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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Principles of Aboveground Biomass Estimation via Remote Sensing
Quantifying forest aboveground biomass (AGB) is essential for elucidating the global carbon cycle and the response of forest ecosystems to climate change. Remote-sensing techniques have played a vital role in forest AGB estimation at different scales.
299
15 Aug 2023
Topic Review
How Climate Affects Wood Formation
Climate conditions are the first of many variables that influence how trees produce wood, resulting in the annual wood-forming rhythm [9]. Temperature and photoperiod influence cambium reactivation and secondary xylem production.
238
06 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Biological Deterioration and Natural Durability of Wood
The use of wood has gained social interest, leading to a global increase in its demand. Yet, this demand is often covered by the production of woods of low natural durability against biological deterioration. The main biological agents with the potential to attack the structural integrity of wood are wood-decay fungi, saproxylic beetles, termites, and marine molluscs and crustaceans. In most circumstances, fungi are the main wood-deteriorating agents. To attack the cell wall, wood-decay fungi combine a complex enzymatic mechanism with non-enzymatic mechanisms based on low-molecular-weight compounds. In some cases, the larvae of saproxylic beetles can also digest cell wood components, causing serious deterioration to wooden structures. The impact of subterranean termites in Europe is concentrated in the Southern countries, causing important economic losses. However, alien invasive species of voracious subterranean termites are expanding their presence in Europe. Wooden elements in permanent contact with marine water can be readily deteriorated by mollusc and crustacean borers, for which current preservatives lack efficacy. The natural durability of wood is defined as the inherent resistance of wood to catastrophic action by wood-destroying organisms. Besides exposure to the climate, product design and use conditions, the natural durability of wood is key to the prediction of the service life of wooden products, which can be shortened due to the impact of global change.
333
06 May 2023
Topic Review
Impact of
Gliricidia sepium
on Crop Performance
Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp is a well-known agroforestry leguminous tree that provides multiple benefits in different agroecological zones. Its apparent versatility is seen in improving animal feed, cleaning environmental wastes, and healing inflammations. It was also found to have significant benefits in agroforestry due to its ability to enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and green manure.
817
26 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Response to Abiotic Stresses of Birch, Oak, Poplar
Birch (Betula spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), and poplar (Populus spp.) are the most promising deciduous woody plants in forestry. These species were found to be sensitive to climate change that can badly affect their plantations. Thus, a deep understanding of genetic mechanisms of adaptation to adverse environmental conditions plays an important role in preventing the reduction of deciduous forest area. The stress responses of Betula spp., Quercus spp., and Populus spp. are described to drought and salt stresses
469
19 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Applications of Eupatorium in Cosmetic Ingredients
The Eupatorium plant has been well used in medication and as a decorative plant. Some studies have reported that this herb has biochemical compounds, such as sesquiterpenes, phenolics, polysaccharides, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Thus, it has pharmacological effects, including antifungal, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antinociceptive properties, that can be utilized for cosmetic purposes.
369
06 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Tree Responses to Climatic Changes
Forest trees are complex perennial organisms that are adapted to the local environment as a result of prevailing climate conditions in population history. Because they lead a sedentary lifestyle, plants are exposed to various environmental stimuli, such as changes which can lead to the rapid adjustment or failure of their defence mechanisms. As forests play a crucial role in environmental homeostasis and are the source of many products, it is crucial to estimate the position of forest trees’ plasticity mechanisms in the face of climate change. Fast epigenetic adjustment is the basis for surviving climate fluctuations, however, the question is whether this mechanism will also be efficient if climate fluctuations increase. Epigenetic modifications enable rapid reactions to the inducing stimulus by establishing chromatin patterns and manipulating gene expression without affecting the DNA itself.
276
18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Black Locust (
Robinia pseudoacacia
L.) in Romanian Forestry
Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a North American species that was introduced in Romania around the end of the 17th century, and it was first used in large-scale afforestation of degraded lands in the year 1852. Due to its remarkable adaptability, fast growth, and vigorous sprouting capacity, it has become one of the most widely spread exotic species in Romania. Using black locust for afforestation, Romanian foresters successfully reclaimed large areas of abandoned agricultural land degraded by “flying sands” in southwest of the country, thus contributing to mitigation of the aridization phenomena. Driving the extensive use of the species was its durable and versatile wood, much appreciated by rural communities, complemented with major benefits from crop fields and settlement protection against wind/sand deflation, as well as economically viable byproducts. In addition to the immediate improvements to local microclimate, afforestations also contributed to long-term climate change mitigation by sequestering atmospheric CO2 in the carbon pools (living tree biomass, soil organic matter, litter) as well as downstream wood products (e.g., furniture). Nevertheless, in the past decade, awareness has been raised towards its invasive potential in protected areas.
578
26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Cork Development
The cork layer present in all dicotyledonous plant species with radial growth is the result of the phellogen activity, a secondary meristem that produces phellem (cork) to the outside and phelloderm inwards. These three different tissues form the periderm, an efficient protective tissue working as a barrier against external factors such as environmental aggressions and pathogen attacks.
347
25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Castanea mollissima
Chestnut (Castanea spp., Fagaceae family) is an economically important tree in the wood processing industry that occurs in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. There are four most important and cultivated chestnut varieties: C. molissima (Chinese chestnut) and C. crenata (Japanese chestnut) are distributed in Asia; C. sativa is distributed in continental Europe (European chestnut); and Castanea dentata is distributed in North America (American chestnut). Chestnuts are a source of nuts and industrial raw materials, including wood, that can be used as firewood, as well as to build timber and barrels for winemaking. Extracts from chestnut shells (e.g., tannins, polyphenols, and polysaccharides), female flower, and spring buds have been applied in the medical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare fields. Discarded chestnut shells, inner shells, burs, and leaves have been re-utilized as biomass and catalyst material. The important economic and environmental roles of chestnut underlie its high value to ecosystems and agroforestry systems.
574
16 Sep 2022
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