NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Applied Forest Genetics and Biotechnology

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During the past decade, there has been an international surge in interest and implementation of high-yield forestry, using plantation-based intensively-managed forests to maximize the volume and value. High-yield forestry provides fiscal benefits to the forest industry by lowering risks and rotation times, providing higher and more quickly realized investment returns. Producing more wood on a smaller landbase is critical to meet the dramatic increase projected for fibre demand and to reduce the ecological footprint of forestry. The BC Ministry of Forests and Ranges Research and Tree Improvement Branches, Canadian Forest Service, and large and small forest industry members including seed and seedling producers, are actively developing, improving, and protecting the newly developed high gain and genetically diverse germplasm for several commercially important BC trees. The focus of this Chairs research program is to create linkages between germplasm developers and operational users to enhance the efficiency of the current tree improvement system by incorporating new innovations including appropriate technologies. There are three primary aims of this proposal: (1) maximizing the efficiency of British Columbias tree improvement programs through the creation of effective, seamless and integrated tree improvement delivery system, (2) developing effective in situ tools for investigating wood quality attributes for their integration into end-product value via tree improvement and silviculture, and (3) application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to seed orchards management and wood quality assessment. This program will train highly qualified personnel needed in the forest industry and the related biological sciences.