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Soil water is one of the fundamental conditions for the development of the forest ecosystems. Habitat conditions and forest tree composition are the basic factors influencing development of soil moisture. Tree growth and forest structure changes progress fluctuations in the hydric regime. The article evaluates development of soil moisture in different growth conditions of Scots pine stands on nutrient-poor sandy soils and defines the basic principles of these relationships. In 2018, the moisture of A horizon was measured in transects across the stands and clear-cut areas. In the period from 2018 to 2020, the vertical moisture profile was evaluated by means of dug probes under a mature stand of pine, on clear- cut area without soil preparation and in the space of the mounds and furrows on clear-cut area with soil prepared for natural regeneration by ploughing. The results showed that also in these conditions the moisture in the clear-cut area was all year round higher in comparison to the mature pine stand, however, topsoil moisture under the young pine growth with closed canopy was no longer different from the moisture of mature stand. Even in dry periods, the humidity on the clear-cut area decreased with the depth in the soil. Under the mature stand, this only happened when there was a sufficient amount of water in the ecosystem. The influence of the period within the growing season was not clearly reflected in the monitored long-term course of moisture in the soil horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to preserve natural values, which are considered the heritage of all mankind, namely the primaeval forests and old-growth beech forests of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage. The aim of the research was to study the state and structure of the beech primaeval forest in the national nature park "Zacharovanyi Krai". For the study, a permanent sample plot of 1 ha (100×100 m) was laid down in the prevailing forest type - moist pure beech forest. This plot is located in the optimal forest-growing conditions for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) within the Vyhorlat-Hutyn volcanic ridge of the Ukrainian Carpathians. It was found that the beech forest stand on the plot is pure in composition and complex in form, characterised by different development phases (age groups by diameter): the first layer stand belongs to the mature age group (senile), the second layer - to the middle-aged group, and the third - to the pole (virginal). It was determined that 95% of the primaeval forest stock is the stock of the first layer, while the share of commercial trees of the first layer is 89% (66% of the total volume of stem wood of trees on the permanent sample plot). The main types of damage in the site are caused by abiotic factors. As a result of such damage, 43 m3‧ha-1 of deadwood was recorded, characterised by all 5 stages of decomposition. Under the canopy of the stand, 10,375 pcs‧ha-1 of undergrowth was recorded, of which the share of beech is 88%. Beech undergrowth is weakly differentiated by age groups: it was recorded only in the group of 7-year-olds and older and well-differentiated by height groups. By age group, undergrowth belongs to the juvenile-immature age state. The herbaceous cover is typical for nemoral forests. The presence of stationary research plots in the National Nature Park "Zakharovanyy Kray" makes it possible to constantly monitor the trends of natural development of the ecosystem - the beech primaeval forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water is one of the fundamental conditions for the development of the forest ecosystems. Habitat conditions and forest tree composition are the basic factors influencing development of soil moisture. Tree growth and forest structure changes progress fluctuations in the hydric regime. The article evaluates development of soil moisture in different growth conditions of Scots pine stands on nutrient-poor sandy soils and defines the basic principles of these relationships. In 2018, the moisture of A horizon was measured in transects across the stands and clear-cut areas. In the period from 2018 to 2020, the vertical moisture profile was evaluated by means of dug probes under a mature stand of pine, on clearcut area without soil preparation and in the space of the mounds and furrows on clear-cut area with soil prepared for natural regeneration by ploughing. The results showed that also in these conditions the moisture in the clear-cut area was all year round higher in comparison to the mature pine stand, however, topsoil moisture under the young pine growth with closed canopy was no longer different from the moisture of mature stand. Even in dry periods, the humidity on the clear-cut area decreased with the depth in the soil. Under the mature stand, this only happened when there was a sufficient amount of water in the ecosystem. The influence of the period within the growing season was not clearly reflected in the monitored long-term course of moisture in the soil horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research relevance of the complex, multi-stage process of natural regeneration of forest communities, as well as interactions and transformations, is determined by the rapidly growing challenges posed by climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss. The study aims to assess the state and to identify the ecological and coenotic specificity of natural seed regeneration of the leading forest-forming species of the Left-Bank Polissya of Ukraine. The study was carried out using a set of methods, primarily geobotanical, population and mathematical and statistical. The process of natural recovery was studied in communities that are typical for the region and belong to 42 syntaxa in the rank of associations and 24 syntaxa in the rank of association groups. The study revealed the specifics of such forest-forming species as Pinus sylvestris L., Quercus robur L., Acer platanoides L., Betula pendula Roth., Populus tremula L., and Tilia cordata Mill. The study established that the representation of the undergrowth of the main forest-forming species in the forest plant communities of the Left-Bank Polissya of Ukraine varies quite significantly. The study described the determinants of the species composition of restoration, including the peculiarities of seed (fruit) dispersion and the adaptive potential of plants. The study determined that the condition of the understory and its population density are determined by the level of soil moisture (the highest values of understory density in most species were recorded in forests with soils moistened at the level of fresh and wet hygro-tops), and this process may intensify against the background of climate change. The results of the study can be used to develop effective strategies for forest management, biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management in the Left Bank Polissia region, which will help improve the environmental situation and create favourable conditions for the restoration of forest ecosystems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PI3K enzymes modify phospholipids to regulate cell growth and differentiation. Somatic variants in PI3K are recurrent in cancer and drive a proliferative phenotype. Somatic mosaicism of PIK3R1 and PIK3CA are associated with vascular anomalies and overgrowth syndromes. Germline PIK3R1 variants are associated with varying phenotypes, including immunodeficiency or facial dysmorphism with growth delay, lipoatrophy, and insulin resistance associated with SHORT syndrome. There has been limited study of the molecular mechanism to unify our understanding of how variants in PIK3R1 drive both undergrowth and overgrowth phenotypes. Thus, we compiled genomic variants from cancer and rare vascular anomalies and sought to interpret their effects using an unbiased physics-based simulation approach for the protein complex. We applied molecular dynamics simulations to mechanistically understand how genetic variants affect PIK3R1 and its interactions with PIK3CA. Notably, iSH2 genetic variants associated with undergrowth destabilize molecular interactions with the PIK3CA receptor binding domain in simulations, which is expected to decrease activity. On the other hand, overgrowth and cancer variants lead to loss of inhibitory interactions in simulations, which is expected to increase activity. We find that all disease variants display dysfunctions on either structural characteristics or intermolecular interaction energy. Thus, this comprehensive characterization of novel mosaic somatic variants associated with two opposing phenotypes has mechanistic importance and biomedical relevance and may aid in future therapeutic developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moericke traps are commonly used to monitor pests in agriculture and at the same time, they have gradually been applied in forestry. Therefore, four Moericke traps were placed in two fir stands (Valšovice, Czech Republic) to investigate the spectrum and intensity of aphidomorphic insects between 2019 and 2021. The traps were consistently positioned at a height of two meters in the monitored stands throughout the monitoring period. Each stand was evaluated separately, and their distribution differences were compared to the nearest Johnson-Taylor suction trap in the locality called Věrovany. A total of 400 samples were collected over three years, out of which 1,674 specimens belonging to 111 species or genera, classified into three families (Aphididae, Adelgidae, and Phylloxeridae), were analyzed. The eudominant species found in these stands was Phyllaphis fagi, while the dominant species was Mindarus abietinus. Additionally, 11 species or genera were identified as subdominant, 5 species as recedents, and the remaining species fell under the category of subrecessive. It means that the majority of the captured specimens was not from fir trees but from undergrowth, adjacent stands, or other woody species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large European carnivores are generally considered forest animals. However, there are a number of interacting factors that may have different impact on the availability and suitability of habitat for individual species. Felids, because of their stalking hunting mode, are habitat specialists requiring a heterogeneous environment, making them specifically vulnerable to habitat disturbance. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), despite protection in many European countries, has a surprisingly limited range. To explain environmental factors that affect its distribution, we undertook habitat selection and habitat suitability analyses at the macrohabitat and microhabitat scales, based on lynx occurrence and environmental data in Poland. Since the species occurs in two populations, one of which inhabits lowland and the other mountainous area, we modelled habitat suitability separately in both areas and then extrapolated it for the whole country scale. The lynx selected forests with medium undergrowth density in the lowlands and highly rugged terrain in the mountain areas—a proxy of stalking cover. Habitat suitability modelling performed at the macrohabitat scale identified around 110 000 km2 of habitat available from which 55 700 km2 was classified as high quality including large tracts of forests in western Poland that are beyond the natural range of the lynx. However, the microhabitat model built by including stalking cover variables, decreased high‐quality habitats to only 33% of the area designated at the macrohabitat scale. This model is largely consistent with the current distribution of lynx in Poland. This suggests that the simplified internal structure of forests (lacking understory cover) may act as a hindrance to increasing the distribution of lynx populations and helps to explain its limited range in the Central European lowlands. This research suggests that the microhabitat structure may play the crucial role in the effective conservation of the Eurasian lynx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences is the property of Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences (TUJNS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Scientific Journal Ukrainian Journal of Forest & Wood Science is the property of National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Capillary malformations are slow‐flow vascular malformations that affect the microcirculation including capillaries and post capillary venules and can be associated with growth differences. Specifically, the association of capillary malformations with undergrowth is a vastly understudied vascular syndrome with few reports of genetic causes including PIK3CA, GNAQ, and GNA11. Recently, a somatic pathogenic variant in AKT3 was identified in one child with a cutaneous vascular syndrome similar to cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, undergrowth, and no neurodevelopmental features. Here, we present a male patient with a capillary malformation and undergrowth due to a somatic pathogenic variant in AKT3 to confirm this association. It is essential to consider that mosaic pathogenic variants in AKT3 can cause a wide spectrum of disease. There is a need for future studies focusing on capillary malformations with undergrowth to understand the underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuromuscular choristoma (NMC) is a rare peripheral nerve lesion characterized by abnormal presence of muscle within nerve. Associated desmoid-type fibromatosis (NMC-DTF) often develops. We report 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) characteristics of NMC and NMC-DTF and propose that increased FDG activity within NMCs may be associated with subclinical NMC-DTF or NMC-DTF "precursor" tissue. Methods: Our institutional database was searched for all NMC cases. Inclusion criteria were 1) confirmed diagnosis of NMC with or without biopsy, and 2) available PET and MRI studies. PET data included SUVmax and SUVmean of NMCs, contralateral limb normal skeletal muscle and unaffected nerves, and SUVmax of NMC-DTF if present. SUV values were compared using paired t-test. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Our cohort consisted of 9 patients with NMC, 8 cases involving sciatic nerve and 1 of brachial plexus. On PET imaging, all NMC-affected nerve segments showed significantly higher FDG uptake (SUVmax/mean) compared to both contralateral normal nerve and normal skeletal muscle (all P < 0.05). Similar to sporadic DTF, NMC-DTF was highly FDG-avid (average SUVmax of 4.2). SUVmax in NMC with or without concurrent NMC-DTF did not differ (p = 0.76). Within NMC-affected nerve segment, FDG activity was relatively higher in areas with low T1/T2 MR signal. Conclusion: All NMCs were more FDG avid compared to both normal skeletal muscle and contralateral unaffected nerve, arguing against the presence of heterotopic muscle in NMC as the source of FDG avidity. FDG avidity within NMC may reflect subclinical NMC-DTF or a precursor lesion, as NMC-DTF are highly FDG-avid, and the highest regions of FDG avidity in NMC occurred in regions with MR characteristics associated with NMC-DTF (i.e., lower T1/T2 signal). We believe that the integration of FDG PET with serial MR imaging in patient follow up will clarify its utility in both detection and surveillance of NMC-DTF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain-forest brown soils are common in the zone of mesophilic forests. The vegetation is represented mainly by beech, beech-hornbeam groups with an admixture of maple and ash, forming a dense forest canopy, strongly shading the soil surface. As dead-cover forests, they are characterized by a weak development of undergrowth and herbaceous cover with abundant accumulation of forest litter. The climate ensures the development of lush, high-quality forest vegetation with a predominance of Eastern beech and Caucasian hornbeam. Forest cover is 80% to 90%, the forest type of soil formation prevails here. Studies have established that phytomass reserves in oak-hornbeam forests are 116-274 t/ha, and in shrub-herbaceous cenoses, plant biomass varies within 27-35 t/ha. In these soils, the penetration of humus into deeper horizons is associated with the active participation of the root system of herbaceous plants in humus formation. Mountain-forest brown soils developing under deciduous broad-leaved groups are characterized by the annual accumulation of a large amount of forest litter 12-13 t/ha. There is an active interaction of the decomposition products of the litter with the mineral part of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assessment is given regarding the current ecological state of pine biogeocenoses components (forest stand, undergrowth, living ground cover, and soil) in the Krasnoyarsk forest steppe growing in both the zone of long-term anthropogenic impact of Krasnoyarsk and under natural conditions (control plot). Studies are carried out on monitoring sample plots in forb pine forests. The current state of pine forests growing in the zone of long-term anthropogenic impact of Krasnoyarsk is assessed as satisfactory. The sanitary and vital state of suburban pine stands does not differ from background ones. A good rate of pine regrowth has been established in the pine forests. The presence of seedlings and a significant amount of viable undergrowth has been recorded. The living ground cover in pine forests at the moment is at the stage of weak recreational transformation (with the exception of the control sample plot). The soils under the studied pine stands in the zone of influence of the city are anthropogenically transformed and have developed profiles with signs of degradation of the upper horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative analysis of the formation and natural development of the young generation of wood types (genera or species of woody plants) after different harvesting methods and slow-moving surface fires at the interface of fir–spruce and cedar–broadleaf forests in the Southern Sikhote-Alin has been performed. The features of natural regeneration, growth, development, self-thinning, and abundance dynamics of the young generation of wood types are considered over a period of 33 years in three different cutover and burnt areas of the cedar–dark-coniferous sedge–fern forests. It has been established that, out of all the methods of harvest cutting in the pine–dark-coniferous sedge–fern forests of the Southern Sikhote-Alin, regenration proceeds the most rapidly and successfully with no replacement of the dominant species after wintertime selective harvest cutting. In the event of clearcutting and surface fires, the regeneration is accompanied by the replacement of conifers by the fast-growing deciduous species. The regeneration of cedar–dark-coniferous forests takes the longest after clearcutting with the use of heavy-duty machinery that disturbs the ground cover and forest floor and damages the coniferous undergrowth. The success of the regeneration process in the surveyed areas can be attributed to insignificant areas affected by cutting and burning (each less than 1 ha), retention to some degree of undergrowth from the previous generation, the presence of coniferous seed trees on the plots, and the proximity of the primary forest massifs. Selective cutting ensures the successful formation of young growth forest, providing the undergrowth of the previous generation is retained in the forests of the Southern Sikhote-Alin. Our findings confirm the successful formation of young growth forests in areas affected by selective harvest cutting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the structural organization of forest stands obtained on sample plots is the basis for long- -term monitoring of post-fire pine forest structure and dynamics in the European North-East. These data can be used as a marker of native pine stands of the European taiga. Here, we studied vertical and horizontal structure in the post-pyrogenic pine forests of Vacciniosum, Vaccinioso-cladinosum and Myrtillosum site types in the boreal forest of the Komi Republic. The type of horizontal structure of uneven-aged forest stands changed with age from grouped to random one. Large trees were randomly distributed on the plot. We observed the weak aggregation of undergrowth trees (natural tree regeneration) in stands at distances of 2–6 m. Undergrowth individuals were characterized by group distribution at smaller distances than 1–2 m. Spatial relationships between large, small and codominant trees demonstrated random distribution in most cases. Undergrowth individuals did not show any competitive relations. However, we revealed a “taking off” effect between mature trees of pine and pine undergrowth. The direction of the displacement of tree crown centre projections relative to the bases of their trunks was ambiguous. The shift of the crown space towards the maximum solar radiation was detected in a thinned stand with old age and big size of trees. In other site types, no one-sided orientation of the tree crown development emerged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the structural organization of forest stands obtained on sample plots is the basis for long--term monitoring of post-fire pine forest structure and dynamics in the European North-East. These data can be used as a marker of native pine stands of the European taiga. Here, we studied vertical and horizontal structure in the post-pyrogenic pine forests of Vacciniosum, Vaccinioso-cladinosum and Myrtillosum site types in the boreal forest of the Komi Republic. The type of horizontal structure of uneven-aged forest stands changed with age from grouped to random one. Large trees were randomly distributed on the plot. We observed the weak aggregation of undergrowth trees (natural tree regeneration) in stands at distances of 2-6 m. Undergrowth individuals were characterized by group distribution at smaller distances than 1-2 m. Spatial relationships between large, small and codominant trees demonstrated random distribution in most cases. Undergrowth individuals did not show any competitive relations. However, we revealed a "taking off" effect between mature trees of pine and pine undergrowth. The direction of the displacement of tree crown centre projections relative to the bases of their trunks was ambiguous. The shift of the crown space towards the maximum solar radiation was detected in a thinned stand with old age and big size of trees. In other site types, no one-sided orientation of the tree crown development emerged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Segmental overgrowth has been widely described in patients with congenital vascular anomalies. However, segmental undergrowth has been poorly characterized, and no large series of patients have been published. We present the clinical and molecular characteristics a cohort of 37 patients with vascular malformations and segmental undergrowth. True undergrowth was only considered when the musculoskeletal system was involved to avoid confusion with other causes of segmental reduction, as in lipodystrophy or the long‐term osteopenia seen in patients with Servelle–Martorell syndrome. Deep high‐throughput sequencing was performed in tissue samples from 20 patients using a custom panel. We identified three groups: undergrowth associated with (1) venous, (2) capillary‐venous, and (3) lymphatic‐capillary‐venous malformations. Congenital or early childhood onset undergrowth can occur with or without associated overgrowth. Different likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants were detected in 13 of 20 (65%) tissue samples in the PIK3CA, TEK, GNAQ, or GNA11 genes. In conclusion, the eponymous Servelle–Martorell syndrome should not be used as a synonym for undergrowth. Segmental undergrowth should be considered a characteristic associated with vascular malformations. Patients with PIK3CA variants show all different combinations of overgrowth and undergrowth. Thus, the term PROS (PIK3CA‐related overgrowth spectrum) does not cover the entire spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of German International Journal of Modern Science / Deutsche Internationale Zeitschrift für Zeitgenössische Wissenschaft is the property of Artmedia24 and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simulation of fire impact on forest floor renewal in pine forests was based on predictions for 2100 by the Canadian Climate Centre for increase in temperatures of by 4.5 °C and total precipitation by 14% in the West Siberian pre-forest-steppes and empirical regression relationships between them and the degree of burnt forest floor, as well as amount of Pinus sylvestris L. regeneration. It was predicted that by 2100, pine regeneration on fire prone sites under the canopy of the dominant forest type will increase by 29–54% compared to the 1980s but on adjacent open sites, regeneration will decrease twice as much. This means that the regeneration potential and pine population stability in pre-forest-steppes will become as poor as it is today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Araliaceae family consists of numerous species of medical plants of significant value as non-wood forest products. To conserve and culture these plants in natural forest stands is an important undertaking which should be implemented according to the relationship between forest structure and understory population. In this study, thirty-five plots were established in natural Aralia elata stands. Taller individual and denser populations were found in the northern and in the eastern regions, respectively. Both population densities and individual leaf weight increased along longitude. In contrast, their relationship with elevation and DBH were negative. Along with the altitude gradient, both height and root-collar diameter increased but population density declined. Root-collar diameter and population density decreased with latitude and DBH, respectively. Overall, dominant trees unlikely enforced strong disturbance to the development of understory A. elata populations unless concerning some specific topographic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Key message: Invasive tree species alter taxonomic diversity and functioning of forest shrub layers: Prunus serotina increases shrub layer biomass two to three times but decreases its biodiversity, Robinia pseudoacacia slightly increases shrub layer biomass and has no effect on its biodiversity, while Quercus rubra both biomass and biodiversity of the shrub layer. • Context: Although the impact of invasive trees on understory biodiversity is known, very little data exist about their influence on shrub layer biodiversity and productivity. • Aims: To assess impacts of Prunus serotina Ehrh., Quercus rubra L., and Robinia pseudoacacia L. on shrub layer aboveground biomass, species composition, and alpha diversity. • Methods: We measured stand structures in a set of 168 study plots established in Wielkopolski National Park (W Poland), and we compared biomass and diversity metrics using generalized mixed-effects linear models. • Results: We found the lowest aboveground biomass of shrub layers in Q. rubra forests. P. sylvestris forests invaded by P. serotina had two to three times higher aboveground biomass than non-invaded forests. R. pseudoacacia forests had 27.8% higher shrub layer biomass than Quercus-Acer-Tilia forests. We found negative impacts of Q. rubra and negligible impacts of R. pseudoacacia on shrub layer alpha diversity metrics. However, the effect of Q. rubra was similar to native F. sylvatica. P. serotina negatively affected functional diversity, but its effects were lower in rich P. sylvestris forests than in poor P. sylvestris forests. • Conclusion: The introduction of alien tree species alters ecosystem services and species diversity of shrub layers. The direction and magnitude of these alterations are alien species-specific and context-dependent. Therefore, their management should account for their impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, the results of the complex cuttings were presented in the secondary hornbeam stands with the aim of regenerating the natural beech stands in the northern regions of Azerbaijan. For this purpose, three complex cutting procedures were carried out with a recurrence at 5 and 10 years in four sites of the secondary hornbeam stands in the northern regions. The experimental plots were characterised with: a stand density of 0.5-0.7, the age of the forest stands of 60-130 years, undergrowth of 12-25 years, a stand volume of 130-200 m3·ha-1, the beech percentage in the composition of stands of 17-28%, hornbeam 62-79% spread over the southern and northern slopes of the mountains. As a result of the complex cuttings, the share of beech trees in the composition of the parent stands increased 2.2-3.0 times. During cutting, the share of beech trees, as a part of undergrowth, increased 3.8-4.3 times. Based on the data, mathematical models were established reflecting the dynamics of the numbers of the undergrowth and the total stand volume of the forest stands depending on the participation percentage of beech trees in the parent stand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coniferous and broad-leaved forests of the South in Primorsky Krai are unique plant communities that include trees and shrubs, ground cover, non-layered vegetation, as well as habitats for rare and endangered species of animals and birds. Woody flora is ancient and original and is determined by the interpenetration and interaction of various floras and plant communities in different past geologic times. It is composed of plant species both young and old relict species. In terms of their biodiversity, these forests occupy one of the leading positions in the world, and the stock of wood volume accumulated in these forests is an important component in regulating the balance of carbon storage and its release. Haphazard logging of these forests for half a century, the collapse of the fire protection system, the lack of proper and scientifically-based methods and ways of forest care have led to the fact that these unique plantings are currently on the verge of disaster and are losing their environmental and climate-forming functions. The case in point is the natural disasters that occur throughout the Far Eastern Federal district. The purpose of the research was to study the features of the natural renewal process of Fraxinus mandshurica to determine the silvicultural prospects for its use, to identify the planting areas suitable for growing this species in accordance with the order of the RF Ministry of Natural Resources dated March 25, 2019 No. 188 "Concerning Approval of the Rules for reforestation, the procedure for developing a reforestation project and making changes on it". The Fraxinus tree, thanks to its powerful root system, is a well wind-resistant species and performs soil-protecting and shore-strengthening functions. In addition, it has a valuable wood that has a high cost both on the domestic and on the external market. At the same time, Fraxinus is very plastic to the conditions of the urban environment and can be used to create green areas around cities (Razlomiy et al. 2020). The common practice of reforestation activities in Primorsky Krai shows that the share of natural reforestation in the actual volume of renewal activities reaches 85%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diffuse capillary malformation with overgrowth (DCMO) has been well described. However, capillary malformation with undergrowth (CMU) has been less reported in the literature. Objectives: We sought to describe the clinical features and determine associated somatic mutations in patients with CMU. Methods: We searched our multidisciplinary vascular anomalies clinic database for patients with CMU. Girth and length limb measurements were performed. In case of discrepancies in length, long leg radiograph studies were obtained. Whole‐exome sequencing of blood and involved tissue DNA was carried out. Results: We included six patients with CM and soft‐tissue and bone undergrowth. CMs were patchy, reticulated, segmental, poorly demarcated, pink‐red stains affecting the lower limb (five patients) or the whole hemibody (one patient). In five patients, the stain was diffuse, affecting more than one anatomic region. Prominent superficial veins were observed in three patients. Five patients presented with lower limb girth discrepancy; in three of them, there was also lower limb length discrepancy. In the remaining patient, only lower limb length discrepancy was found. Whole‐exome sequencing from DNA tissue/blood detected previously described pathogenic somatic mutations on DDR2 (c.314G > A; p.Arg105His), GRHL2 (c.791A > G; p.Glu264Gly), and PIK3CA (c.2740G > A; p.Gly914Arg) genes. Conclusion: We propose the term "diffuse capillary malformation with undergrowth" for extensive reticular CMs associated with proportionate undergrowth. All our patients had a favorable outcome, and no genotype‐phenotype association was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forests of urbanised areas provide multiple ecosystem services and are highly dynamic. Determining the trends in species composition changes can help to predict their future capacity to fulfil ecological and resource-maintaining functions. We examined the direction of forest successions in the Northeast Moscow region under the canopy of different tree species. Field data were obtained from 78 permanent test plots monitored for more than a 15-year period; field studies were complemented by archival data. The cluster analysis made it possible to divide all plots into five groups by current species composition and structure and into eight groups by the importance of broadleaved species in the undergrowth. Gradual evolution (cohort dynamics) was found to be typical for middle-aged secondary forests; patch dynamics was described in mature stands of late succession species after non-critical natural disturbances; drastic changes were observed in spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands after pest attacks. Two main trends were revealed in species composition shift: restoration of mixed spruce-broadleaved forests and development of lime-dominated broad-leaved forests, the latter being the prevailing one in the stands of composite forest types. Intensive development of oak-associated species is probably related to the climate conditions in the Moscow megacity. The content of this article may be of interest for researchers studying natural forest dynamics and can be used for prospective planning of target species composition in the forestries of the Moscow region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liriope muscari (Decne.) L.H. Bailey is a valuable horticultural and medicinal plant that grows under a range of light intensities, from high to low, in the understories of shrubs. To understand how this species adapts to these various environments, we selected two groups of lilyturf growing under poplar trees at two different spacings. Each group was divided into three types, open field, forest edge and shaded forest with high, medium and low irradiance levels, respectively, and then we examined their photosynthetic characteristics, physiology and biomasses. Results: Light saturation point, light compensation point and in situ net photosynthetic rate (PN) were highest in lilyturf growing under high light. In contrast, lilyturf growing under low light had a higher apparent quantum yield and Chl a and b contents, indicating that they adapted to low light. Although the leaves of lilyturf growing under low light were small, their root tubers were heavier. Conclusions: The research demonstrates the eco-physiological basis of lilyturf's shade adaptation mechanism as indicated by photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll fluorescence, Chl a, Chl b and Car contents when grown under different irradiances. We believe that lilyturf is a shade-tolerant plant suitable for planting in undergrowth, but attention should be paid to the canopy density of the forest when interplanting. The findings presented here advance our understanding of the photosynthetic characteristics of understory plants and may assist in the optimization of irradiances in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Scientific Journal Ukrainian Journal of Forest & Wood Science is the property of National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The analysis of botanical traces can be supportive, especially when the crime scene investigation and autopsy do not provide sufficient information. This issue arises most commonly in fatal falls from height. We report the case of a man found dead below a hill. The body showed traumatic injuries from a fall. During the scene investigation, a sampling of botanical elements was carried out on three zones of the hill called the point of loss of balance, the point of fall, and the point of impact. The botanical elements collected on the three zones were compared with those found on the victim and an autopsy was performed. The botanical analysis clarified the phases of falling, as well as allowing us to reconstruct the dynamics and the accidental manner of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Key message: Fir undergrowth under forest canopy forms the xylorhizome, which allows a long time to exist in pessimal conditions and to compete with nemoral species.Abstract: This work is devoted to studying features of Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) in the first stages of ontogeny in different forest conditions. We have shown that in determining biological (exact) age of the plant, researchers should consider the xylorhizome formation. While studying the growth dynamics of the shoot, we identified three periods of accelerated growth, which correspond to increased competition from different layers of grassy vegetation. The change in fir growth rates was associated with the growth of the lateral and pseudo-whorl shoots, leading to the increased assimilating surface of the needles. These regularities of growth and development of fir in the first stages of ontogeny reflect specific adaptations of fir that allow this species to compete with understory nemoral species. The xylorhizome formation is one of the structural-functional adaptations for the ontogeny protection, allowing to fir undergrowth a long time exist in pessimal conditions under the forest canopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of natural regeneration in forests is an important criterion in determination the viability, status and their productivity. The future development of the communities depends on the amount and composition of undergrowth. Nowadays we are witnessing more frequent forest fires in various parts of the country. They can cause various problems such as destruction of large quantities of wood, habitats, death of many plants and animal species, soil biota, overall deterioration of the functions of the forest ecosystem, one of which is the reduction of the ability to absorb carbon dioxide. The high frequency of the fires can drastically change the structure and composition of aboveground biomass and affect the carbon cycle in the ecosystem. The undergrowth is one of the fuel components of the ground biomass destructed by fire, and also is a factor that can be used for controlling and managing fires and has a role as a carbon storage in forest ecosystems. The study aims to establish the quantity and composition of the aboveground phytomass of undergrowth from different forest tree species in areas affected by fires and an assessment of its role as a carbon storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Intense dieback of Fraxinus excelsior L. has been causing rapid changes in advance growth of trees and understory shrub growth of the affected stands. In this study, changes in composition and density of understory were studied in 15 permanent plots (each 235.6 m2), repeatedly sampled in 2005, 2010, and 2015. Within each plot, the number and average height of understory individuals were determined. The successional changes in understory were assessed by Detrended Correspondence Analysis. In total, 11 advance growth and 20 undergrowth species were recorded. A significant increase in the density of understory was observed only in 2015, mainly due to understorey growth of Corylus avellana L., Padus avium Mill., and Lonicera xylosteum L. Regarding advanced growth, the highest density was observed for Ulmus glabra Huds., F. excelsior and Acer platanoides L.; the density of A. platanoides and F. excelsior increased particularly in the period from 2010-2015. The observed successional changes suggested individuality of development of the affected stands according to the composition of the remaining and neighbouring canopy trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intense dieback of Fraxinus excelsior L. has been causing rapid changes in advance growth of trees and understory shrub growth of the affected stands. In this study, changes in composition and density of understory were studied in 15 permanent plots (each 235.6 m2), repeatedly sampled in 2005, 2010, and 2015. Within each plot, the number and average height of understory individuals were determined. The successional changes in understory were assessed by Detrended Correspondence Analysis. In total, 11 advance growth and 20 undergrowth species were recorded. A significant increase in the density of understory was observed only in 2015, mainly due to understorey growth of Corylus avellana L., Padus avium Mill., and Lonicera xylosteum L. Regarding advanced growth, the highest density was observed for Ulmus glabra Huds., F. excelsior and Acer platanoides L.; the density of A. platanoides and F. excelsior increased particularly in the period from 2010-2015. The observed successional changes suggested individuality of development of the affected stands according to the composition of the remaining and neighbouring canopy trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformation of ecological factors on dumps of coal mines under the effect of Pinus sylvestris L. results in formation of three-zone phytogenous fields. The under-crown zone is characterized by a leveled temperature regime, low illumination, forest litter accumulation, and formation of abundant undergrowth. In the sufficiently moistened transitional zone, well-developed moss cover is formed, and the undergrowth occurrence is very low. The external zone, transitional to the background meadow communities, is characterized by well-formed grass cover, an abundance of species, and a group pattern of the undergrowth of P. sylvestris L. The reaction of herbaceous plants on the effect of phytogenous pine fields may be positive (adaptive) or negative. Most species are characterized by a negative reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the summer of 2010, thermal damages to birch in cultures reached 4.2-4.8 points according to the authors' five-point scale. In 2011, the stands of birch trees were weakened to variable degrees, but some healthy stands remained. High-density forest massifs and birch forest belts are more drought-resistant. The grass cover is weakly developed therein. Thinned birch cultures become overgrown with herbs and die out after droughts. The root exudates of shrubs depress the intensity of photosynthesis of steppe plants by 10-25%. In vegetation experiments, various species of shrubs stimulate or slow down the growth of shoots and roots and the intensity of photosynthesis of the birch by 10-30%, on average. It is recommended to cultivate birch trees in forest belts using shrubby borders with high allelopathic activity for biological defense of the soil from overgrowth with weedy and steppe plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of comparative analysis of tree and shrub resources quantitative characteristics in the active and abandoned beaver habitats within the territory of the Tadenka River basin, Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve, where beavers have been dwelling for more than 60 years, are presented. Using one-way ANOVA analysis with the settlement type (active or abandoned) as a factor, it was shown that long-term foraging by beaver leads to a decrease in the species richness of trees ( P = 0.068). Different hypotheses of the impact produced by beaver selective foraging on various forest layers (overstorey and undestorey) are discussed. Factors promoting thinning and changes in the age structure of the overstorey and undestorey are considered. There were observed changes in the species composition, accompanied by an increase in the proportion of low preference and nonfood species. The conclusion is made that, if the foraging zone does not exceed 50 m at the beginning of habitat utilization, it extends up to 165 m in the absence of predators when the habitat is used repeatedly. This observation is confirmed by Fisher's exact test ( P = 0.005), Yates' chisquared test ( P = 0.002), and the likelihood ratio test ( P = 0.0002). In the case of beavers recolonizing their abandoned habitats with unrecovered food resources in the Tadenka River basin, a distant zone within 50 to 165 m from the bank becomes the main zone for tree-shrub foraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The process of forest fragmentation has been observed in many countries, where plant species had adapt to different habitats, such as for example manor parks and rural plantings. A number of scientists have studied the parks as sites where waning environments and landscapes find their shelter. In 2011-2012, research was undertaken on diversity of vegetation in afforestations of parks, rural plantings and oak-hornbeam forests in Sandomierz Basin. In order to compare the means obtained univariate analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) was used with juxtaposing divided by each of the two criteria: size (the small, and large parks) and conservation(cultivated parks and nonclutivated parks). Tukey's test was used to examine the significance of differences between respective groups. Analyses were with STATISTICA 9.1. software. Plants classified as forest species, grassland species and those of synanthropic communities were observed in all the afforestations. The parks with high wooded and not mowed areas and oak-hornbeam forests were more forest-like than other types of afforestations studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article shows the phytocoenotic role of individual postfire trees of the Gmelin larch under conditions of the permafrost zone of Central Siberia. On the basis of the vital state of the trees, the limits of their influence on the recovery of the species of the lower layers of phytocenosis are defined and the formation of the new stand generation is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many European countries are developing the use of pellets or wood briquettes for the supplying of local energy. Many industries are being forced to replace fossil fuels with biomass because of its neutrality in relation to CO emissions, thus creating an interesting market for pellets. In Portugal, the most common undergrowth includes: esteva ( Cistus ladanifer), tojo ( Ulex europaeus), giesta ( Sarothamus scoparius), feto ( Pteridium aquilium) and silva ( Rubus ulmifolius). These undergrowth specimen are attractive due to the large volume available, but are not usually used for making pellets. It is possible to prevent large fires cleaning the forests, but this is an expensive task that could be compensated if the undergrowth can have some commercial value. The use of the common undergrowth for the manufacture of pellets and briquettes will allow the undergrowth to be considered not as a problem to be removed from the forest but an opportunity as renewable energy. The aim of this work is to obtain pellets with standard properties and evaluate the parameters that can qualify the performance of these pellets: moisture content, particle size distribution, high heating value, height of flame and burning time, pressure and temperature of the pelletizing process and mechanical durability. The pelletizing process was first simulated on laboratorial scale using small amounts of each vegetal specimen which was pressed in a heated mould. Some samples were submitted to a torrefaction treatment. After the laboratorial screening, the selected material was processed using a pellet mill to prepare pellets with 6 mm of diameter. The durability test was performed using a tumbling device following the ASAE S 269.4 standard. Burning tests of pellets with the same weight were performed and video images analysed, where height of flame and ignition time were measured. It was found that undergrowth pellets had good power of agglomeration and allow an easy ignition. The apparent density varies around 1,260 kg/m. The moisture content of different pellet varied between 2.79 and 7.46 %, ash content was less than 3 %, the calorific value is between 16 and 18 kJ/kg, the durability results respect the values recommended by standards. After ignition the flame increases to an average height of 25 mm. The total burning time was in all cases dominated by the cinder combustion without visible flame and the total complete burning time varied between 400 and 600 s. The results showed that it is possible to produce pellets of undergrowth with physical and thermochemical characteristics similar to the existing in the market at the present time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The paper presents the results of the studying of the parameters of post-fire structure and seed-bearing capacity of tree stands, factors of surface medium (thickness of burnt duff, projective cover of herb and moss vegetation) as well as number, vitality, and age structure of self-seeded Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and accompanying small-leaved species in the Lower Selenga pine forest massif of the forest-steppe in Southwestern Transbaikalia. The seed harvests were 1.5–2 times higher than in the geographically replacing forest types in the forest-steppe of West Siberia, and vitality of the undergrowth of the pine under the canopy of fire-affected stands was extremely low. It is shown that the pine reforests successfully on the fire-sites in the zone of insemination from the forest walls and on the thin fire-sites in the cowberry-rhododendron pine forests, where it is 2–3 times more abundant than in forest-steppe of the West Siberia. The reforestation is insufficient on the fire-sites in the bearberry-lichen pine forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct seeding is a less expensive practice than planting and has the potential to become a viable alternative to transplanting for afforestation and regeneration purposes. As an effective and a less costly regeneration method, aerial seeding has been applied with several tree species. As early as 1956, Chinese people engaged in aerial seeding and stands with a total of 2.97×107 hm2 have been developed up to 2004. Our study tested whether the growth of planted Chinese pine ( Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) seedlings and its undergrowth development in northwest aspects differ from that of aerially sown seedlings on the northern and northwestern aspects of slopes. In 2007, we collected data such as height, diameter at breast height (DBH), clear bole height and canopy widths of trees, abundance, coverage, and frequency of shrubs and herbs from 21-year-old planted Chinese pine stands on a northwestern aspect (PNW), aerially sown stands in a northwest aspect (ANW) and aerially sown stands in a northern aspect (AN). Results showed that the relation of crown area and mean DBH was best fitted by a double inverse model for the ANW and AN forests and by a quadratic model for the PNW forest. There was no difference in the growth between ANW and AN forests, while growth was significantly higher in the PNW forest than in the ANW and AN forests. That was consistent with the Sorenson diversity indices in the shrub and herb layers, indicating that there was a large number of the same species in both aerially seeded stands, although their locations were different. Both the number of species in the undergrowth and the Shannon-Wiener index in the shrub layer were higher in the PNW stands than in the ANW and AN stands. Dominant families for all three stands were Rosaceae and Compositae in the shrub and herb layer, respectively. The dominant species for all three stands was Spiraea pubescens in the shrub layer, while the dominant species was different from each other in the three stands. The discrepancy in diversity and composition of species in the herb layer show that herbs are sensitive to shrubs in the three forests. High mortality and skewed diameter distributions reflect severe competition and too high a density in the aerially seeded forests. Thus, aerial seeding is a viable and effective regeneration technique, but management practices, such as thinning, should be applied to these forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined microsites for the seedling establishment of Tsuga diversifolia, Abies veitchii and Abies mariesii in a subalpine coniferous forest with moss-type undergrowth dominated by Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi on Mt. Fuji, a less-snowy mountain located on the Pacific Ocean side of the central part of Honshu Island, Japan, and compared these microsites with cases in other regions of Japan with different undergrowth vegetation (herb type, dwarf-bamboo type) under snowier conditions. L-shaped size structures with abundant seedlings and small trees were identified for all three species. Established seedlings of T. diversifolia showed remarkable preference for elevated microsites such as fallen logs and convex ground (i.e. ground raised around trunk bases), while A. veitchii and A. mariesii indicated no significant bias toward such elevated microsites in the large seedling stage. However, the relative frequency of T. diversifolia seedlings established on flat ground reached high values of 54–77%, since the relative occupation area of the flat ground was large (85–89%). Such a large share suggests that flat ground should be regarded as the most important microsite for the seedling establishment of T. diversifolia in forests with moss-type undergrowth. This preference trait for T. diversifolia observed with moss-type undergrowth has not been reported in previous studies examining forests with herb- and dwarf bamboo-type undergrowth, where T. diversifolia seedlings are scarce on the ground and restricted to elevated microsites. We conclude that the major microsite for T. diversifolia seedling establishment changes according to the undergrowth vegetation type: a large ground share for moss-type undergrowth and a small ground share for herb- and dwarf bamboo-type undergrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]