Scion

About: Scion is a facility organization based out in Rotorua, New Zealand. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pinus radiata & Population. The organization has 772 authors who have published 1656 publications receiving 39798 citations. The organization is also known as: New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.

Plantation forests and biodiversity: oxymoron or opportunity

Abstract: Losses of natural and semi-natural forests, mostly to agriculture, are a significant concern for biodiversity. Against this trend, the area of intensively managed plantation forests increases, and there is much debate about the implications for biodiversity. We provide a comprehensive review of the function of plantation forests as habitat compared with other land cover, examine the effects on biodiversity at the landscape scale, and synthesise context-specific effects of plantation forestry on biodiversity. Natural forests are usually more suitable as habitat for a wider range of native forest species than plantation forests but there is abundant evidence that plantation forests can provide valuable habitat, even for some threatened and endangered species, and may contribute to the conservation of biodiversity by various mechanisms. In landscapes where forest is the natural land cover, plantation forests may represent a low-contrast matrix, and afforestation of agricultural land can assist conservation by providing complementary forest habitat, buffering edge effects, and increasing connectivity. In contrast, conversion of natural forests and afforestation of natural non-forest land is detrimental. However, regional deforestation pressure for agricultural development may render plantation forestry a ‘lesser evil’ if forest managers protect indigenous vegetation remnants. We provide numerous context-specific examples and case studies to assist impact assessments of plantation forestry, and we offer a range of management recommendations. This paper also serves as an introduction and background paper to this special issue on the effects of plantation forests on biodiversity.

Chemical characterization of rice straw-derived biochar for soil amendment

Abstract: Pyrolysis of rice straw to create biochar for soil amendment appears to be a promising method to address concerns with regard to improving soil fertility, increasing Carbon storage and decreasing Green House Gas emissions. However, the ability of rice straw-derived biochar to affect these factors might vary depending on its characteristics. It is therefore essential to investigate the properties before large-scale application of rice straw-derived biochar. In this study, rice straw-derived biochars produced at different temperatures (300, 400, 500, 600 & 700 °C) and residence time (1, 2, 3 & 5 h) were characterized using a suite of analytical techniques. Results showed that pyrolysis temperature had a greater influence than residence time on the chemical composition and structure of rice straw-derived biochar produced at low heating rate. The rice straw-derived biochars especially produced at 400 °C had high alkalinity and cation exchange capacity, and high levels of available phosphorus and extractable cations. These properties indicate potential application of rice straw-derived biochar as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that higher pyrolysis temperatures promote condensation reactions. Rice straw-derived biochars contained turbostratic crystallites at 400 °C, and displayed a high level of aromatization at 500 °C. Increasing charring temperature will increase the aromaticity of biochar, and might include its recalcitrance.

Live plant imports: the major pathway for forest insect and pathogen invasions of the US

Abstract: Trade in live plants has been recognized worldwide as an important invasion pathway for non-native plant pests. Such pests can have severe economic and ecological consequences. Nearly 70% of damaging forest insects and pathogens established in the US between 1860 and 2006 most likely entered on imported live plants. The current regulation of plant imports is outdated and needs to balance the impacts of pest damage, the expense of mitigation efforts, and the benefits of live plant importation. To inform these discussions, we document large increases in the volume and value of plant imports over the past five decades and explain recent and proposed changes to plant import regulations. Two data sources were used to estimate the infestation rate of regulated pests in live plant shipments entering the US, thus allowing evaluation of the efficacy of the current port inspection process.