Tropical forest fragmentation and greenhouse gas emissions

Rainforest fragments in central Amazonia have been found to experience a marked loss of above-ground biomass caused by sharply increased rates of tree mortality and damage near fragment margins. These findings suggest that fragmentation of tropical forests is likely to increase emissions of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases above and beyond that caused by deforestation per se. We estimated committed carbon emissions from deforestation and fragmentation in Amazonia, using three simulated models of landscape change: a ‘Rondônia scenario,' which mimicked settlement schemes of small farmers in the southern Amazon; a ‘Pará scenario,' which imitated large cattle ranches in the eastern Amazon; and a ‘random scenario,' in which forest tracts were cleared randomly. Estimates of carbon emissions for specific landscapes were from 0.3 to 42% too low, depending on the amount and spatial pattern of clearing, when based solely on deforestation. Because they created irregular habitat edges or many forest perforations which increased tree mortality, the Rondônia and random-clearing scenarios produced 2–5 times more fragmentation-induced carbon emissions than did the Pará scenario, for any given level of clearing. Using current estimates of forest conversion, our simulations suggest that committed carbon emissions from forest fragmentation alone will range from 3.0 to 15.6 million t/year in the Brazilian Amazon, and from 22 to 149 million t/year for tropical forests globally.     

Rapid wood liquefaction by supercritical phenol

Wood was rapidly liquefied at the supercritical temperature of phenol. Under these conditions, wood was liquefied by over 90% for 0.5 min, and the combined phenol content of the obtained liquefied wood reached about 75%. The effects of various reaction conditions on liquefaction were investigated. With increases in reaction temperature, phenol/wood weight ratio, and the charged mass-to-reactor capacity (w/v) ratio, the amount of methanol-insoluble residue decreased and combined phenol content increased. The range of molecular weights and polydispersity of the products obtained after the time at which sufficient liquefaction was achieved were from 400 to 600 and from 1.5 to 2.5, respectively. Wood showed a marked decomposition to low molecular weight components early in the reaction, and then the molecular weight increased slightly with increasing reaction time. The properties of liquefied wood were investigated and compared with those obtained with conventional liquefaction methods. Combined phenol content was similar to that obtained by other liquefaction methods, except the sulfuric acid–catalyzed method, which resulted in flow properties comparable to those of other liquefaction methods. The flexural strength of moldings prepared using liquefied wood was also comparable to those prepared by other liquefaction methods.     

Dynamics of soil-derived greenhouse gas emissions from shelterbelts under elevated soil moisture conditions in a semi-arid prairie environment

Soil moisture is known to be a major control of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural soils. However, there is little data regarding GHG exchange from the organic matter-rich soils characteristic of shelterbelts—especially under elevated soil moisture conditions. In the present study, we quantified CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O fluxes from shelterbelts under elevated soil moisture (irrigated) and semi-arid (rainfed) conditions. Studies were carried out at the Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre (CSIDC) near Outlook, Saskatchewan. Non-steady state vented chambers were used to monitor soil GHG fluxes from three shelterbelts in 2013 and 2014. The shelterbelts consisted of a single row of caragana with a north–south orientation and a single row of Scots pine with either a north–south or east–west orientation. Each shelterbelt was divided into two areas based on whether or not it received irrigation. During the 2-year study period, N₂O emissions from the irrigated shelterbelts (IR-SB) (0.93 kg N₂O-N ha^?1) were significantly greater than those from the rainfed shelterbelts (RF-SB) (0.49 kg N₂O-N ha^?1). Soil CH₄ oxidation was significantly lower in the IR-SB compared to the RF-SB (?0.85 and ?1.20 kg CH₄-C ha^?1, respectively). Irrigation activities stimulated CO₂ production/emission in 2014, but had no effect on CO₂ emissions during the much drier 2013 season. Correlation analyses indicate a strong dependence of CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes on soil moisture in both IR-SB and RF-SB sites. There was a significant relationship between N₂O emissions and soil moisture for the IR-SB sites in 2013; however, no such relationship was observed in either the IR-SB or RF-SB sites in 2014. Our study suggests that changes in precipitation patterns and soil moisture regime due to climate change could affect soil-atmosphere exchange of GHGs in shelterbelts; however, elevated soil moisture effect on GHG emissions will depend on the availability of N and C in the shelterbelts.     

Converting conventional agriculture to poplar bioenergy crops: soil greenhouse gas flux

Conversion of agricultural fields to bioenergy crops can affect greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Soil GHG emissions were measured seasonally in poplar bioenergy and agricultural fields at three Northwestern US locations. A forest stand was also used at one location for comparison. A portable gas analyzer was used to measure CO₂ efflux and CH₄ and N₂O fluxes were first measured with chambers and later with gradients. Agricultural soil had 17% larger CO₂ efflux rates than poplar soil. Chamber fluxes showed no differences in CH₄ uptake but did show higher N₂O fluxes in poplar than agricultural soil. Gradient CH₄ uptake rates were highest in agricultural soil in the summer but showed no N₂O flux differences. Forest soils had smaller quarterly CO₂ efflux rates than agricultural soils and greater CH₄ uptake rates than poplar soils. The largest GHG contributor to soil GHG flux was CO₂, with those being ～1000 times larger than CH₄ flux rates and ～500 times larger than N₂O flux rates based on CO₂ equivalences. Converting conventional agricultural cropland to poplar bioenergy production does not have adverse effects on soil greenhouse gas flux and these results could be useful for modeling or life cycle analysis of land use conversion.     

Minimizing driving times and greenhouse gas emissions in timber transport with a near-exact solution approach

Abstract

Efficient transport of timber for supplying industrial conversion and biomass power plants is a crucial factor for competitiveness in the forest industry. Throughout the recent years minimizing driving times has been the main focus of optimizations in this field. In addition to this aim the objective of reducing environmental impacts, represented by carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ e) emissions, is discussed. The underlying problem is formulated as a multi-depot vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery and time windows (MDVRPPDTW) and a new iterative solution method is proposed. For the numerical studies, real-life data are used to generate test instances of different scales concerning the supply chain of biomass power plants. Small ones are taken to validate the optimality of the new approach. Medium and large test instances are solved with respect to minimizing driving times and fuel consumptions separately. This study shows that the selection of the objective of minimizing fuel consumption leads to a significant reduction of CO₂ e emissions compared to a minimization of driving times.     

Effects of phosphoric acid on liquefaction of wood in phenol and optimum liquefaction processing parameters

To clarify the influencing factors of liquefaction of wood in phenol using phosphoric acid as a catalyst and get its liquefaction technology, a study on the liquefaction technology of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) and poplar (triploid Populus tomentosa Carr) under different conditions was conducted. The results indicate that the residue rate decreases with the increase of liquefaction temperature, liquefaction time, catalyst content or liquid ratio. It is also found that the optimum condition of liquefaction for poplar is estimated as: the reaction temperature of 180 ℃, the reaction time of 2.5 h, liquid ratio (phenol/wood ratio)of 4.5 and catalyst content of 8%, and 4.2% residue rate could be obtained. Under the processing parameters of temperature 180 ℃, the reaction time of 2.5 h, liquid ratio (phenol/wood ratio) of 4 and catalyst content of 10%, the residue rate of Chinese fir can reach 5.6%.     

思茅松的苯酚液化及树脂化研究

研究了硫酸催化条件下,将恩茅松在苯酚中液化用于制备酚醛树脂的技术工艺,分析了各工艺参数对思茅松液化效率的影响,测定了由液化产物制备的液化木基酚醛树脂的物理化学性质和胶合强度。结论如下：1）．液比、反应温度、时间和木粉目数是影响液化反应效率的重要因素,液化产物的残渣率均随上述工艺参数值的升高而降低。2）．残渣含量对树脂物化性质和胶合强度均有影响,残渣含量降低,树脂粘度减小,聚合时间缩短,游离酚含量降低,胶合强度升高。3）．甲醛／苯酚摩尔比对树脂的物化性质和胶合强度也有影响,甲醛／苯酚摩尔比增加,树脂粘度增加,聚合时间减少,游离酚含量减低,胶合强度升高。     

木材液化的发展现状及研究前景

1 木材液化的方法 1.1 化学改性后液化法 木材化学改性主要是为了引入取代基,增加木材组织内的自由空间,加上改性反应过程中木素网络结构的断裂,引起木材体积的溶胀,降低木材组分分子间的相互作用力,降低了液化温度.木材化学改性方法包括烷基化、酰化、酯化或醚化等.依据化学处理木材不同的特性,其可在中性水、有机溶剂或者有机溶液中液化,并由此制备新的高分子材料.     

Effects of inorganic acid catalysts on liquefaction of wood in phenol

In order to obtain the effects of acid catalysts on wood liquefaction in phenol, we investigated the liquefaction of wood powder from Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) and poplar (Triploid Populus tomentosa Carr) in the presence of phenol with the following weak inorganic acids as catalysts: phosphoric acid (85%), sulfuric acid (36%), hydrochloric acid (37%) and oxalic acid (99.5%). Results show that phosphoric acid (85%) and sulfuric acid (36%) are better than the other catalysts. It was found that lower residue ratios can be obtained under defined reaction conditions: phenol/wood ratio is 4, a 10% catalyst based on the weight of phenol, a temperature of 150°C for 2 h and phosphoric or sulfuric acid. The residue ratios are 3.2% and 4.0%, respectively. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2004, 26(5) [译自: 北京林业大学学报, 2004, 26(5)]     

Greenhouse gas emissions of two mechanised wood harvesting methods in comparison with the use of draft horses for logging

In this investigation, three different methods for the harvesting of spruce under otherwise identical conditions were analysed with respect to their greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output: a partially mechanised method using motor saws and draft horses, a more highly mechanised method using motor saws and a forestry tractor and a fully mechanised method with a harvester and forwarder. All the sub-steps from the harvesting of the fallen trees to the transportation to the road were included in the investigated greenhouse gas audit, which followed the rules of a streamlined life cycle assessment. The lowest greenhouse gas emissions were produced by the partially mechanised method (305.7?kg?CO₂e?ha^?1), followed by the more highly mechanised method (510.5?kg?CO₂e?ha^?1) and by the fully mechanised method (554.3?kg?CO₂e?ha^?1). The greatest proportion of the greenhouse gas audit within each method was taken up by the fuel, lubricant and hydraulic oil utilisation. In the horse audit, transportation to and from the site of operation caused the greatest effect (60%). With these results, it could be confirmed that horses when used for logging could be assessed as being more positive with respect to their climate friendliness than large-scale machines despite their lower harvesting capacity per hectare of spruce. However, as this study did not take all environmental impacts into consideration, this relatively better environmental audit for draft horses could be changed when other environmental impacts (e.g. land use) are also included. This possibility should be investigated in further investigations.     

防治松材线虫病的室内药剂筛选

采用40％克线磷乳油、3％克百威颗粒剂、35％阿维菌素乳油及4．5％高效氯氰菊酯乳油4种药剂，分别以6种浓度梯度对松材线虫进行室内药剂生测，初步筛选出防效较好的药剂为40％克线磷乳油，其最佳的使用浓度为200mg／L。     

Detection of wood density by using a DOE sensor

HeNe laser light components scattered through small wood samples from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were investigated using a diffractive optical element (DOE) sensor and the optical signals compared with optical density data extracted from x-ray negatives of the respective samples. Good agreement between the x-ray and optical signals was observed with respect to the gravimetric density of the Scots pine samples. Received 20 January 1999     

Post-fire soil respiration in relation to burnt wood management in a Mediterranean mountain ecosystem

After a wildfire, the management of burnt wood may determine microclimatic conditions and microbiological activity with the potential to affect soil respiration. To experimentally analyze the effect on soil respiration, we manipulated a recently burned pine forest in a Mediterranean mountain (Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park, SE Spain). Three representative treatments of post-fire burnt wood management were established at two elevations: (1) “salvage logging” (SL), where all trees were cut, trunks removed, and branches chipped; (2) “non-intervention” (NI), leaving all burnt trees standing; and (3) “cut plus lopping” (CL), a treatment where burnt trees were felled, with the main branches lopped off, but left in situ partially covering the ground surface. Seasonal measurements were carried out over the course of two years. In addition, we performed continuous diurnal campaigns and an irrigation experiment to ascertain the roles of soil temperature and moisture in determining CO₂ fluxes across treatments. Soil CO₂ fluxes were highest in CL (average of 3.34 ± 0.19 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and the lowest in SL (2.21 ± 0.11 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Across seasons, basal values were registered during summer (average of 1.46 ± 0.04 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), but increased during the humid seasons (up to 10.07 ± 1.08 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in spring in CL). Seasonal and treatment patterns were consistent at the two elevations (1477 and 2317 m a.s.l.), although respiration was half as high at the higher altitude.Respiration was mainly controlled by soil moisture. Watering during the summer drought boosted CO₂ effluxes (up to 37 ± 6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ just after water addition), which then decreased to basal values as the soil dried. About 64% of CO₂ emissions during the first 24 h could be attributed to the degasification of soil pores, with the rest likely related to biological processes. The patterns of CO₂ effluxes under experimental watering were similar to the seasonal tendencies, with the highest pulse in CL. Temperature, however, had a weak effect on soil respiration, with Q₁₀ values of ca. 1 across seasons and soil moisture conditions. These results represent a first step towards illustrating the effects of post-fire burnt wood management on soil respiration, and eventually carbon sequestration.     

Knots detection in wood using microwaves

This work describes a microwave technique used to generate and process data on knots in wood prior to processing. The experimental design was a simple system composed of a microwave emitter and receiver used to scan the wood samples with knots. Signals were calibrated and amplified, and then a data storage and graphic visualization were performed. A PCL-711 data acquisition card was used in conjunction with data acquisition software. The preliminary results obtained for the studied wood samples were viewed in 2- and 3-dimensional graphics, showing a strong relation with the visual inspection of the samples.     

Soil greenhouse gas emissions from agroforestry and other land uses under different moisture regimes in lower Missouri River Floodplain soils: a laboratory approach

Changes in land use management practices may have multiple effects on microclimate and soil properties that affect soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Soil surface GHG emissions need to be better quantified in order to assess the total environmental costs of current and possible alternative land uses in the Missouri River Floodplain (MRF). The objective of this study was to evaluate soil GHG emissions (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) in MRF soils under long-term agroforestry (AF), row-crop agriculture (AG) and riparian forest (FOR) systems in response to differences in soil water content, land use, and N fertilizer inputs. Intact soil cores were obtained from all three land use systems and incubated under constant temperature conditions for a period of 94 days using randomized complete block design with three replications. Cores were subjected to three different water regimes: flooded (FLD), optimal for CO₂ efflux (OPT), and fluctuating. Additional N fertilizer treatments for the AG and AF land uses were included during the incubation and designated as AG-N and AF-N, respectively. Soil CO₂ and N₂O emissions were affected by the land use systems and soil moisture regimes. The AF land use resulted in significantly lower cumulative soil CO₂ and N₂O emissions than FOR soils under the OPT water regime. Nitrogen application to AG and AF did not increase cumulative soil CO₂ emissions. FLD resulted in the highest soil N₂O and CH₄ emissions, but did not cause any increases in soil cumulative CO₂ emissions compared to OPT water regime conditions. Cumulative soil CO₂ and N₂O emissions were positively correlated with soil pH. Soil cumulative soil CH₄ emissions were only affected by water regimes and strongly correlated with soil redox potential.     

Connection of growth and wood density with wood anatomy in downy birch grown in two different soil types

Soil affects the anatomy of downy birch wood (Betula pubescens), which raises the question whether the growth of this species differs between mineral and peat soils. The aim of this study was to compare growth, density and structure of xylem of B. pubescens between trees grown in different soils. Both growth and density differed between trees grown in different soils. All measured anatomical characteristics, except double thickness of fibre walls, percentage vessel area and ray number, showed differences between the soil types: the cell dimensions were larger and numbers smaller in trees grown in mineral soil. In peat, high growth rates decreased the wall:lumen ratio of fibres in maturing wood, while no such correlation was observed in trees grown in mineral soil at any studied cambial age. In addition, axial parenchyma may have a different role in trees grown in different soils, as the rapid growth decreased and increased axial parenchyma in mineral and peat soil, respectively. The characteristics affecting wood strength were more similar between trees grown in different soils than those affecting water conductance. The observed differences between trees grown in different soils emphasise rapid growth particularly at young ages and shorter reasonable rotation period in mineral soil.