In Europe, the origin of older Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) plantations is generally unknown. The tracing of the probable origin of one Swiss and twenty Polish Douglas-fir stands was attempted. Cone and seed characteristics were measured on material collected from all twenty-one European stands, and compared with the displayed variation of the same characteristics from Douglas-fir growing in its natural range on the Pacific Coast of North America. A seed morphology test, as described by Allen (1960), was used to indicate the Coastal or Interior origin of the samples. Based on this test, the stands from Boezingen/Switzerland and from Purda Lesna/ Poland proved both to be of Coastal origin. A direct comparison of averages of six cone characteristics (width and length of cone scale, width of bract, length of first and second prong, and rating of bract) with the ranges of averages of these characteristics as they vary in climatic seed collection zones of the natural range (Yao [1971]) did not allow an unequivocal assessment of origin. From these comparisons, it could be concluded that cone scale and bract width are more influenced by the environment than the other characteristics. The six characteristics of cone morphology, one thousand-seed weight (measured or assessed on 124 samples from the natural range) and relative DNA content (measured on thirty-six samples of the Coastal part of the natural range) were used concurrently to perform discriminant analyses based on different subspecies, climatic and latitudinal groupings. The discriminant functions obtained were then used to classify the twenty-one provenances of unknown origin. Their origin was assessed at the intersection of the groups to which they were attributed in the different analyses. The low number of provenances, when compared with the immense natural range, and the low number of characteristics taken into consideration, did not allow a complete separation of the groups of provenances. Therefore, the assessment of origin based on cone and seed morphology is still to be considered with caution. Pre-established curvilinear regressions of relative DNA content of embryo cells on latitude in both Coastal and Interior Douglas-fir (El-Lakany and Sziklai [1971, 1972]), were used for inverse estimation of the latitude of origin. It could be established, by this method, that the stand from Boezingen/Switzerland originates between lat. 44° and 47°N on the Coast. When samples are sufficient from the unknown stand, as was the case for provenance Boezingen, seed characteristics and relative DNA content gave promising indication of the probable origin. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate

Community and urban forestry is a multifaceted field ranging from tree planting to removal, hazard assessment, and public relations. However, the racial and gender diversity of the community forestry workforce is remarkably low. To gain a better understanding of this lack of diversity, I surveyed professionals in two major community/urban forestry organizations. Age, income, and years in the profession were considered, along with education level, to determine if there is some underlying reason for low representation of women and minorities in the community/urban forestry field. I found that while white males dominated all work sectors (especially private organizations), women were concentrated in public or non-profit organizations holding positions in offices, education, or other jobs with extensive public interaction. Minorities held similar positions to women or were in entry level jobs and general tree care rather than in more professionally advanced positions. Attitudes regarding most aspects of the profession varied little based on sex or minority status, with only minor differences on advancement potential and salary.

No description available.

No description available.

Scholars in science and technology studies have long been concerned with a variety of issues revolving around technological change, such as explaining the origins of technological innovation and arguing for or against technological determinism. This thesis reviews a number of theoretical models developed by historians, philosophers, sociologists, and other scholars to explain technological change. A case study of technological innovations in industnal forestry and timber harvesting practices provides a basis for a critique of these previously proposed models and for an argument for a new model. This model, an ecological model, suggests homeostatic pressures play a major role in the innovative processes within any technological system. / Master of Science

From the known image positional errors on aerial photographs, this thesis computes and evaluates acreage estimation errors. Four hypothetical tracts were used in simulating aerial photographs with 104 different camera orientation combinations. Flying heights of 4000 and 6000 feet, focal lengths of 24 and 50 millimeters with and without lens distortion, and tilts of 0, 3, 6, and 12 degrees were simulated. The 416 photographs were all simulated with the camera exposure station centered above the midpoint of the respective tract's bounding rectangle. The topographic relief of the tracts ranged from 19 feet in the Coastal Plain to 105 feet in the Piedmont. It was found that lens focal length did not have an independent effect on the acreage estimates. Relief error, the lowest, averaged -0.080%. In comparison, small errors in calculating scale were shown to be larger than relief errors. Tilt was recommended to be limited to six degrees, averaging +1.6% error at six degrees tilt. Because of its positive exponential nature when the tracts are centered, tilt can induce large biases. including tilts from zero to six degrees,the average was 0.634%. Lens distortion error averaged -0.686%. Overall, the average acreage error was 0.363% for simulations up to and including six degrees of tilt with and without lens distortion. This result is for centered tracts, and it was felt many of the errors were compensating given this situation. In conclusion, the photographic images can estimate areas to $1%, however, additional errors are imparted during actual measurement of the photographs. / Master of Science

A unified international method to capture, record, and report the information necessary for documenting the mechanical performance of harvesting machines and systems under specified conditions is presented. It provides a data collection method as a basis for evaluation of systems across international boundaries for better selection of machines, prior to bearing the expense of purchasing the system. An in depth study of a prototype skidder on steep terrain was conducted to test the practicality of the method. The study resulted in some modification of the been received indicating support and suggesting minimal changes. The recommendations of other reviewers will be incorporated in the final Field Manual. A microcomputer program for filing and editing the data collected in the field will be developed. / Doctor of Philosophy

<p> The Civilian Conservation Corps employed young white and black men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. In 1935 Robert Fechner, the Director of the Civilian Conservation Corps, ordered the segregation of Corps camps across the country. Massachusetts&rsquo; camps remained integrated due in large part to low funding and a small African American population. The experiences of Massachusetts&rsquo; African American population present a new general narrative of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Federal government imposed a three percent African American quota, ensuring that African Americans participated in Massachusetts as the Civilian Conservation Corps expanded. This quota represents a Federal acknowledgement of the racism African Americans faced and an attempt to implement affirmative action against these hardships.</p>

<p> Erosion is a serious concern across the US and the globe. One effective method to reduce soil erosion is to apply rolled erosion control products (RECPs). One material source for use in RECPs that has not been studied is low-value forest residuals (LVRs). The objectives of this study were to design RECPs out of four LVRs (leaf litter, willow whiplets, willow chips, spruce needles) and to assess their ability to reduce soil loss, control water quality (turbidity and total phosphorous), and enhance germination. LVR RECPs were tested using ASTM standards on bare, detritus, and burned soils. Leaf litter and spruce needle RECPs were highly effective at all three abilities, while the willow whiplet and chip RECPs were effective at reducing erosion, but less effective at controlling water quality and enhancing vegetation. Overall, the use of LVRs as a material source for RECPs shows great promise.</p>

Palynological evidence suggests Nordic agriculturalist settlement in the coastal areas of Västerbotten from ~AD 500. Until then these lands had been inhabited by its native inhabitants: the Sámi (semi-nomadic reindeer hunters/herders). Contact started relatively friendly but increasing Nordic colonisation forced Sámi assimilation in Västerbotten by AD 1300, although they maintained their semi-nomadic lifestyle. To exercise more control over the Sámi, winter markets were erected during the 17th century, where the Sámi traded with Nordic settlers, but were also taxed and educated. Little is known about Sámi and Nordic co-existence outside of these market places, mainly due to a lack of archaeological evidence relating to Sámi activity. This thesis presents the results of high-resolution pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating, applied to establish the impact of both Sámi and Nordic land use in the regions surrounding three market towns. The addition of coprophilous fungal spores, microscopic charcoal and sedimentology successfully allowed the reconstruction of vegetation and land-use changes from AD 1-2000. Small-scale human impact in the boreal forests of northern Sweden can be traced if activity was local to the sampling location, a high temporal resolution and robust chronology are achievable: impacts at a Sámi reindeer herding pen are visible in the pollen record, but are most obvious in the coprophilous fungal spore record, making multi-decadal phases of use and abandonment distinguishable. In the Lycksele region coprophilous fungal spores also suggest a possible link to archaeological evidence of Sámi hunter-gatherers. Pollen of natural sea shore meadows in coastal Västerbotten are recorded as late as the Early Medieval Period. Unfortunately it is impossible to separate out an anthropogenic signal due to similar indicator taxa (Artemisia, Rumex-type, Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae). Sámi activity in the winter market areas, if recorded, is inseparable from the signal of 17th century Finnish settlement, characterised by fire clearance.