European forest accounting: general concepts and Austrian experiences

Within the European Union there exist three different frameworks for forest accounting at the national level. For purposes of the national accounts, the regulations of the European System of Integrated Economic Accounts (ESA) have to be observed. They require a distinction between forestry and logging and provide specific guidelines for the valuation of standing timber. In recognition of the special character of forests and forestry production, two satellite accounts are devoted to forestry: the Economic Accounts for Forestry (EAF) and the European Framework for Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting for Forests (IEEAF). Although they were designed as complementary to the national accounts and refer to the same basic methodologies, the guidelines for forest accounting provided by the three manuals are not fully compatible. Just recently, a further integration and harmonization of the concepts for forest accounting has been proposed. Austria has implemented the valuation of the increment as an output of forestry as requested by ESA and produces the EAF tables on a regular basis. The possibilities for extending forest accounting to natural resource accounts for standing timber and the IEEAF have been investigated in terms of pilot studies. The Austrian experiences and results exemplify the problems and possible solutions associated with the adoption of the different European schemes. Data deficits and valuation issues restrict the significance of respective results to some degree, especially as regards forestry-specific extensions of the accounting schemes.     

Effects of various densities of Ophiostoma ips inoculations on Pinus sylvestris in north‐western Spain

The aim was to determine the inoculation density above which Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is overcome by the blue‐stain fungus Ophiostoma ips that is associated with the bark beetle Ips sexdentatus. In north‐western Spain, stems of 16 Scots pines were inoculated at various densities (0, 400, 800 or 1600 inoculi/m²) along circumferential 100 or 150 cm wide inoculation belts. Each inoculum consisted of a 5 mm diameter cylinder of malt extract agar colonized by the fungus. Three months later, all trees were harvested and trunk resinosis and foliage colour were visually assessed. The percentage of healthy, desiccated, resin soaked, and blue‐stained sapwood, as well as growth productivity indices, were calculated from stem disks cut from within the inoculated zone of each tree. Sapwood‐specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of each tree was measured in the middle of the inoculated zone. All parameters of tree vigour changed dramatically to the worse when inoculation densities were above 400 inoculi/m², and foliage changed from green to yellow‐green or yellow when an inoculation density of 800 instead of 400 was used. The percentage loss of sapwood‐specific conductivity (PLC) increased from 30 to 90% and the percentage of healthy, conductive sapwood dropped from 85 to 35% at 800 inoculi/m². No effect of the width of the inoculation belt was observed, and there was no relationship between tree productivity indices and the level of resistance. A non‐linear negative relationship was found between PLC and the percentage of healthy sapwood. It is concluded that tree resistance was overcome and that trees were going to die when the inoculation density was ≥800 inoculi/m².     

Zur Technik der Untersuchung von Erdbeerpflanzen und Chrysanthemenblättern auf Blattälchen (Aphelenchoides fragariae undA. ritzemabosi)

Zusammenfassung Voraussetzung für die Erhaltung der Nematodenpopulation während der Aufbewahrung von Erdbeerproben ist die Erhaltung der Pflanzen selbst. Erdbeerpflanzen bleiben bei lockerer Lagerung in Plastikbeuteln mit einer Folienstärke von 0,03 mm bei Temperaturen von –2 bis +4 °C frisch und wuchskräftig. Es wird oft bei gelagerten Proben ein höherer Befall ermittelt als aus eben gezogenen. Dies ist mit der Unvollkommenheit unserer Untersuchungsmethoden, die nur einen Teil der tatsächlich vorhandenen Nematoden erfassen, zu erklä ren. Bei gelagerten Proben ist der Prozentsatz der gewonnenen Tiere größer als bei frischen Proben. Diese Mehrausbeute kann durch andere Einflüsse verstärkt, vermindert, ganz kompensiert oder sogar ins Gegenteil verschoben werden. Zur vollständigen Klärung der Ursachen der stark schwankenden Veränderungen während der Aufbewahrung der Proben sind noch weitere Versuche nötig.

---

Summary On the isolation of bud and leaf nematodes (Aphelenchoides fragariae andA. ritzemabosi) from strawberry and chrysanthemum. Part III: Influence of storage on the experimental results.In storing strawberry samples for nematodes it is necessary to preserve the host plants themselves. Strawberry plants keep well when stored in plastic bags 0,03 mm. thick at temperatures ranging from –2 to +4 °C. More nematodes are often separated from stored samples than from freshly taken ones. This is due to error in our research methodes, which consider only a portion of the nematodes present. Experiments showed that the amount of nematodes separated was not affected when the samples were stored for a period of one week in an unheated glasshouse in winter, but in a refrigerator at –2 to –1 °C, an increase of 56% was recorded and at 0 to 5 °C, 131–188%. The amount obtained was not notably affected when stored in a room at 14 to 15% but was multiplied several times when kept at about 20 °C. OnlyA. ritzemabosi and small portion ofA. fragariae survived when the samples were kept in a deep freaze at –20 °C. To find out the causes for the large changes which occure during the storage of samples more research is needed.

     

Wachstum und Vermehrung der Erdmans(Microtus agrestis L.) auf Forstkulturen

Growth and reproduction of the Field Vole (Microtus agrestis L.) in forest plantations The growth of the Field Vole was persecuted by means of the capture mark and recapture method in the years 1971–75. Investigations were made about the number of embryoes, the condition of the gonads and the blood glucose content of specimens which were trapped in comparable areas nearby and killed immediately after capture.In each year a peak of number of embryoes, percentage of pregnant females and a short distance between pregnancy was observed in May and June. At this time also males reached a high index weight of the testes and young males with juvenile coat were sexually mature. The growth of the testes began at the end of February and was followed by a rapid increase of body weight in the spring. In the midsummer a fast decline in body weight was observed and the havier males disappeared. At this time the blood glucose content was at a minimum about 25–90 mg./ 100 ml. blood. The highest level over 250mg./100ml. was observed in winter. The high energy requirement for growth and reproduction of the voles in early spring can cause damages in forest plantations. At this time trees with freshly gnawed bark were observed.     

Influence of climate on radial growth of Pinus cembra within the alpine timberline ecotone

Radial growth variability and response to interannual climate variation of Cembran pine (Pinus cembra L.) were studied in the timberline ecotone on Mt. Patscherkofel (2246 m a.s.l.). The study area, which is in the inner alpine dry region of the Central Austrian Alps, is characterized by a continental climate with minimum precipitation in winter (about 150 mm during December-February) and frequent occurrence of warm dry winds (F?hn) in early spring. The hypothesis that spatial and temporal variability of radial growth is caused by site-related differences in sensitivity to winter stress (i.e., desiccation) was examined by applying dendroclimatological techniques. Ordination methods applied to tree ring time series revealed that spatial variability in radial growth is influenced by the local site factors elevation and slope aspect. Growth-climate relationships were explored using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Radial growth at the timberline was positively correlated with temperature in July and was also strongly correlated with mild temperatures in the previous autumn and high precipitation in winter (January-March). At the tree line, temperatures in the previous autumn and precipitation in late winter (March) also controlled radial growth, whereas July temperature was not significantly correlated with ring width. Because previous autumn temperature and winter precipitation were the main growth-determining factors at the timberline and the tree line, and both of these climate variables are known to influence susceptibility of trees to winter stress, the results support the working hypothesis. Analysis of climatic conditions in extreme growth years confirmed the high sensitivity of tree ring growth to precipitation in late winter (March) at the tree line plots. Furthermore, extent of growth reduction and release varied spatially and temporarily, with south- and west-facing stands showing a higher sensitivity to climate variation in the most recent decade (1990s) than the north-facing stand. This aspect-related change in sensitivity to climate may be associated with effects of climate warming on cambial activity.     

Nebenwirkungen von Toxaphen auf Maüse

Side-effects of Toxaphene of Mice. Albino-mice (swiss) and wild-captured voles and mice were given a high dose of 50 mg toxaphene (M 5055) per kg body weight daily for a period of some weeks or months. Three weasels and one ermine were fed on 300 of these sublethally poisoned mice without showing any negative effect. The following parameters of mice unpoisoned and poisoned with a sublethal dose of toxaphen were examined: mortality, number of litters, resorption rate of embryoes, growth, haematological values, activity of enzymes, amino acids and proteins in serum and urine. In the group of poisoned mice a slight increase of neutrophile blood cells (Tab. 2), a higher level of enzyme activities (SP, GPT, GT; Tab. 3) in serum and a typical change in uric proteins were observed. (Abb. 1).In the field 6 liters of toxaphen (M5055) were sprayed over a forest plantination of 1,5 ha for mouse control. The following development of mice, especially of the Common Vole (Microtus agrestis) was investigated with the capture, mark and recapture (CMR) method. Toxaphene had an influence on the parasitic complex of the vole for a long time. The number of fleas, mites, ticks, blood protozoa, grahemella and haemobartonella of the voles was reduced for more than 6 months in the treated area. This may be one reason for the fast recovery, good growth and increasing number of the voles observed after control with the insecticide toxaphene.

---

---

Die Arbeiten wurden durch Mittel der Gesellschaft für Strahlen- und Umweltforschung (GSF), München-Neuherberg, unterstützt     

Risk factors to incidental leptospirosis and its role on the reproduction of ewes and goats of Espírito Santo state,Brazil

Ovine and caprine stockbreeding have been gaining attention in developing countries as an attractive investment. On these animals, infectious diseases of the reproductive tract, such as leptospirosis, can compromise the production leading to economic losses. The present study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with incidental leptospirosis and its influence on the reproductive parameters of ewes and goats of Espírito Santo state, Brazil. A total of 737 animals distributed on 24 herds/flocks were studied, and an overall prevalence of 10.9 % seroreactive animals was observed. Serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was the most frequent in goats (97.0 %) as well as in ewes (78.3 %). Regarding risk factors related to leptospirosis, the presence of waterholes and the semi-intensive breeding system were the most important associated to seroreactivity. Besides, there was an observed association between seroreactivity and reproductive failures (P?<?0.05). Moreover, seroreactive ewes (relative risk (RR)?=?1.3) and goats (RR?=?1.9) presented more chances to have abortions than seronegative animals. Furthermore, seroreactive ewes presented 11.6 more chances of having premature births when compared to the seronegative ones. It can be concluded that Leptospira infection, mainly those caused incidental strains (such as Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup), is a significant factor to reduce the productivity of small ruminants’ herds/flocks in the studied region, and environmental measures must be considered on control programs.

     

The role of head computed tomography in equine practice

This retrospective study describes the computed tomography (CT) findings in 59 horses presented with diseases of the head over 8 years that underwent CT examination of this region, including dental or sinonasal diseases (Group A) (n = 42), osseous and/or articular diseases (Group B) (n = 11) and soft tissue diseases (Group C) (n = 6). For Group A, radiographic and CT findings comparison was possible. Computed tomography had higher sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96.7%) than radiography in diagnosing dental disease. Compared to CT, radiographic identification of sinus involvement was less sensitive, particularly for ventral conchal and sphenopalatine sinuses and presented an overall sensitivity of 43.5 and 16.7%, respectively. In Group B CT allowed identification of a higher number of bone fragments and fractures in the maxillary, lacrimal, sphenoidal, temporal and zygomatic bones not identified radiographically. Accurate identification of CT changes in the temporomandibular joint and temporohyoid articulation was also possible. Group C included both intra‐ and extra‐cranial disease, retrobulbar masses being the most representative pathology (n = 3). In this group, CT was considered the gold standard for detection of periorbital diseases. We conclude that CT is an imaging technique with high diagnostic value for evaluating the equine head, yielding additional information over multiple radiographic views, which may alter the outcome of the case. Additionally, this paper reports several conditions not previously described using CT.