Search

Only 1.82% of the Czech forests are covered by the introduced (exotic, non-native) tree species, they represent only a very minor part of the forest area in the Czech Republic. Despite this fact under certain circumstances and locally, they can play an important role in the forest restoration of declined forests. The main non-native tree species used in the Czech Republic are: black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirbel] Franco), grand fir (Abies grandis [Douglas ex D. Don] Lindl.), black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.). Other tree species are cultivated on very small areas, despite their much larger potential. The aim of the presented review paper is to summarize information on the introduced tree species, available especially from national sources, and give comprehensive information concerning the potential and risk of their use in the conditions of the Czech Republic. The authors mention also other tree species eligible for silviculture under current as well as future climatic circumstances. The current area and silvicultural potential in the climate changing conditions are analysed and summarized.

The present paper focuses on vehicle simulator fidelity, particularly the effect of motion cues intensity on driver performance. The 6-DOF motion platform was used in the experiment; however, we mainly focused on one characteristic of driving behavior. The braking performance of 24 participants in a car simulator was recorded and analyzed. The experiment scenario was composed of acceleration to 120 km/h followed by smooth deceleration to a stop line with prior warning signs at distances of 240, 160, and 80 m to the finish line. To assess the effect of the motion cues, each driver performed the run three times with different motion platform settings–no motion, moderate motion, and maximal possible response and range. The results from the driving simulator were compared with data acquired in an equivalent driving scenario performed in real conditions on a polygon track and taken as reference data. The driving simulator and real car accelerations were recorded using the Xsens MTi-G sensor. The outcomes confirmed the hypothesis that driving with a higher level of motion cues in the driving simulator brought more natural braking behavior of the experimental drivers, better correlated with the real car driving test data, although exceptions were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]