Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Intensive harvesting, whole-tree harvesting, and complete-tree utilization are being incorporated into management plans. Plants require sixteen or more nutrients. To determine impacts of intensive harvesting, research has begun to investigate nutrient losses associated with the removal of harvested material. Research efforts are focusing on quantifying direct nutrient loss from removal of additional biomass and identifying direct nutrient losses associated with whole-tree harvesting operations. An estimated 30-65% increase in biomass removal (from whole-tree harvesting operations as opposed to stem-only harvests) is accompanied by a 100-215% increase in nutrient removal. Whole-tree harvesting of hardwoods doubles the removal of nutrients from stem-only harvests. The significance of direct nutrient loss is not agreed upon. Some studies indicate that while stem-only harvests remove nutrients at rates replenishable from other sources, there is insufficient data to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Brine from active oil wells seeped through the soil of a forested site in north-western Pennsylvania and killed all vegetation in its path, leaving the affected area unproductive and unsightly. After the brine source was eliminated, herbaceous plants, shrubs and forest tree seedlings became established and developed rapidly. Establishment began in the first year and by Year 4 the site had developed into a healthy young forest. Results show that Allegheny hardwood forest sites damaged by brine water will rapidly revegetate once the brine water discharge is stopped if there is a seed supply and if the area is fenced to exclude deer. 3 figs., 12 refs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Extraction of hemicellulose from hardwood chips prior to pulping is a possible method for producing ethanol and acetic acid in an integrated forest bio-refinery, adding value to wood components normally relegated to boiler fuel. Hemicellulose was extracted from hardwood chips using green liquor, a pulping liquor intermediate consisting of aqueous NaOH, Na2CO3, and Na2S, at 160degreeC, held for 110min in a 20L rocking digester. The extracted liquor contained 3.7% solids and had a pH of 5.6. The organic content of the extracts was mainly xylo-oligosaccharides and acetic acid. Because it was dilute, the hemicellulose extract was concentrated by evaporation in a thin film evaporator. Concentrates from the evaporator reached levels of up to 10% solids. Inhibitors such as acetic acid and sodium ...

Science.gov (United States)

Mar 30, 2007 ... Tropical forests are home to half the Earth's species, and their trees are an immense standing reservoir of carbon. Deforestation will have ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An international conference on forestry research presented papers on topics including forest mensuration, growth and yield; growth/yield relationships; design, performance, and evaluation of experiments; forest resource inventory and monitoring techniques; forest management, planning, and managerial economics; forestry and rural development in developing countries; forestry in sustainable economic development; conceptual advances in multiple-use forestry evaluations; economic evaluation of forest damages; supply and demand of roundwood and forest industry products; forestry and rural development in industrialized countries; analysis and evaluation of forest policies; forest institutions and organizations; biological and economic considerations when harvesting young thinning stands; applied sector modelling; and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Water stress and fire disturbance can directly impact stand structure, biomass and composition by causing mortality and influencing competitive interactions among trees. However, open eucalypt forests of southwest Australia are highly resilient to fire and drought and may respond differently to increased fire frequency and aridity than forests dominated by non-eucalypt species. We measured the variation in stem density, basal area, stand biomass, sapwood area, leaf area and litterfall across 16 mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest stands along an aridity gradient in southwest Australia that had variable fire histories. Fire frequency was defined as the total number of fires over a ~30-year period and aridity as the ratio of potential evapotranspiration...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Forest restoration efforts should aim at creating landscapes with a balanced array of forest stands at varying successional stages, thus providing habitat for a wealth of species and multiple ecosystem services. In most high-mountain ecosystems of South America, long-term livestock rearing activities that include fires, browsing, and trampling have delayed or stopped forest succession resulting in simplified landscapes. To determine appropriate restoration goals for Polylepis australis mountain forests of Central Argentina, we established 146 plots of 900 m2 plots throughout five river basins with different historic livestock stocking rates. In each plot, we measured tree heights, canopy cover, estimated age of oldest tree, volume of standing and fallen dead wood, fern cover, and abundance...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This is a preliminary study on the sound absorption properties of two tropical hardwoods, Light Red Meranti and Ramin, and their wood-polymer composites. Sound absorption is measured using a standing wave apparatus. The samples are of one thickness (7 mm) and cut longitudinally. Wood-polymer composites are made by impregnating the samples with methyl methacrylate which is polymerized in situ through #gamma#-irradiation. Both woods and their composites are better sound absorbers at higher sound frequencies. With partial impregnation, the absorption coefficients are improved upon particularly in the region between 1-3 kHz. (author).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Sand-filled splash cups were used to study the erosive power of rainfall and throughfall in the humid subtropics of Southeast China. The splash cup measurements yielded precise and reproducible results under both open field conditions and forest vegetation. The splash cups were exposed to specific forest stands of different ages and to selected species (Schima superba, Castanopsis eyrei, Daphniphyllum oldhamii, Lithocarpus glaber) in the Gutianshan (???) National Nature Reserve (GNNR). The results of the measurements under forest vegetation show that the erosive power of throughfall drops to be 2.59 times higher compared to the open field. This accentuates the importance of shrub, herb and litter layers in forest ecosystems to protect the soil against erosion. Coalescing drops from leaves ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Regular fuel reduction burning is an important management strategy for reducing the scale and intensity of wildfires in south-west Australian native forests, but the long term effects of this on tree and stand growth are not well understood. Five fire treatments, including application of frequent and infrequent low intensity burns, and 25?years of fire exclusion, were applied to small (4?ha) experimental plots in a low rainfall mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest to investigate the effects of these treatments on tree stem diameter growth, stand basal area increment and tree mortality. Mean tree stem growth measured over 20?years was lowest in the long unburnt treatment compared with the burn treatments, although surface soil nutrient levels were gener...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The concept of forestry-service enterprise used in the joint study (1997-7999) by the TTS-Institute and the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) refers to enterprises and co-operatives (including forest workers operating as entrepreneurs) offering services in the fields of silviculture, basic forest improvement, planning and wood-harvesting sector. Companies practicing large-scale wood-conversion and traditional forestry-machine and road haulage contractors are not included in this approach. It can be estimated that there is a total of 450 such entrepreneurs in the country Those engaged in only a minor degree in providing forestry services are not included in the figure. The nation-wide research material was collected in the form of a mail questionnaire addressed to forestry-service entrepreneurs (n=320) in the spring of 1998. Almost all forestry-service entrepreneurs provide timber felling as a service. More than half ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Remote sensing is the most practical method available to managers of fire-prone forests for quantifying and mapping fire impacts. Differenced Normalised Burn Ratio (?NBR) is among the most widely used spectral indices for the mapping of burn severity but is difficult to interpret in terms of fire-related changes in key biophysical attributes and processes. We propose to quantify burn severity as a change in the leaf area index (?LAI) of a stand. LAI is a key biophysical attribute of forests, and is central to understanding their water and carbon cycles. Previous studies have suggested that changes in canopy LAI may be a major contributor to ?NBR and to the composite burn index (CBI) that is frequently used in combination with the NBR to assess burn severity on the ground. We applied remote...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An analysis on landscape level was performed to investigate the growth of Scots pine stands (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the research area of 'Duebener Heide' under the impact of rapidly changing pollution loads and to evaluate their further development. Central to the work was a spatial database, installed using a geographic information system (GIS). This database enabled the statistical analysis of relationships and correlations between the growth of the pine stands, the influence of pollution impacts and the natural site characteristics. The results of emission and immission modelling gave detailed evaluation of the pollution load over the investigated area. The spatial information database was linked with a process-based growth model called FORSANA. The resulting regional model was used to simulate forest growth on stand level for variable time periods. The plausibility of the ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Basal segments taken from Old Home and Bartlett pear hardwood cuttings collected at intervals during the rooting period in September were extracted with ethanol and fractionated by paper chromatography...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... In this paper research aimed at creating a computer vision system to power such an optimal edging and ... ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The thesis relates to an investigation done on greenhouse gases in coniferous forest soils. The production of nitrous oxide (N{sub 2}O) and carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}), and the consumption of methane (CH{sub 4}) in a temperate forest soil were studied by a rapid and sensitive gas chromatographic (GC) method for analysing all three greenhouse gases at or below ambient levels. Gas fluxes were measured in soil incubation and lysimeter experiments. 15 soil samples were taken at random within a 100 m{sup 2} area in a Norway spruce forest stand (Picea abies). The fluxes of N{sub 2}O, CH{sub 4} and CO{sub 2} were measured under standardized laboratory incubation conditions to investigate spatial variability in relation to other factors such as nitrogen (N) mineralization rate, nitrification rate, organic carbon (OC), total N and pH. The effects of temperature, soil moisture content, and ammonium addition were ...

Science.gov (United States)

Jun 16, 2011 ... The research is part of a team effort to help the hardwood sawmill industry automate with computer vision systems, and computer-aided or ...

Science.gov (United States)

Worldwide century-long forest hydrologic research has documented that deforestation and forestation (i.e. reforestation and afforestation) can have variable ...

Wastenet

... It stands at a precipice of \\

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A continuous, subsurface Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary section, including the boundary clay within an 87 cm thick lignite, has been recovered from a core hole near Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada. The lignite-encompassed clay layer with geochemical anomaly indicates that peat deposition was continuous across the boundary. Core data indicate that, locally, a pre-boundary, conifer-dominated swamp was abruptly replaced by an angiosperm-dominated, herbaceous wetland. Sudden extermination of the dominant forest elements indicates mass kill at the level of the boundary and supports the theory of extraterrestrial impact accompanied by catastrophic destruction. Devastation of the standing vegetation may have been caused by one or more of the killing agents predicted to have accompanied impact, including freezing temperatures caused by atmospheric dust, acid rain, thermal pulse, and shock waves. There is no evidence supporting wildfires as a killing ...

Science.gov (United States)

... displays land designated as Tentatively Suitable Land For Timber Production for the Forest Plan....

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Question: How do the diversity, size structure, and spatial pattern of woody species in a temperate (Mediterranean climate) forest compare to temperate and tropical forests? Location: Mixed evergreen coastal forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA. Methods: We mapped, tagged, identified, and measured all woody stems (?1 cm diameter) in a 6-ha forest plot, following Center for Tropical Forest Science protocols. We compared patterns to those found in 14 tropical and 12 temperate forest plots. Results: The forest is dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and three species of Fagaceae (Quercus agrifolia, Q. parvula var. shrevei, and Lithocarpus densiflorus), and includes 31 woody species and 8180 individuals. Much of the diversity was in small-diameter shrubs,...

Science.gov (United States)

... 6.29;Temperate Pinus forest: 5.43;Temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest: 5.41;Boreal Larix deciduous forest: 4.63;Temperate evergreen sclerophyllous broad-leaved forest: 4.23Tropical deciduous broad-leav...

Science.gov (United States)

Jun 16, 2011 ... Results indicated that fuel loadings averaged 24.05 Mg ha 1 in 2004–2006. Forest litter decreased from wetter to drier forest life zones. ...

Science.gov (United States)

... to the north of the Qinling, through mixed deciduous broad-leaved forest at lower mountain elevations, and conifer forest at ... ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Forest gap models have been used widely in the study of forest dynamics, including predicting long-term succession patterns and assessing the potential impacts of climate change on forest structure and composition. However, little effort is devoted to predict forest dynamics in the high elevation areas, although they have the sensitive response to global climate change. In the present study, based on a modified height-diameter function, we developed a new version (FAREAST-GFSM) of the forest patch model, FAREAST for simulating the changes of subalpine forests. The observed data from the Gongga Mt. Alpine Station were also used to test model precision. With the improved performance of FAREAST-GFSM, we explored the impact of three warming scenarios on subalpine forest on the eastern Tibetan ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A plan has been put forth to strategically thin northern California forests to reduce fire danger and improve forest health. The resulting biomass residue, instead of being open burned, can be converted into ethanol that can be used as a fuel oxygenate or an octane enhancer. Economic potential for a biomass-to-ethanol facility using this softwood biomass was evaluated for two cases: Stand-alone and co-located. The co-located case refers to a specific site with an existing biomass power facility owned by Wheelabrator Environmental Systems Inc. near Martell, California. A two-stage dilute acid hydrolysis process is used for the production of ethanol from softwoods, and the residual lignin is used to generate steam and electricity. For a plant processing 800 dry tonnes per day of feedstock, the co-located case is an economically attractive concept. Total estimated capital investment is approximately $ 70 million for the ...

Science.gov (United States)

S.M. Goltz; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Forest Ecosystem Dynamics Project ...

Science.gov (United States)

Not Available

Science.gov (United States)

... entitled: In-country Pilot Activities: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation)...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Traditional farmers and harvesters of non-timber forest products in Peten treat the forest in ways that conserve and regenerate its resources. They believe no one owns the forest outright. Humans share it with other life forms and therefore no one has the right to monopolize or destroy forest resources. Traditional Peteneros find a use for almost everything in the forest, and believe it neither smart nor proper to use a given area for a single purpose, for example, to clear an area of all trees and devote it exclusively to a cattle pasture. In the traditional system most medicinal plants, basic foodstuffs, fuelwoods and construction materials are taken from the bosque (secondary forests within walking distance of human settlements). Peteneros` sustainable use of bosques eases pressure on the monte (primary forests). In the monte Peteneros` ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We investigated the impacts of forest thinning, prescribed fire, and contour ripping on community level physiological profiles (CLPP) of the soil microbial population in postmining forest rehabilitation. We hypothesized that these management practices would affect CLPP via an influence on the quality and quantity of soil organic matter. The study site was an area of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forest rehabilitation that had been mined for bauxite 12?years previously. Three replicate plots (20???20?m) were established in nontreated forest and in forest thinned from 3,000?8,000 stems ha?1 to 600?800 stems ha?1 in April (autumn) of 2003, followed either by a prescribed fire in September (spring) of 2003 or left nonburned. Soil samples were collected in August 2004 from two soil ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research on the feasibility of growing cattails as an energy crop is described. The following topics are included: productivity in natural strands, germination requirements for seed, establishing stands by seeding, rhizome dormancy and development, harvesting and stand establishment, and analysis of canopy structure and radiation profiles in a natural community. (MHR)

Science.gov (United States)

... study is to collect data in previously harvested timber stands to quantify the differences in herbaceous diversity ... ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Factors influencing the rooting-potential of stem cuttings of conifers were studied for the purpose of improving methods of rapid vegetative propagation. Within the bounds of hereditary limits, root regeneration depends, to a considerable extent, on the qualities of rooting-media, date of cutting excision, age and physiological conditions of the stock plant, age of the cutting-wood, its position on the plant, and chemical treatment. Hardwood cuttings, which have a relatively high content of endogenous auxin and carbohydrates, and morphological root initials, gave the best results. This method made it possible to increase the growth rate of cuttings 2.5-5 times that of cuttings taken from shoots of current growth. (Refs. 21).

Science.gov (United States)

Sep 1, 2011 ... Title: THINEX - an expert system for estimating forest harvesting productivity and cost. Author: LeDoux, C. B.; Gopalakrishnan, B.; Pabba, R. S. ...

Science.gov (United States)

... verges of a two-lane highway in continuous Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forest of south-western Australia. Midway during this ... Birds were recorded from the beginning of continuous Jarrah Eucalyptus marg...

Science.gov (United States)

... recognized in the genus in which one inhabits forest litter and the other inhabits streams (Verdade, 2005). The forest litter species deposit their eggs in humid habitats, with ... ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Random forest (RF) analysis of genetic data does not require specification of the mode of inheritance, and provides measures of variable importance that incorporate interaction effects. In this paper...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper describes the estimated the rate of carbon accumulation in the woody biomass and total carbon storage in the forests including trees, soil and litter in Korea. The relevant data come from the Statistical Yearbook of Forestry and major results of the studies on forest biomass in Korea. Most of the forests, which has been denuded or degraded during the 2nd World War and the Korean War, were recovered through ``Reforestation Project(1973-1987)`` and natural regeneration. So, now they are mostly young secondary forests and grow rapidly. Total carbon removal by forests is estimated at 8.1 million tonnes of carbon(MtC) and the carbon emission by commercial harvesting at 0.9 MtC. therefore, the forests in Korea play an essential role as a net carbon sink. The annul net carbon removal is 7.2 MtC and accounts for about 11.0% of total carbon emissions in energy ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

This coverage describes forest practices and habitat conditions in the Hoh Usual and Accustomed Areas....

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Since 1983, about 600 research projects received a total of DM 250 million public funds for the following tasks: - Development of scientific fundamentals for monitoring and observation of forest decline and its ecological and economic consequences. - Investigation of the cause-effect relationship of forest damage, with particular regard to the involvement of the various compartments of the forest ecosystem and to the contribution of different pollutants. - Development of the scientific fundamentals required for forestry measures to accompany the air pollution abatement measures. The investigations comprised both laboratory and field tests. The findings and conclusion are summarized. (orig./MG).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Possible causes of forest damage are discussed. Mapping of affected areas by various workers resulted in dissimilar pictures. Release of radioactive rare gases, aerosols, tritium and carbon-14 seems unlikely to have a significant influence on forest damage. Influence of radioactive fallout, ozone formation by high-voltage transmission lines and synergistic effects is also found to be negligible.

Science.gov (United States)

Quantification of the downed woody materials that comprise forest fuels has gained importance in Caribbean forest ecosystems due to the increasing incidence and severity of wildfires on island ecosystems. Because large-scale assessments of forest fuels have rarely been conducted for these ecosystems, forest fuels were assessed at 121 US Department of Agriculture forest service inventory plots on Puerto Rico, Vieques, and the US Virgin Islands. Results indicated that fuel loadings averaged 24.05 Mg ha(-1) in 2004-2006. Forest litter decreased from wetter to drier forest life zones. These island forests showed a paucity of coarse woody fuels (CWD) (2.91 Mg ha(-1)) and relatively greater quantities of smaller-sized fine woody fuels (FWD) (10.18 Mg ha(-1) for FWD and 10.82 Mg ha(-1) for duff/litter) when compared to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Herbivores and pathogens impact the species composition, ecosystem function, and socioeconomic value of forests. Herbivores and pathogens are an integral part of forests, but sometimes produce undesirable effects and a degradation of forest resources. In the United States, a few species of forest pests routinely have significant impacts on up to 20 million ha of forest with economic costs that probably exceed $1 billion/year. Climatic change could alter patterns of disturbance from herbivores and pathogens through: (1) direct effects on the development and survival of herbivores and pathogens; (2) physiological changes in tree defenses; and (3) indirect effects from changes in the abundance of natural enemies (e.g. parasitoids of insect herbivores), mutualists (e.g. insect vectors of tree pathogens), and competitors. Because of their short life cycles, mobility, reproductive ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Conversion of tropical forests to oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia has resulted in large-scale environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and significant carbon emissions. For both countries to participate in the United Nation's REDD (Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism, assessment of forest carbon stocks, including the estimated loss in carbon from conversion to plantation, is needed. In this study, we use a combination of field and remote sensing data to quantify both the magnitude and the geographical distribution of carbon stock in forests and timber plantations, in Sabah, Malaysia, which has been the site of significant expansion of oil palm cultivation over the last two decades. Forest structure data from 129ha of research and inventory p...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Plants release secondary metabolites into the soil that change the chemical environment around them. Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) is an important allelochemical whose role in successional trajectories has not been examined. We hypothesized that ABA can accumulate in the soil through successional processes and have an influence on forest dynamics. To this end, we investigated the distribution of ABA in forest communities from early to late successional stages and the response of dominant species to the gradient of ABA concentrations in three types of forests from northern to southern China. Concentrations of ABA in the soils of three forest types increased from early to late successional stages. Pioneer species? litters had the lowest ABA content, and their seed germination and seedling ea...

Science.gov (United States)

depth timber industry experience with state-of-the-art ... difficult to find high-value pockets of timber (also known as timber stands ) to supply his ...

Science.gov (United States)

... 124 Headquarters, 82nd Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division Airborne Standing Operating Procedures ... the Light Infantry divisions during the ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Cerebral periventricular white matter injury stands as a leading cause of cognitive, behavioral and motor impairment in preterm infants. There is epidemiological and histopathological evidence...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

tables & chairs, Gaggenau Cooktop & Oven, 12' ladder,. TV stands, futons. B/O. Call (650) 948-4831. Computer System Performa upgraded to LCIII. ...

Science.gov (United States)

Data on the postfire dynamics of soil properties in the foci of Siberian moth population outbreaks are considered. It has been shown that controlled fires set in pest-defoliated forests result in the loss of approximately 75% of carbon and 50% of nitrogen from the forest litter through their emission into the atmosphere and in the enrichment of the upper soil horizons with potassium and phosphorus (this concerns both total and movable forms). Microbiological processes in the organogenic horizon undergo significant transformation, the density of microarthropods decreases, and the abundance of mites becomes hundreds of times lower. PMID:15354965

Medline Plus

ROBOT-ASSISTED RADICAL LAPAROSCOPIC PROSTATECTOMY WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER WINSTON-SALEM, NC 00:00:08 ANTHONY ATALA, MD: I would like ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose The mangroves of New Caledonia, in the south Pacific, act as a buffer between a lagoon of more than 20,000?km2 and the island, which is characterized by ultramafic rocks and lateritic soils that are exploited for their richness in heavy metals. We will provide a better understanding of the redox conditions, and of heavy metal distributions in mangroves receiving shrimp farm effluents. Materials and methods Samples were collected from four areas defined in terms of vegetation composition: a salt flat, an Avicennia marina forest, in which effluents are released; a Rhizophora stylosa forest, and a dead Rhizophora forest. They were collected during times of maximum effluent release. Some measurements on pore water were also done during a period without effluent. Cores (70?cm deep) were...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Leaf litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient return through litterfall of three dominant species, i.e. Quercus serrata, Schima wallichi and Lithocarpus dealbata were studied in different months throughout the year to assess the input and release of nutrient in the forest soil of a sub-tropical mixed oak forest of Manipur, northeastern India. Oaks in northeastern region of India are economically important species for the production of Tasar silk. The monthly litterfall ranged from 25.6 g?m?2 (July) to 198.0 g?m?2 (February) and annual litterfall was 1093.8g?m?2 in the forest site. At initial month (on November 3), the concentrations of N and C were the highest in L. dealbata, followed by Q. serrata and lowest in S. wallichi, whereas lignin and cellulose concentrations at initial month...

Science.gov (United States)

Features: FOREST, DEFORESTATION, RIO JAMARI Geographic Region: BRAZIL .... Features: DEFORESTATION, TIERRAS BAJAS DEFORESTATION Geographic Region: BOLIVIA ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

English 1 Feb 2009 [1 p.] United Kingdom Didion, Markus Kupferschmid,

Science.gov (United States)

... data on pollen from red maple, birch, beech, ash, oak, hemlock and elm trees isolated from cores of ...

Science.gov (United States)

Fuel treatments are being implemented on public and private lands across the western United States. Although scientists and managers have an understanding ... ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lectures were held on forest and wood management, the forest as an energy source and the emission problem of wood combustion, future emission limitating regulations for wood firing, influence of firing technique on air pollution abatement and constructive and operational air pollution abatement measures with manually and continuously fuelled furnaces.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Global climate policy initiatives are now being proposed to compensate tropical forest nations for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). These proposals have the potential to include developing countries more actively in international greenhouse gas mitigation and to address a substantial share of the world's emissions which come from tropical deforestation. For such a policy to be viable it must have a credible benchmark against which emissions reduction can be calculated. This benchmark, sometimes termed a baseline or reference emissions scenario, can be based directly on historical emissions or can use historical emissions as input for business as usual projections. Here, we review existing data and methods that could be used to measure historical deforestation and forest degradation reference scenarios including FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) national ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Within the Westeuropean network of the electric current supply a continuing compensation is necessary with respect to the permanent alterations of capacity and frequency. Pumped-storage plants are of considerable significance to meet these requests. The Schluchseewerk AG, Freiburg/Breisgau, has among others five pumped-storage plants in the southern part of the Black Forest. The conception and the operation of them are described. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nutrient elements contained in litter fall flux, that of uptake flux and turnover rate had generally tended to increase with the increase in the Warmth Index, while the amount of nutrient in the A[sub 0] horizon and nutrient use efficiency did not. However, it is suggested that topographic and climatic aridity, and the amount of available and exchangeable phosphorus, calcium and magnesium greatly affect the nutrient dynamics in a each forest ecosystem as the Warmth Index increases. (J.P.N.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Savannah River Swamp is a 3,020 Ha forested wetland on the floodplain of the Savannah River and is located on the Department of Energy`s Savannah River Site (SRS). Major impacts to the swamp hydrology occurred with the completion of the production reactors and one coal-fired powerhouse at the SRS in the early 1950`s. Water was pumped from the Savannah River, through secondary heat exchangers of the reactors, and discharged into three of the tributary streams that flow into the swamp. This continued from 1954 to 1988 at various levels. The sustained increases in water volume resulted in overflow of the original stream banks and the creation of additional floodplains. Accompanying this was considerable erosion of the original stream corridor and deposition of a deep silt layer on the newly formed delta. Heated water was discharged directly into Pen Branch and water temperature in the stream often exceeded 50 C. The nearly continuous flood of the swamp, the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Fifteenmile Basin Habitat Improvement Project is an ongoing multi-agency effort to improve habitat in the Fifteenmile drainage and increase production of the depressed wild, winter steelhead run. Cooperating agencies include the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, USDA Forest Service. USDA Soil Conservation Service and Bonneville Power Administration. in consultation with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is administering project work on state and private lands and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service is administering project work on National Forest land. Project work on the Forest has been sub-divided into four components; (1) Ramsey Creek, (2) Eightmile Creek, (3) Fifteenmile Creek, and (4) Fivemile Creek. Forest Service activities in the Fifteenmile basin during 1988 involved habitat improvement work on Ramsey Creek, continuation ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The working hypothesis of the research was that the soil of boreal forests is a large carbon store and the amount of C is still increasing in young soils, like in the forest soils of Finland, which makes these soils important sinks for atmospheric CO{sub 2}. Since the processes defining the soil C balance, primary production of plants and decomposition, are dependent on environmental factors and site properties, it was assumed that the organic carbon pool in the soil is also dependent on the same factors. The soil C store is therefore likely to change in response to climatic warming. The aim of this research was to estimate the C balance of forest soil in Finland and predict changes in the balance in response to changes in climatic conditions. To achieve the aim (1) intensive empirical experimentation on the density of C in different pools in the soil and on fluxes between the pools was done was done, (2) the effect of site ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Before large-scale anthropogenetic emissions the environmental factors have been rather stable for thousands of years, varying yearly, seasonally and daily in rather regular manners around some mean values. In this century the emissions of CO{sub 2}, sulphur and nitrogen from society to atmosphere are changing both atmospheric and soil environment at rates not experienced before. The fluxes to soil affect the contents of plant available nutrients and solubility of toxic compounds in the forest soil. Additionally, the chemical state of soil environment is coupled to tree growth, litter production and nutrient uptake as well as to the activity of biological organisms in soil, which decompose litter and release nutrients from it. Trees have developed effective regulation systems to cope with the environment during the evolution. The resulting acclimations improve the functioning of the trees if the environmental factors remain within their range of variation during ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Agricultural runoff is a major non-point source pollutant and is the leading impairment of streams and rivers in the USA. This study examined the effects of agricultural, forest and urban land cover on water quality at the watershed level. Forty-three catchments ranging from 12 to 50?km2 were selected based on a land cover gradient within Lower Kaskaskia River Watershed in Illinois. Grab samples were collected and analyzed for nutrients, bacteria, and total suspended solids (TSS). Forest land cover was included in six of the ten regression models produced. Four of these regression models were for base flow conditions, suggesting that forest land cover had a significant impact on base flow water quality. Urban land cover was also included in six of the regression models. However, the majori...

Science.gov (United States)

Throughout much of the 1980s, deforestation in Brazil eliminated more than 15,000 square kilometers (9000 square miles) of forest per year. Data gathered by several satellites in the Landsat series of spacecraft shows enormous tracts of forest disappearing in Rondonia, Brazil from 1975 through 2001. The human phenomenon of deforestation starts, especially in the dense tropical forests of Brazil, when systematic cutting of a road opens new territory to potential deforestation by penetrating into new areas. Clearing of vegetation along the sides of those roads then tends to fan out to create a pattern akin to a fish skeleton. As new paths appear in the woods, more areas become vulnerable. Finally, the spaces between the skeletal bones fall to defoliation.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract The overstory of the jarrah forest is dominated by Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) with a smaller proportion of Marri (Corymbia calophylla). There are also several smaller tree species in the areas where Alcoa mines. Alcoa's restoration aims to restore all these species at densities similar to the unmined forest. This paper describes the establishment, survival, and growth of these trees with particular focus on Jarrah. Factors affecting the growth and form of Jarrah are also discussed. Establishment of Jarrah from seed in restored sites is variable (mean 10%), and once established, survival is high over two summer droughts (96%) and still high (mean 83%) after about a decade regardless of the presence of the Jarrah dieback disease Phytophthora cinnamomi. High establishment densitie...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this paper, the spatial-temporal dynamics of soil moisture content was investigated in an evergreen broad-leaved forest and a tea tree plantation in Ailao Mountains, which was dominated by Fagaceae (Castanopsis wattii and Lithocarpus xylocarpus). Soil moisture content was studied between January 2005 and December 2006 at different depths (from 0-150 cm) with a neutron probe. The results showed that mean soil moisture content in the evergreen broad-leaved forest was usually higher than in the tea tree plantation in the dry season, whereas it was lower than the tea tree plantation in the rainy season. In addition, mean soil moisture content was depth dependent, and in the 10-50 cm layer the spatial variability was due to the active root zone within this depth area in two types of land use...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The central nervous system (CNS) utilizes anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) postural adjustments to maintain equilibrium while standing. It is known that these postural adjustments...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The standing-wave free-electron laser (FEL) differs from a conventional linear-wiggler microwave FEL in using irises along the wiggler to form a series of standing-wave cavities and in reaccelerating the beam between cavities to maintain the average energy. The device has been proposed for use in a two-beam accelerator (TBA) because microwave power can be extracted more effectively than from a traveling-wave FEL. The standing-wave FEL is modeled in the continuum limit by a set of equations describing the coupling of a one-dimensional beam to a TE{sub 01} rectangular-waveguide mode. Analytic calculations and numerical simulations are used to determine the time variation of the reacceleration field and the prebunching required so that the final microwave energy is the same in all cavities. The microwave energy and phase are found to be insensitive to modest spreads in the beam energy and phase and to errors in the ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A 4.5-year-old Holstein-Friesian cow underwent surgery because of left abomasal displacement. Intra-operative palpation of the pyloric region revealed a phytobezoar. The abomasum containing the phytobezoar...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In a Swedish community-based program for the treatment of dental phobic patients, a clinical trial was performed among 99 severely phobic individuals with long-standing avoidance of dental treatment....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

If we are to stand any chance of understanding the circuitry of the superficial dorsal horn, it is imperative that we can identify which classes of interneuron are excitatory and which are inhibitory....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe TNF/LTA locus has been a long-standing T2D candidate gene. Several studies have examined association of TNF/LTA...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Special Operations Forces (SOF) within a Joint Task Force are controlled by a Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF). Presently, JSOTF headquarters are formed around the core of the Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC), a service SOF headquarter...

Science.gov (United States)

... hearing protection since you play, sit or stand near loud instruments and speakers. Here are a few ... piper's calling you to join him" Led Zeppelin (Robert Plant), "Stairway to Heaven" "My ears are ringin' ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pattern and model makers are skilled tradespersons who may be exposed to hardwoods, softwoods, phenol-formaldehyde resin-impregnated woods, epoxy and polyester/styrene resin systems, and welding and metal-casting fumes. The relationship of respiratory symptoms (wheezing, chronic bronchitis, dyspnea) and pulmonary function (FVC% predicted, FEV1% predicted, FEV1/FVC% predicted) with interview-derived cumulative exposure estimates to specific workplace agents and to all work with wood, plastic, or metal products was investigated in 751 pattern and model makers in southeast Michigan. In stratified analyses and age- and smoking-adjusted linear and logistic regression models, measures of cumulative wood exposures were associated with decrements in pulmonary function and dyspnea, but not with other symptoms. In similar analyses, measures of cumulative plastic exposures were associated with wheezing, chronic bronchitis, and dyspnea, but not with decrements in pulmonary ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of the report is to describe the state and prospects of the experimental and stand base (ESB) for fundamental investigations in the RF Ministry for Atomic Energy. The ESB includes the following scientific directions: high energy physics, nuclear physics, solid state physics (including superconductivity), plasma physics and controlled thermonuclear synthesis, nuclear reactors and reactor materials testing, lasers, energy conversion and others. Main economical, scientific and technical data on the ESB as a whole and on its most large scientific centers are presented

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background and AimsIn spatially heterogeneous environments, a trade-off between seedling survival and relative growth rate may promote the coexistence of plant species. In temperate...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To investigate the potential causes of changes to bird communities in exurban areas, we examined the relationship between bird and macro invertebrate communities in exurbanized forest. We randomly located sampling points across a gradient of exurbanization. We used point counts to quantify bird communities and sweep netting, soil cores, pitfalls, and frass collectors to quantify macro invertebrates. Bird communities had higher richness and abundance in exurban areas compared to undeveloped forests, and lost some species of conservation concern but gained others. The macro invertebrate community was slightly more abundant in exurban areas, with a slight shift in taxonomic composition. The abundance of macro invertebrates in soil cores (but not pitfalls) predicted the abundance of ground-foraging birds. The abundance of macro invertebrates in sweep nets was not associated with the abundance of aerial insectivore birds. Exurbanization therefore ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The combustion of forestry residues and of straw are dealt with in relation to the following: Agricultural Applications; Industrial Applications; Design; Performance and Properties; Economic Aspects; Environmental Aspects and Research programs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Deforestation is rapidly transforming primary forests across the tropics into human-dominated landscapes. Consequently, conservationists need to understand how different taxa respond and adapt to these...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Methyl halide fluxes were measured from fine (nonwoody) litter samples at a temperate deciduous forest site in Scotland on 16 occasions over more than a year and at a coniferous forest site. The resulting mean (+-1 sd) CH3Br and CH3Cl fluxes were 4.1 +- 3.7 ng kg-1 h-1 and 0.98 +- 0.62 mg kg-1 h-1, respectively, for dry mass leaf litter and 5.7 +- 6.3 ng kg-1 h-1 and 0.47 +- 0.14 mg kg-1 h-1 for dry mass needle litter. Temporal variations of net fluxes from leaf litter were significantly greater than spatial variations suggesting seasonality in the fluxes. The mean CH3Cl/CH3Br mass ratio of fluxes was 200 (to 1 sig. fig.), an order of magnitude larger than the ratio of their estimated global turnovers. Temperate forest litter may be a moderate net source of CH3Cl globally but a negligible ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundMalaria is a major public health problem in Cameroon. Unlike in the southern forested areas where the epidemiology of malaria has been better studied prior to the implementation...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

retrieve detailed aerosol and cloud particle size distribution and shape ...... but on rain types, and hydrometeor characteristics. ..... of ice streams, decreasing sea ice cover in the Arctic, poleward movement of forest cover, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Emissions of nitric oxide from soils of equatorial rain forest were measured in the Dimonika Natural Park (4 degrees 30'S, 12 degrees 30'E) in the Mayombe Forest in Congo. Three research campaigns were carried out in June and July 1991 and in February 1992. Fluxes were measured by dynamic chamber techniques using a chemiluminescence instrument Scintrex LMA3. NO fluxes measured on natural soils are in between 5 and 17x10[sup 9] molecules cm[sup -2]s[sup -1]; they are of the same order of magnitude as those observed in similar tropical forest media. Soil treatment experiments show that the auto-decomposition of HNO[sub 2] in these acid soils (pH 4) (chemodenitrification) is a potentially important cause of nitric oxide production in this type of ecosystem. Nitrous acid comes from autotrophic nitrification all the year around, and also from biological denitrification, shown by N[sub 2]O emissions, during the ...

Science.gov (United States)

Fuel treatments are being widely implemented on public and private lands across the western U.S. While scientists and managers have an understanding of how ... ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A study of two forest areas in India investigated how much energy is wasted when high stumps are left after trees are cut to produce wooden boxes for packing the apple harvest. Measurements of the stumps determined the total wood pulp wasted, which was 1191 tons during 1981. The calorific value of the stumps would supply a year's cooking and heating fuels for 747 families of five. Additional fuel is wasted by abandoning the branches and tree tops which are unsuitable for box construction. 5 references, 4 tables.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper describes an application of the tree classification method Random Forest (RF), as used in the analysis of data from the ground-based gamma telescope MAGIC. In such telescopes, cosmic gamma-rays are observed and have to be discriminated against a dominating background of hadronic cosmic-ray particles. We describe the application of RF for this gamma/hadron separation. The RF method often shows superior performance in comparison with traditional semi-empirical techniques. Critical issues of the method and its implementation are discussed. An application of the RF method for estimation of a continuous parameter from related variables, rather than discrete classes, is also discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Establishing germplasm of woody plants in microculture as shoot cultures has proved to be an effective method of overcoming many of the obstacles in working with these crops. Shoot cultures eliminate the changes associated with seasonal growth cycles and phase change and put large plants into a more manageable form. Well-established shoot cultures are central to successful clonal propagation systems for forest trees as well as to genetic improvement based on the use of cellular techniques such as protoplast manipulation. The physiological basis as to why tissues from shoot cultures are so readily manipulated is not well understood.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A considerable time can elapse between initial selection of candidate plus trees and harvest of improved seed. The technique showing the greatest promise of shortening this interval is vegetative propagation. Stock plants are grown for two years from seed before the first propagation cycle begins and each plant can be bulked-up 300-500 times over two cycles. An initial stock of 2500 superior Sitka Spruce plants can be multiplied to yield between 300,000 and 750,000 rooted cuttings for forest use within four years from the start of propagation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This research programme has been under way since 1990 to study the long-term synergistic effects of air pollutants and changing climatic conditions on the northern forest ecosystem and to increase the knowledge of climatic change and its consequences for the fragile northern nature. Ecological, physiological, morphological and biochemical methods have been used to study the responses of forest trees, dwarf shrubs, lichens and soil biology to environmental changes. The research programme is divided into four subprojects concentrating on different ecosystem levels. The subprojects are: (1) life, growth and survival strategies of northern dwarf shrubs under the pressure of a changing environment, (2) forest trees under the impact of air pollutants, increasing CO{sub 2} and UV-B, (3) susceptibility of lichens to air pollution and climatic change and (4) impact of elevated atmospheric CO{sub 2} and O{sub 3} on soil biology with ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A large portion of terrestrial carbon (C) resides in soil organic carbon (SOC). The dynamics of this large reservoir depend on many factors, including climate. Measurements of {sup 13}C:{sup 12}C ratios, C concentrations, and C:N ratios at six forest sites in the Southern Appalachian Mountains (USA) were used to explore several hypotheses concerning the relative importance of factors that control soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and SOC turnover. Mean {delta}{sup 13}C values increased with soil depth and decreasing C concentrations along a continuum from fresh litter inputs to more decomposed soil constituents. Data from the six forest sites, in combination with data from a literature review, indicate that the extent of change in {delta}{sup 13}C values from forest litter inputs to mineral soil (20 cm deep) is significantly associated with mean annual temperature. The findings support a conceptual model of vertical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Forests on the Kola Peninsula in Northern Russia grow close to the northern tree line. They are subjected to both natural and anthropogenic stress factors. The Cu-Ni smelter 'Severonikel' (Lat. 67 deg 55'N; Long. 32 deg 57'E) near Monchegorsk is one of the two major sources of sulphur dioxide and heavy metals emissions on the Kola Peninsula. These emissions have caused significant deterioration of the surrounding vegetation. The thesis demonstrates how methods of Remote sensing, ground survey and mathematical modelling can be integrated for monitoring of the smelter's environmental impact on the surrounding vegetation: ground truth data are used for calibration of remote-sensed data, which further serve to verify mathematical models. The study aims were: * to estimate the scale of airborne sulphur pollution from the smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula and its effect on vegetation; * to assess spatial extent of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Severe depletion of nutrients through removal of the above ground litter caused a cessation of growth of a Eucalyptus exserta forest in tropical China. Since there is no above ground input of C in this forest, microbial biomass (C_m_i_c) and soil organic C (C_o_r_g) are maintained by the below ground input only. By determining the maintenance requirement of the soil microflora, it should be possible to estimate the below ground production of this forest. To check this hypothesis the authors performed an experiment with labelled C. Since large scale production and field application of "1"4C labelled Eucalyptus litter were not feasible, 'naturally labelled' C_4 plant litter (Zea mays) was used. Maize litter has a #delta#"1"3C of -12.7 per mille as compared with a #delta#"1"3C of -30.7 per mille for Eucalyptus leaf litter. The "1"3C abundance is used to determine the amount of maize C in each of the soil layers. Investigations ...

Science.gov (United States)

There are few empirical data, particularly collected simultaneously from multiple sites, on extinctions resulting from human-driven land-use change. Southeast Asia has the highest deforestation rate in the world, but the resulting losses of biological diversity remain poorly documented. Between November 2006 and March 2008, we conducted bird surveys on six landbridge islands in Malaysia and Indonesia. These islands were surveyed previously for birds in the early 1900 s, when they were extensively forested. Our bird inventories of the islands were nearly complete, as indicated by sampling saturation curves and nonparametric true richness estimators. From zero (Pulau Malawali and Pulau Mantanani) to 15 (Pulau Bintan) diurnal resident landbird species were apparently extirpated since the early 1900 s. Adding comparable but published extinction data from Singapore to our regression analyses, we found there were proportionally fewer forest bird ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Together with an investigation on the deformation behavior of hot and cold rolled strip edge, the edge-drop control was explained in characteristics and result of application to the commercial mill by the tapered-crown work roll (WR) shifting mill. From a cold rolling experiment, three-dimensional material flow was known to be generated in the vicinity of edge also at the time of rolling the strip, and which generation influences that of edge-drop. Almost linearly relative to the flattened deformation of WR, the edge-drop enlarges with enlargement in that deformation. The number of stands to be applied to the tapered-crown WR shifting mill in the tandem cold mill is determined by the location as far as which the strip is to be controlled in edge-drop. In case of improving it to obtain the edge-drop-free strip, all the stands are required to be equipped with tapered-crown WR shifting mill. By applying a tapered-crown WR shifting mill to the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, research on pass schedule of tandem cold mill (TCM) is carried out. According to load (reduction, rolling force, motor power) balance, non-linear equations set with variables of inter-stand thickness is constructed. The pass schedule optimization is carried out by solving the non-linear equations set. As the traditional method, the Newton-Raphson method is used for solving the non-linear equations set. In this paper a new simple method is brought up. On basis of the monotone relations between thickness and load, the inter-stands thickness is adjusted dynamically. The solution of non-linear equations set can be converged by iterative calculation. This method can avoid the derivative calculation used by traditional method. So, this method is simple and calculation speed is high. It is suitable for on-line control. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An estimation method of plasma density based on surface plasmons theory for surface-wave plasmas is proposed. The number of standing-wave is obtained directly from the discharge image, and the propagation constant is calculated with the trim size of the apparatus in this methods, then plasma density can be determined with the value of 9.1 x 1017 m-3. Plasma density is measured using a Langmuir probe, the value is 8.1 x 1017 m-3 which is very close to the predicted value of surface plasmons theory. Numerical simulation is used to check the number of standing-wave by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method also. All results are compatible both of theoretical analysis and experimental measurement. (authors)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper describes a comprehensive MCM [machine condition monitoring] program and suggested system for implementation in hydroelectric generating units. The system addresses all the major subsystems which make up the generating unit. A modular design means that it could be applicable in a wide variety of situations. Different subsystems may be included or excluded from the monitoring system as required. It may be used at individual plants as a stand alone system or network wide. An advanced processing and diagnostic module is included, again for use as an integral part of the system or as a stand alone analysis tool. Examples of the system's proposed data analysis and diagnostic abilities are also described using vibration signals as would be provided by the bearing module. (Author)

Environmental Research Database

ObjectivesThe overall objective of the proposal is to test the conclusions reached in a recent article by Magnani, Mencuccini et al (2007), in which we proposed for the first time that the Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) of forests of the temperate and boreal region does not depend on temperature or rainfall but, rather, on nitrogen deposition (Ndep) from the atmosphere. It is widely accepted that Ndep can increase forest C sequestration, however the results from our 2007 paper reported a sensitivity dC/ [continued...]DescriptionCombustion of fossil fuels and use of fertilisers in agriculture has increased the amount of nitrogen compounds present in the atmosphere and the biosphere. More atmospheric nitrogen is converted into reactive nitrogen by anthropogenic activities than by all natural processes combined. This phenomenal historical increase in nitrogen deposition is responsible for several serious environmental problems, such as soil ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Inventories of emissions and removals of greenhouse gases will be used under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol to demonstrate compliance with obligations. During the negotiation process of the Kyoto Protocol it has been a concern that uptake of carbon in forest sinks can be difficult to verify. The reason for large uncertainties are high temporal and spatial variability and lack of representative estimation parameters. Additional uncertainties will be a consequence of definitions made in the Kyoto Protocol reporting. In the Nordic countries the national forest inventories will be very useful to estimate changes in carbon stocks. The main uncertainty lies in the conversion from changes in tradable timber to changes in total carbon biomass. The uncertainties in the emissions of the non-CO{sub 2} carbon from forest soils are particularly high. On the other hand the removals ...

Science.gov (United States)

Sulfur dioxide emissions from an iron ore sintering plant have severely damaged vegetation up to 16 km northeast of the source. Concentric zones of increasing vegetation loss have formed around the point of maximum ground level concentration of the gas. Species diversity, sulfur and heavy metal concentrations in vegetation and soil amount to SO/sub 2/ injury were measured along a transect through the injury zones. Surrounding a central denuded area were zones dominated respectively by tussock-forming hair grass (Deschampsia flexuosa); low-growing shrubs and trailers (Sambucus pubens, Polygonum cilinode); higher-growing shrubs and suckering Populus tremuloides and Betula papyrifera) stunted forest tree species (Populus, Betula, Picea glauca, Abies Balsamea), and finally, normal boreal forest flora. Although SO/sub 2/ injury is continuing in this area, these zones now appear to be maintained primarily by severe erosion and destruction of suitable ...

Scientific Electronic Library Online (English)

Abstract in english Six species of Leishmania are at present known to cause cutaneous and/or mucocutaneous leishamniasis in Brazil, and they are all to be found in the Amazon region of this country. The eco-epidemiology of each is discussed, with the observation that the Amazonian leishmaniases are all zoonoses, with their source in silvatic mammals and phlebotomine sandfly vectors. With man's destruction of the natural forest in southern Brazil, some sandfly species have survived by adapti (more) ng to a peridomestic or domiciliary habitat in rural areas. Some domestic animals, such as dogs and equines are seemingly now involved in the epidemiology of the disease. No such process has yet been reported in the Amazon region, but may well take place with the continuing devastation of its forest.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Nomographs that calculate the threshold values of surface fire parameters which lead to crown fire initiation were created by linking two separate fire behavior models: Van Wagner?s crown fire ignition criteria and Byram?s surface fire model. The nomographs were also based on the existing surface (fuel load, fuel heat content) and canopy (foliar moisture content, live crown base height) fuel models of Aleppo (Pinus halepensis Mill.) pine forests of Mediterranean Greece. The most important fire parameters for crown fire initiation that are calculated by the nomographs are the critical flame length and the forward spread rate of the surface fire. These parameters are readily observable in the field during fires. The nomographs provide a judicious way to assess whether a crown fire is likely ...

Wastenet

... Home Our work Conservation Advice Land management for nightjars Land management for nightjars Nightjars are masters of camouflage The nightjar is now a scarce breeding bird of lowland heathland, forest clearings and clearfells on suitable light soils throughout Britain, north to southern Scotland, and in coppice woodland in south-east England. Nightjars were once much more numerous and widespread than today, but now appear to be recovering.... This offers shelter, camouflage and seclusion from potential predators. Scattered trees are used to sing from and to roost in. In conifer forest clearings, clear-fells and restocks, especially on former heathland, the vegetation structure is like that of heathland, augmented with lying brash, which provides added concealment. Restocked clearings are abandoned as the tree canopy closes over the open ground around seven to ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that is found in aquatic food webs and is hazardous to humans. An emerging conceptual model predicts that the areas of the landscape that have the potential to contain food webs with elevated concentrations of Hg are those that receive high amounts of Hg and sulfate deposition and have high coverage of forests and wetlands and low coverage of agriculture. The objective of the present study was to test this conceptual model using concentrations of Hg in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from 145 reservoirs in four ecoregions of North Texas. The highest level of Hg contamination in fish was in the South Central Plains, the ecoregion that receives the highest levels of Hg and sulfate deposition and contains extensive forest and wetland habitat and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots of the world. Paleoclimatic models have predicted two large stability regions in its northern and central parts, whereas southern regions might have suffered strong instability during Pleistocene glaciations. Molecular phylogeographic and endemism studies show, nevertheless, contradictory results: although some results validate these predictions, other data suggest that paleoclimatic models fail to predict stable rainforest areas in the south. Most studies, however, have surveyed species with relatively high dispersal rates whereas taxa with lower dispersion capabilities should be better predictors of habitat stability. Here, we have used two land planarian species as model organisms to analyse the patterns ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of weather and available protection on the behaviour of outdoor-wintered beef cattle (Bos taurus). A herd of 78-85 cattle head was studied during four winter months in the Southwest of Sweden. Protection was offered by coniferous forest situated on and around the 12ha pasture, which we divided into protection categories. During 240h we observed 10 cows and 10 heifers as focal animals (each 3h/month) during day time and adjusted observation times to the altitude of the sun. Close to the animals and at an unprotected spot of the pasture we measured temperature, wind speed and solar radiation and combined these variables to a single measure called Wind Chill Temperature (WCT). During observations the animals were in the forest in 12...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

An important aspect of ecosystem sustainability is the ability to withstand and recover from disturbance or stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of a heat-disturbance on soil microbial biomass, microbial activity in response to the addition of organic acid (malate), and microbial community structure in a laboratory experiment. The soils investigated were from a jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest that had undergone rehabilitation following bauxite mining 12 years previously. Soils from a full factorial of two field treatments; contour ripping induced micro-topography (mound or furrow) and prior exposure to prescription fire (burnt or non-burnt), were sampled and found to exhibit treatment-dependent differences in soil biological and chemical properties. Exposure of soil micro...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACT Drought is an important seedling mortality agent in dry and moist tropical forests, and more severe and frequent droughts are predicted in the future. The effect of drought on leaf gas exchange and seedling survival was tested in a dry-down experiment with four tree species from dry and moist forests in Bolivia. Seedlings were droughted and wilting stage and gas exchange were monitored. Drought led to a gradual reduction of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance over time, whereas respiration and photosynthetic water-use efficiency initially increased with drought and then declined. Seedlings gradually went through the different wilting stages, until they eventually died, but the trajectory differed for the four species. The strong relationship between wilting stage and photosynt...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACT We present evidence that differences in soil seedbank persistence among pioneer plants in the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica, are influenced by differences in seed chemical defense. We used extracted seed chemicals from Bocconia frutescens (Papaveraceae), Guettarda poasana (Rubiaceae), Phytolacca rivinoides (Phytolaccaceae), Urera elata (Urticaceae), Cecropia polyphlebia (Cecropiaceae), and Witheringia meiantha (Solanaceae) to assess seed chemical defense in two ways: (1) a plant pathogen inhibition assay using Pythium irregulare; and (2) a brine shrimp toxicity assay using Artemia salina. The combined performance of each species in the two assays positively correlated with seedbank persistence. In the pathogen assay, mycelium growth was reduced when Pythium was cultured o...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We present here for the first time the tele-robotics system for hot-cells MT200-TAO (TAO stands for Teleoperation Assistee par Ordinateur or Computer Assisted Tele-robotics), able to replace a conventional telescopic medium tele-manipulator (extension 4 m; capacity 20 kg). The system is currently under evaluation in COGEMA/AREVA- La Hague hot-cells. (authors)

CERN Document Server

How far can a stack of $n$ identical blocks be made to hang over the edge of a table? The question dates back to at least the middle of the 19th century and the answer to it was widely believed to be of order $\\log n$. Recently, Paterson and Zwick constructed $n$-block stacks with overhangs of order $n^{1/3}$, exponentially better than previously thought possible. We show here that order $n^{1/3}$ is indeed best possible, resolving the long-standing overhang problem up to a constant factor.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is shown that observations of the lithium isotope ratio in high surface temperature Population II stars may be critical to cosmological nucleosynthesis models. In particular, decaying particle scenarios as derived in some supersymmetric models may stand or fall with such observations. 18 references.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The development of emmissions, the measures planned and carried out and the present state of research in the Federal Republic of Germany into air pollution effects and abatement technology is reported. Possible starting points and solutions for air pollution abatement measures are explored within the legal framework.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An increase in forest production will be necessary in the future when wood becomes a major renewable source of energy and chemicals along with its traditional role of fibre source. This increase could eventually by achieved be proper selection and breeding of trees. Clonal forestry by vegetative propagation of cuttings is becoming a viable alternative to a seedling-based forestry with many advantages, and cutting could be used to quickly propagate large numbers of clones of control-pollinated seedlings. Most forest trees are propagated sexually and seed orchards were started in the US and Canada in the last 40-50 years for breeding purposes. Forests could ultimately be established with improved seedlings instead of from seed with unknown genetic potential, or by natural regeneration. Micropropagation is the term used to refer to the propagation of plants raised by tissue culture methods rather than from seeds or cuttings. ...

Science.gov (United States)

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition affects many natural processes, including forest litter decomposition. Saprotrophic fungi are the only organisms capable of completely decomposing lignocellulosic (woody) litter in temperate ecosystems, and therefore the responses of fungi to N deposition are critical in understanding the effects of global change on the forest carbon cycle. Plant litter decomposition under elevated N has been intensively studied, with varying results. The complexity of forest floor biota and variability in litter quality have obscured N-elevation effects on decomposers. Field experiments often utilize standardized substrates and N-levels, but few studies have controlled the decay organisms. Decomposition of beech (Fagus sylvatica) blocks inoculated with two cord-forming basidiomycete fungi, Hypholoma fasciculare and Phanerochaete velutina, was compared experimentally under realistic levels of simulated ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

NH₄⁺ inhibition kinetics for CH₄ oxidation were examined at near-atmospheric CH₄ concentrations in three upland forest soils. Whether NH₄⁺-independent...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Since 1984 the Environmental Protection Agency (LfU) of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg has been investigating the heavy metal burden of earthworms from representative long-term forest observation plots. These investigations are aimed at elucidating and assessing adverse effects of pollutants on the soil biocenosis. Methods: At first only lead and cadmium were measured in the worms; in repetitive measurements over the years further metals or metalloid elements such as aluminum, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, mercury, nickel, thallium, vanadium, and zinc were added to the agenda. Results and conclusion: The frequency distribution of the metals in the earthworms was characterized statistically. For the first time state-wide background values, normal values and threshold values were established for all the elements measured. A comparable study with a similar range of parameters is known neither nationally nor internationally. Time trend studies have ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sufficient genetic diversity exists in Indian tree species to give large genetic gains. Improvement potential, using wild gene resources for selection and breeding is vast as there are over 244 genera and 400 forest tree species in India. Of these over 30 species and 22 genera are of outstanding forestry value. Selective genetic-variation can be lifted from wild populations, multiplied vegetatively or by seed, and planted with controlled germplasm sources. Among the Indian species no less than 74 reproduce by cutting, 11 by layers, 9 by grafting and buding and 104 by root suckers. More than 161 species coppice vigorously. Afforestation techniques of over 170 species have been worked out. Tree genetic approach of survey of natural variability, quick evaluation, selection, conservation multiplication and planting superior variability directly in the field can give immediate genetic gains. This article discusses genetic information on indigenous species for use of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study examines the extent of radioactive pollution of moss cover of forest communities of the Kamenskii district of the Sverdlovsk region. This area contains the periphery section of the Eastern-Ural Radioactive Trace, formed as a result of the Kyshtymskii accident. Mosses do not release radionuclides for a long time, making them a biological indicator of radioactive environmental pollution and making them useful for radioecological monitoring. 14 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

TRF-CUT, an ARB-implemented tool, was developed to predict in silico the terminal restriction fragments of aligned small-subunit rRNA gene or functional gene sequences. Application of this new tool...Full Text Available

Wastenet

... Boreal Forest and Climate Change Pertti Hari, Liisa Kulmala, 160.45 EUR; 209.00 USD; 135.00 GBP... Global Atmospheric Change and its Impact on... Ian Barnes 145.00 USD; 128.35 EUR; 95.00 GBP... More Journals » MAGAZINES & JOURNALS Journal of Water Supply: Research &Technology -... Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technolog... ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Belarus has some experience of wood biomass use for power engineering aims. All the necessary equipment, assigned for power production, is manufactured at own enterprises. Belarus possesses great forest resources, total forests area makes up 8 676,1 thou ha. In the average as for the republic the percentage of forests volume makes up 37,7%. The greatest percent of forest scope have Gomel and Vitebsk regions (44,6% and 38,1% correspondingly). Of 118 administrative regions the forest scope above 20% have 15 regions (Rossonskij - 66,8%, Lel'chitsy - 66,5%). The forest scope less 20% is marked on the territory of 8 regions (Nesvizh - 9,6%, Berestovitsy - 14,6%, Zel'venskij - 14,8%). Wood reserves make up 1 437,9 mln. m"3 on the republic's territory. The greatest wood reserves are noted on the territory of Gomel, (323,6 mln. m"3 ), Minsk (286,4 mln. m"3 ) and Vitebsk ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the first part of the symposium, experts reviewed the state of the art of decentralized waste water treatment in Europe. In the second part, exemplary solutions in Poland and the Czech Republic were presented. The final part was dedicated to future concepts and strategies. [German] Im Herbst letzten Jahres hat die Kommunale Umwelt-AktioN U.A.N. in einer Abfolge von drei Abwasserfachsymposien Expertenrunden zum Austausch ueber den aktuellen Stand des Wissens zum Thema dezentrale Abwasserbehandlung veranstaltet. Mit dem Internationalen Symposium 'Konzepte zur Abwasserbehandlung im laendlichen Raum Europas' in Celle hat das Projekt der U.A.N. seinen Abschluss gefunden. Der Konzeption des Projektes entsprechend haben im 1. Teil des Symposiums Experten ueber den Stand der Entwicklung auf dem Sektor der dezentralen Abwasserbehandlung in Deutschland berichtet. Im 2. Teil unserer Fachtagung wurden europaeische Beispiele fuer ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nomographs have been constructed to estimate the average evaporation loss from internal floating-roof tanks. Loss determined from the charts can be used to evaluate the economics of seal conversion and to reconcile refinery, petrochemical plant, and storage terminal losses. The losses represent average standing losses only. They do not cover losses associated with the movement of product into or out of the tank. The average standing evaporation loss from an internal floating-roof tank depends on: vapor pressure of the product; type and condition of roof seal; tank diameter; and type of fixed roof support. The nomographs can estimate evaporation loss for product true vapor pressures (TVP) ranging from 1.5 to 14 psia, the most commonly used seals for average and tight fit conditions, tank diameters ranging from 50 to 250 ft, welded and bolted designs, and both self-supporting and column-support fixed roof designs. The charts are purposely limited ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An overview of the Canadian mining industry`s state of preparedness for the Year 2000 is presented. Committees within the mining industry are working on scheduling and implementing activities, defining criticality, monitoring remedial action, and contingency planning. The Mining Association of Canada is working with the Federal Government`s National Contingency Planning Group to deal with potential threats to health and security. Survey results suggest that mining poses a low to medium risk based on the state of planning for Y2K. The results of a survey of member preparedness is tabulated. 1 tab.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A standing challenge for the science of mind is to account for the datum that every mind faces in the most immediate - that is, unmediated - fashion: its phenomenal experience. The complementary tasks of explaining what it means for a system to give rise to experience and what constitutes the content of experience (qualia) in computational terms are particularly challenging, given the multiple realizability of computation. In this paper, we identify a set of conditions that a computational theory must satisfy for it to constitute not just a sufficient but a necessary, and therefore naturalistic and intrinsic, explanation of qualia. We show that a common assumption behind many neurocomputational theories of the mind, according to which mind states can be formalized solely in terms of instan...

CERN Document Server

The phenomenal success of the iPhone and the iPod touch has ushered in a "gold rush" for developers, but with well over 100,000 apps in the highly competitive App Store, it has become increasingly difficult for new apps to stand out in the crowd. Achieving consumer awareness and sales longevity for your iPhone app requires a lot of organization and some strategic planning. This book will show you how to incorporate marketing and business savvy into every aspect of the design and development process, giving your app the best possible chance of succeeding in the App Store. The Business

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The origin of life is a long-standing mystery puzzling many people. This mystery possesses not only philosophical but also important biological significance. To unveil this mystery, the searches for the root of life, or the last universal common ancestor (LUCA), based on comparative-genomic analysis have been intensively performed on rRNAs, tRNAs and proteins sequences. The current search pointed to a Methanopyrus-proximal LUCA, which opens up the reconstruction of Lucan biology and helps to delineate the evolutionary pathways.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A billet of low-density carbon-bonded carbon fiber (CBCF) composite is machined into a desired attenuator or load element shape (usually tapering). The CBCF composite is used as a free-standing load element or, preferably, brazed to the copper, brass or aluminum components of coaxial transmission lines or microwave waveguides. A novel braze method was developed for the brazing step. The resulting attenuator and/or load devices are robust, relatively inexpensive, more easily fabricated, and have improved performance over conventional graded-coating loads.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nuclear forensics is the analysis of nuclear materials recovered from either the capture of unused materials, or from the radioactive debris following a nuclear explosion and can contribute significantly to the identification of the sources of the materials and the industrial processes used to obtain them. In the case of an explosion, nuclear forensics can also reconstruct key features of the nuclear device. Nuclear forensic analysis works best in conjunction with other law enforcement, radiological protection dosimetry, traditional forensics, and intelligence work to provide the basis for attributing the materials and/or nuclear device to its originators. Nuclear forensics is a piece of the overall attribution process, not a stand-alone activity

Science.gov (United States)

This instructional unit is one of 10 developed by students on various energy-related areas that deals specifically with fireplaces and fuels. Its objective is for the student to be able to discuss the structural design, operation, and efficiency of fireplaces and characteristics of different fireplace fuels. Some topics covered are fuels, elements of the fire triangle, factors relating to high efficiency of masonry fireplaces, uses of grates and chimney, heat recovery, and prefabricated and free standing fireplaces. Materials in each unit may include some or all of the following: terminal and specific objectives, list of references, information sheet with terms and definitions, informative materials, transparency masters, assignment sheet(s), and unit test with answers. (YLB)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This executive summary presents the motivation, structure, objectives, methodologies and results of the first stage of the international DECOVALEX project - DECOVALEX I (1992-1995). The acronym stands for Development of Coupled Models and their Validation against Experiment in Nuclear Waste Isolation, and the project is an international effort to develop mathematical models, numerical methods and computer codes for coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in fractured rocks and buffer materials for geological isolation of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive wastes, and validate them against laboratory and field experiments. 24 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A back-up system is provided for a pumping plant or a pressure reservoir system used to maintain insulating oil under pressure in high voltage submarine power cables which includes a gas driven membrane pump to insure a small outflow of oil at a rupture point in the power cable to prevent water from penetrating the cable. The proper operation of the membrane pump is insured by introducing degasified oil at the drive side of the pump during the stand-by and test modes of operation of the back-up system. 11 drawings.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Bioenergy Feedstock Development Program, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is developing poplars (Populus species and hybrids) as sources of renewable energy, i.e., ethanol. Notable increases in adaptability, volume productivity, and pest/stress resistance have been achieved via classical selection and breeding and intensified cultural practices. Significant advances have also been made in the efficiencies of harvesting and handling systems. Given these and anticipated accomplishments, program leaders are considering shifting some attention to genetically modifying feedstock physical and chemical properties, so as to improve the efficiency with which feedstocks can be converted to ethanol. This report provides an in-depth review and synthesis of opportunities for and feasibilities of genetically modifying feedstock qualities via classical selection and breeding, marker-aided selection and breeding, and genetic transformation. Information was collected ...

Science.gov (United States)

This report has been prepared in conjunction with an environmental baseline study for a commercial coal conversion facility being conducted by Ashland Synthetic Fuels, Inc. (ASFI) and Airco Energy Company (AECO). This report represents a cultural resource assessment for the proposed plant site and two potential solid waste disposal areas. This assessment presents data collected by Dames and Moore during a recent archaeological reconnaissance of the unsurveyed southeastern portion of the proposed plant site and two potential solid waste disposal areas. Also, results of two previous surveys on the northern and southwestern portion of the plant site for American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) and Kentucky Utilities are included. The Dames and Moore survey of the southeastern portion of the plant site identified one archaeological site, three standing structures and one historic cemetery. In addition 47 archaeological sites and six standing ...

CERN Document Server

Numerical simulations predict that a large number of baryons reside in intergalactic space at temperatures between 10^5-10^7 K. Highly-ionized metals, such as O VII and O VIII, are good tracers of this ``warm-hot intergalactic medium'', or WHIM. For collisionally-ionized gas, the ionization fraction of each ion peaks at some particular temperature (``peak temperatures''), so different ions can therefore trace the IGM at different temperatures. We performed a hydrodynamic simulation to study the metal distributions in the IGM. We then draw random lines-of-sight across the simulated region and synthesize resonance absorption line spectra in a similar way to simulating the Ly-alpha forest. By studying the distribution functions of H- and He-like O, Si and Fe in a collisionally-ionized IGM and comparing with semi-analytic results based on the Press-Schechter formalism, we find: (1) ions with higher peak temperatures (for instance, Fe XXVI) tend to concentrate around ...

CERN Document Server

We directly measure the evolution of the intergalactic Lyman-alpha effective optical depth, tau_eff, over the redshift range 2 is <1% at z=2, 4% at z=3, and 12% at z=4. Previous measurements of tau_eff at 3forest have generally neglected this effect and are therefore likely biased low. We provide estimates of the level of absorption arising from metals in the Ly-alpha forest based on both direct and statistical metal removal results in the literature, finding that this contribution is ~6-9% at z=3 and decreases monotonically with redshift. The high precision of our measurement, attaining 3% in redshift bins of width Delta z=0.2 aro und z=3, indicates significant departures from the best-fit power-law redshift evolution (tau_eff=0.0018(1+z)^3.92, when metals are left in), particularly near z=3.2. The observed downward departure is statistically consistent with a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This article briefly comments on some stumbling-blocks to climatic change modelling accuracy - in assessments of the greenhouse effect, 25% (missing link) of atmospheric carbon dioxide absorption is still unaccounted for; 1989 World Bank estimates of the Amazon rain forest deforestation rate have since proven to be inaccurate; there are difficulties in assessing the movement of the earth's crust relative to variations in sea level; and different studies vary in results relative to global temperature measurement and trend assessment. The need for an assessment of the economic impacts of increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide is also pointed out.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

More efficient and safe production machines are required for sod peat production. The efficiency and durability of machines is especially important in contract work. Two sod peat harvester types, Pala-14 and Turve-Unsa, were tested by the forest department of the Work Efficiency Associationin summer 1986. Sod peat was collected with these machines at three sod peat production sites. The yield of the Pala-14 harvester was 121 m/sup 3//h for harvesting time, and 56 m/sup 3//h for worksite time, and that of Turve-Unsa was 108 m/sup 3//h and 55 m/sup 3//h, respectively.

Science.gov (United States)

The C isotopic composition of CH4 emissions are strongly influenced by the pathway of CH4 formation. Contrary to data from other freshwater systems, soil gas and surface flux measurements made in the tropical rain forests of Puerto Rico strongly suggest that CH4 produced in these environments was derived from CO2 reduction, rather than from acetate consumption. This study explored the effects of bacterial competition for acetate, pH, and soil structure on the pathways of CH4 formation in tropical rain forest soils. Our goal was to test two principal hypotheses: (1) ferric iron-reducing bacteria out-competed methanogens for acetate, resulting in greater CO2 reduction rather than aceticlastic methanogenesis, and (2) the low pH of tropical rain forest soils favors CO2 reduction rather than aceticlastic methanogenesis. In addition, this study also investigated the effect of destroying soil aggregate structure on the pathways ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Clean Water Act of 1977 directed EPA to establish standards for use and disposal of sewage sludge (biosolids). The application of biosolids to non-agricultural lands is becoming increasingly important as a method of waste disposal. Ecological endpoints at the population, community, and/or ecosystem level have not previously been emphasized in the development of regulatory standards for municipal sewage sludge. This risk assessment focuses on terrestrial endpoints in four ecosystem types to which substantial quantities of sludge have been applied or are expected to be applied in the future: northwest Douglas-fir forest, southeastern loblolly pine plantation, eastern deciduous forest, and semi-arid rangeland. Conceptual models suitable for all ecosystems were developed that depict the links among assessment endpoints. Estimates of risks to wildlife from contaminants and simulations of impacts of nitrogen in sewage sludge on the structure and ...

Science.gov (United States)

Hydrologic processes in suburban watersheds and their effects on water quality warrant investigation. Biweekly and storm samples were collected and analyzed for base cations, selected anions, and DOC over a one-year period at the outlet of three small (37 - 55 ha) watersheds (one forested, two with different degrees of suburban development) in the Croton Watershed, southeastern New York. Less frequent sampling for Pt/Co color and disinfection by-product precursors (DBPs) were also conducted. Median baseflow concentrations (>3 days since rainfall) of DOC were similar, ranging from 2.1 to 1.8 to 1.7 mg L -1 for the most urbanized to the forested watershed, respectively. On a unit area load basis (kg ha-1 yr-1), the range was from 8.9 to 6.4 to 5.1, again from most urbanized to forested watershed. All three watersheds showed similar storm responses, with evidence for a flushing mechanism in that DOC concentration increased ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Installation of the major hardware subsystems for MFTF is nearing completion. These subsystems include the Fusion Chamber System, the eighty KV Neutral Beam System, the Superconducting Magnet System, and the Personnel Safety System. The Local Controls group has undertaken a uniform aproach to implementing the control systems for all of these hardware subsystems. This approach has two major aspects: (1) to provide a stand-alone computer control system with a remote, portable terminal so that computer control can be provided at the site of the hardware for initial testing, (2) to provide hardware simulators so that the complicated MFTF computer control system can be tested independent of the hardware. The software and hardware tools which were developed to carry out this plan will be described. Our experiences with bringing up subsystems containing up to 900 separate channels of control and status will also be described.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The report presents the results of a Gas Research Institute (GRI) program to evaluate the technical and economic aspects of design options proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for reducing the energy consumption of residential ranges and ovens as mandated by the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) of 1987. The study shows that none of the proposed DOE design options are justified except electric ignition for stand-alone cooktops, based on life-cycle costs, loss of consumer utility, safety, technical considerations, or food quality considerations. An individual range uses so little gas during the year (approximately $14/year for a self-cleaning range) that it is difficult to justify any design modification, since the cost of even a simple modification could not be recovered on the basis of gas saved.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The propagation of acoustic pressure perturbations in an adiabatic low-quality air/water flow were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. A linearized dispersion model is correlated with data to extract information on the behavior of interfacial momentum transfer controlled by the virtual volume coefficient. The dispersion model is examined in limiting cases of low and high frequency and related to current models for critical flow velocity. Fourier decomposition techniques are employed to predict the dispersion of measured pressure pulses and to relate data for standing waves and propagating pulses. The dispersion model is based on a two-fluid model and is the most complete model available in the literature at this time. The dispersion data presented herein is also the best available to date for low frequency (i.e., frequencies less than bubble resonance) sound propagation in bubbly air/water mixtures.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The foundation is a key to safety of any structure built on reclaimed land in coastal areas. This paper gives examples of reclamation methods, ground improvement works, foundations adopted, and consequent land subsidence as for structures directly borne by the underlying ground. Structures built on the recently reclaimed land often stand on piles driven into gravel layers. But an emphasis in pile design in usually placed on bearing capacity, with little consideration given to land subsidence and its effects. Appropriate ground improvement works, if followed by an enough consolidation period, produce satisfactory results for both direct and pile foundations. Low and light structures can be more economically built on direct foundations. It will be still safer for those structures if floating foundations or other measures are taken for preventing increases in load. 5 refs., 16 figs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACT Introduction. Postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a serious quality-of-life issue. Recent advances in the understanding of the mechanism of postprostatectomy ED have stimulated great attention toward penile rehabilitation. Aim. This review presents and analyzes a contemporary series of the recent medical literature pertaining to penile rehabilitation therapy after radical prostatectomy (RP). Main Outcome Measures. The laboratory and clinical studies related to penile rehabilitation are analyzed. The validity of the methodology and the conclusion of the findings from each study are determined. Methods. The published and presented reports dealing with penile rehabilitation following RP in human and cavernous nerve injury in animal models are reviewed. Results. Exciti...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The detection of explosives is a notoriously difficult problem, especially at stand-off distances, due to their (generally) low vapor pressure, environmental and matrix interferences, and packaging. We are exploring optimal dynamic detection to exploit the best capabilities of recent advances in laser technology and recent discoveries in optimal shaping of laser pulses for control of molecular processes to significantly enhance the standoff detection of explosives. The core of the ODD-Ex technique is the introduction of optimally shaped laser pulses to simultaneously enhance sensitivity of explosives signatures while reducing the influence of noise and the signals from background interferents in the field (increase selectivity). These goals are being addressed by operating in an optimal nonlinear fashion, typically with a single shaped laser pulse inherently containing within it coherently locked control and probe sub-pulses. With sufficient bandwidth, the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper examines Pippenger's (2011) proposed solution to the forward bias puzzle, which is based on the covered interest parity (CIP) condition. It is argued that the CIP-based approach does not solve this well known and long-standing puzzle in international finance in a meaningful way. Moreover, it is shown that empirical results from such an approach follow mechanically from the identity-like nature of the theory of covered interest parity, which, aside from small deviations due to transaction costs, is assumed to hold in all periods (as if it were an identity). We show that rather than leading to new insights, the simple reconfiguration of CIP to solve for the time t+1 spot exchange rate leads to tautological expressions that, when estimated, might appear to successfully explain the ...

CERN Document Server

The ubiquitous ADE classification has induced many proposals of often mysterious correspondences both in mathematics and physics. The mathematics side includes quiver theory and the McKay Correspondence which relates finite group representation theory to Lie algebras as well as crepant resolutions of Gorenstein singularities. On the physics side, we have the graph-theoretic classification of the modular invariants of WZW models, as well as the relation between the string theory nonlinear $\\sigma$-models and Landau-Ginzburg orbifolds. We here propose a unification scheme which naturally incorporates all these correspondences of the ADE type in two complex dimensions. An intricate web of inter-relations is constructed, providing a possible guideline to establish new directions of research or alternate pathways to the standing problems in higher dimensions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper we describe a modelling project to improve a nuclear waste management program in charge of the creation of a new system for the permanent disposal of nuclear waste. SADT (Structural Analysis and Design Technique) is used in order to provide a work-flow description of the functions to be performed by the waste management program. This description is then translated into a number of Coloured Petri Nets (CPN or CP-nets) corresponding to different program functions where additional behavioural inscriptions provide basis for simulation. Each of these CP-nets is simulated to produce timed event charts that are useful for understanding the behaviour of the program functions under different scenarios. Then all the CPN models are linked together to form a single stand-alone application that is useful for validating the interaction and cooperation between the different program functions. A technique for linking executable CPN models is developed for supporting ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Urban heritage areas throughout the world have experienced cycles of neglect and upgrade that were at times intentional and at other times due to economic difficulties or an unbalanced ideological focus on technological, social or political developments. Modernism of the early and mid-1900s was clearly against keeping heritage areas as they were perceived to hinder future developments. Postmodernist thinking afterwards was more sympathetic to heritage as a means of countering the 'placelessness' of the modern city. Global appreciation of urban heritage and the world's cultural diversity at the end of the century made the occurrence of 'physical neglect' cycles very unlikely in the future. This research paper takes the stand that urban planners and designers face cycles of higher or lower u...

Science.gov (United States)

A Health Care Establishment (HCE) is an establishment where medical services are rendered. The above services are provided by the health care personnel. The infrastructure of a HCE may include Information Technology (IT) equipment that stores and processes HC information. Previously, IT equipment consisted solely of stand-alone systems, whereas in recent years, the trend has been towards computer networks and distributed systems in HCEs. The spread of distributed information technology in HCEs have necessitated the implementation of Security in HCISs, to assure confidentiality, integrity and availability of HCE information. This paper discusses the issues of Security and Network Security in Health Care Information Systems (HCISs). It also suggests a method in establishing Network Security Guidelines and describes Principles for the provision of Network Security in HCEs. PMID:10163736

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Utilisation of geothermal energy may soon become an important factor in power supply in Germany. The contribution discusses the utilisation of hydrothermal low-pressure systems, the geological boundary conditions, the technical design of the thermal water cycle, and the current status of the hot dry rock technology. [German] Die Nutzung der Energie ausd Erdwaerme kann in naher Zukunft eine wichtige Rolle in der Energieversorgung Deutschlands spielen. Der vorliegende Artikel gibt einen Ueberblick ueber die Nutzung hydrothermaler Niederdrucksysteme, die geologischen Rahmenbedingungen, den technischen Aufbau des Thermalwasserkreislaufes sowie zum aktuellen Stand des Hot Dry Rock Verfahrens.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Organic/metal interface properties are of high interest for the application of molecular (sub)monolayers to modify surface properties. They are applied for, e.g., molecular electronics, chemical sensing, or the tuning of injection barriers in organic electronic devices. We present a joint theoretical and experimental study of F{sub 4}TCNQ adsorbed on Cu(111). The electronic and structural properties were determined by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and X-ray standing wave (XSW) measurements. To better understand the complex process of binding, we modelled the system using density-functional theory. We find forward-donation from the lone pairs of the molecule into metallic states and back-donation from the metal into the LUMO of the molecule. The data on Cu(111) are compared to F4TCNQ on Au(111) and Ag(111) as well as to investigations of pyrenetetraone on various coinage metals.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An investigation of current dual-fuel natural gas/diesel engine design, performance, and emissions was conducted. The most pressing technological problems associated with dual-fuel engine use were identified along with potential solutions. It was concluded that dual-fuel engines can achieve low NOx and particulate emissions while retaining fuel-efficiency and BMEP levels comparable to those of diesel engines. The investigation also examined the potential economic impact of dual-fuel engines in diesel-electric locomotives, marine vessels, farm equipment, construction, mining, and industrial equipment, and stand-alone electricity generation systems. Recommendations for further additional funding to support research, development, and demonstration in these applications were then presented.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A general purpose Emergency Generator Set (EGS) is considered for a methodological study and related reliability behavior is analyzed. In particular in a procedure of reliability and availability analysis of a EGS, dependent failure events need a complex mathematical model as state-space model to be a accurately evaluated. Furthermore these dependent failure events are one of the most important reliability characteristic of EGS. This paper suggests a procedure for reliability calculations in presence of dependent failure based on the evaluation of a equivalent failure rate that can be fitted to a network reduction method by simple mathematical calculations. The simplified models analyzed show a good accuracy for a wide range of variation of main reliability characteristics of EGS and utility. The advantages obtained are very useful on reliability evaluation because the possibility of use of network approach provides a shorter route to calculation and it is applicable by a larger number ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Poplar breeding in Europe is in a more advanced state than breeding programmes of other species. In Europe, poplars are part of the scenery and are integrated in the economy. Traditionally poplar stands are established in lowland areas. But an increasing interest in their use moved them to upland sites. Poplar uses are multiple: lumber, industrial wood, wind-breaks and landscape plantations, etc. Selection characteristics are classified in different groups: vegetative propagation ability, vigor, adaptation to sites and climate, resistance to diseases and insect pests, wood quality, and coppicing ability. Strategies have improved with time. The most efficient strategies for the long term involve constitution of base populations, selection of parents for intra- and interspecific hybridizations, selection within the progenies, and vegetative propagation. Short term strategies are also applied simultaneously. Advanced breeding techniques with poplars include: haploidy, ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Analysis of the pattern of the chromosomal localization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is necessary for comprehensively understanding their functions. The chromosomal localization of QTLs controlling milk production traits has been studied in cattle chromosomes. The distribution of QTLs between chromosomes has proved to be binomial. Their distribution along each chromosome was, in general, uniform, except for the QTLs controlling the somatic cell score (SCS), which tended towards telomeric location. However, there are chromosomes either enriched with or particularly poor in QTLs. The QTL distribution patters are the most similar for the milk yield (M) and milk protein yield (P) and for milk fat yield (F) and milk fat content (%F). The pattern of the SCS QTLs stands out among those of ot...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases has increased significantly in the last years, as has research concerning chemical characterization of these plants. In this study, inorganic constituents were determined in leaves and in extracts from three medicinal plant species of the Casearia genus (C. sylvestris, C. decandra and C. obliqua) collected in distinct regions of the Atlantic Forest, SP. The elemental compositions of the soils in which these plants were grown were also determined. Traditionally, these plants are used due to their antiinflammatory, antiacid, antiseptic and cicatrizing properties. The antiulcer and the antitumor activities of the Casearia genus and its capacity to neutralize snake and bee venoms, have also been scientifically confirmed. The analytical methodology used was neutron activation analysis. Long and short irradiation periods of the samples and the standards were carried out at IPEN's IEA-R1 nuclear research ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There is now a scientific consensus that current rates of accumulation of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere will result in significant global warming and climate change. These changes are likely to have important impacts on a wide range of human activities and the natural environment. There has now been a considerable weight of literature published on the impacts of global warming, much of it very recent. This report seeks to summarise the important results, to analyse the uncertainties and to make a preliminary analysis of the feasibility of monetarising these environmental costs. The impacts of global warming are divided into ten major categories: agriculture, forests and forestry, terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, hydrology and water resources, sea level rise and coastal zones, energy, infrastructure/transport/industry, human health and air quality, oceans, and cryospheric impacts. The results of major summary reports are analysed, notably the report of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This Final Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report (Final EIS/EIR) has been prepared to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Proposed Action includes the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a 48 megawatt (gross) geothermal power plant with ancillary facilities (10-12 production well pads and 3-5 injection well pads, production and injection pipelines), access roads, and a 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in the Modoc National Forest in Siskiyou County, California. Alternative locations for the power plant site within a reasonable distance of the middle of the wellfield were determined to be technically feasible. Three power plant site alternatives are evaluated in the Final EIS/EIR.

CERN Document Server

After two decades of direct dynamical simulation of large-scale structure in the universe, it is safe to say the subject is now mature. Still, there are parts of the problem that are less well developed than others. In general, the collisionless dynamics of the dark matter component is better understood than the collisional gas dynamics of the baryonic component. In situations where the gas dynamics is relatively simple, such as the Lyman-$\\alpha$ forest and the intracluster medium in X-ray clusters, our ability to reproduce observational data has evolved rapidly, and the interpretive and predictive power of such experiments should now be taken seriously. A comparison of twelve gas dynamic codes to the problem of forming a single X-ray cluster shows that numerical inaccuracies are modest (typically below ten percent), leaving missing physics as the main source for large systematic differences between theory and observation. Galaxy formation, being more complex, is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A survey of wetlands on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) was conducted in 1990. Wetlands occurring on ORR were identified using National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps and field surveys. More than 120 sites were visited and 90 wetlands were identified. Wetland types on ORR included emergent communities in shallow embayments on reservoirs, emergent and aquatic communities in ponds, forested wetland on low ground along major creeks, and wet meadows and marshes associated with streams and seeps. Vascular plant species occurring on sites visited were inventoried, and 57 species were added to the checklist of vascular plants on ORR. Three species listed as rare in Tennessee were discovered on ORR during the wetlands survey. The survey provided an intensive ground truth of the wetlands identified by NWI and offered an indication of wetlands that the NWI remote sensing techniques did not detect.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The use of gamma radiation to obtain wood-polymer composites is one of the applications of radiation that presents the most commercial interest. The process, denominated radiopolymerization, comprises the impregnation of monomers into the completely dried wood followed by exposure to gamma radiation to induce polymerization of the impregnated monomers. I this context, the present work aimed the application of this process to seven kinds of wood existing in the brazilian forests. The considered monomer is styrene and the gamma source is Cobalt-60. The obtained wood-polystyrene composites were found to have stronger static bending strength. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The report presents an overview of A.I.D. efforts, which encompass a wide range of environmental issues and support environmental training, research, and institutional development. The report's opening section details A.I.D.'s efforts to enlist host-country support for environmental programs, with specific emphasis on improving natural resource management (especially in Africa), encouraging policy change, strengthening the private sector's environmental role, and preparing environmental profiles of host countries and helping them develop conservation strategies. The ensuing sections recount A.I.D. efforts in particular topics of environmental concern (biological diversity and environmental health and safety), critical ecological areas (coastal areas and forests and fragile lands), and specific country programs (reforestation in Haiti). A brief history of the evolution of the Agency's environmental strategy since 1976 is included.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The benefits provided by underutilised fruit tree species such as baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in combating increasing malnutrition and poverty become more apparent as awareness grows regarding concerns of climate change and food security. Due to its multiple uses, its high nutritional and medicinal value, drought tolerance and relatively easy cultivation, baobab has been identified as one of the most important edible forest trees to be conserved, domesticated and valued in Africa. In order to contribute towards the cultivation of the species, suitability of sites in Africa and worldwide was evaluated for potential cultivation using species? locality data and spatial environmental data in MAXENT modelling framework. A total of 450 geo-referenced records of the baobab tree were assembled ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cell surface glycosaminoglycans play important roles in cell adhesion and viral entry. Laboratory strains of two alphaviruses, Sindbis and Semliki Forest virus, have been shown to utilize heparan sulfate as an attachment receptor, whereas Ross River virus (RRV) does not significantly interact with it. However, a single amino acid substitution at residue 218 in the RRV E2 glycoprotein adapts the virus to heparan sulfate binding and expands the host range of the virus into chicken embryo fibroblasts. Structures of the RRV mutant, E2 N218R, and its complex with heparin were determined through the use of electron cryo-microscopy and image reconstruction methods. Heparin was found to bind at the distal end of the RRV spikes, in a region of the E2 glycoprotein that has been previously implicated in cell-receptor recognition and antibody binding.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The global interest in renewable energy is attributed to the decline in fossil fuel sources and the need for technical, economic, social and environmental sustainability. This study focused on the new techniques that have been developed for the use of biomass for energy from wood wastes from the forest-based industry. As an energy source, wood waste contributes positively to the environment by reducing environmental problems related to contamination of soil, air and water through improper disposal of waste. Biomass gasification has the advantage of converting biomass into a combustible gas that can be used for heat generation, electricity and synthesis of chemicals. Syngas produced from gasification of eucalyptus residues has significant potential, with an average High Heating Value of 6.60 MJ/m{sup 3}, and regular composition during the process, with predominance of carbon monoxide, followed by hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

To study the causes of agricultural declines in south-west Sweden, a multi-proxy study including pollen analysis, bog surface wetness indicators and aeolian sediment influx reconstructions was carried out on the Store Mosse Bog, situated on the coastal plain of Halland. Patterns of agricultural changes during the past 6,000?years from this study were compared to one additional site on the coastal plain (Undarsmosse Bog) and to four sites in the forested upland region. First, we compared land use activity on the coastal plain and in upland regions of south-west Sweden. Three periods with reduced agricultural activities were observed, primarily in records from the coastal plain. Next, the causes for these declines were studied by comparing land use indicators in the pollen records from the S...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract: Environmental synergisms may pose the greatest threat to tropical biodiversity. Using recently updated data sets from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, we evaluated the incidence of perceived threats to all known mammal, bird, and amphibian species in tropical forests. Vulnerable, endangered, and extinct species were collectively far more likely to be imperiled by combinations of threats than expected by chance. Among 45 possible pairwise combinations of 10 different threats, 69%, 93%, and 71% were significantly more frequent than expected for threatened mammals, birds, and amphibians, respectively, even with a stringent Bonferroni-corrected probability value (p= 0.003). Based on this analysis, we identified five key environmental synergisms in t...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ecosystems worldwide are experiencing unprecedented nitrogen enrichment through fertilization and pollution. While longterm ecological consequences are difficult to predict, it seems that plants and animals adapted to nitrogen-limited environments are at particular risk from these changes. This report summarizes the limited body of literature which addresses this important topic. From a herbivoreAes perspective, fertilization increases the nutritional quality of host plant tissues. In some cases fertilization has lead to decreased production of defensive compounds. How this affects populations of insects is unclear because fertilization affects not only herbivores but their natural enemies. This report outlines how fertilization affects tree processes such as growth, photosynthesis, and production of defensive compounds. The many factors that affect insect repsonse to fertilization and the difficulties in assessing how fertilization affects insect populations are discussed.

Environmental Research Database

ObjectivesThe vision The Centre's vision is a rural transformation in the developing world where smallholder households massively increase their use of trees in agricultural landscapes to improve their food security, nutrition, income, health, shelter, energy resources and environmental sustainability. This vision is founded upon three basic tenets: 1. The growing importance of trees and treebased systems in sustaining livelihoods and agroecosystems; 2. The Centre's experience and comparative adv [continued...]DescriptionBackground: The International Council for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) was created in response to a visionary study in the mid-1970s led by forester John Bene of Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The study coined the term 'agroforestry' and called for global recognition of the key role trees play on farms. This led to the establishment of ICRAF in 1978 to promote agroforestry research in developing countries. Intended ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Alcoa World Alumina Australia mines bauxite under lease agreements with the Government of Western Australia. The leases lie in the Darling Range to the east of Perth, the capital and major population center. In addition to bauxite and other mineral ores, the Darling Range is a major potable water source and harbors a species-rich forest dominated by Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata), a significant commercial timber. Conservation and recreation are important land uses in the region. Social and political pressures have led to stringent governmental requirements for restoration. In addition, a summer drought period, a soil deficient in most nutrients, water management challenges, an introduced disease, caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands, and a post-mining ecosystem that must be condu...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Activated charcoal was produced from sawdust of Pinus caribaea var. caribaea, pinus caribaea var. honduenais and pinus cocarpa, with the objective of studying a alternative of more economic uses for forest residues and the products of the first thinning. A chemical process was utilized based on Zn Cl{sub 2} at temperature of 700 deg C and 450 deg C. It was concluded that the temperature of 700 Celsius produced a activated charcoal with better quality and greater adsorption capacity. The temperature of 450 deg C produced a material with adsorption properties for utilization where greater adsorption capacity is not needed. The production of activated charcoal is possible from the three species of tropical pinus studied. (author). 16 refs., 5 tabs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Transmission line faults must be located accurately to allow maintenance crews to arrive at the scene and repair the faulted section as soon as possible. Rugged terrain and geographical layout cause some sections of power transmission lines to be difficult to reach. In the past, a variety of fault location algorithms were introduced as either an add-on feature in protective relays or stand-alone implementation in fault locators. In both cases, the measurements of current and voltages were taken at one terminal of a transmission line only. Under such conditions, it may become difficult to determine the fault location accurately, since data from other transmission line ends are required for more precise computations. In the absence of data from the other end, existing algorithms have accuracy problems under several circumstances, such as varying switching and loading conditions, fault infeed from the other end, and random value of fault resistance. Most of the ...

Science.gov (United States)

A study of more than 1200 of 72-fold, migrated, seismic reflection profiles, from the eastern part of the East Breaks flexure trend, Gulf of Mexico, indicates that, although individual seismic reflectors cannot be traced across the entire area, seismic depositional units can be recognized and correlated from basin to basin in most instances. Three tentative conclusions are evident from this study: (1) salt diapirs appear to have grown through a series of intermittent movements to form structurally separate intraslope basins; (2) sedimentation is probably channeled by differential dome growth, which creates local stratigraphic differences between basins; and (3) packages of distinctive seismic depositional units can be successfully used to map sediment cycles between separate basins. Fluctuations of Pleistocene sea level appears to be the dominate depositional control on the upper continental slope in this area. During high sea level stands, turbidity currents were ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Growth dynamics and biomass production in short-rotation poplar plantations were evaluated at Hanyuan Forestry Farm, Baoying County, P.R.C. Experimental treatments applied in a split-plot design included: four planting densities (1111, 833, 625 and 500 stems ha{sup -1}); three poplar clones (NL-80351, I-69 and I-72) and three rotation lengths. Survival of all three clones was excellent at the experimental site under the imposed management regime. Differences in DBH, height, LAI and above-ground biomass production, however, were manifested among the treatments. Overall the clonal ranking was in the order NL-80351 {>=}I-69 > I-72 by age 6. LAI values ranged from 0.6 to 4.4 m{sup 2} m{sup -2} and differences among four planting densities and three clones were significant throughout the first six years. Above-ground biomass productivity was affected considerably by planting density, clone and rotation length. Within the four densities, the highest biomass productivity at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy was selected by NASA as part of the ChemCam instrument package for the Mars Science Laboratory rover to be launched in 2009. ChemCam's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy instrument will ablate surface coatings from materials and measure the elemental composition of underlying rocks and soils at distances from 1 up to 10 m. The purpose of our studies is to develop an analytical methodology enabling identification and quantitative analysis of these geological materials in the context of the ChemCam's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy instrument performance. The study presented here focuses on several terrestrial rock samples which were analyzed by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy at an intermediate stand-off distance (3 m) and in an atmosphere similar to the Martian one (9 mbar CO{sub 2}). The experimental results highlight the matrix effects and the measurement inaccuracies due to the noise accumulated ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesis is devoted to studies which prepared the construction of an atom Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In such an interferometer, the propagating waves are spatially separated, and the internal state of the atom is not modified. The beam-splitters are diffraction gratings, consisting of standing optical waves near-resonant with an atomic transition. We use the Bloch functions to define the atom wave inside the standing wave grating and thus explain the diffraction process in different cases. We developed a nearly all-analytical model for the propagation of an atom wave inside a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The contrast of the signal is studied for many cases: phase or amplitude gratings, effects of extra paths, effects of the main mismatches, monochromatic or lightly polychromatic sources. Finally, we discuss three interferometric measurements we think very interesting. The first, the index of refraction of gas for atomic waves, is studied ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Using discrete air sampling, values of {delta}{sup 13}C and {delta}{sup 18}O in atmospheric CO{sub 2}, as well as its concentration, were measured in a forest in the central part of the main island of Japan during the period from June 1994 to June 1996 to examine the biospheric contribution to their temporal variations. {delta}{sup 13}C shows a prominent diurnal variation with high values in the daytime and low values in the nighttime, especially during the warm season. {delta}{sup 13}C also vary seasonally, showing a maximum in summer and a minimum in spring. The diurnal and seasonal variations of {delta}{sup 13}C are opposite in phase with those of the CO{sub 2} concentration. The rate of change in {delta}{sup 13}C with respect to the CO{sub 2} concentration is found to be approximately -0.005 per mille/ppmv. This suggests that the diurnal and seasonal variations of the CO{sub 2} concentration are produced primarily by diurnally- and seasonally-dependent ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Discussions regarding the use of wood fuels for commercial energy production in the Netherlands began in the 1990's. The main reasons for using wood fuel are: the political demand for using renewable energy, the need to reduce CO_2 emissions, and the lack of markets for surplus timber. Only 10 % of the area of Holland is forested. Therefore, early thinning and cleaning are important management tools for improving growth and producing better quality timber. The energy potential from early thinning and plantation cleaning could be between 400 000 and 570 000 dry tons annually. The Netherlands has not experience in harvesting energy wood. However, through the International Energy Agency/Bioenergy Agreement, knowledge gained in other countries, especially Denmark, Sweden and Finland, is being transferred to Holland. In 1996, there have been made field tests with Danish equipment. Although there are few technical barriers to wood fuel in the Netherlands, the economics ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of the research was to develop a machine combination for harvesting of small wood, which carries out both the harvesting and forest haulage. The development was started in September 1995. The first prototype of the machine is ready. A Lokomo 910 forest tractor was acquired for the tests. The prototype has been mounted on the tractor, and the tests have been started in the beginning of March 1996. The reconstruction of the device will be made after the tests, as well as the description of different working praxis. Time consumption study and the analysis of it will be made after the equipment tests. The device consists of a grapple equipped with a guillotine cutting device mounted on the tractor. The actual felling is made stem by stem in the test phase. The stem can be forwarded directly into the load or it can be left aside, and new stems can be brought beside it and then all the stems can be taken together into load. The ...