Earticle

Crown ratio is the ratio of live crown length to tree height. It is often used as an important predictor variable for tree growth equation. It indicates tree vigor and is a useful parameter in forest health assessment. The objective of the study was to develop crown ratio prediction models for Tectona grandis. Based on the data set from the temporary sample plots, several non linear equations including logistics, Chapman Richard and exponential functions were tested. These functions were evaluated in terms of coefficient of determination (R2) and standard error of the estimate (SEE). The significance of the estimated parameters was also verified. Plot of residuals against estimated crown ratios were observed. Although the logistic model had the highest R2 and the least SEE, Chapman-Richard and Exponential functions were observed to be more consistent in their predictive ability; and were therefore recommended for predicting crown ratio in the stand.

A total of 45 Pinus sylvestnis var. mongolica trees from 9 plots in northeast China were destructively sampled to develop aboveground prediction equations for inventory application. Sampling plots covered a range of stand ages (12-47-years-old) and densities (450-3,840/ha). The distribution of aboveground biomass of whole-trees and tree component (stems, branches and leaves) of individual trees were studied and 4 equations were developed as functions of diameter at breast height (DBH), total height (HT). All the equations have good estimation effect with high prediction precision over 90%. Forest biomass was estimated based on the individual biomass prediction equations. It was found forest biomass of all organs increased with the increasing of stand age and density. And the period of 45-50 years was the suitable harvest time for Pinus sylvesris plantation.

An explanatory survey was conducted to assess preference and consumption pattern of horticultural species, their sources,location-wise planting preferences and diversity of these speci es in the rural homestead forest of the offshore island of Bangladesh. Assessment was done through multistage random sampling. Based on homestead size respondents were categorized into small (＜0.05 ha), medium (0.05-0.25 ha) and large (＞0.25 ha) and twenty from each category were selected randomly for the study. The study revealed that most of the farmer (75.5%) preferred to plant fruit tree species for future plantation followed by timber species (62.2%). But fruit-bearing plants were being gradually replaced by some exotic timber species such as Swietenia mahagoni, Acacia auriculiformis, Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus spp., etc. Diversity and abundance of fruit species was found higher in almost all homestead. A total of 41 horticultural species were identified and seven horticultural species among them were recognized as the most preferred ones in the study area. Consumption pattern was chiefly to meet the nutritional demand and to gain a quick monetary benefit. Average annual income from horticultural species was 7,183.33 Taka (US$102).

A special type of indigenous knowledge on plants utilization and farming system was explored by the Garo tribe community in the North-East region of Bangladesh, which correspond to the severe dependence on homestead forest. Results show that the Garo are totally dependent on the natural resources and that the extent of their dependency is faithfully reflected in their ethno-botanical knowledge. Dependencies that the study addressed focused on various aspects of food,fruit, energy, timber and health care on plants products. Garo tribe community in Bangladesh followed agrosilvipastoral system in their homesteads. They have indigenous hunting procedure to trap the animal in the forest. A total of 9 foods, 15 fruits, 12 energy-producing and 11 timber species was found and recorded that the Garo used in their daily life. Moreover, Garo used 23 medicinal plants species and have vast indigenous knowledge about using herbal medicine in daily health care practices. The Garo women do mostly the household activities, managing homestead forest and helping agricultural field where men perform all hard working activities like ploughing, cutting trees, digging the soil, preparation of horticultural and agricultural land, hunting, etc. The overall quality of life of the Garo could be considerably upgraded if ethno-botanical issues and their own indigenous knowledge will complement with scientific knowledge. The findings of the study conclude that the conservation of the indigenous knowledge of the Garo tribe related to plants utilization can also be turned to good account in forest conservation and is an important tool in this tribal area of Bangladesh.

A Gangwon region consisting of over 80% of forest area has industries that have been developed by utilizing its clean region image. However, the recent climate change has increased the forest disease & insect pest as well as the forest fire and the major cause is known to be the increase in the frequency of a drought occurrence. From the aspect of climate change, it can be said that drought and forest are important in every aspect of the adaptation and mitigation of climate change measure as they increase forest disease & insect pest that leads to desolation of usable forest resource. In addition, the increase of forest fire reduces resources that can absorb greenhouse gas, which leads to increase in green house emission. The purpose of this study is to provide a motive for concentrating administrative power for protecting forest in a Gangwon region by selecting a drought management needed local government through a drought forecast according to the climate change scenario of a Gangwon region.

In an effort to analyze the impact of climate change, Gangwon provincial forest was divided into three sectors; forest ecology, forest disaster, and forest productivity and analysis of their current status from 2000 to 2009 and vulnerability assessment by climate change has been carried in this study. In case of vulnerability assessment, except for the forest ecology, forest disaster (forest fires and forest pests) and forest productivity sectors were analyzed in current status, the year of 2020, and 2050. It turned out that vulnerability of forest fires in the field of disaster would become worse and forest pests also would make more impact even though there is some variation in different areas. In case of the vulnerability of forest productivity there would be not a big difference in the future compared with current vulnerability. Systematic research on the sensitivity index used for vulnerability assessment is necessary since vulnerability assessment result greatly depends on the use of climate exposure index and adaptive capacity index.

Investigation of flora was performed from March to October of 2008 as Eastern and Western coastal districts located in the same latitude (36°47′-37°48′), in order to apply this to basic data for effective protection and management of coastal forests also for insurance of biodiversity in coastal forests. As a result of the investigation of floras, both coastal forests recorded product-plants as follows: 98 families, 262 genera, 370 species, 46 varieties, 4 forms, 1 hybrid, 421 taxa in total. The Eastern coastal forests had 85 families, 188 genus, 248 species, 32 varieties, 3 forms, 1 hybrid, 285 taxa in total, whereas Western coastal forest had 96 families, 227 genus, 306 species, 39 varieties, 2 forms, 1 hybrid, 348 taxa in total. Among them, seashore plants accounted for 10.2% of total plants appeared in both coastal, and they are 26 families, 38 genus, 40 species, 3 hybrids and 43 taxa in total. There are special Korea plants in both coastal; 9 families, 9 genus, 8 species, 1 varieties, 1 hybrid, 10 taxa in total. There are rare plants in both coastal; 8 families, 8 genus, 7 species, 1 varieties, 8 taxa in total. Naturalized plants are also existed; 11 families, 24 species, 1 variety, 30 taxa in total.

This study was conducted from February 2005 to October 2007 to investigate bird distribution at three types of forest (mixed, broadleaf and coniferous) in Gwangneung forest. As a result, more birds used mixed forests than broodleaf and coniferous forest. During forest was opened to public, more birds also frequently used mixed forests. When forest was closed to public, there was no preference among three forest types. We also compared the number of species and individuals between open and restricted area. More species and individuals used restricted area.