Factors influencing stream occupancy and detection probability parameters of stream-associated amphibians in commercial forests of Oregon and Washington, USA

Potential immediate and prolonged impact of timber harvests on stream-associated amphibians (SAA; torrent (Rhyacotriton spp.) and giant salamanders (Dicamptodon spp.) and coastal tailed frogs (Ascaphus truei)) in Oregon and Washington, USA is a management concern, in part because of widespread commercial management of forests across their geographic distributions. Relationships between SAA occupancy and detection probabilities, environmental variables, and management effects were examined in 141 randomly selected perennial streams in commercial forests west of the Cascade Crest in Oregon and Washington from July to October, 2006. Giant salamander occupancy varied by stream substrate type (i.e., consolidated vs. unconsolidated geologies) and was positively associated with stand age. Torrent salamander occupancy varied by species, was positively associated with channel gradient, and was reduced in the youngest and oldest sampled stands. Tailed frog occupancy was negatively associated with the presence of crayfish, negatively associated with low and high bankfull widths, and positively associated with stand age, although stands less than 5 years old had occupancy rates >50% in the absence of crayfish. Mean detection rates were less than 1 for all three genera (0.85, 0.66, and 0.63 for Dicamptodon, Rhyacotriton, and Ascaphus, respectively), which indicates that conclusions from previous research about relationships between SAA occupancy, environmental variables, and forest practices have an unknown element of uncertainty, particularly if detection rates co-vary with habitat change. We believe that our study is the first to present unbiased estimates of occupancy and detection parameters for SAA on forested landscapes in Oregon and Washington.     

Canopy recruitment in the beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus engleriana</Emphasis>) forest of Mt. Shennongjia,Central China

A dendrochronological technique was used to investigate canopy recruitment of beech (Fagus engleriana Seem.) trees in western Hubei Province of Central China by identifying growth releases through gap formation. The results indicated that 83% and 17% of the canopy trees regenerate in gaps and the understory, respectively. Radial growth analyses demonstrated that there are three modes for beech regeneration and canopy recruitment: (1) gap origin without suppression; (2) gap origin with period(s) of suppression; and (3) understory origin. Multiple periods of release and suppression imply that beech regeneration and canopy recruitment are very sensitive to gap formation.     

Stem-rot damage and the progress of causal fungi in old-aged Japanese larch trees at the foot of Mt. Fuji

Damage caused by stem-rot and the progress of the causal fungi in old-aged Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.) was investigated at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Stem-rot was found in 75% of 108 trees investigated, and volume of rot was 6% of the total wood volume in the forest investigated. Stem-rot damage was much greater than the damage by butt-rot.Stereum sanguinolentum (Alb. and Schw. ex Fr.) Fr. infected larch trees at the greatest incidence (49.4%). However,Porodaedalea chrysoloma (Fr.) Imaz. caused the most volume loss to the trees.S. sanguinolentum infected larch stems mainly through stem wounds, and decay caused by the fungus progressed 9.75×10² cm³/year on average.P. chrysoloma infected larch stems mainly through dead branches and wounds, and the average rate of decay progress for the fungus was 2.74×10³ cm³/year.     

Studies on phenology and harmfulness of Aceria carvi Nal. (Acari: Eriophyidae) on caraway, Carum carvi L., in the Czech Republic

Caraway (Carum carvi L.) belongs to the traditional crops which have been grown in Bohemia since the end of the 19th century. Depressaria daucella (Denis and Schiffermüller) and Aceria carvi Nal. are two main pests of caraway in the Czech Republic. The latter becomes a serious problem in major caraway-growing areas. So far, no effective method for its control is known. The aim of this paper is to describe the phenology of symptoms of A. carvi infestation and damage caused by this pest. Our observation revealed that although A. carvi overwinters hidden within leaves of young caraway plants, the first symptoms are usually not visible before the start of flowering. Though the initial density of the pest is low, the mite population multiplies during the season when the pest attacks plant tissues and causes development of galls on leaves and flowers. Comparison of healthy plants and plants infested by A. carvi showed that infested plants had significantly more umbels but produced far fewer seeds, and the yield of caraway was thus substantially decreased. Recommendations for crop management methods to suppress the pest are given.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Stand structure and establishment process of an old-growth stand in the mixed deciduous broadleaf/conifer forest of Mt. Moiwa Forest Reserve, central Hokkaido, Northern Japan

Stand structure of an old-growth forest was studied by tree (≥4.0 cm in DBH) census in a main plot of 1.3 ha and 8 additional plots (0.525 ha in total) located in the Mt. Moiwa Forest Reserve, central Hokkaido, northern Japan. Major tree species with ≥1.0% of the relative basal area and of relative number of trees (Acer mono, A. mono var.mayrii, Kalopanax pictus, Magnolia kobus var.borealis, M. obovata, Prunus ssiori, Tilia japonica, andUlmus laciniata) have positive values of skewness in DBH, which shows the abundance of smaller-sized stems. All stems over 1.3 m high in the main plot were mapped to clarify the relationship between stem densities and canopy states. Although advances from sapling (>1.3 m tall and <4.0 cm DBH) to small tree (10.0 cm ≤ DBH <25 cm) for all major component species, exceptP. ssiori andU. laciniata, were independent of canopy states, those ofP. ssiori andU. laciniata depended on canopy gaps.Betula spp. was the most abundant gap makers, butT. japonica andA. mono (including var.mayrii) were dominant species in the main plot. This suggests the shift of dominant species in the forest of the study site. Historical records of disturbance demonstrated that selective cuttings of conifers during the late 19th century were responsible for the dominance ofBetula spp. and the subsequent shift of dominant species. This fact suggests that artificial disturbance plays an important role in the establishment ofTilia japonica-Acer mono forest considered to be a climax of the mixed deciduous broadleaf/conifer forests.