R&DWorks - October 2019

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October 2019

Dear <<First Name>>,
We are excited to share the latest research supported by FWPA that aims to improve safety, reduce labour costs and boost productivity, from virtual reality assessments to the use of CLT in multi-storey projects.
We also demonstrate initiatives involving collaboration across a number of agricultural industries. The iMapPESTS program will report the presence of particular airborne pests and diseases for forestry, viticulture, grains, sugar, horticulture and cotton.
In addition, we round up relevant international news, including the challenges faced by PNG’s balsa industry and the potential to limit plant stress.
We hope you enjoy this edition.

From the floor up! New opportunities for fibre-managed plantation hardwood in construction

FWPA-supported research has resulted in developing new laminated timber building components for floors. This will provide a diversified range of product options for the growers of an abundance of newly maturing fibre-managed plantation hardwood in Australia.

Eight proposed forest growers investment plans move to next exciting stage of development

FWPA has continued to prepare for the next phase of strategic investment in grower R&D. The plans are intended to increase the value of Australia’s commercial forests through the renewal, growth and sustainability of forestry research.

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Reducing the impact of recently introduced pest

A new research project is seeking to understand the biology and ecology of a recently introduced pest known as giant pine scale on Pinus radiata, to quantify the impact on native ecosystems and timber production in Australia. The research will provide insights to inform future management strategies.

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Industry gears up for ForestTECH conferences in Aus and New Zealand

This November, the Australian and New Zealand forestry communities will descend on ForestTECH 2019, for one of the most significant dates in the industry’s annual calendar

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Industries unite for faster and more accurate detection of forest pathogens

Cross-industry pest surveillance is set to benefit from the development of new diagnostic technology. The aim is to speed up detection of airborne pests and diseases, while reducing the costs associated with their identification.

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“Safety first” – new guidelines for managing Tasmanian plantations on karst terrain

Scientists have developed important new guidelines to ensure appropriate risk-management practices are considered when dealing with the unique features associated with karst terrain. The move demonstrates a renewed commitment to the safety of forest workers.

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Drier forests are more adaptable to rising levels of carbon dioxide, study finds

New research to help determine how well forests are adapting to the rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has shown drier forests are adapting more rapidly than their wetter cousins.

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Ever wondered how plants tell time?

With daylight savings soon approaching, our body ‘clocks’ will soon adjust to the change in environment. Just like humans, plants also have the innate ability to tell the time and coordinate their cellular rhythms to suit different environmental conditions throughout the day.

According to new research, this understanding could support scientists to breed new plant varieties with the ability to better adapt to climate change.

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Balancing the benefits and hazards of coarse woody debris

A recent study examined the effects of timber harvesting and fire on coarse woody debris (CWD) at 48 sites across south-western Western Australia. Findings will be used to provide information that can support forest managers in striking the right balance between reaping the benefits of the presence of this type of debris and mitigating the potential risks.

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3D printing with wood gives green products a boost

3D printing could open up a whole new world of sustainable consumer goods. Clothes, packaging, furniture and personal care products could soon be 3D printed using newly developed wood-based ink, meaning more green products originating from trees could soon hit the market.

Could forestry hold the key to boosting rural development and reducing poverty in the tropics?

The forestry industry could play a vital role in boosting rural development and alleviating poverty in tropical regions, alongside other benefits including positive impacts on conservation and climate change.

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Step back in time and get to know the world's oldest woody plant

Fascinating new research is set to improve our understanding of how and when wood first evolved, by taking a look at the structure and chemistry of the fossilised remains of the earliest known woody plant.

The final frontier? High-tech plants could survive the harshest conditions … including space!

Australian research is taking a look at new ways of enabling plants to fortify themselves against damaging UV rays, allowing them to survive harsher climates here on Earth and perhaps even in space.

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