What is the future of genetically modified (or transgenic) conifer plantations? The content of this edited volume Landscapes, Genomics and Transgenic Conifers addresses this question directly - and indirectly - using language drawn from policy, forest history, genomics, metabolism, pollen dispersal and gene flow, landscape ecology, evolution, economics, technology transfer and regulatory oversight. Although the book takes its title from a Nicholas School Leadership forum held November 17-19, 2004 at Duke University, its de novo contents move past the forum s deliberations. The result is a trans-disciplinary book composed of 14 chapters written by a total of 31 authors working in North America, South America, Europe and Africa.

The book is written for policy experts, life scientists, government and business leaders, biotechnology writers and activists. Few decision-makers realize the unprecedented degree to which transgenic technology is now possible for forests on a commercial scale. Only a handful of the 550 living conifer species is used for commodity value and even fewer species are being developed for transgenic plantations. Transgenic field trials started within the last decade but no transgenic pine plantations exist in 2005. But emergence of transgenic forest trees is still so recent that dialogue about the pros and cons is confined to the scientific community. And dialogue must move out into the public domain.

So little opportunity remains for opening public dialogue. The pursuit of transgenic research for forest trees is principally corporate so novel forest tree phenotypes are created as a means to increase shareholder value for investor companies. And while potential benefits will accrue to shareholders, ecological risks for certain transgenic traits are likely to be shared due to long-distance gene flow and inadequate bioconfinement measures. So this is a question riddled with tension. Without public deliberation, we should expect alienation of several interest groups. Alienation will lead to heightened clashes in the public policy arena or even radical environmental action. But how to move dialogue on transgenic forests forward? One must re-frame the issues behind transgenic conifer plantations.

The goal of this volume is to provide content for public deliberations about the genetic composition of future forests. Its Section I is composed of provocative and opposing views on the question of transgenic conifer plantations. Sections II and III follow with research advances on relevant conifer genomics and ecology research, respectively. Section IV forecasts rates of technology adoption for different case studies. Finally, Section V compares the status of regulatory oversight of transgenic forest trees between Canada and the United States. But will the book fulfil its goal? The burden of the answer lies with its readers. Will readers act or will transgenic forests be seen as too remote or simply too rural to bother with the angst of public deliberation? "

This book brings together information on harvest methods, system productivity, and methods for conducting safe, efficient, and environmentally acceptable operations in tropical forests. It highlights the challenges of harvest operations in the tropics, includes techniques that have been shown to be successful, and discusses newer technologies. Numerical examples are provided to provide clarity for interpreting graphs, procedures, and formulas.

This book provides a solid scientific basis for researchers, practitioners and students interested in the application of genetic principles to tropical forest ecology and management. It presents a concise overview of genetic variation, evolutionary processes and the human impact on forest genetic resources in the tropics. In addition, modern tools to assess genetic diversity patterns and the dynamics of genetic structures are introduced to the non-specialist reader.

This book is primarily a general text covering the whole sweep of the forest industries. The over-riding emphasis is on a clear, simple interpretation of the underlying science, demonstrating how such principles apply to processing operations. The book considers the broad question "what is wood?" by looking at the biology, chemistry and physics of wood structure. Wood quality is examined, and explanations are offered on how and why wood quality varies and the implications for processing. Finally, various "industrial processes" are reviewed and interpreted. All chapters have been written by specialists, but the presentation targets a generalist audience.

The first edition of this book was the first to provide an integrated description of sap ascension from an anatomical and functional point of view. The second edition opens with the three-dimensional aspects of wood anatomy. The cohesion-tension theory and new evidence are introduced in response to recent controversies over the mechanism of sap ascent in plants. The physiology, anatomy and biophysics of xylem dysfunction are discussed and new insights into hydraulic architecture are reviewed with special emphasis on physiological limits on maximum transpiration and how hydraulic architecture limits gas exchange, carbon gain and growth of plants. The text concludes with a description of xylem failure and pathology. The book highlights fascinating areas of current research with the aim to stimulate more work in the future.

There is a strong movement towards uneven-aged forest management based on the idea that such stands increase or at least maintain soil fertility, increase biodiversity, and improve stand resilience. This shift in forest management practice renders existing yield tables increasingly unreliable. Among potential alternatives are tree growth models, because they predict the growth of each tree within a forest stand. This book summarizes three years of work related to the topic, carried out as a joint effort of leading tree growth modellers across Europe together with forest companies. By means of nine specific examples it demonstrates the problem-solving potential of tree growth modeling theory as required by various end-user groups.

This collection of comprehensive reviews describes the present knowledge of the enzyme mechanisms involved in the biodegradation of wood and wood components, cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin by both fungi and bacteria. The extensive knowledge, presented in this volume, was developed in laboratories world-wide over the last few decades and constitutes the foundation for present and future biotechnology in the pulp and paper industry.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to the various methods by which roundwood and the products of roundwood are measured around the world. It presents and compares many different log scaling methods in terms of procedures and conversion ratios. Topics covered include grading logs, log manufacturing quality, statistical sampling methods and methods for determining log yard inventories and mill log usage volume. Detailed tables of data, covering characteristics, and log weight to volume ratios, are presented for the main commercial timber species of the world. The drivers of roundwood product recovery are also discussed and illustrated with numerous graphs and tables.

The primary aim of Wood Structure and Environment is to reveal the hidden ecological richness in stems and roots from trees, shrubs and herbs. The detailed, lucid text will inspire researchers to consider the anatomic microcosm of wood plants and use it as a retrospective source of information, solving problems related to ecophysiology, competition, site conditions, population biology, earth science, wood quality and even human history.

Trees can reduce noise by sound reflection and absorption and this is the first book bringing together the widely scattered literature on noise abatement by urban trees. The book will interest those concerned with environmental management, noise control, and urban forestry. It is an invaluable source of information for environmental managers, foresters, acousticians, engineers, architects, scientists, and students.

This volume comprises the papers presented at the Session on Wood Products Pathology during the 2nd International Congress on Plant Pathology on 10th - 12th September 1973 in Minneapolis/USA. The topics were dealt with under four heads, viz. Interaction of Microorganisms during Wood Decay, Bacterial Degradation of Wood, Decay of Resistant Wood and Enzymatic Mechanisms of Deterioration Process, followed by a Discussion Session on Extension: an obli gation of all Wood Products Pathologists . Thanks to the cooperation of the authors all the papers could be compiled in this volume. The conference gave an unique possibility to discuss in depth the principles of wood decay by microorganisms from the various angles. The chapters give detailed information on the current progress and problems in wood products pathology. They are therefore collected together in this volume so that people interested in this field will have immediate access to the material and ideas presented. The topic of this Session, the degradation of wood by fungi and bacteria, has become more and more important during the last years. Wood is the only renewable natural resource and raw material of man so that it must be preserved against unwanted deterioration. On the other hand, its natural decomposition does not lead to any harmful products but only to carbondioxide and water. Both aspects have been dealt with in this volume. Hamburg, March 1975 Walter Liese Contributors A.F.BRAVERY, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, U.K."

Hand Hewn is a fascinating and inspiring tribute to traditional timber framing by one of today's foremost expert architects and practitioners of the craft. In this highly visual book, internationally renowned builder Jack A. Sobon weaves his personal history of learning about the craft with its 2,000-year-long history. Sobon begins with the story of how he fell in love with what was then a little-known building technique and how he eventually became the "Sherlock Holmes" of timber framing. Through evocative text, stunning photography, and hand drawings, Sobon highlights the intimacy of timber framing: its connection to place and to the trees and forest, as well as the honesty and artfulness of the craft, the satisfaction of working with hand tools, and the thoughtful - even spiritual - nature of design. Ultimately, the book reveals how contemporary timber framing offers links to the past, to the natural world, and to the homes and structures that shape our lives.

Since prehistoric times and throughout the course of human evolution, wood has been an integral part of all civilizations. Wooden Cultural Heritage can be found worldwide, providing valuable information on the social and economic context of human history. Nonetheless, as a natural cellulosic material, wood shows low resistance to biodeterioration and thus wooden Cultural Heritage often fails to escape decomposition in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This book provides a comprehensive overview on the biodeterioration of wooden Cultural Heritage and describes the decay mechanisms of key organisms and microorganisms encountered in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Cultural Heritage professionals, researchers and academics may explore within this book the associations between deteriogens, habitats and decay, which will assist them to understand wood biodeterioration and design effective prevention, mitigation and remediation strategies. The book presents case studies around the world to demonstrate the impact of biogenic deterioration on wooden Cultural Heritage and illustrates mechanisms and patterns in order to be a useful handbook of decay diagnosis. Lastly, by adopting a holistic approach to wood decay, basic concepts of wood technology, ecology, and deteriogens' biology are introduced, permitting readers of different scientific backgrounds to easily comprehend wood biodeterioration.

Wood is an ideal building material for sustainable architecture. It grows back and absorbs large quantities of CO2. But where does it actually come from in each case, and how will we make forestry and wood processing fit for the future? In what ways are conventional notions of professions and qualifications in architecture, engineering, and construction tested by using wood as building material? French journalist Michele Leloup together with architect Francois Leclercq - a pioneer of timber construction in France - have for a long time explored the ecological, economic, industrial, and technical challenges of using timber for major structures and urban architecture. This book summarises their findings using examples from the French forestry and construction industry. It also takes a look at Austria and the innovative work by Hermann Kaufmann, an internationally revered leader in the further development of traditional timber architecture. In addition, the book features five projects by Leclercq Associes. Richly and attractively illustrated with new images by French architecture photographer Cyrille Weiner, The Wood That Makes Our Cities offers a concise survey of topical questions and findings in contemporary timber construction.

The new edition of this textbook, while largely retaining the proven chapter structure of the previous editions, combines the quantitative, mathematical analysis of the mechanisms of wood processing with practical recommendations and solutions. It presents new theoretical and experimental approaches and offers a clear and systematic overview of the theory of wood cutting, thermal loading in wood-cutting tools, optimum choice of operational parameters, dynamic behavior of tool and workpiece, stability problems in wood machining, energy requirements, the wear process of tools and a unique analysis of surface roughness. In general, diagrams are provided to help quickly estimate various process parameters. As a modern and powerful tool, the process optimization procedure is also included, and amply demonstrated in worked-out examples. In this edition, new and updated material has been added in many sections: roughly a third of the book has been rewritten and a quarter of the figures are new. In addition, many figures have been revised for clarity. The authors are confident that this revised and expanded edition will continue to meet the needs of all those working in the field of wood machining.

In the agriculture, forestry, the primary and secondary wood working industry there are considerable resources of raw materials which can only be used in a rational manner for energetic purposes. Due to requirements from the users. one of the most retinal way of utilization is to make pellets with high density and specific energy content. Making pellets of 6-8 mm diameter, their utilization in furnaces allows an almost fully automated operation with high thermal efficiency. This book describes both the theoretical and practical aspects of pellet production including material requirements and preparation, pressing technologies, quality requirements, burning properties, investments and the overall economy of pellet production.

This book presents the results of an experiment assessing the impact of spruce wood joints on the creation and development of fire when these joints are applied within a facade. The book includes an extensive analysis of wooden cladding, which is a flammable material in which the elements are connected lengthwise using various types of joint. The parameters of the experiment, as well as the setting, material criteria and evaluation criteria are described in detail. The results confirm that the joint type used has an impact on the selected evaluation criteria and thus also on the potential spread of fire.

This book provides an up-to-date overview of the various wood and tree fungi that damage trees, lumber, and timber. Special focus is given to identification, prevention, and remediation techniques, and the book bridges the gap between research and application. It covers the fundamentals of cytology and morphology.

There is a more practical section describing damage by viruses and bacteria on trees. The habitats of wood fungi are described as well as tree care. Important tree pathogens and wood decay fungi are characterized for prevention and identification. The final section focuses on the positive effects of wood-inhabiting microorganisms.

This brief contains information on the reduction of environmental impact and explains how it is a key driver for the R&D of new forest products. The authors, experts in the field, describe how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to assess the environmental impact of such products, e.g. in order to guide R&D or attract investments. The authors describe the main challenges of carrying out LCAs on forest products, make recommendations for managing these challenges, and discuss future research needs. LCA case studies are used to illustrate the challenges, covering a variety of forest products: building components, biofuels, industrial chemicals, textile fibres and clothing. Described challenges include the planning of LCA studies (e.g.how can one use LCA in R&D?), the modelling of product systems (how can one handle multi-functionality and uncertainties related to waste handling and geographical location of future production?) and environmental impact (how can one assess water and land use impact, and the climate impact of biomass?).

This is a book about bubble prices, and their consequences, in the timber industry of the Pacific Northwest from 1979-1984. Bubble prices--unusual and rapid rises (and eventual drops) in the prices of a commodity--have been of theoretical interest to economists for many years. This study examines the unusual movements in the price of federal timber and the subsequent recession in the Northwest when timber buyers delayed harvests in order to postpone the realization of their losses on the contracts. Mattey argues that it was not so much the actions of the Federal Reserve, which had been widely blamed for the crisis, but rather the actions of the buyers themselves that caused the recession.

This handbook describes a range of hand tools and simple muscle-powered machinery appropriate to developing countries where abundant labour can offset the problems of limited funds or unreliable sources of energy for mechanization.

Construction details for a stencil duplicator that can be built using simple woodworking tools, and is easy to use and maintain. Includes templates for use in construction.

Wood is an ideal building material for sustainable architecture. It grows back and absorbs large quantities of CO2. But where does it actually come from in each case, and how will we make forestry and wood processing fit for the future? In what ways are conventional notions of professions and qualifications in architecture, engineering, and construction tested by using wood as building material? French journalist Michele Leloup together with architect Francois Leclercq-a pioneer of timber construction in France-have for a long time explored the ecological, economic, industrial, and technical challenges of using timber for major structures and urban architecture. This book summarises their findings using examples from the French forestry and construction industry. It also takes a look at Austria and the innovative work by Hermann Kaufmann, an internationally revered leader in the further development of traditional timber architecture. In addition, the book features five projects by Leclercq Associes. Richly and attractively illustrated with new images by French architecture photographer Cyrille Weiner, The Wood That Makes Our Cities offers a concise survey of topical questions and findings in contemporary timber construction. Text in French.

Other volumes in the latest edition of Pulp and Paper: Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 3rd Ed. Edited by James P. Casey Volume 1 Contents: Cellulose and Hemicellulose (G.D. McGinnis and F. Shaftzadeh). Lignin (W.G. Glasser). Pulpwood (W.J. Bublitz). Pulping (J.N. McGovern, W.F. Daniell, et al.). Bleaching (V. Loras). Appendix. Index. 1980 Volume 3 Contents: Dry Strength Resins (W.F. Reynolds). Dry Strength Resins (R.B. Wasser). Natural Products for Wet-End Addition (B.T. Hofreiter). Filling and Loading (E. Bohmer). Internal Sizing (J.J. Keavney). Internal Sizing (R.J. Kulick). Retention Chemistry (K.W. Britt). Retention Chemistry (J. E. Unbehend). Wet Strength (K.W. Britt). Dyeing (H.A. Lips). Surface Sizing (M.L. Cushing). Properties of Paper (C.E. Brandon). 1980 Volume 4 Contents: Pigment Coating (C.L. Casey). Printing (M.H. Bruno). Reprography (M, A. Nielsen). Laminating (C.U. Turner). Corrugating (A.J. DiDominias). Corrugating (G.H. Klein). Paper Reinforcement by Polymer Addition (J.F. Waterhouse). Paper Laminates (J.L. Robertson). Aqueous and Solvent Coatings (L.J. Carlson). Extrusion and Hot Melt Coatings (K. Palenik). 1981