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[Forest carbon storage and fuel carbon emission in Tanjiang River basin].

The investigation on the forest carbon storage and fuel carbon emission in Tanjiang River basin showed that since 1990, the forests in Tanjiang River basin acted as a carbon sink, and this action was increased with time and with economic development. The net carbon uptake by the forests was 1.0579 x 10 (7) t in 1990 and 1.28061 x 10 (7) t in 2002, with an annual increment of 1.856 x 10(5) t, while the fuel carbon emission was 9. 508 x 10(5) t in 1990 and 1.8562 x 10(6) t in 2002, with an annual increment of 7.0 x 10(4) t. In 2003, the fuel carbon emission was up to 2.1968 x 10(6) t, 3.406 x 105 t more than that in 2002. In 2002, the energy consumption per 10(4) yuan GDP in Tanjiang River basin was 2.21 t standard coal, higher than the average consumption (1.81 t standard coal) in the Pearl River delta. If the fuel consumption decreased to the average level, the carbon emission in Tanjiang River basin would be reduced by 3.360 x 10(5) t, which was higher than the annual increment of forest net carbon uptake in the basin. From the viewpoint of net carbon uptake and emission in a basin, more attention should be paid to the relations between forest carbon sink and human activities.

Carbon↗

Study of the malaria situation in forested foothill and nearby plain areas of Myanmar.

A longitudinal demographic-parasitological survey on malaria was conducted at 10 weekly intervals starting from September in one foothill village with the population of 1,095 and one epidemiologically comparable plain village with the population of 962 in Kyauktaga township, Bago division, 120 miles north of Yangon. The objective was to describe and analyse the current malaria situation in a forested foothill area and an adjacent plain area. Ten weekly blood film collections for malaria parasite examination, six monthly sera collections on filter paper for serological examination from the whole study population and ten weekly splenic measurements from 2-9 year children were done. The malaria parasite rate in the foothill area was invariably higher than that in the plain area in all age groups throughout the study period. Moreover, the parasite rate decreased with the increase in distance from the forested foothill area indicating that the deep forest malaria may have some influence on the foothill villages. The total age specific parasite rate in foothill villages was found to be highest in the 5-8 year age group and decreased as the age advanced which may be due to the increasing immunity. The study revealed the presence of local transmission in the foothill village. From these data it is evident that new village sites should be chosen at least 5 miles away from the forest fringe and the malaria control measures in the plain area should utilize chemoprophylaxis and effective chemotherapy focusing on the people who travel into the forest.

Adolescent↗

Indigenous and local knowledge inclusion in forest fauna research: A systematic review in the tropics.

Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) is an expression of biocultural diversity and is vital for inclusive and sustainable forest management and epistemic justice. We examine how researchers studying tropical forest fauna engage with ILK and the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) who are holders of this knowledge. We conducted a systematic review of 62 articles that focus on tropical forest fauna and ILK. We used a category-based quantitative and qualitative content analysis on the types of forest fauna studied and how research engages with, defines and represents ILK. We also evaluated the varied forms of inclusion of IPLC in the research. We find that less than half of the reviewed studies (25) explicitly define ILK, and only four studies reported including IPLC in the decision-making processes. Our findings reveal that science has not fully acknowledged and understood the depth of ILK and we suggest ways to address this in future research.

Forests↗

Phellinus Weirii and Other Native Root Pathogens as Determinants of Forest Structure and Process in Western North America.

The population structure and ecological roles of the indigenous pathogen Phellinus weirii, cause of laminated root rot in conifer forests of western North America, are examined. This pathogen kills trees in slowly expanding mortality centers, creating gaps in the forest canopy. It is widespread, locally abundant, and very long-lived. It is among the most important disturbance agents in the long intervals between stand-replacing events such as wildfire or harvest in these ecosystems and shapes the structure and composition of both wild and managed forests. Trees are infected and killed regardless of individual vigor. Management of public lands is changing dramatically, with renewed emphasis on natural forest structures and processes but pathogens, especially root rot fungi, remain a significant challenge to "ecosystem management."

Douglas-fir↗

Comparison of the structural properties of Sindbis and Semliki forest virus nucleocapsids.

The envelope spikes of Sindbis and Semliki Forest virus are arranged in a T = 4 icosahedral surface lattice and, by deduction, it has been suggested that the nucleocapsid proteins are similarly arranged. After treatment of the virions with a non-ionic detergent the released nucleocapsids sediment in sucrose gradients at about 160S and 150S and have densities in CsCl of 1.42 g/ml and 1.425 g/ml, respectively, for Sindbis and Semliki Forest virus. At pH 6.0 Sindbis nucleocapsids do not contract like those of Semliki Forest virus. Nucleocapsids of both viruses are sensitive to the action of ribonuclease but only those of Semliki Forest virus undergo a drastic structural rearrangement due to the treatment. EDTA treatment in hypotonic conditions results in a decrease in the S-value for both particles. Electron micrographs show that the SFV nucleocapsids are partly 'unfolded' while those of Sindbis appear slightly contracted after exposure to EDTA.

Capsid↗

Chemical cross-linking of proteins of Semliki Forest virus: virus particles and plasma membranes from BHK-21 cells treated with colchicine or dibucaine.

Chemical cross-linking of the proteins of Semliki Forest virus has been performed in virus particles and in baby hamster kidney-21 (BHK-21) cells infected with Semliki Forest virus. Most of the studies were done with the reversible cross-linkers dimethyl 3,3'-thiobis(propionimidate) and dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate). The identity of the cross-linked species was determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The results with virus particles showed extensive cross-linking of the nucleocapsid proteins and the formation of dimers of the two large envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2). Similar patterns for the cross-linked virus proteins were observed in plasma membranes isolated from BHK-21 cells infected with Semliki Forest virus. No cross-linking of the third envelope glycoprotein (E3) was observed. Also, there was no evidence for significant cross-linking between host and virus proteins. The addition of colchicine, a drug that disrupts microtubules, to infected BHK-21 cells had no effect on the cross-linking of virus proteins in the plasma membrane. In contrast, dibucaine, a local anesthetic, greatly inhibited the formation of envelope dimers (E1-E2) in plasma membranes, but not in virus particles. The implication of these results for the involvement of the cytoskeletal system in the morphogenesis of Semliki Forest virus is discussed.

Cell Line↗

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 1988 (No. 69 of 1988), 17 December 1988.

Major provisions of this Indian Act on Forest Conservation are summarized as follows: "New Clauses iii) and iv) have been inserted in Section 2a of the principal Act to provide that the leasing of forest land to private persons or any authority, corporation, agency, and any other organization not owned, managed, or controlled by the Government and clearing of trees which have grown naturally anywhere in any forest land for the purpose of using it for reforestation will require approval of the Central Government. (Section 2) The scope of the existing definition of 'non-forest purposes' has been expanded so as to include therein also cultivation of tea, coffee, spices, rubber, palms, oil-bearing plants, horticultural crops, and medicinal plants. (Section 2) New Sections 3a and 3b have been inserted in Section 3 of the principal Act. Section 3a provides that anyone who contravenes any of the provisions of Section 2 shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a period up to 15 days. Section 3b provides that if any offence has been committed under this Act by any Government department or by any authority, then the head of the department or every person directly responsible for the conduct of the authority, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be punished."

Agriculture↗

Decree No. 450/988 approving the National Forestation Plan formulated by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fishing, 6 July 1988.

This Decree contains the text of the National Forestation Plan of Uruguay. The general objective of the plan is to carry out the first stage of a program formulated in cooperation with the Japanese Government to increase national forests in the next five years so as to create a balance between forest products needed and forest products produced. The Plan is to cost four million dollars each year for five years and is to be carried out by the private sector under supervision by the State. Further provisions of the Decree set forth the justification, dimensions, affected localities, and benefits of the Plan.

Americas↗

TWELVE ISOLATIONS OF ZIKA VIRUS FROM AEDES (STEGOMYIA) AFRICANUS (THEOBALD) TAKEN IN AND ABOVE A UGANDA FOREST.

In continuation of a series of studies of arboreal mosquitos as virus vectors in Uganda, 12 strains of Zika virus and one strain of another Group B arbovirus were isolated between November 1961 and June 1963 from pools of Aedes (Stegomyia) africanus caught on a 120-foot (36.5-m) tower in Zika forest. For five strains it is known at what height the mosquitos were caught: one was from mosquitos taken at ground level, and the other four were from mosquitos taken in or above the upper canopy after sunset. No small mammal trapped in the forest either on the ground or in the trees showed serum antibody for Zika virus.These findings suggest that in Zika forest, A. (S.) africanus becomes infected from a virus reservoir that is probably not among the small animals tested and that infected mosquitos are liable to be spread widely beyond the forest by convection currents above the tree-tops in the first two or three hours after sunset.

Aedes↗

Biochemical evidence that Semliki Forest virus obtains its envelope from the plasma membrane of the host cell.

The data from chemical studies and electron microscopy suggest that Semliki Forest virus obtains its envelope by budding into the medium from the plasma membrane of the host cell. Biochemical evidence for this phenomenon, however, has not been published. Therefore, we undertook a series of pulse-chase studies so that we might quantitatively evaluate the importance of the budding mechanism in the morphogenesis of Semliki Forest virus. Baby hamster kidney cells (clone 13) were grown in culture and infected with Semliki Forest virus. The cells were exposed to [4,5-3H] leucine for 20 min and the subsequent incorporation of the label into virus proteins associated with cytoplasmic membranes and extracellular virus was determined. Initial experiments were conducted with microsomes and a precursor-product relationship was demonstrated between viral proteins in the microsomes and in extracellular virus. Further studies were performed with endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane preparations. Maximal incorporation of [3H] leucine was observed in the viral proteins located in the endoplasmic reticulum at the end of a 20-min pulse period; greater than 50% of this activity had disappeared within 2 h. The plasma membrane fraction contained no radioactivity at the end of the pulse period; subsequently, maximal labeling of the viral proteins in the plasma membrane occurred 4 h into the chase period and these labeled proteins had disappeared from this membrane 11 h after the pulse. At this time maximal incorporation of the labeled proteins into extracellular virus was observed. These data are consistent with a precursor-product relationship between the viral proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum which migrate to the plasma membrane and are subsequently incorporated into extracellular virus. All the radioactivity in the extracellular virus appears to have been derived from viral proteins associated with the plasma membrane of the cell. Therefore, mechanisms for the morphogenesis of Semliki Forest virus (in baby hamster kidney cells), other than budding from the plasma membrane, are unlikely to be of quantitative importance.

Cell Fractionation↗

Quantifying remaining forested habitat within the historic distribution of the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) in Colombia: Implications for long-term conservation.

Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data were used to classify forested areas within the historic distribution of the endangered cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) in Colombia. This species continues to be threatened by habitat destruction, and we observed a 31% decrease of the forested habitat within the tamarins' historic distribution in 1990-2000. It is estimated that since the establishment of some protected areas for cotton-top tamarins and other native Colombian wildlife (Parque Nacional Natural Paramillo, Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Colorados, and Reserva Forestal de Montes de Maria), almost 43% of the original forested area has been lost. Given that the human population of Colombia increases annually by 1.6% [Patel, 2002], it is important to target specific areas for tamarin protection while creating mitigation strategies to compensate for economic growth. The results of this study provide valuable information to assist in the long-term development of effective conservation strategies for this endangered primate.

Animals↗

Lemur responses to edge effects in the Vohibola III classified forest, Madagascar.

Forest edges are dynamic zones characterized by the penetration (to varying depths and intensities) of conditions from the surrounding environment (matrix) into the forest interior. Although edge effects influence many tropical organisms, they have not been studied directly in primates. Edge effects are particularly relevant to lemurs because of the highly fragmented forest landscapes found in Madagascar. In this study, data are presented regarding how the densities of six lemur species (Avahi laniger, Cheirogaleus major, Eulemur rubriventer, Hapalemur griseus griseus, Microcebus rufus, and Propithecus diadema edwardsi) varied between six 500-m interior transects and six 500-m edge transects in the Vohibola III Classified Forest in SE Madagascar. Diurnal (n = 433) and nocturnal (n = 128) lemur surveys were conducted during June-October 2003 and May-November 2004. A. laniger, E. rubriventer, and H. g. griseus exhibited a neutral edge response (no differences in densities between habitats). M. rufus and P. d. edwardsi had a positive edge response (higher densities in edge habitats), which may be related to edge-related variations in food abundance and quality. Positive edge responses by M. rufus and P. d. edwardsi may ultimately be detrimental due to edge-related anthropogenic factors (e.g., hunting by local people). The negative edge response exhibited by C. major (lower densities in edge habitats) may result from heightened ambient temperatures that inhibit torpor in edge habitats.

Animals↗

Using a GIS model to assess terrestrial salamander response to alternative forest management plans.

A GIS model predicting the spatial distribution of terrestrial salamander abundance based on topography and forest age was developed using parameters derived from the literature. The model was tested by sampling salamander abundance across the full range of site conditions used in the model. A regression of the predictions of our GIS model against these sample data showed that the model has a modest but significant ability to predict both salamander abundance and mass per unit area. The model was used to assess the impacts of alternative management plans for the Hoosier National Forest (Indiana, USA) on salamanders. These plans differed in the spatial delineation of management areas where timber harvest was permitted, and the intensity of timber harvest within those management areas. The spatial pattern of forest openings produced by alternative forest management scenarios based on these plans was projected over 150 years using a timber-harvest simulator (HARVEST). We generated a predictive map of salamander abundance for each scenario over time, and summarized each map by calculating mean salamander abundance and the mean colonization distance (average distance from map cells with low predicted abundance to those with relatively high abundance). Projected salamander abundance was affected more by harvest rate (area harvested each decade) than by the management area boundaries. The alternatives had a varying effect on the mean distance salamanders would have to travel to colonize regenerating stands. Our GIS modeling approach is an example of a spatial analytical tool that could help resource management planners to evaluate the potential ecological impact of management alternatives.

Animals↗

Tropical forests: present status and future outlook.

Tropical forests still cover almost 8 million km squared of the humid tropics but they are being destroyed at ever-more rapid rates. In 1989, the area deforested amounted to 142,200 km squared, or nearly 90% more than in 1979. Thus, whereas the 1989 amounted total to 1.8% of the remaining biome, the proportion could well continue to rise for the foreseeable future, until there is little forest in just a few decades. Deforestati on patterns are far from even throughout the biome. In much of the Southeast and Southern Asia, East and West Africa, and Central America, there is likely to be little forest left by the year 2000 or shortly thereafter. But in the Zaire basin, western Brazilian Amazonia, and the Guyana highlands, sizeable expanses of forest could persist a good while longer. The main agent of deforestation in the 'shifted cultivator' or displaced peasant, who, responding to land hunger and general lack of rural development in traditional farming areas of countries concerned, feels there is no alternative but to adopt a slash-and-burn lifestyle in forestlands. This person is now accounting for at least 60% of deforestation, a rapidly expanding proportion. However, he receives far less policy attention than the commercial logger, the cattle rancher, and other agents of deforestation.

Africa↗

Evaluation of pollution-related stress factors for forest ecosystems in central Europe.

Since the early eighties air pollution by SO2 and Pb and, to a lesser degree by NOx and NH3, have been significantly reduced in Europe. This was done in part for the protection of forest ecosystems. The reductions are reflected in the pollutant impacts and inputs and have been verified through the bioindicator Norway spruce. In contrast, ozone concentrations increased at most of the evaluated measuring locations and trends were calculated based on the results of about 100 stations in Austria and Germany. Despite reduced emissions, large parts of the forest ecosystems are still affected by air-pollution impacts. Negative effects can be assessed using different legal standards and Critical Levels and Critical Loads, respectively: The legal standard for the evaluation of SO2 impact, as used in Austria, is well suited. The provisional European Critical Level for ozone, the AOT40 must, in order to be a meaningful criterion for field applications, be further refined. Continuing the Critical Load concept, the spatial risk of acid depositions in areas of high geomorphic variability were evaluated using the new parameter of 'critical soil depth'. With the help of the newly defined 'lead accumulation index', the accumulation of Pb from air pollution could be evaluated. Air-pollution inputs and the spatial acidification risk is directly related to altitude. Up to altitudes of 1000 m and 1100 m, SO2 impact and acid depositions, respectively were indicated and elevated ozone doses and Pb inputs were observed in the sensitive sub-alpine areas. These results underline the necessity for increased protection of mountain forest ecosystems, among others through a further reduction of emissions or forest-related strategies.

Air Pollutants↗

Forest tree biotechnology.

The forest products industry has traditionally viewed trees as merely a raw, and more or less immutable, natural resource. However, unlike such inanimate resources as metallic ores, trees have the potential to be modified genetically, essentially transmuting lead into gold. Increasingly, modern alchemists are applying the tools of biotechnology in efforts to reduce the biological constraints on forest productivity. Several new methodologies being used to address problems in forest biology are described with respect to their potential impact on forest tree improvement. In addition to addressing problems inherent to the current use of trees for production of pulp and paper or solid wood products, genetic manipulation of trees brings with it the potential to create new industries based on the novel characteristics of transgenic trees, e.g. trees containing transgenes to detoxify specific pollutants could be used in the remediation of sites contaminated with hazardous wastes. Efforts to modify trees through biotechnology are in their infancy, and this review seeks to outline the underpinnings of what will undoubtedly be an area of increased emphasis in the next millennium.

Biotechnology↗

Forest ecosystem development in post-mining landscapes: a case study of the Lusatian lignite district.

The restoration of surface mining landscapes requries the (re)creation of ecosystems. In Lusatia (eastern Germany), large-scale open-cast lignite mining operations generated spoil dumps widely consisting of acidified, phytotoxic substrates. Amelioration and rehabilitation measures have been developed and applied to these substrates since the 1950s. However, it is still not clear whether these approaches are sustainable. This paper reports on collaborative research work into the ecological potential of forest ecosystem development on typical minesites in the Lusatian lignite district. At first sight, pine stands on minesites along a chronosequence comprising about 35 years did not show differences when compared with stands on non-mined sites of the general region. Furthermore, with some modification, conceptual models for flora and fauna succession in forest stands on non-mined sites seem to be applicable, at least for the early stages of forest ecosystem development. For example, soil organism abundance and activity at minesites had already reached levels typical of non-mined sites after about 20-30 years. In contrast, mine soils are very different from non-mined soils of the test region. Chemically, mine soil development is dominated by processes originating from pyrite oxidation. Geogenic, i.e. lignitic, soil organic carbon was shown to substitute for some functions of pedogenic soil organic matter. Rooting was hampered but not completely impeded in strongly acidified soil compartments. Roots and mycorrhizae are apparently able to make use of the characteristic heterogeneity of young mine soils. Considering these recent results and the knowledge accumulated during more than 30 years of research on minesite rehabilitation internationally, it can be stated that minesite restoration might be used as an ideal case study for forest ecosystem development starting at "point zero" on "terra nova".

Coal Mining↗

Effects of native forest regeneration practices on genetic diversity in Eucalyptus consideniana.

Impacts of forest harvesting and regeneration practices on genetic diversity in the Australian native forest species Eucalyptus consideniana Maiden (yertchuk) were examined using 29 Mendelian DNA markers (18 RFLPs and 11 microsatellites). Two replicate logging coupes were studied from each of the two most commonly employed silvicultural treatments: clear felling with aerial re-sowing and the seed tree system. For each coupe, genetic diversity measures were compared between a sample of the sapling regeneration and a corresponding control sample from bordering unharvested trees. When calculations were performed over all 29 loci, significant reductions of allelic richness (AR), effective number of alleles (AE) and/or expected heterozygosity (HE) were detected on one or both of seed tree coupes, but on neither of the clear falls. When calculations were performed over the 11 microsatellites alone, all three measures, AR, AE and HE, were significantly reduced on both of the seed replicates but on neither of the two clear falls. In contrast, when the RFLPs were examined separately, there were no significant reductions of diversity on either of the two seed tree coupes or on the two clear falls. These results suggest that genetic erosion is more likely under the seed tree system than under clear-felling with aerial re-sowing and that there is greater statistical power to detect it with microsatellites than with RFLPs. A Monte Carlo simulation to test the statistical significance of the number of apparently lost or gained alleles showed that significant losses of alleles above specified threshold frequencies occurred only in the two seed tree replicates. Three of the four control and regeneration population pairs were significantly differentiated, as indicated by exact tests or by pairwise FST estimates. Comparisons of CONTML dendrograms, constructed for the regeneration populations only versus the control populations only, indicated that genetic drift was significantly promoted under forest management. No significant decreases in observed heterozygosity, or increases in the panmictic index (f), were observed in any of the comparisons suggesting that inbreeding was not promoted by a single rotation of forest management.

Computer Simulation↗