List of Titles

Effects of ellagic acid and derivatives thereof on water repellency and dimensional stability

- Przewloka, Simon, Shearer, B. J.

Authors: Przewloka, Simon , Shearer, B. J.
Date: 2008
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Journal of Tropical Forest Science Vol. 20, no. 2 (2008), p. 132-138
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Description: Derivatives of the insoluble polyphenolic ellagic acid and water soluble tetraguanidinium, tetracholine, tetrakis-benzyltrimethylammonium and tetrakis-tetramethylammonium ellagates and 2,3,4,2',3',4'-hexamethoxy-6,6'- diisocyanato-diphenyl, were prepared. The effects of these compounds upon water repellency and dimensional stability when impregnated into timber were examined. Water soluble ellagates improved water repellent effectiveness up to 32%. Ellagic acid and 2,3,4,2',3',4'-hexamethoxy-6,6'-diisocyanato-diphenyl increased initial swelling rates due to their solvent carriers. All trial compounds provided the timber wafers with additional dimensional stability predominantly by non-bonded, non-leachable bulking. Generally a reduction in the extent but not the rate of moisture uptake was noted for the compounds investigated.
Description: C1

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Developing a complementary framework for urban ecology

- Kattel, Giri, Elkadi, Hisham, Meikle, Helen

Authors: Kattel, Giri , Elkadi, Hisham , Meikle, Helen
Date: 2013
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Urban Forestry & Urban Greening Vol. 12, no. 4 (2013), p. 498-508
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Description: Cities are characterized by dynamic interactions between socio-economic and biophysical forces. Currently more than half of the global population reside in cities which influence the global biogeochemical cycles and climate change, substantially exacerbating pressures on urban pollution, water quality and food security, as well as operating costs for infrastructure development. Goods and services such as aesthetic values, water purification, nutrient recycling, and biological diversity, that urban ecosystems generate for the society, are critical to sustain. Urban planners are increasingly facing the considerable challenges of management issues for urban ecosystems. Poor understanding of the complementary roles of urban ecology in urban infrastructure, and the functioning of ecosystems and ecological resilience of a complex human-dominated landscape has impeded effective urban planning over time, resulting in social disharmony. Here a complementary framework for urban ecology is proposed, in which ecosystems interact with land use, architecture and urban design - "E-LAUD"-affecting ecosystem and human health, and building on the concept that land uses in urban green areas, road-strips, wetlands, 'habitat islands' and urban architecture could synergistically benefit when clustered together in different combinations of urban landscapes. It is proposed that incorporation of the E-LAUD framework in urban planning forms the context of a new interdisciplinary research programme on ecological resilience for urban ecosystems and helps promote ecosystem services. (C) 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Thinning, fire and birds in Boola Boola state forest, Victoria, Australia

- Barr, Rachel, Wright, Wendy, Rayment, Philip

Authors: Barr, Rachel , Wright, Wendy , Rayment, Philip
Date: 2011
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Australian Forestry Vol. 74, no. 1 (2011), p. 43-53
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Description: Thinning is a silvicultural technique used extensively throughout Australia's production forests. The longer-term effects of thinning on forest biota are not well understood. This study provides an insight into the effects of thinning on avifauna and vegetation, 5-10 y after a thinning operation. A paired-site experimental design was used to compare bird density and species richness at thinned and unthinned sites in a mixed eucalypt production forest in Gippsland, Victoria. The 2006-2007 fires across Gippsland directly affected eight of twelve sites in this study, providing an opportunity to investigate the immediate effects of wildfire on birds. Significantly greater numbers of birds and bird species were found at thinned sites, compared with unthinned sites. Differences in vegetation structure and habitat quality were also apparent between thinned and unthinned sites. A reduction in both bird abundance and species richness occurred immediately after the wildfire. Research into the impact of silvicultural techniques, such as thinning, on forest biota is an important step towards achieving ecologically sustainable forestry. Improved understanding of the effect of forestry operations is imperative in order to maximise conservation in production environments.

Effects of windthrow on a Eucalyptus delegatensis (Myrtaceae) stand and early understorey succession at Snowy River National Park, Victoria

- Florentine, Singarayer, Westbrooke, Martin

Authors: Florentine, Singarayer , Westbrooke, Martin
Date: 2004
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Australian Forestry Vol. 67, no. 1 (2004), p. 54-58
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Description: During June 1998 a very strong windstorm at the Snowy River National Park ncar Mt Gelantipy caused severe damage to a stand of Eucalyptus delegatensis. Little is known about the impact of windthrow on E. delegatensis and subsequent seedling recruitment. This study was undertaken 4.5 y later 10 examine (i) windthrow damage to E. delegatensis and the understorey Acacia dealbata, (ii) the influence of tree size on the pattern of lree damage, (iii) the undergrowth in the windthrow area compared with that in control plots, and (iv) species composition of the soil-stored seed-bank in windthrow and control plots. We found that high winds toppled virtually all trees regardless of size and species, damaging 99% of the E. delegarensis. In windthrow plots there were 49 seedlings ha- I of E. delegarensis and 2210 ha-I of A. dealbata. No E. delegarensis or A. deafbara seedlings were recorded in the control plots. In the soil seed-bank study five species were recovered from soil samples collected from the control, and six from the windthrow-damaged sites. The canopy species E. delegatensis recruited only from the windthrow site. The exotic Rubus fruticosus was found to be colonising the windthrow site, but was not present in the control site. Results show that E. defegarensis recruitment is very poor in the damaged area, and species colonising within that area are light demanding or early succession species. It is proposed that seedling recruitment in the windthrow sites be accelerated by burning the site and broadcasting E. delega/ensis seed, or transplanting seedlings.
Description: C1
Description: 2003000710

Predicting site productivity of the timber tree Pterocarpus angolensis

- De Cauwer, Vera, Fichtler, Esther, Beeckman, Hans, Graz, Patrick, Mertens, Jan, Van Holsbeeck, Sam, Muys, Bart

Authors: De Cauwer, Vera , Fichtler, Esther , Beeckman, Hans , Graz, Patrick , Mertens, Jan , Van Holsbeeck, Sam , Muys, Bart
Date: 2017
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Southern Forests Vol. 79, no. 3 (2017), p. 259-268
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Description: Pterocarpus angolensis is an important timber tree of the miombo woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. The species only grows in natural mixed forests and little is known about is productivity potential. This study aimed at investigating productivity of P. angolensis on a local scale in Namibia and Angola and on a regional scale in southern Africa. The most commonly accepted productivity indicator is stem diameter increment and this was used to study productivity at a regional scale. Indicators of productivity used at the local scale were basal area, proportional basal area and site form, which were derived from 217 forest inventory plots in Namibia and Angola. The productivity measures were modelled with abiotic site factors; biotic factors were added for the local scale. Results indicated that the most consistent site factors at local and regional scale were not related to climate but to forest cover, with the species having a competitive advantage in more open forests. Mean annual diameter increment in the open forests of Namibia was 0.51 cm after 50 years. Boosted regression tree models at a local scale showed that species presence can be modelled more successfully than species basal area, proportional basal area (correlation of 0.72 vs 0.56 and 0.45, respectively) and site form. The sites with the highest productivity of P. angolensis at the local scale had a temperature seasonality below 34.5 °C, a slope of less than 1.5°, tree cover less than 20% and stand basal area higher than 9 m2 ha−1. The results can assist in establishing a site-dependent growth model for the species and direct forest and fire management towards the most productive areas. © 2017 NISC (Pty) Ltd.

An initial experimental assessment of the influence of substrate depth on floral assemblage for extensive green roofs

- Olly, Luke, Bates, Adam, Sadler, Jon, Mackay, Rae

Authors: Olly, Luke , Bates, Adam , Sadler, Jon , Mackay, Rae
Date: 2011
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Urban Forestry and Urban Greening Vol. 10, no. 4 (2011), p. 311-316
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Description: Extensive green roofs have the potential to be used as mitigation tools to compensate for urban habitat loss, but there is little information about how closely these systems emulate ground-based habitats. This study investigated the effect of limited substrate depth on plant assemblages in the initial phase of growth in extensive green roof substrates. Five replicate mesocosms (1m 2) for each of three design treatments: (A) 10cm aggregate depth with green roof drainage and solid floor, (B) 15cm aggregate depth with green roof drainage and solid floor, and (C) 15cm aggregate depth on top of bare earth; were positioned at ground level. Each mesocosm had an identical growth substrate and was seeded with the same seed mix. Plant assemblages were analysed using point-quadrat methods. Significant differences in species composition were observed between treatments that seemed to be related to water availability. Even the deep (15cm) solid floor green roof treatment showed many significant differences in floral assemblage compared to the identical treatment (C) where plants had access to water in the soil profile. Therefore, it is not possible to exactly recreate most ground-based urban habitats on roofs by simply copying the soil characteristics and floral composition found on the ground. Like for mitigation for habitat loss using extensive green roofs requires the careful manipulation of design elements in order to counteract the limited water availability on green roofs. © 2011 Elsevier GmbH.

The further chemistry of ellagic acid II. Ellagic acid and water-soluble ellagates as metal precipitants

- Przewloka, Simon, Shearer, B. J.

Authors: Przewloka, Simon , Shearer, B. J.
Date: 2002
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Holzforschung Vol. 56, no. 1 (2002), p. 13-19
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Description: Preparations of the previously unreported, water-soluble, tetraguanidinium, tetracholine and tetrakisbenzyltrimethylammonium ellagates are outlined. Ellagic acid and these water-soluble salts remove Mg2+, Ca2+ and Mn2+ ions from dilute aqueous solutions at pH greater than 7. The salts also remove Fe2+, Fe3+, Co2+ and Cu2+ between pH 3 and pH 6. At pH 1 the water-soluble ellagates underwent hydrolysis, resulting in the precipitation of free ellagic acid in preference to the formation of metal-ellagate complexes. These trends were also observed when mixtures of metal ions were applied.
Description: 2003000160

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Ethnobotany, rattan agroforestry, and conservation of ecosystem services in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

- Afentina, McShane, Paul, Wright, Wendy

Authors: Afentina , McShane, Paul , Wright, Wendy
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Agroforestry Systems Vol. 94, no. 2 (2020), p. 639-650
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Description: Rattan agroforestry is an important land use system in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, providing a wide range of products for subsistence communities. The ethnobotanical importance of rattan includes heritage values reflecting traditional ecological knowledge. This traditional forestry practice is consistent with necessary conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services currently threatened by expansion of oil palm plantations. We examined species composition and morphology (including life stages) of vegetation associated with rattan agroforests in the Katingan district, Central Kalimantan. An examination of harvested rattan plots revealed 101 species of vegetation of which 90% are considered to be useful (food, construction materials, medicines) and most (97%) were native species, typical of lowland tropical forest vegetation. Vegetation in the rattan agroforests was dominated by trees (in terms of species richness). There were 80 species of trees, representing 79% of the plants surveyed. Vitex pubescens (kaluan) had the highest importance value as it occupied more space, was represented by more individuals and was most frequently found in rattan gardens. These trees in general have a relatively open canopy with strong branches; properties considered ideal to support rattan. Canopy forming species are actively managed to provide for growth of useful understory vegetation (including rattan) important in the livelihoods of village communities. Rattan agroforests also provide cultural services reflecting traditional use (e.g. a sense of belonging and ancestral linkages for local forest-dependent communities). The importance of ethnobotanical approaches to rattan cultivation includes the socio-economic evaluation of land use and the promotion of sustainable land use policies in Indonesia. This is important in the context of oil palm expansion which has a demonstrably adverse impact on ecosystem services. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V.

Post-wildfire seedling colonisation patterns in a Eucalyptus delegatemsis (Myrtaceae) windthrow site at Snowy Rover National Park, Victoria

- Florentine, Singarayer, Westbrooke, Martin, Milberg, Per, Gibson, Matthew

Authors: Florentine, Singarayer , Westbrooke, Martin , Milberg, Per , Gibson, Matthew
Date: 2008
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Australian Forestry Vol. 71, no. 1 (2008), p. 48-53
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Description: During June 1998, a severe windstorm caused significant damage to a sub-alpine stand of Eucalyptus delegatensis (Myrtaceae) at the Snowy River National Park. In 2002, about 4.5 y after the windstorm, a study documented the effects on E. delegatensis and early understorey succession. In February 2003, wildfire burnt across the windthrow site and we examined the seedling recruitment patterns at windthrow–burn and burn-only sites. Our aim was to document the regeneration of the canopy-dominant E. delegatensis and to confirm that Acacia dealbata is a pioneer species that potentially interferes with or prevents regeneration of E. delegatensis. Permanent transects were established within the windthrow–burn and burn-only sites. The data suggest that the heavily disturbed (mounded) soil at the windthrow site had a strong positive influence on regeneration of both species. By providing favourable growing conditions, the disturbed soil appears to have assisted seedling survival and subsequent growth of the E. delegatensis, despite competition from dense, concurrently established A. dealbata.
Description: C1

Vegetation development over four years on two green roofs in the UK

- Bates, Adam, Sadler, Jon, Mackay, Rae

Authors: Bates, Adam , Sadler, Jon , Mackay, Rae
Date: 2013
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Forestry sciences Vol. 12, no. 1 (2013), p. 98-108
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Description: Carefully designed green roofs have the potential to be used as mitigation for habitats lost at ground level. The development of plant assemblages on two green roofs designed to emulate diverse brownfield habitats (brown roofs), by using recycled demolition aggregate as part of a low-fertility growth substrate, were studied over the first four years of their development. The cover-abundance of flowering plants and habitat structural components (e.g. bare ground, moss) were measured on the Domin-Krajina scale within all identified microhabitats. Drought disturbance was one of the main controlling factors on assemblage development. Annual plants were abundant and successful in the first growth season, and thereafter only re-appeared in any numbers following drought disturbances in subsequent years. Moss and Sedum acre L. increased through the study period until these plants dominated coverage. The cover-abundance of perennial wildflower species was strongly influenced by drought disturbance. The influence of drought disturbance varied between different brown roof microhabitats, with plant assemblages in coarser and less fertile microhabitats more resistant to these disturbances. Observed responses to drought were consistent with the following two hypotheses: (i) Areas of coarse substrate can act as disturbance refugia for plants during drought by helping preserve pockets of water under large clasts and within absorbent materials such as brick. (ii) The plant assemblages living in areas of more fertile substrates, which grow more luxuriantly when water availability is high, are more vulnerable to drought disturbance. Green roofs should be designed to include a range of substrate types to create several microhabitats that will collectively support more species than any single microhabitat.

The further chemistry of ellagic acid I. Synthesis of tetramethylellagic acid and associated polymer precursors

- Reitze, J. D., Przewloka, Simon, Shearer, B. J.

Authors: Reitze, J. D. , Przewloka, Simon , Shearer, B. J.
Date: 2001
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Holzforschung Vol. 55, no. 2 (2001), p. 171-175
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Description: A quantitative method for the production of 3,3',4,4'-tetra-O-methylellagic acid was developed. Ellagic acid was fully methylated under nitrogen and in air using dimethyl sulphate and 25%,guanidinium methoxide in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The synthesis of a range of polymer precursors derived from 3,3',4,4'-tetra-O-methylellagic acid are outlined, including the previously unreported 2,3,4,2',3',4'-hexamethoxy-6,6'-diphenoyl-dichloride, 2,3,4,2',3',4'-hexamethoxy-6,6'-diisocyanto-diphenyl, 2,3,4, 2',3',4'-hexamethoxy-6,6'-diamino-diphenyl, 2,3,4,2',3',4'-hexamethoxy6,6'-dihydroxymethyl-diphenyl and 2,3,4,2',3',4'-hexamethoxy-diphenyl-6,6'-dialdehyde.

The behaviour of the measure of surround in relation to the diameter and spatial structure of a forest stand

- Graz, Patrick

Authors: Graz, Patrick
Date: 2008
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: European Journal of Forest Research Vol. 127, no. 2 (2008), p. 165-171
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Description: Forestry inventory practices have, in the past, concentrated on obtaining information primarily required for timber management. To assess the ecological impact of exploitation, particularly under continuous cover forest management, diversity measures are required that consider the structural diversity in a forest stand. The measure of surround that was initially developed in Germany may be used to quantify the spatial interspersion of different tree size classes as a measure of spatial diversity. While the measure of surround has been applied to practical problems in the past, little is known about its actual performance in relation to stand compositions. This study investigate the behaviour of the index using a number of simulated age class distributions under various degrees of interspersion to provide a norm against which it may be compared. The measure of surround applied to diameter distributions is closely related to the diameter structure of a stand. When diameter classes are interspersed completely randomly within a stand the relative cumulative frequency of the diameter class provides an estimator of the size specific measure of surround. This provides a baseline from which the index may be interpreted. © Springer-Verlag 2007.
Description: C1

A burning issue : Using fire to accelerate tree hollow formation in Eucalyptus species

- Adkins, Matthew

Authors: Adkins, Matthew
Date: 2006
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Australian Forestry Vol. 69, no. 2 (2006), p. 107-113
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Description: The importance of hollows to many species of arboreal mammals and birds in Australia has been clearly established, as has the significance of large, old trees in providing hollows. Since European settlement, considerable areas of eucalypt forests and woodlands have been cleared, resulting in significant loss of habitat, including hollow-bearing trees. Recruiting and retaining large, old trees is important to the ongoing survival of hollow-dependent fauna. However, in wood production areas maintaining sufficient numbers of hollows is problematic, since the age at which trees become economically mature is considerably less than that at which they become hollow-bearing. Management strategies aimed at retaining some hollow-bearing trees can assist, but many forests and woodlands are immature and contain too few of these trees. The ability to accelerate hollow formation where hollow-bearing trees are lacking is crucial, but cost-effective methods suitable for use on a large scale are seemingly few. The use of fire to accelerate hollow formation in Eucalyptus trees is one option.

The further chemistry of ellagic acid III: The effect of wick action upon moisture uptake and movement in ellagate treated Pinus radiata wood

- Przewloka, Simon, Shearer, B. J.

Authors: Przewloka, Simon , Shearer, B. J.
Date: 2002
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Holzforschung Vol. 56, no. 6 (2002), p. 632-638
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Description: Pinus radiata sapwood stakes were treated with ellagic acid and tetraguanidinium, tetracholine and tetrakis-benzyltrimethylammonium ellagates. The effect of these treatments upon moisture movement and uptake was investigated by wick action. Given that chemical reactions within the wood substrate between nutrients and treatment solutions may alter the properties of the wood with regard to moisture movement, the presence of Cu2+ in the system was also examined. Water-soluble ellagates reduced water loss by 25-35 %, but had no effect upon water uptake. Ellagic acid in N-methylpyrrolidone significantly reduced both water loss and moisture uptake. The effect of Cu2+ upon moisture movement and uptake in the treated stakes was negligible.
Description: 2003000162

Lower Jinsha Valley bird study

- Wright, Wendy, Federation University, Australia

Authors: Wright, Wendy , Federation University, Australia
Date: 2011-2013
Type: Text , Report
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Description: This study represents a systematic bird survey in part of the Lower Jinsha Valley, in Western China. The intention of the study is to document the bird fauna of the area before it undergoes significant environmental transformation. The study area will be affected by the construction of a series of large hydropower dams along the Jinsha (Yangtze) River. Flooding of the valleys in this area will be to an elevation of 825m and will result in the inundation of substantial areas of farmland and much of the current sparse and poor quality forest habitat in Ningnan County (Sichuan Province) and Qiaojia County (Yunnan Province). Bird searches were conducted at 15 locations (5 in forest, 5 in farmland, 5 in Leucaena plantation) during two survey periods: Winter 2012: Nov-Dec 2012 (six field days: 30/11 – 7/12) (survey period 3) Summer 2013 June 2013 (seven field days 6/6 – 12/6) (survey period 4) Two visits were made to each location during each study period. One visit occurred during the morning and involved a timed transect search plus a list building search. The other visit occurred during the afternoon and involved a list building search only. The timed transect search involved noting birds seen along the 100m transect during a 20min search period. No recorded calls were used to attract birds during the timed transect search, which always occurred prior to the list building search. List building searches were conducted in the interests of maximizing the opportunity to identify species present at each location. Each list building search involved an initial broadcast playback of the call of Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei) followed by identification of birds seen or heard, including birds responding to the call of the owlet. Collared Owlet is a small owl, which sometimes hunts diurnally. It is commonly mobbed by small songbirds (Mackinnon and Phillips, 2010). Where necessary, previously recorded calls of particular bird species were used to encourage birds to respond and therefore confirm identification. In some cases, calling birds were recorded in situ and these calls were immediately played back in order to encourage a response and allow visual identification. All birds clearly identified visually or by their call were recorded, including birds of prey seen flying overhead or in nearby valleys. Birds seen on roadsides during transit between locations were noted separately and are included in the bird list for the survey period, but not included in analyses. The visualisation of the survey data is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni).

Boola Boola Forest bird study

- Wright, Wendy

Authors: Wright, Wendy
Date: 2006-2008
Type: Text , Report
Full Text: false
Description: This study assessed differences in avian biodiversity across different forest age-classes, including mature stands (> 100 years), in a managed, mixed-species eucalypt forest located in Gippsland, south-eastern Australia. Avian surveys and detailed habitat measurements were initially carried out in 50 two hectare stands ranging in age from 100 years. Extensive wildfire which occurred during the study reduced the number of sites to 28 (seven in each of four age classes) upon which analyses and inferences were made. Mature vegetation (> 100 years) had the greatest richness, abundance and biomass of birds. Key ecological resources, such as tree-hollows for nesting, generally occurred mostly in stands > 60 years. There were quantum increases in all measures of avian biodiversity in mature stands (> 100 years). The visualisation of the survey data is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni).

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