The Effects of Forest Operations and Silvicultural Treatments on Litter Decomposition Rate: a Meta-analysis

Current Forestry Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(4), P. 276 - 290

Published: July 3, 2023

Abstract Purpose of Review As litter decomposition is a fundamental process in forest ecosystems, representing the link between aboveground and belowground biogeochemical processes, we developed an effect size summarisation implications management on rate, by applying multi-level meta-analysis multivariate mixed-effects meta-analytic linear models. Our aim was to review findings current literature understand how management, silvicultural treatment, operations could affect rate. Furthermore, investigated effects environmental variables that included stand type, climatic conditions, percentage biomass removal Recent Findings We found statistically significant reduction rate associated with clear-cutting, no differences for overall retention forestry logging activities (disturbed soil form skid trails or strip roads). Concerning sub-group analysis meta-regression, there were type (broadleaf, coniferous, mixed) conditions (mean annual temperature precipitation). The showed positive correlation size, thus indicating higher framework leads increase Also, mesh litterbag suggesting probability factor stronger disturbance large-body decomposer organisms such as microarthropods. Summary Litter related, among other factors, microclimatic biota. Therefore, this can be strongly influenced active meant treatment carried out given harvesting system. In context forestry, increased light availability seems driving force shaping rates increasing removal. On hand, when clear-cut applied, modification edaphic community decreased rates. It worth noting may also related manipulation favour establishment artificial regeneration. findings, however, very large variability, need further research complex topic. Multidisciplinary studies analyse microclimate biological communities along are particularly recommended.

Language: Английский

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Recent Applications of Smart Technologies for Monitoring the Sustainability of Forest Operations

Forests, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(7), P. 1503 - 1503

Published: July 23, 2023

Precision forestry is a useful technique to help forest stakeholders with proper sustainable management. Modern sensors and technologies, special reference the sustainability of operations, can be applied on variety levels, including monitoring activities regarding three pillars (economy, environment, society). In this review, we summarised current level knowledge use precision techniques for operations. We concentrated recent data from last five years (2019–2023). demonstrated how an Industry 4.0 strategy remote proximal working performance effective when using CAN-bus StanForD collected by modern machines. The same information effectively used create maps soil trafficability evaluate patterns skid tracks or strip roads built as result intervention. Similar gathered in case small-scale GNSS-RF (Global Navigation Satellite Systems—Radio Frequency) even systems based smartwatches smartphones. LiDAR Structure Motion (SfM) photogrammetry are both tools tracking rutting disturbances caused passage machinery. SfM offers denser point clouds more approachable method, whereas laser scanning considerably faster but needs experienced operator better data-processing skills. Finally, terms social component sustainability, location sharing technologies strongly advised, instance GNSS—RF monitor security workers they operate.

Language: Английский

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Tree aboveground biomass increment and mortality in temperate mountain forests: Tracing dynamic changes along 25-year monitoring period

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 540, P. 121054 - 121054

Published: April 28, 2023

Language: Английский

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Mediterranean beech forests: Thinning and ground-based skidding are found to alter microarthropod biodiversity with no effect on litter decomposition rate

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 569, P. 122160 - 122160

Published: July 19, 2024

Despite the high ecological value of Mediterranean beech forests, very little is known about implications forest operations on soil microarthropod biodiversity and litter decomposition rate. There also no information concerning amount time needed for disturbed to recover return pre-harvesting conditions. Silvicultural treatments are scheduled every ten fifteen years, without taking into account necessary recovery. The purpose this study was determine information. started by selecting three sites located along Italian Apennine, each including a chronosequence parcels: one harvested in 2021, 2012, control parcel which had not been within last forty years. In parcels we investigated skid trails classified as disturbed, affected passage machine undisturbed. Thus area there were five experimental area. physico-chemical properties assessed treatment. These included bulk density, penetration resistance, shear organic matter content, QBS-ar index (Soil Biological Quality based microarthropods, qualitative measuring quality according community). We further established experiment, using teabags reference material, check differences among rates. used linear mixed-effects models investigate effects treatment biological features, relationships features. analysed rate generalised linear-mixed models. A significant effect caused found recently resistance (∼+70 % comparing control), (∼+35 %), (-25 %). Effects density content significant. All variables returned values similar those recorded after did find any features index. Finally, rate, suggesting that stronger magnitude disturbance affect complex biogeochemical process. Although initial impact highly significant, it 10-year period sufficient recovering upper layer. This observed forests when done with low-weight machines limited number passes trails. Thus, can be concluded planning another operation 10–15 years previous thinning, currently done, remains line recover.

Language: Английский

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Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris L.) Resilience to Climate Change: Insights from Coppice Forests in Southern and Central Europe

Forests, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(12), P. 2403 - 2403

Published: Dec. 9, 2023

Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) is a thermophilic species that gaining importance in the context of ongoing climate change because its better resistance to climatic extremes and drier conditions. Therefore, this article focuses on oak’s role growth properties coppice forests Southern Europe (Italy, Bulgaria) compared similar site conditions Central (Slovakia, Czechia). The aims are evaluate basic dendrometry indicators, stand biodiversity, dynamics, effect factors tree-ring increment specific chronologies. We found tree density coppices 50–60 years varied between 475 775 trees ha−1, volume ranged from 141 407 m3 ha−1. complex diversity all plots monotonous uniform structure. size was closely related indicators density. lowest influence sites Italy highest Slovakia. primary limiting factor for lack precipitation during growing season, especially June July. In contrast, temperature had marginal radial precipitation. research goes through longer 6 8-year cycles, European sites, it shorter cycles 2.4 4.8 years, which confirms region. studied stands exhibit stable reaction change. Yet, regarding cyclical growth, benefit an advantageous grow than Europe. As part changing environmental conditions, becoming important can achieve high production potential even habitats due regeneration characteristic as may play critical northerly introduction

Language: Английский

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European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.): A promising candidate for future forest ecosystems in Central Europe amid climate change

Central European Forestry Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(2), P. 62 - 76

Published: June 1, 2024

Abstract On the one hand, European beech ( Fagus sylvatic a L.) is tree of future due to ongoing climate changes, on other there are questions about its expansion and economic use as replacement for declining Norway spruce Picea abies [L.] Karst.). This literature review examines 140 studies summarizing basic research in context change. As climax species, becoming dominant again parts original range at middle higher altitudes Central Europe, following spruce. It shade-loving species that can thrive various types mixed forest stands. To cultivate beech, close-to-nature methods, shelterwood, or selection management optimal. The occurrence seed year influenced by factors such precipitation, temperature, drought, air pollution. Although generally considered resistant abiotic biotic factors, it often needs protection against hoofed game browsing earliest stages development. change progresses, essential areas rich precipitation nutrients where even under more extreme conditions. In optimal conditions, has shown intensive regeneration recent years, aggressively displacing species. However, with insufficient prolonged periods loses vigor, production, ability compete. For adaptation change, recommended select appropriate provenance, promote natural regeneration, structurally differentiated stands through positive-selection thinning from above.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating small‐scale harvesting disturbance to the forest soil in Mediterranean beech high forests

Land Degradation and Development, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(15), P. 4419 - 4427

Published: June 30, 2024

Abstract European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in Central and Southern Italy are managed applying the shelterwood system. Prior to regeneration cut, it is common apply 2–3 thinning interventions, aiming obtain mostly firewood, considering low dimension poor quality of stems. These interventions usually carried out by local forest enterprises relying on a or medium level mechanization (small‐scale forestry). In particular, short wood system applied, thus processing logs 1 m length extracting them with forestry‐fitted farm tractors equipped forwarding bins. Despite large application this harvesting Mediterranean forestry, no information available literature about its possible disturbance soil. To fulfill knowledge gap, we developed first assessment soil physicochemical (bulk density, penetration resistance, shear organic matter content) biological (soil microarthropods biodiversity evaluated QBS‐ar index, that is, an index based idea high‐quality soils have more groups morphologically better adapted than low‐quality soils) properties for kind logging operation. three case study areas Italy, applied experimental design evaluate separately impacts related passage machine silvicultural treatment itself. We further linear mixed‐effect models investigate relationship between changes properties. found effect be negligible, but there was significant alteration investigated parameters affected machine. Soil resistance doubled trails (0.25 MPa 4.02 t −2 , respectively) comparison other two treatments (control area not passage; 0.12 2.10 respectively). microarthropod (QBS‐ar index) were reduced 25% (about 30% 92 39% 130, Such disturbance, which occurred even if machinery had lower weight alternatives (forwarders), high number passes needed extract woody material bins compaction removal biodiversity, latter resulted significantly compacted matter‐poor soils. demonstrated small‐scale extraction can negative features term. therefore recommend best management practices, instance placing brush mats residues, limit within framework forestry. wider aerial systems, generally However, could happen only after extensive training program aimed increase skills loggers systems.

Language: Английский

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The State of the Art of Forest Operations in Beech Stands of Europe and Western Asia

Forests, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 318 - 318

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

Beech (Fagus spp.) is one of the most common tree species in Europe and Western Asia. The implementation sustainable forest Operations (SFOs) beech forests therefore crucial terms management. This review summarises state art concerning time-motion studies carried out forests, defining work productivity related costs different harvesting systems applied these stands. main focus recent years on felling processing operations has been introduction fully mechanised obtaining satisfactory results productivity. However, working performance still lower than coniferous Skidding forwarding resulted suitable techniques for ground-based extraction, both showing a clear inclination towards increasing when applying higher levels mechanisation. Aerial extraction by cable yarders particularly important considering that are often located steep terrains. Further efforts should be dedicated to enhancing training operators extend application aerial systems, which ensures good limited soil disturbances. In summary, this aimed give insight into could useful managers, engineers researchers sector operations.

Language: Английский

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Growth and Architectural Response of Beech Seedlings to Canopy Removal and Soil Compaction from Selective Logging

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(14), P. 6162 - 6162

Published: July 18, 2024

Logging operations change the forest environment by creating a heterogeneous canopy with range of different microenvironments that differ mostly in light intensity and level soil disturbance. In this study, growth characteristics architecture beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) seedlings grown three terms conditions were investigated. The experimental treatments (microenvironments) included skid trail (removal compacted soil), winching corridor (natural felling gap natural comparison control area (canopy state). results showed status many architectural indicators is significantly less favorable than area. These include length biomass above below ground, ratio root to stem trails corridors. these was, however, more gaps seedling quality index decreased −12.2% −4.9% corridors, respectively, but increased 2.4% compared had significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) bulk density penetration resistance positive 0.05) porosity, moisture, organic matter content. creation stand due cutting individual trees created micro-environment for seedlings, compaction caused logging an unfavorable these. Therefore, it necessary plan execute operation extracting cut such manner as reduce extent severity goal preserving maintaining stability ecosystem.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating an Innovative ICT System for Monitoring Small-Scale Forest Operations: Preliminary Tests in Mediterranean Oak Coppices

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(11), P. 4629 - 4629

Published: May 29, 2024

The application of modern technologies to increase the overall sustainability forest operations is known as precision harvesting. Precision harvesting can be a very powerful tool; however, it requires machinery, which expensive. Given that most operators in Mediterranean area are small-scale businesses, they do not have resources purchase costly equipment; thus, affected. Bearing this mind, study, we aimed test accuracy GNSS receiver on an innovative Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system developed monitor based. We tested GNSS’s by comparing extraction routes recorded during coppicing interventions two sites located Central Italy with those obtained more high-performing receiver. also used linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) investigate effects positioning error topographic features, such slope, elevation, aspect Topographic Position Index (TPI). found average was about 2 m, maximum 5 m. LMMs showed investigated features did significantly affect strongly related specific study random effect model (marginal coefficient determination 0.13 conditional grew 0.59). As consequence negligible canopy cover after coppicing, achieved satisfactory results. It could therefore visualising tool for pre-planned route network, allowing operator follow screen. However, these results preliminary should further experimental various operational conditions.

Language: Английский

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