Serious role-play games enable experiential learning through exploring stakeholder perspectives and negotiating sustainable solutions. This brief report presents the testing of a low-tech role-play game simulating forest-water interactions and land management on a catchment scale. The game was integrated into a Master’s degree programme (one group, n = 15) at the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies, involving the development and evaluation of project proposals from the perspective of various stakeholders. Immediate and written student feedback (n = 7) highlighted enhanced understanding of integrated resource management, the value of perspective-taking, and the importance of argumentation and compromise. In contrast, students acknowledged biases and suggested design improvements; the role-play format was positively evaluated as an engaging and realistic tool. This exploratory case illustrates the feasibility of a role-play format to complement traditional teaching and bolster critical thinking. Given the small, single-cohort design and absence of specific learning measures, the results do not lend themselves to generalisation. Key words: serious games; forestry education; water management; stakeholder perspectives; student feedback

The chemical compounds of plant leaves may be used to defend against rust diseases. The effect of methanolic leaf extracts from four resistant and four susceptible alternate hosts of Cronartium pini and C. ribicola, and two pure phenolic chemicals, such as chlorogenic acid and quercitrin, were tested on the germination of C. pini and C. ribicola spores. Aeciospores of these rusts were dusted on water agar amended with the leaf extracts and chemicals in three concentrations and a methanol control, and germination of the aeciospores was counted after 24 h incubation. Germination of the rusts was compared between extracts and concentrations. All plant extracts tended to stimulate the germination of both rusts at 50 and 100 ppm, but the highest concentration, 500 ppm, inhibited the germination of both rusts regardless of the extract. The germination of C. pini spores was inhibited strongly by extracts from Veronica chamaedrys, V. longifolia, Ribes rubrum and Impatiens glandulifera, chlorogenic acid, quercitrin and methanol, and weakly by extracts of Ribes nigrum, Melampyrum pratense, M. sylvaticum and Impatiens balsamina at 500 ppm. The growth of C. ribicola was strongly inhibited by all extracts at 500 ppm. Since the results indicate stronger inhibition by the extracts from resistant host species, more research is required to identify the active compounds for bio-based control of Cronartium rusts. Keywords: aeciospores; alternate hosts; rust resistance; Scots pine blister rust; white-pine blister rust

On 12–13 September 2023, a panel of forest pathologists and entomologists gathered in Visby, Gotland Island, Baltic Sea, Sweden. The participants, a total of 20, represented all five Nordic Countries, three Baltic States, and Ukraine, and also joined by the local stakeholders representing the Swedish Forestry Agency and Gotland Administration. The purpose was to conduct a scientific workshop focusing on invasive tree pests and diseases emerging in each respective country, as well as to participate in an excursion to damaged woodland sites of Gotland. The Nordic Forest Research (SNS) financially supported the event (https://nordicforestresearch.org/n2023-01/). Keywords: Corinectria / Neonectria cankers; Hymenoscyphus fraxineus; Emerald Ash Borer; Diplodia sapinea; Acute Oak Decline; Polygraphus proximus; emerging birch pests; Bronze Birch Borer; Thekopsora areolata; seedborn conifer fungi

The study is focused on the rate of vibrations and level of noise in the chainsaw model Stihl MS 362 which belongs in the group of the best-selling professional chainsaws in the world with a highly efficient anti-vibration system. Testing cuts to determine the rate of vibrations were made on the stems of two tree species: sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.). The purpose of noise level measurement was to compare the influence of chainsaw noise on its operator and on the person occurring behind the zone of protection (5 and 10 metres) from the source of noise. Then a distance from the chainsaw was measured where the level of noise reached 80 dB. The measurements were performed according to ČSN EN ISO 22868:2021. At measuring the chainsaw vibrations, the rate of vibrations acting on both operator’s hands (front and rear grip) was examined. Vibrations were measured according to ČSN EN ISO 22867 (2012). It was found out that the rate of vibrations on the rear handle was in both cases of measurements higher than the rate of vibrations on the front handle. At the same time, a higher rate of vibrations was recorded in sessile oak. As to the level of noise, results of measurements indicated that at working with the chainsaw, hearing protectors have to be used at all three measured distances (close proximity, 5 m from the operator, 10 m from the operator) in order to reduce high noise level as the average noise level was higher than permissible in all measurements. The highest possible tolerable level of acoustic noise (80 dB) at which permanent damage of hearing does not happen was measured at a distance of 21 m from the working place of chainsaw operator. Keywords: chainsaw, Stihl MS 362, vibrations, noise, occupational hygiene, forestry

Cement bonded particleboards (CBPs) were produced of wood particles of Gmelina arborea, Afzelia africana and Triplochiton scleroxylon using two brands of ordinary portland cement manufactured by two different domestic cement companies operating in Nigeria known as Dangote PLC and Lafarge Company. The admixture of wood particles and cement for production of the CBPs were done at mixing ratios of 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2 (weight to weight basis). The properties such as water absorption and thickness swelling at 24 hours, density, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and impact bending strength were determined. The results of the study reveal that the density ranged from 0.61 to 0.92 g/cm3. Meanwhile, water absorption and thickness swelling were found to be 30.34 to 72.44 % and 11.43 to 10.77 % at 24 hours, respectively. The bending properties obtained from the laboratory tests ranged from 115.77 to 826.55 N/mm2 and from 1157.70 to 4773.38 N/mm2 for MOR and MOE, respectively, while impact bending strength ranged from 41.70 to 238.49 N/mm2, respectively. As the cementious content increases from 50 % to 66.3 % and wood content decreases from 50 % to 33.4 %, the properties such as density, MOR, MOE and impact bending strength increased, while water absorption and thickness swelling decreases. The statistical results showed that such factors as wood species, cement type and mixing ratio had significant influence on the physical and mechanical properties of CBPs. The study reveals that CBPs made of wood particles of Triplochiton scleroxylon and Dangote cement brand at the ratio of 1:2 were more dimensionally stable, denser and stronger while CBPs of wood particles of Afzelia africana were stiffest and most rigid. As concluded, cement brand had significant importance in qualities of CBPs, which can be attributed to chemical compositions found in materials used. Keywords: cement, physical, mechanical, wood, particleboards, mixing ratio

Broad social changes are reflected in the forest owner structure, which has become increasingly diverse both demographically and in terms of objectives and values. This naturally also impacts forest owners’ interest towards using their forests as well as to their interest in purchasing various forest management services. This development highlights the need for service providers to better segment their clientele and plan their market communication accordingly. However, a surprisingly small amount of research has focused on the impact of marketing arguments for various forest owner segments. This study provides a first attempt to analyse, through a real-life marketing intervention, how effective marketing arguments are at promoting first thinning to female forest owners. For this, three marketing messages were created and sent out to 300 forest owners in Finland. One message explained the importance of first thinning to provide maximal economic income from forests, one explained the importance of first thinning in relation to biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation, and a control message included no value arguments. The results indicate that contrary to our hypothesis, the marketing message with the economic arguments raised more interest towards the first thinning service among female forest owners than the one with biodiversity protection and climate change mitigation values. The results further show that the control message was found to generate the least interest towards first thinning. This indicates that incorporating value arguments do improve the impact of a marketing message. Key words Market segmentation, female forest owner, marketing argument, economic values, biodiversity values

In the paper generating curves given by fourth-degree polynomials were used to model the shape of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) cones from the Polish Forest Districts of Kołaczyce (one batch) and Opole (two batches), and to calculate the surface area and volume of individual cones. However, it was not possible to construct generalized equations for the surface area and volume of Douglas fir cones due to the high variability of empirical coefficients. The surface area and volume of the cones were also calculated from their length and diameter based on formulas for a cylinder and a barrel corrected by constants k1 and k2. The mean surface area of closed Douglas fir cones determined for the first, second, and third batch using the generating function was 4,348.4 mm2, 3,857.0 mm2, and 2,844.7 mm2, and the volume was 27,212.4 mm3, 21,012.9 mm3, and 12,844.4 mm3, respectively. The corresponding values calculated from the geometric formulas for solids were 4,332.0 mm2, 3,838.0 mm2, and 2,862.9 mm2 for the surface area and 27,366.0 mm3, 20,648.9 mm3, and 13,375.3 mm3 for the volume. The evaporation area of open cones was found to be five times greater than that of closed cones, with the difference being statistically significant. The outer and inner surfaces of scales taken from the middle segment of Douglas fir cones were photographed using a Quanta 200 scanning microscope (FEIC). The characteristic elements of scale morphology were evaluated by means of MultiScan Base software package. The outer and inner surfaces of Douglas fir scales were found to differ in some important ways, similarly as it has been reported in the literature for the Scots pine, silver fir, European larch, and black alder. The outer surface of scales is formed by thick-walled cells with marked protrusions, while the inner surface reveals cells with thin, frayed walls in the region adjacent to the seeds and wings. Knowledge of the geometry of Douglas fir cones and the morphology of their scales may be helpful in optimizing seed extraction parameters for those cones. Key words: seed extraction, model, shape curve, surface area, volume, scanning electron microscope

The aim of the study was evaluation of clearcutting effect on water regime in a tree harvesting area. The results was made on the basis of the study carried out in Rakowski Ditch catchment, in Wielkopolska lowland in Poland. It was found that a more useful method to establish the effects of clearcutting is to is to compare the groundwater table level in the post-clearcutting area with that in a control area than to analyze the groundwater table level changes in the same area before and after the clearcutting. Regression analysis is a particularly useful tool in groundwater regime analyzes. The results obtained in this study indicated that the groundwater regime changes in the post-clearcutting area were manifested as an increase in the average groundwater levels. The major changes in the groundwater table after clearcutting were observed in the minimum levels, while the lowest changes took place in the maximum groundwater levels. The variation in groundwater levels was higher in the period after clearcutting than in the period before it. The analysis of linear regression of groundwater levels in the well located in clearcutting and that in the control area confirmed the change in the groundwater regime in the post-clearcutting area. Stronger relations in the period before clearcutting were observed. Key words: clearcutting, groundwater, forest catchment, swampy habitats

Abundant ungulate populations are considered ecosystem drivers that affect forestry and agriculture. Their management is ecologically and economically based on game density regulations, considering the balance between density and carrying capacity of the territory, population status and dynamics, and hunting needs.
 Although the population status and dynamics are not a new question, it is still unclear how to manage populations properly depending on the hunting intensity. We aimed to analyse and compare the ungulate population status like moose, red deer, roe deer and wild boar in the Punia pine forest, where the commercial hunting is conducted, and in the hunting grounds managed by hunter clubs in Prienai forest. We performed the study during four hunting seasons 2009 - 2013. The data on harvesting and abundance were obtained from the field works and using the official statistics of the Ministry of Environment.
 The moose local populations are not abundant, or animals occur occasionally, and their density does not reach the minimum permissible level. The control of moose is non-purposeful and insufficient on both of study territories. The red deer population is rather stable on areas of hunting clubs while hardly reaches the minimum density level. On the commercial hunting area, the population density 2-3 times exceeds the permissible density level. Red deer population should be used more intensively. Wild boar is used intensively on the areas of hunter clubs, and animal density is close to the permissible level. Unfortunately, on the areas of commercial hunting, wild boar is used passively that is why their density exceeds permissible level even four times.
 The main harvested species are red deer and wild boar in both hunting grounds. Their numerous populations stay close to permissible density level. However, gamekeepers keep the larger animal numbers on the areas of commercial hunting. As the main aim is the trophy hunting, the stags and boars are most used when compared to females and young. Therefore, on the areas of commercial hunting, use of wild boar and red deer is unreasonable and their density exceeds permissible level several times.
 Keywords: commercial hunting, hunting clubs, population, status, ungulate

Reuse of materials from waste streams is pertinent to achieving sustainable forest production. The enormous wood residues generated at sawmill and the disposal of wood based products poses threat not only to sustenance of the forest resources but also has negative adverse effect on the environment. Limitation exists in the utilization of wood residues as raw material for panel board production in developing countries.
 This study examined the physical and mechanical properties of graded density fiberboards produced from varying mixture of sawdust and corrugated paper (pulp) at Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in 2019. A 2x9 factorial experiment in one way analysis of variance was used to test for significant difference between the factors (density and mixing ratio) considered. The result shows that densities of all boards produced varied with mixing proportions. The densities increased with increasing content of corrugated paper. Boards produced at 0.45 g/cm3 showed higher density (0.648 g/cm3), bending strength (MOR) (1.47 N/mm2) and less water absorption (118.69 %) than those produced at 0.65 g/cm3 having values of 0.58 g/cm3, 1.32 N/mm2 and 153.67 % respectively. However boards produced at 0.65 g/cm3 had higher elasticity in bending (MOE) (209.19 N/mm2) and less thickness swelling (6.29 %) than those produced at 0.45 g/cm3 having values of 74.87 N/mm2 and 10.88% respectively. Panel G (20:60:20), E (30:50:20) and I (10:70:20) of sawdust: corrugated paper: urea formaldehyde respectively showed superior features in physical and mechanical properties with panel I been the best mixture. Conclusively, wood residues (sawdust and corrugated paper) are suitable raw material for fiberboard production.