A modificação da paisagem e a fragmentação de habitats são consideradas ameaças à biodiversidade mundial. Áreas cobertas por vegetação primária ainda preservadas e unidades de conservação são insuficientes para garantir a conservação de espécies. Cultivos de florestas homogêneas passaram a ser considerados como possíveis habitats alternativos para espécies florestais e podem contribuir para a conservação da biodiversidade. O Brasil é o país com maior área ocupada com plantio de eucalipto e essa vem crescendo nos últimos anos. Identificar quais fatores influenciam a diversidade da biota nos plantios é importante para a conservação de espécies. O objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer a composição florística do sub-bosque de plantios de Eucalyptus saligna Sm. e avaliar se o tipo de solo e a idade do plantio influenciam a riqueza e a composiçao da vegetação que ocupa esse ambiente. Para isso foi realizado o levantamento das espécies vegetais que ocorrem nos cultivos localizados em solo argiloso e arenoso, nos quais os indivíduos de E. saligna tinham três e sete anos. Foram avaliados como fatores ambientais características do solo, produção de serapilheira pelas árvores do plantio, abertura do dossel, uso do solo no entorno do cultivo e tamanho do plantio. No total, foram encontradas 218 espécies vegetais. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas apenas com as espécies que estavam presentes em pelo menos duas unidades amostrais. Plantios em solo argiloso apresentaram maior riqueza que no solo arenoso e houve diferença significativa na composição de espécies entre os dois tipos de solo. Grande parte dos fatores ambientais mensurados também foram diferentes entre os solos. Não foi possível verificar diferenças na riqueza, na composição de espécies e nos fatores ambientais entre os plantios de diferentes idades. O tipo de solo pode ser um fator mais limitante do que a idade da floresta plantada para determinar a riqueza e composição das espécies que compõem o sub-bosque dos plantios. Embora a riqueza de espécies no solo arenoso seja menor, esse também é importante para a conservação, porque abriga espécies adaptadas à menor disponibilidade de recursos, que não ocorrem em outros ambientes. O grande número de espécies encontrado no sub-bosque destes plantios indica que eles podem auxiliar na conservação de espécies nativas, mas esse potencial deve ser melhor investigado. São recomendados estudos de outros fatores, como a biologia de espécies importantes ecológica e econômicamente, interações entre animais e plantas e diferentes estratégias de manejo, para investigar de que forma eles afetam a biodiversidade e como eles podem ajudar a avaliar e aumentar o potencial de conservação das florestas industriais. / Landscape change and habitat fragmentaiton are recognized as threats to global biodiversity.Areas with remaining primary vegetation and protected areas are insufficient to ensure species conservation. Forest monocultures are potencial alternative habitats for native species and may contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. Brazil is the country with the largest area occupied with eucalypt plantations, this area is also growing in the last years. Identifying which factors influence the biodiversity on plantations is important to species conservation. The objective of this study was to know the understory species composition in Eucalyptus saligna Sm. plantations and to evaluate the influence of soil type and stand age on species richness and species composition. Surveys of vegetation were performed in stands on clay and sandy soils where the eucalypt trees were three and seven years old. Other soil characteristics, litter production by stand trees, canopy open and land use surrounding stands were evaluated as environmental factors. 218 plant species were found in plantations understory. The stands on clay soil were richer than those on sandy soil. Most of the environmental factors evaluated were also different among stands on different soils type. It was not possible to verify differences on species richness and species composition nor environmental factors between stand ages. Soil type could be a more limiting factor than forest age to determine species richness and species composition on plantations understory. Sandy soils are poorer in species, but they are also important to conservation, since species that happen on sandy soils are adapted to low resources availability and do not occur at other locations. The large number of native species founded in eucalypts plantation understory indicates that these plantations may assist some native species conservation. Nevertheless, further research is needed to understand the conservation potential from eucalypt plantations. It is recommended other studies to be done for a better comprehension and to increase the importance of plantation forests to conservation, mainly studies about biology of key species, interactions between animals and plants and the effect of different management options.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-12-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:19:56Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 soares_ta_dr_jabo.pdf: 1734974 bytes, checksum: 8d54e9e4e3cc5af52880f71df0be7d31 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O plantio direto consiste em um sistema de manejo conservacionista da produção agrícola, que promove a melhoria das condições físicas, químicas e biológicas do solo. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi a avaliação de sistemas de acabamento de semeadura existentes no mercado nacional, utilizados em semeadoras de precisão para plantio direto, assim como novas propostas, levando em conta fatores que afetam a germinação das sementes e a emergência das plântulas no campo. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental do Instituto Agronômico do Paraná – IAPAR, em Londrina, utilizando-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com oito tratamentos e quatro repetições para a cultura do feijão e três repetições para a cultura da soja. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de oito sistemas de acabamento de semeadura, dotados de componentes com e sem aterramento, sistemas de controle de profundidade de sementes e rodas compactadoras. Foram avaliadas variáveis do solo, das sementes e parâmetros de desempenho das unidades semeadoras. Conclui-se que os discos aterradores melhoram os resultados das unidades de semeadura, beneficiando a operação em diferentes aspectos e aumentando a emergência. As rodas controladoras de profundidade paralelas melhoram os resultados dos discos aterradores, inclusive os de emergência. As rodas compactadoras lisas não são indicadas, pois promovem problemas de selamento superficial. As rodas compactadoras em “V” apresentaram bons resultados, mas as rodas compactadoras com garras e sulcos internos tendem a ser melhores / No-till is a system of conservation management of agricultural production, which promotes the improvement of the physical, chemical and biological soil conditions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the systems finish seeding on the market in Brazil, used in precision seeders for no-till planters, as well as new proposals, considering factors that affect seed germination and emergence seedlings in the field. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Agronomic Institute of Paraná – IAPAR, in Londrina, using the randomized block planning with eight treatments and four repetitions for the cultivation of beans and three repetitions for soybean. Treatments consist of eight systems of finish seeding that having components with and without ground finish systems, depth of seed and compactor wheels. Was evaluated soil variables, seeds variables and performance parameters of seeding units. It was concluded that soil cover disks improve the seeding units performance, benefit the operation in different aspects and increasing the emergency. Parallel depth controller wheels improve results of soil cover discs, including the emergency. The flat compactor wheels are not recommended, because they promote soil surface sealing problems. The wheels in V had good results, but the wheels with grip and internal ridges tend to be better

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T19:24:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciano Aparecido Kempski.pdf: 1024512 bytes, checksum: 05341aec87667985a0d8254a3699a994 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-06-19 / The current work aimed the construction of a benches group for simulating displacement speeds of sowers. The speeds simulator was performed and was carried out in the mechanical trials laboratory located at UTFPR - campus Medianeira, and the assays of system´s evaluation were performed at the Agricultural Engineering Experimental Nucleous - AEEN, which belongs to West of the Paraná State University- campus Cascavel. The benches group of assay or speeds simulator is composed by two rolls: one of this set through a hydraulic engine brand TRW, and other one used as support for the wheels system of the sower. The hydraulical engine was connected to the hydraulical command of the tractor through fast connection, which become the coupling and withdraws of hoses easier when stationary assay of displacement speeds is performed. The assays were performed aiming the determination of the maximum rotation for the hydraulical engine without load and also with the sower on the rolls, in order to get ranges of displacement speeds in a fast and accurated form. The results obtained of the regulating valve´s opening and closing (A1 the A7) forms, in function of the hydraulic engine´s rotation and the displacement speed, are presented in figures, tables and relation ´s graphs. The tables present the average values and the hydraulical engine without load is presented by the comparision between the averages. For the hydraulical engine without load can be reach speeds ranged from 20 to 375 rpm in accordance to the results obtained, which is linked to the enough displacement speeds. The benches group essay was showed as functional and also presented compact structure, with the flowing rangel of speeds verified through the pairs of gear. Its versatility is evidenced by the use of the hydraulic circuit of the tractor as energy source for the speeds simulator.It was observed that the regulating valve of outflow was efficient for the regulation of the hydraulical engine´s speed when it was assayed with load; it means that, with the sower on the cylinders. The results obtained allow to present the following conclusions: it is a too much suitable resource, considering the easiness, quickness and the capacity for obtaining several regulations, allowing the simulation of displacement speeds from 3,23 to 13,89 km.h-1; it fits perfectly in sowers with pneumatic wheels; the weight and size allow the transport without difficulties, provide conditions to evaluate the distribuition mechanisms of the seeds or fertilizer, and avaluation the longitudinal distribution of seeds, in accordance to the evaluation criteria of performing in spacements: normal, double and defective. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo a construção de uma bancada para simulação de velocidades de deslocamento de semeadoras. O simulador de velocidades foi projetado e montado no laboratório de processos mecânicos da UTFPR - campus Medianeira. Os ensaios de avaliação do sistema foram realizados no Núcleo Experimental de Engenharia Agrícola - NEEA, pertencente à Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná campus Cascavel. A bancada de ensaio ou simulador de velocidades é formada por dois rolos: um acionado por meio de um motor hidráulico marca TRW e o outro utilizado como apoio para o rodado da semeadora. O motor hidráulico foi conectado ao comando hidráulico do trator por meio de engates rápidos, o que facilita o acoplamento e retirada das mangueiras, no momento da realização do ensaio estacionário de velocidades de deslocamento. Os ensaios foram realizados para a determinação da rotação máxima do motor hidráulico sem carga e com a semeadora sobre os rolos a fim de obter faixas de velocidade de deslocamento de forma precisa e rápida. Os resultados obtidos sobre a relação da abertura e fechamento da válvula reguladora (A1 a A7), em função da rotação do motor hidráulico e da velocidade de deslocamento, são apresentados em forma de figuras, tabelas e gráficos. As tabelas apresentam os valores médios e a comparação entre as médias está representada nos gráficos 21 e 22. Com o motor hidráulico sem carga podem-se alcançar velocidades desde 20 rpm até 375 rpm, conforme os resultados obtidos que se relacionam com as velocidades de deslocamento. A bancada de ensaio apresentou-se funcional e de estrutura compacta, com a faixa de escalonamento de velocidades verificada pelos pares de engrenagem. Sua versatilidade é evidenciada pelo uso do circuito hidráulico do trator como fonte de energia para acionamento do simulador de velocidades. Observou-se que a válvula reguladora de vazão foi eficiente na regulagem da velocidade do motor hidráulico quando ensaiado com carga, ou seja, com a semeadora sobre os cilindros. Os resultados obtidos permitem apresentar as seguintes conclusões: a bancada mostrou-se um recurso bastante adequado, considerando-se a facilidade, rapidez e a capacidade de conseguir várias regulagens, permitindo a simulação de velocidades de deslocamento de 3,23 a 13,89 km.h-1; adapta-se perfeitamente à semeadora com rodado pneumático, o peso e tamanho permitem o transporte sem dificuldades; fornece condições de avaliação de mecanismos distribuidores de sementes e fertilizantes; e avaliar a distribuição longitudinal de sementes, de acordo com os critérios de avaliação de desempenho em espaçamentos: normal, duplos e falhos.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:48:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciano Aparecido Kempski.pdf: 1024512 bytes, checksum: 05341aec87667985a0d8254a3699a994 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-06-19 / The current work aimed the construction of a benches group for simulating displacement speeds of sowers. The speeds simulator was performed and was carried out in the mechanical trials laboratory located at UTFPR - campus Medianeira, and the assays of system´s evaluation were performed at the Agricultural Engineering Experimental Nucleous - AEEN, which belongs to West of the Paraná State University- campus Cascavel. The benches group of assay or speeds simulator is composed by two rolls: one of this set through a hydraulic engine brand TRW, and other one used as support for the wheels system of the sower. The hydraulical engine was connected to the hydraulical command of the tractor through fast connection, which become the coupling and withdraws of hoses easier when stationary assay of displacement speeds is performed. The assays were performed aiming the determination of the maximum rotation for the hydraulical engine without load and also with the sower on the rolls, in order to get ranges of displacement speeds in a fast and accurated form. The results obtained of the regulating valve´s opening and closing (A1 the A7) forms, in function of the hydraulic engine´s rotation and the displacement speed, are presented in figures, tables and relation ´s graphs. The tables present the average values and the hydraulical engine without load is presented by the comparision between the averages. For the hydraulical engine without load can be reach speeds ranged from 20 to 375 rpm in accordance to the results obtained, which is linked to the enough displacement speeds. The benches group essay was showed as functional and also presented compact structure, with the flowing rangel of speeds verified through the pairs of gear. Its versatility is evidenced by the use of the hydraulic circuit of the tractor as energy source for the speeds simulator.It was observed that the regulating valve of outflow was efficient for the regulation of the hydraulical engine´s speed when it was assayed with load; it means that, with the sower on the cylinders. The results obtained allow to present the following conclusions: it is a too much suitable resource, considering the easiness, quickness and the capacity for obtaining several regulations, allowing the simulation of displacement speeds from 3,23 to 13,89 km.h-1; it fits perfectly in sowers with pneumatic wheels; the weight and size allow the transport without difficulties, provide conditions to evaluate the distribuition mechanisms of the seeds or fertilizer, and avaluation the longitudinal distribution of seeds, in accordance to the evaluation criteria of performing in spacements: normal, double and defective. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo a construção de uma bancada para simulação de velocidades de deslocamento de semeadoras. O simulador de velocidades foi projetado e montado no laboratório de processos mecânicos da UTFPR - campus Medianeira. Os ensaios de avaliação do sistema foram realizados no Núcleo Experimental de Engenharia Agrícola - NEEA, pertencente à Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná campus Cascavel. A bancada de ensaio ou simulador de velocidades é formada por dois rolos: um acionado por meio de um motor hidráulico marca TRW e o outro utilizado como apoio para o rodado da semeadora. O motor hidráulico foi conectado ao comando hidráulico do trator por meio de engates rápidos, o que facilita o acoplamento e retirada das mangueiras, no momento da realização do ensaio estacionário de velocidades de deslocamento. Os ensaios foram realizados para a determinação da rotação máxima do motor hidráulico sem carga e com a semeadora sobre os rolos a fim de obter faixas de velocidade de deslocamento de forma precisa e rápida. Os resultados obtidos sobre a relação da abertura e fechamento da válvula reguladora (A1 a A7), em função da rotação do motor hidráulico e da velocidade de deslocamento, são apresentados em forma de figuras, tabelas e gráficos. As tabelas apresentam os valores médios e a comparação entre as médias está representada nos gráficos 21 e 22. Com o motor hidráulico sem carga podem-se alcançar velocidades desde 20 rpm até 375 rpm, conforme os resultados obtidos que se relacionam com as velocidades de deslocamento. A bancada de ensaio apresentou-se funcional e de estrutura compacta, com a faixa de escalonamento de velocidades verificada pelos pares de engrenagem. Sua versatilidade é evidenciada pelo uso do circuito hidráulico do trator como fonte de energia para acionamento do simulador de velocidades. Observou-se que a válvula reguladora de vazão foi eficiente na regulagem da velocidade do motor hidráulico quando ensaiado com carga, ou seja, com a semeadora sobre os cilindros. Os resultados obtidos permitem apresentar as seguintes conclusões: a bancada mostrou-se um recurso bastante adequado, considerando-se a facilidade, rapidez e a capacidade de conseguir várias regulagens, permitindo a simulação de velocidades de deslocamento de 3,23 a 13,89 km.h-1; adapta-se perfeitamente à semeadora com rodado pneumático, o peso e tamanho permitem o transporte sem dificuldades; fornece condições de avaliação de mecanismos distribuidores de sementes e fertilizantes; e avaliar a distribuição longitudinal de sementes, de acordo com os critérios de avaliação de desempenho em espaçamentos: normal, duplos e falhos.

Forest canopy structure is strongly influenced by stand density due to changing competitive interactions among the individual trees and in turn directly influences stemwood volume production. The structure and dynamics of forest canopies, particularly in relation to the production of stemwood, were examined in unmanaged, even-aged stands of two dissimilar tree species, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. and Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. The analysis of structure-production relationships was guided by a conceptual model which generated hypotheses and led to examination of assumptions incorporated in the model. Mean crown dimensions were related to stand density through a negative exponential function for both species, but because of differing shade-tolerances, mean crown size of lodgepole pine was affected more by increasing density than was mean crown size of subalpine fir. More importantly, examination of the model assumptions indicated that adequate characterization of canopy structure should account for the influence of both crown shyness and stand height. Stand density also influenced the amount and distribution of leaf area in these forest stands. The more plastic mean leaf area of lodgepole pine led to a constant leaf area index over a range of density and, thus, was consistent with conventional wisdom which assumes closed canopied forest stands support stable leaf area indices across a wide range of densities. The less plastic mean leaf area of subalpine fir, however, led to positive correlation between leaf area index and density. Changes in mean crown dimensions and mean leaf area influenced the production of stemwood volume such that large mean crown sizes were less efficient than small mean crown sizes. The decrease in efficiency was attributed to accumulation of large branch biomass in large crowns to support foliage far from the stem. Increased support costs were indicated by the increasing proportion of crown volume which was nonfoliated as mean crown size increased. The assumption that accumulated branch biomass was responsible for the observed declines in efficiency for forest trees was reinforced by a comparison of structure-production relationships for lodgepole pine and the annual Helianthus annuus L.

Survival, growth and biomass accumulation of 19 year-old trees planted on an Appalachian surface mine site were evaluated to determine the effect of spoil grading and surface amendment treatments. Three spoil grading treatments (loose-dump, strike-off and graded control) were established to create a range of operationally feasible spoil compaction capable of impacting tree establishment and growth. Likewise, three surface amendment treatments (straw/manure mulch, hardwood bark mulch and control) were applied to determine their effects on tree development. Trees grown under low-compaction grading treatment levels (strike-off and loose-dump) consistently outperformed trees planted in a high-compaction control treatment. Loose-dump preparation resulted in higher survival for five of six tree species and greater biomass in three species for which this metric was estimated. Strike-off preparation resulted in higher diameter at breast height (DBH) values. The addition of straw/manure surface amendment increased biomass for hardwood species for which this value was estimated. Volunteer woody vegetation growing in the same experimental plots was measured and characterized by species. Loose-dump plots exhibited highest overall volunteer stem and native stem density and compacted control plots had lowest volunteer stem density and lowest proportion of native stems. Strike-off plots exhibited intermediate values for both of these measures.

Thousands of newly established nonprofit organizations (NPOs) with long-lasting and needed missions disappear annually, which negatively impacts the nonprofit sector in general and the potential recipients of the discontinued NPOs' services. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the possible influence that the presence of a strategic resource development plan and the establishment of a stand-alone business entity have on the persistence of newly established NPOs that have long-lasting and needed missions in the United States within the context of the theoretical framework resource dependence theory. Research questions focused on the role of commercial activities, particularly the stand-alone business entity model, and the importance of strategic resource development on NPOs' sustainability within the first 5 years of existence. The study population consisted of NPOs that had disappeared within 5 years of existence and those that had remained active for more than 5 years. Data from a researcher-developed survey instrument were collected from 33 representatives of active organizations and 29 representatives of nonactive organizations. Chi-square tests of independence revealed that the strategic resource development plan and the commercial activities/stand-alone business entities were significantly associated with the sustainability of the NPOs. Findings may be used to promote the creation of a strategic resource development plan and/or a stand-alone business entity at the initial stages of NPOs' establishment to sustain their role and contributions in their communities.

In a multi-stage contest known as a two-player race, players display two fundamental behaviors: (1) The laggard will make a last stand in order to avoid the cost of losing; and (2) the player who is ahead will defend his lead if it is threatened. Last stand behavior, in particular, contrasts with previous research where the underdog simply gives up. The distinctive results are achieved by introducing losing penalties and discounting into the racing environment. This framework permits the momentum effect, typically ascribed to the winner of early stages, to be more thoroughly examined. I study the likelihood that the underdog will catch up. I find that neck-and-neck races are common when the losing penalty is large relative to the winning prize, while landslide victories occur when the prize is relatively large. Closed-form solutions are given for the case where players have a common winning prize and losing penalty. Chapter 2 then experimentally examines the prediction of last stand behavior in a multi-battle contest with a winning prize and losing penalty, as well as the contrasting prediction of surrendering in the corresponding contest with no penalty. We find varied evidence in support of these hypotheses in the aggregated data, but more conclusive evidence when scrutinizing individual player behavior. Players tend to adopt one of several strategies. We develop a taxonomy to classify player types and study how the different strategies interact. The last stand and surrendering behaviors have implications for winning margins and the likelihood of an upset, which we investigate. Behaviorally, players are typically more aggressive when they reach a state in the contest by winning rather than by losing. The third and final chapter is a distinct departure from the study of multi-battle contests. Using comprehensive census data for Cornwall County, England, I create a panel dataset that spans six censuses (1841--1891)—possibly the largest panel dataset for Victorian England at present. I present the methodology for linking individuals and families across these censuses. This methodology incorporates recent advances in census linking (including the use of machine learning) and introduces new methods for tracking migration and changes in household composition. I achieve a forward matching rate of 43%. The additional inclusion of marriage and death records could allow for well over 60% of the population to be accounted for from one census to the next. Using this new panel, I investigate the frequency with which sons pursue the same occupations that they observed their fathers doing while growing up. For sons that did not follow in their father's footsteps, I identify some correlates that may have contributed to the change.

In order to fully understand the magnitude of the benefits that forests provide, it is crucial to understand the full suite of ecosystem services that they offer. A southern Appalachian red spruce-Fraser fir forest was intensively analyzed using a variety of methodologies to determine the nature and quantity of some of these services. Many hypotheses exist regarding the future of these spruce-fir forests, which were heavily disturbed by the non-native balsam wooly adelgid during the 1980s. Direct measurements over the course of a decade assessed these hypotheses and indicate that this forest is recovering structure and function. The forest is accruing overstory biomass, with vegetation composition on a trajectory towards historic conditions. By using a total forest inventory of all vegetation from overstory trees to understory mosses, rates of productivity and nutrient cycling were determined. Productivity of this forest at low elevations has returned to pre-adelgid levels, while at high elevations productivity is approaching these levels. In the absence of an intact overstory, forest understory vegetation can compensate by disproportionately cycling and retaining nutrients such as nitrogen that would otherwise leach offsite. The understory of this forest provides an important service in nutrient cycling. Our ability to actively manage forests in order to manipulate levels and rates of carbon sequestration was assessed using stand data and the Forest Vegetation Simulator Growth and Yield Model. Silvicultural intervention proved effective at sequestering additional carbon over a no action alternative by the end of our simulation period. This forest provides a variety of ecosystem services and has retained its ability to recover their function after catastrophic disturbance.

The direct effects of chemically- induced reduced transpiration on soil moisture were studied in a sub -watershed of the greater Logan River drainage. No statistically significant differences occurred among the total amounts of water transpired by the treated and control units. The seasonal low points of soil moisture, in September, showed no significant differences in final moisture retention for the two years studied, either for the control or the treated portions of the study site . The 1967 season showed a lag in soil moisture depletion compared to the 1966 season. Although a later spring in 1967 may have aided in the explanation of this lag, there was good reason to believe that the antitranspirant treatment incurred a significant delay in water use. There was evidence that more effective application of chemicals might have given more positive results.