Leaf-water potential and soil-water depletion of walnut mulched with polyethylene and intercropped with alfalfa in Central Italy

In Italy, new agroforestry cultural models could play an important role in the diffusion of plantation forestry timber species. We studied the stem growth rates and leaf water potentials () of common walnut (Juglans regia L.), and gravimetric soil moisture (_DW) depletion during the third and fourth growing seasons in an agroforestry trial in central Italy. Since the establishment of experimental plots in 1992, walnut was intercropped with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), with or without polyethylene (PE) mulching along tree rows. By the end of the study period, the unmulched-intercropped walnut was almost 68% smaller in stem diameter and height than the sole-unmulched control, demonstrating walnuts sensitivity to alfalfa competition. The competitive effect of alfalfa on walnut stem growth was effectively controlled/reduced by PE mulching. Stem growth rates of mulched-intercropped walnut were always lower than the control, but much higher (ca. 235% in stem diameter and height) than those of unmulched-intercropped walnut. The higher field performance of mulched-intercropped walnut compared to the un- mulched-intercropped treatment was associated with higher soil moisture and predawn and midday values during the summers driest periods. The presence of PE mulching was also associated with lower levels of soil moisture during the early and late growing season, but this did not negatively affect walnut and growth rates. These results suggest that in the climatic conditions of central Italy, competition for soil moisture between young common walnut trees and alfalfa can be substantially lowered, but not completely eliminated, by PE mulching.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Teak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectona grandis</Emphasis> L.) tree growth,stem quality and health in coppiced plantations in Java,Indonesia

Coppicing is an alternative reforestation tool for teak in the tropics, substantially reducing regeneration time/costs and associated demands for labor and seed when available. Growth rates of coppiced material are rapid in most situations, but stem/wood quality is a frequent concern. We compared coppiced teak plantations to paired seed-origin plantations, at ages 3, 8, and 13 years, on Forest State Corporation managed land located in Java, Indonesia. Teak trees were evaluated for height, diameter, lower-bole straightness, and presence of disease in both plantation types and at three ages. Mean height and diameter of trees in coppiced plantations were both significantly greater than that in their paired seed-origin plantations at all three ages. Furthermore, heights and diameters in coppiced plantations were higher than expected based on established growth tables for Java. Coppiced plantations were less symptomatic of disease than seed-origin plantations, which promises better wood production and quality. Lower-bole stems in coppiced plantations developed less straight than those in seed-origin plantations, but these deviations faded with time and will likely become insignificant within a 60-year rotation. Based on these results from existing coppiced plantations in Java, coppiced plantations can make a major contribution to teak production in Indonesia.     

Forest condition and management in Swedish forest commons

Forest commons are regarded as a means to support local development and sustainable forest conditions. To evaluate the development impact of Swedish forest commons, comparative surveys have been undertaken in three regions, and the differences in forest condition and management between categories of commons as well as their relation to other forest ownerships have been assessed. Regional differences between the by-laws, historical development and geographical conditions are apparent. It is concluded that two of three regions have an overly restrictive harvesting policy given the purpose of the forest commons and the official forest policy. The study results underline the importance of evaluation of the performance of forest management in relation to management objectives, to ownership alternatives and to the impact of local variations in preconditions.     

湖南林业科技创新的思考

林业科技创新应根据林业发展的特殊情况和创新要求，建立以大学、科研机构为主体的知识创新体系，以企业为主体的技术创新体系，以政府部门为主体的创新推动体系和以中介机构、学会、协会等组织为主体的中介服务体系。作者从林业创新战略、机遇和挑战、深化科技体制改革、加快林业科技创新体系建设等方面论述了自己的观点。     

发展低碳经济 建设低碳林业

在应对经济与环境的双重危机过程中,发展低碳经济成为推进人类可持续发展的重要共识。林业是发展低碳经济的重要力量,建设低碳林业是我国实现科学发展、建设生态文明、应对气候变化以及解决"三农"问题的重要途径。文中综述了低碳经济发展的理论基础与发展路径,分析了国内外低碳经济的发展现状与趋势,阐述了我国林业所面临的重要低碳发展机遇,指出中国林业应对气候变化的主要建设行动。     

林业专家系统软件开发测试方案的探讨

针对我国林业专家系统设计特点和研究中存在的问题,讨论了林业专家系统软件规范性测试的若干问题.从数据库测试、知识库测试、人工智能领域的测试、维护、健壮性测试等角度,分析研究软件测试技术在开发林业专家系统的应用及重要作用,并通过一个林业专家系统测试实例提出了一套全新的软件测试方案.     

A commentary on current approaches to forest population genetics

Some of the most frequently chosen approaches to forest population genetics as reflected in the present volume are discussed, and some topics possibly deserving more attention are addressed. Among the first are studies of self-fertilization as a characteristic of forest tree mating systems, gene markers as indicators of adaptive or phylogenetic differentiation, and methodological aspects of the measurement of genetic differentiation. The latter mainly concern generalizable methods of analysis and the involvement of gene markers in the determination of mating systems, detection of mechanisms of frequency dependent selection, and the incorporation of genetic profiles (characteristics of frequency distributions of genetic types) into population genetic analysis.     

应用网格技术构建数字林业支撑平台及其Web服务规范的制定

论述网格技术应用在建设数字林业平台支撑环境过程中的作用、原理和结构.运用网格技术可实现数字林业平台基本服务的发布和使用,实现在数字林业平台中关于Web服务标准的建立,实现数字林业支撑平台的基本结构设计.     

浅论首都林业与森林健康

首都林业建设取得了巨大成绩,同时也面临着诸多困难和问题。本文首先介绍和分析了森林健康的概念及思想内涵;其次针对首都林业发展现状,就开展森林健康经营的必要性进行了论述;最后提出如何以培育多功能、多目标、生物多样性丰富的健康森林生态系统为指导,从生态系统健康、经营手段健康和功能目标健康三个方面开展首都森林健康经营工作。     

构建山下林业 铸绿色辉煌——在山下再建一个高效商品林区的思考

吉安山上已绿，山下林业相对薄弱，充分利用全市四旁闲置土地资源，发展山下林业，完全符合吉安市情、林情，抓住机遇，采取措施，再建一个高效商品林区，是林业调整结构、发展产业、实现跨跃式发展的有效途径，也是吉安未来经济发展的增长点之一。