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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
21

Differences in forest structure in relation to energy-efficient cookstoves in the Kakamega forest, Kenya

Edenborg, Fanny January 2020 (has links)
Tropical forests are amongst the most important ecosystems in the world. It is also the biome estimated to experience the most rapid losses of habitats in the next 50 years, mainly due to anthropogenic exploitation. The Kakamega forest, western Kenya, is important both for conservation and human livelihood and is essential for peoples’ survival. The main threat to the forest’s subsistence is collection of firewood used for cooking. Energy-efficient cookstoves, with almost 50 % lower demand for firewood compared to traditional 3-stone-stoves, have been installed to ease the pressure on the forest. The present study evaluates the effect of utilizing energy-efficient cookstoves, installed during the project Stoves for Life (years 2010-2019), on the forest structure of the Kakamega forest, Kenya. This was done by quantifying forest structural and compositional differences, as well as occurrence of human made damage, within the Kakamega forest. Sampling was made in 59 plot locations, with varying numbers of energy-efficient cookstoves in the surrounding area. Results indicate that the stoves 1) promote recruitment of both pioneer and climax trees and 2) increase survival of fast-growing pioneer trees, 3) ease the pressure on preferred species used as firewood and 4) preserve important structural components such as woody debris found on the forest floor. Additionally, the growth of pioneer trees is potentially creating a climate suitable for later successional species to thrive and establish, potentially leading to forest maturation. However, future comparative studies should be conducted before any statement about the stoves’ effect on forest structure is made.
22

Interactions Between Fire Severity and Forest Biota in the Central Sierra Nevada: Formation and Impact of Small-Scale Fire Refugia and the Effect of Fire on Forest Structure Predictive of Fisher (Pekania pennanti) Den Habitat

Blomdahl, Erika M. 01 December 2018 (has links)
Fire is a natural and essential component of forests in western North America. Fire maintains biodiversity through the creation of different habitat types, and regular fire rotations reduce the accumulation of woody fuels and thick understory plant densities that give rise to catastrophic fire. The practice of fire exclusion has altered western forests and increased the risk of widespread change under rising temperatures projected for the 21st century. To manage for the reintroduction of fire it is critical that we understand the interactions between fire and forest biota in recently fire-suppressed forests. In Chapter 2, I studied the formation and impact of small-scale fire refugia. Fire refugia are areas within burned forest that experienced relatively little change, and are recognized as important places that offer protection for forest biota (vegetation, wildlife) during and after the fire. Very few studies, however, have examined small-scale fire refugia despite their importance to many organisms (e.g., small mammals, understory plants). In a long-term forest monitoring plot in Yosemite National Park, I mapped all unburned areas ≥ 1 m2 the first year after fire. I found small fire refugia were abundant, somewhat predictable, and fostered increased survival and diversity of nearby plant life. My results suggest that small fire refugia are an important component of burned forests that should be included in management considerations. In Chapter 3, I examined possible fisher habitat in burned areas. Fishers are forest carnivores of high conservation concern due to widespread declines since European settlement and the risk of habitat loss due to fire. An isolated population remains in the Sierra National Forest, where managers are weighing the need to reintroduce fire against possible detrimental impacts to current habitat. My research examined the forest structural characteristics (vegetative cover, heights of different forest layers) surrounding fisher dens. I found suitable thresholds of these structural characteristics in recently burned areas in Yosemite, particularly after low-severity fire. My results suggest that burned areas may offer suitable denning habitat for fishers, though more research is needed to determine if this conclusion holds for all fisher activities (e.g., foraging, resting) and scales of selection.
23

LiDAR Measurements of Afforested Bottomland Hardwoods in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley

Anderson, Madelyn Paige 03 May 2019 (has links)
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is increasingly common in forestry applications, yet relatively little research has evaluated its use in quantifying carbon stocks in afforested bottomland hardwood forests. This study relates forest structural field measurements to metrics derived from low pulse density LiDAR data to assess the use of LiDAR in characterization of planted bottomland hardwood oak stands. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were performed with field and LiDAR variables to determine relationships. The height-related field dependent variables average height, maximum height, and individual tree volume had the highest adjusted R-squared values of 0.5-0.6 (P<0.0001) for the univariate models and adjusted R-squared values of 0.70-0.79 for the multivariate models. These findings suggest that low-density LiDAR is capable of assessing forest structure and suggests that further research evaluating LiDAR quantification of bottomland hardwood carbon stocks is warranted.
24

Quantifying Forest Vertical Structure to Determine Bird Habitat Quality in the Greenbelt Corridor, Denton, Tx

Matsubayashi, Shiho 08 1900 (has links)
This study presents the integration of light detection and range (LiDAR) and hyperspectral remote sensing to create a three-dimensional bird habitat map in the Greenbelt Corridor of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. This map permits to examine the relationship between forest stand structure, landscape heterogeneity, and bird community composition. A biannual bird census was conducted at this site during the breeding seasons of 2009 and 2010. Census data combined with the three-dimensional map suggest that local breeding bird abundance, community structure, and spatial distribution patterns are highly influenced by vertical heterogeneity of vegetation surface. For local breeding birds, vertical heterogeneity of canopy surface within stands, connectivity to adjacent forest patches, largest forest patch index, and habitat (vegetation) types proved to be the most influential factors to determine bird community assemblages. Results also highlight the critical role of secondary forests to increase functional connectivity of forest patches. Overall, three-dimensional habitat descriptions derived from integrated LiDAR and hyperspectral data serve as a powerful bird conservation tool that shows how the distribution of bird species relates to forest composition and structure at various scales.
25

Impact of anthropogenic activities on the vegetation structure of mangrove forests in Kribi, the Nyong river mouth and Cameroon estuary / Impacts des activités anthropiques sur la structure de la végétation des mangroves de Kribi, de l'embouchure du fleuve Nyong et de l'estuaire du Cameroun

Nfotabong Atheull, Adolphe 13 September 2011 (has links)
Mangroves are intertidal ecosystems found along the tropical and subtropical coastlines.<p>Though globally recognised as ecosystems of ecological, biological and economical<p>remarkable importance, these ecotone formations are characterised by a continuously<p>increasing anthropization. However, very little studies have been focused on the impact of<p>various anthropogenic activities on the mangrove vegetation structure.<p>We have firstly (a) assessed the commercial and subsistence utilization of mangrove<p>wood products in the Littoral region (Cameroon estuary). Then, we have confronted the<p>subsistence usages of mangrove wood products in the Southern region (close to the mouth of<p>the Nyong River and Mpalla village (Kribi)) in comparison with the Littoral region. By doing,<p>we have compared the local residents‟ perceptions on environmental changes that occurred<p>within the two regional mangrove forests. Also, we have (c) studied the structural dynamic of<p>mangrove vegetation neighbouring the Douala city (Cameroon). Always in the vicinity of this<p>town, we have (d) reconstructed the original structure of largely disturbed mangrove forests.<p>Moreover, we have (e) map the mangrove structure in a non peri-urban setting located within<p>the Cameroon estuary. Here, we have finally (f) analysed the spatial distribution of a black<p>mangrove namely Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn.<p>Our results underlined an excessive utilization of mangrove wood products in the<p>Cameroon estuary. We have showed that the frequency of mangrove harvesting was relatively<p>fewer in Kribi (Mpalla) and the mouth of the Nyong River. The local people inhabiting these<p>two localities perceived mangroves as less degraded areas. In contrast, those established<p>within the Cameroon estuary stated that mangroves were largely disturbed. When combining<p>the local people statements with our field observations, we recorded that it a complex mix of<p>causes (e.i. clear-felled corridors, agriculture, sand and gravel extraction, over-harvesting and<p>anarchic urbanization) that have led to the largely degradation (vegetation and sediment) of<p>the peri-urban mangroves in Cameroon. A diachronic analysis (1974, 2003, 2009) of their<p>coverage revealed that over the 35-year period, mangrove had decreases in cover of 53.16%<p>around Douala. We have also showed that in the peri-urban settings, wood harvesting was<p>commonly applied on the structurally more complex (highly dense stands neighbouring the<p>habitations) mangrove forests (Mboussa Essengue) and, in a lesser extent, on the structurally<p>more developed mangrove stands (fewer dense stands faraway from Douala). On the other<p>hand, the mapping analysis of the non peri-urban mangroves (distant from Douala) has<p>revealed that the structure of these intertidal forests was relatively less impacted. In the<p>Cameroon estuary, we also showed that A. germinans trees were randomly distributed on<p>almost one-half of the sampling plots and clumped at some scales on the remaining plots.<p>Accordingly, this species might play a significant role in the recovery process of artificial<p>gaps found in the non peri-urban areas.<p>The multi-disciplinary approach employed in this study has allowed a better<p>understanding of the direct and indirect impacts of anthropogenic activities on the mangrove<p>vegetation structure in Cameroon. These results constitute a fundamental data base quite<p>useful for the multi-temporal monitoring of these littoral ecosystems perpetually disturbed.<p>The application of similar approach in other mangroves facing high anthropogenic pressures<p>appears important. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished
26

Towards a better characterization of morphological plasticity and biomass partitioning of trees in structural dynamics of mangrove forests

Olagoke, Adewole 15 March 2017 (has links) (PDF)
Changing environmental conditions often impose stressful growing conditions in plant communities. Until now, morphological plasticity, i.e. polymorphic growth physiognomies of plants, has not been sufficiently studied as a pivotal strategy for the whole ecosystem adaptation to environmental stress. We consider mangrove ecosystems as suitable models to provide insights on this subject. In the thesis, I investigate the ecological significance of tree morphological plasticity in the structural development and the dynamics of mangrove forests. I conducted field experiments in two regions located on both sides of the Amazon River mouths i.e. in French Guiana and North Brazil. Forest inventories were carried out in contrasting mangrove stands in both regions. The thesis combines empirical analysis of field data, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and mechanistic, individual-based computer simulations. We published results that proved the TLS-based analysis of individual tree structure useful for a better knowledge on biomass allocation between trunk and branches in tall and large Avicennia germinans mangrove trees reaching 45 m high and 125 cm of trunk diameter. Combining structural descriptions of A. germinans trees found in both sites, I highlighted the site-specific differences in tree allometries. The study suggests that regional differences in mangrove tree structure and function could be captured through better description of crown metrics, and that selected indicators of local morphological plasticity and consequent stand structure could generate a plus-value in the understanding of mangrove stand dynamics across contrasting coastal environments. Beyond the extension of allometric models to large Avicennia trees, we proposed new biomass equations with improved predictive power when crown metrics is taken into account. Additionally, we developed a novel software tool, named Lollymangrove, based on the AMAPStudio suite of software, with the objective of maximizing the potential of further field descriptions and modeling works. Lollymangrove allows standardized forest data capture, 3D visualization of structural data, aboveground biomass computations from a configurable module and export formats for forest dynamics and remote sensing models. Simulation experiments were conducted by means of the spatially explicit, individual-based stand model BETTINA_IBM. This model describes the important mechanism of water uptake limited by salt stress, and revealed insights into the relation between environmental conditions, allometric variations and biomass partitioning of mangrove trees, and stand characteristics. The simulation results suggest close matches with observed ecological patterns (e.g., tree allometries, mortality distributions, and self-thinning trajectories) under higher salinity. In low salinity conditions, however, the current parameterization underestimates the maximum tree height and diameter, and consequently, aboveground biomass and self-thinning trajectories of forest stands. This suggests that the morphology of trees under low levels of salinity are explained by further regulation mechanism(s) that still need to be addressed in a subsequent model improvement. Overall, this work has essentially pointed out the need to elucidate how morphological plasticity relates with structural development of forest stands. It establishes that TLS measurements and structural data analysis associated to efforts for integrative software and mechanistic modelling works could link mangrove dynamics to fast-changing coastal processes.
27

Lidar Remote Sensing Of Forest Canopy Structure: An Assessment Of The Accuracy Of Lidar And Its Relationship To Higher Trophic Levels

Hansen, Christopher Felix 01 January 2015 (has links)
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data can provide detailed information about three-dimensional forest horizontal and vertical structure that is important to forest productivity and wildlife habitat. Indeed, LiDAR data have been shown to provide accurate estimates to forest structural parameters and measures of higher trophic levels (e.g., avian abundance and diversity). However, links between forest structure and tree function have not been evaluated using LiDAR. This study was designed and scaled to assess the relationship of LiDAR to multiple aspects of forest structure and higher trophic levels (arthropod and bird populations), which included the ground-based collection of percent crown and understory closure, as well as arthropod and avian abundance and diversity data. Additional plot-based measures were added to assess the relationship of LiDAR to forest health and productivity. High-resolution discrete-return LiDAR data (flown summer of 2009) were acquired for the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) in New Hampshire, USA. LiDAR data were classified into four canopy structural categories: 1) high crown and high understory closure, 2) high crown and low understory closure, 3) low crown and high understory closure, and 4) low crown and low understory closure. Nearby plots from each of the four LiDAR categories were grouped into "blocks" to assess the spatial consistency of data. Ground-based measures of forest canopy structure, site, stand and individual tree measures were collected on nine 50 m-plots from each LiDAR category (36 plots total), during summer of 2012. Analysis of variance was used to assess the relationships between LiDAR and a suite of tree function measures. Our results show the novel ability of LiDAR to assess forest health and productivity at the stand and individual tree level. We found significant correspondence between LiDAR categories and our ground-based measures of tree function, including xylem increment growth, foliar nutrition, crown health, and stand mortality. Furthermore, we found consistent reductions in xylem increment growth, decreases in foliar nutrition and crown health, and increases in stand mortality related to high understory closure. This suggests that LiDAR measures can reflect competitive interactions, not just among overstory trees for light, but also interactions between overstory trees and understory vegetation for resources other than light (e.g., nutrients). High-resolution LiDAR data show promise in the assessment of forest health and productivity related to tree function.
28

Análise da estrutura e funcionamento de reflorestamento de mata ciliar aos 18 e 28 anos após o plantio, no município de Cândido Mota - SP / Analysis of structure and functioning of riparian forest restoration 18 and 28 years after planting in the municipal district of Cândido Mota, SP

Pulitano, Fabiana Marise 28 March 2003 (has links)
A importância das matas ciliares para a manutenção de diversas funções ecológicas e hidrológicas, reconhecida a ponto de tais formações receberem proteção legal específica, não impediu que estas fossem destruídas indiscriminadamente durante o processo de ocupação do território brasileiro. Estima-se que, só no Estado de São Paulo, cerca de 600 mil hectares de áreas marginais aos corpos d\'água encontram-se ocupados com outros usos que não a vegetação natural, necessitando, portanto, de ações de recuperação. Embora exista um número significativo de trabalhos de revegetação de áreas degradadas, principalmente em matas ciliares, poucos são os resultados de pesquisas sobre o desenvolvimento a longo-prazo de plantios de recomposição de mata ciliar. Nem os plantios mais antigos, aleatórios, e nem os mais recentes, baseados nos processos sucessionais, têm sido submetidos a análises que possibilitem avaliar a eficácia destes métodos de plantio na restauração da mata ciliar com sua forma e funções originais. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi o de avaliar a auto-sustentabilidade e as tendências sucessionais de uma mata ciliar implantada, com base em aspectos da estrutura e funcionamento da floresta em trechos de diferentes idades. Neste sentido avaliou-se a floresta existente atualmente, do ponto de vista da composição e estrutura da comunidade; caracterizou-se e quantificou-se o estrato regenerativo da floresta, visando compreender os processos de regeneração natural;caracterizou-se a sazonalidade da queda de folhedo através de sua quantificação periódica e sua contribuição para o retorno de nutrientes ao solo; caracterizou-se o solo sob a floresta, e comparou-se os resultados com área não reflorestada; comparou-se a floresta implantada com florestas naturais através dos parâmetros analisados: riqueza e diversidade florística do estrato arbóreo, densidade absoluta, densidade relativa, área basal, estratificação da floresta, similaridade florística, cobertura das copas, regeneração natural, características químicas do solo e produção e conteúdo de nutrientes no folhedo. Analisando-se as áreas reflorestadas como um todo, constata-se a existência de uma mata ciliar exuberante e fisionomicamente bem estruturada, cujo papel de proteção aos recursos hídricos e ao solo tem sido desempenhado de forma evidente. Alguns resultados obtidos são de extrema importância: no setor de 28 anos, 69% das árvores amostradas surgiram espontaneamente e apenas 31% são indivíduos plantados, demonstrando que está havendo um aumento natural da riqueza florística, o que prova que a natureza encarrega-se de perpetuar a floresta fazendo os \"ajustes\" necessários. Processos ecológicos como a dispersão de sementes e a regeneração natural estão incorporados na dinâmica florestal do local, podendo-se afirmar que a auto-sustentabilidade florestal da comunidade que se formou a partir do plantio de mata ciliar já está garantida. A hipótese deste trabalho foi confirmada pelos resultados obtidos: com o decorrer do tempo a mata ciliar implantada tende a se tornar cada vez mais semelhante à mata ciliar natural, em estrutura e função. / The importance of riparian forests to maintain the many hydrologic and ecological functions, acknowledged to the point of receiving specific legal protection, did not prevent their indiscriminate destruction during the process of land settlement in Brazil. It is estimated that in São paulo state alone about 600 thousands hectares of stream-side areas have been occupied by other uses rather than natural vegetation, therefore, requiring actions of restoration. Although there is a significant number of studies in restoration of degraded areas mainly in riparian forests, the results in research on development of restoration planting of riparian forests in the long term are few. Neither older random plantings nor more recent ones based on sucession processes have been subjected to analysis that would make it possible to evaluate the efficacy of these methods of planting for restoration of riparian forest with its original form and functions. The general aim of this study was to evaluate self-sustainability and sucession tendencies of a planted riparian forest, based on aspects of structure and functioning of the forest in patches of different ages. Thus, the current existing forest was evaluated regarding composition and structure of the community; the regenerative stratum of the forest was characterized and quantified with the purpose of understanding natural regeneration processes; the seasonability of fall foliage through its periodic quantification and itscontribution to the return of nutrients to the soil was characterized; the soil underneath the forest was characterized, and the results in areas that were not restored were compared; planted forests and natural forests were compared through parameters analyzed: richness and floristic diversity of the tree stratum, absolute density, relative density, basal area, forest stratification, floristic similarity, canopy cover, natural regeneration, chemical characteristics of the soil and production and nutrients content in the foliage. By analyzing restored areas as a whole, we can confirm an exuberant and physiognomically well structured riparian forest, whose role of protecting hydric resources and the soil has been easily noticed. Some ecological indicators assessed such as the abundant natural regeneration existing under the planted forest and the spontaneous development of new species show that there has been a natural increase in floristic richness, which proves that nature manages to perpetuate forests by making the necessary adjustments. The hypothesis of this work was confirmed by the results obtained: with time the planted forest tends to become more and more similar to the natural forest, both in structure and function.
29

Abundância, densidade e efeitos da estrutura da floresta sobre uma comunidade de primatas na fazenda experimental da UFAM, Amazônia Central

Silva, Lívia Rodrigues da 27 March 2013 (has links)
Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-22T22:12:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Livia Rodrigues da Silva.pdf: 848999 bytes, checksum: 96390303e0c77c713ebc61355dffd413 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-27 / FAPEAM - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / Several factors may influence the abundance and density of primate species, mainly those related to forest structure, such as the availability of resources. This study aimed to determine the abundance and density of primate species and their relationships with environmental characteristics and seasonality at Fazenda Experimental da UFAM, Central Amazonia. Diurnal censuses were conducted on 27 1-km transects between November 2011 and October 2012. Data from five components of forest structure were collected in this study: (1) number of trees, (2) number of palms, (3) canopy opening, (4) vertical stratification and (5) fruit availability, measured in 5 plots of 100 m2 located in each transect. We detected seven primate species in 189 km traveled. The estimated density of FAEXP groups were considered intermediate (4.9 groups per km2) than the areas studied and relatively close to the study area. Sighting rates observed in the present study were similar to other areas in the Amazon. Sapajus apella showed the highest rates of sighting and density. The forest structure affected the abundance of two species: Sapajus apella showed a positive association with fruit availability and negatively with the number of palm trees, while Chiropotes chiropotes showed negative relationship with stratification and positively with the number of palm trees. There was no seasonal variation in species abundance, and marginally significant for Pithecia pithecia. The variability on the density of primates found at the study site can be linked to the species biological characteristics, mainly related to the use of food resources. / Diversos fatores podem influenciar a abundância e densidade de espécies de primatas, principalmente àqueles relacionados à estrutura da floresta, como por exemplo, a disponibilidade de recursos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a abundância, densidade das espécies de primatas e suas relações com variáveis ambientais e sazonalidade na Fazenda Experimental da UFAM (FAEXP), Amazônia Central. Foram realizados censos diurnos em 27 transectos lineares de um km de extensão cada, entre novembro de 2011 e outubro de 2012. Dados de cinco componentes da estrutura da floresta foram coletados neste estudo: (1) número de árvores, (2) número de palmeiras, (3) abertura do dossel, (4) estratificação vertical e (5) disponibilidade de frutos, mensurados em cinco parcelas de 100 m2 localizadas em cada transecto. Foram identificadas sete espécies de primatas em 189 km percorridos. As estimativas de densidade de grupos da FAEXP foram consideradas intermediárias (4,9 grupos por km2) quando comparadas as áreas já estudadas e relativamente próximas à área de estudo. As taxas de avistamento detectadas no presente estudo foram similares às de outras áreas da Amazônia. Sapajus apella apresentou as maiores taxas de avistamento e densidade. A estrutura da floresta afetou a abundância de duas espécies analisadas, Sapajus apella apresentou relação positiva com disponibilidade de frutos e negativa com número de palmeiras, enquanto Chiropotes chiropotes apresentou relação negativa com estratificação e positiva com número de palmeiras. Não houve variação sazonal na abundância das espécies, sendo marginalmente significativo para Pithecia pithecia. A variabilidade na densidade dos primatas encontrados no local de estudo pode estar associada às características biológicas das espécies, principalmente relacionadas ao uso de recursos alimentares.
30

Forest Structure and Structural Dynamics of Virgin Beech Forests in Slovakia

Feldmann, Eike 01 November 2018 (has links)
No description available.

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