Nasko Iliev (1)*, Lyubka Varbeva (2), Toma Tonchev (1), and Neno Alexandrov (1)

1. University of Forestry, 1797 Sofia, 10 Kl. Ohridski Blvd. *E-mail: ilievnasko@abv.bg
2. Executive Forest Agency, 1000 Sofia, 55 Hr. Botev blvd.

The sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) shows good adaptability to climate change and it could be used more widely in plantations in Europe and Bulgaria. The purpose of this study is to analyse and establish the condition, growth and productivity of plantations and natural stands under different habitat conditions in Bulgaria. All plantations and natural stands over 30 years of age, pure or dominated by sycamore, were evaluated on site. The volume of natural stands varies from 216 m3∙ha-1 to 944 m3∙ha-1. The plantations’ growing stock at the age of 40 is 399 m3∙ha-1, 70-year-old plantation has a stock of 810 m3∙ha-1. At the age of 50–55, the Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.), the silver linden (Tilia tomentosa Moench.), the hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) and the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) reach and exceed the growth in height of sycamore, but not in diameter. Under optimal conditions, sycamore can produce amount of volume that meets the requirements for intensive crops.

Alexey Andreychev*, Vyacheslav Kuznetsov, and Alexander Lapshin

Department of Zoology, National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk 430005, Russia.*E-mail: andreychev1@rambler.ru

Both daily and seasonal year-round vocal activity of Ural owl were recorded in the Middle Volga River Region, Russia with the use of digital dictaphones. Two best-expressed peaks of longterm activity were revealed during the year: one starting in March and the other in September. In the spring, calls were recorded from 19:51 to 04:04. During this period, Ural owl’s total length of calls varied from 1 to 35 min per day, on average 12 min. The second annual peak was restricted to brood dispersal. In this period, the total duration of calls varied from 1 to 32 min per day, on average 9 min. In the spring, Ural owls always started calling from 24 min to 4 h after sunset. Vocalisation began at an average of 2 h 34 min after sunset. Completion of morning vocal activityalways ended from 1 h 30 min to 2 h 40 min before sunrise.

Ridwan Yahya (1)*, Udin Hasanuddin (2), Yuwana (3), Budiyanto (3), Yansen (1), Hery
Suhartoyo (1), Lis W. Pasaribu (1), Cica K. Endang (1), and Andreas Sirait (1)

1. Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Kota Bengkulu 38371.A, Indonesia. *E-mail: ridwanyahya@unib.ac.id
2. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, Kota Bengkulu 38371.A, Indonesia.
3. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung, Jl. Sumantri Brojonegoro 1, Bandar Lampung 35145, Indonesia.

Waste in the form of bark and wood from branches of Acacia mangium and Falcataria moluccana trees is abundant in forest plantations in Indonesia. It is challenging to use these branches due to their high water content. Open sun drying (OSD) takes a long time and the resulting moisture content of 10–15 % reached still leaves the wood susceptible to microorganism attack. The objectives of this study were 1) to compare the performance of a modified YSD-UNIB mixedmode solar dryer (MSD) with that of an earlier model and 2) to compare moisture content and drying time of bark and wood chips of A. mangium and F. moluccana branches in OSD and the MSD. MSD was 10 °C hotter and 14 % drier than the original YSD-UNIB model. MSD reduced the moisture content of wood and bark samples of A. mangium (to 4.52 % and 5.40 %, respectively) and F. moluccana (to 3.81 % and 5.38 %, respectively), significantly more than OSD (10.41 % and 12.11 % for A. mangium wood and bark samples, respectively, and 10.42 % and 11.82 % for F. moluccana wood and bark samples, respectively). OSD also took longer (10 days) to dry samples of both species than did MSD (20 h for A. mangium and 12 h for F. moluccana). The regression equations fitted to the drying curves for A. mangium (y = -8.746∙ln(x) + 32.49) and F. moluccana (y = -4.7∙ln(x) + 16.441) wood chips in MSD, estimated that air-dry moisture content of 10.4 % was achieved in 12 h for A. mangium and only 5.43 h for F. moluccana. For chipped bark samples of both species, the regression equation y = -8.322∙ln(x) + 31.874 and y = -4.57∙ln(x) + 18.517, respectively, estimated that A. mangium also took longer (11.12 h) than F. moluccana (6.79 h) to reach air-dry moisture content (of 12.11 % and 11.82 %, respectively).

Patience Tugume*, Esezah Kakudidi, and Clement Nyakoojo

Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. E-mails: patiebeys@gmail.com*; esezahk@gmail.com; clement.nyakoojo@mak.ac.ug

The contribution of forest recreation to national economy and the adjacent communities is rarely recognized and often overlooked. However, if assessed, it can help to justify the need to conserve forest resources. This study assessed the value, visitor expenditure patterns and employment benefits of forest recreation at the three recreation sites in Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR). Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to recreational visitors from July to December 2019. The zonal travel cost method was used to determine the annual recreational value of Mabira CFR and the direct tourism spend method to estimate tourists’ expenditure. Employment income was assessed from questionnaires administered to all employees at the sites. The comparatively high annual forest recreational value of 577,446 USD was attributed to the forest’srich biodiversity and close proximity to densely populated urban areas. The most preferred recreational activity was canopy super skyway ziplining because it is relatively new. The annual income of employees at the three sites amounted to 28,034 USD, of which 78 % was attributed to employment at the sites. The total annual visitor expenditure amounted to 100,700 USD, of which 61,151 was attributed to the biodiversity of the forest. These results indicate the potential of forest recreation in job creation and income generation, which translate to improved standards of living for employees and surrounding communities. This calls for promotion of forest-based recreation in other high diversity forested areas of the country.

Gradimir Gruychev

Wildlife Management Department, University of Forestry, 10 St. K. Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria. E-mail: gradi.val@gmail.com

We monitored the abundance of European Turtle dove in 6 forest habitats. The present study identifies two variables that can affect the breeding distribution of European Turtle dove in Sarnena Sredna Gora Mountain. The arable land adjacent to the breeding habitats is a significant factor influencing its breeding distribution in the study area. The abundance is significantly higher in forest habitats adjacent to cereal, sunflower and sunflower/cereal crops. Second environmental variable which determines its breeding distribution is elevation. The study shows differences between the preferences of breeding sites of Turtle doves in Sarnena Sredna Gora and those found in lowland open habitats in Bulgaria. These results suggest that different approaches to habitat management need to be chosen for different parts of the breeding area of the species in Bulgaria.