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- Resource communication. sIMfLOR - platform for portuguese forest simulatorsPublication . Faias, Sónia; Palma, J.H.N.; Barreiro, S.; Tomé, MargaridaAbstract In the last decades there has been an increasing number of forest models developed for the main species of the Portuguese forest. Forest models support management decisions by predicting long term stand development under alternative scenarios and taking into account all the components of the ecosystem. However, in most cases, there is a gap between the models developed and their application by decision-makers. The platform for Portuguese Forest Simulators (sIMfLOR) tries to overcome this gap integrating a wide variety of forest models into simulators and providing a baseline tool for forest managers in Portugal. As an integrated modular platform, sIMfLOR makes available forest simulators for the Portuguese forest with user-friendly interfaces to facilitate the introduction of the information for the simulators. The platform displays stand and regional simulators, interfaces to generate required inputs and also auxiliary tools. As the platform focus on end-users, it allows visualization of the simulators outputs in default graphics which can easily be edited by users. The sIMfLOR platform can be permanently accessed at http://www.isa.utl.pt/cef/forchange/fctools.
- Predicting site index from climate and soil variables for cork oak (Quercus suber L.) stands in PortugalPublication . Paulo, Joana Amaral; Palma, J.H.N.; Gomes, Alberto Azevedo; Faias, Sónia; Tomé, José; Tomé, MargaridaSite productivity, assessed through site index, was modelled using partial least squares regression as a function of soil and climatic variables. Two alternative models were developed: a full model, considering all available explanatory variables, and a reduced model, considering only variables that can be obtained without digging a soil pit. The reduced model was used for mapping the site index distribution in Portugal, on the basis of existing digital cartography available for the whole country. The developed models indicate the importance of water availability and soil water holding capacity for site index value distribution. Site index was related to climate, namely evaporation and frost, and soil characteristics such as lithology, soil texture, soil depth, thickness of the A horizon and soil classification. The variability of the estimated values within the map (9.5–16.8 m with an average value of 13.4 m) reflects the impact of soil characteristics on the site productivity estimation. These variables should be taken into consideration during the establishment of new plantations of cork oak, and management of existing plantations. Results confirm the potential distribution of cork oak in coastal regions. They also suggest the existence of a considerable area, located both North and South of the Tagus river, where site indices values of medium (]13;15]) to high (]15;17]) productivity classes may be expected. The species is then expected to be able to have good productivity along the northern coastal areas of Portugal, where presently it is not a common species but where, according to historical records, it occurred until the middle of the sixteenth century. The present research focused on tree growth. Cork growth and cork quality distribution needs to be further researched through the establishment of long term experimental sites along the distribution area of cork oak, namely in the central and northern coastal areas of the country
- Forest models dissemination and knowledge transfer on cork oak based ecosystems: bridging the gap between research and practicePublication . Paulo, Joana Amaral; Faias, Sónia; Palma, J.H.N.; Tomé, Margarida
- Understory effect on tree and cork growth in cork oak woodlandsPublication . Faias, Sónia; Paulo, Joana Amaral; Palma, J.H.N.; Tomé, MargaridaAim of study: Cork oak is one of the main forest tree species in Portugal that typically occurs in montado, where operational practices oriented to the tree, crop or animal management may influence several of the ecosystem components. This study aimed at contributing to fulfil the a lack of knowledge on the effect of these practices on the cork and wood growth, by comparing the wood diameter growth and the annual cork increment under two different understory management options. Material and methods: An experimental trial implemented on an uneven-aged cork oak pure stand during a cork rotation period of 9 years, was established with the specific goal of comparing understory management options: a yellow lupine pasture versus spontaneous vegetation. Cork samples were taken at the beginning and end of the period and were used to measure cork thickness and annual cork rings. The differences between treatments were assessed performing a non-parametric test and a more robust approach using linear mixed model. Precipitation and treatment levels were jointly considered on the analysis. Main results: A slight effect was found on the cork thickness regarding the treatment with lupine application. However, no distinct effect was found, regarding wood and the annual cork increment pattern. Additionally, annual cork ring width showed a positive correlation with precipitation and a negative correlation with ring age. Research highlights: The results of this study indicate no distinct pattern regarding the annual cork and wood increment when comparing the understory effect of yellow lupine pasture versus spontaneous vegetation
- Agroforestry systems of high natural and cultural value in Europe: structure, management, goods and servicesPublication . Moreno, G.; Aviron, S.; Berg, S.; Burgess, P.J.; Caceres, Y.; Crous-Duran, J.; Faias, Sónia; Firmino, P.N.; Fotiadis, G.; Franca, A.; Garcia de Jalon, S.; Hartel, T.; Lind, T.; Lopez Bernal, A.; Mantzanas, K.; Mirck, J.; Palma, J.H.N.; Pantera, A.; Paulo, Joana Amaral