Pub Date : 2020-11-15DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x82x
M. Marden, S. Lambie, C. Phillips
Background: Government-funded schemes introduced to encourage new afforestation (exotic and indigenous) include the establishment of low-density plantings (less than 1100 stems ha–1) of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium Forster et Forster f.) on steeplands with severe erosion susceptibility and considered marginal for pastoral production. There is, however, little quantitative data to establish when (i.e., how many years after planting) these plantings likely afford effective mitigation against the initiation of shallow landslides.Methods: Permanent sample plots [PSPs] were established within manuka plantings established in northern Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, where above-ground growth metrics were recorded for plantings on three landform units including interfluve ridges, colluvial slopes, and slopes affected by landslides. The root systems of a small sub-set of manuka were hand-excavated and whole plants destructively sampled for analysis of differences in allometric relationships by year, between landforms, and for comparison of the above-ground components of trees within PSPs.Results: Six years after planting, interfluves and colluvial slopes were understocked by between 10 and 25%, and by up to 45% on sites previously affected by landslides. Root collar diameter (RCD) explained between 92 and 99% of the variation in manuka biomass. The overall above- and below-ground metrics for manuka excavated from interfluves were significantly greater (P<0.05) than those excavated from landslides. Irrespective of landform type, the greatest proportion of the mean total root length and biomass was found in the top 0–0.5 m of the soil profile, within a 0.5-m radius of the stump, and importantly, no roots were found below 1 m depth. The timing (years after planting) to attain canopy closure and root occupancy, if stands of m?nuka were to remain fully stocked, varies between landforms and would likely occur between 6.5 and 9 years after planting. However, variable rates in planting density, and of plant mortality, resulting in under-stocking would significantly delay this timing, particularly on landslide-affected slopes.Conclusions: Manuka planted at densities below 1100 stems ha–1 are unlikely to provide effective erosion mitigation on steep land until significant root mass develops below the depth of the shear plane at which most landslides occur. Increasing the planting density, reducing early seedling mortality by better management of weed competition, and/or their replacement (blanking) would probably improve the erosion mitigation effectiveness of future low-density manuka plantings.
{"title":"Potential effectiveness of low-density plantings of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) as an erosion mitigation strategy in steeplands, northern Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand","authors":"M. Marden, S. Lambie, C. Phillips","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x82x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x82x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Government-funded schemes introduced to encourage new afforestation (exotic and indigenous) include the establishment of low-density plantings (less than 1100 stems ha–1) of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium Forster et Forster f.) on steeplands with severe erosion susceptibility and considered marginal for pastoral production. There is, however, little quantitative data to establish when (i.e., how many years after planting) these plantings likely afford effective mitigation against the initiation of shallow landslides.Methods: Permanent sample plots [PSPs] were established within manuka plantings established in northern Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, where above-ground growth metrics were recorded for plantings on three landform units including interfluve ridges, colluvial slopes, and slopes affected by landslides. The root systems of a small sub-set of manuka were hand-excavated and whole plants destructively sampled for analysis of differences in allometric relationships by year, between landforms, and for comparison of the above-ground components of trees within PSPs.Results: Six years after planting, interfluves and colluvial slopes were understocked by between 10 and 25%, and by up to 45% on sites previously affected by landslides. Root collar diameter (RCD) explained between 92 and 99% of the variation in manuka biomass. The overall above- and below-ground metrics for manuka excavated from interfluves were significantly greater (P<0.05) than those excavated from landslides. Irrespective of landform type, the greatest proportion of the mean total root length and biomass was found in the top 0–0.5 m of the soil profile, within a 0.5-m radius of the stump, and importantly, no roots were found below 1 m depth. The timing (years after planting) to attain canopy closure and root occupancy, if stands of m?nuka were to remain fully stocked, varies between landforms and would likely occur between 6.5 and 9 years after planting. However, variable rates in planting density, and of plant mortality, resulting in under-stocking would significantly delay this timing, particularly on landslide-affected slopes.Conclusions: Manuka planted at densities below 1100 stems ha–1 are unlikely to provide effective erosion mitigation on steep land until significant root mass develops below the depth of the shear plane at which most landslides occur. Increasing the planting density, reducing early seedling mortality by better management of weed competition, and/or their replacement (blanking) would probably improve the erosion mitigation effectiveness of future low-density manuka plantings.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45158575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-11-05DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x118x
Sarah de Gouw, J. Morgenroth, Cong Xu
Background: Geospatial technologies have developed rapidly in recent decades and can provide detailed, accurate data to support forest management. Knowledge of the uptake of geospatial technologies, as well as barriers to adoption, in New Zealand’s plantation forest management sector is limited and would be beneficial to the industry. This study provides an update to the 2013 benchmark study by Morgenroth and Visser. Methods: An online survey was sent to 29 companies that own or manage plantation forests in New Zealand. The survey was split into seven sections, composed of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, on the topics of: demographic information, data portals and datasets, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers, and four remote-sensing technologies. These included aerial imagery, multispectral imagery, hyperspectral imagery, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Each section included questions relating to the acquisition, application and products created from each remote-sensing technology. Questions were also included that related to the barriers preventing the uptake of technologies. To determine the progression in the uptake of these technologies the results were compared to Morgenroth and Visser's study conducted five years' earlier. Results: Twenty-three companies responded to the survey and together, those companies managed approximately 1,172,000 ha (or 69% of New Zealand’s 1.706 million ha plantation forest estate (NZFOA, 2018)). The size of the estates managed by individual companies ranged from 1,000 ha to 177,000 ha (quartile 1 = 19,000 ha, median = 33,000 ha, quartile 3 = 63,150 ha). All companies used GNSS receivers and acquired three-band, Red-Green-Blue, aerial imagery. Multispectral imagery, hyperspectral imagery and LiDAR data were acquired by 48%, 9% and 70% of companies, respectively. Common applications for the products derived from these technologies were forest mapping and description, harvest planning, and cutover mapping. The main barrier preventing companies from acquiring most remotely-sensed data was the lack of staff knowledge and training, though cost was the main barrier to LiDAR acquisition. The uptake of all remote-sensing technologies has increased since 2013. LiDAR had the largest progression in uptake, increasing from 17% to 70%. There has also been a change in the way companies acquired the data. Many of the companies used unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAV) to acquire aerial and multispectral imagery in 2018, while in 2013 no companies were using UAVs. ESRI ArcGIS continues to be the dominant geographic information system used by New Zealand’s forest management companies (91%), though 22% of companies now use free GIS software, like QGIS or GRASS. The use of specialised software (e.g. FUSION, LAStools) for LiDAR or photogrammetric point cloud analysis increased since 2013, but most forestry companies who are processing .las files into various products (e.g. digital terrain model) are usi
{"title":"An updated survey on the use of geospatial technologies in New Zealand’s plantation forestry sector","authors":"Sarah de Gouw, J. Morgenroth, Cong Xu","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x118x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x118x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Geospatial technologies have developed rapidly in recent decades and can provide detailed, accurate data to support forest management. Knowledge of the uptake of geospatial technologies, as well as barriers to adoption, in New Zealand’s plantation forest management sector is limited and would be beneficial to the industry. This study provides an update to the 2013 benchmark study by Morgenroth and Visser.\u0000Methods: An online survey was sent to 29 companies that own or manage plantation forests in New Zealand. The survey was split into seven sections, composed of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, on the topics of: demographic information, data portals and datasets, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers, and four remote-sensing technologies. These included aerial imagery, multispectral imagery, hyperspectral imagery, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Each section included questions relating to the acquisition, application and products created from each remote-sensing technology. Questions were also included that related to the barriers preventing the uptake of technologies. To determine the progression in the uptake of these technologies the results were compared to Morgenroth and Visser's study conducted five years' earlier.\u0000Results: Twenty-three companies responded to the survey and together, those companies managed approximately 1,172,000 ha (or 69% of New Zealand’s 1.706 million ha plantation forest estate (NZFOA, 2018)). The size of the estates managed by individual companies ranged from 1,000 ha to 177,000 ha (quartile 1 = 19,000 ha, median = 33,000 ha, quartile 3 = 63,150 ha). All companies used GNSS receivers and acquired three-band, Red-Green-Blue, aerial imagery. Multispectral imagery, hyperspectral imagery and LiDAR data were acquired by 48%, 9% and 70% of companies, respectively. Common applications for the products derived from these technologies were forest mapping and description, harvest planning, and cutover mapping. The main barrier preventing companies from acquiring most remotely-sensed data was the lack of staff knowledge and training, though cost was the main barrier to LiDAR acquisition. The uptake of all remote-sensing technologies has increased since 2013. LiDAR had the largest progression in uptake, increasing from 17% to 70%. There has also been a change in the way companies acquired the data. Many of the companies used unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAV) to acquire aerial and multispectral imagery in 2018, while in 2013 no companies were using UAVs. ESRI ArcGIS continues to be the dominant geographic information system used by New Zealand’s forest management companies (91%), though 22% of companies now use free GIS software, like QGIS or GRASS. The use of specialised software (e.g. FUSION, LAStools) for LiDAR or photogrammetric point cloud analysis increased since 2013, but most forestry companies who are processing .las files into various products (e.g. digital terrain model) are usi","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43538976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-11-05DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x41x
T. Le, J. Morgenroth
Background: Understanding the relationship between sites and the plant species they support is essential for effective vegetation management. Site-species matching requires knowledge of the growth response of a given species to the full range of environmental conditions in potential planting sites. This can be achieved by repeatedly measuring species growth at a comprehensive network of sample plots that cover a range of environmental conditions, including topography, climate, and soil factors. The New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative has established permanent sample plots (PSPs) of a plantation species, Eucalyptus bosistoana F.Muell., across New Zealand. However, these PSPs do not cover the entire range of environmental conditions available for the species and hence there is a need to expand the network of sites. The aim of this study was to determine optimal locations for new PSPs to provide more unique information to support site-species matching studies for Eucalyptus bosistoana in New Zealand.Methods: A geographic information system (GIS) and stratified random sampling method were used to generate a model to identify optimal locations for E. bosistoana PSP establishment. The variables used in this study included topography, climate, and soil data. Redundancy between the initial set of potential explanatory variables was reduced by a multi-collinearity analysis. The potential habitat for the species was restricted to land with environmental conditions that could support E. bosistoana. All environmental variables were stratified and an initial priority index for each stratum in each variable was calculated. Then a weighted-overlay analysis was conducted to create the final priority index, which was mapped to identify high-priority areas for targeted PSP expansion.Results: The existing PSP network for E. bosistoana generally covers the environmental conditions in low-elevation New Zealand dry lands, which are located alongside the east coast of the South Island, and the southern part of the North Island. The model identified high priority areas for PSP expansion, including several large regions in the North Island, especially in Rangitikei and Taupo Districts.Conclusions: The model successfully allowed identification of areas for a strategic expansion of permanent sample plots for E. bosistoana. Newly identified areas expand upon the topographic, climatic, and soil conditions represented by the existing PSP network. The new area for PSP expansion has potential to provide valuable information for further site-species matching studies. The methodology in this paper has potential to be used for other plot networks of a different species, or even natural forests.
{"title":"Strategic expansion of existing forest monitoring plots: a case study using a stratified GIS-based modelling approach","authors":"T. Le, J. Morgenroth","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x41x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x41x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Understanding the relationship between sites and the plant species they support is essential for effective vegetation management. Site-species matching requires knowledge of the growth response of a given species to the full range of environmental conditions in potential planting sites. This can be achieved by repeatedly measuring species growth at a comprehensive network of sample plots that cover a range of environmental conditions, including topography, climate, and soil factors. The New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative has established permanent sample plots (PSPs) of a plantation species, Eucalyptus bosistoana F.Muell., across New Zealand. However, these PSPs do not cover the entire range of environmental conditions available for the species and hence there is a need to expand the network of sites. The aim of this study was to determine optimal locations for new PSPs to provide more unique information to support site-species matching studies for Eucalyptus bosistoana in New Zealand.Methods: A geographic information system (GIS) and stratified random sampling method were used to generate a model to identify optimal locations for E. bosistoana PSP establishment. The variables used in this study included topography, climate, and soil data. Redundancy between the initial set of potential explanatory variables was reduced by a multi-collinearity analysis. The potential habitat for the species was restricted to land with environmental conditions that could support E. bosistoana. All environmental variables were stratified and an initial priority index for each stratum in each variable was calculated. Then a weighted-overlay analysis was conducted to create the final priority index, which was mapped to identify high-priority areas for targeted PSP expansion.Results: The existing PSP network for E. bosistoana generally covers the environmental conditions in low-elevation New Zealand dry lands, which are located alongside the east coast of the South Island, and the southern part of the North Island. The model identified high priority areas for PSP expansion, including several large regions in the North Island, especially in Rangitikei and Taupo Districts.Conclusions: The model successfully allowed identification of areas for a strategic expansion of permanent sample plots for E. bosistoana. Newly identified areas expand upon the topographic, climatic, and soil conditions represented by the existing PSP network. The new area for PSP expansion has potential to provide valuable information for further site-species matching studies. The methodology in this paper has potential to be used for other plot networks of a different species, or even natural forests.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49457580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-10-25DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x90x
Mohan Kc, E. Mason, H. Bown, Grace Jones
Background: Additivity has long been recognised as a desirable property of systems of equations to predict the biomass of components and the whole tree. However, most tree biomass studies report biomass equations fitted using traditional ordinary least-squares regression. Therefore, we aimed to develop models to estimate components, subtotals and above-ground total biomass for a Pinus radiata D.Don biomass dataset using traditional linear and nonlinear ordinary leastsquares regressions, and to contrast these equations with the additive procedures of biomass estimation.Methods: A total of 24 ten-year-old trees were felled to assess above-ground biomass. Two broad procedures were implemented for biomass modelling: (a) independent; and (b) additive. For the independent procedure, traditional linear models (LINOLS) with scaled power transformations and y-intercepts and nonlinear power models (NLINOLS) without y-intercepts were compared. The best linear (transformed) models from the independent procedure were further tested in three different additive structures (LINADD1, LINADD2, and LINADD3). All models were evaluated using goodness-of-fit statistics, standard errors of estimates, and residual plots.Results: The LINOLS with scaled power transformations and y-intercepts performed better for all components, subtotals and total above-ground biomass in contrast to NLINOLS that lacked y-intercepts. The additive model (LINADD3) in a joint generalised linear least-squares regression, also called seemingly unrelated regression (SUR), provided the best goodness-of-fit statistics and residual plots for four out of six components (stem, branch, new foliage and old foliage), two out of three subtotals (foliage and crown), and above-ground total biomass compared to other methods. However, bark, cone and bole biomass were better predicted by the LINOLS method.Conclusions: SUR was the best method to predict biomass for the 24-tree dataset because it provided the best goodness-of-fit statistics with unbiased estimates for 7 out of 10 biomass components. This study may assist silviculturists and forest managers to overcome one of the main problems when using biomass equations fitted independently for each tree component, which is that the sum of the biomasses of the predicted tree components does not necessarily add to the total biomass, as the additive biomass models do.
{"title":"A comparison between traditional ordinary least-squares regression and three methods for enforcing additivity in biomass equations using a sample of Pinus radiata trees","authors":"Mohan Kc, E. Mason, H. Bown, Grace Jones","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x90x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x90x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Additivity has long been recognised as a desirable property of systems of equations to predict the biomass of components and the whole tree. However, most tree biomass studies report biomass equations fitted using traditional ordinary least-squares regression. Therefore, we aimed to develop models to estimate components, subtotals and above-ground total biomass for a Pinus radiata D.Don biomass dataset using traditional linear and nonlinear ordinary leastsquares regressions, and to contrast these equations with the additive procedures of biomass estimation.Methods: A total of 24 ten-year-old trees were felled to assess above-ground biomass. Two broad procedures were implemented for biomass modelling: (a) independent; and (b) additive. For the independent procedure, traditional linear models (LINOLS) with scaled power transformations and y-intercepts and nonlinear power models (NLINOLS) without y-intercepts were compared. The best linear (transformed) models from the independent procedure were further tested in three different additive structures (LINADD1, LINADD2, and LINADD3). All models were evaluated using goodness-of-fit statistics, standard errors of estimates, and residual plots.Results: The LINOLS with scaled power transformations and y-intercepts performed better for all components, subtotals and total above-ground biomass in contrast to NLINOLS that lacked y-intercepts. The additive model (LINADD3) in a joint generalised linear least-squares regression, also called seemingly unrelated regression (SUR), provided the best goodness-of-fit statistics and residual plots for four out of six components (stem, branch, new foliage and old foliage), two out of three subtotals (foliage and crown), and above-ground total biomass compared to other methods. However, bark, cone and bole biomass were better predicted by the LINOLS method.Conclusions: SUR was the best method to predict biomass for the 24-tree dataset because it provided the best goodness-of-fit statistics with unbiased estimates for 7 out of 10 biomass components. This study may assist silviculturists and forest managers to overcome one of the main problems when using biomass equations fitted independently for each tree component, which is that the sum of the biomasses of the predicted tree components does not necessarily add to the total biomass, as the additive biomass models do.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43238778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-08-14DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x56x
M. Bairu, W. Coetzer, Amelework Assefa
Background: The most commonly used method for extracting DNA from plant leaf tissue involves cetyl trimethylammonium bromide but some species, such as Acacia mearnsii, contain high levels of secondary metabolites and polysaccharides that interfere with this process. Various modifications have been proposed for effective removal of these biomolecules but these methods can be time consuming. Therefore, this study was initiated to optimise the cetyl-trimethylammonium bromide protocol for the extraction of high-quality genomic DNA and to develop a fingerprinting tool using cross species transferable simple sequence repeat markers for genetic diversity studies in A. mearnsii. Methods: Five CTAB-based modification were examined and 49 cross-species microsatellite markers, developed for several Acacia species, were tested in four multiplex panels of A. mearnsii populations. Results: The modified protocol yields high quantity and quality DNA from A. mearnsii leaves using high concentration of NaCl to remove polysaccharides and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) to eliminate polyphenols during DNA purification. In addition, omitting the selective precipitation and NaCl gradient steps in the extraction protocol, enabled us to extract DNA 10–20 min faster than the normal protocol. Of the tested microsatellite loci, 11 were successful in amplifying sharp and high-intensity bands in all the four multiplex panels and were polymorphic. The level of polymorphism ranged from 0.115 to 0.794, with a mean 0.50 and mean number of alleles varied from 2 to 10, with overall mean of 6 alleles per locus. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.058 to 0.970 and 0.102 to 0.796, respectively. The 11 microsatellite loci that were effectively amplified from A. mearnsii DNA were adequate in detecting genetic variation among the tested populations. Conclusions: These PCR-based, multi-allelic, co-dominant microsatellite markers provide a powerful tool for genetic, breeding and conservation studies in A. mearnsii.
{"title":"Development of an SSR-based DNA fingerprinting method for black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild)","authors":"M. Bairu, W. Coetzer, Amelework Assefa","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x56x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x56x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The most commonly used method for extracting DNA from plant leaf tissue involves cetyl trimethylammonium bromide but some species, such as Acacia mearnsii, contain high levels of secondary metabolites and polysaccharides that interfere with this process. Various modifications have been proposed for effective removal of these biomolecules but these methods can be time consuming. Therefore, this study was initiated to optimise the cetyl-trimethylammonium bromide protocol for the extraction of high-quality genomic DNA and to develop a fingerprinting tool using cross species transferable simple sequence repeat markers for genetic diversity studies in A. mearnsii. \u0000Methods: Five CTAB-based modification were examined and 49 cross-species microsatellite markers, developed for several Acacia species, were tested in four multiplex panels of A. mearnsii populations. \u0000Results: The modified protocol yields high quantity and quality DNA from A. mearnsii leaves using high concentration of NaCl to remove polysaccharides and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) to eliminate polyphenols during DNA purification. In addition, omitting the selective precipitation and NaCl gradient steps in the extraction protocol, enabled us to extract DNA 10–20 min faster than the normal protocol. Of the tested microsatellite loci, 11 were successful in amplifying sharp and high-intensity bands in all the four multiplex panels and were polymorphic. The level of polymorphism ranged from 0.115 to 0.794, with a mean 0.50 and mean number of alleles varied from 2 to 10, with overall mean of 6 alleles per locus. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.058 to 0.970 and 0.102 to 0.796, respectively. The 11 microsatellite loci that were effectively amplified from A. mearnsii DNA were adequate in detecting genetic variation among the tested populations. \u0000Conclusions: These PCR-based, multi-allelic, co-dominant microsatellite markers provide a powerful tool for genetic, breeding and conservation studies in A. mearnsii.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43593962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-08-11DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x68x
F. Giadrossich, M. Schwarz, M. Marden, R. Marrosu, C. Phillips
Background: Rainfall-triggered shallow landslides on steep slopes cause significant soil loss and can be hazards for property and people in many parts of the world. In New Zealand’s hill country, they are the dominant erosion process and are responsible for soil loss and subsequent impacts on regional water quality. Use of wide-spaced trees and afforestation with fast growing conifers are the primary land management tools in New Zealand to help control erosion and improve water quality. To decide where to implement erosion controls in the landscape requires determining the most susceptible places to these processes and models that incorporate how trees reinforce soils to understand if, and when, such treatments become effective. Methods: This paper characterises the mechanical properties of Pinus radiata D.Don roots (the common tree species used for afforestation in New Zealand) by means of field pullout tests and by measuring the root distribution at 360 degrees around trees. The Root Bundle Model (RBM) was used to calculate the root reinforcement. Statistical analysis was carried out to assess the statistical reduction coefficients of root reinforcement that depend on the number of measurements, used in geotechnical analysis to reduce the mean value of a parameter to a so-called characteristic value. Results: We show that to reach an effective level of root reinforcement, trees of 0.5 m DBH require a density of about 300 trees per hectare. Trees of this size are about 30 years of age across many sites and have generally reached the recommended conditions for clear-fell harvesting. The analysis of variance shows that 4 trees are the minimum number to be excavated to obtain sufficient root information to obtain less than 5% of error with a 95% of probability on the estimation of a design value of root reinforcement in accord with geotechnical standards. Conclusions: We found that the variability of lateral and basal root reinforcement does not limit the implementation of vegetation in slope stability models for Pinus radiata. We adopt for the first time the concept of a minimum sampling requirement and characteristic value, similarly to what is assumed for the value of effective soil cohesion in geotechnical guidelines for slope stability calculations.
{"title":"Minimum representative root distribution sampling for calculating slope stability in Pinus radiata D.Don plantations in New Zealand","authors":"F. Giadrossich, M. Schwarz, M. Marden, R. Marrosu, C. Phillips","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x68x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x68x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Rainfall-triggered shallow landslides on steep slopes cause significant soil loss and can be hazards for property and people in many parts of the world. In New Zealand’s hill country, they are the dominant erosion process and are responsible for soil loss and subsequent impacts on regional water quality. Use of wide-spaced trees and afforestation with fast growing conifers are the primary land management tools in New Zealand to help control erosion and improve water quality. To decide where to implement erosion controls in the landscape requires determining the most susceptible places to these processes and models that incorporate how trees reinforce soils to understand if, and when, such treatments become effective. \u0000Methods: This paper characterises the mechanical properties of Pinus radiata D.Don roots (the common tree species used for afforestation in New Zealand) by means of field pullout tests and by measuring the root distribution at 360 degrees around trees. The Root Bundle Model (RBM) was used to calculate the root reinforcement. Statistical analysis was carried out to assess the statistical reduction coefficients of root reinforcement that depend on the number of measurements, used in geotechnical analysis to reduce the mean value of a parameter to a so-called characteristic value. \u0000Results: We show that to reach an effective level of root reinforcement, trees of 0.5 m DBH require a density of about 300 trees per hectare. Trees of this size are about 30 years of age across many sites and have generally reached the recommended conditions for clear-fell harvesting. The analysis of variance shows that 4 trees are the minimum number to be excavated to obtain sufficient root information to obtain less than 5% of error with a 95% of probability on the estimation of a design value of root reinforcement in accord with geotechnical standards. \u0000Conclusions: We found that the variability of lateral and basal root reinforcement does not limit the implementation of vegetation in slope stability models for Pinus radiata. We adopt for the first time the concept of a minimum sampling requirement and characteristic value, similarly to what is assumed for the value of effective soil cohesion in geotechnical guidelines for slope stability calculations.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46104147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-08-01DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x49x
Ferhat Bolat, Sinan Bulut, A. Günlü, İlker Ercanli, M. Şenyurt
Background: The use of satellite imagery to quantify forest metrics has become popular because of the high costs associated with the collection of data in the field.Methods: Multiple linear regression (MLR) and regression kriging (RK) techniques were used for the spatial interpolation of basal area (G) and growing stock volume (GSV) based on Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2. The performance of the models was tested using the repeated k-fold cross-validation method.Results: The prediction accuracy of G and GSV was strongly related to forest vegetation structure and spatial dependency. The nugget value of semivariograms suggested a moderately spatial dependence for both variables (nugget/sill ratio approx. 70%). Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 based RK explained approximately 52% of the total variance in G and GSV. Root-mean-square errors were 7.84 m2 ha-1 and 49.68 m3 ha-1 for G and GSV, respectively.Conclusions: The diversity of stand structure particularly at the poorer sites was considered the principal factor decreasing the prediction quality of G and GSV by RK.
{"title":"Regression kriging to improve basal area and growing stock volume estimation based on remotely sensed data, terrain indices and forest inventory of black pine forests","authors":"Ferhat Bolat, Sinan Bulut, A. Günlü, İlker Ercanli, M. Şenyurt","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x49x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x49x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The use of satellite imagery to quantify forest metrics has become popular because of the high costs associated with the collection of data in the field.Methods: Multiple linear regression (MLR) and regression kriging (RK) techniques were used for the spatial interpolation of basal area (G) and growing stock volume (GSV) based on Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2. The performance of the models was tested using the repeated k-fold cross-validation method.Results: The prediction accuracy of G and GSV was strongly related to forest vegetation structure and spatial dependency. The nugget value of semivariograms suggested a moderately spatial dependence for both variables (nugget/sill ratio approx. 70%). Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 based RK explained approximately 52% of the total variance in G and GSV. Root-mean-square errors were 7.84 m2 ha-1 and 49.68 m3 ha-1 for G and GSV, respectively.Conclusions: The diversity of stand structure particularly at the poorer sites was considered the principal factor decreasing the prediction quality of G and GSV by RK.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42789193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-06-17DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x17x
C. Rachid-Casnati, E. Mason, R. Woollons, J. Landsberg
Background: Hybrid mensurational and physiological models seek to combine precision, process explanation, simplicity in parameter definition, and ability to estimate wood products. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability and the advantages of the hybrid mensurational-physiological approach where time has been substituted for light sums in growth equations, to replace traditional time-based models in forecasting systems for Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill and Pinus taeda L. Methods: Using 974 permanent sample plots from plantations in Uruguay, we adjusted growth equations to project dominant height, net basal area, maximum diameter breast height, and standard deviation of diameters as a function of accumulated light restricted by modifiers that account for principal physiological limitations on photosynthesis. We analysed: i) the inclusion of terrain aspect and slope information for computing radiation; ii) the use of modifiers for temperature, vapour pressure deficit and water balance; iii) bias and precision of hybrid models with respect to time-based equations. Results: Growth equations showed a good fit for both species when modelled as a function of light sums modified by vapor pressure deficit, air temperature, and water balance. Accounting for slope orientation when computing light sums did not increase precision. Compared to time-based formulations, hybrid models presented a root mean squared error reduction of 10.7% and 4.5% on average for Eucalyptus grandis and for Pinus taeda, respectively, and the relationship between growth and resource availability was consistent with eco-physiological principles for both species. Conclusions: The hybrid methodology can be applied as a basis of forecasting systems for the species studies with significant advantages over time-based models, such as: (i) an increase in precision; (ii) an increase in spatial and time resolution; and (iii) the possibility of simulating the effect of changes in air temperature and water availability on tree growth.
{"title":"Modelling growth of Pinus taeda and Eucalyptus grandis as a function of light sums modified by air temperature, vapour pressure deficit, and water balance","authors":"C. Rachid-Casnati, E. Mason, R. Woollons, J. Landsberg","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x17x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x17x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hybrid mensurational and physiological models seek to combine precision, process explanation, simplicity in parameter definition, and ability to estimate wood products. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability and the advantages of the hybrid mensurational-physiological approach where time has been substituted for light sums in growth equations, to replace traditional time-based models in forecasting systems for Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill and Pinus taeda L. \u0000Methods: Using 974 permanent sample plots from plantations in Uruguay, we adjusted growth equations to project dominant height, net basal area, maximum diameter breast height, and standard deviation of diameters as a function of accumulated light restricted by modifiers that account for principal physiological limitations on photosynthesis. We analysed: i) the inclusion of terrain aspect and slope information for computing radiation; ii) the use of modifiers for temperature, vapour pressure deficit and water balance; iii) bias and precision of hybrid models with respect to time-based equations. \u0000Results: Growth equations showed a good fit for both species when modelled as a function of light sums modified by vapor pressure deficit, air temperature, and water balance. Accounting for slope orientation when computing light sums did not increase precision. Compared to time-based formulations, hybrid models presented a root mean squared error reduction of 10.7% and 4.5% on average for Eucalyptus grandis and for Pinus taeda, respectively, and the relationship between growth and resource availability was consistent with eco-physiological principles for both species. \u0000Conclusions: The hybrid methodology can be applied as a basis of forecasting systems for the species studies with significant advantages over time-based models, such as: (i) an increase in precision; (ii) an increase in spatial and time resolution; and (iii) the possibility of simulating the effect of changes in air temperature and water availability on tree growth.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69559096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-05-26DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x55x
Serajis Salekin, E. Mason, J. Morgenroth, D. Meason
Background: New Zealand’s plantation forest industry is dominated by the exotic species radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don), which comprises approximately 90% of the net stocked area. However, there is interest in introducing new species to: (a) provide wood that is naturally decay-resistant as a substitute for wood treated with preservatives; (b) match species to the wide variety of environmental conditions in New Zealand; and (c) reduce reliance on P. radiata. Some Eucalyptus species are considered as potential alternatives to P. radiata, specifically those that can survive in resource-limited conditions and produce high quality wood. While Eucalyptus species are grown in plantations in many regions of the world, limited information is available on their growth in New Zealand. Eucalyptus globoidea Blakley is of particular interest and has been planted in trials throughout New Zealand. A complete set of preliminary growth and yield models for this species will satisfy the initial information requirements for diversifying New Zealand’s plantation forest industry. Methods: A set of growth and yield models was developed and validated, based on data from 29 E. globoidea permanent sample plots (PSPs) located mostly in North Island and a few in South Island of New Zealand. Trees were measured at different time intervals in these plots, with height and diameter at breast height (DBH) ranging from 0.1–39.8 m and 0.1–62.3 cm, respectively. An algebraic difference approach (ADA) was applied to model mean top height, basal area, maximum diameter, and standard deviation of DBH. Non-linear regression equations were used to project stand volume and height-diameter relationship, and Reineke’s stand density index (SDI) approach was employed to model mortality. Results: Mean top height, maximum diameter, and standard deviation of DBH were best fitted by Von Bertalanffy-Richards (SE=1.1 m), Hossfeld (SE=2.4 cm), and Schumacher polymorphic (SE=1.6 cm) difference equations, respectively. Basal area data were modelled with high precision (SE=6.9 m2 ha-1) by the Schumacher anamorphic difference equation. Reineke’s SDI approach was able to explain the self-thinning as a reduction in the number of stems per hectare. Stand-level volume per hectare and height-diameter relationship models were precise when including site-specific variables with standard errors of 40.5 m3 ha-1 and 3.1 m, respectively. Conclusion: This study presents a set of preliminary growth and yield models for E. globoidea to project plot-level growth attributes. The models were path invariant and satisfied basic traditional mensurational-statistical growth and yield model assumptions. These models will provide forest growers and managers with important fundamental information about the growth and yield of E. globoidea.
{"title":"A preliminary growth and yield model for Eucalyptus globoidea Blakely plantations in New Zealand","authors":"Serajis Salekin, E. Mason, J. Morgenroth, D. Meason","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x55x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x55x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: New Zealand’s plantation forest industry is dominated by the exotic species radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don), which comprises approximately 90% of the net stocked area. However, there is interest in introducing new species to: (a) provide wood that is naturally decay-resistant as a substitute for wood treated with preservatives; (b) match species to the wide variety of environmental conditions in New Zealand; and (c) reduce reliance on P. radiata. Some Eucalyptus species are considered as potential alternatives to P. radiata, specifically those that can survive in resource-limited conditions and produce high quality wood. While Eucalyptus species are grown in plantations in many regions of the world, limited information is available on their growth in New Zealand. Eucalyptus globoidea Blakley is of particular interest and has been planted in trials throughout New Zealand. A complete set of preliminary growth and yield models for this species will satisfy the initial information requirements for diversifying New Zealand’s plantation forest industry. \u0000Methods: A set of growth and yield models was developed and validated, based on data from 29 E. globoidea permanent sample plots (PSPs) located mostly in North Island and a few in South Island of New Zealand. Trees were measured at different time intervals in these plots, with height and diameter at breast height (DBH) ranging from 0.1–39.8 m and 0.1–62.3 cm, respectively. An algebraic difference approach (ADA) was applied to model mean top height, basal area, maximum diameter, and standard deviation of DBH. Non-linear regression equations were used to project stand volume and height-diameter relationship, and Reineke’s stand density index (SDI) approach was employed to model mortality. \u0000Results: Mean top height, maximum diameter, and standard deviation of DBH were best fitted by Von Bertalanffy-Richards (SE=1.1 m), Hossfeld (SE=2.4 cm), and Schumacher polymorphic (SE=1.6 cm) difference equations, respectively. Basal area data were modelled with high precision (SE=6.9 m2 ha-1) by the Schumacher anamorphic difference equation. Reineke’s SDI approach was able to explain the self-thinning as a reduction in the number of stems per hectare. Stand-level volume per hectare and height-diameter relationship models were precise when including site-specific variables with standard errors of 40.5 m3 ha-1 and 3.1 m, respectively. \u0000Conclusion: This study presents a set of preliminary growth and yield models for E. globoidea to project plot-level growth attributes. The models were path invariant and satisfied basic traditional mensurational-statistical growth and yield model assumptions. These models will provide forest growers and managers with important fundamental information about the growth and yield of E. globoidea.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43584478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-05-05DOI: 10.33494/nzjfs502020x15x
A. I. Bodaghi, Mehrdad Nikooy, R. Naghdi, F. Tavankar
Background: The frequency of wounded trees and intensity of wounds during logging operations can have serious impacts on stand growth and forest sustainability. The aims of the study were to evaluate and compare stand (tree and regeneration) damage level, wound characteristics, and damage types occurring when using a cable skidder in salvage logging and selection cutting. Methods: This study was conducted on four sites of mixed uneven-aged hardwood stands in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. At two sites, salvage logging was applied (SL1 and SL2), and low-intensity selection cutting (SC1 and SC2) was applied at the other two. A systematic plot sampling design was used on the study area for damage assessment. Results: The percentage of regenerating trees damaged was 2.8, 2.1, 4.3, 1.4 %, in SL1, SL2, SC1, and SC2, respectively. The corresponding percentage of damaged trees was 4.3, 3.7, 4.9, 1.7 %. Most of the damage (48–79%) to the stand occurred during the winching stage at all the sites. Most of the wounds were located on the bole (51–78%). The average wound height and wound size at selection cutting sites were significantly higher than at the salvage logging sites. The incidence of high-intensity wounds at the salvage logging sites (55% at SL1 and 57% at SL2) was higher than at the selection cutting sites (24% in SC1 and 30% in SC2). Regenerating beech (Fagus orienalis Lipsky) and alder (Alnus subcordata C.A.Mey) had the highest incidence of damage. The number of damaged trees increased with increasing winching distance. Conclusion: Damage levels in stands during salvage logging and low-intensity selection cutting are lower (about a quarter) than the damage level to residual trees (12–23%) and regeneration (5–11%) from conventional selection cutting in uneven-aged mixed hardwood stands in the Hyrcanian forests. Because of the ecological and conservation value of deadwood, if the incidence of wind-fallen trees is low, the wood should be left in forest stands due to the high cost of salvage logging and the damage caused to residual and regenerating trees.
{"title":"Logging damage to residual trees during sustainable harvesting of uneven-age stands in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran","authors":"A. I. Bodaghi, Mehrdad Nikooy, R. Naghdi, F. Tavankar","doi":"10.33494/nzjfs502020x15x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x15x","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The frequency of wounded trees and intensity of wounds during logging operations can have serious impacts on stand growth and forest sustainability. The aims of the study were to evaluate and compare stand (tree and regeneration) damage level, wound characteristics, and damage types occurring when using a cable skidder in salvage logging and selection cutting. \u0000Methods: This study was conducted on four sites of mixed uneven-aged hardwood stands in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. At two sites, salvage logging was applied (SL1 and SL2), and low-intensity selection cutting (SC1 and SC2) was applied at the other two. A systematic plot sampling design was used on the study area for damage assessment. \u0000Results: The percentage of regenerating trees damaged was 2.8, 2.1, 4.3, 1.4 %, in SL1, SL2, SC1, and SC2, respectively. The corresponding percentage of damaged trees was 4.3, 3.7, 4.9, 1.7 %. Most of the damage (48–79%) to the stand occurred during the winching stage at all the sites. Most of the wounds were located on the bole (51–78%). The average wound height and wound size at selection cutting sites were significantly higher than at the salvage logging sites. The incidence of high-intensity wounds at the salvage logging sites (55% at SL1 and 57% at SL2) was higher than at the selection cutting sites (24% in SC1 and 30% in SC2). Regenerating beech (Fagus orienalis Lipsky) and alder (Alnus subcordata C.A.Mey) had the highest incidence of damage. The number of damaged trees increased with increasing winching distance. \u0000Conclusion: Damage levels in stands during salvage logging and low-intensity selection cutting are lower (about a quarter) than the damage level to residual trees (12–23%) and regeneration (5–11%) from conventional selection cutting in uneven-aged mixed hardwood stands in the Hyrcanian forests. Because of the ecological and conservation value of deadwood, if the incidence of wind-fallen trees is low, the wood should be left in forest stands due to the high cost of salvage logging and the damage caused to residual and regenerating trees.","PeriodicalId":19172,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2020-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45152167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}