scholarly journals Die zukünftige Waldforschung an der WSL | The future of forest research at WSL

2002 ◽  
Vol 153 (8) ◽  
pp. 321-325
Author(s):  
Mario F. Broggi ◽  
Bernhard Oester
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Forest Research ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Forest Use ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Right ◽  
Forest Plans

Forest research is going through a period of decisive change in terms of both structure and values as a result of economic and social developments. Researchers from the Department «Forest» at WSL have, therefore, been discussing potential challenges with other experts in order to be able to identify problems early and anticipate the consequences of global developments. We have been asking ourselves questions like: Are we doing the right thing? And are we doing it in the right way? We have drawn on these discussions in setting our longterm goals and core research areas for the next few years. The Department «Forest» plans to continue to focus mainly on ecological research but also to consider topics more from the points of view of economics and direct implementation. Steps in this direction have already been taken. The WSL Programme«Future-oriented Management of Forest Use» has been launched and the Section «Economics» has been strengthened with more people employed. The Section «Silvicultural Strategies» focuses on studying long-term forest development. It then uses these research findings to work out effective silvicultural strategies to steer the development of the forest. Thorough knowledge of the forest ecosystem and of the processes that take place within it is essential in order to answer the many questions raised. The Section «Forest Ecosystems and Ecological Risks» is investigating these processes and cause-effect relationships in forest ecosystems. It estimates the risks arising from changing environmental conditions. The Section«Soil Ecology» is concerned with long-term processes and changes taking place in the soil. It studies the influence of the increased deposition of acids, nitrogen compounds and inorganic pollutants, in particular heavy metals, on the soil and the associated risks to plants, soil-dwelling creatures and the groundwater. The Section «Forest and Environmental Protection» has become known as the centre for expertise on forest health in Switzerland. It makes recommendations and disseminates research findings and data to do with current issues in forest conservation. We are performing top research in these areas and are well known in international research circles, as the ETH-Council expects us to be. We intend in future to offer more support to those responsible for or interested in forests by providing applicable and future-oriented solutions to important and complex problems.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Human intelligence — From RNA and Synapse to Broadband

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Traill
Keyword(s):  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Optical Signals ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Impossible Task ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Right ◽  
Label Sequence

Simple thought has been explained by the action-potential (AP) system with its synapses. In contrast, in-depth details for “Declarative” intellectual thought have been a complete mystery because (it is argued here) its main underlying mechanism is fundamentally different. Declarative thinking depends heavily on linear coding based on digit-like elements — something which an unaided AP system could never offer......Looking instead to psychology, Piaget (1920s) proposed basic units of action-sequences (“schèmes” whereby one could mentally construct object-concepts). There is now evidence that some ncRNA serves this verb-like action-coding role. — (Other ncRNA demonstrably serves as adjectival/adverbial “regulators” — while the remaining ≈3% of RNA encodes physical structures, the traditional noun-like role). If valid, then:–•NEW FOCUS ONTO ULTRAMICRO: — The whole Piagetian structure-coding for a concept could fit into one of the many 125nm capsids (“granules”). Moreover, many more concepts (and duplicates) could fit into a cell-body. — The vast abundance of coding-sites would allow comprehensive “wasteful” rapid use of Jerneian/Darwinian selection instead of problematic “writing down” of new learnings. — Estimates of memory-capacity increase vastly. — And hereditary-schèmes obviously explain inherited behaviour-traits. — Piaget’s other theory about develop¬mental stages also seems compatible.•Quantum-constraints ensure that such micro-sites would USE OPTICAL FREQUENCY signalling. That opens the way to greatly enhanced “Gigabit” rates, and optical-interference tricks.•MYELIN gets the EXTRA ROLE OF OPTIC-CABLE.So nerve-fibres become seen as simultan¬eous paths for two different types of signal (also demonstrated by Sun-et-al, 2010), with AP still dominant in some roles, but subservient to “UPE” optical signals elsewhere.•LOCATING MEMORIES? Choosing the right address means selecting some sort of “phone-number or numbered plug-socket.” That is best provided as an “address-label” sequence on the transmitted version of the schème-coding — in which case, actual destination-location may be less important.•“Moving-house” TO CORTICAL LONG-TERM MEMORY. The memory-move must preserve existing (i) memory-structure, and (ii) links to distant static archives. This “impossible” task would seem feasible if memories are actually held within individual cells (as above). There is indeed lifelong flow of such neurons in some mammals; but these flows seem to cease in adulthood for humans and dolphins! So the search continues.

scholarly journals Emerging Themes in the Ecology and Management of North American Forests

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. Sharik ◽  
William Adair ◽  
Fred A. Baker ◽  
Michael Battaglia ◽  
Emily J. Comfort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Forest Ecology ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Ecosystem Change ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Plant Animal Interactions ◽  
Meta Analyses

The 7th North American Forest Ecology Workshop, consisting of 149 presentations in 16 oral sessions and a poster session, reflected a broad range of topical areas currently under investigation in forest ecology and management. There was an overarching emphasis on the role of disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic, in the dynamics of forest ecosystems, and the recognition that legacies from past disturbances strongly influence future trajectories. Climate was invoked as a major driver of ecosystem change. An emphasis was placed on application of research findings for predicting system responses to changing forest management initiatives. Several “needs” emerged from the discussions regarding approaches to the study of forest ecosystems, including (1) consideration of variable spatial and temporal scales, (2) long-term monitoring, (3) development of universal databases more encompassing of time and space to facilitate meta-analyses, (4) combining field studies and modeling approaches, (5) standardizing methods of measurement and assessment, (6) guarding against oversimplification or overgeneralization from limited site-specific results, (7) greater emphasis on plant-animal interactions, and (8) better alignment of needs and communication of results between researchers and managers.

scholarly journals Transformation to irregular structure of an upland conifer forest

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Wilson ◽  
H. Whitney McIver ◽  
D. C. Malcolm
Keyword(s):  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Conifer Forest ◽  
Forest Research ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Key Words Transformation ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Irregular Structure ◽  
Silvicultural System

The Glentress Trial was established by M.L. Anderson in 1952 as a demonstration of transformation to irregular structure of an upland conifer forest in southern Scotland. The trial area (117 ha) is one of the longest continuously-studied forest research areas in Britain. The dominant tree species are Sitka spruce, European larch, Scots pine and Douglas-fir. The most important silvicultural system is group selection, with group size varying from 0.1 to 0.2 ha. Groups are restocked by planting or natural regeneration. Interim results point to the development of an irregular forest structure, although the transformation will not be complete until 2033. The trial demonstrates the value of continuous cover forests in meeting multiple forest management objectives, and is a resource of increasing importance for silviculture education and long-term research. Key words: transformation, irregular structure, uneven-aged management, Sitka spruce, Douglas-fir, long-term silviculture research

scholarly journals Forestry Research Advisory Council of Canada Annual Report for 1993

1994 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-460
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Advisory Council ◽  
Forest Research ◽  
The Past ◽  
Forestry Research ◽  
Research Programs ◽  
Canadian Council

The Forest Accord that flowed from the Forest Congress of March 1992 carries firm commitments to "maintain and enhance the long term health of our forest ecosystems, for the benefit of all living things both nationally and globally." It recognizes forestry research as vital in attaining this goal.The Forestry Research Advisory Council of Canada (FRACC) has provided advice on forestry research priorities and policies to the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) since 1983. The Council is much encouraged by the Accord's strong emphasis on research.As a result of the 1987 decision by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM), forest research advisory councils (FRACs) are now functioning in most provinces. FRACC works closely with these groups and for the past five years, with their assistance, has prepared an annual overview of forestry research priorities and concerns across Canada. Over the past year, the Council has reviewed its role and its working arrangements with the FRACs.In this 1993 report, Council makes the following recommendations:Recommendation 1. CFS research programs to improve and foster sustainable forest management should be aimed at maintaining viable, diverse forest ecosystems using techniques that mimic natural processes as much as possible, to produce an appropriate mix of values.Recommendation 2. The CFS should complete the update of the forestry research inventory and then give attention to further refining the software system. In particular, it should be made more flexible and adapted to manipulation by existing commercially available software.Recommendation 3. All agencies concerned with Canadian forest research should be urged to discuss and study the report Toward a National Forest Science and Technology Agenda for Canada.Recommendation 4. The CFS should strongly support the concept of alternating annual activities. An overview of research priorities could be conducted in odd-numbered years; then in even-numbered years, FRACC and representatives of the provincial and territorial councils could hold a workshop to examine a major research topic in depth and present the results and conclusions to the CCFM.Recommendation 5. The CFS should ensure that sufficient funding is available to cover at least three meetings of Council each year. It should also make a reasonable amount of staff time or contract funds available to Council for the conduct of analysis and studies.Recommendation 6. The CFS should review Council's terms of reference, and give direction on whether Council should make recommendations that go beyond the research programs of the CFS, and whether it should include forest products research in its examination of issues and priorities.The funding of forest research is a matter of serious concern, particularly the need to provide stable, long-term funding, because forest research is, by its nature, long term. No specific recommendations were prepared in 1993 but Council will continue to give this question close attention in 1994.Forest research priorities across the country were again assessed in cooperation with the provincial and territorial FRACs. It was agreed that forest research must be targeted to enable forest managers to:• Sustain the diversity and resilience of the forest ecosystems.• Improve forest health and resistance to pests.• Increase forest productivity for all values.• Reduce forest management and fire protection costs.• Access all available knowledge and data in making decisions.• Determine the socio-economic value of Canadian forests.• Improve profits and competitiveness in the forest industry.Forest research in Canada is considered to be reasonably well focused on these questions, but more effort is required to ensure long-term funding and to improve application of results.Council will hold three regular meetings in 1994. During the year it will give attention to:1. Global trends affecting forestry — including five or six major issues requiring research attention, and the implications they all have for forest research priorities.2. Progress of the forest research inventory.3. Development of a proposal for research coordination and support, as requested by the Forest Sector Advisory Council.4. How research is categorized, performed, and funded in Canada — to provide information useful in further improving the ongoing forest research inventory, and as a basis for the proposal on research funding being considered by Council.

Good strategy makes good leaders

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Allio
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Good Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Successful Leadership ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This masterclass seeks to identify the leaders others should emulate, what’s are best practices, how did the acclaimed exemplars get to be leaders, and what can we learn from their stories? Design/methodology/approach – The author, a veteran practitioner and long-time observer of the evolution of strategic management regularly scans the business idea marketplace to identify any breakthroughs in the perennial quest for insights into the field of leadership. Findings – Forget leadership – it’s strategy that matters. Companies excel when they adopt good strategies and implement them efficiently. The role of the leader is diminishing, and leadership has little utility as an organizing principle. Practical implications – Look realistically at attempts to show how some CEOs shaped the future of their firms. Stories of success and failure typically exaggerate the impact of leadership style and management practices on performance. They focus on the singularities – the few extraordinary successes– and ignore the many events that failed to happen. We all fall prey to this affective fallacy when we extoll certain individuals – and then overweight their contribution to the success of their organizations. Originality/value – We need to refocus our attention on strategy. Successful leadership ultimately comes down to good strategy and good fortune. We have little control over the vicissitudes of the macro-environment, but firms that adopt the right strategy will do better over the long term.

The Impact of Internal Work Environment on the Retention of Healthcare Providers at Turaif General Hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1183-1199
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alrouili ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Internal Work ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

This study attempted to identify the impact of internal work environment on the retention of healthcare providers at Turaif General Hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In particular, the study aimed to identify the dimensions of work circumstances, compensation, and relationship with colleagues, professional growth, and the level of healthcare providers’ retention. In order to achieve the study goals, the researcher used the descriptive analytical approach. The researcher used the questionnaire as the study tool. The study population comprised all the healthcare providers at Turaif General Hospital. Questionnaires were distributed to the entire study sample that consisted of 220 individuals. The number of questionnaires valid for study was 183 questionnaires. The research findings were as follows: the participants’ estimate of the work circumstances dimension was high (3.64), the participants’ estimate of the compensation dimension was moderate (3.32), the participants’ estimate of the relationship with colleagues dimension was high (3.62), the participants’ estimate of the professional growth dimension was weak (2.39), and the participants’ estimate of healthcare providers’ retention level was intermediate (2.75). Accordingly, the researcher’s major recommendations are: the need to create the right atmosphere for personnel in hospitals, the interest of the hospital to provide the appropriate conditions for the staff in terms of the physical and moral aspects for building the work adjustment in the staff, and conducting training courses and educational lectures for personnel in hospitals on how to cope with the work pressures.

The Many Faces of Socioeconomic Change

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Toye
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Adam Smith ◽  
First Century ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Face ◽  
Scientific Expertise ◽  
The Many ◽  
Century Development

This book provides a survey of different ways in which economic sociocultural and political aspects of human progress have been studied since the time of Adam Smith. Inevitably, over such a long time span, it has been necessary to concentrate on highlighting the most significant contributions, rather than attempting an exhaustive treatment. The aim has been to bring into focus an outline of the main long-term changes in the way that socioeconomic development has been envisaged. The argument presented is that the idea of socioeconomic development emerged with the creation of grand evolutionary sequences of social progress that were the products of Enlightenment and mid-Victorian thinkers. By the middle of the twentieth century, when interest in the accelerating development gave the topic a new impetus, its scope narrowed to a set of economically based strategies. After 1960, however, faith in such strategies began to wane, in the face of indifferent results and general faltering of confidence in economists’ boasts of scientific expertise. In the twenty-first century, development research is being pursued using a research method that generates disconnected results. As a result, it seems unlikely that any grand narrative will be created in the future and that neo-liberalism will be the last of this particular kind of socioeconomic theory.

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