Article
Forestry
Veronica Loewe-Munoz, Claudia Delard, Rodrigo del Rio, Luis Barrales, Monica Balzarini
Summary: The study aimed to assess the impact of different plantation types on the growth, survival, health, and timber quality of chestnut trees. The results showed that the association between chestnut trees and arboreal companion species (P. avium, Q. rubra, Q. robur) had the best performance, with higher height and diameter growth compared to other mixed plantations and monoculture. This plantation type also exhibited the highest average volume per tree and percentage of trees with high trunk length values, and chestnut trees had high survival rates in all plantation types.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Khanh Vu Ho, Gyorgy Kroel-Dulay, Csaba Tolgyesi, Zoltan Batori, Eszter Tanacs, Miklos Kertesz, Peter Torok, Laszlo Erdos
Summary: This study investigated the differences in species composition and ecological value between natural poplar forests and three common types of tree plantations in central Hungary. The results showed that natural poplar forests had the highest species richness and diversity and the highest ecological and conservation value compared to the plantations. The study suggests that conservation and restoration efforts should prioritize the protection of natural poplar forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Irene Criscuoli, Michele Brunetti, Giacomo Goli
Summary: The growth performance and technological quality of a hybrid Paulownia tree species in Northern Italy were evaluated. The study found that the trees had a high growth rate in the first three years after coppicing, but the rate sharply declined thereafter, indicating the need for greater planting spacing. Pruning the trees allowed for the production of defect-free and high-quality roundwood. The Paulownia wood exhibited excellent quality, with the exception of its diameter. However, the presence of a large empty pith in small-diameter logs could significantly reduce timber yields.
Article
Ecology
Kai Yang, Jiaojun Zhu, Weiwei Zhang, Jiacun Gu, Zhengquan Wang, Shuang Xu
Summary: Introducing broadleaved tree species into monoculture larch plantations can improve soil properties, with mixed plantations showing higher bacterial abundance, soil N availability, pH, and electronic conductivity compared to monoculture plantations. However, fungal community compositions and enzyme activities are more sensitive to the introduction of broadleaved tree species, serving as important indicators for evaluating the effects of tree species selection on soil restoration.
ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pedro Medrado Krainovic, Angelica Faria de Resende, Nino Tavares Amazonas, Catherine Torres de Almeida, Danilo Roberti Alves de Almeida, Carina Camargo Silva, Henrique Sverzut Freire de Andrade, Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues, Pedro Henrique Santin Brancalion
Summary: The potential of tropical forest restoration plantations for native timber production was assessed. Growth models were developed and the Growth-Oriented Logging method was used to inform management decisions. An optimized timber-focused scenario accelerated tree-size achievement and anticipated harvesting in an average of 58 years.
PERSPECTIVES IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Kai-Li Liu, Chun-Sheng Wang, Bo-Yao Chen, Rui-Hui Wang, Jie Zeng
Summary: This study evaluated the branch development of Betula alnoides, Erythrophleum fordii, and Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis in a mixed-species trial plantation in Yunnan Province, China. The results showed that mixing Betula alnoides with Erythrophleum fordii significantly increased the branch quantity and density of Betula alnoides, while mixing it with Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis had no significant effect. Mixing with Betula alnoides significantly reduced both the branch quantity and size of Erythrophleum fordii.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Wen Ren, Zhixin Zhang, Yuying Shen, Changing Lin, Xianlong Yang, Guohui Wang, Kun Yang, Mazuoma Mi, Ye Liu, Hui Wang
Summary: Community arrangement is crucial for maintaining forage production and stability in alpine regions. Adjusting plant spatial arrangements can enhance forage yield and enrich grassland establishment mode, supporting the development of sustainable livestock systems in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ling Yang, Yubiao Lin, Jiejun Kong, Yaohong Yu, Qian He, Yan Su, Jiyue Li, Quan Qiu
Summary: Investigating the effects of fertilization and dry-season irrigation on timber production and C stocks in Eucalyptus plantations, it was found that this combined management significantly increased the stand volume and C stocks, with great implications for forest management in seasonally dry areas.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
R. C. Handcock, N. Lopez-Villalobos, P. J. Back, R. E. Hickson, L. R. McNaughton
Summary: Retaining replacement heifers born from primiparous cows mated by artificial insemination can enhance genetic gain rates. Although heifers born from primiparous cows may be lighter at birth and grow at a slower rate, they tend to produce more milk than heifers born from multiparous dams. Additionally, the reproductive performance and milk production of heifers born from primiparous dams are comparable to those born from multiparous dams.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Frederick Gyasi Damptey, Emmanuel Opuni-Frimpong, Collins Ayine Nsor, James Addai, Daniel Kwame Debrah, Benjamin Schnerch, Felicity Bentsi-Enchill, Henn Korjus
Summary: Plantation forests with mixed tree species have higher taxonomic richness, activity density, and diversity of arthropods compared to monoculture stands. The differences in community composition are mainly driven by distinct habitat characteristics. Monoculture stands suppress understorey vegetation growth, limiting food and habitat resources for arthropods.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Mauricio Acuna, Rafael Ma Navarro-Cerrillo, Francisco Ruiz-Gomez, Miguel Lara-Gomez, Javier Perez-Romero, Ma Angeles Varo-Martinez, Guillermo Palacios-Rodriguez
Summary: Carbon pricing plays a crucial role in promoting adaptive silviculture in Mediterranean pine forests by improving carbon sequestration and stocks. A mixed-integer programming model optimizing thinning schedules and maximizing Net Present Value (NPV) was applied to 631 pine stands in southern Spain, showing that including carbon prices can significantly increase NPV values and impact flow of sawlogs and biomass to customers. Increased economic returns were observed when carbon stocks were considered as an additional revenue source alongside sawlogs and biomass.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas D. Stokely, Urs G. Kormann, Jake Verschuyl, Andrew J. Kroll, David W. Frey, Scott H. Harris, Doug Mainwaring, Doug Maguire, Jeff A. Hatten, James W. Rivers, Stephen Fitzgerald, Matthew G. Betts
Summary: The research shows that increasing management intensity through herbicide use in forests may decrease biodiversity conservation and certain non-timber services, pointing to trade-offs between some services and timber production. However, some services appear to be compatible with timber production, suggesting that a balance may need to be struck for optimal ecosystem service provision across managed forest landscapes.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Susana Benedetti-Ruiz, Veronica Loewe-Munoz, Rodrigo Del Rio, Claudia Delard, Luis Barrales, Monica Balzarini
Summary: This study assessed the impact of late thinning on unmanaged adult chestnut plantations in Chile. The results showed that late thinning can promote tree growth and improve tree shape, making it an effective measure for high-quality chestnut timber production.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Henrik Bohlenius, Marcus Ohman, Fredrik Granberg, Per-Ove Persson
Summary: This study identifies the great potential of long rotation poplar plantations in Sweden for biofuel production, particularly in the mid/southern regions. The biomass from these plantations has fuel characteristics similar to forest fuels from other conifer tree species, making it suitable for biofuel production based on thermochemical conversion methods.
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Anais Thomas, Pierrick Priault, Severine Piutti, Erwin Dalle, Nicolas Marron
Summary: Plantations of fast-growing tree species have emerged as a possible way to meet the increasing demand for biomass for renewable energy in Europe. The interactions between fast-growing trees and herbaceous species play a significant role in determining tree growth.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Elmer A. Fernandez, Yamil D. Mahmoud, Florencia Veigas, Dario Rocha, Matias Miranda, Joaquin Merlo, Monica Balzarini, Hugo D. Lujan, Gabriel A. Rabinovich, Maria Romina Girotti
Summary: The accurate quantification of tumor-infiltrating immune cells is crucial for understanding their role in tumor immune escape, determining patient prognosis, and predicting response to immune checkpoint blockade. The newly developed MIXTURE algorithm based on validated immune cell molecular signatures provides improved robustness in cell type identification and proportion estimation, outperforming current methods and offering its availability to the wider scientific community.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Santiago Ostengo, Maria Angelica Rueda Calderon, Cecilia Bruno, Maria Ines Cuenya, Monica Balzarini
Summary: The study aims to identify sucrose accumulation curves with high genotypic variability in different environments through a combination of statistical tools, in order to facilitate the selection of the best genotypes.
Article
Forestry
Veronica Loewe-Munoz, Rodrigo Del Rio, Claudia Delard, Monica Balzarini
Summary: Pinus pinea, valued for its pine nuts, is often harvested from natural forests due to slow production in cultivated environments. Grafting onto radiata pine accelerated entry into production, with grafted trees showing higher growth and cone yield compared to control seedlings. This study suggests radiata pine as a feasible rootstock for stone pine grafting.
Article
Agronomy
Antonio M. Aoki, Jose Robledo, Roberto C. Izaurralde, Monica G. Balzarini
Summary: The study found that in a semiarid region of central Argentina, soybean and maize are the major crops in crop rotations, with soybean monoculture being the predominant cropping system. Summer crop sequences involving soybean and maize accounted for the majority of the spatio-temporal variability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Franca Giannini-Kurina, Susana Hang, Ariel E. Rampoldi, Pablo Paccioretti, Monica Balzarini
Summary: This study aimed to unveil herbicide sorption to soil at a landscape scale through the development of a predictive BR model, showing that BR spatial predictions outperformed regression kriging. The glyphosate K-d model included aluminum oxides, pH, and clay content, while the atrazine K-d model strongly depended on soil organic carbon and clay, as well as climatic variables related to water availability.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Veronica Loewe-Munoz, Rodrigo del Rio, Claudia Delard, Monica Balzarini
Summary: The irrigation of adult stone pine trees growing in a xeric non-native habitat not only positively affected stem diameter growth, but also improved the trees' response to climatic variability. The study in Chile showed that irrigation increased productivity and reduced correlations between daily stem diameter variations and local climatic variability in stone pine trees.
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Julius Koritschoner, Franca Giannini Kurina, Susana Hang, Monica Balzarini
Summary: Short-term soil organic carbon mineralization is crucial for soil health and nutrient cycling, with variability influenced by soil properties. This study in central Argentina showed heterogeneous C mineralization processes across different soils at the landscape scale.
Article
Forestry
Veronica Loewe-Munoz, Rodrigo del Rio, Claudia Delard, Monica Balzarini
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
F. Masia, G. Molina, C. Vissio, M. Balzarini, R. L. de la Sota, M. Piccardi
Summary: In this study, the effects of clinical diseases on the productive and reproductive performance of dairy cattle were evaluated. The results showed that clinical diseases lead to decreased milk production and impaired reproductive performance in cows, and the consequences of the disease extend beyond the period of disease resolution.
Article
Soil Science
Franca Giannini-Kurina, Julieta Borello, Irene Canas, Susana Hang, Monica Balzarini
Summary: This study utilized a mathematical model to predict the dissipation of atrazine in soils in Cordoba province, Argentina, based on soil organic carbon and land use as environmental variables. The results indicated that atrazine dissipation was faster in sites with previous gramineous crops and high soil organic matter.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Viviana Lopez-Ramirez, Marcos Ruiz, Ezequiel Rossi, Nicolas Zuber, Antonio Lagares, Monica Balzarini, Natalia Bonamico, Sonia Fischer
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and identify bacteria from symptomatic maize leaves collected in Cordoba, Argentina. Exiguobacterium and Curtobacterium were found to be dominant in the studied material. One pathogenic Curtobacterium strain was isolated from maize for the first time, causing symptoms similar to those observed in the field.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Solana Chaves, Santiago Ostengo, Romina Priscila Bertani, Andrea Natalia Pena Malavera, Maria Ines Cuenya, Maria Paula Filippone, Atilio Pedro Castagnaro, Monica Graciela Balzarini, Josefina Racedo
Summary: This study identified molecular markers linked to a novel brown rust resistance source in sugarcane, which could contribute to the development of molecular tools for marker-assisted breeding.
Article
Forestry
Veronica Loewe-Munoz, Claudia Delard, Rodrigo del Rio, Luis Barrales, Monica Balzarini
Summary: The study aimed to assess the impact of different plantation types on the growth, survival, health, and timber quality of chestnut trees. The results showed that the association between chestnut trees and arboreal companion species (P. avium, Q. rubra, Q. robur) had the best performance, with higher height and diameter growth compared to other mixed plantations and monoculture. This plantation type also exhibited the highest average volume per tree and percentage of trees with high trunk length values, and chestnut trees had high survival rates in all plantation types.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Veronica Loewe Munoz, Claudia Delard R, Rodrigo del Rio, Monica Balzarini
Summary: The development of Chilean hazelnut in Chile is limited, with most production coming from native forests. This study evaluated the relationship between tree shape and size with fruit production, as well as the relationship between fruit morphometry traits and kernel yield. The results showed that managed plantations of Gevuina avellana in Chile outperformed native forests in seed production, with higher kernel yield in smaller seeds.
Article
Plant Sciences
F. Asinari, S. G. Perez Gomez, C. Easdale, A. M. Rago, M. Balzarini, E. E. Cafrune
Summary: A survey conducted in northern Argentina in 2015 and 2016 using TBIA showed plant infection rates of 2.2-86.7% in sugarcane commercial fields. The most infected cultivar was NA 05-860. Genotypic diversity analysis revealed the presence of genotypes BRA-PER, REU, and CUB in positive samples. Incidence of SCYLV was high, with significant sugar yield reduction in infected plants under dryland conditions. Management strategies should focus on using healthy planting materials and SCYLV-tolerant cultivars.
TROPICAL PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Sadadi Ojoatre, Jos Barlow, Suzanne R. Jacobs, Mariana C. Rufino
Summary: This study evaluates the changes in a forest complex in Kenya and finds that within 20 years of disturbance, there is rapid recovery of aboveground biomass and carbon accumulation, and the species diversity remains high in these previously disturbed fragments.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Astor Torano Caicoya, Peter Biber, Miren del Rio, Ricardo Ruiz-Peinado, Catia Arcangeli, Robert Matthews, Hans Pretzsch
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of site and climate on the self-thinning line in Scots pine forests in Europe. The results showed that species tolerance, temperature, and precipitation influenced the slope of the self-thinning line. In terms of the intercept, latitude and radiation had compensating effects. Time did not show significant trends in the self-thinning line. The study highlights the need to adapt management strategies and models based on self-thinning to different latitudes. Climate change has not yet significantly impacted the self-thinning trajectory, but a continuous rise in temperature and high precipitation may accelerate the self-thinning process and result in increased biomass accumulation.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Haonan Zhang, Jianing Xu, Weiqi Meng, Zhonglin Li, Yanyan Ni, Weijie Li, Hao Chen, Xingshuo Zhang, Huanhuan Yuan, Zhi Wang
Summary: Secondary forests play a crucial role in ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity recovery. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying secondary succession in a restored secondary forest and found that deciduous tree species transition from diversity accumulators to repellents as they progress through different life history stages, while evergreen tree species can act as accumulators or remain neutral. The study also revealed the effects of density dependence on the mortality and regeneration of different tree species, and highlighted the importance of early-arriving tree species in facilitating the establishment and diversity of late-arriving counterparts.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Yierxiati Abulaiti, Zijian Huang, Guojiao Xie, Xiaojuan Zou, Qin Luo, Minhuang Wang, Qiong Yang, Ping Hu, Shixiao Yu
Summary: In this study, the resistance to pest infestation of native and exotic mangrove species was compared based on their traits and spectral reflectance. The results showed that exotic species exhibited higher resistance to pest infestation compared to native species.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Thomas Feiss, Vincent Robin, Delphine Aran, Joseph Levillain, Thierry Paul, Jean-Luc Dupouey
Summary: Fagus sylvatica L. is a competitive tree in European temperate deciduous forests, but often sporadic or absent in present-day stands where Quercus spp. are dominant. Through soil charcoal analysis in the Lorraine Plateau in France, the presence of Fagus and Quercus in mature Quercus stands was confirmed. Radiocarbon dating results indicated that historical forest management caused the replacement of Fagus by Quercus, starting from the Bronze Age.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Paula Halbig, Anne-Sophie Stelzer, Peter Baier, Josef Pennerstorfer, Horst Delb, Axel Schopf
Summary: The incidence of oak processionary moth in Central Europe has been increasing, posing severe threats to oak trees, humans, and animals. To address this issue, researchers have developed an online early warning system that provides phenological forecasts and decision support for the protection of oak trees and human health.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Jean-Baptiste Ndamiyehe Ncutirakiza, Sylvie Gourlet-Fleury, Philippe Lejeune, Xavier Bry, Catherine Trottier, Frederic Mortier, Adeline Fayolle, Francois Muhashy Habiyaremye, Leopold Ndjele Mianda-Bungi, Gauthier Ligot
Summary: This study examines the influence of canopy structure on tropical tree growth using data collected through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and field measurements. The results show that combining UAV and field data can improve the prediction of tree diameter increment. Diameter at breast height and crown area are complementary predictors, and crown-based competition indices significantly enhance prediction models. The calibrated model at one site can accurately predict growth at another site.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Abebe Damtew, Emiru Birhane, Christian Messier, Alain Paquette, Bart Muys
Summary: Restoring degraded dryland requires a diverse mixture of trees and shrubs. Shading and species diversity can improve seedling survival and vitality. Shaded conditions led to higher seedling survival, vitality, and chlorophyll content, while increasing species richness improved seedling vitality in non-shaded conditions.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Francois Hebert, Isabelle Delisle, Marc Tremblay, Pascal Tremblay, Jean- Francois Boucher, Yan Boucher, Daniel Lord
Summary: Regeneration failures in the closed-crown boreal forest, resulting in the creation of open lichen woodlands, can be restored through clear-cutting, scarification, and natural seeding. Clear-cutting combined with scarification promotes seedling establishment, and scarification creates suitable microsites for germination. Seedling growth in lichen woodlands is higher when logging and scarification are combined, but lower compared to feather moss stands. Afforestation through natural seeding following scarification could be a cost-effective option for restoring lichen woodlands.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Bianca Wulansari Kassun, A. Maarit I. Kallio, Erik Tr Omborg, Meley Mekonen Rannestad
Summary: Mapping and analyzing forest ecosystem services in dry and mountain forests can provide valuable knowledge for sustainable forest management strategies.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Michael Premer, Eric Turnblom, Aaron Weiskittel
Summary: Managed forests serve as a natural climate change solution by sequestering carbon and storing it in harvested wood products, while also providing ecosystem services and wildlife habitat. This study focused on the stem sinuosity of juvenile coastal Douglas-fir and found that genetic improvement, silviculture practices, and local growing conditions can impact stem sinuosity. Factors such as tree spacing, vegetation control, and climate variables also affect the severity of stem sinuosity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Bronwyn Lira Dyson, Rhea Herpel, Peter Karasch, Jorg Mueller, Dominik Thom, Claus Baessler
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of different forest management strategies, dead wood types, and microclimates on Fomes fomentarius. The results showed that the occupancy of Fomes fomentarius was lower in control stands, while the percent cover occupied on snags under a closed canopy was higher. Increasing the number of snags and maintaining dense forest canopies could enhance the presence of Fomes fomentarius as well as provide important microhabitats for various arthropods.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Di Liu, Chaofan Zhou, Xiao He, Xiangdong Lei, Huiru Zhang, Xianzhao Liu
Summary: Canopy structure plays a significant role in the distribution and growth of saplings. Traditional canopy metrics are inadequate in irregular stands. The innovative framework of canopy triangular units provides a comprehensive understanding of the canopy's three-dimensional attributes. Through this framework, we can analyze the differences in various triangular unit types and the spatial dispersion of saplings.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Amalia Valeria Ibanez Moro, Fabian Borghetti, Leonardo Galetto, Juan M. Cellini, Sandra J. Bravo
Summary: This study evaluated the size and persistence of soil seed banks (SSB) of six native woody species in dry subtropical forests of the western Argentine Chaco region. The results showed that SSB size was influenced by different sites and sampling years, and forest disturbances had varying effects on SSB.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Stephanie Landry, Marc-Andre Villard, Gaetan Pelletier, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Summary: In many regions of the world, excessive browsing by ungulates has reached unsustainable levels, threatening biodiversity and forest regeneration. Moose, as ecological engineers, have severe impacts on forest structure and composition through overbrowsing. The distribution of forage and cover patches affects moose browsing pressure, and this relationship has been explored in conifer-dominated stands but not in hardwood-dominated landscapes.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
