Comparative analysis of four stem taper models for Quercus glauca in Mount Halla,Jeju Island,South Korea

This study was conducted to fit the diameter-height data of Quercusglaucain Jeju Island, South Korea to the four commonly used stem taper equations andto evaluate the performance of the four stem taper models using four statistical criteria： Fit index （FI）, root mean square error （RMSE）, bias （）,and absolute mean difference （AMD）. Results showed that the Kozak02stem taper equation provided the best FI（0.9847）, RMSE（1.5745）,（-0.0030 cm） and AMD （1.0990 cm） whileMax and Burkhart model had the poorest performance among the four stem taper models based on the four evaluation statistics （FI ： 0.9793,RMSE ： 1.8272, ： 0.3040 cm and AMD ： 1.3060 cm）. These stem taper equations can serve as a useful tool for forest managers in estimating the diameter outside bark at any given height, merchantable stem volumes and total stem volumesof the standing trees of Quercusglaucain theGotjawal forests located in Mount Halla, Jeju Island, South Korea.     

Compatible taper and stem volume equations for Larix kaempferi(Japanese larch) species of South Korea

In this study, compatible taper and stem volume equations were developed for Larix kaempferi species of South Korea. The dataset was split into two groups: 80% of the data were used in model fitting and the remaining 20% were used for validation. The compatible MB76 equations were used to predict the diameter outside bark to a specific height, the height to a specific diameter and the stem volume of the species. The result of the stem volume analysis was compared with the existing stem volume model of Larix kaempferi species of South Korea which was developed by the Korea Forest Research Institute and with a simple volume model that was developed with fitting dataset in this study. The compatible model provided accurate prediction of the total stem volume when compared to the existing stem volume model and with a simple volume model. It is concluded that the compatible taper and stem volume equations are more convenient to use and therefore it is recommended to be applied in the Larix kaempferi species of South Korea.     

Fitting and evaluation of height-diameter models for Alnus japonica in La Trinidad,Benguet, Philippines

The study was conducted to develop height-diameter at breast height(HT-DBH) models for Alnus japonica in La Trinidad, Benguet,Philippines and evaluate their predictive capability.The six widely used nonlinear growth models that were selected in this study were the ChapmanRichards, Schnute, Modified logistic, Korf/Lundqvist,Weibull and Exponential. A total of 208 Alnus japonica trees were measured using standard diameter tape for DBH(1.3 m above the ground) and Vertex and transponder was used for the total height measurement. The performance of the developed models were evaluated using the fit statistics including coefficient of determination(R~2), root mean square error(RMSE), mean bias(ē), absolute mean difference(AMD), and Akaike Information Criterion(AIC). The lack-of-fit statistics was also performed for further evaluation of the performance of the models.Based on the evaluation criteria, all six models were able to determine the DBH-height relationships and fitted the data well. Using the rank analysis, the Weibull HT-DBH model had the best performance among the six commonly used nonlinear growth models. The results of this study will help forest managers especially in La Trinidad, Benguet to easily predict the total height using the Weibull model for Alnus japonica utilizing the DBH as the predicting variable.     

Chemical characteristics of four kinds of water in the rongbuk glacier basin, Mount Qomolangma

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Differences in tree species diversity and soil nutrient status in a tropical sacred forest ecosystem on Niyamgiri hill range, Eastern Ghats, India

We have quantitatively analyzed the tree species diversity with respect to soil nutrient status in three sites of a sacred forest ecosystem of Niyamgiri hill range,Eastern Ghats,India.Extensive field surveys and sampling were conducted in 3 sites of the hill range:Site 1 Pterocarpus dominated forest(PTF)(19°40’02.2" N and 83°21’23.1" E),Site 2 Mangifera dominated forest(MAF)(19°40’02.8" N and 83°21’40.8" E) and Site 3 Mixed forest(MIF)(19°36’47.1" N and 83°21’02.7" E).A total of 28 families,42 genera,46 tree species,and 286 individual trees were recorded on an area of 0.6 ha.Tree density varied between 470 and 490 individuals ha-1 and average basal area between 3.16 and 10.04 m2 ha-1.Shannon Index(H’) ranged from 2.34 to 4.53,Simpson’s Index ranged from 0.07 to 0.09,and equitability Index ranged from 0.7 to 1.34.The number of individuals was highest in the girth at breast height(GBH) class of 50-70 cm.The soil nutrient status of the three forest types was related to tree species diversity.The soil pH value of the three sites reflected the slightly acidic nature of the area.Species diversity was positively correlated with organic carbon and phosphorus and negatively with nitrogen,EC and pH.The results of the current study may be helpful to further develop a conservation planfor tree species in tropical sacred forest ecosystems.     

Leaf thickness and elevation explain naturalized alien species richness in a tropical mountain forest: A case study from Mount Gede-Pangrango National Park,Indonesia

Exotic plant invasion is one of the major causes of species extinction. In many contexts, mountainous forests are the last refuge for native species. There are several inventory studies conducted in mountainous and tropical forests in Indonesia. However, there are no studies yet on the factors that explain the abundance and richness of surveyed naturalized alien species. This study investigated whether the number of individuals and abundanceweighted species richness(AWR) of naturalized alien plant species in the hiking-trail of Mount GedePangrango National Park(MGPNP) forest area correlated with leaf traits(specific leaf area(SLA) and leaf thickness) and environmental factors(elevation, slope, and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)). We showed that leaf thickness and habitat elevation explained the AWR variations of naturalized alien species. We did not detect any important effect of leaf traits and environmental factors on the number of individuals per exotic species per plot. The influence of leaf thickness and habitat elevation indicates the important role of both biotic and abiotic factors on exotic species to develop a high species richness and become an invasive species in the tropical mountain forest ecosystem.     

Development of endemicity and conservation importance indices for tropical forests and the floral diversity assessment of Mt. Natoo in Benguet,Philippines

The scientific community faces the challenge of measuring progress toward biodiversity targets and indices have been traditionally used. However, recent inventories in secondary tropical mountain forests using traditional biodiversity indices have yielded results that are indistinct with primary ones. This shows the need to develop complementary indices that goes beyond species count but integrates the distribution and conservation status of the species. This study developed endemicity and conse...     

Allometric equations of select tree species of the Tibetan Plateau,China

The Tibetan forest is one of the most important national forest zones in China. Despite the potentially important role that Tibetan forest will play in the Earth?s future carbon balance and climate regulation, few allometric equations exist for accurately estimating biomass and carbon budgets of this forest. In the present study, allometric equations,both species-specific and generic, were developed relating component biomass(DW) to diameter at breast height(DBH) and tree height(H) for six most common tree species in Tibetan forest. The 6 species were Abies georgei Orr., Picea spinulosa(Griff.)Henry, Pinus densata Mast., Pinus yunnanensis Franch., Cypresses funebris Endl. and Quercus semecarpifilia Smith.. The results showed that, both DBH-only and DBH2 H based species-specific equations showed a significant fit(P0.05) for all tree species and biomass components. The DBH-only equations explained more than 80% variability of the component biomass and total biomass, adding H as a second independent variable increased the goodness of fit, while incorporating H into the term DBH2 H decreased the goodness of fit. However, not all DBH-H combined equations showed a significant fit(P0.05) for all tree species and biomass components. Hence, the suggested species-specific allometric equations for the six most common tree species are of the form ln(DW) = c + αln(DBH). The generalized equations of mixed coniferous component biomass against DBH, DBH2 H and DBH-H also showed a significant fit(P0.05) for all biomass components. However, due to significant species effect, the relative errors of the estimates were very high. Hence, generalized equations should only be used when there are too many different tree species, or there is no species-specific model of the same species or similar growth form in adjacent area.     

Effects of patch size,disturbances on diversity and structural traits of tropical semi-evergreen forest in the lowland Indo Burma hotspot: implication on conservation of the threatened tree species

Information on geographic distribution, population and threat status of most globally red listed species in the Indo Burma zone are inadequate. Given the increase in the prevalence of isolated forest patches in the part of this hotspot, evaluation is necessary on how size of the remnant forest patches and on-going disturbances affects structure and diversity of remaining habitats including the population of some globally threatened tree species. Quantitative vegetation inventory by 500 m long and 10 m wide (0.5 ha) line transects were randomly set in nine fragmented tropical semi-evergreen forest patches in Tripura, Northeast India. The studied forests patches grouped into small, medium and large based on their respected sizes. Spatial variability was analysed in woody species diversity and structure along the patch size gradients and their response to both patch size and anthropogenic disturbances. Out of 167 species, 13 identified as red-listed species by IUCN under the present inventory. Most of the diversity and structural parameters showed statistically significant positive response with the forest patch size, except for stand dominance, disturbance, sapling density and number of aggregated distribution pattern decreased when patch size increased. In addition, most of the diversity and structural attributes showed negative response with disturbances. Present baseline data would serve as an effective tool for management and protection of this important forest type. Future habitat restoration programme and strategies for relocation of additional population and re-introduction of those globally threatened trees are recommended.     

Land use patterns and tree species diversity in the Volta Geological Unit,Togo

The application of remote sensing in understanding tree species structural diversity and land use patterns relationship is imperative for reforestation and biodiversity conservation efforts. This study assesses land use patterns and tree species structural diversity in previously reforested hilly sandstone regions of northern Togo. The physical height, and diameter at breast height(DBH) more than 5 cm of all tree species in each given plot were measured in summer 2017. A total of 75 plots of 900 m~2 installed along the toposequence were recorded. In addition, a semi-supervised classification of Landsat 8 images in January of 2018, was also used to classify the land use patterns. 36 tree species and 19 families were recorded for the entire study area. Meanwhile, 19 tree species and 15 families were recorded for the previously afforested zones. The most abundant species included the Sterculiaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Meliaceae, and Mimosaceae. The trees stand structure represented 8.61 ± 0.57 m, 11.28 ± 1.76 cm, and 0.018 ± 0.009 m~2 per hectare for height, diameter and basal area respectively. Major land use patterns were tree and shrub savannahs, parklands and croplands which represented over 60% of the landscape. It is necessary to examine the regeneration and vegetative multiplication potentials of the most frequent and abundant tree species for any eventual future afforestation programs in these hilly sandstone regions of northern Togo.     

Determination of Ca,K, Mg and Fe in four fish species by FAAS

A method for determining calcium(Ca),potassium(K),magnesium(Mg) and iron(Fe) in four fish species was optimized and validated.It included microwave mineralization of the samples and subsequent quantification by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy(FAAS) with Zeeman-effect background correction.Using HNO3(65%) and H2O2(33%) as extraction solutions,the optimal conditions of extraction were established as follows:0.5 g of sample mass;microwave time program of 300 W/5 min and 600 W/5 min.The method was free of matrix interferences.The linear correlation coefficients were ≥0.9991,the recovery percentage of analytes was from 99.31% to 103.70% and the RSD(relative standard deviation) was lower than 2.06%.The detection limits obtained were 32.3,43.2,14.0 and 68.6 ng mL-1 for Ca,K,Mg and Fe in FAAS respectively.It is shown that the method is rapid,simple,sensitive and accurate.The method was applied to the studies of digestibility and measurement of these nutrients in samples of fish collected from Norway,Japan and China.     

Root structure,distribution and biomass in five multipurpose tree species of Western Himalayas

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The tree root distribution pattern and biomass of seventeen year old trees of Grewia optiva, Morus alba, Celtis australis, Bauhinia variegata and Robinia pseudoacacia were studied by excavation method. B. variegata roots penetrated to a maximum depth of 4.78 m, whereas, M. alba roots were found down to 1.48 m depth. Lateral spread was minimum in B. variegata （1.10 m）and maximum inR. pseudoacacia （7.33 m）. Maximum root biomass of 6.30 kg was found in R. pseudoacacia and minimum （2.43 kg） was found in M. alba. For four species viz.,G. optiva, M. alba, C. australis andR. pseudoacacia, 68%-87% root biomass occurred within top 0-30 cm soil depth, but forB. variegata this was only45%. The soil binding factor was maximum in G. optiva and minimum in B. variegata. Soil physico-chemical properties also showed wide variation. The study suggests thatB. variegata with a deep root system is the most suitable species for plantation under agroforestry systems. R. pseudoacacia and G. optiva with deep root systems, more lateral spread and high soil binding factor are suitable for plantation on degraded lands for soil conservation.     

Compatible taper and stem volume equations for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix kaempferi</Emphasis> (Japanese larch) species of South Korea

In this study, compatible taper and stem volume equations were developed for Larix kaempferi species of South Korea. The dataset was split into two groups: 80% of the data were used in model fitting and the remaining 20% were used for validation. The compatible MB76 equations were used to predict the diameter outside bark to a specific height, the height to a specific diameter and the stem volume of the species. The result of the stem volume analysis was compared with the existing stem volume model of Larix kaempferi species of South Korea which was developed by the Korea Forest Research Institute and with a simple volume model that was developed with fitting dataset in this study. The compatible model provided accurate prediction of the total stem volume when compared to the existing stem volume model and with a simple volume model. It is concluded that the compatible taper and stem volume equations are more convenient to use and therefore it is recommended to be applied in the Larix kaempferi species of South Korea.     

Identifying indigenous tree species for land reforestation,forest restoration,and plantation transformation on Hainan Island,China

Selecting suitable species is the most important issue for bare land reforestation, degraded secondary forest restoration, and single-species plantation transformation. However, little information has been documented related to tree species selection for these silvicultural endeavors on tropical Hainan Island of Southern China. The present study employed Baisha County, the ecological core area of Hainan Island, as a case study area. We initially inventoried a slightly disturbed primary forest and attempted to produce diameter distribution curves for each tree species. Second, the tree species were classified into shade intolerant, opportunist, and shade tolerant species based on shape of their diameter distribution curves. Third, market value was determined for each tree species based on published literature and on-site investigations at local wood trading companies. Totally 118 tree species were encountered in the inventoried forest and 13 tree species present were finally identified as potential tree species for our silvicultural endeavor on Hainan Island, of which 3 species are shade intolerant, 5 species are opportunist and 5 species are shade tolerant. Additionally, we also selected 12 tree species that were not in the inventoried forest but were extremely economically valuable and ecologically important. This study should contribute to the formulation of a sustainable forest management strategy on Hainan Island and the methodology might be replicated in other tropical region where suitable species also need to be identified for silvicultural endeavor.     

Regeneration and tree species diversity of Sitakund Botanical Garden and Eco-park,Chittagong, Bangladesh

Anthropogenic disturbances influence plant regeneration and species diversity, which impact the conservation status of protected areas. A study was conducted in the Sitakund Botanical Garden and Eco-park （SBGE）, Chittagong, Bangladesh to analyze the natural regeneration and tree species diversity in disturbed and less disturbed zones. Stratified and systematic random sampling was used to select 50 sample plots from each of the two zones. A total number of 109 plant species from 43 families were recorded in the study; of which 93 species were of natural origin while the rest were planted. From the species with natural origin 66 were tree species, 9 were shrub species and 28 were climbers. Species richness, density of regeneration and disturbance index in the height classes （0- 0.5 m） and {dbh 〉 6 cm） indicated significant differences between the zones. The study analyzed how disturbances affect species diversity in the area. It was found that species richness and basal area are negatively related with disturbances. Moreover, density （N/ha） of trees was more likely to decrease with increasing tree height that reflects the huge demand of local people to harvest large trees as part of their income generating activities. The study findings have implications for future managementdecisions of the SGBE. To restore these ecosystems, management should focus on both biodiversity eonservation and providing benefits to local people without hampering forest ecosystems.     

Fitting and evaluation of height-diameter models for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus japonica</Emphasis> in La Trinidad,Benguet, Philippines

The study was conducted to develop height-diameter at breast height (HT-DBH) models for Alnus japonica in La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines and evaluate their predictive capability. The six widely used nonlinear growth models that were selected in this study were the Chapman-Richards, Schnute, Modified logistic, Korf/Lundqvist, Weibull and Exponential. A total of 208 Alnus japonica trees were measured using standard diameter tape for DBH (1.3 m above the ground) and Vertex and transponder was used for the total height measurement. The performance of the developed models were evaluated using the fit statistics including coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), mean bias (ē), absolute mean difference (AMD), and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). The lack-of-fit statistics was also performed for further evaluation of the performance of the models. Based on the evaluation criteria, all six models were able to determine the DBH-height relationships and fitted the data well. Using the rank analysis, the Weibull HT-DBH model had the best performance among the six commonly used nonlinear growth models. The results of this study will help forest managers especially in La Trinidad, Benguet to easily predict the total height using the Weibull model for Alnus japonica utilizing the DBH as the predicting variable.     

Evaluation of Some Stem Taper Models for Camellia japonica in Mount Halla,Korea

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the four stem taper models on Camellia japonica in Jeju Island, Korea using fit statistics and lack-of-fit statistics. The five statistical criteria that were used in this study were standard error of estimate(SEE), mean bias( E), absolute mean difference(AMD), coefficient of determination(R2), and root mean square error(RMSE). Results showed that the Kozak model 02 stem taper had the best performance in all fit statistics(SEE: 3.4708, E : 0.0040 cm, AMD : 0.9060 cm, R2 : 0.9870, and RMSE : 1.2545). On the other hand, Max and Burkhart stem taper model had the poorest performance in each statistical criterion(SEE: 4.2121, E : 0.2520 cm, AMD : 1.1300 cm, R2 : 0.9805, and RMSE: 1.5317). For the lack-of-fit statistics, the Kozak model 02 also provided the best performance having the best AMD in most of the relative height classes for diameter outside bark prediction and in most of the DBH classes for total volume prediction while Max and Burkhart had the poorest performance. These stem taper equations could help forest managers to better estimate the diameter outside bark at any given height, merchantable stem volumes and total stem volumes of the standing trees of Camellia japonica in the forests of Jeju Island, Korea.     

Mapping landslide susceptibility at the Three Gorges Reservoir,China, using gradient boosting decision tree,random forest and information value models

This work was to generate landslide susceptibility maps for the Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR) area, China by using different machine learning models. Three advanced machine learning methods, namely, gradient boosting decision tree(GBDT), random forest(RF) and information value(InV) models, were used, and the performances were assessed and compared. In total, 202 landslides were mapped by using a series of field surveys, aerial photographs, and reviews of historical and bibliographical data. Nine causative factors were then considered in landslide susceptibility map generation by using the GBDT, RF and InV models. All of the maps of the causative factors were resampled to a resolution of 28.5 m. Of the 486289 pixels in the area,28526 pixels were landslide pixels, and 457763 pixels were non-landslide pixels. Finally, landslide susceptibility maps were generated by using the three machine learning models, and their performances were assessed through receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves, the sensitivity, specificity,overall accuracy(OA), and kappa coefficient(KAPPA). The results showed that the GBDT, RF and In V models in overall produced reasonable accurate landslide susceptibility maps. Among these three methods, the GBDT method outperforms the other two machine learning methods, which can provide strong technical support for producing landslide susceptibility maps in TGR.