Parameterization of Mangrove Root Structure of Rhizophora stylosa in Coastal Hydrodynamic Model

Mangroves are able to attenuate tsunamis, storm surges, and waves. Their protective function against wave disasters is gaining increasing attention as a typical example of the green infrastructure/Eco-DRR (Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction) in coastal regions. Hydrodynamic models commonly employed additional friction or a drag forcing term to represent mangrove-induced energy dissipation for simplicity. The well-known Morison-type formula (Morison et al. 1950) has been considered appropriate to model vegetation-induced resistance in which the information of the geometric properties of mangroves, including the root system, is needed. However, idealized vegetation configurations mainly were applied in the existing numerical models, and only a few field observations provided the empirical parameterization of the complex mangrove root structures. In this study, we conducted field surveys on the Iriomote Island of Okinawa, Japan, and Tarawa, Kiribati. We measured the representative parameters for the geometric properties of mangroves, Rhizophora stylosa, and their root system. By analyzing the data, significant correlations for hydrodynamic modeling were found among the key parameters such as the trunk diameter at breast height (DBH), the tree height H, the height of prop roots, and the projected areas of the root system. We also discussed the correlation of these representative factors with the tree age. These empirical relationships are summarized for numerical modeling at the end.

Inventory of Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn. in Lae Kombih Forest Park Area, Subulussalam

Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn. is a plant that grows in the tropical rain forests of western Indonesia which is categorized as a valuable timber tree. Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn is a plant that is categorized as a valuable timber tree. Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn also known as the camphor tree, lime or Sumatran camphor, this tree can grow to a height of 60 m with an average trunk diameter of 9 m. Camphor tree is a plant species belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae family which has several advantages because its tree trunk can produce a variety of high economic value commodities such as camphor, balsamic acid, resin, essential oil, beams, poles, roof construction and boards in residential buildings. The method used for the inventory of rare plants is done by using the method of vegetation analysis, the parameters in this study were the type, number, diameter and height of the Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn. tree. Vegetation analysis was carried out by plotting 13 plots, each sample plot measuring 20 m x 20 m. The sample used is a total sample using a random sampling system method, the sampling chossen by exploring the area of the Tahura Lae Kombih area where the Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn is located. The results shows that the plant species were found starting from the seedling, sapling, pole and tree levels. The most dominant species in this area is Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertn that has Important Value Indeks of seedling 163%, Sapling 270%, Pole 283% and Tree 216%.

Сollection of representatives of the genus Larix Mill. (Pinaceae) in the Botanical Garden of the Forestry University (St. Petersburg, Russia)

В Нижнем и Верхнем дендрологических садах Санкт-Петербургского государственного лесотехнического университета в Санкт-Петербурге выращивается 13 видов и 1 гибрид рода Larix Mill., представленных 124 экземплярами, в возрасте от 25 до 200 лет. Все зимостойки, образуют шишки, 3 вида (L. archangelica, L. decidua, L. sibirica) дают самосев. Всего за период интродукции были испытаны 23 таксона рода Larix, наибольшее число видов здесь впервые испытал Э.Л. Вольф. Некоторые виды (L. komarovii, L. maritima) здесь были впервые введены культуру. В коллекции сохранились старовозрастные экземпляры, посаженные еще в XIX в. – 71 шт., самые старые посадки (9 деревьев) датируются 1820 г. (L. archangelica, L. decidua, L. sibirica). Самое высокое дерево относится к L. sibirica: 34,0 м выс., самое толстое по диаметру ствола – L. decidua: 102 см. Исследования подтверждают важность периодических биометрических измерений и непрерывного мониторинга коллекции. Отдельные деревья заслуживают внесения в базу данных по деревьям-чемпионам по их размерам в высоту и диаметру ствола. There are 13 species and 1 hybrid of genus Larix Mill., represented by 124 trees, in collection of the Upper and the Lower dendrological gardens of Saint-Petersburg State Forest-Technical University, under the age from 25 till 200 years old. All of them are winter hardy and produce cones. Three species (L. archangelica, L. decidua, L. sibirica) give self-sowing. Totally there are 23 taxa which have been tested for the period of introduction. The largest amount of species were tested by E.L. Wolf. Some species (L. komarovii, L. maritima) were introduced here into general cultivation. There are trees of old age planted as early as in the XIX century (71). There are 9 of oldest trees cultivating since 1820 (L. archangelica, L. decidua, L. sibirica). The tallest tree is of L. sibirica: 34,0 m high, the most thick on trunk diameter is the tree of L. decidua: 102 см. The research confirm the importance of periodical biometrical measurements and uninterrupted monitoring of all collection. There are certain trees which deserve to be included into the data base on Champion trees on their sizes.

Seasonal changes in the pigment composition of needles of representatives of the genus spruce in the Nizhny Novgorod region

Изучали таксационные показатели лесных культур лиственницы Сукачева, заложенных в 1986 г. на юго-западной границе естественного распространения вида в Сергачском межрайонном лесничестве Нижегородской области. Координаты первого участка N 55.541378, E 45.471119; второго – N 55.541388, E 45.471125. Получена оценка эффективности их создания в указанном регионе. Методологической основой рабочих методик служил принцип единственного логического различия. Работа выполнялась полевым стационарным методом. Характеристика культур лиственницы давалась по результатам натурного обследования. Пробные площади закладывали в соответствии с действующим отраслевым стандартом. Подтверждена благоприятность лесорастительных условиях для естественного произрастания лиственницы Сукачева и широкие возможности интродукции близкородственных видов. Обнаружена неодинаковая изменчивость таксационных показателей. В частности, по диаметру ствола и его высоте она незначительна и отнесена преимущественно к низкому уровню: на первом участке 14,21% и 11,34%; на втором – 17,11 и 9,16% соответственно. По другим признакам изменчивость выше (чаще средний и повышенный уровень) и в ряде случаев достигает высокого (объем ствола) и очень высокого (коэффициент асимметрии кроны) уровня. Зафиксированы существенные различия между участками лесных культур по большинству таксационных показателей, подтвержденные дисперсионным анализом. Эффект их влияния на общий фон фенотипической дисперсии неодинаков. По диаметру ствола он минимален и составил 6,68±1,37%. Наибольшие оценки получены по расстоянию до первого живого сучка – 30,42±1,05%. Определено, что лесные культуры лиственницы Сукачева, созданные в Нижегородской области, достигая к возрасту 34 высоты 14 – 15 м, формируют насаждения первого класса бонитета. We studied the taxation indicators of forest crops of Sukhdev larch, laid in 1986 on the south-western border of the natural distribution of the species in the Sergachsky interdistrict forestry of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The coordinates of the first section are N 55.541378, E 45.471119; the second section is N 55.541388, E 45.471125. An assessment of the effectiveness of their creation in the specified region was obtained. The methodological basis of the working methods was the principle of the only logical difference. The work was carried out by the field stationary method. The characteristics of larch crops were given based on the results of a field survey. The test areas were laid in accordance with the current industry standard. The favorable forest conditions for the natural growth of Sukachev larch and the wide opportunities for the introduction of closely related species were confirmed. Unequal variability of taxation indicators was found. In particular, in terms of trunk diameter and height, it is insignificant and is mainly attributed to the low level: in the first section, 14.21% and 11.34%; in the second-17.11 and 9.16%, respectively. According to other signs, the variability is higher (more often the average and increased level) and in some cases reaches a high (trunk volume) and very high (crown asymmetry coefficient) level. Significant differences between forest crop plots were recorded in most of the taxation indicators, which were confirmed by the analysis of variance. The effect of their influence on the general background of the phenotypic variance is not the same. By the diameter of the trunk, it is minimal and amounted to 6.68±1.37%. The highest estimates were obtained for the distance to the first live knot – 30.42±1.05%. It is determined that the forest cultures of Sukachev larch, created in the Nizhny Novgorod region, reaching a height of 14-15 m by the age of 34, form plantings of the first class of bonitet.

Features of Growth Processes of Sweet Cherry Trees of Various Ripening Terms in the Conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

One of the main requirements of the new stone fruit varieties recommended for commercial cultivation is a compact crown shape that allows for greater plant density and easier crown maintenance. The aim of the research was to establish the growth processes of the above-ground parts of cherry trees in varieties of different ripening periods. The article presents the results of studies of the features of apical and lateral growth of sweet cherry trees. Biological and varietal features of tree growth strength, growth and total length of annual shoots are determined. The dependence of tree trunk growth on apical growth force is established. According to the results of research, sweet cherry varieties are grouped according to the strength of growth: the vigorous varieties are Amazonka, Dar Mliyeva, Zoryana, Mliyivska zhovta; the semi dwarf are Aboryhenka, Alyonushka, Drohana zhovta, Mirazh; the dwarfing are Biryuza, Donetskyy uholyok, Melitopolska krapchasta, Meotida. The smallest increase in trunk diameter was found for the dwarfing variety Biryuza, and the largest – for the variety Drohana zhovta. The highest yield load per unit cross-sectional area of the trunk was recorded for the variety Donetskyy uholyok, the lowest – for Drohana zhovta. The amount of growth in the trunk diameter was inversely dependent on a load of trees with the crop and the strength of apical growth of sweet cherry trees. The features of shoot-forming ability allow characterising the shape of the crown of cherry trees: round – Donetskyy uholyok, Amazonka; high-round – varieties of Aborigenka, Dar Mliyeva, Zoryana; wide-pyramidal – Alyonushka, Drohana zhovta, Melitopolska krap-chasta; pyramidal – Mliyivska zhovta, Mirazh; low – Meotida, Biryuza. Dar Mliyeva, Zoryana, Mirazh, Melitopolska krapchasta and Drohana zhovta varieties have high shootability; the Mliyivska zhovta, Aboryhenka, Meotida, Amazonka varieties have medium shootability; Alyonushka, Biryuza, Donetskyy uholyok varieties have low shootability

466 The role of pulmonary act in the patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Already from the first data in China in early 2020 it emerged that patients with cardiovascular comorbidities had an increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection and a more unfavourable clinical course. From March to May 2020, 85 patients affected by COVID-19 were enrolled, hospitalized at the Great Metropolitan Hospital of Reggio Calabria. The mean age was 63.6 ± 16.5 years. All patients underwent anamnesis, clinical evaluation, chest CT, ECG and measurement of markers of cardiovascular damage (Troponin I, CK-MB, LDH, D-dimer, BNP) and of inflammation (PCR, IL-6, and PCT). Thirty-one patients underwent echocardiography to look for signs of left ventricular dysfunction and/or repercussions of lung disease on the right sections. In particular, we evaluated parietal dimensions and thicknesses, biventricular function and transvalvular tricuspid and pulmonary flows and correlated the data obtained with ECG, radiological, clinical, and biohumoral parameters. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19, investigating the effect of cardiovascular risk factors, levels of cardiovascular damage markers and newly emerging ECG and echocardiographic changes on a composite primary endpoint, consisting of the combination of exitus and the need for intensive care (ICU). For this purpose, the enrolled patients were divided into two subpopulations: those with better prognosis and those with poorer prognosis (ICU/exitus). We then analysed the reciprocal correlation of each of the investigated parameters and searched for the presence of echocardiographic signs of repercussion on the right sections of the pulmonary pathology. Among the patients with the poorest prognosis, 81.2% were hypertensive, 12.5% diabetic, 25% dyslipidaemic. Comparing the two subpopulations analysed, it emerged that patients with the worst prognosis were known hypertensive (P 0.02). Longer QTc intervals were associated with higher levels of CRP (P < 0.0001) and PCT (P 0.005). All markers of cardiovascular damage had significantly higher values in the most critically ill patients (P 0.001 for d-dimer, P < 0.001 for baseline and peak Troponin, P 0.001 for CK-MB, P 0.007 for BNP) and similar behaviour had indices of inflammation (P < 0.001 for PCR and IL-6). Patients with poorer prognosis had significantly lower lung AcT values ( P 0.002), which correlated with higher d-dimer levels (P 0.01) and more complicated hospital stays (P 0.02). There were no statistically significant differences between PAPs, right ventricular size, TAPSE, and pulmonary trunk diameter in the two subpopulations. Larger right ventricular diameters were associated with more dilated lung trunks (P 0.009) and higher IL-6 levels (P 0.004). The most interesting data of our study is the behaviour of pulmonary AcT: lower values of AcT were associated with higher levels of d-dimer, as an expression of a greater pulmonary microthrombotic burden, and a poorer prognosis, in the presence of PAPs basically normal. The dynamic analysis of this parameter, which is easy to calculate in the patient's bed, can play a crucial role in the instrumental follow-up of patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Impacts of a single fire event on large, old trees in a grass-invaded arid river system

Background Large old trees are keystone structures of terrestrial ecosystems that provide unique habitat resources for wildlife. Their widespread decline worldwide has serious implications for biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. In arid regions, large trees are relatively uncommon and often restricted to areas with elevated soil moisture and nutrients. Introduced grasses, now pervasive in many dryland environments, also thrive in such areas and are promoting more frequent and intense fire, potentially threatening the persistence of large trees. Here we report on the impact of a single wildfire on large river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) in arid riparian woodland invaded by buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), a serious invader of desert ecosystems worldwide. In 2018, 266 trees with > 80 cm equivalent trunk diameter were mapped at six sites to provide a ‘pre-fire’ baseline. Within a year, the sites were impacted by a large, unprecedented wildfire that burnt an area of 660 km2 ha in 15 days. Sites were resurveyed in February 2019 to assess the fate of the trees. Reference to fire severity, calculated from remote-sensed imagery, is provided for additional context. Results In total, 67 trees, 27% of all large trees at the sites were destroyed. If trees in unburnt patches are excluded, 54% of trees exposed to the fire were destroyed and the remainder lost on average 79% of their canopy. Conclusions This severe detrimental effect of a single fire, on trees estimated to be centuries old, is indicative of tree-loss occurring across remote arid Australia in habitats where fire is now fuelled predominantly by invasive grasses. Large volumes of novel grass fuels along creeklines in combination with extreme weather events were major factors driving the spread, extent and impacts of the wildfire we report on and are causing a shift from relatively uncommon and predictable, rainfall-dependent large wildfires to large, severe fires that can occur anytime. We predict further decline in the abundance of large trees from similar fires will occur widely throughout arid Australia over the next decade with substantial long-term impacts on multiple species. New strategies are urgently required to manage fire in invaded arid ecosystems to better protect large trees and the critical resources they provide.

Assessment and Distribution of Damages Caused by the Trunk-Boring Insects Coraebus undatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Reticulitermes grassei Clément (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Mediterranean Restored Cork-Oak Forests

This work assesses damage caused by Coraebus undatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Reticulitermes grassei Clément (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in managed cork oak forests from the southern Iberian Peninsula. Lesions were diagnosed and quantified in relation to the following features: height and orientation in the trunk, diameter at breast height, solar exposure, understory presence and orography. The distribution patterns of lesions in the study area across 12 plots and in the trunk of the trees were also analyzed. The study was performed in “Sa de Hornachuelos” Natural Park (Córdoba, Spain) and the research area encompassed 12 environmentally-restored sampling plots. Data were recorded from 2007 to 2014, with yearly sampling from late June to mid-September, corresponding to the cork extraction period, since lesions caused by these insects are well distinguishable promptly after bark removal. The results reveal that C. undatus has low population levels and a non-uniform distribution pattern in the study area as well as in the trunk of the tree. It shows preference for medium height but not by any trunk orientation. R. grassei also shows low infestation levels and a preference to affect the trunk’s base. Comparatively, C. undatus showed higher infestation levels than R. grassei. The location of damage was also different, since galleries made by C. undatus predominated at intermediate trunk heights while those of R. grassei were more frequent at lower heights. Our results further showed a low co-occurrence of both species in the same tree trunks, which could be explained in terms of overlapping in the distribution areas of both species. These results provide background information that will enable natural resources managers to detect changes and trends of these species and inform future management decisions.

Performance of Seven Tea Accessions in North-central Florida: Correlations between Potential Yield and Growth Parameters over 2 Years

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a promising new specialty crop for production in Florida. However, few data exist on the establishment phase of tea plantings in this environment and on how early growth parameters may predict yield potential. We tested seven accessions of tea grown under field conditions in north-central Florida for leaf yield and growth parameters—namely, pruned biomass, trunk diameter, trunk height, trunk width, trunk height × width, and canopy area—in the second and third years after planting. Our analyses indicated that the accession Fairhope performed best overall. Pruned biomass and trunk diameter were the best predictors for leaf yield. The harvested leaves produced good-quality black tea, with caffeine levels comparable to commercially available tea. These data indicate that nondestructive measurements of growth can be useful to assess yield potential of tea, and that regionally adapted tea accessions can be identified during the establishment stage.

Genetic diversity of Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner in Temanggung District, Indonesia based on molecular marker RAPD

Authors. 2021. Genetic diversity of Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner in Temanggung District, Indonesia based on molecular marker RAPD. Biodiversitas 22: 4775-4783. Temanggung District in Central Java Province, Indonesia is one of robusta coffee production centers. The condition of coffee plantations in Temanggung shows variations in some morphological traits. Variations in coffee phenotypes are considered less profitable for farmers because they produce yields of undesirable quality in the global market. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of robusta coffee in Temanggung. The coffee plants were derived from six villages located at two levels of altitude. The morphological traits were observed from canopy width, trunk diameter, plant height, cherry volume, and bean volume, while the biochemical compositions were determined by caffeine content and brew’s pH value. The molecular assays were performed using PCR-RAPD with ten primers and species identification was based on the ITS rDNA. Our finding showed a variation in all morphological characters and biochemical compositions based on the LSD test 5%. The molecular marker RAPD revealed the genetic diversity by showing the DNA polymorphism levels of 95%, with the genetic similarity coefficient ranged from 0.35 to 0.86. The species identification also demonstrated that our robusta coffee was 97.11-99.70% similar to robusta coffee MK615737.1 from Philippines and robusta coffee DQ153593.1 from Cameroon. Thus, genetic diversity on six populations of robusta coffee was found, along with its variations on phenotypes which might lead the coffee yield quality to become uneven.