Regional concentration of native fuelwood production in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil (1990­2017) / Concentração regional da produção de lenha nativa no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil (1990-2017)

This paper examined the regional concentration of native fuelwood production in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, between 1990-2017. Information on native fuelwood was gathered from forestry activities collected by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). This study analyzed the current situation and the spatial distribution of the state's fuelwood production by quartiles. The following indicators were used to measure market concentration: Gini Coefficient (G), Comprehensive Concentration Index (CCI), Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and Concentration Ratio [CR(k)]. In Rio Grande do Norte, there was a -2.76% annual decrease in the production of native fuelwood, from 5,280 x10³ m³ (1990) to 777 x10³ m³ (2017). Classification of the municipalities by quartile revealed that most municipalities had low fuelwood production. The G inferred a very strong to absolute inequality for the municipalities and a weak to null inequality for the mesoregions.The CCI demonstrated no market concentration in the municipalities and a regional concentration in the mesoregions. The HHI corroborated the CCI by affirming the presence of a competitive market for the municipalities and microregions and a concentrated market in the mesoregions.The CR(k) of the four largest municipalities indicated a moderately low concentration. This study concluded that there is a competitive market structure for native fuelwood inthe state of Rio Grande do Norte.

Este artigo analisou a concentração regional da produção de lenha nativa do Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil, no período de 1990 a 2017. As informações da lenha nativa foram obtidas da produção da extração vegetal e da silvicultura, disponíveis no Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Analisou a conjuntura, a distribuição espacial da produção de lenha estadual por meio os quartis e mensurou a concentração por meio dos indicadores: Coeficiente de Gini (G), Índice de Concentração Compreensiva (CCI), Índice de Herfindahl-Hirschman (HHI) e Razão de Concentração [CR(k)]. Os resultados mostraram que houve decréscimo de -2,76% a.a. na produção de lenha nativa estadual, partindo de 5.280 x10³ m³ (1990) para 777 x10³ m³ (2017). O quartil municipal revelou que a maioria dos municípios produz pouca lenha; apesar do G ter inferido uma desigualdade muito forte a absoluta para os municípios produtores de lenha e fraca a nula para as mesorregiões, já o CCI mostrou para os municípios que é não concentrado e as mesorregiões tem concentração regional; HHI corroborou com esta afirmação mostrando um mercado altamente competitivo para os municípios e microrregiões e concentrado para as mesorregiões produtoras de lenha; o CR(k) dos quatro maiores municípios foi constatada uma concentração moderadamente baixa. Conclui-se que a lenha nativa do estado do Rio Grande do Norte possui estrutura de mercado competitiva.

Estimating Stand Height and Tree Density in Pinus taeda plantations using in-situ data, airborne LiDAR and k-Nearest Neighbor Imputation

ABSTRACT Accurate forest inventory is of great economic importance to optimize the entire supply chain management in pulp and paper companies. The aim of this study was to estimate stand dominate and mean heights (HD and HM) and tree density (TD) of Pinus taeda plantations located in South Brazil using in-situ measurements, airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and the non- k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) imputation. Forest inventory attributes and LiDAR derived metrics were calculated at 53 regular sample plots and we used imputation models to retrieve the forest attributes at plot and landscape-levels. The best LiDAR-derived metrics to predict HD, HM and TD were H99TH, HSD, SKE and HMIN. The Imputation model using the selected metrics was more effective for retrieving height than tree density. The model coefficients of determination (adj.R2) and a root mean squared difference (RMSD) for HD, HM and TD were 0.90, 0.94, 0.38m and 6.99, 5.70, 12.92%, respectively. Our results show that LiDAR and k-NN imputation can be used to predict stand heights with high accuracy in Pinus taeda. However, furthers studies need to be realized to improve the accuracy prediction of TD and to evaluate and compare the cost of acquisition and processing of LiDAR data against the conventional inventory procedures.

Efecto del manejo sobre la diversidad de árboles en vegetación secundaria en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Calakmul, Campeche, México / Effect of management on tree diversity in secondary vegetation in the Biosphere Reserve of Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico

ResumenEl bosque tropical seco (BTS) de la Península de Yucatán ha sido manejado por siglos, pero la relación del efecto del manejo sobre la diversidad de árboles no ha sido completamente entendida. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del manejo forestal (aclareos, aprovechamiento y enriquecimiento de especies) en la estructura de la vegetación secundaria derivada de bosques tropicales secos, en dos comunidades en Calakmul, Campeche, Sureste de México. Se analizaron cambios en la composición, riqueza de especies, diversidad de especies y estructura en vegetación secundaria sujetas a los siguientes tipos de manejo: 1) vegetación secundaria con manejo apícola (MA), 2) vegetación secundaria con manejo forestal (MF), 3) vegetación secundaria sin manejo (SM) y bosque tropical seco (BTS). La composición de especies fue similar entre vegetación secundaria manejada y no manejada. Por otro lado, entre vegetación secundaria manejada y el BTS hubo diferencias en la composición de especies. La riqueza de especies no fue diferente entre todas las condiciones. La MA mostró la más baja diversidad de especies y presentó la mayor densidad promedio (5 413 ± 770.26 ind./ha). La MF tuvo la menor densidad promedio (3 289 ± 1 183.60 ind./ ha). El BTS mostró la mayor área basal promedio (24.89 ± 1.56 m2/ha) respecto a las demás condiciones. Se concluye que es necesario mantener el monitoreo de las áreas manejadas, para detectar efectos del manejo que pueden ser adversos o favorables para la conservación de la diversidad florística de los BTS.

Abstract:The tropical dry forest (BTS) of Yucatan Peninsula has been managed for centuries, but the relationship between these management efforts and their effects on trees diversity has not been fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of forest management (thinning, harvesting and enrichment of species), in the structure of secondary vegetation derived from dry tropical forests, in two communities in Calakmul, Campeche, Southeast Mexico. We analyzed changes in the composition, species richness, species diversity, and structure in secondary vegetation subject to following types of management: (1) secondary vegetation with beekeeping management (MA), secondary vegetation with forest management (MF), natural secondary vegetation (SM) and tropical dry forest (BTS). The species composition was similar between secondary vegetation managed and unmanaged. On the other hand, between managed secondary vegetation and BTS there were differences in species composition. Species richness was not different between all conditions. MA showed the lowest species diversity and presented higher average density (5 413±770.26 ind.ha-1).MF had lowest average density (3 289 ± 1 183.60 ind.ha-1). BTS showed the highest average basal area (24.89 ± 1.56 m2.ha-1) regarding the other conditions. We concluded that is necessary to keep monitoring the managed areas to detect effects of management that may be adverse or favorable to conservation of floristic diversity of BTS. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (1): 41-53. Epub 2017 March 01.

Effects of donor plant age and explants on in vitro culture of Cedrela montanaMoritz ex Turcz

Para evaluar el potencial organogénico de Cedrela montanaMoritz ex Turcz, se colectaron explantes de árboles maduros (10-20 años) y juveniles (7-18 meses). Los primeros incluyeron yemas,hojas y nudos de brotes juveniles (ubicados hacia la parte basal deltronco) y rejuvenecidos (obtenidos a partir de estacas). Los segundoshojas, peciolos, nudos, entrenudos y nudos de brotes elongados invitro. Los nudos de árboles juveniles presentaron el mayor potencialorganogénico, ya que el 45,8% de los explantes presentaron elongaciónde yemas axilares y el 56,2% enraizamiento en medio sin reguladoresde crecimiento. El 51% de los brotes elongados formaron brotesadventicios con 0.5 μM NAA y 0.5 μM BA, el 30% con 0.5 μM NAAy 1 μM BA, y el 30% con 1 μM BA; y el 20% raíces con 0,5 μM NAA.La formación de raíces se vio estimulada con la adición de carbónactivado (5 gL-1) en el medio. El 80% de las plántulas regeneradas apartir de nudos y el 72,5% de las provenientes de brotes generadosin vitro se aclimataron exitosamente. Por el contrario, explantesde árboles maduros presentaron baja respuesta organogénica.Elongación de yemas axilares fue registrada solamente en 10.7% delos nudos de brotes juveniles y en 6.7% de aquellos provenientes debrotes rejuvenecidos. En conclusión, la edad de la planta donadoray el tipo de explante influyen sobre el potencial organogénico de C.montana. Este estudio contribuyó al conocimiento de la respuesta deesta especie bajo condiciones in vitro...

To evaluate the organogenic potential ofCedrela montana Moritz ex Turcz, explants from mature(10-20 year-old) and juvenile (7-18 month-old) treeswere collected. The first grouping included buds, leaves,and nodes derived from juvenile basal offshoots andrejuvenated shoots from cuttings. The second, includedleaves, petioles, nodes, internodes and nodes of in vitroelongated shoots. The highest organogenic potential wasobserved in nodes from juvenile trees: 45.8% of explantspresented axillary bud elongation, while 56.2% presentedrooting in a growth regulator free culture medium. Fiftyonepercent of elongated shoots produced adventitiousshoots with 0.5 μM NAA and 0.5 μM BA; 30% with0.5 μM NAA and 1 μM BA; and 30% with 1 μM BA.Twenty percent presented roots with 0.5 μM NAA. Rootformation was stimulated in a medium supplementedwith activated charcoal (5 gL-1). The acclimatizationof eighty percent of plantlets regenerated from nodes,and of 72.5% in vitro generated shoots was successful.On the contrary, mature trees material presented loworganogenic response. Axillary bud elongation wasrecorded just in 10.7% of explants from juvenile shootsand in 6.7% of explants from rejuvenated shoots. Inconclusion the age of donor plant and type of explantaffect the organogenic potential of C. montana. Thisstudy contributes to the understanding of this species’response under in vitro conditions...

Para avaliar o potencial organogênico da Cedrela montanaMoritz ex Turcz, explantes derivados de árvores adultas (10-20 anos)e jovens (7-18 meses) foram coletados. O primeiro incluiu brotos,folhas, e nós derivados de brotações jovens (localizado na direçãoda parte basal do tronco) e rejuvenescida (obtido a partir de estacas).O segundo incluía folhas, pecíolos, nós, entrenós e nós de brotosalongados in vitro. Maior potencial organogênico foi observado emnós de árvores jovens, em que o alongamento de brotos foi obtidoem 45,8% dos explantes e o enraizamento atingiu 56,2% em meiosem reguladores de crescimento. Brotos adventícios foram induzidasem 51% dos rebentos gerados in vitro com 0.5 μM NAA e 0.5 μM BA;30% de indução ocorreu com 0.5 μM NAA e 1 μM BA; 30% com 1μM BA. Raízes adventícias foram induzidas em 20% dos rebentoscom 0,5 μM NAA. Formação de raízes foi estimulada com carvão ativado(5 gL-1) no meio. 80% das plântulas regeneradas a partir de nós e 72,5%das plântulas a partir de brotações obtidas in vitro foram aclimatizadascom sucesso. Em contraste, explantes derivados de árvores adultasapresentou resposta organogênica baixo. Alongamento de brotos degemas axilares foi registrado somente em 10,7% dos nós de brotaçõesjovens e 6,7% das brotações ejuvenescidas. Em conclusão a idade daplanta doadora e o tipo de explante afeta o potencial de organogênesein vitro da C. montana. Este estudo contribuiu para o conhecimento daresposta desta espécie sob condições in vitro...

Estudo do crescimento e qualidade de mudas de marupá (Simarouba amara Aubl. ) em viveiro / Study of growth and quality of marupá (Simarouba amara Aubl. ) nursery seedlings

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e a qualidade das mudas de marupá com o sistema radicular podado em diferentes sombreamentos. O experimento foi instalado na Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical do INPA, em Manaus (AM), situada na rodovia BR-174, km 43. As sementes foram beneficiadas e semeadas a 1 cm de profundidade em areia lavada. As mudas foram repicadas para sacos plásticos contendo 3 partes de terra de subsolo, 1 de areia, 0,5 de esterco de galinha curtido. Após as podas das raízes em 0 por cento, 25 por cento, 50 por cento e 75 por cento as mudas permaneceram por 30 dias sob galpão, irrigadas diariamente e depois levadas para canteiros cobertos com telas sombrite de 30 por cento, 50 por cento, 70 por cento e 0 por cento (sem sobreamento). Cada parcela continha 35 mudas incluindo bordadura simples. Foram avaliadas 5 mudas (repetições) ao acaso aos 57, 139 e 182 dias em viveiro. Os dados foram analisados por fatorial 4 x 4 na primeira e 3 x 4 nas outras medições. Foi estudada a altura total (HT), diâmetro do colo (DC), número de folhas, área foliar, pesos da matéria seca de raiz, caule e folhas e a qualidade das mudas pelo Índice de Qualidade de Dickson e pela relação HT/DC. As mudas foram atacadas por lagartas nos canteiros sem sombreamento e a sobrevivência foi superior a 83 por cento naquelas sombreadas. As mudas resistiram às podas e, aos 182 dias, apresentaram maior qualidade para plantios e com maior equilíbrio de crescimento sob sombreamento de 50 por cento.

Our objective was to evaluate the growth and quality of marupá (Simarouba amara Aubl.) seedlings with root system pruning in different shadings. The experiment was undertaken at the INPA Tropical Forestry Experimental Station, in Manaus (AM), located at highway BR-174, km 43. The seeds were processed and sown at a depth of 1 cm in washed sand. The seedlings were transplanted to plastic bags containing 3 parts subsoil, 1 sand, and 0.5 chicken manure fertilizer. After pruning their roots at 0 percent, 25 percent, 50 percent and 75 percent, for 30 days the seedlings remained under the shed, irrigated daily and then planted in beds covered with screens of 30 percent, 50 percent, 70 percent and 0 percent ( without shading). Each plot contained 35 seedlings including simple edge. Five seedlings (repetitions) were assessed at random at 57, 139 and 182 days in nurseries. The data were analyzed by factorial 4 x 4 in the first and 3 x 4 in the other measurements. We studied the total height (HT), diameter of the colon (DC), number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight of roots, stems and leaves of the seedlings, the quality index of Dickson, and the relationship HT/DC. The seedlings were attacked by caterpillars in beds without shading and survival was over 83 percent in shaded beds. The seedlings survived pruning, and at 182 days, showed higher quality for plantations, and better growth balanceunder 50 percent shade.

Relações nutricionais log-transformadas para avaliação nutricional de cupuaçueiros comerciais / Log-transformed nutrient ratio for evaluation nutritional of cultivated cupuaçu trees

A transformação logarítmica das relações bivariadas no cálculo das normas e dos índices do sistema integrado de diagnose e recomendação de nutrientes (DRIS) tem sido sugerida como uma forma de melhorar a acurácia do sistema, principalmente por diminuir a inconsistência na distribuição de freqüência entre as formas de expressão direta e inversa de uma mesma relação. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso de relações log-transformadas entre diferentes populações de referência. Amostras foliares de cupuaçu foram coletadas de 153 pomares comerciais, cuja idade das plantas variou de 5 a 18 anos, cultivados em monocultivo ou sistemas agroflorestais, obtendo-se para cada relação nutricional entre os nutrientes N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, e Mn as normas DRIS bivariadas log-transformadas e não transformadas, obtidas para o conjunto da população e para condições específicas. Os resultados mostraram que as relações log-transformadas contribuem para uma maior consistência dos resultados entre as formas direta e inversa entre diferentes normas DRIS.

The logarithmic transformation of the bivariate relationships in the calculation of integrated system of diagnosis and recommendation indices (DRIS) has been suggested as a way to improve the accuracy of the system, mainly by reducing the inconsistency between the frequency distribution of the forms expression of direct and inverse of the same relationship. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to evaluate the use of log-transformed relationship between different populations of reference. Cupuaçu leaf samples were collected at 153 commercial orchards; trees were part of either monoculture or agroforestry systems and ranged from 5 to 18 years old. For each individual, the nutritional relationship was calculated for the nutrients: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. Log-transformed and no- transformed nutrient ratio were obtained for the entire population and specific conditions.The results showed that the log-transformed relationship contributes to greater consistency of results between the direct and inverse forms between DRIS norms.

Regeneración natural de plantas leñosas en una plantación costarricense de Vochysia guatemalensis (Vochysiaceae) y el efecto de la fertilización con P y NPK / Natural regeneration of woody species in a Costa Rican plantation of Vochysia guatemalensis (Vochysiaceae) and the effect of P and NPK fertilization

Natural regeneration of woody species in a Costa Rican plantation of Vochysia guatemalensis (Vochysiaceae) and the effect of P and NPK fertilization. Forest plantation management strategies, including the selection of species, may have positive or negative effects over plant regeneration in the tropics. in this case, understory woody plants density and richness were studied in Tabarcia de Mora, Costa Rica, in a monoculture of Vochysia guatemalensis (ten year old plantation). Nineteen 80 m²plots, with several fertilization treatments (0-0; 0-50; 50-0, 50-50 g/plant of P, and NPK, during the first years, P placed once at the hole) in a completely randomized factorial design, were analyzed. Afterwards, the NPK fertilizer was increased from 150 to 200 g/ plant/year until the plantation was six year old. The plots, established after the coffee plantation was eliminated, had a minimum management schedule, basically the elimination of herbaceous vegetation once or twice a year during the first three years, and a tree thinning when the plantation was four year old, to increase spacing from 2x2 to 4x4 m. All woody vegetation taller than 0.5 m was tallied. A total of circa 10 000 ind/ha, distributed in 90 species, were found, mostly native of the region, some identified for forestry use, others important for the fauna. The majority of the species had low relative densities and frequencies. Sixteen percent of the plants reached heights greater than 2.5 m. Several factors seem to explain this regeneration pattern: a canopy with an intermediate openness, a low intensity forestry management, the nearness of the plantation to a mature forest fragment, and that the Vochysia plantation substituted a coffee plantation where soil conservation strategies and an annual fertilization management plan were applied. Finally, plots with only P had significantly higher species richness and abundance (χ2=15.364, gl=3, p=0.002) probably because the trees in this treatment were less developed (when compared with the others). Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (Suppl. 1): 111-118. Epub 2009 November 30.

Las estrategias de manejo y las especies seleccionadas en plantaciones forestales pueden tener efectos positivos o negativos sobre la regeneración vegetal en los trópicos. Esta investigación estudió la abundancia y riqueza de plantas leñosas bajo el dosel de un monocultivo de Vochysia guatemalensis de diez años. Se evaluaron 19 parcelas de 80 m²en Tabarcia de Mora, con varios tratamientos de fertilización (0-0; 0-50; 50-0, 50-50 g/ planta de P, y NPK, respectivamente, este ultimó se aumentó de 150 a 200 g hasta que la plantación alcanzó los seis años), en un diseño factorial totalmente al azar. Se contaron e identificaron todas las especies leñosas con más de 0.5 m de altura, con un total de aproximadamente 10 000 ind/ha en 90 especies, siendo éstas principalmente nativas de la zona (varias maderables, otras importantes para la fauna), la mayoría con bajos índices de importancia (suma de la densidad y frecuencias relativas). Un 16% alcanzaron alturas superiores a 2.5 m. Se considera que varios factores pudieron favorecer dicha regeneración, como un dosel con una apertura inter-media, un manejo forestal de bajo impacto, la cercanía de un fragmento boscoso maduro, y el establecimiento de la plantación en sustitución de un cafetal donde se aplicaban estrategias de conservación de suelos y se fertilizaba anualmente. Finalmente, se determinó una mayor abundancia y riqueza en las parcelas con solo P (χ²=15.364, gl=3, p=0.002), probablemente porque los árboles de Vochysia tendieron a ser menos desarrollados en comparación con los otros tratamientos.

Avaliação da Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu em sistemas silvipastoris / Evaluation of Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu in silvopastoral systems

Avaliou-se a degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca (MS) da Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu colhida em dois sistemas silvipastoris compostos pelas arbóreas, ipê felpudo (Zeyheria tuberculosa) e aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva), localizados no bioma Cerrado, município de Lagoa Santa, MG. O período de coleta da forragem foi de dezembro de 2004 a abril de 2005. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, segundo esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo as parcelas os tratamentos e as sub-parcelas os tempos de degradação. O sombreamento com as arbóreas não influenciou a degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca da forrageira.

In situ degradability of dry matter of Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu harvested in two silvopastoral systems was evaluated. One system was composed by Zeyheria tuberculosa tree and the other by Myracrodruon urundeuva, both located at Brazilian Savannah, Lagoa Santa, MG. A completely ramdomized block experimental design in a splitplot arrangement was used. The treatments were allocated in the plots and the times in the splitplot. No effect of shade was observed for in situ dry matter degradability.

Produtividade e valor nutritivo da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu em um sistema silvipastoril / Productivity and nutritional value of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu in a silvopastoral system

O experimento foi realizado em sistema silvipastoril (Ssp) localizado no bioma de Cerrado, no município de Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais, no ano agrícola de 2004-2005. Avaliou-se a influência do Ssp composto pela arbórea bolsa-de-pastor (Zeyheria tuberculosa) sobre os parâmetros produção, atributos morfogênicos, composição bromatológica e valor nutritivo da gramínea Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, e os efeitos sobre as condições microclimáticas. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco blocos (épocas de corte), dois tratamentos (T1 - B. brizantha cv. Marandu sombreada com a Z. tuberculosa e T2 - B. brizantha cv. Marandu, a pleno sol) e três repetições (parcelas). O sombreamento proporcionado pela Z. tuberculosa, apesar de reduzir a produção de matéria seca (MS) da gramínea, favoreceu o aumento do teor de proteina bruta (PB) e não alterou a produção de PB/ha e nem afetou a concentração de FDN. Os teores de FDA foram mais altos que os encontrados a pleno sol, o que provavelmente resultou em menor degradabilidade in vitro da MS e da matéria orgânica, não alterando a degradabilidade efetiva

The experiment was carried out in a Silvopastoral system (Sps) located in Brazilian Savannah, Lagoa Santa county, Minas Gerais State, during the agricultural year of 2004-2005. It was studied the influence of Sps formed by "Bolsa de Pastor" (Zeyheria tuberculosa) on the production, morphogenic attributes, bromatological composition and nutritional value of the graminaceous Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu as well as on the microclimatic aspects. The Sps was established in 1982, in a red-yellow latossol by the natural regeneration process. The experiment was based on a randomized block design, with 5 blocks (cutting times), 2 treatments (T1 - B. brizantha cv. Marandu shaded by Z. tuberculosa and T2 - B. brizantha cv. Marandu at open sky and three repetitions (plots). Although the DM production of the graminaceous in the Sps with Z. tuberculosa has reduced the level of crude protein (CP) has increased and the production of CP per ha and the Sps NDF concentration have remained unchanged. However, the levels of ADF were higher in the shaded area, which probably resulted in lower in vitro DM and organic matter degradability, but similar effective DM degradability

Tree species diversity and composition in logged and unlogged rainforest of Kudremukh National Park, South India.

Species composition and diversity in logged and unlogged forests were assesed to understand the regeneration of the residual stand twenty years after logging in Kudremukh National Park, South India. Relative density, frequency and basal area were measured by Point Centered Quarter method to calculate the diversity and stand quality. The logged forest harbored lower stem density of mature trees (508 ha(-1)) than unlogged ones (630 ha(-1)). Indeed, logging operations increased the species diversity in the regenerative phase (seedling phase) due to the creation of larger canopy gaps. The extra radiation reaching the ground, facilitated the colonization of early and late secondary species. Ramakrishanan Index of Stand Quality (RISQ) values in logged forest was higher in comparison with unlogged forest, indicating the dominance of early and late secondary species, especially at sapling phase. The light demanding secondary forest species contribute higher percentage to the overall tree population in logged forest. It is observed from the study that a sufficient period of felling cycle should be practiced to reinstate the same set of species prevailed before logging.

Long term effects of thinning on soil and forest floor in a sessile oak (Quercus petrea (Matlusch) Lieb.) forest in Turkey.

The effects of thinning on mineral soil and forest floor for three different thinning intensities (control, moderate and heavy) were studied in a sessile oak forest 8 years after treatment. To examine responses to thinning, mass, organic matter and total nitrogen content in forest floor, bulk density and fine soil weight, total nitrogen, organic carbon concentrations and pH in upper mineral soil horizons were measured, and the results compared to control plot. The thinned plots have shown higher total nitrogen concentration and organic carbon in soil. Total mass, weight of layers of forest floor have shown significant patterns with thinning intensity. The present results indicate that various intensities of thinning for a sessile oak stand had major influence on soil and forest floor in eight years following treatment.

Evaluation of some competition indices for the construction of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) stand models.

The purpose of this research is to test the precision of some published competition indices of Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) for the estimation of future periodic diameter increment of individual trees. Twenty- nine published competition indices were tested, using fifteen separate sets of data and their pooled values, collected from various stand age and site quality classes Lebanon cedar at Antalya. Temporary sample plots were taken in Elmali-Qamkuyusu (9 sample plots) and Finike-Pinarcik (6 sample plots) in 2001. Every plot was stem mapped (x and y coordinate system), diameter (dbh), total height, crown length, crown diameter and 10-year radial increment were recorded for trees greater than 4 cm in dbh. Then, in order to evaluate these competition indices for the prediction of the periodic diameter increment of the individual trees. Three linear models have been constructed for each competition index. It was found that the competition indices (Daniels et al., 1986; Biging and Dobbertin, 1995; Pukkala and Kolström, 1987; Hegyi, 1974) with larger influence-zone areas produce better results.

Micropropagation of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.

Bud break and multiple shoots were induced in apical and axillary meristems derived from one month old seedlings of S. mukorossi on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzylamino purine (BAP) 0.4 microM or 0.8 microM alone. A combination of BAP and gibberellic acid (GA3) 0.4 microM and 2.8 microM produced elongated multiple shoots from both types of explants. Excised shoots were rooted on MS medium respectively with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) 3.4 microM or 2.4 microM. The regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized and transferred to soil.