<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Airborne laser scanning (ALS) based standing wood volume models were analysed in two contrasting test sites with different forest types in Estonia. In Aegviidu test site main tree species are Scots pine and Norway spruce and Laeva test site is mainly dominated by deciduous species. ALS data measurements were carried out for Aegviidu in 2008 and for Laeva in 2013. Approximately 450 sample plots were established additionally to the forest inventory dataset in both test sites. Exclusive to the sample plots, 46 stands were measured in 2012 in Aegviidu for stand level model. The sample plot-based model standard error in Aegviidu was Se = 59.8 m3/ha (22%) and in Laeva Se = 69.2 m3/ha (29%). The stand-level model based on 46 measured stands from Aegviidu had Se = 38.4 m3/ha. Based on the models a cross-validation between the two test sites was carried out and systematic differences between the two test sites were found. The reasons are related to differences in optical properties of trees, crown shapes, flight configuration and canopy cover even though the sample plot based models included ALS-based canopy cover variable. The ALS-based wood volume estimate was also compared to forest inventory (FI) data and systematically larger estimates compared to FI dataset in both test sites were found. This average systematic error increased substantially (by 100 m3/ha) for stands with volume over 250 m3/ha. It was also detected that a model developed on small point clouds drawn for sample plots may produce systematic errors when applied to stand-level point clouds.</abstract>

Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014 Tartu,

State Forest Management Centre, 10149, Toompuiestee 24, Tallinn

Tartu Observatory, 61602 Tõravere, Tartumaa,

ALS-based wood volume models of forest stands and comparison with forest inventory data

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The largest natural population of shrubby cinquefoil (<italic>Potentilla fruticosa</italic>) in the Baltic States was observed in the field to reveal the scale-dependent explanatory value of site characteristics for subsequent spatial distribution modelling of the species. About 700 km was crossed during field observations in 2008–2014. Thinning of the raw field records to ensure a distance of at least 50 metres between each point yielded 1459 presences and 7327 absences. These occurrence data were related to present and historical land cover, soil, elevation, human population density, the proportion of presence sites, and <italic>P. fruticosa</italic> mean coverage in the neighbourhood. Boosted classification tree models were used to compare the value of 60 individual site features at thematically and spatially different levels of generalization as indicators of the species’ presence or absence. <italic>P. fruticosa</italic> presence is significantly non-random regarding most of the studied site features but only a few of these are valuable predictors. The proportion of presences in the neighbourhood had the highest indicative value. <italic>P. fruticosa</italic> occurrence also coincides with moist thin calcareous soils according to the soil map, with larger scrubland patches according to the topographical database, and with tussock areas according to a topographical map from the 1930s. The explanatory value of nominal site characteristics primarily drops when the most indicative category is merged with other classes to form a more general category. Site characteristics calculated at the observation point are not always the most effective predictors for <italic>P. fruticosa</italic> occurrence – features of the neighbourhood are related to the occurrence as well. The study area was classified into: confirmed absence area, unclear presence/absence area and probable presence area. Subsequent distribution modelling in the unclear area should be targeted on a species presence/absence, while abundance could be the priority within the probable presence area.</abstract>

Selecting site characteristics at different spatial and thematic scales for shrubby cinquefoil (<italic>Potentilla fruticosa</italic> L.) distribution mapping

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Wildfire is regarded as important environmental factor determining the vegetation of the Earth. We analyzed 11 plots at different types of forest affected by fire at the southern boundary of the taiga zone. These differ in structure of the forest stand and herb-shrub layer. Investigated factors included edaphic (moisture, pH, nitrogen) and climatic (light, temperature, continentality) characteristics. Also, projective cover of <italic>Epilobium angustifolium</italic> L. and undergrowth of secondary growth trees (including forest stand survived after fire influence) were studied. Multivariate data analysis revealed that the rate and character of the vegetation recovery was depended on the ratio of environmental factors and on the species composition of herb-shrub layer. No significant differences were found in Ellenberg’s indicator values between different years of study. All tested forest habitats were distinguished into three main groups: Group I includes broadleaf forests with the forest stand survived after fire influence, Group II includes spruce and birch forests deprived the forest stand due to fire impact, Group III includes more or less dry pine-dominated forests with the forest stand gradually died after fire influence. Two marshy plots have prerequisites to their allocation to a separate group close to the oligotrophic bog forests.</abstract>

Mordovia State Nature Reserve, 431230, Pushta, Temnikov district, Republic of Mordovia,

Department of Botany, Physiology and Ecology of Plants, Mordovia State University, 430005, Bolshevistskaya Street, 68, Saransk, Republic of Mordovia,

National Park “Smolny”, 431660, Topoley Street, 11, Smolny, Ichalki district, Republic of Mordovia,

Vegetation recovery in fire-damaged forests: a case study at the southern boundary of the taiga zone

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The article presents an annotated list of 99 new beetle species for Estonia (mainly woodland ones) along with their faunistic data. Most of the material has been collected by the author using trunk window traps within the framework of various research and monitoring projects in 2011–2015. In addition, the work comprises a number of unpublished new species, which were revealed in the material of older collections. These originate mainly from the coleopterologist J. Miländer’s beetle collection preserved at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (finds from the period of 1930–1982) and from the private collection of zoosemiotist A. Turovski. 13 species are new for the fauna of the whole Baltic region. Three species are new for Northern Europe: <italic>Triplax carpathica</italic> Rtt. (Erotylidae), <italic>Phloiotrya subtilis</italic> (Rtt.) (Melandryidae) and <italic>Carpophilus truncatus</italic> Murray (Nitidulidae). <italic>Triplax carpathica</italic> Rtt. (Erotylidae) and <italic>Clypeorhagus clypeatus</italic> (Hampe) (Eucnemidae), each known only from a single locality, belong to the European IUCN Red List. Two discovered species, <italic>Airaphilus perangustus</italic> Lindberg (Silvanidae) and <italic>Ochthebius czwalinai</italic> Kuwert (Hydraenidae), are known for their very restricted spreading area in Europe. For a large part of the new species (36 out of 99) Estonia lies on the northern edge of their areal. These species have not yet been recorded north of Estonia in Finland, where the beetle fauna is studied better. For two Nitidulidae species, <italic>Carpophilus marginellus</italic> Motsch. and <italic>Glischrochilus quadrisignatus</italic> (Say), fast spreading over Estonia was registered in the last five years. Somewhat earlier, a species closely related to the latter, <italic>Glischrochilus grandis</italic> (Tournier), showed the same tendency of fast spreading in Estonia. Six species, <italic>Pityophthorus glabratus</italic> Eichhoff (Curculionidae), <italic>Dirrhagofarsus attenuatus</italic> (Mäklin) (Eucnemidae), <italic>Hypebaeus flavipes</italic> (F.) (Malachiidae), <italic>Dacne notata</italic> (Gmelin) (Erotylidae), <italic>Aulonothroscus brevicollis</italic> (Bonv.) (Throscidae) and <italic>Carpophilus dimidiatus</italic> (F.) (Nitidulidae) have to be excluded from the list of Estonian fauna due to wrong identification.</abstract>

New woodland beetle species (Coleoptera) in Estonian fauna. 2.

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">A generic regression model for above-ground biomass of forest stands was constructed based on published data (<italic>R</italic>2 = 0.88, <italic>RSE</italic> = 32.8 t/ha). The model was used 1) to verify two allometric regression models of trees from Scandinavia applied to repeated measurements of 275 sample plots from database of Estonian Network of Forest Research (FGN) in Estonia, 2) to analyse impact of between-tree competition on biomass, and 3) compare biomass estimates made with different European biomass models applied on standardized forest structures. The model was verified with biomass measurements from hemiboreal and tropical forests. The analysis of two Scandinavian models showed that older allometric regression models may give biased estimates due to changed growth conditions. More biomass can be stored in forest stands where competition between trees is stronger. The tree biomass calculation methods used in different countries have also substantial influence on the estimates at stand-level. A common database of forest biomass measurements from Europe in similar to pan-tropical tree measurement data may be helpful to harmonise carbon accounting methods.</abstract>

Institute of Silviculture, Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Peter-Jordan- Str. 82, A-1190 Wien,

Department of Dendrometry and Forest Productivity, Faculty of Forestry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-787 Warsaw,

Restinga and Atlantic Forest Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, UFES, 29932-540, São Mateus, ES,

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague,

Estimation of above-ground biomass in forest stands from regression on their basal area and height

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Owing to the abundant forest resources, China is endowed with the advantages of developing forest ecotourism. In order that the forest resources better meet the demand of national tourism, the key is to explore the development condition and effect of forest ecotourism resources. Only with a development plan that accords with the national tourism demand can the economic value of forest ecotourism resources be realized to the greatest degree. In this study, we introduced the structural equation model which could be used to reflect the relationship and influence between variables. In the aspect of tourist satisfaction, we put forward an evaluation model for tourist satisfaction. Then, based on questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews on the tourists from three scenic spots, we analyzed the development effect, quality of talents and support rates of the surrounding residents in the scenic areas. Furthermore, we established an influence mechanism model of the development effect of forest ecotourism resources, with resource factor, principal factor, market factor and macro factor as the influence factors. At last, we put forward countermeasures and suggestions for the optimization of resource development, which could provide policy suggestions for the development of national tourism.</abstract>

Economics and Management School, Wuhan University, Hubei, Wuhan, 430072,

Tourism & Hotel Management School, Hubei University of Economics, Hubei, Wuhan, 430205,

Influence mechanism of development effect of forest ecotourism in China

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Forestry Studies

 Forestry Studies | Metsanduslikud Uurimused is a peer-reviewed journal managed by the Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences. The journal publishes original research articles, reviews, technical reports and short communications. Papers are published in English or Estonian with English summary. Authors whose mother tongue is not English are strongly urged to have their manuscripts reviewed linguistically before submission. Submission of an article is understood to imply that the article is original and is not being considered for publication elsewhere. Manuscripts generally should not exceed 25 one-sided 1.5-spaced printed pages, including tables, illustrations, references and abstract. Reviews must not exceed 20 pages, technical reports 5 pages. The authors should aim to submit their work as concisely as possible and longer papers will be accepted under exceptional circumstances. Suitable manuscripts are considered by at least two independent referees before acceptance.   Why subscribe and read   the journal publishes research papers on all aspects of forestry (silviculture, dendrology, tree physiology and genetics, forest products, forest operation and techniques, forest economics and policy, etc.), and also close subjects (environmental protection, ecology, botany, zoology, entomology, pathology, soil science, etc.),  the journal is published twice a year in paper and electronic versions,  peer reviewed journal by experts from Europe and US,  publishing history since 1939.   Why submit   submissions accepted in a wide range of categories: original research articles, reviews, technical reports and short communications,  rapid review (by two independent referees) and fast editing process,  coverage by major abstracting and indexing services,  publishing without charge,  accessibility through MetaPress platform.   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 