scholarly journals Structure and development patterns analysis of Fagus sylvatica s.l.- Quercus dalechampii Ten. stands in two areas in the Rhodope mountains of Xanthi region

2001 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Milios ◽  
P. Smiris

This  study was conducted in Fagus sylvatica-Quercus  dalechampii stands in two areas in the    Rhodope mountains of Xanthi. In order to analyse the structure and the  development patterns of    our stands, 23 plots were established, increment cores were taken, and stem  analysis was    conducted in 2 couples of dominant (competitive) beech and oak trees. The  main results of this    research indicate that a) In the mountainous part of the study area,  natural and anthropogenic    disturbances form the initiation, development and structure of beech-oak  stands. However the    fact that a number of oak trees survived after the disturbance in  combination with landscape    topography, which inhibited the dispersion of pine seeds, the species  biology and the local climate, which is warmer than that of adjacent areas, influenced the succession pathways in the    area and allowed oak to act as a pioneer species. b) Even though only one  of the two structural    types, tound in the submountainous part of the study area, was initiated by  (anthropogenic)    disturbances, the structure and composition of both structural types stands  were and still are formed by illegal cuttings in which the oak wood is preferred. c) In both competing couples, the    beech trees, after the first 80-85 years of their life, showed by far  higher volume growth rates    than the adjacent competitive oak trees which, in combination with the  trees height growth    patterns, implies, that in the future, a total domination of beech trees (in  the two couples) will be    observed. d) Forest practice must preserve the mixture of beech and oak in  the mountainous    part of the study area and enhance the presence of oak component in the  submountainous part    of the study area, in order to maintain· the diversity of these stands, to  avoid the disadvantages    of a homogenous forest and to mediate an orderly transition of community  types, if the predicted    increase in the average global temperatures comes true.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 517-524
Author(s):  
Noah S. Cutler ◽  
Sudharsan Srinivasan ◽  
Bryan L. Aaron ◽  
Sharath Kumar Anand ◽  
Michael S. Kang ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVENormal percentile growth charts for head circumference, length, and weight are well-established tools for clinicians to detect abnormal growth patterns. Currently, no standard exists for evaluating normal size or growth of cerebral ventricular volume. The current standard practice relies on clinical experience for a subjective assessment of cerebral ventricular size to determine whether a patient is outside the normal volume range. An improved definition of normal ventricular volumes would facilitate a more data-driven diagnostic process. The authors sought to develop a growth curve of cerebral ventricular volumes using a large number of normal pediatric brain MR images.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective analysis of patients aged 0 to 18 years, who were evaluated at their institution between 2009 and 2016 with brain MRI performed for headaches, convulsions, or head injury. Patients were excluded for diagnoses of hydrocephalus, congenital brain malformations, intracranial hemorrhage, meningitis, or intracranial mass lesions established at any time during a 3- to 10-year follow-up. The volume of the cerebral ventricles for each T2-weighted MRI sequence was calculated with a custom semiautomated segmentation program written in MATLAB. Normal percentile curves were calculated using the lambda-mu-sigma smoothing method.RESULTSVentricular volume was calculated for 687 normal brain MR images obtained in 617 different patients. A chart with standardized growth curves was developed from this set of normal ventricular volumes representing the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles. The charted data were binned by age at scan date by 3-month intervals for ages 0–1 year, 6-month intervals for ages 1–3 years, and 12-month intervals for ages 3–18 years. Additional percentile values were calculated for boys only and girls only.CONCLUSIONSThe authors developed centile estimation growth charts of normal 3D ventricular volumes measured on brain MRI for pediatric patients. These charts may serve as a quantitative clinical reference to help discern normal variance from pathologic ventriculomegaly.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-510
Author(s):  
Richard L Peters ◽  
Georg von Arx ◽  
Daniel Nievergelt ◽  
Andreas Ibrom ◽  
Jonas Stillhard ◽  
...  

Abstract During the growing season, trees allocate photoassimilates to increase their aboveground woody biomass in the stem (ABIstem). This ‘carbon allocation’ to structural growth is a dynamic process influenced by internal and external (e.g., climatic) drivers. While radial variability in wood formation and its resulting structure have been intensively studied, their variability along tree stems and subsequent impacts on ABIstem remain poorly understood. We collected wood cores from mature trees within a fixed plot in a well-studied temperate Fagus sylvatica L. forest. For a subset of trees, we performed regular interval sampling along the stem to elucidate axial variability in ring width (RW) and wood density (ρ), and the resulting effects on tree- and plot-level ABIstem. Moreover, we measured wood anatomical traits to understand the anatomical basis of ρ and the coupling between changes in RW and ρ during drought. We found no significant axial variability in ρ because an increase in the vessel-to-fiber ratio with smaller RW compensated for vessel tapering towards the apex. By contrast, temporal variability in RW varied significantly along the stem axis, depending on the growing conditions. Drought caused a more severe growth decrease, and wetter summers caused a disproportionate growth increase at the stem base compared with the top. Discarding this axial variability resulted in a significant overestimation of tree-level ABIstem in wetter and cooler summers, but this bias was reduced to ~2% when scaling ABIstem to the plot level. These results suggest that F. sylvatica prioritizes structural carbon sinks close to the canopy when conditions are unfavorable. The different axial variability in RW and ρ thereby indicates some independence of the processes that drive volume growth and wood structure along the stem. This refines our knowledge of carbon allocation dynamics in temperate diffuse-porous species and contributes to reducing uncertainties in determining forest carbon fixation.


Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1058
Author(s):  
Peter F. Newton

The objective of this study was to develop a stem analysis data processing and computational algorithm and associated software suite that was (1) applicable to temperate and boreal forest tree species, (2) mathematically consistent with excurrent tree stem geometric and allometric principles, (3) compatible with data structures obtained using proprietary and non-proprietary imaging systems, and (4) executable on Windows®-based operating systems. Computationally, the suite denoted SAP (Stem Analysis Program), deployed sectional-specific formulae that were in accord with the following geometric assumptions: (1) stump section was treated as a solid of revolution resembling a cylinder; (2) sections between the stump and the tip were treated as a solid of revolution resembling a frustum of a cone for sections with continuous annual increments, otherwise treated as a cone; and (3) tip section was treated as a solid of revolution resembling a cone. The algorithm also corrected for the slant-based sectional length measurements using Pythagorean Theorem and eliminated the requirement to predict age-specific apex height development through the use of a linear interpolation procedure. Based on input data structures consisting of annual ring-width xylem sequences measured from cross-sectional disk samples acquired at multiple positions along the tree’s main stem, the suite produces a broad array of output, inclusive of radial and longitudinal ring-width sequences, apical growth increments, annual and cumulative sectional and cumulative volume production patterns, and historically reconstructed stem taper profiles. In total, the SAP creates six output data files for each tree analyzed: (1) input data reference summary (e.g., geometric mean ring-widths and resultant radii for each cross-section); (2) radial growth patterns for the cross-section sampled at breast-height (e.g., absolute and relative diameter and basal area growth estimates); (3) sectional (vertical) profiles of volume growth patterns (e.g., absolute and relative growth estimates within each section (bolt)); (4) cumulative volume growth patterns for the entire tree; (5) historical taper profile estimates (e.g., heights and diameters by year); and (6) texturally-labeled compendium of all output files generated. Additionally, real-time graphical output was produced for the purposes of data assessment and verification during the radial sequence data acquisition stage (e.g., graphical presentation of annual ring-width sequences by radii and disk, for use in validating input data structures and increment measurements derived from the imaging system), and interpreting growth and development patterns (e.g., vertical growth layer and specific volume increment profiles by age or year). The utility of the SAP suite was exemplified by processing WindendroTM-based annual ring-width xylem sequences obtained from cross-sectional disks extracted from a jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) tree via percent-height destructive stem analysis, and subsequently elucidating growth and developmental patterns within the context of silviculture treatment effects (thinning). The SAP suite provides the conceptual and logistical foundation for the continued deployment of the stem analysis approach in a wide range of investigations, including those examining the effect of naturogenic processes and anthropogenic influences on tree growth and development.


1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce C. Larson

Stand development patterns and growth rates of even-aged mixed stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamensiesii Mirb. Franco) and grand fir (Abiesgrandis Dougl. Lindl.) were investigated by stand reconstruction in eastern Washington. Although Douglas-fir dominated the stands early, grand fir of the same age eventually overtook the tallest Douglas-firs. Dominant trees of both species were found to have highly variable taper form (based on basal area to height ratios), although a linear relationship existed in other crown classes. Stem volume growth rates were determined by reconstructing past diameters and heights and were found comparable to site class IV Douglas-fir in western Washington. Intensive management, especially planting and thinning, could improve upon the observed mean annual increments of 800 board feet per acre at 80 years of age.


1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1355-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Gillespie ◽  
Harold W. Hocker Jr.

A model predicting white pine (Pinusstrobus L.) diameter growth after thinning included competition, initial diameter, and crown class as independent variables. Model coefficients indicated a decrease in percent 8-year diameter growth with increasing crown suppression, crown competition, or tree size class. Variables selected were superior to age, percent live crown, and prethinning growth. Equations predicting basal area and volume growth were similar in form to diameter growth. Height growth, however, was more closely correlated with crown characteristics and unaffected by competition. Annual growth patterns were similar to periodic growth patterns, revealing decreased growth with increasing competition or crown suppression. Trees having little competition and dominant crowns utilized their growing season longer, with earlier initial growth and faster growth than trees having greater competition or crown suppression. Within a crown class, diameter growth decreased as competition increased. Individual tree competition was seen as the most important factor influencing tree growth that a forester can control.


2021 ◽  
Vol 124 ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
Matevž Konjar ◽  
Tom Levanič ◽  
Thomas Andrew Nagel ◽  
Milan Kobal

Debris flows can transport large amounts of material and therefore present a significant threat to infrastructure and human life. In this research, we used tree-ring width analyses to quantify the response of trees to three debris flow events in NW Slovenia (Javoršček, Srpenica) and W Slovenia (Nikova) for which we know the time of origin. We attempted to date these and similar tree responses in the past and compared the patterns between different tree species. Altogether, we sampled 147 trees across a range of tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris, Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus ornus, Acer pseudoplatanus, Picea abies, Juglans regia, Acer campestre, Tilia cordata and Ostrya carpinifolia), including reference trees that were outside the debris flow fan. For 91 trees, we constructed tree-ring chronologies and used pointer-year analysis to identify years that had abnormal growth. For the remaining trees (mostly Ostrya carpinifolia, Tilia cordata and Acer pseudoplatanus), we either could not accurately distinguish tree rings or two samples from a single tree showed significantly different growth patterns. The growth patterns of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies following debris flow events showed a weak response at the Javoršček site and no clear responses at the other two sites. Tree species responded similarly at the same locations. Due to the lack of a clear response pattern, we were not able to reconstruct past debris flows.


2000 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Milios

The  study was conducted in second growth stands in the central Rhodope mountains  and    (specially) in the region of Xanthi. In order to determine the dynamics and  the development    patterns of Pinus sylvestris - Fagus sylvatica stands, 39 plots were established, trees were cut,    increment cores were taken, and stem analysis was conducted in 4 couples of  dominant    (competitive) pine and beech trees. The main results of this research  indicate that a) The    population structures, the regeneration and development patterns are  strongly influenced by    human and natural disturbances and species 'life history characteristics'.  b) The difference in    site quality between site types results in differences in the duration of  beech invasion (under pine) and in species basal area distribution. c) In good site qualities when individual dominant    beech and Scots pine (competitive) trees with a small age difference grew  together, the beech    trees, in some cases, have almost the same height growth as the pines and  the pine trees    showed a delayed (for the species) culmination in current annual volume  increment which is not    followed by a abrupt fall. d) The process of secondary succession is  influenced by disturbances    regime, environment, propagule availability and species biology.


2005 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Nahm ◽  
Thomas Holst ◽  
Andreas Matzarakis ◽  
Helmut Mayer ◽  
Heinz Rennenberg ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document