Διαδικτυακή Πύλη Συνεργασίας Για Τα Δάση

Throughout the years, extractives have been studied with various analytical methods, and it has been found that different tree species contain different types and amounts of extractive compounds. However, many studies have been incomplete and the number of methods used has been almost as vast as the number of publications, making it difficult or even impossible to compare the results of different studies. This thesis contains data on lipophilic and hydrophilic extractives in heartwood, sapwood and knots of 39 industrially important conifer species: 14 pines (Pinus), 7 spruces (Picea), 9 firs (Abies), 5 larches (Larix), 3 hemlocks (Tsuga) and Douglas- ir (Pseudotsuga). The wood samples were sequentially extracted, and the amount and composition of resin acids, fatty acids, sterols, steryl esters, acylglycerols, juvabiones, lignans, oligolignans, flavonoids and stilbenes were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry. The main conclusions were that: • there are major differences in amount and composition of extractives, not only between genera, but also between species, especially regarding the hydrophilic extractives; • lignans are present in heartwood and knots of all genera. The knots, however, contain remarkably more, in some cases several hundred times more, lignans than the adjacent heartwood. Some spruce, fir, larch and hemlock species contain especially high concentrations of lignans. Hydroxymatairesinol is the dominating lignan in spruce and hemlock, while secoisolariciresinol dominates in fir and larch; • considerable amounts of flavonoids are found in all larches, some of the pines and in Douglas-fir; • stilbenes are present in heartwood and knots of all pines; • considerable amounts of juvabiones are found in all firs, some pines and in Douglas-fir. The concentrations are significantly higher in knots than in ordinary stemwood; and • pine heartwood and pine knots in particular contain much more resin acids than the sapwood. Lipophilic extractives are known to cause problems in pulp and paper mills, mainly in the form of deposits and specks. On the other hand, they can be recovered and utilized as tall oil and sterol-based products. The hydrophilic compounds are not detrimental in pulping and papermaking. They do, however, exhibit strong bioactivity and play a significant role in the protection of trees against insects, bacteria and fungi. Several of these compounds are strong antioxidants, and some are already used as active agents in dietary supplements and cosmetic products. The extraction, purification and utilization of these bioactive polyphenols should be further studied and developed with special focus on the knots of the most promising conifer species. This thesis provides a unique collection of data on extractives in conifers, probably the most comprehensive study ever published. The book is not meant to be read from cover to cover, but rather to be used as a reference when information is needed on amount and/or composition of extractives in conifers.

Financing protected areas is crucial for guaranteeing the flow of ecosystem services (ES) provided by natural and semi-natural ecosystems, which are the basis of human well-being. In the last two decades, together with traditional conservation tools, innovative instruments, such as PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services), have been proposed and implemented all over the world in order to improve management effectiveness in biodiversity conservation. In this paper we identified and categorized 33 PES case studies in 19 Natura 2000 sites developing the hypothesis that a PES approach may contribute to improving the effectiveness of conservation actions at different spatial and administrative levels. We found that in these areas, farmers and foresters often allow the maintenance of natural and semi-natural ecosystems through their economic activity. Through PES schemes their important role can be formally acknowledged, both in environmental and economic terms. PES schemes are also a tool for involving more stakeholders, particularly local companies, residents and tourists in conservation actions. So PES can actually improve Natura 2000 sites’ management and increase the availability of financial resources in favor of conservation actions. However, careful attention must to be paid to the supporting role of public authorities, generally crucial for the success of a PES.

Biodiversity protection is the outstanding ecosystem service both from ecologic, economic and social point of view. The Natura 2000 network maintains both economic and conservation activities and provide a realist framework for estimating provision cost of biodiversity protection. The main goal of this research was to estimate provision cost function of biodiversity protection within the Natura 2000 network as a function of the net impact of conducted actions on conservation score. The French Natura 2000 network was selected because of its accessible financial and ecological database as well as access and language facility. A standardized and consistent evaluation method for all French forest habitats of Community interest (Carnino method) was used to assess degree or score of biodiversity conservation before and after implementing biodiversity actions at intervention level. According to this methodology, the most important actions affecting degree of biodiversity conservation have been selected. Selected actions were the following: eliminating or limitation of invasive species (F22711), enhancing senescent (large) trees (F22712) and Marking, felling or pruning without production objective (F22705). These actions are implemented in response to compensation payment within contract systems. More than half of forest contracts using these actions were highly concentrated in five eastern regions (Rhone-Alpes, Alsace, Bourgogne, Champagne-Ardennes and Franche-Comté) of France. In order to respect a minimum time span of 6 years after implementing biodiversity actions, all relevant contracts implemented in the period 2002–2007 have been considered.

A green forest job complies with the principles of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), contributes to the green economy, and is involved in the value chain of forest products and/or in the performance of forest services. The task is to advise and support the secretariat on the implementation of the ECE/FAO Integrated Programme on employment-related issues such as jobs, required competence, education and training for the forestry sector in the context of the green economy. The general goal of the ToS activities is to identify and list the existing and especially potential new green jobs in the forestry sector.