News from the world of forests

Gene secrets of the tree revealed (BBC News/ForestPress)

The first tree to have its full DNA code unravelled is a poplar. The genome of the black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) was sequenced in a four-year international project led by US institutions. The work, reported in Science journal, shows the poplar tree has far less DNA in its cells than humans or other mammals, but twice the number of genes. Researchers say the new information will be a boon to the understanding of plant biology and evolution.

2006. September 20.

News

Big EU project will increase the value of wood and forests (Nordic Family)

Advanced information technology makes it possible to track timber history from the forest all the way to the final wood product. In addition, productivity can be radically increased. Timber that is not suitable for sawn wood must not end up in a sawmill. The quality and characteristics of timber to be sawn can be exploited for minimizing wastage.

2006. September 19.

Press review

Unasylva - No. 223

An international journal of forestry and forest industries - Vol. 57 2006/1 FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Editor: A. Perlis Editorial Advisory Board Forestry Department: F. Casta?eda, R. Czudek, T. Hofer, D. Kneeland, J.P. Koyo, A. Perlis, L. Russo, M. Uemoto, T. Vahanen, M.L. Wilkie Emeritus Advisers: J. Ball, I.J. Bourke, C. Palmberg-Lerche Regional Advisers: H. Abdel Nour, C. Carneiro, P. Durst, P. Koné, K. Prins

2006. September 18.

Seismic Shock Absorbers For Woodframe Houses (ScienceDaily/ForestPress)

NY – As part of a major international project to design more earthquake-resistant woodframe buildings, an engineer from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will be testing a damping system designed to act as a seismic shock absorber. The dampers, which have never been tested before in wood construction, will be installed inside the walls of a full-scale, 1,800-square-foot townhouse - the world's largest wooden structure to undergo seismic testing on a shake table.

2006. September 16.

Urgent call on carbon emissions (BBC News)

Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced far more quickly than was previously thought, says a climate change research institute. A report by the Tyndall Centre said a UK government target of a 60% cut in emissions by 2050 is insufficient and needs to be 70% by 2030. But it requires a major programme of action within the next four years. It also calls for a climate change bill to commit ministers and business to making the target a reality.

2006. September 15.

Garden finches fall prey to deadly virus (The Times/ForestPress)

BY VALERIE ELLIOTT, COUNTRYSIDE EDITOR HUNDREDS of finches, including greenfinches and chaffinches, are being wiped out by a deadly disease spreading throughout Britain. Wildlife vets are investigating the outbreaks across England, Scotland and Wales, after scores of reports from birdwatchers and householders about mysterious bird deaths in their gardens.

2006. September 14.

Press room

Rural development working conference in Budapest

Confédération Européenne des Propriétaires Forestiers Confederation of European Forest Owners Zentralverband der Europäischen Waldbesitzer Brussels, August 24th 2006 Invitation to the rural development working conference on September 21st /22nd 2006 in Budapest

2006. September 13.

Family forest owners strengthen their international co-operation (Nordic Family/ForestPress)

Representatives of family forest owner organisations gathered to the annual meeting of the International Family Forestry Alliance (IFFA) on September 8th in Helsinki, Finland. They decided to formalize their global co-operation and accepted by-laws for the alliance. The decision strengthens the co-operation which started as an informal network in 2002. The founding members of the new organization come from 20 countries and three continents.

2006. September 13.

Deforestation causes global warming (ForestPress)

Key role for developing countries in fighting greenhouse gas emissions Rome – Most people assume that global warming is caused by burning oil and gas. But in fact between 25 and 30 percent of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere each year – 1.6 billion tonnes – is caused by deforestation.

2006. September 12.

FOREST AGREEMENT TO AID IN BEETLE, FIRE MANAGEMENT (for.gov.bc.ca/ForestPress)

PRINCE GEORGE – A community forest agreement to be issued by the Province will help the City of Prince George better manage the impacts of the mountain pine beetle and the risk of interface fire, Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman announced today.

2006. September 11.

South Africa: Minister to Launch Arbor Week (BuaNews/ForestPRess)

Tshwane – The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is to highlight the importance of trees and their key role towards sustaining livelihoods, as the Department observes this year's Arbor Week from 1-7 September. Minister Lindiwe Hendricks, will officially launch the campaign under the theme "Plant a Tree, Grow our Future" at the Johannesburg Zoo, Friday.

2006. September 10.

Wood and Paper Products Industry (nafi.com.au/ForestPress)

Skills Shortage Audit The forest and forest products industry is confronting significant challenges in terms of finding an adequate number of potential employees with the skills required to meet the industry's expanding and changing needs.

2006. September 10.

Strong increase of ethanol production in Sweden (Nordic Family/ForestPress)

After customs duties on ethanol were introduced this year a great number of production plants are planned all over . Within two years production in may increase by more than 500 %. Swedish production of ethanol will amount to approximately 70 000 m³ in 2006. However, that market is changing quickly and within two years Swedish production may amount to 450 000 m³, i.e. an increase of 540 %. And that is only the beginning. The forecast is that even more factories will be built in coming years. Many different enterprises are involved in various projects all over the country.

2006. September 10.

Finally some optimism in Danish forestry (Nordic Family/ForestPress)

For the first time in many years there are now some reasons for optimism in Danish forestry. Mr Niels Reventlow, Chairman of the Danish Forest Association, points to three main reasons for the new favourable prospects.

2006. September 7.

News

Wood heating and the forest (woodheat.org/ForestPress)

If the destruction of tropical rain forests causes global warming and if planting trees in Canada is a good strategy to control greenhouse gas concentrations, then how can using wood for home heating be justified? Good question. The answer lies in the natural cycle of growth, maturity, decay and re-growth of trees and forests. A healthy forest is not a museum, but a living community of plants and animals.

2006. September 6.

Agreement concerning release of birds in Denmark (ForestPress)

A year long controversy in Denmark now seems to be settled when forest owners, farmers and environment conservation groups have reached an agreement. For centuries forest owners and farmers have released birds, for example pheasants, ducks and partridge, in the nature for hunting purposes. However, in recent times certain organizations and politicians have argued in favour of stopping such activities.

2006. September 5.

Army is logging onto a problem in Bosnia (County Times/ForestPress)

BRITISH soldiers tackling illegal logging in the Balkans are claiming success following a training programme held in Mid Wales, involving BSW Timber. The second Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, the Green Howards, is leading a six-month operation against illegal logging in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and they prepared for the campaign by taking part in a three-day training exercise in Radnorshire.

2006. September 4.

Strongly increasing manufacture of prefabricated wooden houses in Sweden (Nordic Family/ForestPress

The aggregate order book for Swedish manufacturers of wooden houses during the first six months of 2006 increased by 16 % in comparison with the same period in 2005. This is the conclusion of an enquiry made among wooden house manufacturers.

2006. September 4.