scholarly journals Collective growth patterns reveal the high growing potential of older silver fir trees in a primeval forest in Romania’s Southern Carpathians

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 1085-1099
Author(s):  
Sergiu A. HORODNIC ◽  
Cătălin C. ROIBU
Keyword(s):  
Abies Alba ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Intraspecific Interactions ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Southern Carpathians

The trees’ ability to respond and adjust to very different growing conditions during their lifespans varies depending on tree species and the site-specific situations. Identifying the underlying mechanisms and the individual drivers that may affect the patterns of tree growth is crucial in ecological and economic terms. How long can forest trees grow and sustain biomass accumulation, with increasing age, is still under debate. In order to determine the factors that influence growth releases for silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) trees in a temperate old-growth forest of Romania's Southern Carpathians, an analysis of radial and basal area growth patterns was initiated. Dendroecological methods were used to reconstruct radial growth both at the individual level, but especially at the group level, in four clusters obtained by a prior k-cluster analysis depending on social status. The study results showed that the growth rate of older trees increases continuously for this species at stand level, even after the typical harvesting age in managed forests. Although the direction and intensity of the climate-growth correlations at individual level were very different, the considered climatic variables explaining little to none of the growth variation, the cumulative response of the analysed trees to climate change is directly correlated with the mean July-August temperature, confirming the capacity of the silver fir to tolerate drought. Our results demonstrate that the trees of the same species are able to obtain together a temporal plasticity in strategies, exceeding the adaptability of individuals considered separately and suggest the positive impact of facilitative intraspecific interactions on forest growth.

scholarly journals Occurrence of the silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) butt rot in protected areas

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-352
Author(s):  
Stanisław Niemtur ◽  
Elżbieta Chomicz ◽  
Mariusz Kapsa
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Butt Rot ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
The Individual

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyse butt rot incidences in silver fir stands of selected nature reserves and national parks. The study included 11 stands in Carpathian forests and for comparison 4 stands outside the Carpathians. To identify butt rot in fir trees, we used the non-invasive method of acoustic tomography. We tested 30 randomly selected fir trees in each of the 15 stands using Picus Sonic tomography to determine butt rot occurrence and to assess the proportion (%) of healthy wood in cross-sections of the tree trunk. The results indicate significant differences in the frequency of butt rot in silver fir at the individual level as well as the population level. This variability in frequency was not dependent on geographical location of the investigated stands

Mitigating climate change effects on forest growth using planting stock with high adaptive genetic capacity: results from Abies alba (Mill.) provenance trials at the southeastern distribution limit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgeta Mihai ◽  
Alin-Madalin Alexandru ◽  
Marius-Victor Birsan ◽  
Ionel Mirancea ◽  
Paula Garbacea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Planting Stock ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Recent Climate ◽  
Romanian Carpathians

<p>European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is among the most important forestry species in Europe. In Romanian Carpathians, it covers about 5% of the forests area and almost two-thirds of its distribution is located in Eastern Carpathians, which is the southeastern edge of its distribution in Europe.<br>The most recent climate change scenarios for Europe suggest increases in mean annual temperature of 1-4 °C by the end of this century (Meinshausen et al. 2011). In the context of global warming, the populations living at the edge of the species distribution will be the first facing the climate change effects. In these regions, as the southeastern Europe, the main constrains are increasing the temperature, extended drought events and water availability. Forest species are particularly sensitive to climate change because the long life-span of trees does not allow for rapid adaptation to environmental changes (Lindner et al. 2010). <br>In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the drought response of 51 European silver fir populations from: Romanian Carpathians (26), Austria (4), Germany (3), France (3), Italy (4), Slovakia (3), Czech Republic (3), Poland (1) and Bulgaria (4)  to strong drought events which have occurred in this region, in the last 30 years. The populations are tested in three provenances trials established in Romania, in 1980; two of them being located outside and one within the optimum climatic of species. The most drought years, with severe or extreme drought periods, have been identified based on the standardized precipitation index (McKee et al. 1993). The growth response of the silver fir populations to the drought events was evaluated by calculating four parameters, namely: resistance, recovery, resilience, relative resilience (Lloret et al. 2011). Results reveled that the general trend was towards decrease the stem radial growth of silver fir during the last 30 years. The provenance x year interaction was not significant which means high provenances stability over time. Significant differences were found among silver fir provenances in terms of ring width, latewood proportion, resistance, recovery and resilience in drought years. There are provenances which have highlighted high productivity and high tolerance to drought, which could be used in reforestation work, breeding and conservation programs. The radial growth of silver fir provenances was negative affected by the temperature increase during vegetation period and positive by previous autumn-spring precipitations. Therefore, the forest management strategy to mitigate negative impacts of climate change should be based on the knowledge of the intraspecific genetic variation and selection of the best performing and adapted planting stock for each region.</p>

scholarly journals Prevalensi dan Determinan Hipertensi di Pulau Jawa, Tahun 2004

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Zamhir Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Hypertension Status ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Level Measurement ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Ecological Measurement ◽  
The Individual

Hipertensi merupakan faktor risiko utama kardiovaskuler yang merupakan penyebab utama kematian di seluruh dunia. Peningkatan umur harapan hidup dan perubahan gaya hidup meningkatkan faktor risiko hipertensi di berbagai negara. Tujuan penelitian ini (1) Mengetahui prevalensi hipertensi dan penyebarannya di Pulau Jawa tahun 2004. (2) Mengetahui faktor-faktor sosiodemografi yang berhubungan dengan kejadian hipertensi. (3) Mengetahui kontribusi dan dampak potensial masing-masing faktor tersebut. Penelitian dengan rancangan studi Ekologi Multilevel ini menggabungkan variabel tingkat pengukuran individu dengan tingkat pengukuran ekologi dalam analisis bersama, dengan unit analisis individu. Analisis kontekstual dilakukan melalui kerangka konsep hipertensi, menggunakan metode analisis regresi logistik ganda, dengan status hipertensi sebagai variabel dependen. Data variabel dependen dan variabel perancu yang merupakan data pengukuran tingkat individu diambil dari data SKRT 2004. Data sosiodemografi tingkat pengukuran ekologi sebagai variabel independen utama, diperoleh dari Profil Kesehatan Indonesia, Statistik Indonesia, Statistik Kesehatan, Statistik Kesejahteraan Rakyat, danData Departemen Dalam Negeri, unit pengamatan provinsi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan prevalensi hipertensi di Pulau Jawa 41,9%, dengan kisaran di masing-masing provinsi 36,6%-47,7%. Prevalensi di perkotaan 39,9% (37,0%-45,8%) dan di perdesaan 44,1% (36,2%-51,7%). Kata kunci: Hipertensi, faktor sosiodemografiAbstractHypertension is a main risk factor of cardiovascular disease which is ranked as number one cause of death in the world. The increase of life expectancy and changes in life style have increased the prevalence of hypertension risk factor in both developed and developing countries. The objectives of this study are (1) To know the prevalence and distribution of hypertension in di Java island, in year 2004. (2) To know sosiodemographic factors related to hypertension. (3) To know the contribution of each sosiodemographic factor toward hypertension. The study used multilevel ecologic study design that integrated both individual and ecological level variables measurement. The analysis method used in this study was contextual analysis and multiple logistic regression with hypertension status as dependent variable. The individual level measurement of variables such as hypertension status and age, job, education and sex is taken from Household Health Survey (SKRT) 2004. The sosiodemographic data which was ecological measurement level served as the main independent variables were taken from Indonesian Health Profile, Indonesian Health Statistics, Public Welfare Statistics and data from Department of Internal Affair, particularly from Province Surveillance Unit. The study results showed that the prevalence of hypertension in Java Island was 41.9%, with range of prevalence in provincial level of 36.6%-47.7%. The prevalence in urban areas was 39.9% (37.0%-45.8%) and in rural areas was 44.1% (36.2%-51.7%)Keywords: Hypertension, sosiodemographic factors

scholarly journals The Medication Adherence Score: A Predictive Analytic Tool

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Brouwer ◽  
Reinoud E. Knops ◽  
Martin C. Burke ◽  
Vivek Y. Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Adherence Behavior ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Analytic Tool ◽  
Adherence Score ◽  
Study Results ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background Poor medication adherence is wide-spread and associated with poor clinical outcomes. Herein, we introduce the Medication Adherence Score, a predictive analytic tool designed to provide clinicians insight into adherence behavior over the subsequent twelve months. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the feasibility of such scoring of patients at the individual level. Methods This is a single arm, non-randomized, 2-center, retrospective cohort study conducted among patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The model, developed by Fair Isaac Corporation on pharmacy refill data, predicts adherence behavior to cardiovascular drugs using demographic, geographic and socio-economic predictors. The primary outcome was the number of patients that could be scored at the individual level without reliance on past individual refill behavior. The score was normalized between zero (lowest adherence score) and one (highest adherence score) and patients were grouped: low adherence < 0.6, intermediate adherence between 0.6 and 0.8, high adherence > 0.8. The institutional review board approved the study. Results A total of 1110 patients were included in the study with a median age of 71 (IQR 63, 79). Most patients (807, 73%) could be scored at the patient level, and the remaining patients (303, 27%) were scored based on characteristics associated with the geography of their home address. There were 488 patients (44%) with a high adherence score (score > 0.8), 382 (34%) with an intermediate adherence score (score between 0.6 and 0.8) and 240 patients (22%) with a low score. Younger patients had on average lower scores than older patients, and males also had higher scores. Conclusions The Medication Adherence Score was successfully applied to an unselected group of atrial fibrillation patients: nearly a quarter of the cohort were identified as at risk for non-adherence. Future studies are necessary to assess the association of this predictive analytic model with clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals Influence of Warmer and Drier Environmental Conditions on Species-Specific Stem Circumference Dynamics and Water Status of Conifers in Submontane Zone of Central Slovakia

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2945
Author(s):  
Adriana Leštianska ◽  
Peter Fleischer ◽  
Katarína Merganičová ◽  
Peter Fleischer ◽  
Katarína Střelcová
Keyword(s):  
Water Deficit ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Water Status ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Band Dendrometers ◽  
Species Specific

The frequency and intensity of droughts and heatwaves in Europe with notable impact on forest growth are expected to increase due to climate change. Coniferous stands planted outside the natural habitats of species belong to the most threatened forests. In this study, we assess stem circumference response of coniferous species (Larix decidua and Abies alba) to environmental conditions during the years 2015–2019. The study was performed in Arboretum in Zvolen (ca. 300 m a.s.l., Central Slovakia) characterised by a warmer and drier climate when compared to their natural habitats (located above 900 m a.s.l.), where they originated from. Seasonal radial variation, tree water deficit (ΔW), and maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) were derived from the records obtained from band dendrometers installed on five mature trees per species. Monitored species exhibited remarkably different growth patterns under highly above normal temperatures and uneven precipitation distribution. The magnitudes of reversible circumference changes (ΔW, MDS) were species-specific and strongly correlated with environmental factors. The wavelet analysis identified species-specific vulnerability to drought indicated by pronounced diurnal stem variation periodicity in rainless periods. L. decidua exhibited more strained stem water status and higher sensitivity to environmental conditions than A. alba. Tree water deficit and maximum daily shrinkage were found appropriate characteristics to compare water status of different tree species.

scholarly journals Sustainable Social and Individual Implications of Telework: A New Insight into the Romanian Labor Market

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 3506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina-Mihaela Dima ◽  
Claudia-Elena Țuclea ◽  
Diana-Maria Vrânceanu ◽  
Gabriela Țigu
Keyword(s):  
Latent Variables ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The One ◽  
The Individual

This research aims to evaluate the individual and social implications of telework, along with the foreseeable permanent result that could be generated. Consistent with this objective, a survey has been carried out on a sample of 1180 Romanian employees, on which a model has been developed, based on structural equation modelling. The model includes five latent variables, on the one hand targeting telework features and on the other hand, its possible effects on individuals and society. At an individual level, the study results emphasize that telework could contribute to a better work–life balance and could also help teleworkers to develop specific teleworking abilities. At a social level, telework could generate sustainable effects targeting the long-term management of the work force and providing solutions to potential problems at local community levels. The managerial implications of this study are directed toward the need to implement a series of sustainable human resource management strategies and efficient employee training and development programs. Moreover, organizations need to be more proactive in assuming corporate social responsibilities.

Gap disturbance regime in an old-growth Fagus–Abies forest in the Dinaric Mountains, Bosnia-Herzegovina

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 2728-2737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Nagel ◽  
Miroslav Svoboda
Keyword(s):  
Abies Alba ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Disturbance Regime ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Gap Formation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Dinaric Mountains ◽  
Gap Disturbance

Due to the scarcity of old-growth forests in much of Europe, there is little quantitative information on disturbance processes that influence forest dynamics. However, this information is crucial for forest management that tries to emulate patterns and processes in natural forests. We quantified the gap disturbance regime in an old-growth forest dominated by European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir ( Abies alba Miller) in the Dinaric Mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We sampled 87 gaps in four stands using line-intercept sampling. The percentages of forest area in canopy gaps and expanded gaps ranged from 12% to 17.2% and 35.5% to 39.7%, respectively. Although many of the gaps were small (<100 m2) and formed from a single gapmaker, large canopy openings >1000 m2 with numerous gapmakers made up a disproportionate amount of the total gap area. More than half the gaps had more than one gapmaker and were often in separate decay classes, indicating gaps had expanded over time during separate disturbance events. Furthermore, 51% of all gapmakers were uprooted or wind-snapped, whereas only 22% died standing. These results suggest that wind disturbance plays an important role in creating intermediate to large canopy openings through both gap formation and gap expansion processes.

scholarly journals Psycholinguistic Evidence for Incipient Language Change in Mexican Spanish: The Extension of Differential Object Marking

Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Begoña Arechabaleta Regulez ◽  
Silvina Montrul
Keyword(s):  
Language Change ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
Differential Object Marking ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Oral Production ◽  
Grammaticality Judgments ◽  
Study Results ◽  
On Line ◽  
Object Marking ◽  
The Individual

Spanish marks animate and specific direct objects overtly with the preposition a, an instance of Differential Object Marking (DOM). However, in some varieties of Spanish, DOM is advancing to inanimate objects. Language change starts at the individual level, but how does it start? What manifestation of linguistic knowledge does it affect? This study traced this innovative use of DOM in oral production, grammaticality judgments and on-line comprehension (reading task with eye-tracking) in the Spanish of Mexico. Thirty-four native speakers (ages 18–22) from the southeast of Mexico participated in the study. Results showed that the incidence of the innovative use of DOM with inanimate objects varied by task: DOM innovations were detected in on-line processing more than in grammaticality judgments and oral production. Our results support the hypothesis that language variation and change may start with on-line comprehension.

scholarly journals Cultural Influences on Environmental Consciousness and Green Environmental Behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Bashar S. Gammoh ◽  
Sam C. Okoroafo ◽  
Anthony C. Koh
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Environmental Consciousness ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Individual

This paper focuses on investigating the relationship between culture and green attitudes and environmental behavior across two countries representing societies with different cultural norms. The paper presents a theoretical model suggesting that individual level cultural differences influence consumer&rsquo;s environmental consciousness which then influence their green consumerism and active ecological Behaviors&rsquo;. Data was collected using survey research from two countries representing societies with different cultural norms&mdash;the United States and India. SmartPLS was used to assess the quality of the measurement model and test the proposed research hypotheses. Although the United States is a society that is generally driven by individualism and mastery orientation, study results indicate that at the individual level people attitudes and behaviors might be influenced by different orientations depending on the consumption situation. Overall, study findings highlight the value in understanding the influence of cultural factors at the individual level and not just at the country level.

scholarly journals Linking Dendroecology And Association Genetics: Stress Responses Archived In Tree Rings Associate With SNP Genotypes In Abies alba (Mill.)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Heer ◽  
David Behringer ◽  
Alma Piermattei ◽  
Claus Bassler ◽  
Bruno Fady ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Genetic Association ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Genetic Association Studies ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Silver Fir

Genetic association studies in forest tress would greatly benefit from information on tree response to environmental stressors over time. Dendroecology can close this gap by providing such time series measurements. Here, we jointly analyzed dendroecological and genetic data to explore the genetic basis of resistance, recovery and resilience to episodic stress in silver fir. We used individual level tree-ring data to characterize the growth patterns of surviving silver fir (Abies alba) during the forest dieback in the 1970s and 1980s in Central Europe and associated them with SNPs in candidate genes. Most trees at our study sites in the Bavarian Forest experienced severe growth decline from 1974 until the mid-1980s, which peaked during the drought year of 1976. Using the machine learning algorithm random forest, we identified 15 candidate genes that were associated with the variance in resistance, resilience and recovery among trees in this period. With our study we show that the unique possibility of phenotypic time series archived in tree-rings are a powerful resource in genetic association studies. We call for a closer collaboration of dendroceologists and forest geneticists to focus on integrating individual tree level signals in genetic association studies in long lived trees.

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