Forests

18 pages, 4418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection and Multigene Characterization of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi’ Strains Infecting Ulmus spp. in Southern Italy

by Carmine Marcone, Carmine Palmieri and Aniello Cuomo

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2067; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122067 - 22 Nov 2024

Abstract

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi’ (16SrV-A) is the causal agent of elm yellows (EY), a lethal and/or decline disease of several Ulmus (elm) species and hybrids in North America and Europe. In this study, field observations and PCR assays were used to detect phytoplasma [...] Read more.

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi’ (16SrV-A) is the causal agent of elm yellows (EY), a lethal and/or decline disease of several Ulmus (elm) species and hybrids in North America and Europe. In this study, field observations and PCR assays were used to detect phytoplasma infections in diseased U. minor, U. pumila and U. glabra trees in southern Italy. Also, a multigene sequence analysis employing various less conserved genes was carried out to explore the genetic variation in detected strains. All the symptomatic elm trees tested were infected with ‘Ca. Phytoplasma ulmi’. No other phytoplasmas or variants could be detected. Although ‘Ca. Phytoplasma ulmi’ was already known to occur in southern Italy on European field elm, the current work expands the information on the presence, disease incidence and severity, plant host range and molecular aspects of EY phytoplasma strains occurring in southern Italy. In addition, this is the first report from Italy on the molecular characterization of EY phytoplasma strains through map, imp and groEL gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses. Among the newly detected EY phytoplasma strains, some proved distantly related to each other and to other previously characterized EY phytoplasma strains within the genes examined. This implies the presence of distinct taxonomic entities within the material examined. The occurrence of different strains was not linked to the biological traits and geographical distribution. However, the data obtained may provide a basis for further studies aimed at elucidating several other unknown aspects of the EY agent, knowledge of which is essential for effective disease management and control strategies. The results of the current work also show that the EY phytoplasma is particularly widespread in southern Italy and is of considerable economic and ecological relevance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Scientific Developments in Forest Pathology)

17 pages, 4409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Camellia drupifera (Theaceae) and Its Related Species Evaluated by SSR Markers

by Yufen Xu, Yanju Liu, Zhaoyan Yu, Kunlin Wu, Qiulin Cao, Han Gong, Yaodong Yang, Jianqiu Ye and Xiaocheng Jia

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2066; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122066 - 22 Nov 2024

Abstract

Oil–tea camellia has a long history of cultivation and utilization, with a history of more than 2000 years. In China, it is the main woody oil crop with high economic value and a national resource with unique characteristics. Concurrently, it is also known [...] Read more.

Oil–tea camellia has a long history of cultivation and utilization, with a history of more than 2000 years. In China, it is the main woody oil crop with high economic value and a national resource with unique characteristics. Concurrently, it is also known as one of the four major woody oil crops in the world. However, the genetic background of Camellia drupifera Lour. on Hainan Island in China is still unclear, and there is a great lack of systematic genetic characterization, which seriously hinders the development and utilization of oil–tea camellia germplasm resources and genetic improvement on Hainan Island. To analyze the genetic diversity and kinship between C. drupifera and its related species, this study utilized SSR molecular marker technology to genotype 160 individuals from 23 populations. A total of 137 alleles were amplified from the 14 polymorphic primers, with an average of 9.786. The average number of effective alleles and that of Shannon’s information index for each locus were 1.865 and 0.633, respectively, suggesting that the screened SSR markers presented a moderately high level of polymorphism. Additionally, the mean observed heterozygosity (0.915) was greater than the mean expected heterozygosity (0.450), indicating an excess of heterozygotes in the tested population. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA), molecular variation analysis of variance (AMOVA) and population structure analysis were generally consistent; specifically, there was a high degree of individual heterozygosity within the population, and genetic variation occurred primarily among individuals within the population (90%) but rarely among groups (10%). Additionally, the UPGMA clustering divided the 160 germplasm resources into four major clades, and C. drupifera was principally grouped in two distinct branches; meanwhile, Camellia gauchowensis was also mainly clustered in these two clades. Camellia oleifera individuals were chiefly concentrated in other independent branches. It can be speculated that C. drupifera is genetically close to C. gauchowensis, but genetically distant from C. oleifera. This study can provide the scientific basis for the identification, collection, preservation, evaluation, and innovative utilization of oil–tea camellia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Gene Analysis in Forest Tree Breeding)

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18 pages, 7680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Response of Vegetation Dynamics to Climate in Xinjiang from 1991 to 2018

by Yiwen Liu, Yanni Zhao, Wentong Wu, Xinmao Ao and Rensheng Chen

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2065; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122065 - 22 Nov 2024

Abstract

Vegetation change is one of the most prominent features of terrestrial ecosystems responding to climate change. Further exploration of vegetation characteristics in this context is essential for accurately understanding and predicting ecosystem processes. Xinjiang, an arid region, is highly sensitive to slight climate [...] Read more.

Vegetation change is one of the most prominent features of terrestrial ecosystems responding to climate change. Further exploration of vegetation characteristics in this context is essential for accurately understanding and predicting ecosystem processes. Xinjiang, an arid region, is highly sensitive to slight climate changes, which can significantly affect vegetation dynamics. Therefore, determining the relationship between climate and vegetation is of paramount importance. Based on this, this study focused on Xinjiang, selecting remote sensing data (including NDVI, LAI, and GPP) as evaluating indices, and the spatiotemporal characteristics of vegetation response to climate from 1991 to 2018 were analyzed using synchronized meteorological data, examining the relationship between vegetation and climate. The results indicated that NDVI, LAI, and GPP all increased during the period, with slopes of 0.52, 0.14 m²/m², and 1.19 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, showing significant spatial heterogeneity in distribution. The net vegetation area increased by more than 20,000 km², with cropland experiencing the largest increase. Vegetation in northern Xinjiang showed a more significant positive response to increased precipitation and temperature, while vegetation in southern Xinjiang responded more complexly and exhibited negative correlations with climatic factors. The results emphasized the varied responses of vegetation to climate variables, with temperature having a more complex effect on vegetation change, while precipitation showed more distinct differences between the various vegetation indices. These findings provide important insights into the ecological sustainability of Xinjiang under warming and humidification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrological Modelling of Forested Ecosystems)

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23 pages, 5173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Criteria Filtration and Extraction Strategy for Understory Elevation Control Points Using ICESat-2 ATL08 Product

by Jiapeng Huang, Yunqiu Wang and Yang Yu

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122064 - 22 Nov 2024

Abstract

Understory terrain plays a multi-faceted role in ecosystems, biodiversity, and productivity in forests by influencing different major factors, such as hydrological processes, soils, climate, and light conditions. Strong illuminants (e.g., sunlight) from ground surfaces and atmosphere can introduce additional photons into the ATLAS [...] Read more.

Understory terrain plays a multi-faceted role in ecosystems, biodiversity, and productivity in forests by influencing different major factors, such as hydrological processes, soils, climate, and light conditions. Strong illuminants (e.g., sunlight) from ground surfaces and atmosphere can introduce additional photons into the ATLAS system. These photons can, consequently, be mistakenly identified as laser photons reflected from ground surfaces. The presence of such ambient light, particularly under low-photon-count conditions, can significantly increase elevation measurement errors. In this context, this study aims to propose a method for extracting reliable understory elevation control points under varying forest conditions, based on the parameter attributes of ICESat-2/ATLAS data. The overall filtered data resulted in a coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), and standard deviation (STD) of 0.99, 2.77 m, and 2.42 m, respectively. The greatest accuracy improvement was found in the Puerto Rico study area, showing decreases in the RMSE and STD values by 2.68 and 2.67 m, respectively. On the other hand, canopy heights and slopes exhibited relatively large impacts on noise interferences. In addition, there were decreases in the RMSE and STD values by 4.57 and 4.64 m, respectively, under the very tall canopy category, whereas under steep slope conditions, the RMSE and STD values of the filtering results decreased by 4.59 and 4.34 m, respectively. The proposed method can enhance the overall accuracy of elevation data, allowing for the significant extraction of understory elevation control points, ultimately optimizing forest management practices and improving ecological assessments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue LiDAR Remote Sensing for Forestry)

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20 pages, 2069 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Incidence, Level of Damage and Identification of Insect Pests of Fruits and Leaves of Ziziphus Tree Species in Ethiopia

by Tigabu R. Alle, Abdella Gure, Miriam F. Karlsson and Samora M. Andrew

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122063 - 22 Nov 2024

Abstract

The Ziziphus tree species offer valuable socio-economic and ecological benefits but experience significant damage from insect pests. In Ethiopia, there is limited knowledge of the insects attacking Ziziphus fruits, and a study aimed to identify these pests, assess their impact and understand how [...] Read more.

The Ziziphus tree species offer valuable socio-economic and ecological benefits but experience significant damage from insect pests. In Ethiopia, there is limited knowledge of the insects attacking Ziziphus fruits, and a study aimed to identify these pests, assess their impact and understand how different land use types (LUTs) affect them was conducted. Sampling involved collecting fifty fruits and ten leaves from each of ten randomly chosen Ziziphus trees per LUT within each agroecological zone from August to December in 2022 and 2023. Samples were visually assessed for incidence and infestation levels, and the five morphotypes were identified using molecular techniques through phylogenetic analysis. Fruit pest incidence varied during the season, yet a positive correlation (r = 0.84) was observed among the months and years when assessment took place. Most fruits showed low to medium infestation levels (5%–50%), while severe infestations (>75%) were predominant in the lowland agroecological zone. The insects that had caused the damage were identified as Carpomya incompleta Becker, 1903; Drosophila hydei Sturtevant, 1921; D. simulans Sturtevant, 1919 and Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970. Fruits showed higher incidence and infestation levels than leaves, indicating significant yield and income losses. Thus, implementing effective management strategies is vital to minimize these losses and achieve sustainable production in Ethiopia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Assessment and Management of Forest Pest Outbreaks)

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13 pages, 893 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seedling Growth Responses to Nutrient and Water Treatments Among Jack Pine Open-Pollinated Families

by Pengxin Lu and Francis C. Yeh

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2062; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122062 - 22 Nov 2024

Abstract

Our study, conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment over a single growing season, evaluated the growth of seedlings from 25 open-pollinated families of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) under two nutrient levels (20 ppm and 200 ppm) and three water regimes (twice [...] Read more.

Our study, conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment over a single growing season, evaluated the growth of seedlings from 25 open-pollinated families of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) under two nutrient levels (20 ppm and 200 ppm) and three water regimes (twice a week, once a week, and once every two weeks). We assessed the effects of seed weight, family, nutrient availability, and water treatments on several growth parameters, including height, root collar diameter, shoot dry biomass, root dry biomass, total dry biomass, growing period length, and shoot-to-root ratio at harvest. We found that seed weight significantly influenced all growth traits, maintaining its effect throughout the growth season, although its impact diminished over time. Jack pine families were more responsive to nutrient treatments than to variation in water availability. Genetic variation was significant for all traits except the shoot-to-root ratio, highlighting the intricate role of genetic makeup in shaping growth responses. The substantial impact of nutrient and water treatments and relatively low heritability estimates suggest that pre-conditioning seedlings through nursery management can optimize shoot-to-root ratios. The minimal family-by-treatment interaction and the consistent performance of families across treatments suggest the potential for selecting high-efficiency genotypes with enhanced nutrient use efficiency and drought tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Molecular Biology)

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17 pages, 10342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Water Mechanism of Sparse Grassland Decline of Ulmus pumila L.

by Tianbo Xia, Ping Zhang, Jinluo Ma, Yuan Zhao, Xiaohui Yang, Hao Wu, Xuejuan Feng, Lei Jin and Kaifang Zhang

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2061; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122061 - 22 Nov 2024

Abstract

Ulmus pumila L. occupies an important niche in arid ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the sap flow characteristics of declining Ulmus pumila L. in arid regions and its relationship with environmental factors. During the 2023 growing season (June to October), continuous sap [...] Read more.

Ulmus pumila L. occupies an important niche in arid ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the sap flow characteristics of declining Ulmus pumila L. in arid regions and its relationship with environmental factors. During the 2023 growing season (June to October), continuous sap flow monitoring was conducted using thermal dissipation probes (TDPs) on Ulmus pumila L., along with measurements of soil moisture, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). The results showed that when the sap flow rate of elm individuals reached 0.92 mL/cm²/h, the trees entered an extremely severe decline stage. Sap flow rates were significantly positively correlated with net solar radiation, relative humidity, VPD, and soil moisture, but negatively correlated with wind speed and real-time rainfall. VPD was identified as the key factor influencing sap flow across different decline stages, while solar radiation was critical in assessing the severity of decline. A weakened correlation between sap flow and solar radiation marked the onset of severe decline. Additionally, soil moisture exhibited a significant positive effect on sap flow rates overall. These findings not only advance our theoretical understanding of plant ecology in arid areas but also offer practical insights for managing Ulmus pumila L. decline, thus contributing to more sustainable resource management and environmental protection strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Use Efficiency and Hydraulic Traits of Forest Trees in Changing Environment)

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19 pages, 4363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Soil and Topography Factors on Larix gmelinii var. Principis-rupprechtii Forest Mortality and Capability of Decision Tree Binning Method and Generalized Linear Models in Predicting Tree Mortality

by Zhaohui Yang, Wei Zou, Haodong Liu, Ram P. Sharma, Mengtao Zhang and Zhenhua Hu

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2060; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122060 - 22 Nov 2024

Abstract

Understanding the factors influencing individual tree mortality is essential for sustainable forest management, particularly for Prince Rupprech’s larch (Larix gmelinii var. Principis-rupprechtii) in North China’s natural forests. This study focused on 20 sample plots (20 × 20 m each) established in [...] Read more.

Understanding the factors influencing individual tree mortality is essential for sustainable forest management, particularly for Prince Rupprech’s larch (Larix gmelinii var. Principis-rupprechtii) in North China’s natural forests. This study focused on 20 sample plots (20 × 20 m each) established in Shanxi Province, North China. This study compared three individual tree mortality models—Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Bayesian Generalized Linear Model (Bayesian GLM)—finding that both GLM and Bayesian GLM achieved approximately 0.87 validation accuracy on the test dataset. Due to its simplicity, GLM was selected as the final model. Building on the GLM model, six binning methods were applied to categorize diameter at breast height (DBH): equal frequency binning, equal width binning, cluster-based binning, quantile binning, Chi-square binning, and decision tree binning. Among these, the decision tree binning method achieved the highest performance, with an accuracy of 90.12% and an F1 score of 90.06%, indicating its effectiveness in capturing size-dependent mortality patterns. This approach provides valuable insights into factors affecting mortality and offers practical guidance for managing Larix gmelinii var. Principis-rupprechtii forests in temperate regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forest Management, Utilization and Biodiversity Conservation)

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23 pages, 1290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Heterogeneity of Consumer Psychological Mechanisms of Dual Decision-Making Agents in Forest Educational Tourism: The Moderating Effect of Family Decision-Making Empowerment

by Ying Li, Wenlong Wang, Yuxin Liu and Chunyu Wang

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122059 - 21 Nov 2024

Abstract

The consumption decision-making in educational tourism exhibits dual-agent characteristics, requiring alignment of consumption intentions between both agents to generate actual purchasing behavior. However, research on this characteristic is still relatively scarce. Understanding the psychological mechanisms and heterogeneity of consumption decision-making among students and [...] Read more.

The consumption decision-making in educational tourism exhibits dual-agent characteristics, requiring alignment of consumption intentions between both agents to generate actual purchasing behavior. However, research on this characteristic is still relatively scarce. Understanding the psychological mechanisms and heterogeneity of consumption decision-making among students and parents in forest educational tourism is crucial for implementing precise consumer incentive strategies in related tourist attractions. This study constructs a theoretical model of the consumer psychological mechanism of dual decision-making agents in forest educational tourism, incorporating perceived value and perceived risk based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. A structural equation model is employed to validate the explanatory power and heterogeneity of this theoretical model, as well as to explore the moderating effect of family decision-making empowerment. The results indicate that the formation of the consumer psychological mechanism of dual decision-making agents in forest educational tourism is heterogeneous: the negative impact of perceived risk on perceived behavioral control and the positive impact of perceived behavioral control on consumption intention are only valid in the student group, not in the parent group; perceived behavioral control serves as a mediator only in the relationship between perceived value, perceived risk, and consumption intention for the student group, without any mediating effect for the parent group; family decision-making empowerment moderates certain paths in the consumer psychological influence mechanism of forest educational tourism decision-making agents. This study expands the Theory of Planned Behavior, enriching the research perspective on factors influencing consumption psychology, exploring the heterogeneity of dual decision-making agents in educational tourism, and examining the impact of family decision-making empowerment on consumer psychology. The findings provide relevant tourism enterprises and forest attractions with a deeper understanding of the consumption psychology of dual decision-making agents in forest educational tourism, offering a scientific basis for tourism enterprises and forest attractions to optimize marketing strategies, while also enhancing the consumption experience on the demand side. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Sustainable Use of Forests in Tourism and Recreation)

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12 pages, 3807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Method for Genetic Transformation Using Embryonic Callus of Pinus koraiensis

by Hui Hou, Yanan Wu, Ling Yang, Hao Dong, Wenna Zhao, Hailong Shen, Hanguo Zhang and Shujuan Li

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2058; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122058 - 21 Nov 2024

Abstract

Pinus koraiensis is classified as a second-class protected wild plant in China, recognized for its considerable economic and ecological importance. However, progress in functional research and breeding applications for this species has been hindered by the lack of an effective genetic transformation system. [...] Read more.

Pinus koraiensis is classified as a second-class protected wild plant in China, recognized for its considerable economic and ecological importance. However, progress in functional research and breeding applications for this species has been hindered by the lack of an effective genetic transformation system. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and efficient genetic transformation system for a Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus using somatic embryogenesis technology. The Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus and β-glucuronidase (GUS) were employed as the reporter gene in an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to investigate critical transformation factors, including antibiotic type and concentration, Agrobacterium bacterial solution concentration, infiltration, and co-cultivation times. The findings indicated that the proliferation of the Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus was substantially inhibited by 10 mg·L⁻¹ of Hygromycin (Hyg), and a remarkable 93.42 ± 2.13% efficiency was achieved with an OD600 absorbance value of 0.6 during transformation. Two days of optimal co-cultivation yielded a transformation rate of 82.61%, with the resistant embryonic callus exhibiting a high GUS staining rate of 88.89%. Resistant somatic embryos were effectively obtained following the optimized protocol. This research contributes to the advancement of seed resource breeding and genetic enhancement for Pinus koraiensis, establishing a solid foundation for the investigation of gene functions specific to this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection)

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14 pages, 2174 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Structural Indicators and Game Browsing on the Natural Regeneration of Forest–Steppe Ecosystems Dominated by Deciduous Oak Species—A Case Study from the Krupina Plateau, Slovakia

by Zuzana Parobeková, Denisa Sedmáková, Ján Pittner, Ivana Sarvašová and Ivan Lukáčik

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2057; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122057 - 21 Nov 2024

Abstract

Forest–steppe ecosystems represent a heterogeneous small-patch landscape important as a biodiversity hotspot and habitat for many endangered species. In this work, we examine threatened forest–steppe communities using structural indices, browsing intensity and indices that consider herbivorous game preferences. The study aims to assess [...] Read more.

Forest–steppe ecosystems represent a heterogeneous small-patch landscape important as a biodiversity hotspot and habitat for many endangered species. In this work, we examine threatened forest–steppe communities using structural indices, browsing intensity and indices that consider herbivorous game preferences. The study aims to assess the abundance of natural regeneration and the browsing intensity in relation to different stand structures and to identify woody species threatened by selective browsing at three study sites on the Krupina Plateau in the southern part of central Slovakia. At each study site, three circular permanent research plots (PRPs), each 500 m² in size, were established for stand structure analysis. Within each PRP, nine circular subplots with a radius of 2 m were established for detailed analysis of natural regeneration. The results of this study suggest that forest patches in the forest–steppe mosaic suffer from a long-term lack of natural regeneration, which is induced mainly by increasing aridity and ungulate pressure. Positive effects on the amount of natural regeneration were noted in association with the aggregated structure of forest patches and the presence of dead wood. Differentiated stand structure influenced the regeneration number in a negative way and at the same time significantly increased browsing intensity. In relation to a more advanced regeneration, shrubs had a protective effect against browsing. The feeding preferences of the animals can positively modulate the species composition and eliminate the imbalances in the regeneration in favor of the increasingly rare Quercus pubescens Willd. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)

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18 pages, 1527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Job Stress, Working Capacity, Professional Performance and Safety of Shift Workers at Forest Harvesting in the North of Russian Federation

by Yana Korneeva, Nina Shadrina, Natalia Simonova and Anna Trofimova

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2056; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122056 - 21 Nov 2024

Abstract

This study describes the features, manifestations and interrelationships of job stress, working capacity, professional performance and safety in loggers with a shift work organization in the North. This study involved 402 loggers. The research methods include questionnaires and psychophysiological diagnostics of stress and [...] Read more.

This study describes the features, manifestations and interrelationships of job stress, working capacity, professional performance and safety in loggers with a shift work organization in the North. This study involved 402 loggers. The research methods include questionnaires and psychophysiological diagnostics of stress and working capacity as well as questionnaires on the professional performance and safety of workers. The following statistical methods were used: correlation, multivariate dispersion and multi-regression stepwise analysis. It was found that the severity of stress, speed, accuracy and operator working capacity, as well as well-being, activity and mood in logging equipment operators, timber truck drivers and maintenance specialists statistically differ significantly. Higher professional stress and a more frequent decrease in professional performance are characteristic of truck drivers. Psychological and psychophysiological job stress and working capacity parameters are associated with the professional performance parameters of loggers. According to the results of a number of multi-regression analyses, the reduced professional performance markers of loggers include the index of stress, satiety, monotony and fatigue, vegetative balance and stress (method of M. Luscher and coefficients from G.A. Aminev), operator working capacity and reaction speed (CVMR). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and Cultural Benefits of Forests Contributing to Human Health and Well-Being)

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14 pages, 1429 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Long-Distance Finding of AOD-Related Bacteria in the Natural Environment: Risks to Quercus ilex (L.) in Italy

by Giambattista Carluccio, Marzia Vergine, Federico Vita, Erika Sabella, Angelo Delle Donne, Luigi De Bellis and Andrea Luvisi

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2055; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122055 - 21 Nov 2024

Abstract

Acute Oak Decline (AOD), a bacterial disease previously known in Northern and Central Europe, has recently been reported in Salento (a Mediterranean coastal region of Southern Italy), where holm oak trees exhibiting AOD-like symptoms have tested positive for infection with AOD-related bacteria such [...] Read more.

Acute Oak Decline (AOD), a bacterial disease previously known in Northern and Central Europe, has recently been reported in Salento (a Mediterranean coastal region of Southern Italy), where holm oak trees exhibiting AOD-like symptoms have tested positive for infection with AOD-related bacteria such as Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans. Sampling symptomatic trees, strains BLEC23 (B. goodwinii) and GSAC47 (G. quercinecans) were isolated and identified by partial 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequencing. Pathogenicity tests demonstrate that these bacteria induce wood necrosis when inoculated in excised branches, providing details for the etiology of AOD in Italy. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a substantial genetic similarity between the Italian strains and those found in various European and non-European countries. These findings leave a space open to the possibility that the bacteria involved in AOD are much more widespread in Europe than the findings indicate, but that their presence is frequently hidden. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Forest Health)

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11 pages, 1366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dickson Quality Index of Cocoa Genotypes Under Water Deficit

by Rogerio S. Alonso, George A. Sodré and Delmira C. Silva

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2054; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122054 - 21 Nov 2024

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify patterns of morphological adjustments associated with the Dickson Quality Index (DQI) in Theobroma cacao L. genotypes subjected to water deficit (WD), as a criterion for the pre-selection of drought-tolerant genotypes. Rooted cuttings from seven genotypes [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to identify patterns of morphological adjustments associated with the Dickson Quality Index (DQI) in Theobroma cacao L. genotypes subjected to water deficit (WD), as a criterion for the pre-selection of drought-tolerant genotypes. Rooted cuttings from seven genotypes were subjected to water deficit (WD). The data from the growth analysis and DQI were subjected to analysis of variance, tests of means, and multivariate analysis. A high correlation was identified between IQD and the variables root dry mass (RDM), leaf dry mass (LDM), stem diameter (SD), and total dry mass (TDM) independently for each genotype; these correlations are more evident in genotypes CP-49, PS-1319, and Cepec-2002. The multivariate analysis divided the genotypes into two major groups: one consisting of the Ipiranga-01, CCN-51, SJ-02, and PH-16 genotypes, and the other comprising the CP-49, Cepec-2002, and PS-1319 genotypes. By correlating the results of the growth analysis with DQI, we were able to identify genotypes CP-49, PS-1319, and Cepec-2002 as tolerant; Ipiranga-01 and CCN-51 as moderately tolerant; and SJ-02 and PH-16 as poorly tolerant to WD. However, it is important that other fields of science are considered to provide greater insights into adaptation to drought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Molecular Biology)

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13 pages, 5460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Tall Buildings on Visually Morphological Traits of Urban Trees

by Yongxin Xue, Jiheng Li, Xiaofan Nan, Chengyang Xu and Bingqian Ma

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2053; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122053 - 21 Nov 2024

Abstract

The visual morphology of trees significantly impacts urban green micro-landscape aesthetics. Proximity to tall buildings affects tree form due to competition for space and light. The study investigates the impact of tall buildings on six visually morphological traits of eight common ornamental species [...] Read more.

The visual morphology of trees significantly impacts urban green micro-landscape aesthetics. Proximity to tall buildings affects tree form due to competition for space and light. The study investigates the impact of tall buildings on six visually morphological traits of eight common ornamental species in urban micro-landscapes in Beijing, with the distance and direction between trees and buildings as variables. It found that as trees grow closer to buildings, most angiosperms show increased crown asymmetry degree and crown loss, and reduced crown round degree and crown stretch degree (i.e., Sophora japonica L. and Acer truncatum Bunge saw a 52.26% and 47.62% increase in crown asymmetry degree, and a 20.35% and 21.59% decrease in crown round degree, respectively). However, the pattern of crown morphological changes in gymnosperms is poor (the closer the distance, the lower the height-to-diameter ratio of Pinus tabuliformis Carr., while the height-to-diameter ratio of Juniperus chinensis Roxb. significantly increases). In terms of orientation, gymnosperms on the west side of buildings have a greater crown asymmetry degree. It suggests that planting positions relative to buildings affect tree morphology. Recommendations include planting J. chinensis closer to buildings but keeping angiosperms like Fraxinus velutina Torr., S. japonica, and A. truncatum more than 3 m away to ensure healthy crown development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure, Function, and Value of Urban Forest)

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12 pages, 3514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elevational Effects of Climate Warming on Tree Growth in a Picea schrenkiana Forest in the Eastern Tianshan Mountains

by Jianing He, Zehao Shen, Caiwen Ning, Wentao Zhang and Ümüt Halik

Forests 2024, 15(12), 2052; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122052 - 21 Nov 2024

Abstract

Considerable uncertainty exists regarding the overall effects of future climate change on forests in arid mountains, and the elevational range of drought-induced tree growth decline remains unclear. Tianshan is the largest mountain in arid regions globally. Here, we analyzed tree ring data of [...] Read more.

Considerable uncertainty exists regarding the overall effects of future climate change on forests in arid mountains, and the elevational range of drought-induced tree growth decline remains unclear. Tianshan is the largest mountain in arid regions globally. Here, we analyzed tree ring data of pure stands of Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et Mey.) in the Jiangbulake region in the eastern Tianshan Mountains along an elevational gradient (1800–2600 m a.s.l.). The radial growth of P. schrenkiana trees declined in three of the nine sample strips (1800–2100 m a.s.l.) over the last two decades. P. schrenkiana growth response (measured by the tree ring width index, RWI) to temperature significantly changed at an elevational “inflection point” at 2100–2200 m. RWI was significantly negatively correlated with temperature at low elevations, whereas the opposite was observed at high elevations. Precipitation and minimum temperatures in winter and spring and mean temperatures in spring and summer were the main drivers of P. schrenkiana growth, with the effect of maximum temperatures on tree growth concentrated in the spring. In addition to climate warming in the study area since the 1970s, tree growth (as measured by the basal area increment, BAI) at elevations below 2200 m initially increased and then decreased. Tree growth at higher elevations continues to increase. Since 2000, the average RWI at high elevations exceeded that at low elevations. The average BAI values at high and low elevations have gradually approached each other in recent decades, although lower elevations exhibited higher values in the past. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Growth Modeling in Different Ecological Conditions)

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14 pages, 3326 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The bHLH Transcription Factor PubHLH66 Improves Salt Tolerance in Daqing Poplar (Populus ussuriensis)

by Dandan Li, Jindan Wang, Yuxin Pan, Hui Wang, Xinyao Dang, Shihao Zhao and Yucheng Wang

Forests 2024, 15(11), 2051; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15112051 - 20 Nov 2024

Abstract

Elevated salinity negatively impacts plant growth and yield, presenting substantial challenges to agricultural and forestry productivity. The bHLH transcription factor family is vital for plants to cope with various abiotic stresses. However, it remains uncertain whether bHLH transcription factors can regulate salt stress [...] Read more.

Elevated salinity negatively impacts plant growth and yield, presenting substantial challenges to agricultural and forestry productivity. The bHLH transcription factor family is vital for plants to cope with various abiotic stresses. However, it remains uncertain whether bHLH transcription factors can regulate salt stress in Populus ussuriensis. In the following study, a salt-induced bHLH transcription factor PubHLH66 was identified from P. ussuriensis. PubHLH66 has a typical and conserved bHLH domain. Subcellular localization and yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays confirmed that it is a nucleus-localized transactivator and the activation region is located at the N-terminus. PubHLH66-OE and PubHLH66-SRDX transgenic P. ussuriensis were obtained through Agrobacterium-mediated leaf disc transformation. Morphological and physiological results demonstrated that PubHLH66-OE enhanced salinity tolerance, as indicated by reduced electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and H₂O₂ levels, along with increased proline contents and activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In contrast, PuHLH66-SRDX poplar showed decreased salt tolerance. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) confirmed that PubHLH66 enhanced salt tolerance by regulating the expression of genes such as PuSOD, PuPOD, and PuP5CS, resulting in reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and an improved osmotic potential. Thus, PubHLH66 could be a candidate gene for molecular breeding to enhance salt tolerance in plants. These results laid a foundation for exploring the mechanisms of salt tolerance in P. ussuriensis, facilitating the development of more salt-tolerant trees to combat the increasing issue of soil salinization globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress Responses in Trees Species)

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20 pages, 4712 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CCE-UNet: Forest and Water Body Coverage Detection Method Based on Deep Learning: A Case Study in Australia’s Nattai National Forest

by Bangjun Huang, Xiaomei Yi, Lufeng Mo, Guoying Wang and Peng Wu

Forests 2024, 15(11), 2050; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15112050 - 20 Nov 2024

Abstract

Severe forest fires caused by extremely high temperatures have resulted in devastating disasters in the natural forest reserves of New South Wales, Australia. Traditional forest research methods primarily rely on manual field surveys, which have limited generalization capabilities. In order to monitor forest [...] Read more.

Severe forest fires caused by extremely high temperatures have resulted in devastating disasters in the natural forest reserves of New South Wales, Australia. Traditional forest research methods primarily rely on manual field surveys, which have limited generalization capabilities. In order to monitor forest ecosystems more comprehensively and maintain the stability of the regional forest ecosystem, as well as to monitor post-disaster ecological restoration efforts, this study employed high-resolution remote sensing imagery and proposed a semantic segmentation architecture named CCE-UNet. This architecture focuses on the precise identification of forest coverage while simultaneously monitoring the distribution of water resources in the area. This architecture utilizes the Contextual Information Fusion Module (CIFM) and introduces the dual attention mechanism strategy to effectively filter background information and enhance image edge features. Meanwhile, it employs a multi-scale feature fusion algorithm to maximize the retention of image details and depth information, achieving precise segmentation of forests and water bodies. We have also trained seven semantic segmentation models as candidates. Experimental results show that the CCE-UNet architecture achieves the best performance, demonstrating optimal performance in forest and water body segmentation tasks, with the MIoU reaching 91.07% and the MPA reaching 95.15%. This study provides strong technical support for the detection of forest and water body coverage in the region and is conducive to the monitoring and protection of the forest ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Natural Hazards and Risk Management)

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23 pages, 2968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Stakeholder Game Relationships in Promoting the Development of the Non-Timber Forest Product Industry by State-Owned Forest Farms

by Qin Qiao, Zhenyu Lin, Zhongrui Sun, Wenting Zhang, Meijuan Zhang, Yong Sun and Xinting Gao

Forests 2024, 15(11), 2049; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15112049 - 20 Nov 2024

Abstract

State-owned forest farms are key players in managing forestry resources worldwide, playing a pivotal role in advancing the development of the non-timber forest product industry. This paper constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model involving “government–state-owned forest farms–farmer households” to delve into how state-owned [...] Read more.

State-owned forest farms are key players in managing forestry resources worldwide, playing a pivotal role in advancing the development of the non-timber forest product industry. This paper constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model involving “government–state-owned forest farms–farmer households” to delve into how state-owned forest farms collaborate with governments and farmer households to propel the growth of the non-timber forest product industry. Additionally, it explores the interactive relationships among multiple stakeholders and their asymptotic stability. The findings reveal that (1) under certain conditions, the game model can achieve four stable equilibrium strategies: (0,0,0), (0,1,0), (0,1,1), and (1,1,1). (2) Key factors influencing the tripartite game include the political performance and administrative costs of local governments involved in the industry’s development, assessment performance and reduced management and protection expenses of state-owned forest farms, and sales revenue and planting costs of farmers’ under-forest products. (3) The market development costs shared by state-owned forest farms and government subsidies for under-forest planting should be within a reasonable range. This ensures effective promotion of farmers’ participation in under-forest planting while maintaining the willingness of state-owned forest farms and governments to actively engage. These findings provide concrete guidelines that policymakers can use to spur sustainable growth in the NTFP sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Forest Economics, Policy, and Social Science)

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