Comparison between Empirical Models and the CBM-CFS3 Carbon Budget Model to Predict Carbon Stocks and Yields in Nova Scotia Forests

In response to the global climate crisis, the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry is using the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) and associated methodologies to assess the carbon dynamics of the provincial forestry sector. The CBM-CFS3 bases simulations on a range of studies and national forest inventory plots to predict carbon dynamics using merchantable volume yield curves. Nova Scotia has also maintained thousands of permanent forest sample plots (PSPs) for decades, offering the opportunity to develop empirical, province-specific carbon models. This study used PSP tree measurements and allometric equations to compute plot-level forest carbon models from the PSP dataset and compared their output to that of the CBM-CFS3 model. The PSP-based models were stratified into five forest types and predict the carbon for seven carbon pools as a function of the plot age. Predictions with the PSP- and CBM-CFS3 models were compared to observed PSP data at the plot level and compared against each other at the stand and landscape level. At the plot level, the PSP-derived models predicted carbon closer to the observed data than the CBM-CFS3 model, the extent of over- or under-estimation depending on the carbon pool and forest type. At the stand scale, the CBM-CFS3 model predicted forest carbon to within 3.1–17.6% of the PSP method on average. Differences in predictions between the CBM-CFS3 and PSP models decreased to within 2.4% of the PSP-based models at the landscape level. Thus, the implications of using one method over the other decrease as the prediction scale increases from stand to landscape level, and the implications fluctuate as a function of the forest type and age.

A Reevaluation of Superior Tree Performance After 48 Years for a Loblolly Pine Progeny Test in Southern Arkansas

A plus-tree progeny test of full- and half-sib “superior” loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) was installed in 1969 on the Crossett Experimental Forest (CEF) to consider the performance of 28 improved families with unimproved planting stock from the CEF (family W29). Performance was evaluated using data from young (3-year-old; early 1970s), maturing (25-year-old; 1994), and mature (48-year-old; 2017) trees. With the exception of a single improved family, early survival was high (>80%), with most families exceeding 90%. Three years post-planting, fusiform rust infection rates were also low, with most families having less than 1% of seedlings infected. At this early stage, the unimproved CEF family W29 only slightly underperformed the best full- and half-sib superior families. By 1994, W29 had slightly higher than average merchantable volume. This trend continued for W29 when remeasured in 2017, with the average merchantable volume yield for W29 statistically similar to the most productive families. This study found only limited volume performance gains from crossing plus-trees. However, it was important to note that several of the best height growth-performing families in 1972 were not the highest merchantable volume producers at 25 or 48 years, and some of the worst early performers moved into the upper tiers by the later remeasurements. These outcomes suggest that depending solely on early height performance to select families for long-term (>50 year) volume (especially if adjusted for wood density) or biomass yields may not be the best approach for forest managers seeking to increase carbon sequestration.

Breeding for the Main Agricultural Farming of Arabica Coffee

So far, the main Arabica coffee breeding programmes in Latin America have focused on the selection of varieties adapted to intensive full-sun farming systems. Meanwhile, little attention has been paid to breeding varieties specifically adapted to shade, which is the main characteristic of agroforestry systems (AFS). Yet the specialty coffee sector is currently expanding and seeking specific sensory qualities related to exotic varieties and no breeding programme exists to create new varieties for this type of market. Two trials were set up: one in full sun and the other under shade. F1 hybrids and their parents (pure lines and Ethiopian accessions) were studied in a factorial-crossing design to measure tree volume, yield (3 years), bean size, the bean NIRS signature and the final cupping score. Bean size and the final cupping score seemed to be relatively unaffected by shading. Strong maternal heritability was observed for bean size. In the trials, F1 hybrids produced “75–80%” more than the maternal lines and “40–50%” more than the male parents in the shade trial and in the full-sun trial, respectively. By choosing the F1 hybrid, it is possible to increase productivity under both shade and full sun while simultaneously achieving good sensory qualities. Selecting a F1 hybrid for “specialty coffee” seems exceptional. This raises a fundamental issue concerning the maternal heritability of seed biochemical composition. We conclude that selection under shade is essential for the selection of varieties adapted to AFS.

Deciduous Broad-Leaved Species (Quercus Robur, Tilia Cordata, Acer Platanoides and Ulmus Laevis) Forest Stand Productivity in Latvia

Climate forecasts indicate that in the future the climate will become more and more suitable for growth of broad-leaved tree species in Latvia. It is therefore very important to recognise and understand the growth potential of these broad-leaved stands in Latvia and the factors affecting the increment of growing stock. The results of the study showed high volume yield, as already 60- to 80-year-old stand stock could reach 500–600 m3·ha-1, and in later years even 700–1000 m3·ha-1. Similarly, the results of our study showed that the increment of the stock and growth potential of individual forest elements varied significantly between the various broad-leaved species. Significant factors were the age of the forest stand or forest element (a set of trees of the same species, in one layer and belonging to one generation), the indicators of competition (basal area and/or relative density) and the indicators of the social status of the forest element, namely, the ratio of the mean diameter of the forest element and the mean diameter of the dominant species of the upper layer of the stand and the sum of the basal area of the larger forest elements). No significant differences were found in growing stock and growth potential between monospecies and mixed stands and between simple and complex stands, neither at the level of the stands, nor at the level of the individual forest element.

FORMATION OF LEATHER QUALITY INDICATORS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEATHER RAW MATERIALS WITH THE USE OF MONTMORILONITE

The tanning process is important in stabilizing the collagen structure of the derma. Сhrome tanning is the traditional option. The basic chromium sulfate is used in the production of 80% of leather in use. A peculiarity of chromium tanning turns out to be an inefficient use of chromium compounds, since almost 40% of tannins remain in wastewater. Considering the disadvantages of using chromium compounds, scientific research on the replacement and use of rather eco-friendlier substances has been conducted for a long time. One of the directions of ecologization of leather manufacturing is the use of modified montmorillonite dispersions in various technological processes such as tanning, filling, dyeing, fat-liquoring, etc. Researches have been aimed at identifying the feasibility of making leather for the uppers of children’s shoes from different types of leather raw materials using modified dispersions of montmorillonite at the stage of tanning. According to the technology of making leather, cattle (medium heifer), goat and sheep skins were used for the upper of the shoes. The analysis of leather quality indicators from different types of raw materials obtained with the use of chromefree tanning. It is proved that hides from raw materials of goats and sheepskins in comparison with cattle are characterized by increased yield area by 3.5-7.2 %, thickness by 0.8-2.6 %, volume yield by 4.5-6.1 % and uniformity of quality indicators in different topographic areas. The level of indicators of physical and mechanical, hygienic properties and chemical composition of leather of different types of raw materials is almost identical within the requirements of regulatory documents. It is advisable to use for children’s shoes leather from raw goat and sheepskin given the peculiarities of the manufacture of children’s shoes, dimensional characteristics of parts, requirements for dimensional stability and shape conservation.

Opportunities and Challenges for Intensive Silviculture in Alberta, Canada

Intensive silviculture is practiced in many parts of the world but is rare in the public forests of western Canada. Here, we make the argument that intensive silviculture could be justified in Alberta but has not been implemented due to philosophies and policy decisions by foresters from government, industry and academia. These include adherence to long rotations, management goals that are aimed at sustained total volume yield rather than economic value, limitations in the types of stands that are allowed to be regenerated and models that do not include intensive silviculture options. In Mixedwood Growth Model projections, we demonstrate the potential of intensive silviculture that includes combinations of selecting good sites and thinning to produce merchantable stands by age 50 compared to the standard rotation age of 80 with basic silviculture. There could be even more gains if forest level constraints in timber flow were removed due to the increased growth of regenerating stands. Finally, we examine the attitude and policy changes that we believe are necessary for adoption of more intensive silviculture systems on parts of Alberta’s forest landbase.

NARSPI – A NEW VARIETY OF SPRING TRITICALE

This article presents the results of research work on the development of a new variety of spring triticale, suitable for baking. The work was carried out in the Chuvash Republic. The soils of the experimental site are dark – gray forest, heavy-loamy, unwashed. The climatic conditions are favorable for growing spring triticale. The pilot site is located in the Central agroclimatic zone. Breeding work was started in 2011. The breeding method is hybridization. The varieties of spring triticale as Rovnya and Saur are involved in the crossing. An elite plant was selected in 2013. In the next two years, small station tests were conducted, then two years-competitive station tests; in 2018-2020 – environmental variety testing. The standard - Rovnya variety. The new Narspi variety has a high yield – an average of 65 centners per hectare over the past three years, which is to 18 centners per hectare more than the standard. The grain size of Narspi variety was 731.7 grams per litre, while the value of this indicator in the Rovnya variety was 712.7 grams per litre. The weight of 1000 grains in the new variety is also higher than the standard and on average for three years reached 47.5 grams. The new variety is suitable for baking. The volume yield of bread when baking bread from flour obtained from Narspi grain was 273 cm3/100 grams of flour, which is higher than the standard for 30 cm3/100 grams of flour. The content of raw gluten in the new grain reaches a value of 28%, which is 7% higher than the standard. According to the results of the tests, an application for registration of a new variety of Narspi in the register of breeding achievements was submitted in 2020

Analysis of cross-sectional area of digester on biogas production rate

Biogas has become one of the promising alternative fuels. This is triggered by relative ease of production while on the other hand the raw material is cheap and easy to be obtained. In order to get higher biogas production rate, a work has been done with digester cross-sectional area modification. Under the modification an improvement in biogas yield was obtained. The research also has opened up new outlook to set up a better digester design for maximum biogas production. The experimental results showed that a higher biogas volume yield was obtained in larger cross-sectional area compared to that of smaller one. Increasing the cross-sectional area twice will benefit at least three times in terms of biogas volume produced under similar raw material input volume. A wide-open cross-section surface is a major factor for good breeding of microbial to produce methane. Under the condition, microbes experience less pressure due to the evenly distributed volume of the substrate which resulted in a comfortable environment for bacteria.

Merchantable wood volume response of P. radiate D. Don post thinned plots on coated and uncoated urea fertilizers

Our study was focused on whether the optimization of nutrition at various growth stages of Pinus radiate D. Don plantation was an important factor to increase its merchantable wood volume yield in Silviculture. The present study site is located within the ‘Green Triangle’ bordering the Australian states of South Australia and Victoria. A total of 24 sampling sub-plots, averaged to 12 super plots, were established in both the sites, and all the plots, except one set aside as 'controlled plot' in each site, were treated with 5 types of coated and un-coated urea fertilizers. The data on tree-height and diameter at breast height over bark (DBHOB) of all the standing trees were measured and recorded. A five-year sampling data from the 24 sub-plots consisting of two sites, namely Picks (Site 'A') and Hollands Lane (Site 'B') in post thinned condition were analysed. The specific target was to evaluate a productivity response in terms of merchantable volumes based on fertilizer types. The statistical analysis employing ANOVA, t-test, a neural network model, decision tree and box-plot model based on fertilizer treatment determined that Di-Ammonium Phosphate Entec Urea (DAPEU) fertilizer was found to be more effective in increasing productivity. As such, the merchantable wood volume increments measured after four years of application of DAPEU were found to be 48.61 m3 ha-1 at Site 'A' and 41.97 m3 ha-1 at Site 'B', higher than the 46.71 m3 ha-1 at Site 'A' and 39.79 m3 ha-1 at Site 'B' with 'control' treatment. Hence, the application of DAPEAU was found to be effective as compared to the 'control' treatment in silviculture to increase the merchantable wood volume.

Non-bronchoscopic Bronchoalveolar Lavage as a Refinement for Safely Obtaining High-quality Samples from Macaques

Nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (NB-BAL) is a minimally invasive diagnostic and research tool used to sample the cells of lower airways and alveoli without using a bronchoscope. Our study compared NB-BAL and bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (B-BAL) in terms of costs, cell yields, and the number of post-procedural complications in macaques. We also analyzed procedure times, BAL fluid volume yields, and vital signs in a subset of animals that underwent NB-BAL. Compared with the B-BAL technique, NB-BAL was less expensive to perform, with fewer complications, fewer animals requiring temporary or permanent cessation of BALs, and higher cell yields per mL of recovered saline. The average procedure time for NB-BAL was 6.8 ± 1.6 min, and the average NB-BAL lavage volume yield was 76 ± 9%. We found no significant differences in respiration rate before, during, or after NB-BAL but did find significant differences in heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2). This study demonstrates that NB-BAL is a simple, cost-effective, and safe alternative to B-BAL that results in higher cell yields per mL, improved animal welfare, and fewer missed time points, and thus constitutes a refinement over the B-BAL in macaques.