Ranking forestry journals using the h-index

An expert ranking of forestry journals was compared with journal impact factors and h-indices computed from the ISI Web of Science and internet-based data. Citations reported by Google Scholar appear to offer the most efficient way to rank all journals objectively, in a manner consistent with other indicators. This h-index exhibited a high correlation with the journal impact factor (r=0.92), but is not confined to journals selected by any particular commercial provider. A ranking of 180 forestry journals is presented, on the basis of this index.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figures, 5 tables. New table added in response to reviewer comment

Publication patterns of award-winning forest scientists and implications for the ERA journal ranking

Publication patterns of 79 forest scientists awarded major international forestry prizes during 1990-2010 were compared with the journal classification and ranking promoted as part of the 'Excellence in Research for Australia' (ERA) by the Australian Research Council. The data revealed that these scientists exhibited an elite publication performance during the decade before and two decades following their first major award. An analysis of their 1703 articles in 431 journals revealed substantial differences between the journal choices of these elite scientists and the ERA classification and ranking of journals. Implications from these findings are that additional cross-classifications should be added for many journals, and there should be an adjustment to the ranking of several journals relevant to the ERA Field of Research classified as 0705 Forestry Sciences.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, 49 references; Journal of Informetrics (2011

Using Plant Functional Attributes to Quantify Site Productivity and Growth Patterns in Mixed Forests

Forest growth models are one of several important prerequisites for sustainable management. The complexity of tropical moist forest means that there is often little objective information to classify sites and species for growth modelling and yield prediction. Classification based on observable morphological characteristics may be a useful surrogate for, or supplement to other alternatives. This study investigated the utility of plant functional attributes (PFAs) for site and species classification. PFAs describe a plant in terms of its photosynthetic and vascular support system, and the sum of individual PFAs for all species on a plot provides an efficient summary of vegetation features at the site. Preliminary observations suggested that the PFA summary may also indicate site productivity, and that specific PFAs may be used to group species for modelling growth and yield. Data from 17 permanent plots in the tropical rainforests of North Queensland were used to test these preliminary observations. Standard PFA proformas were completed for each plot in January 1995, and the relationships between the PFAs, site productivity and specific growth patterns were examined using discriminant analysis, linear regression and standard statistical tests. Results indicate that mean leaf size, and the incidence of species with vertical leaf inclination (>30° above horizontal) are significantly correlated with site productivity. Of the PFAs assessed, five elements appear to offer a useful basis for grouping species for modelling: leaf size and inclination, a furcation index (i.e., relative height to first fork or break in the main stem), and the presence of lenticels and chlorophyllous tissue on the main stem. The restricted nature of our database limits comment on the general utility of the method, but results suggest that further work on PFAs is warranted

Planning horizons and end conditions for sustained yield studies in continuous cover forests

The contemporary forestry preoccupation with non-declining even-flow during yield simulations detracts from more important questions about the constraints that should bind the end of a simulation. Whilst long simulations help to convey a sense of sustainability, they are inferior to stronger indicators such as the optimal state and binding conditions at the end of a simulation. Rigorous definitions of sustainability that constrain the terminal state should allow flexibility in the planning horizon and relaxation of non-declining even-flow, allowing both greater economic efficiency and better environmental outcomes. Suitable definitions cannot be divorced from forest type and management objectives, but should embrace concepts that ensure the anticipated value of the next harvest, the continuity of growing stock, and in the case of uneven-aged management, the adequacy of regeneration.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, 54 references, Ecological Indicators (2014

An evaluation of the Australian Research Council's journal ranking

As part of its program of 'Excellence in Research for Australia' (ERA), the Australian Research Council ranked journals into four categories (A*, A, B, C) in preparation for their performance evaluation of Australian universities. The ranking is important because it likely to have a major impact on publication choices and research dissemination in Australia. The ranking is problematic because it is evident that some disciplines have been treated very differently than others. This paper reveals weaknesses in the ERA journal ranking and highlights the poor correlation between ERA rankings and other acknowledged metrics of journal standing. It highlights the need for a reasonable representation of journals ranked as A* in each scientific discipline.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, 7 table

Sustainable Timber Harvesting: Simulation Studies in the Tropical Rainforests of North Queensland

Although logging ceased in the tropical rainforests of north Queensland following their World Heritage Listing in 1988, they provide a good basis for simulation studies on sustainability of timber harvesting as reliable logging records, inventory and growth data are available. A growth model for these forests has been developed and published. The growth model is dynamic, responding to changes in stand density, composition and management history. A harvesting simulator predicts the trees removed by selection logging, and predicts changes in the residual stand. Simulation studies employ cutting cycle analysis and yield scheduling to demonstrate the sustainability of harvesting. These studies indicate that selection harvesting could sustain a viable timber harvest of about 60 000 m3 year-1. These results are indicative rather than definitive, as the model has not yet been formally validated with independent data

Effects of Selection Logging on Rainforest Productivity

An analysis of data from 212 permanent sample plots provided no evidence of any decline in rainforest productivity after three cycles of selection logging in the tropical rainforests of north Queensland. Relative productivity was determined as the difference between observed diameter increments and increments predicted from a diameter increment function which incorporated tree size, stand density and site quality. Analyses of variance and regression analyses revealed no significant decline in productivity after repeated harvesting. There is evidence to support the assertion that if any permanent productivity decline exists, it does not exceed six per cent per harvest

Insights from a systems view: How modelling can inform reform

Participatory modelling is one of several techniques that can help communities to share and test ideas, and to agree on the ‘best bet’ for improving the triple bottom line for individuals and for the community. Two case studies from Africa illustrate how participatory modelling can assist in this way, by informing communities, by providing an objective way to conduct ‘risk-free’ experiments and explore scenarios, and by helping people to gain the confidence needed to make changes. Progress towards a better triple bottom line often depends on having the confidence to take action, and modelling is one of several techniques that can help to build this confidence. The resulting model is not an endpoint, but a disposable ‘stepping stone’ in the developing this confidence. Thus for many models, success means being momentarily inspirational in the search for solutions, rather than being a permanent monument to a static concept

Resource Inventory for Land-Use Planning

Inventory planners should carefully assess information needs and should not become pre-occupied with data collection procedures. No matter how conducted, no inventory is efficient if it does not deliver the desired information. Efficient inventory requires - clear objectives, - explicit statement of information needs, and - careful planning to meet those needs. Efficient inventory requires co-operation and sharing, full use of existing data, and knowledge of alternatives. Be accurate: misleading data are worse than no data, so aim for quality rather than quantity. Be realistic: a simple but timely and accurate inventory is more useful than a sophisticated but incomplete and inaccurate one. Start small, but plan for the future. Practical considerations including prior information, area estimates and resource limitations may override theoretical aspects of inventory design. Optimal plot size and shape is influenced by inventory objectives, the variability of the forest and the significance of edge effects. These factors should be accommodated in planning an inventory. Some alternatives are illustrated with examples from Queensland rainforests

Environmentally Sound Timber Harvesting: Logging Guidelines, Conservation Reserves and Rehabilitation Studies

Timber harvesting guidelines formulated for north Queensland rainforests allowed economically viable harvests with minimal ecological impact. Harvesting procedures sought to minimize soil erosion, silting and turbidity in steams, destruction of trees in the residual stand, and disruption of natural habitats and processes. Forest officers selected the trees to be harvested, indicated the direction of felling, and supervised the design, construction and drainage of roads. The long term impacts of harvesting are not certain, so it is desirable to reserve some areas for conservation and monitoring. Existing data may help to indicate priority conservation areas, but errors and anomalies may be misleading. Some strengths and weaknesses of such data and techniques are discussed. Degradation by soil erosion and weed infestation can be difficult and expensive to rectify. Without intervention, such areas may revert to high forest only after several decades, resulting in lost timber production. Reduced floristic diversity and inferior habitat for wildlife also imply substantial non-tangible losses. Rehabilitation may not be financially viable unless industrial plantations are feasible. Thus degradation should be avoided by adopting harvesting practices suited to the silvicultural characteristics of the forest, and by minimizing soil loss and invasion by weeds. In short, prevention is better than cure