Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Year:2018 | Volume:25 | Issue:2|Papers Count:12

Background and objectives: In land-use planning, after the ecological and socio-economic capabilities of the land are evaluated for the level of the planning units, the prioritization of incompatible land uses and activities in terms of macro socio-economic and Political criteria at the unit level of the study area is also necessary. The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of Analytic Network Process (ANP) for prioritizing of incompatible land uses in terms of macro non-ecological criteria (economic, social and politics) and for multiple-use planning of Zagros forests. Materials and methods: This research was conducted on an area of Zagros forests on the northern slope of the mountain Kabirkouh in Badreh town of Ilam province. Initially, the list of forest multiple land uses and activities was prepared in accordance with the conditions of Zagros forests and based on Delphi technique. According to this, 11 incompatible land use or activities, including forest and range, wooded rangeland, rangeland, dry orchard, agroforestry, dry agriculture, restoration of plant ecosystem, picnics and campaigns, snow skating, rock climbing and environmental conservation, were identified and prioritized. In this regard, macro socio-economic and macro political factors of the country's natural resources were selected based on the sources of the document of the Perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran at 1404, current rules of natural resources and general environmental policies of the country and using the Delphi technique. Based on the clustering model of the network analysis process, the priority of non-ecological factors was evaluated in terms of three criteria: economic, social and policy. In this model, the economic criterion is divided into two sub-criteria of employment and special benefit; the social criterion into four sub-criteria of local disputes, literacy rate, natural resource culture and current land uses; and the political criterion into three sub-criteria of conservation and restoration of plans, water and soil conservation and increased levels of underground aquifers; and reliance on domestic resources in the development of the country. Weighting the criteria and sub-criteria were also done by pairwise comparison based on nine numeric method. Results: Results showed that the highest priority was allocated to three tourism activities, including picnics and campaigns, snow skating and rock climbing respectively, and the lowest priority was allocated to rangeland and wooded rangeland respectively. The land uses including plant restoration, dry orchard, forest and range, environmental conservation, dry agriculture and agroforestry, were ranked from fourth to ninth priorities, respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that, by proper use of the ANP approach which has an important ability in the network analysis of socio-economic and policy factors with numerous crossed-correlation; it can be prioritize incompatible multiple uses of forest correctly.

Background and objectives: The spatial distribution pattern of trees is one of the most important ecological features of forest communities that results from environmental heterogeneity, natural or human disturbance, interspecific and intraspecific competition, and impact of previous life. It reduces and adopts harvest costs and focuses on special distribution areas. It can be used to investigate the effect silvicultural interactions on stand, designing appropriate management plans, describing ecosystem sustainability, and reforestation activities. Low researches have been done about the spatial distribution pattern and economic value map of these products. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the spatial distribution pattern and map the economic value of five important species of forest trees, walnut (Juglans regia), plum (Prunus sp. ), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), hawthorn (Cratagus sp. ), medlar (Mespilus germanica) in the Arasbaran protected area. Materials and methods: Data were collected using full calipering inventory method at 140 hectares. In this method, spatial position of all fruit providing species was recorded. Because of high number of trees, recoding data by GPS for each tree decreases the data accuracy. Therefore, we used the distance and azimuth method. Then, we converted to the Cartesian system. All of these trees had a geographic position. Using forest type map of forest area, the distribution of trees in the region and number of each species in different types were investigated in order to determine the dominant type of presence of each species. In addition, the spaital distriubution pattern of trees was investigated by L function in ProgramitaJulio 2006. L function considers distance between trees of different species or the same species and it compute with Monte Carlo test. In order to provide a map of the distribution of economic value per hectare, the value of each species per ha was estimated by multiplying of the price per kilogram in yield per hectare and its map was depicted. Results: The results showed that 10 species of fruit providing species were at the study area. Cornelian cherry (827 trees) and plum (421 trees) had highest frequency and pomegranate (32 trees) and barberry (16 trees) had the lowest frequency at the study area. Walnut, pear, plum, hawthorn, apple and pomegranate species were found in the Acer-Fraxino-Quercetum forest type. Cornelian cherry, barberry, hazelnut, and medlar were found at the Carpino-Quercetum. In general, the spatial distribution pattern of three species of plum, walnut and cornelian cherry was clumped. Medlar and hawthorn species had clumped distribution and at shorter distances, they had random and uniform distribution. The results showed that the lowest and the highest economic value per hectare was belonged to medlar with 900 Rials per hectare and walnut with 10343 thousand Rials per hectare. The economic value per hectare of walnut species varied from 809 to 10343 thousand rials. Conclusion: The clumped distribution patterns of trees increases the economic value per ha. High economic value of trees increases the amount of fruit harvest at a short time and decreases the harvest costs. The economic value map of species can reduce harvest costs and also increase the management focus for management plans. Also, it makes key decisions for regulating conservation laws and discussions in these areas.

Background and objectives: Decrease in natural forests area in north of our country due to various factors has caused the importance of reclaimed forest in this area which is carried out with the aim of developing forest surface and wood production. Therefore, study the nature of plantations can play an important and effective role in creating forests with better quality and quantity in the future. The forest plantation stands can effect on different litter and soil indicators. Various researches showed different types of broadleaves and needle leaves trees that are widely used in forestry have very different characteristics in the quality of the soil organic inputs. However, the role of Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus castaneifolia, Picea Abies and Pinus nigra species on litter and soil characteristics from the perspective of the quality indices and labile organic matter fractions, have not been studied. The purpose of this research was to study the litter quality and labile organic matter fractions in the forested areas of the Hyrcanian region, which is affected by the effect of Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus castaneifolia, Picea Abies and Pinus nigra on the characteristics of organic and mineral layer of soil. Materials and methods: For this purpose, 40-years-old afforestation stands including Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus castaneifolia, Picea Abies and Pinus nigra species were selected and 8 litter and soil (25×25×15cm) samples were collected under each of stands. Collected samples of litter and soil were transferred to the laboratory for analysis, and the physical, chemical and labile components of soil organic matter were investigated. Results: of the most litter nitrogen content (1. 37%) and the least of litter carbon content (40. 51%), C/N ratio (33. 10) and litter thickness (8. 05%) were found under Fraxinus excelsior. Soil physical and chemical properties (except for bulk density, silt and clay contents) were significantly differences between tree species. Results showed that the soil under Pinus nigra had the highest values of particulate organic C (4. 52 g/kg) and dissolved organic C (125. 36 mg/kg). Greater amounts of particulate organic N (0. 36 g/kg) and dissolved organic N (28/66 mg/kg) were belonged to Fraxinus excelsior soil. Soil N mineralization was significantly higher under Fraxinus excelsior (39. 97 mg/kg) and Quercus castaneifolia (35. 40 mg/kg) than in Picea Abies (26. 85 mg/kg) and Pinus nigra (19. 53 mg/kg). Conclusion: The findings of this research are indicating that the characters related to C are enhanced by needle-leaved trees, while broad-leaved stands improved the features related to N content. Results showed broadleaved species increased soil fertility regarding to better quality of litter.

Background and objectives: Monitoring forest structure, to understand many issues in ecology and forest management is essential. In general, the term "structure" emphasizes the combination of tree communities in terms of specific characteristics. Monitoring forest structure is essential for understanding many issues in ecology and forest management. Today, many indicators have been developed for assessing the position and biodiversity of the trees, which simplifies the structural analysis of the forest. The use of these indices in constant sample units facilitates population dynamics studies over time and makes it possible to monitor the diversity of the location, dimensions, diversity of trees and height of the trees. Due to the smallness of these indicators and the possibility of comparing a mass at two different times, these indicators are a useful tool for achieving sustainable forest management. Materials and methods: Combination indexes, uniform angles, diameters and altitudes are among the most important indices in the analysis of forest spatial structure in static studies. These indicators are preferable to other methods because of their simplicity in calculations and balancing accuracy. In this research, using a randomized random method, a rectangular grid of 200 * 150 * meters was used to identify the Gorazbon of Kheyroud forest in the city of Noshahr. Then, in order to study the structure of the forest species (beech, oak, hornbeam, alder, apple, lambs, lambs, almonds, and durum wheat) over a period of ten years, the uniform angle index, Ming-Ling blending, close The largest neighbor and the index of differentiation of diameter and height of trees were used. Results: According to The results, Average indexes uniform angle index, mixing Ming Ling, nearest neighbor and the diameter and height dominate the index, in the first period and the end of the monitoring period was calculated) 0/598 and 0/525, 0/582 and 5/645 and 5/35, 0/762 and 0/720, 0/5521 and 0/591 respectively. This represents a cluster random distribution pattern, an optimal mix of diversity of and high density and the average dispute between the diameter and height of neighboring trees then the reference tree. In order to compare species diversity, location, and size, paired t-test was used. Conclusion: Paired t-test results showed that there is no significant difference between these indices before and after the period of monitoring (ie, the ten-year period). Furthermore, the results of t-pair test for each species were proved, that there is a significant difference between the indices of differentiation of the hornbeam trees before and after the observation. However, there was no significant difference between the other species before and after the observation. This is due to the dominance of hornbeam trees in neighboring. trees.

Background and objective: Livelihood of rural communities living in the northern Zagros forests is largely dependent on the forest. Due to the importance and economic value of nonwood forest products, marketing mix of West Azerbaijan province were analyzed in this study. This research regarding the purpose is applicable and methodologically is descriptive. Materials and methods: SWOT framework was used to analyze the components of the marketing mix. Identification and acknowledgment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were conducted using the interview questionnaire, then a comprehensive questionnaire was developed using Super Decision-Q software. According to the objective and purpose of the present study, due to lack of relations, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was used to analyze the data. Experienced non-wood forest products businessmans, University professors and experienced stakeholders were qualified as an expert. Sampling was selective and experts were selected according to literacy and experience in each stage. Results: The results of analysis of five components of the marketing mix using SWOT framework for components of the product, price, place, promotion and the environment showed that the unique quality of products in the province, imports of cheap foreign products, the possibility of transportation with a variety of vehicles, government support for employment initiatives taken in the field of processing and promotion of suitable harvesting with respect to the weight of 0. 152, 0. 193, 0. 226, 0. 155 and 0. 118 are the most important strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Conclusion: However, important weaknesses and threats were identified by experts but there are many strengths and opportunities if to be considered, there is the possibility of rapid improving of the marketing mix of the non-wood forest products. In case of considering these opportunities, local people get more benefits and their livelihood will be improved. It’ s economic impact on the lives and livelihoods of local people will be improved.

Background and objectives: Measurement of tree biomass is considered as an important indicator for valuation of ecological and economical processes. One of the traditional models for estimating trees biomass is allometric models. The purpose of the present study is determining allometric models for assessing biomass of planted Poplar clones in Flahhat garden in Khorramabad, Lorestan. Materials and methods: First, the quantitative features of trees such as height, DBH and crown diameter were measured. Then, The sampling was done via randomized blocks method and a total of 50 trees were felled. A disc from the trunk and the crown of each tree was cut off at a thickness of 5-7cm and simultaneously weighed in the site. The samples were transferred to the laboratory and placed in an oven at 105 ° C for 24 hours. Using the dry weight/ fresh weight ratio, the dry weight of the crown, trunk, and ultimately above-ground woody biomass was calculated. Results: The results of regression models showed that the independent variable of DBH produced better models for dry matter biomass of tree and crown, while in the dry matter biomass of the trunk, the tree height was better. For data validation of each model, the mean square error was obtained. The lowest value for this model was for a second-degree model in terms of the independent variable of diameter at breast height (RMSE%=9/43, R2=0/79). Conclusion: The results showed due to the high amount of a coefficient of determination in the second-order model compared to other models; this model provided an opportunity to determine more suitable allometric relationships for these colonies.

Background and Objective: The use of indigenous shrub species in the plantation and urban green space seems to be necessary due to their adaptation and low water requirements. Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk. ) Decne., Periploca aphylla Decne. and Vitex agnus-castus L. are native species of Hormozgan province. These species have environmental values such as beautiful landscape, high compatibility with drought and dehydration. This research was conducted to investigate the possibility of seedlings production of L. pyrotechnica, P. aphylla and V. agnus-castus shrubs in Hormozgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center in 2015. Materials and Methods: The seedlings were produced using two propagation methods, sowing seeds and scion procedure. Pretreatments propagation consists of seed treating using sulfuric acid and boiled water, each with three incubation periods (3, 6 and 9-minute incubation in sulfuric acid and 24, 48 and 72-hour incubation in boiling water), sand scrubbing and soaking in normal water (control) and the proliferation treatment through cuttings by incubation in 500 ppm IBA (Indol Butiric Acid) hormone for 1 minute. Results: The results showed that the most suitable treatment for germination of L. pyrotechnica’ s seeds and P. aphylla species was incubation for 72 hours in boiled water, which was 100% germination. The highest percentage of germination of V. agnus-castus’ s seeds was under treatment of scrubbing (20%). The study of sprout seedlings showed that V. agnus-castus and L. pyrotechnica responded positively to the hormone and 100% of the cuttings were produced in hormone treatment. Meanwhile, the P. aphylla did not propagate through the cuttings. Conclusion: Cuttings was the most suitable method for propagation of V. agnus-castus L. pyrotechnica. P. aphylla can be reproduced through seed under boiled water treatment for 72 hours. Of course, for P. aphylla, both cuttings and seeds are appropriate. However, in large-scale plantations, reproduction with a seed is more economical and easy. Owing to the high distribution and being native of the studied species in Hormozgan province, it seems there is no limitation for extending of these plant species climatically and ecologically and their plantation in afforestation and urban green spaces programs of Bandar Abbas is strongly recommended.

Background and objectives: In preventing fire and reducing their effects, forest fire management is important. The purpose of this study was to provide a map of fire hazard potential and determine the effective factors on forest fires using GIS and artificial neural network for the cities of Ali-Abad, Ramayan, Azadshahr, Minoodasht and Kalaleh in Golestan province. Materials and methods: The criteria used in this research included forest and rangeland lands, temperature, rainfall and evapotranspiration, slope, aspect, elevation of the sea level, distance from urban areas, distance from rural areas, distance from agricultural land and distance from the road. Vegetation map, digital elevation map and land use map provided from the forests of the rangelands and watersheds of the country, and the maps of temperature, rainfall, and evapotranspiration obtained from the organization of the meteorological for the whole of Iran. The influence of each parameter on fire ignition was determined by collecting of 37 samples from burned area and 37 sample from not burned area. 15 fire points that were not used in the modeling process was used For Validation the potential fire hazard map. For formation network between criteria and fire occurrence used of Multilayer perception (MLP) with Hyperbolic Pattern Algorithms. To this end, 70% of the data was used to train the network, 15% of the tests were tested and 15% of the data were used to validate the results. Results: The results were shown raining and distance from the road had must be influenced on forest fire ignition. Validation test showed that the best network was obtained in run 4 and epoch 450 with 0. 0038 Final Mean Square Error (FMSE) in training steps. Furthermore, about 95 percent of area burned and 84 of unburned areas has been properly classified. Finally, forest fire hazard maps was obtained based on each criteria weight. Results showed this network with 2 hidden layers and 12 neurons in each of them has best accuracy, and correlation coefficient (R) was 0. 80. Furthermore, after determining the location of the 15 forest fire points on the map of potential fire hazard, the results showed that 7 points located in the area were very high fire risk, and 6 points in the area with a high fire risk, and 2 points located in the area with a low fire hazard. Conclusion: According to the findings of this research, roads and rain reduction have a growing impact on the development of fire and natural forest fire managers need to adoption the necessary measures to better manage the forest and rangeland areas in these situations to prevent the occurrence or spread of fire.

Background and objectives: The objective of this research was the preparation of ultrafiltration membrane from three types of cellulose acetate which obtained from three cellulose sources. Membranes were applied for white water treatment of the tissue production line. With regards to previous studies, ultrafiltration membranes reduced 100% of total solids and 10-20% of COD in white water treatment. In another study on Nano filtration of concentrate solution of white water ultrafiltration of recycle paper mill showed that COD of Nano filtration permeates (9, 800– 12, 900 mg/L) by NTR-7450 membrane was decreased about 68-75% by NTR-7450 membrane. Materials and methods: Three types of cellulose acetate from three sources of cellulose (SEW and Kraft pulp of milkweed wood, and soda pulp of cotton linter) were utilized for producing membrane with phase inversion method. Properties of membrane such as pure water flux, purification of white water and fouling were investigated by closed cell under the presser of 1 to 5 bars. The samples of white water were analyzed after and before purification based on Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (1998). In addition, the SEM images were taken from membranes before and after ultrafiltration of white water. Results: Cellulose acetate from Kraft pulp of Milkweed wood and Soda pulp of cotton linter indicated more porosity and water content in their membranes due to their low DS and crystallite. Actually low DS led to be more hydrophilic in these cellulose acetates. The cellulose acetate of SEW pulp showed the low porosity and water content in membrane due to more DS and crystallite. The pure water flux of its membrane was located in rang of ultrafiltration. The SEM pictures from cross-section of membranes illustrated that the pore sizes from water content and pure water flux were larger than the pore size in SEM images. It was due to the large hole in the thickness of membranes. The results of ultrafiltration of tissue machine white water which obtained from CA-membrane (SM5) showed that it was quite efficient for removing pollution from white water. BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), TS (Total solids) and turbidity were reduced 72. 3%, 79. 8%, 99. 8% and 98. 1% respectively. Conclusion: The cellulose acetate type in terms of DS and crystalinity has a considerable impact on membrane properties. Cellulose acetate of SEW pulp with more DS and crystalinity results in ultrafiltration membrane with smaller pores and lower water absorption than Cellulose acetate of milkweed Kraft pulp and soda pulp of cotton linters. The white water ultrafiltration of tissue factory by cellulose acetate membrane (SM5) showed that it was considerably able to remove pollution from white water.

Background and objectives: Raw materials shortage is one of the main challenges of wood and paper industry of Iran. According to the laws restricting forest harvesting, tree farming as an alternative source of wood supply should be focused. On the other hand, due to limited water resources in Iran and high water demand of poplars, there are increasing efforts to introduce poplar species with higher drought tolerance. However, these researches are mainly concentrated just on the volume production or tree surviving and resulting wood quality was less investigated. In one of such studies, growth characteristics of different species/clones of Populus were investigated in different irrigation intervals (4, 8, and 12 days) and it was concluded that there was not a significant difference between the 4 and 8 days intervals in respect of growth parameters. However, the probable effect of these two irrigation intervals on wood quality remained unknown. Hence, the rationale of current study was to investigate the effect of 4 and 8 days irrigation intervals on wood and fiber characteristics of two superior poplar clones. In addition, the relation between wood quality and irrigation was discussed from the physiological points of view. Materials and methods: Pith-to-bark cores were taken from two elite poplar trees (Populus euroamerican and P. nigra) using increment borer. Wood anatomical features and fiber biometry of the last five tree rings including tree-ring width, vessel size and length, and fiber length, diameter and cell wall thickness were studied. Results: The results showed that the effect of irrigation intervals was statistically significant on tree-ring width, vessel diameter and length and fiber wall thickness but not significant on fiber length and diameter. In both species, increasing irrigation intervals from 4 to 8 days, led to a decrease in ring width. Nonetheless, the type of species influenced the reduction rate: P. nigra trees were less sensitive to irrigation intervals and their ring widths were less reduced. Moreover, it was shown that radial growth and fiber length of poplars (as two important applied properties) are separately influenced by different components. Conclusion: Overall, it can be concluded that in the case of P. euroamerican, if the wood anatomical features were of importance, there is no difference between 4 and 8 days irrigation and even longer interval of irrigation yields superior characteristics (e. g. longer fibers). Hence, for saving water resources, 8 days irrigation is recommended. This conclusion is also roughly applicable for P. nigra since the reduction in fiber length of this species after longer irrigation periods is not remarkable and therefore doesn’ t justify the shorter irrigation intervals. Finally, since radial growth rate and fiber length are influenced by different factors and are less related to each other, both features can simultaneously be enhanced with a proper management.

Background and objective: It is a fact that demand for wood products has been increasing with the increasing in the population of the world that adversely influences the sustainable utilization of forest resources. In recent years, there has been widespread interest in the manufacturing of products from recycled materials. Among the waste materials, waste tires are a major concern, because the amount of waste tires is increasing more and more due to the increasing demand for tires and because of their short lifetime, it is therefore necessary to develop methods for recycling waste tires. Effectively recycling waste tires such as manufacturing wood-rubberbased composites could be one of the solutions. This research, physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made from waste tire powder and wood particles were investigated. Materials and methods: The variable in this research were the ratio of waste tire powder to wood chips (at five levels; 0: 100, 10: 90, 20: 80, 30: 70, 40: 60). Industrial wood particles from Sanate Choube Shomal Company were used. Urea formaldehyde resin used at 10 percent level of dry weight of raw material as well as ammonium chloride was used as a catalyst at 2 percent level of the dry weight of adhesive. After the mixing process raw material together, mat at temperature of 170° c for 5 minutes under hot press was placed. Physical and mechanical properties of panels measured according to EN Standard. Also the dispersion of waste tire in particleboard was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Physical and mechanical properties of panels analyzed using variance analysis in 5% probability level. Results: The results showed, increasing waste tire percent resulted in decreasing the bending strength, modulus of elasticity and internal bonding of the boards. Although melting of the tire might be expected to increase bonding strength with the wood, this did not happen at the temperatures applied in this study, because the waste tire might melt at temperatures higher than 170° c. Based on images of scanning electron microscopy, it is clear that tire has not melted at the press temperature and has been created no connection with wood. Water absorption and thickness swelling after 2 and 24 hours immersion in water decreased with increasing of the waste tire content, So that the maximum of WA and TS after 2 and 24 hours of immersion in water were found in control specimens and the minimum value of these factors were found in the boards contain of 40 percent of the waste tire. Conclusion: Results showed, there was usability of the waste tire up to 20 percent for general purpose boards and up to 10 percent for interior fitments (including furniture) for use in dry conditions.

Background and objectives: The effluent of paper machines contains high amounts of COD, suspended solids, color and turbidity. These pollutants have severe effects on environment. Also there are high amounts of water in the sludge structure. Therefore the dewatering of sludge is the main mission in an optimal sludge treatment. The polymeric flocculation has more advantages than coagulation like the production of large, compact and compressed flocs with good sedimentation properties and also lower dependence on PH. Furthermore, the absorption of high contents of aluminum causes dangerous effects on the human body. Therefore, the application of natural components in sludge preparation for coagulation and flocculation shows an increasing trend. Papermakers tend to decrease water consumption with closed systems, but the accumulation of the suspended solid in white water is one of the limitations for this goal. In this research alum and chitosan were used as a wet end additive for decreasing the suspended solids in white water and increasing the NSSC strength properties. Due to the fact that the preparation of sludge with natural components is preferred to chemical components, the efficiency of chitosan with alum was studied in this research. Material and methods: The NSSC pulp with freeness of 400± 10 ml was taken from mazandran wood and paper industries. The pulp consistency was 3%, and the pH adjusted around 7 after the defibration of pulp. Then the pulps were treated with alum (in two levels of 1% and 1. 5%), chitosan (0. 8 % and 1%) and also the composition of alum+chitosan (0. 8%-1% and 1%-1. 5%) and finally handsheets were made. The strength properties of handsheets and the white water properties were measured. Results: The results showed that the best treatment for the decreasing of the white water’ s color was with 1% chitosan. For the reduction of COD and turbidity, the best treatment was the composition of alum+chitosan (1%-1. 5%) The decreasing amount of color, COD and turbidity was 24, 77 and 76 percent respectively. The strength properties like burst, tensile and tear were increased by 10, 16 and 25 percent respectively with 1% chitosan compared with control samples. The RCT and CMT of samples treated with alum+chitosan (1%-1. 5%) increased by 41 and 23 percent respectively compared with control samples. Conclusion: The chitosan has the most effect on COD, turbidity and color while the alum+ chitosan composition has the best effect on turbidity and COD. The strength properties of papers treated with 1% chitosan and alum+ chitosan( 1%-0. 8%) was better than the papers which were treated with alum+ chitosan( 1%-1. 5%) and chitosan(0. 8%) The RCT and CMT of samples treated with alum+chitosan (1%-1. 5%) and chitosan (0. 8%) were better than other treatments.