ashori [2]

Natural fibers have received considerable attention as a substitute for synthetic fiber reinforcements in thermoplastics. As replacements for conventional synthetic fibers like aramid and glass fibers, natural fibers are increasingly used for reinforcement in thermoplastics due to their low density, good thermal insulation and mechanical properties, reduced tool wear, unlimited availability, low price, and problem-free disposal. Natural fibers also offer economical and environmental advantages over traditional inorganic reinforcements and fillers. As a result of these advantages, natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites are gaining popularity in automotive, garden decking, fencing, railing, and non-structural building applications, such as exterior window and door profiles, siding. Another class of naturally-sourced reinforcements of recent interest is nanocellulose-based reinforcements. This study provide a short review on developments in the area of cellulose based fibers and nanocellulose and their applications in cellulose fiber based industries such as wood-plastic composites (WPC).

18-23

Authors: Edward D. Wiafe

This paper evaluates the effect of altitude on tree species richness, diversity, growth pattern and tree abundance to assess the responses of tree species to environmental changes. The highest mountain in Ghana, Afadjato, was categorized into three namely, lower elevation (200m -400m ASL), middle elevation (400m-600m ASL) and from 600m ASL and above the mountain as upper elevation. On five transects running from the bottom to the top of the mountain, two 20m by 20m squared plots were laid in each category on any 20m rise in altitude along the gradient of the mountain. All trees greater than 5cm in diameter at 1.3m above ground were identified and measured. The species richness, basal areas of trees and diversity differed in all the three levels of elevation. Tree abundance was found to decrease with increasing altitude. It was thought that these variations could be attributed to the various micro-environmental differences that might have occurred as a result of edaphic and climatic factors. Recommendations have been made for future studies.

1-14

Authors: Edward D. Wiafe

Tree composition, density and diversity were assessed within a monkey sanctuary that has been tempered with by human beings. The study took place in Buabeng-Fiema monkey Sanctuary in Ghana to document the vegetation structure of the non-human primate habitat. The habitat types were stratified into three classes; as natural forest, mixed forest and cultivated area and 20 plots of dimensions 20m x 25m were established in each of the habitat types. All trees ≥ 10 cm diameter at breast height were identified and measured. In the mean number of trees per hectare was 17.5 (S.D=5.5, N=20), 12.7 (S.D=3.6, N=20) and 7.4 (S.D=7.4, N=20) in the natural forest , mixed forest and cultivated area respectively. The diversity, relative density and relative dominance differed in all the three habitat types. Moreover, the number of trees reduced with increasing height and basal area in all the three habitat types. The variations in the three habitat type provide good resources that may be required by the primates for survival but can promote and deepen human-wildlife conflict.

25-34

Authors: A. Sepken Kaptanoğlu Berber1*, Shima Farasat2, Ayten Namli2

In this study afforestation effects on physical, chemical and biological soil properties were investigated in 10 and 23 years old black pine plantations used as grassland previously versus bear area. The results were also evaluated in terms of different landscape positions and soil depths. Afforestation increased electrical conductivity and soil microbial respiration in 23 year old plantation; and decreased organic matter and β-Glucosidase activity in both of 23 and 10 years old plantations. There was no significant difference in phosphatase activity. Soil pH, total carbonates (CaCO3), organic matter, β-Glucosidase and soil microbial respiration were affected by different landscape positions. It was founded that carbonates, pH, and microbial respiration were higher in the south-facing slopes than those of north-facing slopes; organic matter and β-Glucosidase activity were higher in the north-facing slopes. A decrease in organic matter and an increase in phosphatase activity were determined with soil depth.

60-67

Authors: Masashi Konoshima1*, Hiroyuki Hattori1, Atsushi Yoshimoto2

In this study we evaluate and compare different invasive species management scenarios in order to investigate a cost-effective management strategy over space and time. Cost effectiveness matters because budget constraints limit the area that can be treated to mitigate the risk of invasion in any given year. The spatial nature of invasive species spread makes it important to effectively allocate budget resources to control spread over space and time. We develop and use a simulation model to examine and compare the affect of various management strategies on the pattern and extent of invasive species spread, as well as management costs. Our model is based on a biological model that captures the dynamic and spatial aspect of invasion, integrated with a spatially explicit dynamic decision tool. Our model explicitly integrates the tradeoff between management intensity and management cost, and quantifies this tradeoff, which is important information for allocating management efforts efficiently and effectively over space and time.

77-89

Authors: Osman Yalçın Yılmaz1, Orhan Sevgi2, Hüseyin Barış Tecimen2, Serdar Carus3, Ali Kavgacı4, Huseyin Yurtseven1, Ramazan Erdem5

Black pine is very widely distributed in Turkey, with most stands managed by periodic harvesting to meet domestic wood demand. However, scientific knowledge about the spatial structure of stands after thinning is lacking. To correct this deficiency, 12 pure black pine stands in the Alaçam Mountains between 61 and 95 years of age were investigated. The stands were mapped according to spatial tree distribution and thinning grades were determined by both number of trees per hectare and basal area. The numbers of trees in the stands were between 590 and 2163 (before thinning) and between 269 and 1422 (after thinning). Spatial-structure analyses were carried out before and after thinning using a pair correlation function. Graphical illustrations were extracted and visually assessed. In addition, the total areas below and above the theoretical line (g=1) of the pair correlation functions were calculated, and the effects of thinning on these were determined. No change was observed in the slightly thinned sample stands (17, 35, 38, and 56) and only slight changes in the moderately thinned stands (18, 21, 49. and 53). The most striking differences were detected in the intensively thinned stands (59, 68, 76, and 78). Regular areas have increased in parallel with increased thinning applications. In other respects; clustered areas did not decrease along with the increased thinning. The pair correlation function provides a comprehensive explanation of the effects of thinning on stand spatial structure.