European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) rotation in the Carpathians—A developmental cycle or a linear trend induced by man?

A detailed historical survey was made to assess the impact of humans on fir–beech forests in the northern Carpathians. Research findings are compared with results from repeated tree layer measurements in eight of the most well-preserved reserves of fir–beech stands in the region. Documentary evidence is provided showing that the historical and contemporary spontaneous development of fir–beech stands throughout the northern Carpathians is identical. The replacement of beech by fir occurred predominantly in the period from the 15–18th centuries, primarily due to grazing and litter raking. Starting in the 19th century, fir was replaced predominantly by beech under the influence of changing social conditions, since the dieback of the “grazing” fir generation had not yet been completed. Air pollution damage and other factors in the fir dieback were only secondary accelerating phenomena. These changes of tree species cannot be interpreted as the natural rotation of two beech generations within the life cycle of one fir generation, as has been the previous explanation. The development is rather a linear trend induced by man, which has occurred simultaneously throughout the northern Carpathians. The current dynamics of spontaneous development are affected by the high stock of hoofed game and by the absence or reduced numbers of predators.     

Population structure and distribution pattern of Taxus cuspidata in Muling region of Heilongjiang Province, China

An investigation was conducted on distribution pattern, site condition and population structure of yew Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc. in Muling Forest Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, China in April, 2005. Results showed that yew is mainly distributed under the main storey of natural mixed forest of conifer and broadleaf, the soil moisture content of the yew site is high （40%-60%）, the pH value of soil is relatively lower （4.7-5.5）, and that the population structure of wild yew is not rational, belonging to the degeneration population, which is one of the reasons leading to the population decline. Although the site conditions of Muling area are suitable for the growth of wild yew, the population of wild yew shows a decline tendency, due to the fact that the middle-sized adult yew trees have been cut, young yews are often grazed by wildlife, and that the trunks of adult yew tend to be hollow.     

Spatiotemporal dynamic of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Slovenia, 1970–2005

Based on data acquired from the spatial information system Silva-SI, the majority of the entire forest area in Slovenia (22,220 forest compartments with a total area of 7446 km², classified into eight forest categories) was analysed for changes in the distribution of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the period 1975–2005 using a binary logistic regression model in terms of selected site, stand and management variables. Additionally, changes in the abundance of beech in forest stands in which beech was present at the beginning and the end of the analysed period were analysed. Beech expanded its area by more than 1200 ha per year on average, i.e. the annual expansion rate amounted to 0.24%. Among the 18 studied variables, three site, four stand and no management variables were included in the binary logistic regression model of beech expansion. Beech expansion was more pronounced at lower altitudes, on sites with steep topography, and on sites with a higher proportion of beech in potential natural vegetation. The probability of beech expansion reduced by a factor of 0.54 when the distance to the nearest compartment with beech increased by 1 km. Among other stand variables, the proportion of early successional phases and the proportion of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) also influenced the expansion of beech. During the observed period the growing stock of beech almost doubled, its proportion in total growing stock increasing from 27% to 32%. Significant differences were found in changes of beech proportion in the total growing stock among different forest categories; a decrease in the beech proportion was registered in alpine coniferous forests and thermophilous deciduous forests, while in other forest categories the proportion of beech increased. The recent development of forest stands and their current structure indicate a further expansion of beech and an increase in the proportion of beech in forest stands.     

Effect of citral,eugenol, nerolidol and α-terpineol on the ultrastructural changes of Trichophyton mentagrophytes

The antifungal effects of citral, eugenol, nerolidol and α-terpineol on Trichophyton mentagrophytes were investigated. Citral over 0.1 mg/ml strongly inhibited the hyphal growth of T. mentagrophytes, and the antifungal activity of α-terpineol was less effective. The morphological changes of the fungus exposed to the terpenes were observed by electron microscopy. The hyphae were distorted and collapsed at 0.2, 0.4 and 1 mg/ml of eugenol, nerolidol and α-terpineol respectively, and cell membrane and organelles were irreversibly damaged at 0.2 mg/ml citral.     

A long-term tree-ring chronology over 796 years for silver fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies alba</Emphasis> Mill.) in Southern France

? Key message This paper presents ring width data of silver fir trees (Abies alba Mill.) from buildings and living trees from 1214 to 2009 in southeastern France. A 796-year chronology spanning the period 1214–2009 has been built. Data can be used for dating projects, paleoecology studies, and climate reconstructions. Dataset access is at https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01528324 . Associated metadata is available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/a74b4869-318c-458c-a5fe-f9ff44a5082c      

The essential oil of Eucalyptus tereticornis, and its constituents α- and β-pinene,potentiate acetylcholine-induced contractions in isolated rat trachea

The effects of the essential oil of Eucalyptus tereticornis (EOET), especially the effects of its constituents α- and β-pinene, were studied on rat trachea in vitro. In tracheal rings, EOET, α- or β-pinene potentiated the contractions induced by acetylcholine (ACh). Contractions induced by K⁺ (60 mM) were also potentiated by α- and β-pinene, but were reduced by EOET. Our findings show that EOET has myorelaxant effects on rat airways, but potentiates ACh-induced contractions. Monoterpenes α- and β-pinene are involved in its potentiating actions, but are not responsible for its myorelaxant effects. A putative inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme is involved.     

Classification and distribution of Comastoma (Gentianaceae) in Helan Mountains in China by floristic, ecological and geographical approaches

Four species of the Comastoma genus (Geianaceae) in Helan Mountains between Inner Mongolia and Ningxia Province in China have been recognized by morphological and geographical taxonomy. These four species are C. falcatum (Turcz.) Toyokuni, C. polycladum (Diels et Gilg) T. N. Ho, C. tenellum (Rottb.) Toyokuni and C. acutum (Michx.) Y. Z. Zhao et X. Zhang. Among them, C. tenellum (Rottb.) is a new recorded species and C. acutum (Michx.) Y. Z. Zhao et X. Zhang is a new combination. The floristic, ecological and geographical distribution of each species was analyzed and then a new key of Comastoma in Helan Mountains and the distribution maps have been generated, which will provide a reference for the revision of this genus and the analysis of the flora in Helan Mountains.     

Decadal (2003–2013) changes in liana diversity,abundance and aboveground biomass in four inland tropical dry evergreen forest sites of peninsular India

In 2013, we re-inventoried all lianas(C1 cm diameter measured at 1.3 m from the rooting point) in four1-ha permanent plots distributed one each in four sites of inland tropical dry evergreen forest on the Coromandel Coast(Pudukottai district) of peninsular India, established in 2003. Among the four sites, Shanmuganathapuram(SP)and Araiyapatti(AP) were much disturbed and the other two sites(Karisakkadu—KR and Maramadakki—MM)were moderately disturbed. We inventoried a total of 3425 lianas representing 37 species of 33 genera and 22 families.Over a decade(2003–2013) liana species richness increased at two sites(MM and SP) and no changes occurred at the other two sites. Liana abundance increased by 210, 211, 164 and 162 individuals at sites AP, KR, MM and SP, respectively, and basal area increased(from 1.09 to1.76 m2 at AP, 0.67 to 0.86 m2 at KR, 1.68 to 2.06 m2 at MM, and from 0.44 to 1.06 m2 at SP). Over a 10-year period, three species(Abrus precatorius, Canavalia virosa,and Cocculus hirsutus) were lost and five species(Gloriosa superba, Ampelocissus tomentosa, Capparis sepiaria,Aganosma cymosa and Tiliacora acuminata) were newly added. Total aboveground biomass increased by 18.5, 0.74,3.6 and 9.5 Mg ha-1, respectively, at sites AP, KR, MM and SP.     

Long-term changes of structure and tree species composition in Dinaric uneven-aged forests: are red deer an important factor?

Uneven-aged silver fir-European beech forest stands were studied to (1) analyse the dynamics of diameter structure and tree species composition in the past two centuries and (2) determine the impact of red deer on the regeneration and recruitment of silver fir. The study used current data on forest stands, archival data from old forest management plans for the period 1789–2004, and red deer harvesting records for the period 1907–2006. During the observation period, the silver fir population aged and silver fir and European beech alternated in dominance. The study revealed a strong impact of red deer on the composition and recruitment of tree regeneration, especially on silver fir regeneration. The drastic changes in red deer density (from extermination up to 5.8 animals km⁻²) and past forest management practices were apparently the main factors driving the population dynamics of silver fir (regeneration, recruitment, and diameter structure) in the study area during the past two centuries.     

Contribution of biophysical and climate variables to the spatial distribution of wildfires in IranOA

This study investigated the relationship between climate and biophysical variables in burned areas in Iran.The fire burned area(FBA) product(Fire CCI 5.1.1),land surface temperature(MOD11C3C),vegetation index(MOD13A1),and climate variables such as temperature,wind speed,relative humidity,and volumetric soil moisture from the ERA5 reanalysis dataset were used.Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between biophysical and climate variables and fire occurrence.The re...     

Arabinogalactan protein from Jatropha curcas L. seeds as TGFβ1-mediated inductor of keratinocyte in vitro differentiation and stimulation of GM-CSF,HGF, KGF and in organotypic skin equivalents

Arabinogalactan protein JC from Jatropha curcas seed endosperm (mean molecular weight 140 kDa) was isolated by cold water extraction and characterized concerning sugar and amino acid composition. At 10 and 100 µg/mL JC stimulated mitochondrial activity (MTT test) of human skin cells (HaCaT keratinocytes, fibroblasts) and the ATP status of primary keratinocytes. JC did not influence the cellular proliferation, while primary keratinocytes were triggered into differentiation status. Investigations on a potential mode of action of JC were performed on complex organotypic skin equivalents. JC induced the production of HGF, KGF and TGFβ, with TGFβ being the main inductor for the differentiation-inducing effect of JC. Also the expression of GM-CSF was stimulated strongly by JC.     

Do elevation of CO(2) concentration and nitrogen fertilization alter storage and remobilization of carbon and nitrogen in pedunculate oak saplings?

Soil nitrogen can alter storage and remobilization of carbon and nitrogen in forest trees and affect growth responses to elevated carbon dioxide concentration ([CO(2)]). We investigated these effects in oak saplings (Quercus robur L.) exposed for two years to ambient or twice ambient [CO(2)] in combination with low- (LN, 0.6 mmol N l(-1)) or high-nitrogen (HN, 6.1 mmol N l(-1)) fertilization. Autumn N retranslocation efficiency from senescing leaves was less in HN saplings than in LN saplings, but about 15% of sapling N was lost to the litter. During the dormant season, nonstructural carbohydrates made up 20 to 30% of the dry mass of perennial organs. Starch was stored mainly in large roots where it represented 35-46% of dry mass. Accumulation of starch increased in large roots in response to LN but was unaffected by elevated [CO(2)]. The HN treatment resulted in high concentrations of N-soluble compounds, and this effect was reduced by elevated [CO(2)], which decreased soluble protein N (-17%) and amino acid N (-37%) concentrations in the HN saplings. Carbon and N reserves were labeled with (13)C and (15)N, respectively, at the end of the first year. In the second year, about 20% of labeled C and 50% of labeled N was remobilized for spring growth in all treatments. At the end of leaf expansion, 50-60% of C in HN saplings originated from assimilation versus only 10-20% in LN saplings. In HN saplings only, N uptake occurred, and some newly assimilated N was allocated to new shoots. Through effects on the C and N content of perennial organs, elevated [CO(2)] and HN increased remobilization capacity, thereby supporting multiple shoot flushes, which increased leaf area and subsequent C acquisition in a positive feedback loop.     

Selection of roosting habitats by Nyctalus noctula and Nyctalus leisleri in Białowieża Forest—Adaptive response to forest management?

Tree dwelling bats select cavities in large, old, dying or dead trees. This inevitably brings them into direct conflict with the interests of forest managers, who are trained to fell such trees. Therefore the identification of forest stands providing optimal roosting opportunities for bats is crucial, in order to provide appropriate guidelines for forest management. It is also important to identify the extent to which the roosting ecology of bats changes in response to habitat modification. Bia?owie?a Forest (BF) offers a unique opportunity, in the temperate zone, to observe differences between areas with no direct human intervention and managed areas and in particular to reveal the effect of forest management on the roosting ecology of forest dwelling bat species. We used GIS techniques to evaluate bats’ spatial response to changes in forest structure and to test the hypotheses that the forest dwelling bats Nyctalus noctula and Nyctalus leisleri prefer roost sites within old deciduous or wet woodlands over young and coniferous ones and that roost site preferences reflect the extent to which dead and dying trees are removed. There was a significant difference in the selection of roosting habitat between the managed and pristine areas of the forest. Within the pristine forest, both species displayed a strong preference for roost trees located within old deciduous stands (>100 years), whereas in the managed part of the forest old wet woodland was preferred while all medium and young forest stands were avoided. Our data reveal a high degree of lability in the selection of roosting habitat by bats. It appears that bats are able to respond to changes in their environment by changing their roost site preferences and could therefore occupy habitat previously considered less suitable.     

Stand-replacing wildfires?: The incidence of multi-cohort and single-cohort Eucalyptus regnans and E. obliqua forests in southern Tasmania

The natural age structure of wet eucalypt forest has important implications for biodiversity conservation and the mode of wood production. Southern Tasmanian wet eucalypt forests were sampled to describe age class variation and to test the following hypotheses that relate to it: (1) Eucalyptus regnans stands are more likely to be single-cohort than Eucalyptus obliqua and mixed stands; (2) old-growth trees are associated with multi-cohort wet eucalypt forests; (3) the E. regnans stands are more multi-cohort than Victorian E. regnans stands. Data from 762 stands, all with either E. obliqua or E. regnans were analysed to determine how stand characteristics related to forest type and to the presence of old-growth trees. Over half the stands studied were multi-cohort. Stands with E. regnans had a lesser tendency towards multi-cohortness than stands lacking this species, although most old-growth stands, including those dominated by E. regnans, were multi-cohort. In contrast, most regrowth stands of all species combinations were single-cohort. The proportions of E. regnans stands that were multi-cohort were similar to some estimates from the same type of forest in Victoria. Modifications of forestry regimes in wet eucalypt forests could help to maintain the existence of these biodiverse multi-cohort forests in the landscape.     

Habitat fragmentation and structure and composition of tree populations in a agroforestry landscape (southern Québec,Canada)

A number of forests in agroforestry environments are at risk due to urban development or agricultural expansion. These forests often consist of patches of wooded areas scattered in the agricultural and urban grid, and often constitute green corridors that enable a flow between animal and plant species (migration corridors). This study evaluates the composition and structure of riparian forests in agroforestry areas that are subject to various natural and anthropogenic disturbances. This study aims to understand the dynamics of these riparian forest populations and evaluate the effects of the disturbances on the tree stands (e.g. floods, partial cutting), while taking into account their development over space and time based on a diachronic assessment from 1945 to 2010. Although these woodlands are subject to various disturbances, a fairly large diversity of tree species can be noted, and the regeneration of the saplings and small trees follows a normal growth curve (asymmetric) with a high contingency of young tree population comparable to a typical reverse-J distribution. However, lower densities are observed for riparian stands subject to frequent flooding, which could over time compromise recruitment and forest regeneration for some tree species (e.g. woody plants with weak adaptive strategies). The multivariate analyses (Redundancy Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis) conducted over all the soil, environmental and forest data reveal that some variables are more strongly related to the composition of the forest populations, including pH, ground litter and soil drainage. However, these variables must still be considered as being part of a set of interacting soil conditions. Lastly, the future of these woodlands may appear uncertain because there are no government policies or measures to ensure their protection and preservation.     

Study on the structure–function relationship of 20(S)-panaxadiol and its epimeric derivatives in myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol

This study was aimed to investigate structure–function relationship of 20(S)-panaxadiol (PD) and its epimeric derivatives ((20S, 24S)-epoxy-dammarane-3β, 12β, 25-triol, PDD1 and (20S, 24R)-epoxy-dammarane-3β, 12β, 25-triol, PDD2) in myocardial ischemia injury in rats. It was shown that PD and PDD2 resulted in a reduction in creatine kinase activity. PD and PDD2 inhibited the elevation of malondialdehyde content, the reduction of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. The pathohistological changes were ameliorated by PD and PDD2. The configuration of C-24 of funan ring was linked to the pharmacological action of 20(S)-panaxadiol and its epimeric derivatives.     

Patterns of Ips cembrae(Herr) infestation on trap and standing trees of European larch(Larix decidua Mill.)OA

The large larch beetle,Ips cembrae,is a significant pest causing the death of larch.In 2020,the attack density of I.cembrae on larch trap trees and standing trees was evaluated using sample sections placed along the trunk.As a defensive measure against I.cembrae,trap trees were highly effective in both spring and summer.The attack density increased with increasing trap tree surface area/volume.Galleries were established evenly throughout the entire trunk including the thin upper portion.When the...     

Does harvest residue management influence biomass and nutrient accumulation in understory vegetation of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantations in a Mediterranean environment?

The effect of harvest residue management options on biomass and nutrient accumulation in understory vegetation, as well as the contribution of understory to nutrient cycling, were assessed during the early rotation stage of a Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantation in Central Portugal. The effects of residue management options on early tree growth were also evaluated. Treatments established at the time of plantation and replicated four times in a simple completely randomised design included removal of harvest residues (R), incorporation of residues into the soil by harrowing (I) and maintenance of residues on the soil surface (S). Understory biomass was sampled in the spring between 2002 and 2006, and every 2 months between March 2006 and March 2007. The latter samples were stratified into biomass, standing dead mass and litter for net above ground primary production (NAPP) assessment. Samples were oven dried, weighed and analysed for nutrient contents. Results showed that understory standing biomass strongly increased from the first to the third year and that quantities of nutrients accumulated in ground vegetation followed similar patterns between the three treatments. Nutrient accumulation in ground vegetation was greater than in tree biomass until at least the second spring after plantation. Bimonthly sampling revealed treatment R to have the largest amounts of standing biomass, standing dead mass, litter and nutrient immobilisation, while treatment S exhibited the lowest values. NAPP (4th–5th year) was 639, 511 and 362 g m⁻² year⁻¹, respectively in R, I and S, corresponding the standing biomass increase to 277, 183 and 143 g m⁻² year⁻¹. These values are comparable to those observed for litter fall in similar stands (age and tree density) in the same area. The contribution of ground vegetation to nutrient accumulation in the system was unaffected by harvest residue management methods, but further research is necessary in order to establish whether slash management options influence long term tree growth and vegetation dynamics.     

Development,differentiation,and material distribution of secondary phloem in Pinus massonianaOA

Phloem is the woody tissue for the storage and long-distance transport of organic matter in vascular bundles.To reveal the process of secondary phloem development and differentiation in Pinus massoniana,the structure of the secondary phloem and the distribution of cell inclusions were observed by histochemical staining,spontaneous fluorescence of phenolic substances and cell segregation.Based on tissue development and differentiation characteristics of P.massoniana secondary phloem,the secondary...     

Ontogenetic changes in water-use efficiency (δC) and leaf traits differ among tree species growing in a semiarid region of the Loess Plateau,China

On the Loess Plateau, China, several planted tree species such as Populus hopeinsis and Robinia pseudoacacia suffer occasional diebacks in the top shoots, reducing growth rates after maturation. However, this does not usually occur in other species, e.g., Ulmus pumila and Zizyphus jujuba. We compared stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) as indicators of leaf water-use efficiency (WUE), leaf mass per unit area (LMA), and leaf area- and mass-based nitrogen content (N_area and N_mass) by tree height (1, 5, and 10 m) in P. hopeinsis, R. pseudoacacia, U. pumila, and Z. jujuba. In P. hopeinsis and R. pseudoacacia, leaf δ¹³C and N_area were significantly lower in 10-m trees than in 1-m saplings, indicating that leaf WUE and photosynthetic rates of both species decreased with tree height. In contrast, δ¹³C in Z. jujuba varied little with tree height. The δ¹³C of 10-m-tall U. pumila trees was significantly higher than that of 1-m plants, demonstrating an increase in WUE with tree height. Decreasing WUE, leaf N_area, and N_mass with height increases in P. hopeinsis and R. pseudoacacia may be related to water and nutrient limitations for these species in semiarid regions. In contrast, stable or increasing δ¹³C with tree height in U. pumila and Z. jujuba may account (to some extent) for successful production of these species under identical environmental conditions. Diameter growth rate also decreased with maturity in P. hopeinsis and R. pseudoacacia, but increased or was stable for U. pumila and Z. jujuba. The differences in leaf WUE and LMA among species with tree maturity may be related to species’ growth patterns and susceptibility to drought stress, and are likely to be important new criteria for plantation species selection on the Loess Plateau.