The growth and biodiversity of spruce stands in variable climate conditions - Radziejowa case study

In the experiment eight populations of Picea abies were chosen at 100 m intervals between 500 m and 1200 m altitude a.s.l.. In each population wood core samples were collected from 14–19 trees (126 cores total), and measured using a Corim Maxi device. At four of the eight sites (every 200 m in elevation between 500 m and 1100 m a.s.l.), the diversity of ground vegetation was evaluated, and temperature was recorded at every 100 m of altitude. The highest average radial increment of spruce occurred between the altitudes 800–1000 m a.s.l., which is probably the optimum for spruce. The larger increment indices observed at higher altitudes may signify a high growth potential of spruce. It may also suggest a recent upward shift of the optimum growth zone for this tree species. In 15 phytosociological records, the presence of 148 plant species forming plant associations: Dentario glandulosae- Fagetum typicum (sub-mountainous and mountainous form) and Abieti-Piceetum, and community Abies alba-Rubus hirtus, was documented. No relationship was found between ground vegetation species diversity (expressed by Shannon-Wiener index) and levels of stand diversity. The vegetation species diversity varied with the elevation above sea level: the highest plant diversity was found at 500 m a.s.l., and decreased with increasing altitude. The potential increase in air temperatures may result in changes to the altitudinal range of many plant species including trees, and consequently in an upward shift of the boundaries of plant zones; in this case the sub-mountainous and lower mountainous forest zone. In this region, the optimal zone for Norway spruce may be restricted to the highest elevations

Video Biomechanical Analysis of Shoulder Impact Kinematics in Tai-Otoshi and Morote-Seoi-Nage Judo Throws: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Shoulder injuries in judo are common as the falling player (uke) lands. Two throws implicated in shoulder injury are tai-otoshi and morote-seoi-nage. Kinematic investigation can provide insight into possible shoulder injury mechanisms and allow for appropriate preventative measures to be suggested. We used two-dimensional (2D) video analysis to measure and compare: (a) the peak acceleration and (b) the peak velocity of uke’s shoulder when tai-otoshi and morote-seoi-nage were performed by elite adult judoka. Methods: Eight male participants were recruited from the Budokwai Judo Club in London, UK. The mean age, height, and weight of participants were 25.4 ± 5.2 years (18–34), 1.7 ± 0.0 m (1.7–1.8), and 75.0 ± 5.2 kg (66–80), respectively. Throws were recorded using an iPhone 6S camera and uploaded onto Kinovea for subsequent processing. Results: The peak acceleration (m/s2) was greater in tai-otoshi (71.6 ± 12.4) compared to morote-seoi-nage (67.9 ± 9.9), although this was statistically insignificant. The peak velocity (m/s) was significantly greater (p = 0.030) in tai-otoshi (5.1 ± 0.8) than in morote-seoi-nage (4.5 ± 0.6). Conclusions: A greater peak velocity in tai-otoshi suggests that the shoulder is subjected to increased loads upon impact. This may indicate that tai-otoshi carries a greater risk of shoulder injury. Nage-komi (repetitive throwing) practices in training should follow gradual loading principles—beginning with morote-seoi-nage, before moving to tai-otoshi, for example. We must be aware of any assumptions made in estimations of impact force, and future in vivo research is required to provide more definitive values. Meanwhile, coaches must continue to ensure that correct ukemi (breakfall) technique is displayed by athletes before performing throws