Most of world's forests of different climates have a history of fire, but with different severities. Fire regimes for broadleaf deciduous forests have return intervals that vary from many decades (or less) to centuries (or more). Iran has a total of 1.2 million ha of temperate forest in the north, where fires burn about 300–400 ha annually. This study focused on the impact of fire on forest structure, tree species quality, and regeneration composition (specially beech) in the Chelir forest of northern Iran. The results showed that forest fires changed the structure and had different effects on tree species composition between burned and control areas. Thin barked species such as oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and coliseum maple (Acer cappadocicum Gled.) have been affected more than those with thick bark, like hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) and chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey). The density of oriental beech regeneration in the unburned area was greater than in the burned area, while the quantity of regeneration of hornbeam, coliseum maple and velvet maple (Acer velutinum Boiss) was higher in burned area. Forest fire had a greater effect on oriental beech quality, and changed regeneration composition in the burned area. Fire prevention activities should be considered as a silvicultural treatment for preserving these valuable forests. 相似文献
Maple sugar and maple syrup have long been important non-timber forest products in North America. We examined the historical and the scientific literature to determine the long-term sustainability of the industry in an economic, an ecological, and a cultural context. During the 18th and 19th centuries, maple sugar was an inexpensive substitute for cane sugar and a cash crop that fit into the work schedule of the northern farmer. Maple syrup replaced maple sugar as the mainstay of the industry at the end of the 19th century as increasingly cheaper cane sugar and other sweeteners undercut the sugar market. Active government intervention and support have made Quebec the major bulk supplier of maple syrup today. Quebec alone produces approximately 80% of the world’s supply of maple products. A series of good sap years and production in excess of demand, however, has recently reduced the price of bulk syrup and the profit of producers in Quebec. Producers in the United States have focused on the more lucrative and price stable retail syrup market.
Farming practices in the late 18th and early 19th centuries tended to clear away sugar maple on the more fertile, level sites and preserve sugar maple as a source of fuel wood, sugar and syrup on the less accessible, marginal sites. The crude tapping procedures employed at the same time often killed the trees. Widespread grazing in the 20th century and more recently diameter-limit cutting of even-aged stands have hindered the regeneration of the sugarbush. An emphasis on monocultures and global warming currently threatens the sustainability of the sugarbush. On the whole, however, the maple products industry has probably increased sugar maple’s representation in the forest. From a cultural standpoint, the industry represents a positive work experience that unites families, connects one to the land, and provides a sense of continuity with the past. 相似文献
Capsaicins, present in most hot sauces and salsas, are responsible for the “hot” sensation in many spicy foods. At high doses, capsaicins cause significant discomfort upon contact with the sensitive tissues of the mouth and throat of mammals. By applying a capsaicin containing paste to the outside of maple tree sap collection tubing, operators hope to minimize rodent (primarily red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) gnawing damage to the tubing. However, some operators and sap processors have expressed concern regarding the potential migration of capsaicins through the tubing and into the tree sap, leading to contaminated maple syrup. To address these concerns, we filled a variety of new and used sap collection tubing with maple sap, plugged the ends, and coated the tubing with a commercially available capsaicin-based rodent repellent paste. Following storage, the contents of the tubes were carefully removed and subjected to a solid-phase extraction clean-up process. Capsaicins in the sap were then quantified by high performance liquid chromatography/fluorescence detection. Results indicate that polyethylene tubing was more resistant to capsaicins migration than was polyvinyl tubing. While capsaicins were detected in the sap, the predicted levels in syrup would be below the human taste threshold. 相似文献