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Full-Text Articles in Forest Sciences

Grafting Jig For Small-Diameter American Beech: Proof Of Concept And First Print File, Andrea L. Myers, Tara Bal May 2023

Grafting Jig For Small-Diameter American Beech: Proof Of Concept And First Print File, Andrea L. Myers, Tara Bal

Michigan Tech 3D Designs

This tool may be useful for grafting other small diameter woody plant species. This jig can be used by non-experts to simplify and standardize the initial cuts necessary for side grafting small-diameter American beech. The initial file which is suitable for 3D printing is available here, whereas we have the intention of undergoing iterative revisions to refine the tool, considering different sizes and modifications. Future versions will be added through the same avenue as advancements are made.


Sequencing Antisense Transcriptome Of Populus Through Antisense/Sense Transcript Pair Enrichment, Emma V. Burke Jan 2023

Sequencing Antisense Transcriptome Of Populus Through Antisense/Sense Transcript Pair Enrichment, Emma V. Burke

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Past transcriptome research on plants focused primarily on protein coding genes, and only recently researchers began looking into the non-protein coding regions that may play significant roles in gene regulation. Antisense RNA transcripts that are found naturally in the cell share complementary sequence with sense transcripts and have been shown to regulate expression of their sense counterparts. Since antisense RNA has been largely under-studied and difficult to sequence because of their low relative abundance, new methods are needed to target antisense RNA for efficient genome-wide profiling. To address this gap in methods to efficiently and cost effectively enrich antisense RNA …


Common Garden Study Reveals Frost-Tolerant, Generalist Northern Seed Sources Are Best Suited To Expand Range Of Quercus Rubra, Emily Lindback Jan 2022

Common Garden Study Reveals Frost-Tolerant, Generalist Northern Seed Sources Are Best Suited To Expand Range Of Quercus Rubra, Emily Lindback

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Climate change is shifting the potential suitable range of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) faster than it can migrate, creating an adaptation lag. Quercus rubra is prominent in eastern North American forests and important for its carbon sequestration, ecological roles, and economic significance. Our study addresses which populations of Q. rubra are best suited for climatic conditions at the northern and central range limits. Our findings can inform forestry management policies such as assisted migration, where species are transferred within their native range to mitigate the effects of climate change. We planted over 800 Q. rubra seedlings …


Application Of Short Tandem Target Mimic (Sttm) Technique For Functional Analysis Of Micro-Rna396 In Transgenic Poplar Trees, Surattana Boonsai Jan 2019

Application Of Short Tandem Target Mimic (Sttm) Technique For Functional Analysis Of Micro-Rna396 In Transgenic Poplar Trees, Surattana Boonsai

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Short Tandem Target Mimic (STTM) is a commonly technique used for functional studies of a number of genes in several plant model systems. However, very little is known about application of STTM technique in tree species. In this study, STTM was applied to knock down microRNA396 (miR396) in transgenic poplar trees for the first time. STTM396 expression resulted in dramatic decrease in miR396 expression levels leading to taller plants with larger leaves and larger leaf cell size. Additionally, an expression analysis of growth regulating factor genes (GRFs) that are members of miR396 target gene family showed up-regulation of GRF07 gene …


Gene Network Analysis Of Poplar Root Transcriptome In Response To Drought Stress Identifies A Ptajaz3ptarap2.6-Centered Hierarchical Network, Madhumita Dash, Yordan S. Yordanov, Tatyana Georgieva, Hairong Wei, Victor Busov Dec 2018

Gene Network Analysis Of Poplar Root Transcriptome In Response To Drought Stress Identifies A Ptajaz3ptarap2.6-Centered Hierarchical Network, Madhumita Dash, Yordan S. Yordanov, Tatyana Georgieva, Hairong Wei, Victor Busov

College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Publications

Using time-series transcriptomic data from poplar roots undergoing polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress, we built a genetic network model of the involved putative molecular responses. We found that the network resembled a hierarchical structure. The highest hierarchical level in this structure is occupied by 9 genes, which we called superhubs because they were primarily connected to 18 hub genes, which are then connected to 2,934 terminal genes. We were only able to regenerate transgenic plants overexpressing two of the superhubs, suggesting that the majority of the superhubs might interfere with the regeneration process and did not allow recovery of transgenic …


The Influence Of Native Woody Species, Combretum Glutinosum And Piliostigma Reticulatum, On Soil Fertility In Dialacoto, Senegal, Gwen Jacobson Jan 2017

The Influence Of Native Woody Species, Combretum Glutinosum And Piliostigma Reticulatum, On Soil Fertility In Dialacoto, Senegal, Gwen Jacobson

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In the low-fertility soils of Senegal, West Africa, management of woody species in agricultural fields has the potential to improve soil fertility and crop production. However, optimal species for this purpose have not been clearly defined. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential for two native woody species, Combretum glutinosum and Piliostigma reticulatum, to improve soil fertility. Soil samples were collected from beneath tree crowns of P. reticulatum and C. glutinosum and compared with fertilizer-amended and non-amended soil from adjacent open fields in a bioassay experiment. Two common crops, millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and maize (Zea mays), …


Methane Fluxes And Porewater Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics From Different Peatlands Types In The Pastaza-Marañon Basin Of The Peruvian Amazon., Jhon Del Aguila-Pasquel Jan 2017

Methane Fluxes And Porewater Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics From Different Peatlands Types In The Pastaza-Marañon Basin Of The Peruvian Amazon., Jhon Del Aguila-Pasquel

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Relevant components of the carbon budget such as methane fluxes and porewater dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are poorly characterized in the Peruvian Pastaza Marañon basin (PMB). PMB is associated with a tropospheric hotspot for methane and therefore it may represent a significant methane source. We aimed to quantify the magnitude of CH4 fluxes and porewater DOC; and to determine their predictors across different peatland types in the PMB (open peatland, palm swamp, and pole forest). The study was conducted in two peatland sites covering the three main vegetation types in PMB. We collected gas and water samples using chamber-based …


The Effects Of Early Pruning On The Near-Ground Branch Density Of Four Live Fencing Species, Aric Devens Jan 2017

The Effects Of Early Pruning On The Near-Ground Branch Density Of Four Live Fencing Species, Aric Devens

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Crop losses in home gardens greatly impact the wellbeing of rural West African families. Herbivory by migratory or local livestock represents a significant source of crop loss. Live-fencing gardens with thorny hedges is a low-cost and sustainable strategy for reducing losses due to herbivory. However, guidance on the establishment of thorny hedges is inconsistent, poorly publicized, and often anecdotal. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of three early pruning treatments on near-ground branch density of four thorny species: Vachellia nilotica, Senegalia laeta, Senegalia mellifera, and Prosopis juliflora. Physical measurements and photographic data indicated that after one growing season, V. …


Effects Of In-Situ Leaf-Level Canopy Warming In A Northern Hardwood Forest, Kelsey Carter Jan 2017

Effects Of In-Situ Leaf-Level Canopy Warming In A Northern Hardwood Forest, Kelsey Carter

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Rising mean annual temperatures due to climate change have intensified the need to understand the effects of warming on plant physiological processes. Forest photosynthesis is the most important pathways of terrestrial carbon sequestration, yet continued warming could reduce this important carbon sink. Photosynthesis is highly sensitive to temperature and begins to decline after an optimum temperature (Topt) is reached, leading to reduced carbon uptake. To date, logistical difficulties have limited our ability to test photosynthetic responses to sustained warming in mature forest canopies. In order to understand how elevated temperatures will affect forest ecosystems, we need to be …


Instantaneous Photosynthetic Response To Temperature Of Mature Forest Canopies And Experimentally Warmed Seedlings, Alida C. Mau Jan 2015

Instantaneous Photosynthetic Response To Temperature Of Mature Forest Canopies And Experimentally Warmed Seedlings, Alida C. Mau

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Tropical trees have been shown to be more susceptible to warming compared to temperate species, and have shown growth and photosynthetic declines at elevated temperatures as little as 3oC above ambient. However, regional and global vegetation models lack the data needed to accurately represent physiological response to increased temperatures in tropical forests. We compared the instantaneous photosynthetic responses to elevated temperatures of four mature tropical rainforest tree species in Puerto Rico and the temperate broadleaf species sugar maple (Acer saccharum) in Michigan. Contrary to expectations, leaves in the upper canopy of both temperate and tropical forests had temperature …


Beech Bark Disease Distribution And Resistance In Michigan And Fungal Endophyte Ecology Of Resistant And Susceptible Beech (Fagus Grandifolia Ehrh.), Rachel E. Griesmer-Zakhar Jan 2013

Beech Bark Disease Distribution And Resistance In Michigan And Fungal Endophyte Ecology Of Resistant And Susceptible Beech (Fagus Grandifolia Ehrh.), Rachel E. Griesmer-Zakhar

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Beech bark disease (BBD), a non-native association of the fungal pathogen Neonectria faginata and the beech scale insect Cryptococcus fagisuga, has dramatically affected American beech within North American forests. To monitor the spread and effects of BBD in Michigan, a network of forest health monitoring plots was established in 2001 following the disease discovery in Ludington State Park (Mason County). Forest health canopy condition and basic forestry measurements including basal area were reassessed on beech trees in these plots in 2011 and 2012. The influence of bark-inhabiting fungal endophytes on BBD resistance was investigated by collecting cambium tissue from …


Evaluation Of Sugar Maple Dieback In The Upper Great Lakes Region And Development Of A Forest Health Youth Education Program, Tara L. Bal Jan 2013

Evaluation Of Sugar Maple Dieback In The Upper Great Lakes Region And Development Of A Forest Health Youth Education Program, Tara L. Bal

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Acer saccharum Marsh., is one of the most valuable trees in the northern hardwood forests. Severe dieback was recently reported by area foresters in the western Upper Great Lakes Region. Sugar Maple has had a history of dieback over the last 100 years throughout its range and different variables have been identified as being the predisposing and inciting factors in different regions at different times. Some of the most common factors attributed to previous maple dieback episodes were insect defoliation outbreaks, inadequate precipitation, poor soils, atmospheric deposition, fungal pathogens, poor management, or a combination of these. The current sugar maple …