فصلنامه پژوهشهای علوم و فناوری چوب و جنگل
سال بیست و ششم شماره 1 (بهار 1398)

In this study we evaluated the potential of ALS data in estimation of height, volume, basal area and DBH and canopy cover area of individualtrees for the part of Shast kalate of Gorgan.

In this study 125 tree that located in dominant story and without overlay with adjacent trees, were selected. Tree species, tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree crown diameter were measured. The height of trees was measured using a Vertex VL 402. Center coordinates of sample trees were determined using Digital Golobal Position System. After separating the crown border of a single tree and providing a polygon of the boundaries of them using aerial digital images, all of height and density metrics were created.Then, we explored the possibility of defining relationships between combination of airborne laser scanning data and height, volume, basal area, DBH and canopy cover area of individual trees using machine learning algorithms (random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) and artificial neural network (ANN)).

The best RMSE% on an independent validation data for height, volume, canopy basal area, diameter, and basal area were 13.39, 56.88, 33.17, 22.34 and 25.88%. Also, the results demonstrate that the ANN algorithm can be useful for modeling biophysical properties of individual tree in the North of Iran.

Overall, the results showed the ALS data has the ability to estimate of tree height, basal area, diameter at breasts, and canopy cover but this data hasn’t the ability to estimate the volume very accurate. Also, the results showed that between all algorithms, the ANN algorithm have a better performance than other algorithms.

Indicator species are one of the important components in vegetation classification, and studying and determining them on the roadside of old roads is very important for maintaining the habitat for rare and endangered plant species. Awareness of the road age can be effective in preserving and developing the plant communities, as the road effect can be helpful in optimal management of vegetation when constructing or maintaining new roads. The purpose of this study was ecological classification as well as identification of indicator species in roadside of forest roads with different ages in Nav-e-Asalem area, west of Guilan province.

Data were collected by random sampling, as in the seven forest areas of Nav-e-Aslam, Guilan, a number of 28 transects (150 m in length) perpendicular to the road from roadside to the inside of the forest using line transect method, linear transect method was used and 28 transects (150 m in length) perpendicular to the road were taken. The distance between the transects was 100 m, Five sample plots (30 × 5 m) were taken for sampling trees and shrubs with a distance of 30 m from each other. In 4 m2 sample plots herbaceous species were identified using vegetation flora and vegetation percentage was recorded in different strata (tree, shrubs and herbaceous) using Braun-Blanquet scale. Also, indicator species analysis was performed using ecological group sample in PC-ORD for Win. Ver 5 software.

The results of indicator species analysis showed that 146 species were found in the roadside of roads with several years’ age. The presence of tree and regeneration species was higher on old roads compared to new ones. In this research, newly constructed roads (10 years) occurred in two groups of second and fourth ecological species, roads with medium ages (10-20 years) in the third ecological group and older roads (>20 years) in the first ecological species group. By using two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), vegetation cover was classified into two groups: Viola alba Besser, Carpinus betulus L. and Brachypodium sylvaticum, Carex divulsa Stokes. In this research, the presence of Alnus subcordata CAMey and Acer velutinum Boiss species was higher in the sample plots near the road compared to inside forest. The diversity of these tree species and their relative frequency decreased by increasing the distance from the roadside and moving to inside forest. In this research, Carex divulsa Stokes was identified as a rare species and Fagus orientalis Lipsky as a species with high frequency.

The results of this research emphasize the importance of road age not only in determining the ecological species group, but also in identifying the indicator species in the area as well as in improving the classification results of tree, herbaceous and regeneration species in roadside area. Determination of the indicator species is effective not only in determining the extent of the ecological groups classified on the roadside, but also in improving the classification results of plant groups as well as identifying the factors affecting ecological groups seems to be useful for proper management and sustainable exploitation of forest ecosystems.

Plantation in each region, depending on Planted species, age, mixture and habitat conditions, can have different effects on stand quality and soil characteristics. The main objective of this study was to investigate the silvicultural characteristics of Pure and mixed plantations of Prunus avium L. and Acer velutinum Boiss.and the effect of those species on soil physic-chemical properties.

In order to investigate silvicultural characteristics and soil physico chemical properties of two pure and mixed plantations of P. avium and A. velutinum, three planted area of P. avium (6000 m2), A. velutinum (8000 m2), and the mixed stand of two species (10000 m2) in forest plantation of west Haraz (Azdarsi) were selected. In each stand, the silvicultural characteristics (i.e. type of species, diameter in breath height, total height, trunk height and crown diameter) in four geographical directions and soil properties (i.e. pH, EC, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available potassium und phosphorus, texture and relative humidity) were compared in depth of 15 cm were compared.

Based on the results, the P. avium and A. velutinum trees in mixed stands had lower diameter and height values than those in pure ones. Trees volume in P. avium (0.17 m3) was higher than those in A. velutinum (0.11 m3) and mixture of two species had no significant impacts on volume of trees. Form factor index in pure and mixed stands of P. avium (1.03 and 1.07) were significantly higher than those in pure and mixed stands of A. velutinum (0.85 and 0.83). The highest and the lowest soil pH and EC were found in pure P. avium (6.47, 72.25 μScm-1) and pure A. velutinum (5.96, 47.80 μScm-1) plantations, respectively. Furthermore, the highest percentage of organic carbon and nitrogen content were observed in pure P. avium (1.88% and 0.12%) and the lowest one in mixed stand and A. velutinum (0.92% and 0.06%). The different studied tree stands did not show any significant differences in soil physical properties (i.e. texture, relative humidity and bulk density).

According to the results of this study, pure plantation of native P. avium has a good relative success and in some of the studied factors showed better performance than pure A. velutinum. The combined planting of these two species together in most of the investigated factors does not show a better situation than pure planting of any species.Form factor index, Haraz, Hyrkanian, Pure plantation, Mixed plantation, Soil properties.

regarding to the destruction process of natural forests, increasing human population and increasing demand for ecosystem services, the forest development and the forestry will be unavoidable. Forestry projects have grown in recent years due to environmental and socioeconomic importanc and have been raised as a developmental activity and development internationally. Therefore, before any implementation of forestry project, it should be possible to locate the susceptible areas and evaluate the ecological capability of the area. In recent years, using of multi-criteria evaluation methods has been expanded and hierarchical analysis and network analyzes have been more widely considered. The network analysis process, while maintaining all the capabilities of AHP, can address its serious constraints, including not considering the interdependencies between decision elements and assuming that the relationship between decision elements is hierarchical and one-sided, and the appropriate framework for analyzing various issues.Therefore, ANP is a suitable method for discussing multi-criteria decision-making. This research was conducted for the purpose of evaluation of ecological ability of Arangeh drainage basin located in Alborz province. ANP and geographical information system has been used in order to evaluate the forestation ability in the area.

according to previous studies and experts opinion, the indexes that were suitable for the area’s condition, were specified and after establishing of network, the questionnaires were distributed among experts and they compared the clusters and effective factors in forestry in a pair and scored by help of comparison and evaluation of the effective options in evaluating the power of forestry, it is done through questionnaire and the final weight of options calculated by super matrix limit it was determined through Super Decision software. Nine sub-criterias related to these clusters have been provided that includes slope, elevation, aspect, soil texture, erosion, temperature, rainfall, cover and types of vegetation in the environment of geographical information system with a certain clarification. Comparison and evaluation of effective options in evaluation of ecological ability for forestation by questionnaire and the final weight of options by calculating limited supermatrix is fulfilled in every questionnaire. The map of criteria has been standardized in fuzzy range of 0-255 by using IDRISI software, then the options are converted to information layers and the weight-carrying layers of indexes in geographical information system of area are assimilated by WLC technic.

the final plan of forestry ability of the area are obtained in four classes. The results of evaluation indicate that 4.6 percent has high proportion, 13.9 percent has average proportion, 19.2 percent has low and 962.1 percent have a very low proportion for forest development. Results of this study indicate that the elevation criteria has the highest and erosion criteria has the least impact to determine the appropriate areas for forestry in the studied areas.

Although considering the aquired results in this study and according to potential map of the region, forestry in Arangeh watershed is possible and the forest development has a proper to mediocre potential in 18.5 percent of the total area. The western parts of the center are in the region of Arenghe as a priority for forestry and it's advisable to check other uses for parts of the area that show inappropriate and highly inappropriate potential.

Cellulose Nano-fiber (CNF) and lignocellulose Nano-fiber (LCNF) are the most abundant bio-Nano-polymers that attracted much attention in researches and applications during recent decades. Super disk grinding method has prominent characteristics compared to the other methods such as simplicity, high speed, and high yield of production and owning single-stage process.

In this study, old corrugated container (OCC) was converted to lignocellulose microfibers (LCMF) and LCNF. LCNF was produced with ultra-fine friction grinding process, as a simple, fast and one-step downsizing method. The objective of this study was to investigate the grinding method on morphological characteristics (fiber diameter and distribution) with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX/EDS) analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), suspension stability and air permeability of films made from LCMF and LCNF.

The average diameter of LCMF and LCNF obtained was 37±10 µm and 66±10 nm, respectively. The suspension of LCMF was unstable over checking stability time (after 2 min.), while the LCNF suspension had a long-term stability. The air-permeability of LCMF and LCNF films was 42.6 and 1.26 µmPa-1s-1, respectively. With downsizing lignocellulose fibers from micro to Nano scale, specific surface and bonding area increased and higher uniformity and lower porosity obtained.

In general, the results of this study showed that the production of LCNF and its film from OCC pulp were succeeded. Further investigations on the production of LCNF and evaluation its potential to produce different products compared to CNF (free of lignin and hemicelluloses) can bring many practical and industrial benefits to further commercialization of this value-added product.

The packaging industry is one of the most important consumers of paper, in that about one ‎third of materials used in the packaging industry are paper and paperboard. In general, ‎packaging papers need to have high barrier and mechanical properties. Regarding the importance ‎of sustainable development and debates on using petrochemical-based polymers in food ‎packaging, there is an increasing interest in replacing synthetic and fossil-based polymers with ‎more renewable and sustainable materials. A renewable biomaterial that may be a good ‎alternative for improving strength and barrier properties of paper and composites is ‎nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC).‎ Cellulose is the most abundant natural, renewable, biodegradable and biocompatible polymer. ‎Cellulose and its derivatives have been used in a variety of applications in several areas, such as ‎the textile industry, the paper industry and in the medical field, where they are used as tissue ‎engineering materials owing to their good biocompatibility and mechanical properties similar to ‎those of hard and soft tissue and easy fabrication into a variety of shapes with adjustable ‎interconnecting porosity. Cellulose and its derivatives are viable alternatives to alleviate such ‎issues, due to their inherent properties such as non-toxicity, hydrophilicity, and chemical ‎resistivity (1). The use of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) for the production of nanocomposites ‎containing inorganic nanoparticles has attracted the attention of the scientific community. ‎Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and microbial cellulose, due to their nanosized dimensions can ‎impart improvement and in many cases new properties to the ensuing (nano) composite ‎materials (2). With the growing public health awareness of disease transmissions and cross-‎infection caused by microorganisms, use of antimicrobial materials has increased in many ‎application areas like protective clothing for medical and chemical works, other health related ‎products. The aim of this study was to produce NFC/Ag nanocomposites and used paper to ‎improve the mechanical and antibacterial properties. Silver nanoparticles reducing was used to ‎help NaBH4 on nanofibrillated cellulose at the level 5 and 10 ppm and finally, nanocomposite ‎NFC /Ag at 5, 10, 15% w/w of the paper were used to improve mechanical and antibacterial ‎properties. The results show an increase density and burst index. The brightness of paper treated ‎with nanocomposite NFC /Ag was low and opacity index was increased. Antibacterial properties ‎investigated towards gram negative (E.colie) and gram positive (S. aureus) bacteria. The results ‎indicated that the presence of few amounts of silver in treated paper were inhibited bacterial ‎growth. Lateral to target antibacterial properties was prepared of nanocomposite NFC/Ag ‎nanocomposite the immersion method used by the silver 5 and 10 ppm.‎

The purpose of this study is production of decorative antibacterial melamine papers veneers using chitosan nanoparticles. Today, for many uses, there is a need for composite products that are well paid. Melamine Laminate is the most widely used veneer for wood-based composite product in the world, according to the FAO report. Melamine veneers are used as a decorative and protective layer on the surface of wood-based composite products such as particleboard and fiberboard, which then can be used in laminate flooring, furniture such as the computer tables and kitchen worktops. Researches on antimicrobial coatings to protect surfaces from residues of microorganisms on surfaces in the environment that could prevent the spread of diseases in human societies have attracted a remarkable interest. Therefore, the development of Nano-structure coatings with antimicrobial properties has been interested considerably.

In this study, immersion of decor-base paper in melamine formaldehyde resin treated with chitosan nanoparticles was used for the production of antibacterial melamine decorative veneers. Then, the moisture content of produced melamine coatings was reduced to a range of 5 to 7% by a laboratory drying agent. The specimens were evaluated using XRD, FESEM and FTIR techniques. For biologic tests of papers, bacterial inhibition zone measurement method and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were used as two indicator bacteria in biological tests.

The results showed that the chitosan nanoparticle concentrations were effective on the antimicrobial activity of melamine coatings and its effect on the gram-positive bacteria was stronger and increased the diameter of the inhibition zone. Melamine coatings containing 1.5% of Nano chitosan had the highest microbial effect.

Melamine coatings treated with chitosan nanoparticles had high antimicrobial properties. Considering all the results of the present research and economic costs of using chitosan nanoparticles, consumption less than 1% by weight was determined as optimum consumption. It should be noted that with a better distribution of resin nanoparticles at the matrix surface, also in small amounts, significant antibacterial properties can be added to the melamine coatings produced.

Paper is considered as a composite product of lignocellulosic fibers and mineral and/or organic additives. The lignocellulosic fibers shortage together with economical, technical and environmental aspects ever increased mineral fillers application in papermaking. The filler utilization in recycled pulp involve more benefits which is highly considered, recently. Therefore, effects of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and its premixing with isolated soy protein (ISP) on paper properties recycled from writing and printing papers were investigated.

Pulp recycled from printing and writing papers was received from Atrak Pulp and Paper Co. stock preparation point without any additive. PCC (10, 12 and 15% based on O.D paper mass) and ISP (10 and 15% based on PCC mass) were added individually and as premixed composite to the recycled pulp. Laboratory hand sheets (60 g/m2) were made and have been compared according to SEM images, opacity, brightness, caliper, grammage, bulk and burst strength.

SEM images revealed fillers presence in paper structure and its flocculation due to the ISP polymer usage. Increasing of filler addition replacing the recycled fibers reduced caliper, grammage and burst index of paper continuously and also increased the bulk and brightness, continuously. Individually addition of ISP and without filler increased grammage and caliper and reclined burst index, with no effects on the other properties. PCC-ISP premixing drastically improved caliper, bulk and the paper grammage, but opacity and brightness were stable compared to ISP unemployment.

PCC-ISP premixing enhanced bulk, caliper, grammage, brightness and in some cases burst strength of paper from recycled printing and writing papers. Retention behavior of ISP polymer proved by scanning electron microscopy observations, in addition to the physical properties. The retention role is an important benefit regarding to several aspects of economical due to higher productivity, environmental due to the biomaterial loss reduction, and also processing features because of blockage and shutdown decrease and production rate increment. Lipophilic part of ISP is probably resulted in fiber bonding hinder and uneven the structure strengthening.