scholarly journals Carbon Status and Regression Model for Tree Carbon by Crown Cover for Sal Forest of Nepal

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Paudel ◽  
Rupesh Kalakheti ◽  
Tek Maraseni

Abstract Volume, biomass and carbon of forest ecosystem are generally estimated using lookup tables or allometric equations known as models. These general equation-based models are usually exclusively based on dimensional measurement such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and/or height, which sometimes makes it difficult to judge applicability of equation to given forest condition or types. It is therefore important to estimate carbon stock and develop models to predict biomass or carbon stock with stratification by categorical variables like crown cover, slope, forest types, etc. Stratification of forest by remote sensing approach while designing forest inventory not only improves the reliability of the estimation but also reduces the cost of measurement. Taking crown coverage (<25%, 25-50%, 50-75% and >75%) as a categorical variable, this study assessed the status of carbon stock and develop a regression model to predict carbon stock for each canopy class of Sal (Shorea robusta) forest in Nepal. DBH and height were measured for trees with more than 7 cm DBH in 82 sample plots (18, 22, 22 and 20 for <25%, 25-50%, 50-75% and >75% respectively). On average 297 stands per hectare were recorded with 94.80 m 3 /ha growing stock. Carbon stock was highest for >75% crown cover class (89.83 ton C/ha) and lowest for <25% crown cover class (27.47 ton C/ha) with average 60.41 ton C/ha, where per tree carbon stock was lowest in crown cover class 25-50% (0.16 ton C/tree). TukeyHSD shows that four pairs of crown cover classes have significant difference in carbon stock at 95% confidence interval. Regression model with natural logarithm of DBH 2 and total tree height was best fitted for estimation of carbon stock per tree in different crown cover class with adjusted R 2 >0.99 and residuals were normally distributed. Adjustment of model (natural logarithm of DBH 2 and height) with high accuracy (R 2 >0.99) shows the importance of stratification especially by crown cover for accurate estimation of carbon stock for optimization of carbon benefits.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Paudel ◽  
Rupesh Kalakheti ◽  
Tek Maraseni

Abstract Background: Volume, biomass and carbon of forest ecosystem are generally estimated using lookup tables or allometric equations known as models. These general equation-based models are usually exclusively based on dimensional measurement such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and/or height, which sometimes makes it difficult to judge applicability of equation to given forest condition or types. It is therefore important to estimate carbon stock and develop models to predict biomass or carbon stock with stratification by categorical variables like crown cover, slope, forest types, etc. Stratification of forest by remote sensing approach while designing forest inventory not only improves the reliability of the estimation but also reduces the cost of measurement and uncertainty in estimation. Taking crown coverage (<25%, 25-50%, 50-75% and >75%) and slope (0-8.5%, 8.5-19%, 19-31% and >31%) as a categorical variable, this study assessed the status of carbon stock and develop a regression model to predict carbon stock for each canopy class of Sal (Shorea robusta) forest in Nepal. DBH and height were measured for trees with more than 7 cm DBH in 82 sample plots (18, 22, 22 and 20 for <25%, 25-50%, 50-75% and >75 % respectively).Results: On average 297 stands per hectare were recorded with 94.80 m3/ha growing stock. Carbon stock was highest for >75% crown cover class (89.83 ton C/ha) and lowest for <25% crown cover class (27.47 ton C/ha) with average 60.41 ton C/ha, where per tree carbon stock was lowest in crown cover class 25-50% (0.16 ton C/tree). TukeyHSD shows that four pairs of crown cover classes have significant difference in carbon stock at 95% confidence interval. However, with increase in slope carbon stock per hectare was decreasing. Regression model with natural logarithm of DBH2 and total tree height (i.e. log transformed polynomial equation) was best fitted for estimation of carbon stock per tree in different crown cover class with adjusted R2 >0.99 and residuals were normally distributed. Conclusions: Adjustment of model (natural logarithm of DBH2 and height) with high accuracy (R2 >0.99) shows the importance of stratification especially by crown cover for accurate estimation of carbon stock for optimization of carbon benefits.


Our Nature ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metmany Soukhavong ◽  
Liu Yong ◽  
Khamseng Nanthavong ◽  
Jérôme Millet

Phou Khao Khouay (PKK) National Park is one of the 21 National Parks in Lao PDR that supports high biodiversity. The plant community was represented by 62 families, 145 species and 1,221 tree size individuals in 50×50 m2 plots. The largest species in terms of individual number were Hydnocarpus ilicifolia, Hopea spp. and the largest families in terms of species number were Rubiaceae and Dipterocarpaceae. A total 24 families, 33 species and 91 sapling individuals were found in the 10×10 m2 sapling plots, the largest species were Rinorea boissieui, Ailanthus triphysa and Hopea spp. and the largest families were Dipterocarpaceae and Myrtaceae. In the seedling quadrat, there were 88 families, 153 species and 1,586 seedling size individuals in 2×2 m2 plots, the largest species were Hopea spp., Hopea ferrea and spp. (leguminoceae), the largest families were Rubiaceae, Annonaceae and Dipterocarpaceae. Diversity was found very high in tree and seedling was significantly higher than that of sapling, but no significant difference between tree and seedling. The largest tree height and maximum mean diameter at breast height (DBH) belonged to the family of Dipterocarpaceae. Canopy cover of Diperocarpaceae was highest (35%) in study area. Lauraceae and other 6 families had lowest crown cover around 5%. The result of this study indicated the pattern of species composition in plant community assembly and density, diversity, abundance for the vegetation layers.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v11i1.8237 Our Nature Vol.11(1) 2013: 1-10


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.7) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
M Zainora Asmawi ◽  
Najihah Ngaimin ◽  
Noor Zalina Mahamod ◽  
Norzailawati Mohd Noor ◽  
Hamdan Omar

Forests are major resources that offer a strong artistic, cultural, biological and economical source for the social community in every nation. Degradation of the environmental condition has become a key concern, and the primary cause of this trouble is linked primarily to human disturbance towards natural resources. Therefore, this research was embarked to analyse the level of the environmental status of forested areas in Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor, Malaysia-based on chosen measures. This research depends on a series of GIS database covering five criteria, namely slope, altitude, crown perimeter, tree height and carbon stock, which were then analysed using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). A scoring system was developed from eigenvalue of priority ratings and bringing out a composite map, showing the level of the environmental condition of the forest, ranging from the healthiest, moderately healthy and less healthy condition. The results indicate that 45.5% of the forested areas in FRIM lie under the category of healthiest condition (220.8 hectares) with the carbon stock as the key contributor. This research concludes that the relevant criteria for ecosystem health are beneficial in monitoring the forest condition that contributes to the environmental quality with particular reference to the consideration of forest as an impactful carbon sink element of any geographical setting.  


Author(s):  
U. S. Panday ◽  
N. Shrestha ◽  
S. Maharjan

Abstract. Forest biomass is the sum of above ground living organic material contained in trees which is expressed as dry weight per unit area. Forest biomass acts as substantial terrestrial carbon sinks, they are estimated to absorb 2.7 Petagrams of carbon per year, as such accurate estimation of forest carbon stock is very important. The estimation of biomass is also important because of its application in commercial exploitation as well as in global carbon cycle. Particularly in the latter context, the estimation of the total above-ground biomass (TAGB) with sufficient accuracy is vital in reporting the spatial and temporal state of forest under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries (REDD). In this research, tree height, DBH and crown cover were measured using field instruments. Individual ultra-high-resolution UAV images acquired using customized Visible-NIR, were georeferenced and tree crown were extracted using multi-resolution segmentation. A regression equation between field measured biomass and Crown Projection Area (CPA) was developed. The paper presents results from Barandabhar Forest of Chitwan District, Nepal. RMSE of ortho-mosaic was found to be 18 cm. While R2 value of 89% was obtained for relationship between DBH and biomass, that of 61% was attained for relationship between CPA and biomass.


1969 ◽  
Vol 62 (4_Suppla) ◽  
pp. S23-S35
Author(s):  
B.-A. Lamberg ◽  
O. P. Heinonen ◽  
K. Liewendahl ◽  
G. Kvist ◽  
M. Viherkoski ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The distributions of 13 variables based on 10 laboratory tests measuring thyroid function were studied in euthyroid controls and in patients with toxic diffuse or toxic multinodular goitre. Density functions were fitted to the empirical data and the goodness of fit was evaluated by the use of the χ2-test. In a few instances there was a significant difference but the material available was in some respects too small to allow a very accurate estimation. The normal limits for each variable was defined by the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. It appears that in some instances these limits are too rigorous from the practical point of view. It is emphasized that the crossing point of the functions for euthyroid controls and hyperthyroid patients may be a better limit to use. In a preliminary analysis of the diagnostic efficiency the variables of total or free hormone concentration in the blood proved clearily superior to all other variables.


BMC Ecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertrand Andriatsitohaina ◽  
Daniel Romero-Mujalli ◽  
Malcolm S. Ramsay ◽  
Frederik Kiene ◽  
Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Edge effects can influence species composition and community structure as a result of changes in microenvironment and edaphic variables. We investigated effects of habitat edges on vegetation structure, abundance and body mass of one vulnerable Microcebus species in northwestern Madagascar. We trapped mouse lemurs along four 1000-m transects (total of 2424 trap nights) that ran perpendicular to the forest edge. We installed 16 pairs of 20 m2 vegetation plots along each transect and measured nine vegetation parameters. To determine the responses of the vegetation and animals to an increasing distance to the edge, we tested the fit of four alternative mathematical functions (linear, power, logistic and unimodal) to the data and derived the depth of edge influence (DEI) for all parameters. Results Logistic and unimodal functions best explained edge responses of vegetation parameters, and the logistic function performed best for abundance and body mass of M. ravelobensis. The DEI varied between 50 m (no. of seedlings, no. of liana, dbh of large trees [dbh ≥ 10 cm]) and 460 m (tree height of large trees) for the vegetation parameters, whereas it was 340 m for M. ravelobensis abundance and 390 m for body mass, corresponding best to the DEI of small tree [dbh < 10 cm] density (360 m). Small trees were significantly taller and the density of seedlings was higher in the interior than in the edge habitat. However, there was no significant difference in M. ravelobensis abundance and body mass between interior and edge habitats, suggesting that M. ravelobensis did not show a strong edge response in the study region. Finally, regression analyses revealed three negative (species abundance and three vegetation parameters) and two positive relationships (body mass and two vegetation parameters), suggesting an impact of vegetation structure on M. ravelobensis which may be partly independent of edge effects. Conclusions A comparison of our results with previous findings reveals that edge effects are variable in space in a small nocturnal primate from Madagascar. Such an ecological plasticity could be extremely relevant for mitigating species responses to habitat loss and anthropogenic disturbances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S144-S144
Author(s):  
Azza Elamin ◽  
Faisal Khan ◽  
Ali Abunayla ◽  
Rajasekhar Jagarlamudi ◽  
aditee Dash

Abstract Background As opposed to Staphylococcus. aureus bacteremia, there are no guidelines to recommend repeating blood cultures in Gram-negative bacilli bacteremia (GNB). Several studies have questioned the utility of follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) in GNB, but the impact of this practice on clinical outcomes is not fully understood. Our aim was to study the practice of obtaining FUBCs in GNB at our institution and to assess it’s impact on clinical outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of adult patients, ≥ 18 years of age admitted with GNB between January 2017 and December 2018. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes in those with and without FUBCs. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, presumed source of bacteremia and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Presence of fever, hypotension /shock and white blood cell (WBC) count on the day of FUBC was recorded. The primary objective was to compare 30-day mortality between the two groups. Secondary objectives were to compare differences in 30-day readmission rate, hospital length of stay (LOS) and duration of antibiotic treatment. Mean and standard deviation were used for continuous variables, frequency and proportion were used for categorical variables. P-value &lt; 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results 482 patients were included, and of these, 321 (67%) had FUBCs. 96% of FUBCs were negative and 2.8% had persistent bacteremia. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between those with and without FUBCs (2.9% and 2.7% respectively), or in 30-day readmission rate (21.4% and 23.4% respectively). In patients with FUBCs compared to those without FUBCs, hospital LOS was longer (7 days vs 5 days, P &lt; 0.001), and mean duration of antibiotic treatment was longer (14 days vs 11 days, P &lt; 0.001). A higher number of patients with FUBCs needed ICU care compared to those without FUBCs (41.4% and 25.5% respectively, P &lt; 0.001) Microbiology of index blood culture in those with and without FUBCs Outcomes in those with and without FUBCs FUBCs characteristics Conclusion Obtaining FUBCs in GNB had no impact on 30-day mortality or 30-day readmission rate. It was associated with longer LOS and antibiotic duration. Our findings suggest that FUBCs in GNB are low yield and may not be recommended in all patients. Prospective studies are needed to further examine the utility of this practice in GNB. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1249.1-1250
Author(s):  
K. Celkys ◽  
J. Ly ◽  
M. Soden

Background:Biological and targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic agents (bDMARDs) increase the risk of serious infections (SIs), however there is limited ‘real-world’ evidence comparing the relative risk of SI for individual bDMARDs. (1,2)Objectives:This study examines the rates of SIs in a non-select Australian Northern Queensland (NQ) cohort of patients with various rheumatic diseases receiving treatment with a bDMARD, to define predisposing factors and directly compare the bDMARDs.Methods:A retrospective review was performed for all patients who received a bDMARD through the Townsville Hospital Rheumatology Department over the 5-year period between June 2013 and May 2018. Episodes of a SI were defined as infection requiring admission or use of intravenous antibiotics. For each bDMARD the rate of SI per 100 patient years (PYs) was calculated and patient demographics and comorbidities were analysed. Between group differences were assessed using independent samples t-tests or ANOVA. Where assumptions were violated, Mann-Whitney U tests or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. For categorical variables, chi-square tests were used, except when assumptions were violated when Fisher’s Exact tests were used.Results:296 patients received bDMARDs with an overall SI rate of 11.7/100PYs. There was no significant difference in presence of SI by disease type with 24% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis versus 19% with psoriatic arthritis, 14% with ankylosing spondylitis and 29% with “other” (X2=3.11; df=3; p=0.37). Respiratory tract infections were the most common infection (46%) followed by skin and soft tissue infections (23%). The highest incidence rate of SI occurred with rituximab (29.72 SI/100PYs) followed by certolizumab (22.50 SI/100PYs) and tocilizumab (15.00 SI/100PYs). Duration of time on a bDMARD, disease duration and use of methotrexate or leflunomide were not shown to significantly increase the risk of SI for the entire cohort. The characteristics which were shown to significantly increase SI rates were; prednisone use, increasing age, chronic pulmonary comorbidity and specifically in those with rheumatoid arthritis male gender and total duration of bDMARD use.Conclusion:In this real-world NQ cohort of patients treated with a bDMARD for a rheumatic disease, we have identified a number of factors potentially contributing to the risk of the development of SIs. This study provides valuable data on SI rates in an Australian ‘real-world’ cohort that may assist clinicians’ choice of bDMARD in patients with a high baseline risk of infection and highlights the importance of minimising prednisone use in patients on bDMARDs.References:[1]Ramiro S, Sepriano A, Chatzidionysiou K, et al. Safety of synthetic and biological DMARDs: a systematic literature review informing the 2016 update of the EULAR recommendations for management of rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76:1093–1101.[2]Singh J, Wells G, Christensen R, et al. Adverse effects of biologics: a network meta-analysis and Cochrane overview. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;16:CD008794.Disclosure of Interests: :Kate Celkys: None declared, Jason Ly: None declared, Muriel Soden Speakers bureau: Speaker Fees from Pfizer in 2016


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Xi ◽  
Bilal Hassan ◽  
Ruth G. N. Katumba ◽  
Karam Khaddour ◽  
Akshay Govindan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Differentiating true glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) from pseudoprogression (PsP) remains a challenge with current standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this study was to explore whether patients’ absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) levels can be utilized to predict true tumor progression and PsP. Methods Patients were considered eligible for the study if they had 1) GBM diagnosis, 2) a series of blood cell counts and clinical follow-ups, and 3) tumor progression documented by both MRI and pathology. Data analysis results include descriptive statistics, median (IQR) for continuous variables and count (%) for categorical variables, p values from Wilcoxon rank sum test or Fisher’s exact test for comparison, respectively, and Kaplan-Meier analysis for overall survival (OS). OS was defined as the time from patients’ second surgery to their time of death or last follow up if patients were still alive. Results 78 patients were included in this study. The median age was 56 years. Median ALC dropped 34.5% from baseline 1400 cells/mm3 to 917 cells/mm3 after completion of radiation therapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ). All study patients had undergone surgical biopsy upon MRI-documented progression. 37 had true tumor progression (47.44%) and 41 had pseudoprogression (52.56%). ALC before RT/TMZ, post RT/TMZ and at the time of MRI-documented progression did not show significant difference between patients with true progression and PsP. Although not statistically significant, this study found that patients with true progression had worse OS compared to those with PsP (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI 0.86–2.43, P = 0.178). This study also found that patients with high ALC (dichotomized by median) post-radiation had longer OS. Conclusion Our results indicate that ALC level in GBM patients before or after treatment does not have predictive value for true disease progression or pseudoprogression. Patients with true progression had worse OS compared to those who had pseudoprogression. A larger sample size that includes CD4 cell counts may be needed to evaluate the PsP predictive value of peripheral blood biomarkers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S162-S163
Author(s):  
Jennifer B Radics-Johnson ◽  
Daniel W Chacon ◽  
Li Zhang

Abstract Introduction Burn camps provide a unique environment and activities for children that have experienced a burn-injury. Positive outcomes from attending burn camp include increased self-esteem, decreased feelings of isolation and a greater sense of self-confidence. In a 3-year retrospective review of camper evaluations from one of the largest and longest running week-long burn camps in the nation for ages 5–17, we aimed to assess if a child’s gender, age, TBSA or ethnicity affected the impact that burn camp had on a child. Methods A 3-year retrospective review of a Burn Camp’s camper evaluation forms was conducted for campers that attended burn camp between 2017–2019. Camp rosters were reviewed to determine the camper gender, age, TBSA and ethnicity. Camper self-evaluation forms completed at the end of each camp session were reviewed to record camper responses to questions regarding their opinions on the impact camp had on them as well as how camp will impact their lives once they return home. Categorical variables were summarized as frequency and percentage, and continuous variables were described as median and range. To check the relationship between two categorical variables, Chi-square test was used. To compare the continuous variable among groups, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used. Statistical significance was declared based on a p value&lt; 0.5. Results Within 2017–2019, there were 413 camper records. Participants’ demographic characteristics are summarized in Table 1. There were 208 males (50.3%) and 205 females (49.6%). The median age of campers were 11.86, 12.44 and 12.45 for 2017–2019, with the range from 5.16 years to 17.96 years. The median TBSA were 20, 20 and 18 for 2017–2019, with the range from 0.08 to 90. Collectively there were 47.7% Hispanic (n= 197); 24.2% Whites (n=100); 13.1% Black (n= 54); 4.6% Asian (n=19) and 7.7% Other (n=32). There were 395 camper self-evaluation forms submitted. Results of three questions there we were interested in are summarized collectively in Table 2. 57% of campers responded, “Yes, Definitely” to the question “After going to this event, will you feel more comfortable being around your classmates or friends?” 54% responded, “ Yes, Definitely” to the question “Do you feel more confidents in sharing your burn story with others when returning home?” and 51% responded “Yes, Definitely” to “Did you learn anything that will help you when you return home?” Conclusions In analyzing the camper responses, there was no statistically significant difference in responses comparing gender, age, TBSA or ethnicity.


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