Soil and forest productivity: a case study from Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) stands in Calabria (southern Italy)

The objective of this study was to determine whether edaphic and/or topographic variables may be used as predictors of site productivity in Stone pine stands in Calabria (southern Italy). To accomplish this goal, a linear discriminant rule was developed using data from 16 pure Stone pine stands, grouped into three different classes based on the mean dominant height annual growth. The discriminant rule was based on three linear models (one for each class) that jointly predicts site class for a given stand. To test the accuracy of the proposed method, cross-validation was carried out by developing 16 alternative discriminant rules (excluding the analyzed data). Predictors tested were edaphic (texture, pH, organic matter) and topographic (altitude and slope) variables. The model obtained allow to discriminate poorest sites accurately (100% of sites were correctly re-classified using the discriminant functions obtained). In more productive areas, sites were correctly re-classified in the 33.33% of cases, while in intermediate sites the correct classification was equal to 50%. Our discriminant rule classifies correctly the poorest stands, suggesting that site index in plain site soils strongly depends on clay percentage. Overall, the edaphic model obtained classifies plots into the correct site index class 61.11% of cases, which is considered an acceptable value for these kinds of studies.Instituto Universitario de Gestión Forestal Sostenibl

European Mixed Forests: definition and research perspectives

Aim of study: We aim at (i) developing a reference definition of mixed forests in order to harmonize comparative research in mixed forests and (ii) briefly review the research perspectives in mixed forests. Area of study: The definition is developed in Europe but can be tested worldwide. Material and methods: Review of existent definitions of mixed forests based and literature review encompassing dynamics, management and economic valuation of mixed forests. Main results: A mixed forest is defined as a forest unit, excluding linear formations, where at least two tree species coexist at any developmental stage, sharing common resources (light, water, and/or soil nutrients). The presence of each of the component species is normally quantified as a proportion of the number of stems or of basal area, although volume, biomass or canopy cover as well as proportions by occupied stand area may be used for specific objectives. A variety of structures and patterns of mixtures can occur, and the interactions between the component species and their relative proportions may change over time. The research perspectives identified are (i) species interactions and responses to hazards, (ii) the concept of maximum density in mixed forests, (iii) conversion of monocultures to mixed-species forest and (iv) economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by mixed forests. Research highlights: The definition is considered a high-level one which encompasses previous attempts to define mixed forests. Current fields of research indicate that gradient studies, experimental design approaches, and model simulations are key topics providing new research opportunities. Key words: COST Action; EuMIXFOR; mixed-species forests; admixtures of species.Instituto Universitario de Gestión Forestal Sostenibl

As viagens do som

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso apresentado ao Instituto Latino-Americano de Arte, Cultura e História da Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana, como requisito parcial à obtenção do título de Bacharel em Cinema e Audiovisual. Orientadora: Prof​ a ​ . Virginia Osorio FloresFocando no cinema latino-americano e tendo como base o filme colombiano Los Viajes del Viento (2009) escrito e dirigido por Ciro Guerra, este artigo faz um breve histórico da construção do som no cinema, discutindo os conceitos teóricos dos autores Michel Chion (Valor Agregado, Audiovisão) e Virginia Flores (Cenografia Sonora). Assim, ao entender o papel do som na organização audiovisual, conseguimos construir uma base para análise dos aspectos sonoros presentes no filme, reafirmando então, a importância da construção sonora para enriquecimento cultural que dinamiza a nossa sociedade.Enfocando en el cine latinoamericano y teniendo como base la película colombiana Los viajes del Viento (2009) escrito y dirigido por Ciro Guerra, este artículo hace un breve histórico de la construcción del sonido en el cine, discutiendo los conceptos teóricos de los autores Michel Chion (Valor agregado, Audiovisión) y Virginia Flores (escenografía sonora). Así, al entender el papel del sonido en la organización audiovisual, conseguimos estructurar una base para el análisis de los aspectos sonoros presentes en la película, reafirmando la importancia de la construcción sonora para el enriquecimiento cultural que dinamiza nuestra socieda

Un Indicador Líder del IMACEC

This paper proposes a leading indicator for economic activity in Chile as a satellite model for short run forecasting purposes. A methodology to identify series that anticipate economic activity is presented in the first place. Then, some alternative leading indicators are constructed and evaluated. Among these indicators, we select the one that is most successful in terms of signaling business cycles turnovers.

Site index estimation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in the High Ebro Basin (northern Spain) using soil attributes

Site index curves and an edaphic discriminant rule for Scots pine stands in the High Ebro Basin (northern Spain) are presented to estimate site index under different silvicultural situations. High‐grading practices strongly modify the forestry structure by the means of bias in the dominant height and stand density. In order to achieve the silvicultural and site variability of Scots pine stands in the studied area, 75 plots from the National Forest Inventory of Spain (NFI) were selected. In these plots 46 dominant trees were cut down and 104 trees were bored at stump and at breast height (1.3 m). In each plot a soil sample from the first 10 cm of soil was taken and signs of dimensional cutting were recorded. Site index curves and the edaphic discriminant rule were developed. The site index curve model used is an extension of the Richards model. The site factors selected in the discriminant rule represent the most important edaphic parameters for forest productivity (texture and the assimilability of the nutrients). Site quality of the studied stands was medium‐low as compared with other site index curves for Scots pine around the world. The edaphic discriminant rule presented is useful for estimating site index classes in stands exposed to dimensional cutting and in young stands of Scots pine in the the High Ebro Basin (northern Spain). Site index curves were fitted to allow an estimate of the site index of undisturbed and stands which were not high‐graded.Instituto Universitario de Gestión Forestal Sostenibl

Carbon sequestration in Spanish Mediterranean forest under two management alternatives: A modeling approach

Management implications associated with two different silvicultural strategies in two Spanish pine forests (Scots pine stands in northern Spain and Mediterranean Maritime pine stands in Central Spain) were explored. Whole-stand yield, growth models and individual tree equations were used to estimate carbon stock in forests under different silvicultural alternatives and site indexes. Each alternative was evaluated on the basis of the land expectation value (LEV). Results reveal the appropriateness of implementing carbon payments, because it can clearly complement traditional management objectives in economic terms. Longer rotations on the poorest sites result in a positive economic return by introducing carbon output. The proportion of carbon stock in the final harvest relative to total fixed carbon is always higher in long rotation scenarios. However, short rotation systems produce the highest values of carbon MAI regardless of site index. The impact of carbon price is higher on the Maritime pine stands than on Scots pine stands. For both the species, changes in the discount rate have a minor impact on Carbon LEV. Notwithstanding, the proportion of total LEV due to carbon is greater when the discount rate increases.Instituto Universitario de Gestión Forestal Sostenibl

Emotion intensities in Tweets

This paper examines the task of detecting intensity of emotion from text. We create the first datasets of tweets annotated for anger, fear, joy, and sadness intensities. We use a technique called best–worst scaling (BWS) that improves annotation consistency and obtains reliable fine-grained scores. We show that emotion-word hashtags often impact emotion intensity, usually conveying a more intense emotion. Finally, we create a benchmark regression system and conduct experiments to determine: which features are useful for detecting emotion intensity; and, the extent to which two emotions are similar in terms of how they manifest in language

Plasticity in Pinus pinaster populations of diverse origins: Comparative seedling responses to light and Nitrogen availability

The effects of light and N availability, and population on seedling morphology and biomass allocation were assessed in eleven months seedlings from ten Pinus pinaster populations. We conducted a garden experiment using a light gradient (full sunlight, HL= 337.1 μmol m2 s-1; medium light, ML= 120.6 μmol m2 s-1; and low light, LL= 30 μmol m2 s-1) and two contrasting soil fertility regimes: low-N and high-N availability. Light availability was an important factor controlling phenotypic plasticity. However, differences between productivity environments were observed, especially in full sunlight and medium light conditions, which suggest that soil fertility may be very important at early successional stages at open and medium shaded microsites, but would exert low influence in deep shade conditions. Population-specific responses were observed for many traits, which suggest a genetic control of morphological plasticity. All populations produced more total dry weight with HL and high-N. When light and/or N richness varied, growth depended upon which resource was more limiting. Results indicated ontogenetic drift but when seedlings were compared at the same size, results fitted with optimal partitioning theory. Allocation to needles was higher in HL and ML/ high-N conditions, while allocation to root was higher in low-N seedlings in HL and ML conditions. With shade (ML and LL) all populations allocated more dry weight to stem, regardless N availability. A significant increment in stem height was observed with shade increase.Instituto Universitario de Gestión Forestal Sostenibl