Comparing nearest neighbor configurations in the prediction of species-specific diameter distributions

Key message

We examine how the configurations in nearest neighbor imputation affect the performance of predicted species-specific diameter distributions. The simultaneous nearest neighbor imputation for all tree species and separate imputation by tree species are evaluated with total volume calibration as a prediction method for diameter distributions.

Context

This study considers the predictions of species-specific diameter distributions in Finnish boreal forests by means of airborne laser scanning (ALS) data and aerial images.

Aims

The aim was to investigate different configurations in non-parametric nearest neighbor (NN) imputation and to determine how changes in configurations affect prediction error rates for timber assortment volumes and the error indices of the diameter distributions.

Methods

Non-parametric NN imputation was used as a modeling method and was applied in two different ways: (1) diameter distributions were predicted at the same time for all tree species by simultaneous NN imputation, and (2) diameter distributions were predicted for one tree species at a time by separate NN imputation. Calibration to a regression-based total volume prediction was applied in both cases.

Results

The results indicated that significant changes in the volume prediction error rates for timber assortment and for error indices can be achieved by the selection of responses, calibration to total volume, and separate NN imputation by tree species.

Conclusion

Overall, the selection of response variables in NN imputation and calibration to total volume improved the predicted diameter distribution error rates. The most successful prediction performance of diameter distribution was achieved by separate NN imputation by tree species.

     

Exploring the population genetics of genebank and historical landrace varieties

Landrace accessions have long been recognized as an important source of genetic diversity for crop species, and landraces are stored in genebanks across the world as genetic resources for future crop development. Landraces are also an important part of the human cultural heritage and as such they have been used for genetic studies to make inferences about historical agriculture. However, surprisingly little is known about the within-accession diversity of landrace crops of different species. In order to evaluate the diversity of Swedish landraces we used microsatellite markers to genotype accessions of four species (barley, pea, oats and rye), both extant genebank material and 114-year-old seed samples of similar geographic origin and type. We found consistently high levels of within-population genetic diversity in the historical material, but varying and often lower diversity levels in the genebank accessions. We also make tentative conclusions about how representative the genebank material is to what was originally cultivated in its reported area of origin and suggest that the true identity of the genebank accessions is unclear and that historical seed collections should be a more appropriate material for the study of historical agriculture.     

Determination of the spatial distribution of trees from digital aerial photographs

This study examined the possibilities of using computerized digital aerial photograph interpretation in determining the spatial distribution of trees. The material of the study included eight mapped stands in the municipality of Hyytiälä (61°50′N and 24°18′E), in southern Finland. The aerial photographs used were taken in June 1995 at a scale of 1:5000. Two approaches for determining the spatial pattern of trees were used. Firstly, in the point-process based approach used in this study, the individual trees in the digital aerial photograph were segmented by a robust segmentation method, based on recognition of the pattern of tree crowns with sub-pixel accuracy. Secondly, the crown coverage was determined by region growing segmentation combined with active surface representation. The significance of the differences in the means of image coverage pattern indices between the various spatial distribution categories was tested with one-way variance analysis. Because the process misclassified clustered spatial patterns as regular patterns, and regular patterns as random patterns, the usability of digital aerial photographs seems to be limited for the point-process based determination of the spatial pattern of trees if the scale is 1:5000 or less. When image coverage pattern indices were applied, the differences in the means of the spatial distribution categories proved not to be clearly statistically significant due to the great variation within classes. However, interpretation of crown coverage could have applications in practical forestry due to the low resolution requirements for the images used.     

Estimation of stem volume using laser scanning-based canopy height metrics

The aim of this study was to test different stem volume predictorsthat are capable of utilizing laser scanning-based canopy heightmetrics as independent variables. The three laser scanning-basedmethods compared were (1) a direct prediction model for thestem volume at plot level, (2) a volume prediction system basedon the modelled percentiles of the basal area diameter distribution,and (3) a parameter prediction method used to determinate Weibull-basedbasal area diameter distributions for the plot-level stem volumeprediction. The predicted volumes were also compared with field-measuredvolumes obtained with the Finnish conventional inventory bycompartments. The best results were obtained with the firstmethod, i.e. the model that predicts plot-level stem volumesdirectly, which is logical. Furthermore, the simulated reductionof point density of laser data had no effect on the accuracyof stem volume predictions. The percentile-based modelling ofdiameter distributions was applied, in particular, to the determinationof non-homogenous stand structure; using this method, it iseven possible to fit multimodal distributions. In terms of theaccuracy of the predicted plot-level stem volumes, the volumeprediction method based on modelled percentiles of basal areadiameter distributions was the second best, whereas the volumeprediction method based on the parameter prediction of the Weibull-basedbasal area diameter distributions resulted in slightly worseresults. However, the accuracies of the three laser-based volumeprediction methods tested were superior to the published resultsof spectral value-based remote sensing studies implemented usingdata collected from Finland. Furthermore, the accuracy of plot-levelstem volume estimates calculated from field assessments wasconsiderably weaker than the accuracy of the three volume predictionmethods that utilized measures obtained with laser scanning.     

Persistent, widespread papilloma formation on the penis of a horse: a novel presentation of equine papillomavirus type 2 infection

A 9-year-old gelding presented with approximately 100 papillomas that covered about 75% of the distal penis. Biopsy was performed, and histology showed evidence of viral cytopathic change and koilocytosis. Polymerase chain reaction using DNA extracted from biopsied tissue amplified equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV-2) DNA sequences. Sixteen months later, the horse was re-examined and the appearance of the papillomas was unchanged. Equine papillomavirus type 2 DNA sequences were again amplified from both biopsied tissue and swabs of the penis. Papillomavirus was localized to the lesions by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. An examination 2 years after the initial presentation revealed no detectable change in the appearance of the penis. The large number of papillomas and their failure to regress over an extended period support a clinical classification of papillomatosis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of papillomatosis of the equine penis. This novel clinical manifestation suggests that persistent EcPV-2 infection is possible in horses. As there is evidence that EcPV-2 may promote development of equine penile squamous cell carcinoma, understanding the natural history of EcPV-2 infections may be important in preventing equine penile neoplasia.     

Fluorometric Selenium Determinations in the Liver of Normal Pigs and in Pigs Affected with Nutritional Muscular Dystrophy and Liver Dystrophy

The selenium concentration of livers and kidneys in normal pigs and in pigs affected with nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) and liver dystrophy (LD) was determined. The kidney values showed great variation in normal pigs. The young pigs generally had the lowest levels. The liver values were less scattered.In NMD and LD the liver contained about 0.2 ppm of selenium on the average, whereas normal livers contained about 1.2 ppm. Kidneys showed corresponding differences. This is in good agreement with the favourable results obtained with selenium therapy.     

Dehydrated mink manure as a protein source for growing pigs

The use of dehydrated mink manure as a protein source for growing pigs was studied by substituting 7.5 and 15 % (w/w) of the complete feed with manure and a corresponding amount of barley. The manure used had a poor feed value as compared to the values obtained earlier in digestibility tests in minks. The crude protein content was 21.3 %. The addition of mink manure to the feed did not adversely affect the feed consumption, nor were any effects on the health of the pigs observed. The differences in daily gain and feed efficiency recorded between the experimental groups were not statistically significant. The number of experimental animals was small, and a large variation occurred within the groups. The addition of mink manure to the diet resulted in lower weight gain, apparently due to a lower energy supply. The groups given mink manure received less feed units than the controls. No harmful effects of the manure feeding on carcase quality was observed and organoleptic tests revealed no changes in the smell or taste of the meat. No changes were found in the digestive tracts, livers or kidneys of the pigs.     

Vertebral malformation, syringomyelia, and ventricular septal defect in a dromedary camel (Camelius dromedarius).

An occipitoatlantoaxial malformation and ventricular septal defect (VSD) were diagnosed in a 36-hour-old female camel. Physical examination revealed a firm protrusion of the dorsal aspect of the atlas and axis, tilting of the head to the left, and a grade V/VI systolic murmur. Neurological examination revealed proprioceptive deficits and ataxia of all 4 limbs. Radiographic examination and necropsy demonstrated malformation, fusion of the atlas to the occiput and hypoplasia of the dens of the axis, and subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint. Dorsoventral laxity of the atlantoaxial joint was also present, with compression of the cervical spinal cord. A 1.5-cm-diameter VSD was observed also. Histopathologic examination of the cervical spinal cord revealed a cavity extending from the level of the first to fourth cervical segment, dorsal to the central canal, 5 cm long and 1-2 mm in diameter. The cells around the cavity were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and sporadically positive for vimentin. This cavitary structure was consistent with syringomyelia, which was lined by glial cells, surrounded by edematous white matter with Wallerian-like degeneration and with neuronal necrosis in the adjacent dorsal horns.