Search

Forest inventory is vital to all aspects of forest management and inventory methods can vary greatly in their accuracy, precision, efficiency and cost. In Maine, much of the forestland base has been managed using partial harvesting methods over the past two decades. These partial harvesting methods generally produce highly heterogeneous stand structures and composition. Consequently, it is currently unclear which inventory methods are best given the distinct spatial and structural heterogeneity that is created. We compared efficiency and stand-level inventory estimates using horizontal point, fixed area and horizontal line sampling measurement methods in 16 partially harvested stands across northern and central Maine. Some stand-level variables were sensitive to measurement method (e.g., volume, quadratic mean diameter and small stem density and basal area), while others were less sensitive (e.g., overall basal area and stem density). Efficiency, defined as a combination of precision of volume estimates and measurement time, varied among measurement methods at lower stand basal area values but was similar at higher basal area, with the exception of the fixed area method. Overall, horizontal line sampling proved to be a viable method in post-partial harvest stand conditions. Our results illustrate the trade-offs between precision and time costs involved in several measurement methods under a range of heterogeneous stand conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Routine monitoring of above ground biomass within purpose-grown willow biomass energy production systems is important for timing harvest and other operations to maximize profit and increase plantation productivity. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of an elegant nondestructive mensurative technique for providing reliable estimates of harvestable biomass for six willow varieties during a 3-year rotation. The LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyser was used to measure the stem area index of growing willow and relate it to harvestable biomass at four locations within Saskatchewan, Canada over a 3-year period. Given the highly significant relationship ( R = 0.95; P < 0.0001) between measured stem area index and harvestable willow biomass, independent of variety, age, or location, this simple mensurative technique is a promising alternative for estimating above ground biomass in short-rotation willow plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-stage cascade impactor (CI) is widely used to determine aerodynamic particle size distributions (APSDs) of orally inhaled products. Its size-fractionating capability depends primarily on the size of nozzles of each stage. Good Cascade Impactor Practice (GCIP) requires that these critical dimensions are linked to the accuracy of the APSD measurement based on the aerodynamic diameter size scale. Effective diameter ( D ) is the critical dimension describing any nozzle array, as it is directly related to stage cut-point size ( d ). d can in turn be determined by calibration using particles of known aerodynamic diameter, providing traceability to the international length standard. Movements in D within manufacturer tolerances for compendial CIs result in the worst case in shifts in d of <±10%. Stage mensuration therefore provides satisfactory control of measurement accuracy. The accurate relationship of D to d requires the CI system to be leak-free, which can be checked by sealing the apparatus at the entry to the induction port and isolating it from the vacuum source and measuring the rate of pressure rise before each use. Mensuration takes place on an infrequent basis compared with the typical interval between individual APSD determinations. Measurement of stage flow resistance (pressure drop; Δ P ) could enable the user to know that the CI stages are fit for use before every APSD measurement, by yielding an accurate measure of D . However, more data are needed to assess the effects of wear and blockage before this approach can be advocated as part of GCIP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The USDA Forest Service Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) program indicators, including forest mensuration, crown condition classification, and damage and mortality indicators were used in the Cadillac Brook and Hadlock Brook watershed forests at Acadia National Park (ANP) along coastal Maine. Cadillac Brook watershed burned in a wildfire in 1947. Hadlock Brook watershed, undisturbed for several centuries, serves as the reference site. These two small watersheds have been gauged and monitored at ANP since 1998 as part of the Park Research and Intensive Monitoring of Ecosystems Network (PRIMENet). Forest vegetation at Hadlock Brook was dominated by late successional species such as Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Betula alleghaniensis, Acer rubrum and Picea rubens. Forest vegetation at Cadillac Brook, on the other hand, was younger and more diverse and included those species found in Hadlock as well as early successional species such as Betula papyrifera and Populus grandidentata. Differences in forest species composition and stand structure were attributed to the severe wildfire that affected the Cadillac Brook watershed. Overall, the forests at these ANP watersheds were healthy with a low percentage (≤22%) of trees showing symptoms of damage. Foliar nitrogen (N) concentrations were higher in A. rubrum and P. rubens trees growing in Hadlock Brook watershed, but differences were significant only for P. rubens. Foliar aluminum (Al) concentrations were also higher in both species growing in Hadlock Brook watershed but differences were significant only for A. rubrum. Foliar calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn) concentrations, on the other hand, were significantly lower in Hadlock Brook watershed for both species. Foliar potassium (K) was significantly higher for P. rubens growing in Hadlock Brook. No differences in foliar concentrations of magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), boron (B), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) were found between watersheds. The higher foliar N concentrations as well as higher foliar concentrations of Ca and Al might indicate early stages of N saturation and acidification in Hadlock Brook watershed as also suggested by Hadlock Brook stream N flux data in published PRIMENet studies at ANP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]