Earticle

This study was conducted to estimate climax index by eco-morphology for major 36 tree and sub-tree species in natural deciduous forests so as to interpret seral position of each species in the forest community. Fourteen eco-morphological characters which were considered to be associated with successional gradient in the forest were selected for the study. Four levels per character for each species were given on a standardized scale of increasing climax, and the index was computed by the proportion of the sum of total scores, expressed by percent values. With calculated mean value of 54.8 for all indices, Carpinus cordata had the highest index value of 90.5, and Populus davidiana recorded the lowest of 13.2. The most climax group, greater than 70 of the index, contained only 8 species, intermediate group, between 41 to 70 of the index, had 23 species, and the most pioneer group, less than 40 of the index comprised 5 species. The result has noticed that the large number of species would take advantage of most diverse resource and niche in the intermediate stage of the sere in the forest. By cluster analysis all 36 species were subjected to be classified into several species groups which had common similar eco-morphological characteristics. The indices were additionally plotted on the two dimensional graph to recognize the positions related to the light absorption factor and reproduction factor. The climax index of tree and sub-tree species developed by this study could be applied to understand the present status of successional stage on the basis of species composition by the method of summing up the indices. And comparison of forest successional stage among various forest communities could be done by summing up the climax indices of composed species in each community. However, this kind of applied methodology should be limited to the forest of similar species composition and site condition.

Yield tables are a frequently used data base for regional timber resource forecasting. A normal yield table is based on two independent variables, age and site (species constant), and applies to fully stocked (or normal) stands while empirical yield tables are based on average rather than fully stocked stands. Normal and empirical yield tables essentially have many limitations. The limitations of normal and empirical yield tables led to the development of variable density yield tables. Mathematical models for estimating timber yields are usually developed by fitting a suitable equation to observed data. The model is then used to predict yields for conditions resembling those of the original data set. It may be accurate for the specific conditions, but of unproven accuracy or even entirely useless in other circumstances. Thus, these models tend to be specific rather than general and require validation before applying to other areas. Dalbergia sissoo forms a major portion of irrigated plantations in the hot desert of India and is an important timber tree species where stem wood is primarily used as timber. Variable density yield model is not available for this species which is very crucial in long-term planning for managing the plantations on a sustained basis. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop variable density yield model based on the data collected from 30 sample plots of D. sissoo laid out in IGNP area of Rajasthan State (India) and measured annually for 5 years. The best approximating model was selected based on the fit statistics among the models tested in the study. The model develop was evaluated based on quantitative and qualitative statistical criteria which showed that the model is statistically sound in prediction. The model can be safely applied on D. sissooo plantations in the study area or areas having similar conditions.

An experiment was set to understand the seedlings growth and nodulation capabilities of five potentially important leguminous agroforestry tree species of Bangladesh in response to application of organic fertilizer. Study was carried out in nursery bed on the seedlings of Acacia mangium Willd., Acacia hybrid, Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth, Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. after sowing their seeds in polybags filled with different medium. Farmyard manure or decomposed cow dung was applied as the source of organic fertilizer with other potting media. The growth and nodulation performance of seedlings of the selected species were measured three moths after the first seed was emerged. The different soil: organic manure ratios’ used during the experiment were, 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1. The effects of organic fertilizer on growth and nodulation were compared to that of seedlings grown in control. The results revealed a positive correlation between seedling growth and the different doses of organic fertilization (i.e. seedling growth was enhanced significantly with different treatments containing higher proportion of organic fertilizer). In few cases a negative effect was observed after applying higher levels of organic manure. It was also apparent that the nodulation in terms of nodule number and size was inhibited significantly by the application of organic fertilizer.

An assessment of Marsh crocodile’s (Crocodylus palustris LESSON, 1831) habitat, its feasibility in supporting the total population, feeding, hatching difficulty and variations in egg and clutch size of Marsh crocodile were carried out in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park for one year (July 2010 to June 2011). Major problem identified was the breeding failure, i.e. till now no hatching were found. Mainly two local weather variables (average temperature and humidity) were identified as the most obstructing parameters. Higher temperature (average 37.03oC) and Lower Humidity (average 75.33%) in comparison with standard range of incubation temperature and humidity for Marsh crocodile were seems to be vital reason for the failure of hatching. Understanding of the identified problem of this paper can direct the wildlife conservationist and the policy maker to take proper action for conserving the Marsh Crocodile in Bangladesh.

Reforestation is one of the most important ways to reduce erosion soil. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of jellyfish soil amendment on seedling growth for reforestation. 100g jellyfish soil amendment was applied into planting hole for the purpose of improvement of the Chamaecyparis obtusa seedling growth. Results showed that during growing period, mortality were 4.4% for the fertilized group and 8.3% for control group. The seedling average height and root diameter were 95.0 cm and 1.07 cm in fertilized group and 40.6 cm and 0.74 cm in control group. The fertilized group was found to be superior (by 1 to 5%) to control group in terms of mortality rate, seedlings height, and root diameter. The positive growth of the fertilized group can be due the increase in soil moisture and the higher availability of nutrients to the plants from jellyfish fertilizer.

We investigated the relationship between vegetation type and soil carbon dynamics in even-aged alder (Alnus hirsuta) and Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) plantations in central Korea. Both forests were located on the same soil parent material and occupied similar topographic positions. Soil CO2 efflux in the two plantations was determined using a dynamic chamber method accompanied by measurements of soil moisture content and temperature. Mean soil temperature was similar in the two plantations, but mean soil water content was significantly higher in the alder plantation than in the pine plantation. In both plantations, seasonal patterns in soil CO2 efflux exhibited pronounced variation that corresponded to soil temperature. Soil water content did not affect the seasonal variation in soil CO2 efflux. However, in summer, when soil temperature was above 17oC, soil CO2 efflux increased linearly with soil water content in the alder plantation. Estimated Q10 was 3.3 for the alder plantation and 2.7 for the pine plantation. Mean soil respiration during the measurement period in the alder plantation was 0.43 g CO2 m−2 h−1, which was 1.3 times higher than in the pine plantation (0.33 g CO2 m−2 h−1). Higher soil CO2 efflux in the alder plantation might be related to nitrogen availability, particularly the concentration of NO3 −, which was measured using the ion-exchange resin bag method.

The variation in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were examined for Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge seeds from three plantations (Inner Mongolia [IM], Liaoning [LN], and Shandong [SD] province) in China. Mean genetic variation was measured by polymorphism percentage (42.10%) and expected heterozygosity (He=1.27). Among three populations, Shandong showed the highest values both in polymorphism percentage and heterozygosity (p=57.89; Ho=1.58; and He=1.37). Total genetic diversity value, based on the total loci, was estimated as total genetic diversity of the species (Ht)=0.27 and mean within-population genetic diversity (Hs)=0.16. UPGMA cluster analysis showed the genetic closeness between Inner Mongolia and Liaoning population, but that Shandong seems to be the separate population.

The purpose of this study was to conduct phenology monitoring of forest plant species in Mt. JuWang National Park, thereby establish long-term prediction and management system for species susceptible to climate change, and utilize the result as basic materials necessary for conservation of plant genetic resources in accordance with changes in their growth environment. Global Positioning System coordinates were marked on each indicator species and a specific number ticket was provided to each plant. Changes in their blooming time, time of blossoms falling, time of leaves bursting into life, and time of leaves turning, and time of leaves falling were recorded. Investigation was made once per week from April 10 in 2010 to November 30 in 2011 except for the time period between July and August when investigation was made biweekly. The investigated plants concerned 12 kinds-nine species of trees and three kinds of herbs. According to the result of the penology monitoring of Mt. JuWang National Park, their time of leaves bursting into life, time of leaves turning, and time of leaves falling were largely earlier in 2011 than in 2010. However, it is hard to say that it is due to the factor of climate change. Long-term collection of climate data and continuous monitoring of plant phenology are considered necessary in order to examine correlation between climate change and seasonal change patterns of plants.

The purposes of the research in related to FSC in JuJe experimental forests (JJEFs) is to make pre and post socio-economic comparisons and play an important role of FSC, and recognition change to FSC timbers and to make an analysis to consumers' needs. As the results of onsite survey in 2005, respondents show a high awareness of SFM and FSC in comparisons of 2004, and the JJEFs play a critical role to make SFM and FSC advertisement worldwide, such as consumers' satisfaction to SFM and FSC is high. Hence provision of JJEF information such as job creation and socio-economic impacts to stockholders could make their satisfaction improving. Most of respondents to the FSC of JJEF represent a positive rate while low awareness to FSC timber is represented. Therefore, necessary information about JJEF FSC with forest management, process and consumption pattern of FSC is required into citizens. The final results prove that FSC effects such as 1.3 billion won direct additional benefits in terms of socio-economic aspects including environmental benefits and job creation and economic effects are enough to offset 1.3 billion won additional costs.

Characteristics of charcoals manufactured in each temperature as 400, 600 800, 1,000 and 1,200oC were examined. Sapwood and heartwood of Quercus variabilis that one of major species in charcoal materials were used for this experiment. Charcoal density was decreased highly 38-60% compared with wood density and density of sapwood was slightly decreased but heartwood was not changed with increasing carbonization temperature increase. Weight loss of sapwood and heartwood charcoal increased as carbonization temperature increases, and there is no difference between sapwood and heartwood charcoal. Refining degree of sapwood and heartwood charcoal was zero in charring over 800oC. Moisture and ash of sapwood and heartwood charcoal in each carbonization temperature were not differed between sapwood and heartwood. Volatile of sapwood charcoal was slightly higher than that of heartwood, and decreased as carbonization temperature increases. As the carbonization temperature increased, fixed carbon of sapwood and heartwood charcoal increased. Calorific values of charcoal prepared at 600oC were 7,200-7,300 cal/g and then decreased slightly as carbonization temperature increased.

Among the domestic softwoods, technical value of Pinus koraiensis small diameter logs which have comparatively low applicability was evaluated and sensitive characteristics and physical characteristics were investigated and analyzed for examining if it can be utilized as the interior decoration material. For the sensitive characteristics of Pinus koraiensis, wood figure, wood grain, wood color and odor were evaluated and for the physical characteristics, growth-ring width and latewood percentage, abrasion, density, shrinkage, swelling, absorption, roughness and hardness were evaluated. Then, the possibility to be developed as the interior decoration material was found. As the result of evaluating sensitive characteristics and physical characteristics of domestic Pinus koraiensis, wood figure, wood grain, color and scent clearly were judged to have excellent visual factor as the interior decoration material. And, physical characteristics were also judged to be excellent, so it is judged to be developed as the interior decoration material. Therefore, as the result of various forms of design pattern with domestic Pinus koraiensis small diameter logs, several patterns of interior decoration can be developed by characteristics of each side and colors of heartwood and sapwood. And, in the future, it can be applied to furniture design or interior decoration material for the proper use. Especially, it is considered to contribute to wood applying industry through the study on the quality of domestic small diameter logs which have low applicability.

Comparative sequence analyses were conducted on complete mtDNA sequences from four small mammal species in Korea and revealed the presence of 30 well conserved sequences in various regions of the complete mtDNA sequences. The conserved sequences were found in 9 regions in protein coding genes, 10 regions in tRNA genes, 10 in rRNA genes, one region in replication origin and 2 regions in D loop. They could be used to design primers for amplifying complete mtDNA sequences of small mammals.

Spider fauna of Mt. Yongmunsan located in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, was surveyed from April to October in 1996. A total of 75 species of 51 genera in 22 families from 996 individuals of spiders were identified. Species richness of each family, there were 17 Araneid species (22.7%), followed by each of the 7 Thomisid and Tetragnathid species (9.3%), 6 Salticid species (8.0%), and 5 Lycosid species (6.7%). Zoogeographically, spider fauna of Mt. Yongmunsan represented 1 cosmopolitan species (1.3%), 2 holarctic region species (2.6%), and 9 palearctic region species (12.0%), and 4 Korean endemic species (4.0%). Thus it is suggested that spider fauna of Mt. Yongmunsan was under northern regional influence.

This study was conducted from April 2012 to June 2012 to analyze breeding status of Black woodpeckers (Dryocopus martius) in the Gayasan National Park. Nest height, tree diameter which a nest built and altitude at the nest site of Black woodpeckers were 17.4 m, 63.8 cm and 587 m, respectively. A pair of Black woodpeckers completed a clutch in 4 eggs on 7 May and 3 of eggs hatched on 24 May 2012. Both female and male incubated eggs and never left eggs without one of parents. A male more contributed to build a nest than a female. Incubation duration was higher in a male than in a female. Nestlings made a begging call in a nest during the growing period. Begging frequency of nestlings increased from 11 days up to 20 days after hatching. After then, nestlings reduced begging and fledged a nest 24 days after hatching. This study provided information of breeding ecology to protect and manage population of Black woodpeckers which are endangered species in South Korea.