Fungal decay of dead elms

The pattern of decay developing in Ulmns procera killed by Ceratocystis ulmi was examined. Flammulina velutipes had caused some decay and discolouration in most trees which had been dead for more than two years. Decay caused by Pleurotus sapidus was less common. Pleurotus palmatus was frequently isolated from wood in the upper trunk showing no visible deterioration. Trees should be felled within two years of death in order to retain the value of their timber.     

In vitro antagonism of Trichoderma and naturally occurring fungi from elms against Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi

The antagonist ability of four fungal endophytes isolated from elms (Trichoderma atroviride GF13, Diaporthe eres GF2, Diplodia ulmi GF5 and Alternaria alternata GF6) and two fungi from a collection (Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma virens) was evaluated against six strains of Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi (1, 10, 19, 32, 43 and O‐Va), the causal agent of Dutch elm disease. Dual culture tests were established in PDA and MA culture media to test the interactions between pathogenic fungi and potential antagonist ones. The fungi showed varying levels of antagonist capacity against O. novo‐ulmi. Among them, T. atroviride and T. harzianum had the greatest inhibiting effect (around 50%). Culture filtrates and previously inoculated cellophane discs from T. harzianum and T. atroviride also caused growth inhibition of O. novo‐ulmi, with less intensity in strains 10 and 19. The control mechanisms involved in the process were competition, mycoparasitism and the production of soluble and diffusible antifungal metabolites. The new isolate T. atroviride GF13 was efficient as antagonist. It showed antagonist ability against non‐elm‐derived fungi such as Verticillium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Penicillium. These results suggest interesting application possibilities in the biological control of Dutch elm disease.     

Forestry in South Wales

The physiography of the study area is described. Forestry developmentis described against the historical background. Emphasis isplaced on the great challenge of redesigning first rotationplantations to bring about the transition to environmentallyrich forests. Those of the Valleys in particular offer a uniqueopportunity to deliver a range of benefits to the huge populationsliving close by. The special role of trees in land reclamationis described. As in much of Britain wood production from existingplantations is set to rise substantially over the next decade,offering possibilities for increased activity in the whole wood-usingsector.     

The Potential for Using Sewage Sludge in Forestry in England and Wales

The potential for using sewage sludge as a forest fertilizeron nutrient-deficient sites in England and Wales is evaluatedas the first part of a study covering the whole of Great Britain.Suitable areas within Forestry Commission forests are assessedusing the Forestry Commission subcompartment database, and Censusdata in respect of private woodlands. Most Forest Districtscontain forests which are likely to benefit from sewage sludgeapplication, mainly in the form of liquid sludge to thinnedstands, but also before and just after planting. The environmentaleffects of sludge application are discussed, and it is concludedthat at rates appropriate to forest fertilizing, there is littlerisk of toxicity or pollution.     

Forestry in the South Wales Coalfield

Describes briefly the history and physical conditions of thecoalfield, the silvicultural and sociological problems of itsforests and their future management in relation to markets.     

Forestry in South Wales 1960-80

The author has been fortunate to be Conservator, South Wales,Forestry Commission for some 15 years. Over half the 70000 haof state forest in the Conservancy was planted in the twentyyears 1950–70, since when expansion has almost ceasedwhile timber production has doubled in each of the last twodecades, 1961–70 and 1971–80. With current productionat 260000 cubic metres expected to rise to 450000 about 1995and with felling and restocking now exceeding afforestation,one can see normality approaching around 2000 AD. During the period 1968 to 1980 the workforce was halved to about500 men, due chiefly to greater productivity arising from mechanisation,improved techniques, training and increased use of incentiveworking. The industrial region of the Conservancy has problems, notablyin the incidence of fire, arising from the close integrationof the forests into linear industrial settlements, but on theother hand there is great scope for recreation within easy reachof several million people. Progress in a number of fields over the period is presentedin tables covering planting, crop data, timber production, privatewoodlands and employment.     

Studies of Airborne Salt Deposition in some North Wales Forests

Severe damage to trees has been observed in the seaward-facingsections of Newborough Forest, Anglesey. Salt deposition bymarine winds was strongly suspected as the causative agent.This investigation used collectors, which are briefly described,to measure the deposition of NaCl both horizontally and verticallywithin the damaged zone of the forest. Quantity of salt depositeddecreased rapidly with distance from the sea and increased withheight above the ground, both these trends being exaggeratedby increases in wind speed and much influenced by local shelter,e.g. adjacent sand dunes or trees. Highly significant negativecorrelation was found between salt measured at a site and theheight of trees growing at that site. NaCl deposition on treesat three sites in North Wales was measured for comparison withNaCl levels found on the same sites using collectors. Significantcorrelations between these data were stablished at two sitesand there were highly significant differences in salt depositionbetween sites. It is concluded that a causal relationship couldreasonably be inferred between salt deposition and tree damageat Newborough, and that the levels of salt found in forestsmore remote from the sea, though they clearly responded to increasesin wind speed, were so much lower than at Newborough that windsof quite exceptional violence would be needed to raise saltthere to damaging levels.     

Soils, Forests, and Pastures in South Wales

Marginal upland soils may be used for forestry or sheep grazing.In the State Forests of South Wales a study of selective plantingshows the greatest volume yield is generally obtained from Sitkaspruce (Picea sitchensis) planted in ridge-crest soils. Yieldsfrom Sitka spruce on ridge-flank soils are reduced by the presenceof Ericaceae on upper slopes and the dryness of the soils onlower slopes. Contrary to this trend, the nutritional valueof the pasture for sheep is lowest on ridge crests and increasesdownslope, being greatest on the Agrostis pastures of lowerslopes. Further, reclamation is most economically accomplishedon ridge flanks where they are not too steep. Although profitcomparisons are very difficult to make, ridge slopes might bemore usefully allocated to sheep grazing and ridge crests toSitka spruce forests. To be economically viable, a forest mustbe large, but within any new forestry acquisitions the largerareas occupied by slope soils might be reclaimed or utilizedas sheep pastures.     

澳大利亚新南威尔士州台地上桉树的衰落

桉属植物是澳大利亚景观中的主要的乡土植物类群。在欧洲人定居澳大利亚以后,新南威尔士州台地的桉树急剧减少,桉树更新停滞,景观生态系统很难恢复到原初状态。本文介绍了桉树和乡土灌木减少的历史背景,分析了在这一地区幼苗更新减少的原因主要是由于开垦、放牧、火烧、外来物种竞争、枯萎、昆虫和干旱等,总结了桉树更新的可能条件,如幼苗存活的合适条件、充足的种子供应、避免捕食、适当的萌发条件、无放牧环境、机械处理、杂草控制、火烧系统和疾病控制等,借以建议在该地区应怎样保护和促进桉树的更新。参26。     

Community attitudes towards private native forestry in New South Wales

An on-line survey during August–September 2006 examined community attitudes toward private native forestry. Views expressed by the 156 respondents confirmed prior hypotheses that attitudes would correlate with associations (e.g. professionals in favour of incentives, farmers in favour of freedom to manage, conservationists in favour of regulations), and with interest (biodiversity enthusiasts in favour of regulations, producers in favour of incentives), but refuted the prior hypotheses that urban dwellers would be more likely to favour regulations. Respondents appear to reflect different constituencies with divergent views without a shared understanding of the condition and dynamics of private native forests in NSW. This indicates the need for more extension and public education, particularly since forests continue to be an election issue. The survey did not gauge support for private native forestry, but helps to untangle the views from the constituencies promoting them. Regulatory approaches received most support from respondents affiliated with an environmental group, with a national concern for biodiversity, who fear that private native forests are in poor condition and will degrade further. Advocates for more landholder freedom tend to be landholders who believe that private native forests are in better condition than comparable State Forests, and who are optimistic about the future for private native forests. Advocates for incentives tend to be urban dwellers with a production focus and professional affiliation.     

Contrasting Hydrological Regimes in Two Ploughed Forest Soils in Upland Wales

Contrasting hydrological regimes in a cambic stagnohumic gleyand an ironpan stagnopodzol were monitored at the Tywi Forest,Mid-Wales, during the hydrological year 1988–1989. Variationsin the hydrological behaviour of each soil were observed inrelation to hillslope topography and the localized influenceof plough furrows and planting ridges. High rooting densitiesin the well-structured O horizon of the stagnohumic gley encouragedlateral seepage above the relatively impermeable subsoil andconcentrated summer drying in the surface horizons. Marked subsoildrying appeared to be related to deeper root penetration whereunsaturated subsoil conditions prevailed in upslope areas orbeneath planting ridges. In contrast, the ironpan stagnopodzoldid not have impeded drainage due to structural features andthe roots penetrating the E horizon and ironpan. Moreover, thesubsoil was coarsely textured and freely draining. Consequently,rooting was more extensive and hydrological regimes were moreuniform and not simply related to topography. Soil disturbanceand extensive root penetration in plough furrows appears topromote preferential water movement during storm events andcreate drier summer soil conditions.     

Thomas Johnes (1748-1816)-- Pioneer of Upland Afforestation in Wales

A reconstruction is made of the forestry activity of ThomasJohnes on his Hafod estate in Cardiganshire, at the end of theeighteenth and-beginning of the nineteenth century. Johnes wasthe pioneer of large-scale upland afforestation in Wales. Hewas progressive both in the planting stock he used and in hisplanting techniques, and achieved notable success, in particularwith his plantations of European larch.     

The Web-spinning Larch Sawfly, Cephalcia lariciphila Wachtl. (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae) A New Pest of Larix in England and Wales

The first reported outbreak of Cephalcia lariciphila in Britainoccurred at Margam forest, west and mid-Glamorgan, in 1972 onLarix kaempferi. Twenty-two forests subsequently became affectedin England and Wales between 1972 and 1978. Reduced host vigour was noticed in 1977 in areas defoliatedfor five successive years and deaths in 1978 necessitated sanitationfelling. A decline of damage at Margam and Rheola forests is ascribedto the parasite Olesicampe monticola but widespread collapseof the infestation has not so far occurred. Immediate aims are the biological control of the sawfly by naturallyoccurring parasites and pathogens. Longer term investigationsinto control involve the location, isolation and synthesis ofpheromones.     

Analysing inter-rotational productivity and nutrition in a New South Wales radiata pine plantation

Comparisons of plantation scale productive capacity and productivity were undertaken for first and second rotations of Pinus radiata plantation on clay soils in NSW, Australia where rotation length was about 30 years. Over a rotation, where there were no significant additions of nutrients, there were small declines in productivity from the first to the second rotation while productivity increased in the third rotation usually due to changes in management. On sites treated with significant quantities of phosphate fertilizer (50 kg P ha^?1) in the second rotation, there were significant increases in the productivity of the second rotation with a residual effect into the third rotation. The early growth in the second rotation may be higher than the first rotation but the growth changes with age. Rotation length productivity appears to be related to the magnitude of soil nutrient pools. Nutrients such as calcium, potassium and boron appear to be affecting long term growth even though the foliage levels are much higher than normally considered limiting for growth. Most of the differences in productivity between rotations appear to be related to soil nutrients or management changes while potential genetic gains as estimated from experimental trials, are difficult to identify.     

Private native forestry in new landscapes: challenges and opportunities in New South Wales

Understanding the changes occurring within the forestry sector is complicated by socio-economic and demographic changes within rural communities - sometimes in areas where commercial forestry has a long tradition. These changes in some rural communities, particularly coastal New South Wales, appear significant for forestry because land ownership and management are increasingly disconnected from the traditional agricultural land use. There is an increasing population of landowners in ‘lifestyle’ landscapes who do not appear primarily driven by maximising the profitability of farming. The shift from ‘production’ to ‘lifestyle’ landscapes also reflects a transition in community expectations for forestry - a profound change that is likely to require quite different approaches to management. Landholders may be more likely to be interested in forestry with multiple values, including both timber products and environmental services. Furthermore, well-managed native forests that are integrated into individual properties and wider landscapes, may increase the market value of the property, representing a prudent business investment. This paper presents a method for analysing the relationship between rural land values and the estimated agricultural value of typical farms in a number of localities in New South Wales, as a means of interpreting the underlying social values of landholders. It is argued that such analysis can be helpful in identifying changes in community values as a signal that approaches to private native forestry may also need to change to accommodate the aspirations of ‘lifestyle’ landholders, who may value the aesthetics of native forests more highly than timber production.     

Private native forest policies in New South Wales,Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania

Private native forests in Australia perform a dual production and conservation role, providing an important source of timber, and complementing formal conservation reserves. A comparison of policies for private native forests in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania illustrates the scope for timber harvesting, the provision for environmental values, and initiatives for responsible and sustainable forest management. The sustainable management of Australia’s forests requires initiatives by both government and landowners to accommodate changes in community attitudes, new management strategies, integrated catchment management principles and both commercial and non-commercial opportunities for forest use. Of all of the Australian states, New South Wales has the most restrictive laws in terms of forest management and harvesting. Queensland and Victorian legislation have a more commercial focus, while Tasmania has a balance of both environmental and commercial objectives. The duty of care for private native forests is a responsibility that falls to the landholder, and while this should be enforced by legislation, the private provision of community benefits requires both recognition and reward. The presence or absence of incentives potentially determines the effectiveness of forest codes of practice.     

Evolution and Development of a Code for Private Native Forestry in New South Wales,Australia

Until recently the focus of forestry regulations in New South Wales (NSW) was on public rather than private lands. This paper describes the process of developing legislation to control where and how private native forestry takes place. To date, the lead agency in attempting to formulate a clear policy has been the Department of Natural Resources. First, through a series of committee meetings of representatives of key stakeholder groups, a draft private native forestry code was devised and was released for public comment. After a period of intense negative reaction from both those in favour of continuing timber production in native forests and those in favour of requiring that private lands be managed as nature reserves, the draft code was withdrawn and a government-appointed committee then began again the process of drawing up a code acceptable to most stakeholders.     

Nesting chronology of northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in Wales: implications for forest management

Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in Wales built or refurbishednests between September and April in a semi-upland environment.Dates of first egg-laying ranged between late March and mid-May.There was no statistically significant annual difference inthese dates. Most young hatched in late May and juveniles hadleft their nesting territories by early August. Goshawks didnot tolerate disturbance from forestry operations during incubationand the early chick stage, and breeding failures occurred asa result of disturbance. However, once the young fledged (midJuly), forestry operations were no longer detrimental as adultsand young moved to adjacent forested areas