Marozas, V., Pėtelis, K., Brazaitis G. and Baranauskaitė, J. 2009. Early Changes of Ground Vegetation in Fallow Deer Enclosure.  Baltic Forestry, 15(2): 268-272 (Brief Report)

The aim of the study was to examine the influence of enclosed fallow deer on forest vegetation, undergrowth, herb cover and mosses. Investigations were carried out in fallow-deer enclosure at Anyksciai State Forest Enterprise of Mikieriai forest district in north eastern part of Lithuania. Three permanent sample plots were set up in the enclosure. An area of each sample plot was 100 m2. Each sample plot was divided into 25 record subplots (2x2 sq.m area). In 2005 and 2007 in these subplots undergrowth trees, shrubs were counted, species composition and percentage projection cover for each species of dwarf shrubs, herbaceous plants and mosses were also determined. We used non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare vegetation projection cover and amount of saplings and shrubs in 2005 and 2007. Results showed that average projection cover of undergrowth trees, shrubs, herbs and dwarf shrubs decreased. Average projection cover of Calamagrostis arundinacea, Carex digitata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Fragaria vesca, Luzula pilosa, Maianthemum bifolium, Mycelis muralis, Oxalis acetosella, Rubus idaeus and Vaccinium myrtillus decreased. Average projection cover of mosses increased near the feeder, while it remained unchanged further from the feeder. During 3 year period of fallow deer settlement the impact of fallow deer in enclosure was strongest on undergrowth trees and shrubs, slightly less impact was on herbaceous cover and the least impact was observed on mosses.

Key words: herbs, projection cover, undergrowth, ungulatea

Sibul, I., Ploomi, A. and Voolma, K. 2009. Influence of Neem oil on the Large Pine Weevil Hylobius abietis L. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae).   Baltic Forestry, 15 (2): 255-261

The large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (L.) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is the most important pest affecting boreal and temperate conifer forest regenerations in Europe and Asia. Weevils feed on the bark of newly planted coniferous trees causing seedling mortality, stem deformation, and reduced growth. The loss of seedlings without synthetic pesticide treatment may be very high during the first 2–3 years after planting. Having regarded to environmental protection the natural insecticides like neem formulations could replace the chemical control. The effects of natural cold-pressed neem (Azadirachta indica A.Juss) oil (biopreparation NEEM EC (10 000 ppm azadirachtin) produced by the Indian Neem Tree Company) on the maturation feeding of H. abietis was tested in laboratory and field experiments. NEEM EC was tested at concentrations of 2% and 10%. Feeding on food sources treated with neem oil was significantly depressed in laboratory choice tests. A strong antifeedant effect (antifeedant index (AFI) = 0.35–0.62) was revealed for both sexes depending on the concentration of neem oil. In field test, during the whole season weevils damaged the treated 4-year-old Norway spruce seedlings significantly less (< 50%) than untreated control plants (100%).

Key words: antifeedant, biopreparation, Estonia, Hylobius abietis, NEEM EC, neem oil

Vahter, T. and Kaimre, P. 2009. Method for Evaluation of Moose Damage in Cultivated Pine Forests of Estonia.   Baltic Forestry, 15 (2): 262-267

In 2006, the Estonian Private Foresters Union made a statement expressing concern about damage caused by moose (Alces alces) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), which hinder reforestation and other silvicultural investments. Forest owners believe that a financial compensation mechanism for the ungulate damages should be implemented. The aim of the study was to create, test and specify a new ungulate damage assessment and evaluation methodology which could be used in compensation procedure. The methodologies from some neighbouring countries were studied to take advantage of their experience. The main differences of a proposed ungulate damage assessment methodology from prior methodologies are a simplified damage classification table and the opportunity to collect information about fresh and old damaged trees and stands. The field study was carried out in 18 pine stands of Aegviidu state forest district. The variability of ungulate damage on the test area ranged from the highest number of 5,200 trees per hectare to the smallest number of 150 trees; there were 150 and 3,150 healthy trees on the same sample plots, respectively. Financial loss depends on the number of damaged trees and the age of the damaged stand. Average loss per hectare was 99 EUR (1,556 EEK) in the case of fresh ungulate damage and 293 EUR (4,584 EEK) per hectare where fresh and old damage were summarized. Damage class classification tables were compared with Latvian, Lithuanian, and Finnish damage classification tables. There was strong correlation between the results (Pearson correlation was higher than 0.9); the strongest one was between Latvian and Estonian damage classification tables, r = 0.99, respectively. The estimated damage according to Finnish and Lithuanian damage classification tables was significantly (p<0.05) smaller than those of Estonian and Latvian damage classification tables indicated.

Key words: moose, ungulate damage evaluation, financial value of damage, Estonia

Moser, W.K. and Nelson, M.D. 2009. Windstorm Damage in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Minnesota, USA): Evaluating Landscape-level Risk Factors.   Baltic Forestry, 15 (2): 248-254

Ecosystem management requires an understanding of disturbance processes and their influence on forests. One of these disturbances is damage due to severe wind events. In an ideal model, assessing risk of windstorm damage to a forested ecosystem entails defining tree-, stand-, and landscape-level factors that influence response and recovery. Data are not always available for all three scales, but a wealth of geospatial datasets provides consistent opportunities for analysis at the landscape level. This paper examines landscape-level factors that influenced tree damage from a 1999 windstorm in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota, USA. A geospatial analysis was conducted using a suite of data variables derived from land cover, topographic, and climatic datasets. Land type association, distance to the nearest lake, and elevation were the most significant factors influencing wind storm damage. These variables highlight the importance of exposure to the wind as determinants of damage, reflecting the severity of this particular storm.

Key words: Landscape, windstorm, blowdown, risk, wilderness, Minnesota USA