Evaluating the Accuracy of Remote Dendrometers in Tree Diameter Measurements at Breast Height

An accurate tree diameter (DBH) measurement is a significant component of forest inventory. This study assessed the reliability of remote dendrometers to measure tree DBH. We compared direct caliper measurements (reference measurements) to the remote measurements collected from a laser caliper and a smartphone at 0.5 m, 1 m, and 1.5 m distances from each tree within three forest types (pine, oak, and poplar forests). In general, all remote dendrometers underestimated the mean diameter compared to direct caliper measurements, regardless of forest types and distances. We observed that the mean deviation of direct caliper measurement and smartphone measurement at 1.5 m within a pine forest and oak forest were the lowest (0.3 cm and 0.36 cm, respectively). The deviations between direct caliper measurements and smartphone measurements at a 0.5 m distance, across forest types, were noticeably larger compared to others. An ANOVA test was used to determine whether significant deviations existed between caliper measurements and remote measurements at a specific distance, and among three different forest types. We rejected the null hypothesis, which suggested that there were no statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between tree DBH measurements obtained from the direct caliper measurements and indirect measurements (smartphone and laser caliper) captured at a distance. Then, a post-hoc test was performed to examine which set of estimated deviations was different from the reference data. The results suggested that indirect tree DBH measurements using the smartphone app at 1 m and 1.5 m in certain forest types (pine and oak) were not significantly different from direct tree DBH measurements. Also, our test results mostly indicated no significant difference within each forest, except for measurements using the smartphone app at 0.5 m across all forest types when the smartphone measurements were compared to laser caliper measurements..

Indeks biljne raznolikosti u sastojini trojanske jele u Aladağ regiji Bolu

640 samples in quadrates of 0.5 x 0.5 m obtained by systematic sampling method were evaluated. Samplings were made in two repetitions in GA (old), GB (young), GC (medium-aged), and GD (irregular) stand types, on north and south aspects. Field studies were carried out in 4 different periods (June, July, August, September) within the vegetation period. 122 plant taxa were determined at the level of species and intraspecific taxa. While 48 of the 122 plant taxa in fir stands were seen only in one of the stands, 41 plant taxa were detected in all stands. 5 taxa were seen only in GA stands, 7 in GB, 15 in GC and 13 only in GD stands, while 8 taxa could not be identified due to the insufficient vegetative and generative organs of the collected samples. The richest stand type in terms of taxa number was determined as the GC stand type with 84 plant taxa, but more individuals per ha were counted in the GA and GD stand types.Procijenjeno je 640 uzoraka 0,5x0,5 m dobivenih metodom sustavnog uzorkovanja. Uzorkovanje je obavljeno u dva ponavljanja u GA (staroj), GB (mladoj), GC (srednjedobnoj), GD (nepravilnoj) sastojini, na sjevernim i južnim izloženostima. Terenska istraživanja provedena su tijekom 4 različita razdoblja (lipanj, srpanj, kolovoz, rujan) unutar vegetacijskog razdoblja. Određene su 122 biljne svojte na razini vrsta i infraspecifičnih svojti. U samo jednoj sastojini jele zabilježeno je 48 biljnih svojti, 41 svojta zabilježena je u svim sastojinama. 5 svojti biljaka viđeno je samo u GA sastojinama, 7 u GB, 15 u GC i 13 samo u GD sastojinama. Najbogatiji tip sastojine po broju svojti utvrđen je kao GC tip sastojine sa 84 biljne svojte, ali je više jedinki po ha izbrojano u GA i GD sastojinama

Traditional Turkish Coffee with Medicinal Effect

Traditional Turkish coffee (TTC) is highly associated with caffeine and is known as a mind and heart stimulant as it helps keep tiredness at bay. Daily consumption of TTC naturally benefits human health such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, improved energy, anti-depression, reduced risk of heart disease, etc. The TTC was derived from particular types of Arabic coffee beans (ACB), and the preparation method of TTC is unique from other types of coffee. The main objective of the study was to investigate the therapeutic and biological effects of TTC. The ACB powder was characterized physicochemically using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In vitro analysis using HaCaT (Human keratinocyte cell line) proved the biocompatibility of ACB powder. Case studies which were focusing on healthy individuals as the research populace were conducted using TTC. Consumption of TTC was found beneficially compared to other types of coffee. The TTC was obtained from ACB, which was characterized by spectroscopic techniques and displayed biocompatibility due to the results on HaCaT cell lines. The TTC has beneficial therapeutic effects on individuals. According to statistical analysis, the disease-affected ratio of diabetes, heart disease, and depression was significantly decreased

Arthropod diversity in pure oak forests of coppice origin in northern Thrace (Turkey)

Oak (Quercus spp.) forests are among the most important forest types in Turkey. In the past, oak forests were managed through coppice clear-cutting, but in recent decades they have mostly been converted to high forest. This study was aimed at explaining how arthropod diversity is affected during conversion from coppice to high oak forest and during the early stages of coppice succession. We tested the hypothesis that arthropod richness, abundance and diversity in coppice oak sites varied according to stand age and a number of other forest characteristics. Arthropod communities were sampled in 50 plots using four different methods: pitfall traps, sweep nets, sticky cards and cloth shaking. A total of 13 084 individuals were collected and classified into 193 Recognizable Taxonomic Units (RTUs), with the most RTUs and the greatest number of specimens captured by sweep netting. We identified 17 taxa within RTU’s with more than 1% of the captured arthropods, which constituted 75% of the total specimens. The number of RTUs varied significantly according to trap type. Arthropod richness and Shannon-Wiener biodiversity index (H′) increased with elevation and precipitation. In young (1-40 yrs-old) and middle-aged (41-80 yrs) stands, arthropod biodiversity was not significantly affected by stand type, but slightly increased with diameter at breast height and tree height. Forest characteristics, such as the litter layer, understory and crown diameter, weakly influenced arthropod richness and abundance. Cluster analysis revealed that stand types and trap types differed taxonomically. Principal component analysis showed that stand types were clearly separated by the stand parameters measured. Insect families (Formicidae, Thripidae, Lygaeidae, Dolichopodidae, Luaxanidae, Cicadellidae and Ichneumonidae) could potentially be used as indicators of coppice oak conditions. As the coppice oak changes to mature forest, further studies are needed to better assess the relation between arthropods, forest types and structural characteristics of stands

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Investigating the spatial and temporal changes in forest carbon stocks: the case of Daday forest planning unit

Destruction of forest ecosystems by over straining their carrying capacity in order to meet the increasing demand for natural resources brought up some environmental problems like loss of biodiversity, pollution and global warming. Emissions of CO2 by industrialization and land use changes is seen as the main reason of global warming. Forest ecosystems serve as carbon pools and makes important contributions for decreasing global warming effects. This is why the researches on the temporal changes of carbon amount stored in forest ecosystems is prevalent in recent decades. In the present study, it was determined how the amount of carbon stored in biomass of above and belowground biomass of Daday Forest Planning Unit was changed in 1970, 1990, 1999 and 2012 by using ArcGIS 10.2TM software and carbon storage maps were generated. It is observed that amount of carbon was increased nearly 871 thousand tons and, biomass was increased 1,1 million tons between 1970 and 2012. Especially, there is a significant increase in the carbon and biomass accumulation of productive forests. This is due to the increase of productive forest land and reduction of degraded forest areas in the planning unit

Analyzing the effect of carbon prices on wood production and harvest scheduling in a managed forest in Turkey

Unal, Murat Engin/0000-0002-7937-9468WOS: 000466849300004Among terrestrial ecosystems, forests have the largest carbon deposits, and thus play an important role in global climate change. Forests of all ages and types have a significant capacity in sequestration or depositing carbon. Increasing their capacities from this aspect can only be possible through sustainably managed forests. Therefore, in order to increase the carbon stock in forests, carbon management concepts must be integrated into the forestry program. The purpose of this study is to understand how carbon sequestration can affect levels of wood production and harvest scheduling in a forest area operated mainly for wood production, by considering alternative ideas on the current conditions in the given area. Monetary revenue which will be achieved by a 100-year planning horizon with a mixed integer optimization model, the produced wood and the levels of carbon that was sequestrated from atmosphere were investigated under 5 different strategies. Strategies were formed according to the potential unit prices of carbon. In the basic strategy (STR1) carbon price is taken as zero (only wood production revenue), while other strategies, i.e., STR2, STR3, STR4, and STR5 is priced as (sic)8, (sic)35, (sic)55, and (sic)100 per ton, respectively. Regeneration periods of stands and amount of maintenance cuts, which will be extracted from the forest, differ according to the strategies. Results show that when sequestrated carbon unit price is low (STR2 and STR3) or even when carbon has no value (STR1) the management activities in these strategies are almost the same. However, if there is an increase in the value of carbon (STR4 and STR5), with the assessment of different options, it is understood that a much higher level of revenue can be accessible

Analysis of temporal changes in land cover and landscape metrics of a managed forest in the west Black Sea region of northern Turkey: 1970-2010

Bettinger, Pete/0000-0002-5454-3970WOS: 000419916000014Forest structure changes continuously by natural and anthropogenic effects. Because the level of goods and services provided by forest ecosystems are related to this structure, some attributes have to be controlled while they are being managed. In this paper we describe the long-term temporal changes in land area and landscape metrics related to different land uses of a managed forest in Turkey. The study was carried out for the Daday Forest Planning Unit located in the west Black Sea region of northern Turkey. The total area is 16,813 ha and besides wood production, it is managed for erosion control, public health, aesthetics, and recreation. Stand type maps that were constructed in 1970, 1989, 1999, and 2010 were used in this analysis. Transition matrixes that illustrate area changes among cover types and temporal changes on some landscape metrics were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. Stands were separated into small patches, and thus the number of patches increased nearly two-fold between 1970 and 2010. The total forest edge increased and through the associated fragmentation, the amount of core forest area decreased at the landscape scale. Landscape metrics were applied to digitized versions of historical maps to assess how forest area changed. Human use of the land has changed, forest management practices have evolved, and these along with natural forest growth have contributed to interesting changes in landscape character