Sunil, K.C. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 210-224). / Abstracts in English and Chinese; appendix iv also in Laos language. / ABSTRACT --- p.I / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.IV / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.VI / LIST OF TABLES --- p.IX / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.XII / LIST OF MAPS --- p.XIII / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XIV / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- NTFPs and Poverty: a nexus --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- NTFPs and economic inequality --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Spatial Distinction and NTFPs --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- Problem statement --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- "Laos,NTFPs, Poverty and Conservation" --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Research questions and assumptions --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Justification for study and research objectives --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the research --- p.15 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- REVIEW OF LITERATURES AND THEORETICAL APPROACH… --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2 --- Review of literatures --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- NTFPs in Global Studies --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Studies in Laos --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Studies in Bokeo --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3 --- Household Economic model --- p.30 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- STUDY AREA AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1 --- Study Area --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Bio-Physical setting --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Social and Settlement Structure --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Household economy --- p.41 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Forest policy and land tenure --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2 --- Selection of study location --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3 --- Method of data collection --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Primary data collection --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Secondary data collection --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4 --- Data Analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Description of variables in the study --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Statistical analysis --- p.50 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- SOCIOECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC DISTINCTION IN THE SWIDDEN FARMING UPLAND AND THE SEDENTARIZED FARMING LOWLAND --- p.53 / Chapter 4.1 --- Household demography in upland and lowland --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2 --- Household economy --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Agriculture --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Animal Husbandry --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Off-farm Income --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- NTFP Income --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Total household cash income --- p.67 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- SPATIAL DISTINCTION AND NTFP DEPENDENCY --- p.69 / Chapter 5.1 --- Dependency of NTFPs on different geographical location --- p.69 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Uses of NTFPs --- p.69 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Allocation of time and labor for NTFP collection --- p.74 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- NTFP cash income --- p.76 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- NTFPs income distribution in different geographic location --- p.80 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Level of NTFPs dependency in different geographical locations --- p.82 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- Relation between income from NTFPs and other sources of cash income --- p.87 / Chapter 5.2 --- Result of Regression models --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Linear regression model of NTFPs income in the upland --- p.89 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Linear regression model of NTFPs Income in the lowland --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Linear regression model of NTFP dependency in the upland --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Linear regression model of NTFP dependency in the lowland --- p.94 / Chapter 5.3 --- Conclusion --- p.96 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- INCOME INEQUALITY AND HOUSEHOLDS' DEPENDENCY ON NTFPS IN THE UPLAND --- p.99 / Chapter 6.1 --- Economic groups in the upland and the lowland --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2 --- Socio-economic characteristics households of different economic groups in the upland --- p.101 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Household demography --- p.101 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Household economy among economic groups in the upland --- p.101 / Chapter 6.3 --- Dependency on NTFPs of different economic groups in the upland --- p.108 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Labor and time allocation for the collection of the NTFPs --- p.109 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- NTFP cash income --- p.111 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- NTFPs income distribution in different economic groups --- p.116 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Level of NTFPs dependency in different economic groups in the upland --- p.118 / Chapter 6.3.5 --- Relation between income from NTFPs and other sources of cash income --- p.120 / Chapter 6.4 --- Result of regression models --- p.122 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Linear regression model of NTFP income for different economic groups --- p.122 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Linear regression model of NTFP dependency in different economic groups --- p.124 / Chapter 6.5 --- Conclusion --- p.128 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AND HOUSEHOLDS' DEPENDENCY ON NON TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS IN THE LOWLAND --- p.131 / Chapter 7.1 --- Socio-economic characteristics households of different economic groups in the lowland --- p.131 / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Household demography --- p.131 / Chapter 7.1.2 --- Household economy of different economic inequality groups in the lowland --- p.133 / Chapter 7.2 --- Dependency on NTFPs of different economic groups in the lowland --- p.139 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Allocation of time and labor for collecting NTFPs in different economic group --- p.140 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Total NTFP cash income --- p.143 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- NTFPs income distribution in different economic groups --- p.151 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- Level of NTFPs dependency in different economic groups in the lowland --- p.153 / Chapter 7.2.5 --- Relationship between income from NTFPs and other sources of cash income --- p.155 / Chapter 7.3 --- Result of Regression models --- p.156 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Linear regression model of NTFP income for different economic groups --- p.157 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Linear regression model of NTFP dependency in different economic groups --- p.160 / Chapter 7.4 --- Conclusion --- p.163 / Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- "DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND PRACTICAL RELEVANCE" --- p.167 / Chapter 8.1 --- Discussions --- p.167 / Chapter 8.1.1 --- NTFP dependency on geographical location --- p.167 / Chapter 8.1.2 --- NTFPs dependency of different economic groups in the swidden farming upland --- p.171 / Chapter 8.1.3 --- NTFPs dependency of different economic groups in the sedentarized farming lowland --- p.173 / Chapter 8.1.4 --- NTFP dependency and various demographic and socio-economic variables --- p.175 / Chapter 8.1.5 --- Reflection on Methodology used and recommendation for future research --- p.180 / Chapter 8.2 --- Conclusion --- p.183 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- NTFP dependency in the swidden farming upland and the sedentarized farming lowland --- p.183 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- NTFP dependency on different economic groups in the swidden farming upland region --- p.185 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- NTFP dependency on different economic groups in the swidden farming lowland regions --- p.187 / Chapter 8.2.4 --- Overall conclusion --- p.190 / Chapter 8.3 --- Implication of the research --- p.191 / Chapter 8.3.1 --- "Cash income from NTFPs, conservation, poverty reduction and policy" --- p.191 / Chapter 8.3.2 --- "NTFPs, Swidden farming and LFA" --- p.193 / APPENDICES --- p.194 / Appendix I: Indicators for wealth ranking in the upland and lowland villages --- p.194 / Appendix II: List of different categories of NTFPs used in the study area --- p.195 / Appendix III: Exhaustive list of variables used in the study areas --- p.200 / Appendix IV: Household survey questionnnaire --- p.203 / REFERENCES --- p.210

Thesis (PhD For) (Forest and Wood Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: See full text for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien volteks vir opsomming

No description available.

Os estudos dendrocronológicos e dendroclimatológicos estão começando a ser utilizados nas florestais tropicais e subtropicais brasileiras. Estes estudos são importantes para correlacionar a taxa de crescimento das espécies florestais com a variações climáticas e fenológicas e determinar a idade das árvores. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivos principais: (i) estudar a periodicidade da atividade cambial e da formação dos anéis de crescimento utilizando o método de faixas dendrométricas em três locais da região do sudeste do Estado de São Paulo; (ii) determinar a idade de algumas árvores das espécies selecionadas (dendrocronologia); (iii) correlacionar o crescimento em circunferência das árvores com as variações climáticas, fenológicas e condições de crescimento (dendroclimatologia e dendroecologia); (iv) fazer a identificação macroscópica das madeiras das espécies estudadas. Para esse trabalho foram escolhidas as seguintes reservas: Estação Ecológica de Ibicatu (Piracicaba/SP) e Reserva Florestal Mata de Santa Genebra (Campinas/SP) com espécies nativas e Estação Experimental de Tupi (Piracicaba/SP) plantios com essências nativas de idade conhecida. Através dos resultados obtidos constatou-se que (a) o local onde uma espécie se desenvolve e suas condições de crescimento podem interferir no ritmo de crescimento dos indivíduos; (b) a faixa dendrométrica colocada nos troncos das árvores é um equipamento fundamental, preciso e muito eficiente para se medir a taxa de crescimento em circunferência do tronco de espécies florestais; (c) as variáveis climáticas, como precipitação e temperatura, e o comportamento fenológico das espécies estão diretamente correlacionados com o crescimento em circunferência do tronco das mesmas; (d) a metodologia referente a dendrocronogia é fundamental e precisa para determinar a idade de uma árvore; (e) não houve diferenças na observação da estrutura anatômica macroscópica da madeira em relação a literatura e aos locais. / The dendrocronology and dendroclimatology studies are now being used in the tropical and subtropical Brazilian forest. These studies are important to correlate the growth rate of forest species with climatic conditions and phenological behaviour to determine the age of the trees. This way, this investigation had as main objectives: (i) study the cambial periodicity activity and the tree-ring formation by using the dendrometer bands method in three areas in the Southeast region of the state of São Paulo; (ii) determine the age of some selected trees species (dendrocronology); (iii) correlate the girth increment of the trees with climatic conditions and phenological behaviour and growth condition (dendroclimatology and dendroecology); (iv) to identify macroscopically the wood of these species. For this investigation were chosen the following reserves: Ibicatu Ecological Station - (Piracicaba/SP) and Santa Genebra Forest Reserve (Campinas/SP) with indigenous growing in natural conditions and Tupi Experimental Station (Piracicaba/SP) plantations of native species with known age. Through the results obtained, it was verified that (a) the local where the specie is developed and its growth condition can interfere in growth rhythm of the trees; (b) the dendrometer bands in the trunk of the trees is a fundamental equipment, accuracy and very efficient tool for measuring girth increment of the trunk of the forest tree species; (c) the climatic variation as, precipitation and temperature, and the phenological behavior of the species are closely correlated with the girth increment of the trunk of the trees; (d) dendrocronological method is fundamental and accurate to determine the age of the tree, and; (e) there is no espressive difference between the macroscopical wood structure of the tress species studied and that one cited in literature.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND DEWEY. / Includes bibliographical references. / by Henry M. Montrey, III. / M.S.

A palmeira juçara – Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae) – é uma espécie abundante nas florestas onde ocorre e que produz grande quantidade de flores e frutos, sendo assim de grande importância ecológica. Após décadas de desmatamento e superexploração do palmito, as populações encontram-se reduzidas a fragmentos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar alguns aspectos etnoecológicos e ecofisiológicos acerca da espécie. Foram verificados cinco sistemas de manejo desenvolvidos por comunidades locais do litoral norte do Rio Grande do Sul: manejo em capoeiras, manejo em reflorestamentos com espécies exóticas, manejo em bananais, quintais agroflorestais e corte clandestino de palmito em florestas. Comparou-se o crescimento de palmeiras jovens em florestas secundárias e bananais, de 2003 a 2008, e verificou-se que o tamanho das palmeiras em 2008 nos bananais foi cinco vezes maior do que nas florestas, apesar da herbivoria ter sido maior nos bananais; a mortalidade foi equivalente entre os dois tratamentos, apesar da grande variabilidade, e apresentando um padrão intraespecífico dependente da densidade. Observou-se um padrão de variação dos eventos fenológicos reprodutivos associado a latitude e altitude; verificou-se também uma relação quadrática significativa entre épocas de floração e de maturação dos frutos, demonstrando que o tempo necessário desde a floração até a maturação dos frutos depende da época que ocorre a floração. Verificou-se que os sistemas de manejo são diferentes estratégias de uso da juçara, e que esta apresenta um grande potencial para manejo. / The juçara palm - Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae) - is an abundant species in the forests where it occurs and that produces lots of flowers and fruits, being of great ecological importance. After decades of deforestation and heart of palm exploitation, it is reduced to fragments. This work aimed to study some ethnoecological and ecophisiological aspects of this species. We observed five management systems developed by local communities of the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul: management in early secondary forest, management in reforestation with exotic species, management in banana plantations, homegardens and illegal cutting in forests. We compared the growth of young palms in secondary forests and banana plantations from 2003 to 2008, and found that the size of palms in 2008 in banana plantations was five times greater than in forests, in spite of herbivory was higher in the banana plantations; the mortality was equivalent between the two treatments, despite the great variability, and presenting an intraspecific density-dependent pattern. There was a pattern of variation in reproductive phenology related to latitude and altitude; there was also a significant quadratic relationship between timing of flowering and fruit ripening, showing that the time required from flowering to fruit maturity depends on the time the flowering occurs. It was found that the management systems are different strategies of use of the juçara palm, and that this species has high potential for management.

No description available.

<p>Detta examensarbete har utförts för trägolvtillverkaren Tarketts räkning och syftet har varit att utvärdera en särskild metod som färgar trä. Metoden innebär att trä behandlas i vatten i en viss tid och temperatur varvid en färgändring påstods erhållas. Målet har varit ge de nordiska träslagen björk och bok en mörkare färg som liknar exotiska trädslag.</p><p>För att utvärdera metoden genomfördes först en teoretisk utvärdering för att få förståelse för vad som händer i träet när det utsätts för denna behandling och sedan en praktisk utvärdering enligt principen för flerfaktorförsök.</p><p>Arbetet har resulterat i vetskapen om att träet verkligen får en viss färgändring genom att behandla det enligt den särskilda metoden. Hur stor färgförändring som erhålls beror främst på processens temperatur men även tid, ty dessa faktorer samverkar. Metoden uppvisar repeternoggrannhet, dvs uppnådd färg vid bestämda parametrar är konstant och den erhållna färgen är dessutom beständig. Men, metoden påverkar träet på ett flertal negativa sätt. Vid torkning av de behandlade trästavarna uppstår ändsprickor och vissa stavar blir skeva. Utbytet som erhålls beror främst på hur hårt stavarna behandlas. Låga temperaturer, 100 C, krävs om ett bra utbyte ska erhållas. Andra egenskaper som blir försämrade är träets vätbarhet och hållfasthet. En försämrad vätbarhet innebär i sin tur en försämrad limbarhet eftersom träet inte väter limmet tillräckligt bra. Hårdare behandlat trä fick en lägre vätbarhet än mildare behandlad. Men en försämrad vätbarhet är inte bara negativt utan det innebär även att träets dimensionsstabilitet förbättras. Träets fuktrörelser blir alltså inte lika stora vid klimatförändringar, något som också bevisades med sk klimattester.</p><p>Utvärderingen resulterade även i vetskapen om att processvattnet från infärgningsmetoden är miljöfarligt och måste renas. Att rena vattnet är svårt då de miljöfarliga ämnena som det innehåller är lösta i vattnet, så för att kunna ta hand om reningsprocessen behöver Tarkett kunskap om olika reningsprocesser men även utrustning som kan kräva stora investeringar.</p><p>Det är svårt att bedöma om infärgningsmetoden är användbar för Tarkett eller ej. Min rekommendation avgörs nämligen av vilket färgändring som Tarkett tycker är den mest tilltalande. Föredrar Tarkett den mörkaste erhållna färgen rekommenderar jag inte Tarkett att gå vidare med infärgningsmetoden eftersom ett så pass dåligt utbyte erhålls. Utbytet kan eventuellt förbättras men det måste i så fall undersökas närmare. Föredrar Tarkett däremot en ljusare färg som erhållits för andra försök är infärgningsmetoden värd att undersöka vidare.</p> / <p>This master thesis has been performed at Tarkett, a wood flooring company. The purpose was to evaluate a certain method that colors wood. The method treats wood in hot water for a certain time and at a certain temperature and the result was said to be a darker color. The objective was that the two nordic wood species birch and beech should get a darker color that reminds of exotic wood species.</p><p>First a theoretical evaluation was performed to get an understanding of what happens in the wood during this treatment. Then at practical evaluation was performed according to a method called multiple-factor-method.</p><p>The result of the work is the knowledge that the wood do get a darker color by treating it with this method. The color change depends mostly of the temperature but also of the time, since these factors interact. The method is repeatable, which means that the color achieved at certain parameters is constant, and the color is also resistant. But, the method have negative affects on the wood. When dried some slats receive cracks or become skew. The exchange depends mostly on how tough the treatment is, according to temperature. A good exchange demand low temperatures at 100 C. Other</p><p>negative affects are the ability to get wet and the strength. A worse ability to get wet also means a worse ability to glue. But a worsened ability to wet is not only negative since it also means that the dimensional stability is better. The shrinkage and swelling does not get that big when changes in the climate occur and this was also shown by so called climate tests.</p><p>The evaluation also resulted in the knowledge that the wastewater isn’t environmentally friendly and therefore has to be purified. It is difficult to purify the wastewater since the substances are solved in the water so to handle the purification Tarkett need to have the knowledge of certain purifying processes as well as equipment that may demand large investments.</p><p>It is difficult to judge whether the method is useful for Tarkett or not since my recommendation is a matter of which color change that Tarkett finds the most appealing. Does Tarkett prefer the darkest color achieved then I do not recommend Tarkett to use this method since you get such a bad exchange. The exchange might somehow be improved but that has to be investigated. On the other hand if Tarkett does prefer a lighter color, that has been achieved at other test, then I do think that the method is worth further investigations.</p>

<p>Wood inhabiting fungi oposes a great problem for preservation of wooden surfaces everywhere, being the main problem of economic losses of wooden products.</p><p>A reference collection consisting of 9 different genus constituting of 21 different strains of wood-inhabiting fungi was used for identification of unknown species of mould and blue stain fungi on wood. The fungus DNA from the samples was isolated from malt extract agar. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) was conducted on rDNA ITS1 and ITS2 regions for amplification of the DNA. The 21 samples were collected to a reference collection for identification of unknown species of fungi on wooden field samples using PCR and T-RFLP (Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism).</p><p>PCR-based methods, sequencing and T-RFLP were proven to be simple and</p><p>accurate methods for detection and identification of fungi in their early stage.</p>

This thesis examines perceptions of cooperation among small to medium sized enterprises (SME) in western Oregon's forest products industry. Recent changes in the industry, such as corporate consolidation, global marketing, and government regulations have created an environment in which many SMEs find it difficult to stay competitive. Cooperation among SMEs is one method for alleviating the situation; however, few SME owners are engaging in cooperative projects or behaviors. Common assumptions and stereotypes about the individualistic nature of the forest products industry lead some to believe that cooperation is an unlikely avenue for SME owners. Through 16 in-depth interviews with SME owners, this view is found to be overly simplistic. It does not account for the variety of factors at play and the depth of the issues involved in SME owners' attitudes toward cooperation. In studying attitudes toward cooperation, this study first attempts to understand the cultural values of the decision makers. It is apparent that values play an integral role in the decision making and strategy of SME owners. This research highlights the complexity of the issues facing small businesses and their owners and reveals that four main factors contribute to SME owners' perceptions about cooperation and influence strategic business decisions: common values, stereotypes, risk perception, and a lack of knowledge about cooperation. Values are found to be especially relevant in understanding and influencing attitudes toward cooperation as values affect risk perception and risk perception in turn directly impacts business strategy. Understanding the values of SME owners helps to describe their attitudes toward cooperation and dispels the notion that they are too independent to ever work together. Eight recommendations stem from the findings of this study which may lead to cooperative action and more successful SMEs: 1) Find a trustworthy agent to act as a sponsor; 2) Build credible systems; 3) Match members with similar values; 4) Expound the potential benefits of cooperation to reduce risk perception; 5) Find a spark plug, not a spokesperson; 6) Provide education; 7) Define and implement both learning networks and action groups; 8) Target new and future categories of SME owners such as women and the children or grandchildren of current owners. / Graduation date: 2004