Partial cutting as a conservation alternative for oak (Quercus spp.) forest—Response of bryophytes and lichens on dead wood

Semi-open oak-rich forests may support many species adapted to large trees and coarse woody debris. Currently many oak-rich forests in northern Europe have more or less closed canopies due to lack of natural and cultural disturbances. In these forests, conservation oriented partial harvesting of biofuel may restore a desired forest structure and light regime that potentially may favour many species that have declined during the last century. We quantified effects of such cutting on lichens and bryophytes living on dead wood in southern Sweden, using a design with paired cutting and control plots (each 1 ha) in 15 forests. In each plot we surveyed the same five logs and three stumps before and after harvest (25% of the tree basal area removed). The epixylic species composition shifted towards a flora typical for dryer dead wood. The mean species number of lichens per stump increased (clear effect) and the mean number of bryophytes per stump decreased (nearly significantly) due to harvesting. The species composition, but not species richness, on logs was affected. No increases or decreases in species of conservation concern could be detected. Since the overall negative effects were weak, we suggest that partial harvesting of dense oak forests is compatible with maintenance of the diversity of lichens and bryophytes on dead wood. However, the amount of such forest harvested needs to be carefully assessed in relation to demands of other taxa.     

Use of amino silane coupling agent to improve physical and mechanical properties of UF-bonded wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.) poplar wood particleboard

We evaluated the potential use of amino silane coupling agent(Si NH) to improve physical and mechanical properties of UF-bonded wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.) poplar wood particleboard. We examined the effects of varied content of silane coupling agent content and ratios of straw to poplar wood particles on particleboard properties. The ratios of straw to poplar wood particles were100:0, 85:15, 70:30 and 55:45. Silane coupling agent content was tested at three levels, 0, 5 and 10 %. The experimental panels were tested for their mechanical strength, including modulus of elasticity(MOE), modulus of rupture(MOR), internal bonding(IB) and physical properties according to procedures specified in DIN 68763(Chipboard for special purposes in building construction:concepts, requirements, testing, 1982–03, 1982). All board properties were improved by the addition of silane coupling agent. The use of poplar wood particles had a positive effect on the mechanical properties of wheat straw particleboard but had a negative effect on physical properties(thickness swelling and water absorption).     

Preparation and properties of waste tea leaves particleboard

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive is the main source of formaldehyde emission from UF-bonded boards. The components in waste tea leaves can react with formaldehyde to serve as a raw material in the production of low formaldehyde emission boards. In our study, waste tea leaves and UF adhesive were employed in the preparation of waste tea leaves particleboard (WTLB). An orthogonal experimental method was applied to investigate the effects of process parameters on formaldehyde emission and mechanical properties of WTLB. The results indicated that: 1) waste tea leaves had the ability to abate formaldehyde emission from boards; and 2) density of the WTLB was a significant factor affecting its modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bonding (IB).     

A multiple criteria analysis of factors affecting markets of engineered wood products with respect to customer preferences: a case study of particleboard and MDF

Of considerable importance and a principal goal in business is the creation of customer satisfaction. Evalu- ation of end user preferences for producers of particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) requires indices for the assessment of markets and modification of product quality. However, only sporadic research has been carried out in this field. Therefore, the goal of this survey was to identify indices with respect to the points of view of: 1) consumers in order to select particleboard and MDF, 2) suppliers in order to consider production strategies, improve product quality, improve competitive ability of domestic producers in the market and help industry to be more customer oriented. This survey consisted of two stages. In the first stage, factors affecting customer preferences in the selection of particleboard and MDF were determined using a Delphi method, with the help of experts and a group of principal users of these prod- ucts. Then these factors were categorized in three groups: qualitative, technical and technological and marketing factors. Furthermore, questionnaires were prepared and distributed among consumers and responses evaluated and weighted by using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) using expert choice software. Our results show that at both stages, the consistency ratio was less than 0.1, indicating that all results and judgments were stable and acceptable. The results obtained from questionnaires about particleboard rank the priorities for factors in the selection by consumers as follows: nail and screw holding ability, homogeneity in structure, edge strength of panel, durability and bending strength. The most important factors for MDF were machinability of panels, homogeneity in structure, nail and screw holding ability, edge strength of panel, durability and bending strength.     

无胶杨木中密度纤维板工艺和结合机理的初步研究

本研究以杨木为原料,NaOH、HNO_3、H_2O_2作活化剂制造无胶中密度纤维板(MDF)。在实验参数范围内,通过数学分析得到了最优工艺条件;在温度变化条件下用电子自旋共振波谱测得的自由基浓度及其变化,对无胶胶合的结合机理进行了初步探讨。     

椰子大害虫-锈色棕榈象及其近缘种的鉴别(鞘翅目:象虫科)

锈色棕榈象Rhynchophorus ferrugineus(Oliver)隶属于鞘翅目Coleoptera 象虫科Curculionidae,近年在海南省严重危害椰子，文章介绍了该虫与同属近缘种美洲棕榈象Rhynchophorus palmarum（L.）等成虫，幼虫和蛹在形态特征上的区别。     

A model of supplying poplar wood for Iranian paper ＆ wood factories

The objective of this research is to design a method for an appropriate alternative to supply poplar wood as raw material for wood and paper factories in Iran.Due to the destruction of the forests and lack of proper plantation,replacement of the forest wood by the fast growing wood is vital to satisfy all requirements of these factories.A hierarchy was used to prioritize benefits,opportunities,costs and risks (BOCR) using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) ratings approach.To evaluate the "control criteria" of the system,a control hierarchy was also created and prioritized by applying the Analytic Network Process (ANP).A total of four major control criteria in the system are prioritized where each one controls a network structure evaluated by using ANP.The final synthesis results of the system showed that internal poplar tree farming supplied by the forest product factories was the best choice among three potential alternatives (factory procurement,external procurement and mix procurement).     

Accumulation of dead wood in abandoned beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in northwestern Germany

Currently, there is much debate about what strategy is most suitable for increasing old-growth attributes in forests that have been managed intensively for wood production in the past. Passive restoration, i.e. cessation of forestry interventions, should be considered when the old-growth attributes desired can be restored within a feasible period of time.Our study focuses on standing and lying coarse dead wood (≥20 cm diameter) in beech-dominated forests in northwestern Germany. We analyzed monitoring data of 545 sample plots (sized 500-1000 m²) from 12 strict forest reserves (SFRs). The SFRs had been without forestry intervention for up to 28 years.Both, number of dead objects and volume of dead wood (m³ ha⁻¹) increased significantly with ongoing time since abandonment from forestry interventions. The mean amount doubled from 9 to 18 m³ ha⁻¹ within 10 years. The proportion of standing dead wood was about 40% of the total dead wood pool ≥20 cm diameter.With mixed linear modeling we showed that dead wood increased by a mean net rate of about 1 m³ ha⁻¹ a⁻¹. Therefore, after three decades critical values for restoring the dead wood pool could be reached. We hypothesized that the rate of dead wood input is mainly determined by disturbance driven tree mortality such as oak decline, bark beetle infestations and storms.A comparison with primeval forests or reserves abandoned more than 100 years ago showed that the SFRs studied are at the beginning of a long process of dead wood accumulation.Based on our results, the abandonment of forest activities in harvestable pure and mixed beech stands is an effective strategy for restoring the dead wood pool.     

松材线虫发病条件的研究概况

研究和综述了寄生松科植物的伞滑刃属(Bursaphelenchus)的线虫23种,松材线虫的寄主松科植物108种、携带昆虫40种及发病的环境条件。     

Physical and mechanical properties of particleboard from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) stalks and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) wood particles

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of particleboard manufactured from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) stalks and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) wood. The manufacturing parameters were various roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) ratios in the mixture (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and press time (3, 5 and 7 min). Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bonding (IB) strength values and thickness swelling (TS) after 24-hour water soaking of the panels were determined according to the procedure of European Union (EN) Standard. The results of the study demonstrate that roselle stalks can be an alternative raw material source for particleboard industry. With an increase of roselle particles from 0% to 100%, the TS was reduced, and the IB, MOR and MOE were increased. The highest MOE, MOR, IB strength and TS values of the samples were found as 2754.18, 16.81, 0.89 N/mm² and 15.26% for the panels made using 100% roselle with a 7-min press time, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of wood/montmorillonite nanocomposites

With montmorillonite (MMT) organically modified as organophilic MMT (OMMT) and water-soluble phenol formaldehyde resin (PF) as intermediate, Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) wood/MMT nanocomposites (WMNC) were prepared via nano intercalation compounding and characterized by XRD, SEM and FTIR. Results show that: 1) the preparation of OMMT is very successful; 2) the self-made PF can effectively intercalate into MMT to increase markably its gallery distance and even exfoliate its nano silicate laminae; 3) the XRD analysis indicates that some exfoliated MMT enters the non-crystallized region of microfibrils in wood cell walls and the crystallinity degree of wood in WMNC decreases; 4) the SEM graphs show that multiform MMT exists in WMNC. Some grains block in wood cell lumen, some layers adhere to the wood surface of the inner cell wall and some exfoliated nanolaminae even insert into wood cell walls; and 5) the FTIR analysis suggests that MMT and wood in WMNC perhaps interact via certain chemical bonding.     

Structure and characterization of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) wood/MMT intercalation nanocomposite (WMNC)

With water-soluble phenol-formaldehyde resin as an intermediate, Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) wood/montmorillonite nanocomposite (WMNC) was prepared through vacuum impregnation and characterized with XRD, SEM, FTIR and TG-DTA analyses. The XRD analysis indicated that the wood crystallinity of WMNC decreased, the MMT exfoliated and some nano silicate layers entered into the non-crystallized microfibrillar region of the wood cell wall. Wood structure is anisotropic and its impregnation is anisotropic. Due to the nonuniformity of the MMT organic modification, PF intercalation and wood impregnation, the MMT configuration and distribution in wood were diverse. The SEM graphs of WMNC showed that some silicate grains were blocked in the wood cell lumen, some silicate layers adhered to the inner surface of the wood cell wall, and some exfoliated MMT layers even penetrated the wood cell wall. The obtained hydroxyl of WMNC increased and its ether linking decreased. It was considered that MMT and wood interacted not only with hydroxyl bonds, but also involved some chemical linking. Compared with untreated wood and the PF-impreg, the pyrolysis process of WMNC changed; its starting decomposing temperature decreased and its pyrolysis weight loss at high temperatures greatly decreased. The WMNC indicated certain nanoeffects of the composition of the inorganic MMT nanolamellae. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2007, 29(1): 131–135 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Gluability of thermally modified beech (Fagus silvatica L.) and birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) wood

Abstract

One of the main disadvantages of wood is hygroscopicity resulting from its polar character. The sorption–desorption of water causes unwanted swelling and shrinkage in wood. Thermal modification substantially reduces this inconvenient feature. Unfortunately, the same chemical changes that reduce water sorption alter the polar character of the material and result in poorer wetting of thermally treated wood by waterborne adhesives. Gluability of thermally modified beech (Fagus silvatica L.) and birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) wood with two commercial amino resins, melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) and melamine–formaldehyde (MF), and a two-component polyurethane (PUR) adhesive was investigated. Both wood species were modified according to two temperature regimes: 160°C and 190°C. Shear strengths of the joints were then determined according to EN 205:2003 standard. The results showed that thermally modified beech and birch wood can be effectively glued not only with commercially available PUR adhesives, but also with aqueous MF and MUF resins. The resultant shear strengths of the joints were limited by the strength of the thermally modified substrate.     

紫胶蚧7种寄主植物“树皮”比较解剖与寄生特性研究

不同寄主植物“树皮”从外向内皆由周皮、皮层、次生韧皮部构成,但是在每层结构中,不同寄主之间存在一定的差异。大叶千斤拔的周皮最薄,光叶合欢的皮层最薄。在栾树和苏门答腊金合欢的周皮中,局部地方木栓层显著加厚,滇刺枣的木栓层角质化呈点状分布。滇刺枣石细胞纤维层最厚,共有4层,聚果榕、苏门答腊金合欢的皮层中未见连续的石细胞纤维层。苏门答腊金合欢的韧皮部最薄,聚果榕的韧皮部最厚,栾树周皮到次生韧皮部的最小距离最短,苏门答腊金合欢到韧皮部的最大距离最短。苏门答腊金合欢筛管在单位面积的分布密度最大。在筛分子具功能区,大叶千斤拔、栾树、滇刺枣射线为单列,偶有多列;聚果榕、光叶合欢、久树射线单列、双列、多列并存;苏门答腊金合欢射线为多列。文中还从寄主植物的韧皮部厚度、节管密度等解剖特征研究了不同寄主树对紫胶蚧的固虫密度和死亡的影响。     

入侵植物紫茎泽兰物候学特征及防控对策

在了解入侵种紫茎泽兰个体发育规律等生活史特征的基础上对比其与当地植物种类在物候学上的差异,发现紫茎泽兰的入侵主要是由于个体发育过程中与大多数本土植物存在明显的时间差。提出在防控其入侵蔓延的实践中,除了保护生态系统的健全与完整以外,应该优先选择与之物候学特征相近的本土植物进行替代治理与预防,实现有效控制紫茎泽兰的入侵危害。     

吉林省各树种(组)材种出材率的研究

采用现场模拟造材方法,建立了各树种(组)单株材种出材率模型,提出了编制单株各树种(组)单株树木材种出材率的基本原理和方法,通过数理统计原理编制吉林省各树种(组)材种出材率。     

Host selection behavior and incidence of the bark beetle Scolytus kashmirensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) attacking elm (Ulmus spp.) trees in Kashmir

The status of the incidence of the bark beetle Scolytus kashmirensis Schedl on elm (Ulmus spp.) trees was determined in four districts of the Kashmir Valley in 2009.The incidence of the borer was higher in the Anantnag (25.93%) and Shopian (22.35%) districts of the Kashmir Valley,followed by the Ganderbal (17.14%) and Baramulla (16.67%) districts.The overall infestation recorded in these districts was 20.52%.The beetle under study chewed the scars on twigs of both the host and tentative non-host plants supplied to them in cages but bored and laid eggs in only one of them (the host plant).Both species of elm,Ulmus wallichiana and U.villosa,were susceptible to borer attacks;however,U.villosa showed low susceptibility and high resistance compared to U.wallichiana.Older,taller elms were preferred for feeding by bark beetles and are therefore much more susceptible to its infestation compared to younger elms.This bark beetle species also preferred to oviposit in branches of the host plants with diameters of 9-12 mm.     

Effects of wood species on degradation rates and bacterial communities in a small-scale biodegradation system for garbage using wood matrices

Simulated organic waste was biodegraded in a laboratory-scale machine using matrices prepared from four wood species to investigate the effects of wood species on the degradation rate and the bacterial community. The degradation rate, estimated by measuring weight loss and CO₂ evolution, was found to be equal among the four wood species. Changes in viable cell counts and microbial communities over time were examined. Viable cell counts were also similar among the wood species, but initial bacterial communities differed owing to differences in wood species, although these communities became similar with time. The sensitivity of isolates to wood extractives was examined using paper discs. The extractive-insensitive bacteria species were dominant at the initial stage of biodegradation. However, occupancy of sensitive bacteria increased with time. It was thought that antibacterial extractives were degraded or inactivated after some time.Part of this report was presented at the 50th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto. Japan, April 2000     

板栗树皮电阻值与枝干病害的关系

利用万用电表对板栗枝干病害的病情程度与树皮电阻值的关系进行了研究。结果表明：在不同的植株间,树皮电阻值随着病情的加重而增加;在同一植株上,树皮电阻值随着树体的高度增加而增大;在树干基部、主枝和梢头三个部位中,电阻值差异比较显著．诙研究为今后板栗乃至其他林木枝干病害研究提供了一种简便易行的新方法。     

Utilization of wood biomass residues from fruit tree branches,evergreen hardwood shrubs,and Greek fir wood as raw materials for particleboard production. Part B. Hygroscopic properties and formaldehyde content

This paper investigates the basic hygroscopic properties and formaldehyde content (FC) of particleboards produced with wood biomass from fruit tree branches and evergreen hardwood shrubs as substitute raw materials for fir particles. One-layer laboratory particleboards with two distinct target densities (0.63 g/cm³ and 0.69 g/cm³) were produced using various mixtures of the above materials. Industrially produced wood particles were also used for comparison purposes. The results showed that the replacement of fir wood (FW) by evergreen hardwood material significantly upgraded board's quality in terms of thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) (except boards with density of 0.63 g/cm³) after immersion in water for 24 h and residual swelling (RS) after reconditioning. The contribution of branch-wood (BW) particles in the production of FW boards with density of 0.63 g/cm³ induced increase of TS, WA, and RS while for boards with density of 0.69 g/cm³ did not result to significant changes except for RS. In terms of FC, boards made of BW and evergreen hardwood showed significantly lower FC compared to those produced by FW and industrial particles.