Ecosystem-specific forest management requires comprehension of tree species productivity in managed settings, and how this productivity varies with the ecological determinants of site quality, i.e., the environmental factors that directly affect the growth of plants: light, heat, soil moisture, soil nutrients, and soil aeration. A good understanding of this variation is necessary for making species- and site-specific silvicultural decisions to maximize productivity. Productivity of a given species is usually measured by site index (tree height at 50 years at breast height age). Quantitative relationships between site index and these measures of site quality provide predictive models for estimating site index. Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis (Dougl. ex Loud.) Forbes) is an important timber crop species in the coastal forests of British Columbia. In relation to climate, its range in southwestern British Columbia extends from sea level to almost timberline, and from the hypermaritime region on western Vancouver Island to the subcontinental region on the leeward side of the Coast Mountains. In relation to soils, its range extends from slightly dry to wet sites and from very poor to very rich sites. In view of this relatively wide climatic amplitude, a large variability in productivity can be expected. It is particularly important to consider the growth performance of Pacific silver fir when decisions are made regarding whether or not to cut stands on high-elevation sites. In the study summarized here, relationships between Pacific silver fir site index and selected ecological measures of site quality were examined, and site index models using these measures as predictors were developed.

Vegetation science, like any science, uses classification to organize knowledge about plants and plant communities. Classification is helpful for understanding how different plant communities relate to one another and their environments, for facilitating further studies of vegetation, and for conservation. To familiarize onself with vegetation of a large area, it is very convenient and efficient to begin with a few general units, such as plant orders rather than with many very detailed units, such as plant associations and subassociation. We offer such an approach and think that the information given in this series will be sufficient to assign any forested coastal community to one the orders or suborders. In spite of a history of vegetation studies in British Columbia, there has not yet been any attempt to develop a comprehensive hierarchical classification of plant communities for the province. As the culmination of fifty years of detailed surveys carried out by V.J. Krajina and his students, the Ecology Program Staff of the BC Forest Service, and other workers, we used tabular and multivariate analyses of 3,779 sample plots established in natural, old-growth, submontane, montane, and subalpine forest communities in coastal BC to develop a hierarchy of vegetation units according to the methods of biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification.

The objective of this thesis was to understand the spatial patterns and processes responsible for canopy and understorey spider (Arachnida: Araneae) diversity at multiple spatial scales in north-temperate hardwood forests. I sampled tree trunks (sticky traps) and foliage (beating) of sugar maple and American beech tree canopies and their understorey saplings in old growth forests near Montreal, Quebec. Results show the composition of canopy and understorey assemblages differed significantly, and so did sugar maple and American beech canopy assemblages. Each stratum was also dominated by different species. The rank-abundance distribution of species from each habitat wsa also verticaly stratified because it fit different distribution models. Different factors likely structure assemblages in both habitats, particularly since the canopy is a less stable environment. Spiders from canopy and understorey foliage were tested in a laboratory for their propensity to balloon. General linear models indicated that small sized web-building spiders of the RTA and Orbicularia clades have the highest propensity to balloon. Small bodied species initiated ballooning regardless of the habitat they were collected in or their developmental stage. My results support the mixed evolutionarily stable strategy theory and indicate the absence of risk-spreading in the dispersal strategy of canopy spiders. My last chapter focused on dispersal capacity and diversity patterns of spiders at multiple spatial scales. Analyses of the species diversity of limited and high dispersal capacity species subsets through nested-multivariate ANOVA, additive diversity partitioning, and species-abundance distribution curves all point towards species-sorting processes as the main driver of local community spider diversity at the tree and stand spatial scales. Mass-effects and patch-dynamic processes drive site and regional scale diversity patterns. This thesis demonstrates that spiders provide good models to test many biological hypotheses. The research chapters of this thesis test hypotheses on the vertical stratification of forest spider diversity, the evolution of local dispersal adaptations, and the importance of dispersal capacity on species diversity patterns through a metacommunity framework.

The dynamics in Fagus-Acer forest have been frequently investigated, a particular interest being the replacement patterns and coexistence of the two dominant species, Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. and Acer saccharum Marsh. This thesis examines whether the community pattern and dynamics in a Fagus-Acer forest at Mont. St. Hilaire, Quebec, are consistent with predictions made by the disturbance hypothesis. This conceptual model explains the mechanisms underlying the coexistence and replacement patterns of the two dominant species. While the hypothesis suggests disturbance frequency and interspecific differences in growth under variable light conditions to be the key factors that determine the dynamics in Fagus-Acer forests, I demonstrate that edaphic factors and regeneration of Fagus by root sprouts can also play a significant role. Based on the findings, I propose an alternative model for the coexistence and replacement patterns in Fagus-Acer forest to better account for the influence of edaphic factors and of Fagus root sprouts.

Commercial forestry is recognized for both its economic contribution as well as its environmental impact. Of particular concern, is the soil erosion and sedimentation of watercourses associated with forestry plantations. Environmental laws regulate many of the activities of the forestry sector. It is critical that the forestry sector ensure that its operations are compliant with the legal requirements that govern its use of natural resources. In pursuing legal compliance it is necessary to ensure that erosion control strategies are developed so as to ensure the positive effects of any interventions are optimised. The identification of areas that are particularly at risk to erosion or contribute to sediment delivery is an essential component in prioritising areas for management interventions. Establishing the erosion potential for commercial forestry areas is readily accomplished through the application of existing models. Process based erosion models generally have greater data requirements than the empirically derived USLE-based models. Given the paucity of data available, the latter approach was adopted. Two methods of topographic sub-factor derivation were investigated, those associated with the RUSLE (Renard, Foster, Weesies & McCool1991) and the Unit Stream Power method presented by Moore and Burch (1986). Since no existing methods identifying delivery risk areas existed, a method was developed based on principles and factors identified in the literature. Additionally, methods for identifying topographic assets, in terms of sediment attenuation, were developed. From these models three indices were derived; sediment supply, delivery risk and sediment attenuation. Thereafter, the mean Sediment Supply Index was divided by stream length for small catchments defined within the landscape to derive an index of sediment loading to streams. This index is used to identify priorities for management intervention across the landscape. The mean slope and sediment supply is used to develop buffer width recommendations for the streams draining the catchments, using a method developed by Karssies and Prosser (2001). Using the three indices in conjunction it is possible to make on-site and off-site erosion control recommendations as well as identify and exploit any natural features that can be utilized in erosion control. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002

One of the more recent and alluring phrases used by development and resource management practitioners and theorists is "traditional ecological knowledge." Although there is a substantial amount of the literature on this subject, these studies have unfortunately an inadequate characterization of the way in which indigenous people view, order, internalize, and manipulate environmental information. This deficiency indicates a need to (a) improve our understanding and use of indigenous knowledge as an instrument for sustainable development and resource management and (b) revise some of our present conceptual, theoretical, and methodological understandings. / This dissertation examines these issues by investigating the ecological knowledge of the Barriere Lake Algonquins, living largely within Park La Verendrye in northwestern Quebec. The scope of this study concentrates on three aspects of this indigenous knowledge, namely, the (1) cyclicality within, the (2) utilization of, and the (3) terminology for the Algonquin forest environment. Theoretically, I draw to some extent on an approach taken from cognitive science called "connectionism" which helps integrate ecology and cognition. Within this theoretical framework I examine the experiences and understandings that different individuals and groups bring to common every-day situations involving environmental resources. / Three principles are put forward from the empirical findings of this thesis. First, indigenous knowledge formation is a contextual and experientially driven process rather than a static and timeless content. This process involves the natural-material and socio-cultural environment, expanding the typical cognitive unit of analysis beyond the individual person to include his or her entire natural and social surroundings. Second, this contextual and experientially driven process gives rise to heterogeneous, fluid, and contested knowledges. The knowledge-formation process goes beyond the mere generation and transmission of knowledge to how knowledge is articulated and used in particular everyday situations. Third, this process-approach has important implications which, if ignored, will prevent researchers from developing an adequate understanding and appreciation of the contextual nature of IK because the research will fail to consider the everyday experiences which become internalized, shared, and later put to use. The process-approach has important practical, theoretical, and methodological implications for IK and its use in development, resource management, and resource conservation.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2008. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Sept. 15, 2009). Thesis advisor: Donald G. Hodges. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The impacts of climate change on temperate forests are predicted to accelerate, with widespread implications for forest biodiversity and function. Remote sensing has provided insights into regional patterns of vegetation dynamics, and experimental studies have demonstrated impacts of specific changes on individual species. However, forests are diverse and complex ecosystems. To understand how different species in different forests respond to interacting environmental pressures, widespread ground-based monitoring is needed. The only practical way to achieve this is through the involvement of non-professional researchers, i.e., with citizen science. However, many techniques used to identify subtle changes in forests require expensive equipment and professional expertise. This thesis aimed to identify practical methods for citizen scientists to collect useful data on forest ecosystem dynamics in relation to climate change. Methods for monitoring tree phenology and canopy-understorey interactions were the main focus, as tree phenology exerts strong control on understorey light and forest biodiversity, and is already responding to climate change. The response of understorey vegetation to canopy closure in four woodlands from a single region of England (Devon) was examined in detail. These geographically close woodlands differed considerably in their composition and seasonal dynamics. The spring period was particularly important for herb-layer development, and small variations in canopy openness had important effects on herb-layer cover and composition. This work highlights the need to monitor a range of different woodlands at the regional scale, with sufficient resolution to pick up small but crucial differences through time. Citizen scientists could help to collect such data by monitoring herb-layer cover and changes in the abundance of key species, alongside monitoring the overstorey canopy. The spring leaf phenology of four canopy trees (ash, beech, oak and sycamore) were monitored intensively in one woodland using a range of methods: counts, percentage estimates and photography. First budburst and leaf expansion dates were compared with estimates of leaf expansion timing and rate, derived from time-series data using logistic growth models. Frequently used first-event dates were potentially misleading due to high variation in leaf development rates within and between species. Percentage estimates and counts produced similar estimates of leaf expansion timing and rate. A photo-derived greenness index produced similar estimates of timing, but not rate, and was compromised by practical issues of photographing individual crowns in closed canopy woodland. Citizen science should collect time-series data instead of frequently-used first event dates―visual observations offer the most practical way to do this, but further work is needed to test reliability with citizen scientists. Given high intra- and inter-species variation in tree phenology, whole forest canopies need to be monitored to infer canopy closure timing. Canopy openness was assessed using sophisticated hemispherical photography and a range of low-cost alternatives, across four Devon woodlands over a year. Visual estimates and ordinary photography were too coarse to identify fine-scale variation in canopies. Smartphone fisheye photography analysed with free software was identified as a reliable surrogate for estimating relative, though not absolute, canopy openness. The method has high potential as a citizen science tool, as different phone models and users gave similar canopy openness estimates. In a detailed follow-up study, smartphone fisheye photography, hemispherical photography and visual observations of leaf expansion were used every other day to characterise spring canopy development. Logistic growth models estimated canopy closure timing and rate. Visual observations identified much earlier canopy development than either photographic method. Smartphone fisheye photography performed comparably to hemispherical photography. There is good potential for practical application of smartphone fisheye photography, as similar canopy closure estimates were gained from photos taken once every two weeks. The research in this thesis identifies a range of methods suitable for widespread monitoring of forest ecosystem dynamics in relation to climate change. Developing a smartphone app for automatic analysis and submission of canopy images will be an important next step to enabling widespread use. A pilot project is underway to begin testing methods with citizen scientists. Further research into data quality with citizen scientists is needed before the methods can be rolled out widely with confidence.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:51:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao de Vinicius Rocha Leite.pdf: 3209354 bytes, checksum: 5a1a77480753e01142d876fb168ed40a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-01 / Aracruz Celulose S.A. / The aim of this study was to analyze the environmental vulnerability of a forest remnant of restinga, the structure of woody vegetation and floristic similarity of a whole compared to other remnants of Atlantic Forest. We performed a cover mapping and land use in the surrounding forest fragment, identifying the manmade agents that exert pressure on the fragment. Through the use of computational procedures using a Geographic Information System could the spatial model of vulnerability. Seven were identified as causative agents of anthropogenic potential impacts. The model was effective for the environmental impact study, indicating areas of greatest need for mitigation of impacts, and the general physiognomy of the vegetation the main aspect evaluated for model building. The analysis of vegetation structure was performed from the allocation of twenty permanent plots of 20x50 feet each. From the demarcation of all individuals with DBH ≥ 5 cm height of 1.30 m of soil within plots, was performed for action in diameter and total height of individuals. Samples were collected in sterile and fertile material in and out of permanent plots. Found 2331 trees, 161 species in 42 families and 91 genera. Through research in the specific literature was found non-timber forest resources as timber and the presence of 36 species in 23 families, considering the uses for medicine, technology, food, construction, decoration and wood. Studying the horizontal structure is observed that nearly half of the species present condition of tillering. Regarding the diameter structure note a typical pattern and the presence of large individuals. The occupation of different strata of forest demonstrates a good regulation of the same in this regard. The diversity indices calculated proved to be superior compared to those found for other remnants of restinga forest. The evaluation of the floristic similarity was carried out considering other forests and restinga forest remnants of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest (SSF), with reference to the River Basin Itapemirim, also considering a database climate based on temperature, rainfall and climatic water balance. The coefficient of similarity was not high comparing the remnant area shows a marked floristic variation along the coast in a short amount of territory. The similarity index and some structural vegetation data, comparing the restinga studied in the areas of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest line with present climate variability / O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a vulnerabilidade ambiental de um fragmento florestal de restinga, a estrutura da vegetação lenhosa e a similaridade de seu conjunto florístico comparado a outros remanescentes de Floresta Atlântica. Foi realizado um mapeamento da cobertura e uso da terra no entorno do fragmento florestal, identificando os agentes antrópicos que exercem pressão sobre o fragmento. Através do uso de procedimentos computacionais por meio de um Sistema de Informações Geográficas foi possível a espacialização do modelo de vulnerabilidade. Foram identificados sete agentes antrópicos como causadores de impactos potenciais. O modelo foi eficiente para estudo do impacto ambiental, indicando áreas de maior urgência à mitigação de impactos, sendo a fisionomia geral da vegetação o principal aspecto avaliado para construção de modelo. A análise da estrutura da vegetação foi procedida a partir da alocação de vinte parcelas de área fixa de 20X50 metros cada. A partir da demarcação de todos os indivíduos com DAP ≥ 5 cm a altura de 1,30 m do solo dentro das parcelas, foi procedida à tomada de medidas de diâmetro e altura total dos indivíduos. Foram realizadas coletas de material fértil e estéril dentro e fora das parcelas permanentes. Foram encontrados 2331 indivíduos, sendo 161 espécies em 42 famílias e 91 gêneros. Através de pesquisa em literatura específica constatou-se como recursos florestais não madeireiros e madeireiros a presença de 36 espécies em 23 famílias, considerando os usos para medicina, tecnologia, alimentação, construção, ornamentação e lenha. Estudando a estrutura horizontal observase que quase a metade das espécies apresenta a condição de perfilhamento. Com relação à estrutura diamétrica nota-se um padrão típico e a presença de indivíduos de grande porte. A ocupação de diversos estratos da floreta demonstra uma boa regulação da mesma sob esse aspecto. Os índices de diversidade calculados mostraram-se superiores comparados aos valores encontrados para outros remanescentes de floresta de restinga. A avaliação da similaridade florística foi realizada considerando outras florestas de Restinga e remanescentes de floresta estacional semidecidual, tendo como referência a Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Itapemirim, considerando ainda um banco de dados climáticos com base em temperatura, chuva e balanço hídrico climatológico. Os coeficientes de similaridade não elevados comparando os remanescentes de Restingas revelam uma grande variação florística ao longo do litoral em um curto espaço de território. Os índices de similaridade e alguns dados estruturais da vegetação, comparando a Restinga estudada com as áreas de floresta estacional semidecidual apresentam consonância com a variação climática