Journal of Tropical Forest Science (JTFS)

MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS ON RESIN PRODUCTION FROM PINUS ROXBURGHII SARGENT: A CASE STUDY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Kumar P — 2024-05-14

Multivariate technique is extremely helpful in assisting researchers in making sense of large, complicated and complex datasets that contain many variables measured on a large number of experimental units. Data for the present study was collected for different morphological characters, namely tree diameter, tree height, bole height, number of branches and age of tree from three major resin-producing districts of Himachal Pradesh, viz. Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Sirmour. The primary data on 360 trees of Pinus roxburghii were collected through well planned survey from six ranges randomly selected through a multistage random sampling technique. Two forest ranges were considered from each districts, viz. Swarghat and Bhradi forest ranges from Bilaspur district, Aghar and Hamirpur forest ranges from Hamirpur district, and Rajgarh and Narag forest ranges from Sirmour districts. In the present study, two independent methodologies, viz. discriminant analysis and principal component analysis were discussed. Although resin production may depend on a variety of characteristics, researchers are always interested in identifying those sets of attributes that most significantly affect resin production of the tree. Results from the principal component analysis revealed that based on the average of all forest ranges selected for the sampling procedure, tree diameter played a main role in resin production with an eigenvalue of 2.752, explaining 55.38% of the variation. Results from the discriminant analysis revealed that Rajgarh, Hamirpur and Swarghat forest ranges were found to be high yielders whereas Bhradi, Narag and Aghar forest ranges were found to be low yielders.

THE EFFICIENCY OF FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN CAMEROON 30 YEARS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF A NEW LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Ngoungoure Manjeli A — 2024-05-14

Practices in sustainable forest management are ruled by national forest policies. Legal standards of forest management applied in Central African region display increasing risks of long-term depletion of timber resources. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of sustainable logging practices by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the forest management rules applied in Cameroon. The management of the populations of timber tree species is based on population dynamics traits and on measures imposed by national forestry policies. Before any exploitation in natural forest concessions, a management plan must be approved to define the various activities and the potential impacts on the forest. Despite many relevant principles, nearly three decades of forest management in Cameroon have exhibited gaps that need to be addressed in the legal standards of forest management. Proposals for improvement relate to procedures for determining the recovery rate and how considerations on density and seed tree populations should be included into the legal management policies. These suggestions depend on the knowledge of demographic dynamics and the reproductive ecology of the timber taxa as well as a more rapid integration of scientific results into the legal forest management standards.

AN OPTIMISED METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OF HIGH-QUALITY RNA FOR RNA-SEQ FROM AMAZONIAN TREES

Camel V — 2024-05-14

The study aimed to develop a robust and reliable method to extract ribonucleic acid (RNA) from Guazuma crinita and Calycophyllum spruceanum woody tissues for RNA sequencing. Thus, 60 plants of each species were obtained, and four RNA extraction methods were evaluated (Direct-zol^TM kit, TRIzol, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and CTAB with Direct-zol^TM kit). Subsequently, six samples for each species were selected for sequencing. As a result, the CTAB method combined with TRI-reagent and Direct-zol^TM RNA kit obtained RNA of good quality in both species, as the RNA integrity number (RIN) values were higher than 7.9 in all samples. Inhibitors were removed in G. crinita with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitor removal kit. The sequencing process, on average per sample, were 4,559,130 kbp in 45,139,903 reads with a Q20 of 98.49% and Q30 of 95.59% obtained for G. crinita and 5,510,902 kbp in 54,563,395 reads with a Q20 of 98.23% and Q30 of 94.94% obtained for C. spruceanum. Thus, a robust method was developed, enabling the extraction of RNA in both quality and quantity for RNA-seq experiments, successfully overcoming the challenges posed by inhibitors and high concentrations of exudates, alkaloids, polysaccharides and phenols.

MYCOPHARMACEUTICALS FROM WILD BASIDIOMYCETES: CURRENT RESEARCH AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Getha K — 2024-05-14

Basidiomycetes found in forest ecosystems have been used traditionally as food and medicine for centuries, and various studies have validated many of their health benefits. In recent years, the focus in medicinal basidiomycetes has increased, and several notable trends in their application and research have been observed. In light of the emerging literatures, this review attempts to summarise and discuss evidences from the past decade on the importance of exploring basidiomycetes for their pharmacological properties. It also aims to serve as a critical reference for research works focused on the potentials of wild basidiomycetes in Malaysia, as well as from worldwide, to produce a diverse range of bioactive metabolites. Special attention is given to the low-molecular weight bioactive compounds produced in cultured mycelium and culture broth of these macrofungi. It further highlights the unique attributes of wild bioluminescent basidiomycetes species which hold great potential to be harnessed for mycopharmaceuticals with commercial applications in healthcare industries.

A NEW VARIETY OF IMPATIENS PLATYPETALA (BALSAMINACEAE) IN WEST JAVA, INDONESIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP USING INTERNAL TRANSCRIBED SPACER

Utami N — 2024-05-14

Impatiens platypetala Lindl. (Balsaminaceae) with a small and white flower variant was recently discovered in West Java, Indonesia. This variant was known for some time but rarely found and collected in the field, thus there is little information on this flora. This specimen resembles I. platypetala based on morphological characters. Phylogenetic analysis using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) was performed to check its relationship with other I. platypetala accessions. The ITS result showed that the small white flower Impatiens was nested in I. platypetala clade, thus this is only a variant of I. platypetala. Therefore, a new variety, I. platypetala var. minialba Utami has been proposed here. A detailed description, notes on habitat and distribution, phenology, conservation status, and photographs of the small and white flower variety are provided.

EFFECTS OF FERTILISATION AND MYCORRHIZAL INOCULATION ON THE EARLY GROWTH OF SELECTED PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS FRUIT TREE SPECIES

Veran GML — 2024-05-14

The global need for food security has sparked interest in the potential of our indigenous food systems, including indigenous fruits and other wild edible flora and fauna. However, majority of these indigenous food resources remain underutilised despite its potentially high nutritional and economic benefits. This is largely due to the inadequacy of technical and practical information regarding the availability, propagation, and overall utility of the species. In this regard, the present study investigated the early growth responses of three selected indigenous fruit tree species, namely, Kalumpit (Terminalia microcarpa), Libas (Spondias pinnata) and Tibig (Ficus nota) to fertilisation and mycorrhizal inoculation following a Completely Randomized Design with treatments being Control, 2.5-g complete fertiliser (14:14:14), MYKOVAM, and Fertilisation + MYKOVAM. After 24 weeks (6 months), it was found that the selected indigenous fruit tree species can grow equally well without fertiliser or mycorrhizal inoculation. However, when necessary, MYKOVAM can be a better option than complete fertiliser. Findings showed that S. pinnata and F. nota seedlings inoculated with MYKOVAM yielded higher height increments than the fertiliser group. MYKOVAM inoculated F.nota seedlings also yielded higher diameter growth and total biomass than those treated with fertiliser. No significant variation in root volume was recorded for all selected indigenous fruit tree species among all treatments. Early growth of T. microcarpa was not enhanced by any of the treatments. The study, therefore, revealed relevant information that could enhance the mass propagation of these species in support of food security.

GENETIC VARIATION IN WOOD MECHANICAL PROPERTIES IN TEN-YEAR-OLD ACACIA CRASSICARPA GROWN IN VIETNAM

Hai PH — 2024-05-14

Wood mechanical properties of Acacia crassicarpa were assessed at the age of ten years old in a progeny test at Cam Lo, Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. A total of 208 trees from 52 open-pollinated families were selected for study. Height and diameter at breast height were measured for all selected trees and spiral grain was also measured at breast height on the standing trees using a Chalmers device, which measures the grain angle of the surface wood. Basic density and shrinkage were measured on one 12-mm bark-tobark increment cores taken at breast height from each sampled tree. Microfibril angle was measured on fiber prepared from the core samples using polarized light microscopy. Genetic parameters of the wood and growth traits were estimated using individual-tree linear mixed models. High coefficients of additive genetic variation (CV_a, 17-34%) and high heritabilities (h² = 0.61-0.82) for all wood traits indicated that there is potential to improve basic density, wood shrinkage, grain angle and microfibril angle in the species in central Vietnam. The genetic correlation between DBH and shrinkage was positive and thus unfavourable, whereas correlations between DBH and both spiral grain and microfibril angle were negative and favourable. The Chalmers device appeared to be a reliable indirect method for investigating genetic variation in spiral grain in A. crassicarpa. Index selection, based on genetic parameters and economic weighting dependent on breeding objectives is suggested for development of seed orchards to deliver genetic gain for A. crassicarpa in central Vietnam.

ANALYSING THE ESCALATION OF FOREST FIRE IN INDIA: EXPLORING CAUSAL FACTORS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Mohd AK — 2024-05-14

Forest fire is one of the main factors of forest degradation that affects the social, economic, and cultural settings of forest-dependent people. India has 24.64% of its geographical area under tree and forest cover. Among forests, approximately 55% are deciduous forest, highly susceptible to forest fire primarily driven by escalating human activities and their associated impacts. Based on the literature survey and secondary data sources, this paper assesses the trend and pattern of forest fires, their associated causes and why forest fires still occur in India on a larger scale. The findings of the study reveal a rapid increase in forest fires over time, from 18,719 in 2001 to 111,267 in 2021 according to MODIS sensor data with the highest frequency in March and April. The central and north-eastern states of India have experienced the highest fire incidents, causing a massive loss of property, lives, and natural resources. This study demonstrates that the causes of fire vary significantly from location to location and season to season. The concluding section of the study recommends measures to deal with the economic vulnerability of locals, resource availability and adaptation for forest fires in India. Furthermore, this study is adding fresh insights to the discourse on forest fires and suggested possible mitigation strategies and potential solutions which can be useful for other similar geographical contexts.

THE STATE OF MANGROVE FOREST IN SOC TRANG PROVINCE, VIETNAM BASED ON SATELLITE IMAGERY BETWEEN 2000–2020

Duong PT — 2024-05-14

Mangroves are vital for coastal defense, controlling erosion and carbon storage, yet they're endangered by human actions. This study used Landsat remote sensing imagery to investigate changes in Soc Trang, Vietnam's mangrove cover from 2000 to 2020. The findings showed expansion in the region's mangrove area, with Vinh Chau township experiencing substantial growth. These findings reflected wider changes seen across Vietnam. Mangroves in Mekong Delta has been decelerating since 2013, alongside with mangrove increase, due to afforestation and reforestation efforts. This shows successful mangrove conservation policies in Soc Trang. In this study, a map displaying the province's current mangrove status was produced. Multi-temporal satellite imagery is an important key for planning, improving understanding and boosting the role of mangroves in ecosystem services. The shift from mangrove decrease to increase may result from protective and restoration efforts, calling for broader Southeast Asia analysis.

SPECIES AND TREE QUALITY SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATIONS IN TUYEN QUANG, VIETNAM

Khoa PV — 2024-05-14

Spatial distribution patterns of trees are important keys to understanding forest structure and for proposing forest management solutions. Management of rainforests in Vietnam is constrained by a shortage of spatial forest data. Therefore, research was conducted in an upland secondary forest in Tuyen Quang, Vietnam to assess spatial distributions of species and quality levels, and associations between them. Tree diameter, height, coordinates and quality (good, medium and bad) were recorded in three one-hectare plots. Tree density ranged from 920–1050 trees ha^-1, and there were 61–69 species ha^-1. The highest percentages of good and bad trees were 25.1 and 42.9%, respectively. The habitat was determined as heterogeneous to homogeneous. The spatial distribution of all species and ecological important species was mostly random and clustered. Associations among ecological important species was mainly independent. Tree qualities were randomly distributed, but bad trees were more abundant in the understorey. Associations between tree qualities were mostly independent. The results on spatial distribution patterns and associations between species and qualities will be useful in helping to eliminate competition of trees in clusters, assist regeneration in gaps and determine options for reducing the frequency of bad trees in the future.