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The purpose of the proposed modernization was to create the possibility of harvesting assortments simultaneously with stripping the bark in longitudinal strips to accelerate the natural drying of wood without reducing the productivity of the device compared to its counterparts. The goal was achieved and the forest harvester equipped with the new device was able to harvest debarked logs.

Silvopastoral systems combine forestry and grazing, potentially improving land use efficiency and animal welfare. However, livestock predation on trees is a challenge. To compare the predatory behavior of calves (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) grazing native grassland with different Eucalyptus grandis densities, 71 calves were randomly allocated at weaning (Day 0) to 3 treatments: (1) Full sun (0 trees/ha), (2) low tree density (160 trees/ha), and (3) high tree density (240 trees/ha). The live weight of the calves was measured monthly, and blood samples were collected once to evaluate serum minerals. Tree severity damage was assessed using a visual scale (0 = no damage to 4 = severe damage). Variables were analyzed using SAS mixed and proc freq procedures, being significant if P < 0.05. On Day 66, damage was found in 16% of trees, with significant differences (P < 0.05) in severe damage between low (6%) and high (3%) tree densities. Daily weight gain and serum profiles of Ca, P, K, Na, Cl, Fe and Cu were similar (P > 0.05) between treatments, but Cu was below reference values. At Day 66, all calves were fitted with nose plates, halting predatory behavior for 54 days. On Day 120 a second attack was observed only in high tree density (17%), most with severe damage (P < 0.01). Live weight, daily gain and stocking rate were similar between treatments. We concluded that weaned calves exhibited predatory behavior towards E. grandis, not associated with weight loss but with mild Cu deficiency. An oscillating nose plate design effectively stopped predatory behavior.

Forest-based industries produce huge quantities of bark during their primary processing activities. In Nordic pulp and paper industries, where a wet debarking process is used for bark removal, toxic debarking water and bark press water are produced as a by-product. However, polyphenols represent an important fraction of the debarking water and bark press water. These polyphenolic compounds are of commercial interest in chemical specialty sectors since polyphenols have been proven to have diverse health benefits, and after collecting them from waste sources, they can act as alternatives to oil-based chemicals. Determining the economic potential of polyphenolic compounds, identifying their molecular structure, and determining the antioxidant capacity of these compounds present in debarking water and bark can support the identification of their potential applications. The results show that water extractions from bark have a lower efficiency than (partial) alcoholic extractions. Nevertheless, a considerable amount of low-molecular polyphenolic compounds, which are of interest for high-end applications, was found in all extracts. Bark press water has a highly versatile range of polyphenolic compounds and showed some antioxidant activity, making it a great source for the collection of polyphenolic compounds, in contrast to debarking water, which had a much lower polyphenolic content and low antioxidant activity.

African elephants (Loxodonta africana ) can profoundly impact the ecosystems in which they live and, therefore, are considered ecosystem engineers. Elephants break, push over, uproot, and de‐bark woody plants, which can threaten the survival of some tree species. In this study, we investigated the changes in the composition, structure, and de‐barking condition of riverine woodlands in the semi‐arid Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves of northern Kenya, over a 16‐year period. Further, we assessed recruitment potential, the plant's response to debarking, and the subsequent disturbances by termites and woodborers. We conducted surveys of the woody plant community in nine 100 × 100 m riverine plots in 2007 and in 2023. All woody plants taller than 3 m with stem circumference over 6 cm were surveyed. Elephant debarking was assessed using a 0–5 scale: 0 (no debarking) to 5 (intensively debarked), based on the proportion of stem circumference debarked. We found that tree density declined between 2007 and 2023, with sapling density showing a marked reduction, indicating lower recruitment in 2023. Counts of trees across circumference classes differed between 2007 and 2023, with Vachellia elatior exhibiting a lower number of debarked individuals in 2023. Post‐debarking tree recovery was significantly influenced by debarking severity, insect infestation, and stem decay. Termite presence on debarked trees reduced recovery likelihood, while woodborers had no measurable effect. Additionally, stem decay was associated with reduced tree recovery potential. These findings highlight the compounding impact of biological infestation with elephant debarking on tree survival. Understanding the interconnected effects of elephants and other organisms on plant communities is important to inform future habitat management and possible interventions for ecosystem restoration. This study investigates the long‐term effects of elephant debarking on riverine woodland vegetation in northern Kenya, comparing data from 2007 and 2023. Findings reveal a decline in woody plant density and reduced tree recovery, especially in the presence of termites and stem decay. These results highlight the compounded ecological impact of elephants and other organisms on plant community structure and ecosystem health.

Bark is an essential component of tree branches, yet its role in controlling branch-leached dissolved organic matter (DOM) characteristics remains unknown in forests. Here, we collected branches (about 1.5 cm in diameter) of two evergreen coniferous trees, two deciduous broadleaf trees, and three evergreen broadleaf trees from a subtropical forest in southern China, and subsequently used a bark removal experiment to determine the effects of bark on branch-derived DOM quantity and bioavailability. Regardless of tree type, the presence of bark reduced tree branch-leached dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved total nitrogen (DTN), and dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) productions. Moreover, DOC, DTN, and DTP productions leached from the branches containing bark were always much lower than the expected values summed from barks and the branches without bark. The presence of bark increased DOM aromaticity in the broadleaf tree branch leachates but reduced DOM aromaticity in the coniferous tree branch leachates. During 42 days of incubation, the presence of bark decreased broadleaf tree branch-leached DOM bioavailability and the relative increments of aromaticity, whereas the opposite trends were observed for the coniferous tree branch-leached DOM. Tree branch-derived DOM bioavailability correlated negatively with SUVA₂₅₄ values, but exhibited no relationship with either DOC: DTN ratio or DOC:DTP ratio. These observations highlight that tree bark can prevent DOM leaching from branches and regulate branch-leached DOM bioavailability via its effect on DOM aromaticity in subtropical forests.

Earlier studies have shown that the bark of Salix L. species (Salicaceae family) is rich in extractives, such as diverse bioactive phenolic compounds. However, we lack knowledge on the bioactive properties of the bark of willow species and clones adapted to the harsh climate conditions of the cool temperate zone. Therefore, the present study aimed to obtain information on the functional profiles of northern willow clones for the use of value-added bioactive solutions. Of the 16 willow clones studied here, 12 were examples of widely distributed native Finnish willow species, including dark-leaved willow ( S. myrsinifolia Salisb.) and tea-leaved willow ( S. phylicifolia L.) (3 + 4 clones, respectively) and their natural and artificial hybrids (3 + 2 clones, respectively). The four remaining clones were commercial willow varieties from the Swedish willow breeding program. Hot water extraction of bark under mild conditions was carried out. Bioactivity assays were used to screen antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, yeasticidal, and antioxidant activities, as well as the total phenolic content of the extracts. Additionally, we introduce a fast and less labor-intensive steam-debarking method for Salix spp. feedstocks. Clonal variation was observed in the antioxidant properties of the bark extracts of the 16 Salix spp. clones. High antiviral activity against a non-enveloped enterovirus, coxsackievirus A9, was found, with no marked differences in efficacy between the native clones. All the clones also showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli , whereas no antifungal ( Aspergillus brasiliensis ) or yeasticidal ( Candida albicans ) efficacy was detected. When grouping the clone extract results into Salix myrsinifolia , Salix phylicifolia , native hybrid, artificial hybrid, and commercial clones, there was a significant difference in the activities between S. phylicifolia clone extracts and commercial clone extracts in the favor of S. phylicifolia in the antibacterial and antioxidant tests. In some antioxidant tests, S. phylicifolia clone extracts were also significantly more active than artificial clone extracts. Additionally, S. myrsinifolia clone extracts showed significantly higher activities in some antioxidant tests than commercial clone extracts and artificial clone extracts. Nevertheless, the bark extracts of native Finnish willow clones showed high bioactivity. The obtained knowledge paves the way towards developing high value-added biochemicals and other functional solutions based on willow biorefinery approaches.

Protected areas are not only crucial for biodiversity and natural processes but also for recreation. Although a benign neglect strategy of dealing with natural disturbances in protected areas is beneficial for nature, public debate on avoiding increased pest population growth has intensified. We evaluated the effect of mechanical pest control measures in decreasing populations of insect pests, maintaining nontarget biodiversity, retaining high recreational value, and keeping economic costs low. Debarking and bark scratching or gouging effectively prevented infestation of felled trees by European spruce bark beetles (Ips typographus) and controlled the beetles in recently infested trees. Bark scratching or gouging retained biodiversity at natural levels, whereas debarking decreased biodiversity by 54% with higher economic costs. The public rated bark‐gouged trees more positively than debarked trees. We thus urge authorities to promote bark scratching or gouging in the control of bark beetles in protected areas instead of salvage logging and debarking.

This paper deals with the use of debarking modifications of the conventional harvester head in the conditions of felling due to bark beetle calamity. For this purpose, a time study was established, in which the conventional heads were compared with the heads with debarking modifications on four research plots and two harvesters. The measurements were taken from August to September 2018. Harvester efficiency with the use of the head with the debarking configuration ranged from 41.2% to 41.8% from the efficiency of a machine with the conventional head, depending on the felling type. It was also demonstrated that the quality of debarking does not depend on the trunk moisture content in the growing season. In terms of diameter, it was found that the best debarked parts of the stem were those occurring in its middle. Specifically, in the central part of the stem with a diameter of 13 to 23 cm, 91.0% of the stem area was debarked in the main felling and 76.6% in the thinning. In contrast, the top parts of the stem (trunk diameter up to 13 cm) were the least debarked. In the main felling, it was 74.2% of the stem area and in the thinning, only 52.2%.

This paper reports the results of the first attempt of traceological studies (technological and functional) of bone products from the unique Early Mesolithic site of Pulli, Estonia. The analysis covered a group of specific tools made primarily from elk’s metapodial bones, referred to as Pulli-type bevel-ended tools. Through microscopic studies, the complete biography of these artefacts was reconstructed, considering all stages of their production and the phases of use and abandonment. Use-wear analysis and studies in the field of experimental archaeology allowed the interpretation of the function of these products, which can be perceived as specialised tools for obtaining bark (debarking). The results of the conducted studies were compared with those of singular technological and functional studies on similar early Holocene bone tools from European contexts.

Addressing the risk from pests present in wood and wood products destined for international trade is an essential step towards minimizing the movement, introduction and establishment of invasive species. One method of managing the pest risk associated with wood commodities is the use of a systems approach that incorporates multiple independent measures applied along a production pathway. However, quantifying the reduction of risk can be difficult because the approach requires raw material infested with the pest of interest at a sufficient density to be able to quantify changes in pest abundance. We tested a systems approach for the production of sawn wood using green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall (Lamiales: Oleaceae), infested with emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), by quantifying the change in pest density during the milling process and the precise effect of heat treatment on insects in situ. Greater than 90% of emerald ash borer were removed at the first step of the milling process (debarking) and >99% were removed before the production of green sawn wood. No insects survived kilning or heat treatment. All life stages of emerald ash borer were killed at 56°C and above. Heat, however, had no sublethal effect on emerald ash borer performance. These results show that the application of a systems approach to mitigate emerald ash borer in heat-treated, sawn wood is effective. Moreover, the model-system approach developed in this study can be a template for investigating the effect of systems approaches for other phloem-feeding insects.