Maximizing value of Newfoundland's forest by linking forest and fibre attributes at tree, plot and landscape scales

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The proposed project is designed to maintain and increase competitiveness of the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) forest industry by making better use of wood and fibre resources. Specifically, we aim to develop new inventory tools and methods for modeling and mapping forest attributes linked to fibre properties and to integrate map products with forest management and utilizations processes to support decisions regarding optimal use of the fibre resource in NL. The proposal is a university, industryy, and government partnership of the Université de Sherbrooke and Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, Memorial University of Newfoundland (SWGC), FPInnovations (Paprican Division), Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada (CWFC), Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources (NLDNR), Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (CBPP). Building on an existing Atlantic Innovation F1l1ld Initiative of CBPP, the proposed project has four main objectives aimed toward optimization of the use of wood and fibre resources in NL. Specific objectives are: (1) to model relationships between measured forest attributes and fibre properties; (2) to develop new inventory tools to measure forest attributes related to fibre properties; (3) to map fibre properties across landscapes, and (4) to integrate fibre map products into forest management systems. Knowing where specific fibre properties may be found and improving on existing inventory tools will support concretely better use of the wood and fibre resources which will help to maintain and increase the competitiveness of Newfoundland's forest industry. In addition, the project will further support capacity building initiatives and the development of a graduate student program at SWGC through a concerted effort toward training of undergraduate and graduate students and scientific expertise brought to the project from Université de Sherbrooke researchers.