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Wood discoloration was investigated in 721 paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) trees from 146 sites across the managed forest of Quebec, Canada. Discoloration was present at breast height in 85% of trees, but its impact was limited in terms of tree basal area and volume, with proportions of 6.4% and 3.6%, respectively. These two measures were strongly correlated. Discoloration changed wood appearance but had no effect on microfibril angle and modulus of elasticity. Discolored wood was nevertheless denser, probably due to the accumulation of colored extractives. Predictive models were also developed and applied to 415 711 paper birch trees from 51689 inventory plots across the province to study regional variation. Higher proportions of discolored basal area were obtained in the southwestern areas of the province where the climate is warmer and drier. In these areas, paper birch trees are larger and, likely, support bigger branches which can cause larger columns of discoloration when broken. Lower proportions were found in eastern regions where snowfall is more abundant. Smaller, more flexible branches in trees growing in these areas could explain this result. This study confirms the feasibility of large-scale mapping of wood discoloration in standing trees based on forest inventory and climate data. Key words: paper birch, wood discoloration, wood properties, regional variation, climate. La coloration du bois a ete etudiee chez 721 tiges de bouleau blanc (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) provenant de 146 sites repartis a travers la foret amenagee du Quebec, au Canada. La coloration etait presente chez 85 % des arbres mais son impact etait faible : elle occupait seulement 6,4 % de la surface terriere et 3,6 % du volume des tiges. Ces deux variables etaient etroitement correlees. La coloration a modifie l'apparence du bois mais n'a eu aucun effet sur l'angle des microfibrilles ni sur le module d'elasticite. Le bois colore est neanmoins plus dense, vraisemblablement a cause de l'accumulation de matieres extractibles colorees. Des modeles de prediction ont egalement ete elabores et appliques a 415 711 tiges de bouleau blanc provenant de 51689 parcelles d'inventaire reparties a travers la province pour etudier la variation regionale. De plus grandes proportions de surface terriere de bois colore ont ete obtenues dans les regions du sud-ouest de la province oU le climat est plus chaud et plus sec. Dans ces regions, les tiges de bouleau blanc sont plus grosses et supportent probablement de plus grosses branches qui peuvent causer de plus grandes colonnes de coloration lorsqu'elles cassent. De plus faibles proportions de coloration ont ete trouvees dans les regions de l'est oU les chutes de neige sont plus abondantes. Le fait que les arbres croissant dans ces regions aient des branches plus petites et plus flexibles pourrait expliquer ce resultat. Cette etude confirme que la cartographie de la coloration a grande echelle dans les arbres sur pied est realisable a partir de donnees d'inventaire forestier et du climat. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: bouleau blanc, coloration du bois, proprietes du bois, variation regionale, climat., Introduction Paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) is one of the most abundant hardwood species in Canada with a natural range from eastern to western coast (Safford et al. 1990). In [...]

We use a dynamic, global computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to capture the economic impacts of internet adoption, modeled through reduced demand in the newsprint and printing and writing paper (pulp and paper) industries. Global newsprint consumption is estimated to fall dramatically by 2030. We rely on estimates from another study that captures the change in global pulp and paper consumption using the global forest products model (GFPM), based on two scenarios: (i) full per capita internet adoption by 2100 and (ii) more rapid full internet adoption by 2050. We incorporate reductions in pulpwood consumption into a global multiregional dynamic CGE model to estimate economy- wide impacts in Canadian provinces, the United States, and the rest of the world. Results indicated that the year 2050 internet adoption scenario would result in a reduction in cumulative discounted gross domestic product (GDP) by as much as 17% in some regions of Canada, reduce GDP by 5.8% in the United States, and increase GDP by 3.3% in the rest of the world from 2006 to 2030. These findings highlight the costs of internet adoption, leaving net benefit analysis of adoption to future work. Key words: internet adoption, pulp and paper, computable general equilibrium, global impacts. Nous avons utilise un modele d'equilibre general calculable (EGC) dynamique et mondial pour saisir les repercussions economiques de l'adoption de l'Internet, modelisees selon la reduction de la demande dans l'industrie du papier journal et des papiers d'impression et d'ecriture (pates et papiers). On estime que la consommation mondiale de papier journal chutera dramatiquement d'ici 2030. Nous nous appuyons sur les estimations d'une autre etude qui saisit le changement de la consommation mondiale des pates et papiers en utilisant le modele mondial des produits forestiers sur la base de deux scenarios : l'adoption de l'Internet par tous les habitants (i) d'ici 2100 et (ii) plus rapidement, soit d'ici 2050. Nous avons inclus les reductions de consommation de bois de pate dans un modele mondial et multiregional d'EGC dynamique pour estimer les impacts sur l'ensemble de l'economie dans les provinces canadiennes, les Etats-Unis et le reste du monde. Les resultats demontrent que le scenario d'adoption de l'Internet d'ici 2050 aurait pour consequence une reduction du PIB cumule actualise de pres de 17 % dans certaines regions du Canada et de 5,8 % aux Etats-Unis ainsi qu'une augmentation de 3,3 % du PIB dans le reste du monde entre 2006 et 2030. Ces conclusions mettent en evidence les couts de l'adoption de l'Internet laissant l'analyse des benefices nets de l'adoption a des recherches ulterieures. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: adoption de l'Internet, pates et papier, equilibre general calculable, impacts mondiaux., 1. Introduction The demand for newspaper and other print media has begun to decline worldwide after decades of growth (see Fig. 1). This reduction can potentially be attributed to a [...]

We analyze the total factor productivity (TFP) of the pulp and paper industry in three Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec) and in three United States (US) states that are contiguously located south of the border (Washington, Illinois, and Maine) over the period of 1971 to 2005. We find that the industry in the three Canadian provinces had much higher TFP growth rates in the era following the Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 1988. In terms of productivity level, this relative TFP surge allowed the industry in Ontario and British Columbia to move ahead of Illinois and Washington, respectively; however, Quebec trailed further Maine, which is the overall leader in the sample. Our results in this particular case reveal that the Canadian pulp and paper industry did not contribute to the overall Canada-US productivity gap. Key words: total factor productivity, income convergence, pulp and paper industry, Free-Trade Agreement (FTA), productivity puzzle. Nous avons analyse la productivity totale des facteurs (PTF) de l'industrie des pates et papiers dans trois provinces canadiennes (Colombie-Britannique, Ontario et Quebec) et trois etats americains situes immediatement au sud de la frontiere (Washington, Illinois et Maine) pour la periode de 1971 a 2005. Nous avons remarque que l'industrie dans les trois provinces canadiennes avait un taux de croissance de la PTF bien plus elevee pour la periode suivant l'Accord de libre -echange signe en 1988. En ce concerne le niveau de productivite, l'augmentation relative de la PTF a permis a l'industrie de l'Ontario et de la Colombie-Britannique de devancer respectivement l'lllinois et Washington; cependant le Quebec accuse toujours un certain retard sur le Maine qui est le chef de file dans notre echantillon. Dans ce cas particulier, nos resultats revelent que l'industrie canadienne des pates et papiers ne contribue pas a l'ecart global de productivite entre le Canada et les Etats -Unis. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : productivite totale des facteurs, convergence des revenus, industrie des pates et papier, Accord de libre-echange, casse-tete de la productivite., 1. Introduction 'Canada has a serious productivity growth problem. The statistical evidence is unambiguous and of long standing.' (1) Real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita increased at a slightly [...]

Better pulp quality control, especially relating to product sheet strength, can offer an important means to improve the market superiority of a pulp. However, aside from lignin content, few pulp properties can be easily measured in a timely manner for process control. The present report proves a principle on a novel Raman system and a systematic chemometric approach, allowing for rapid spectral data acquisition and definitive spectrochemical analysis of wet pulp under harsh manufacturing conditions. By incorporating sophisticated chemometrics strategies that combine wavelet transform with a tem-plate-oriented genetic algorithm feature selection and partial least squares multivariate classification, this instrument system extracts maximum analytical information from raw Raman spectra to accurately predict the physicomechanical properties of sheet products. Our work has tested and refined these routines by drawing upon the systematic analysis of 26 bleached soft-wood kraft pulps formulated to yield challenges representative of those encountered in common pulp fibre and sheet analyses. Satisfactory calibration results suggest that a Raman gauge can be developed that has the capacity to continuously assay pulp to predict the physicomechanical properties of sheet paper in real time. Un meilleur controle de la qualite de la pate, particulierement en lien avec la solidite du papier en feuille, peut of-frir un moyen important pour augmenter la superiorite de la pate sur le marche. Cependant, mis a part la teneur en lignine, peu de proprietes de la pate peuvent etre facilement mesurees assez rapidement pour la commande de processus. Cet article demontre le principe d'un nouveau systeme Raman et d'une approche chimiometrique systematique qui permet l'acquisition rapide de donnees spectrales et l'analyse spectrochimique definitive de la pate humide dans des conditions de fabrication difficiles. En incorporant des strategies sophistiquees de chimiometrique qui combinent la transformation en ondelettes avec la selection de caracteristiques au moyen d'algorithmes genetiques bases sur un gabarit et la classification multivariee par les moindres carres partiels, ce systeme instrumental extrait un maximum d'information analytique a partir des spectres bruts de Raman pour predire avec precision les proprietes physicomecaniques du papier en feuille. Nous avons teste et raffine ces routines en se basant sur l'analyse de 26 pates kraft blanchies de resineux formulees de maniere a offrir des defis representa-tifs de ceux que l'on rencontre dans l'analyse courante des pates de fibre et du papier en feuille. Des resultats de calibration satisfaisants indiquent qu'il est possible de mettre au point une jauge Raman capable de tester en continue la pate pour predire les proprietes physicochimiques du papier en feuille en temps reel. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Raman spectroscopy offers a unique means to rapidly measure pulp fibre properties and processing-related changes in these properties, nondestructively, with little or no sample preparation and little sensitivity to [...]

This paper studies substitution between main categories of imported pulp and paper products and between imported and domestic pulp and paper products in the US market. A restricted translog subcost function approach was employed to derive the elasticity of substitution. The results suggest that Canadian pulp and paper products are competitive and have maintained their competitiveness in the US market, and therefore, the challenges faced by the Canadian pulp and paper industry are not because of the loss of its product competitiveness but are due to other reasons such as declining demand for paper products in the United States. It seems that if the Canadian pulp and paper industry wants to retain its dominant position in the world market place, it will have to create global reach and develop new markets. Cet article s'interesse a la substitution entre les principales categories de produits de pates et papiers et entre les produits de pates et papiers importes et domestiques sur le marche americain. Une approche basee sur une fonction translog restreinte de sous-cout a ete utilisee pour determiner l'elasticite de substitution. Les resultats indiquent que les produits de pates et papiers canadiens sont competitifs, qu'ils ont maintenu leur competitivite sur le marche americain et que les defis rencontres par l'industrie canadienne des pates et papiers ne sont pas dus a une perte de competitivite de ses produits mais plutot a d'autres facteurs tels que la diminution de la demande pour les produits du papier aux Etats-Unis. Il semble que si l'industrie canadienne des pates et papiers desire maintenir sa position dominante sur le marche mondial, elle devra adopter une perspective globale et developper de nouveaux marches. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction The Canadian pulp and paper products industry is a cornerstone of the Canadian economy and one of the major contributors to Canadian exports. Any deterioration in the performance of [...]

Red heartwood, a dark nonhomogenous discolouration in paper birch trees ( Marsh.), limits the applications and uses of sawn boards to nonvisible low-value products, thus resulting in substantial value loss. The occurrence and distribution of red heartwood were investigated in 12 paper birch trees grown in the province of Quebec, Canada. The youngest tree was 62 years old at breast height and the oldest 86 years old for an average of 75 years old. In this study, 225 occurrences of external traits, relating to branch scars and forks, previously proposed as initiation points for red heartwood were identified and measured. The distribution of red heartwood was digitally mapped and the effect of these external traits on the red heartwood surface and shape inside each tree was examined. Results show that red heartwood initiates from an external trait and that multiple external traits can contribute to the development of a red heartwood column following the longitudinal axis of the stem. Red heartwood appeared to initiate mainly from external traits at the base of the tree. A modelling exercise indicated that the width of the red heartwood column inside a standing tree can be estimated from branch scar width and height from the ground. Tree vigour could not be linked to the proportion of red heartwood inside standing trees. A three-dimensional analysis of log shape could potentially be used to detect red heartwood presence in a log before processing to optimize the log sawing pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased soil cohesion or reinforcement provided by roots varies among plant species and soil types. This study compared the contribution of paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) roots to soil shear resistance in two controlled environment experiments. Roots of paper birch and lodgepole pine trees contributed to a significant increase in soil shear resistance, regardless of soil type. At a shear depth of 0.20 to 0.44 m, paper birch contributed greater reinforcement than lodgepole pine. Both birch and pine provided the most root reinforcement in coarse-textured soil and the least reinforcement in medium-textured silt soil. Soil texture, porosity, and shear strength may have affected root branching of the two species, which in turn may have affected root reinforcement. At less than 1 year of age, paper birch trees planted as plugs can substantially increase soil shear strength compared with lodgepole pine in all soil types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five years after spacing a young, 11 m tall paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) stand, we examine relationships between growth of understory white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.), and level of birch retention. Our objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of selected measures of competition for estimating the effects of the residual birch and to evaluate the influence of residual birch densities on growth responses of naturally regenerated subalpine fir and white spruce. Basal area of Scouler willow (Salix scouler iana Barratt) and birch were found to effectively predict light transmittance (diffuse noninterceptance). The best models for predicting 4-year volume growth of subalpine fir and white spruce incorporate initial crown volume of the subject trees and transmittance as independent variables. Lorimer's index and Hegyi's index gave similar results to those obtained using basal area and transmittance, suggesting that there is little benefit in including measurements of proximity in a competition index. For both species, the correlation between basal area increment and light was substantially stronger than observed for volume increment. However, height increment of both subalpine fir and spruce was only weakly correlated with measured light levels. The ratio of height increment to volume increment decreased with both increasing initial height and transmittance for subalpine fir and white spruce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological growth in production and efficient utilization of input factors are the two biggest contributors to total factor productivity (TFP). TFP of the four major forest industries (logging, pulp and paper, sawmill, and veneer and plywood industries) of Ontario are compared by analyzing their production structures using duality theory in production and costs. The study uses annual data of output and four inputs--labour, capital, energy and materials--from 1967 to 2003. Different restrictions on the translog cost function are applied to each industry to determine the cost function that best describes each industry's technology, which is further used to estimate Morishima elasticities of substitution, ownprice and cross-price elasticities, rate of technological change, and TFP. The production structure of sawmill and veneer and plywood industries is found to be linear homogeneous and homothetic, and that of logging and pulp and paper industries is non-homothetic. Further, Hicks neutral technological change for all four industries is rejected, indicating that the production structure in all four industries is biased in favour of certain inputs and against others. This suggests that policies that improve the efficiency of each industry should focus on input-saving factors of that industry, thereby improving its competitive position. Resume: Le progres technologique dans la production et l'utilisation efficace des intrants sont les deux elements qui contribuent le plus a la productivite globale des facteurs (PGF). La PGF de quatre grandes industries forestieres (exploitation forestiere, pates et papiers, sciage ainsi que placages et contreplaques) de l'Ontario est comparee en analysant leur structure de production et en utilisant la theorie de la dualite dans la production et les couts. L'etude utilise les donnees annuelles de production et de quatre intrants--la main-d'oeuvre, le capital, l'energie et les matieres premieres--de 1967 a 2003. La fonction de cout translog de chaque industrie est restreinte de differentes facons afin de determiner la fonction de cout qui decrit le mieux la technologie de chaque industrie. Cette fonction est ensuite utilisee pour evaluer les elasticite s de substitution de Morishima, les elasticites-prix et les elasticites-prix croises, le taux de changement technologique et la PGF. Les structures de production de l'industrie du sciage et de l'industrie des placages et contreplaques sont lineaires homogenes et homothetiques alors que celles de l'industrie de l'exploitation forestiere et de l'industrie des pates et papiers ne sont pas homothetiques. De plus, il n'y a pas de progres technique neutre au sens de Hicks dans les quatre industries, indiquant que leur structure de production favorise certains inputs et en neglige d'autres. Ces resultats indiquent que les politiques visant a ameliorer l'efficacite de chaque industrie devraient se concentrer sur les mesures d'economie specifiques aux intrants que privilegie chaque industrie et ainsi ameliorer leur position concurrentielle. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction With over 72 million hectares of forest land, representing 16% of Canada's total estimated forests, the province of Ontario is a critical contributor to Canada's forest products industries (Ontario [...]

Organizers International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Working Group 8.01.06 (Boreal and Alpine Forest Ecosystem Unit), co-sponsored by Working Groups 7.03.07 (Population Dynamics of Forest Insects) and 7.03.05 (Ecology [...]

Abstract: Normal paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) wood has a clear and uniform color. However, some paper birch trees contain reddish-brown-, discolored wood known as red heartwood. Its occurrence, proportion, [...]

Procurement for forest companies with pulp and paper mills aims to ensure that a sufficient volume of wood supply enters the production process. Numerous suppliers and contract types are available; however, their selection is a complex decision for procurement managers. In addition, managers typically dedicate a portion of their wood fiber demand to each group of suppliers, which is referred to as a portfolio strategy. Despite the available literature in contract selection, the consideration of contract types and their characteristics have not been addressed for the complex procurement process. In this study, a mixed-integer optimization model is proposed to best select contracts for pulp and paper procurement. The challenge was to plan deliveries in each time period to satisfy the demand of raw material at the mills. The potential of this model is demonstrated with a case study based on characteristics from a forest company in Quebec, Canada. A comparison between traditional fixed and flexible contracts is presented. Different portfolio strategies are also evaluated for groups of suppliers to investigate potential improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The decay of coarse woody debris is a key component in the formation of forest soil and in the biogeochemical cycles of Ca and Mg. We tracked changes in [...]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although stakeholders' participation in forest management helps overcome problems and conflicts that prevent sustainable solutions, different approaches and nomenclature for similar contents in the literature hinder theoretical progress on the topic. This study organises existing information through a bibliometric analysis of scientific papers from the last 30 years (1991–2021) on sustainable forest management, focusing on the stakeholders' participation. Results demonstrate that stakeholders' participation in sustainable forest management gained relevance from 2017 onwards. Case studies are predominant (66%) and six major trends were identified. The first emphasises a systemic approach to participation. The second updates the community management discussion. The third studies historical problems related to the use of resources, rights, and services. The fourth focuses on regional assessments and studies. The fifth concerns assessment, decision-making, and planning, including issues related to certifications and policies. The sixth discusses innovation related to adaptation, climate change, equity, and resilience. The studies included in this last classification are problem-solving-oriented and seek new forest management. Although important, the role of innovation in stakeholders' participation in sustainable forest management is overlooked, which constitutes an avenue for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Procurement for forest companies with pulp and paper mills aims to ensure that a sufficient volume of wood supply enters the production process. Numerous suppliers and contract types are available; however, their selection is a complex decision for procurement managers.In addition, managers typically dedicate a portion of their wood fiber demand to each group of suppliers, which is referred to as a portfolio strategy. Despite the available literature in contract selection, the consideration of contract types and their characteristics have not been addressed for the complex procurement process. In this study, a mixed-integer optimization model is proposed to best select contracts for pulp and paper procurement. The challenge was to plan deliveries in each time period to satisfy the demand of raw material at the mills. The potential of this model is demonstrated with a case study based on characteristics from a forest company in Quebec, Canada. A comparison between traditional fixed and flexible contracts is presented. Different portfolio strategies are also evaluated for groups of suppliers to investigate potential improvements. Key words: contract selection, procurement, mixed-integer programming, pulp and paper, supplier portfolio strategy. Resume : L'approvisionnement des compagnies forestieres qui produisent des pates et papiers vise a garantir qu'un volume suffisant de bois entre dans le processus de production. Plusieurs fournisseurs et types de contrat sont disponibles. Cependant, leur selection est une decision complexe pour les responsables de l'approvisionnement. De plus, les gestionnaires assurent habituellement a chaque groupe de fournisseurs une partie de la demande en bois, pratiquant ainsi une strategie de portefeuille. Malgre la documentation disponible sur la selection de contrat, les types de contrat et leurs caracteristiques ne sont pas pris en compte dans le processus complexe d'approvisionnement. Dans cette etude, un modele d'optimisation mixte en nombres entiers est propose pour mieux selectionner les contrats d'approvisionnement pour les pates et papiers. Le defi consistait a planifier les livraisons a chaque periode afin de satisfaire la demande en matieres premieres des usines. Le potentiel de ce modele est demontre par une etude de cas sur la base des caracteristiques d'une entreprise forestiere au Quebec (Canada). Une comparaison entre les contrats traditionnels fixes et les contrats flexibles est presentee. Differentes strategies de portefeuille sont egalement evaluees pour des groupes de fournisseurs afin d'etudier les ameliorations potentielles. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : selection de contrat, approvisionnement, programmation mixte en nombres entiers, pates et papier, strategie de portefeuille de fournisseurs., Introduction Procurement planning for a pulp and paper company (PPC) includes the selection and management of a set of supplier contracts. Many challenges in the relationship between a PPC and [...]

Analyzes the productivity and efficiency in the Canadian pulp and paper industry using input distance function and index number methods. Managerial and policy implications of productivity growth; Components of productivity growth; Contribution of output scale effects, capital disequilibrium to the industry.

Remnant populations of Betula papyrifera Marshall have persisted in the Great Plains after the Wisconsin Glaciation along the Niobrara River Valley, Nebraska. Population health has declined in recent years, which has been hypothesized to be due to climate change. We used dendrochronological techniques to assess the response of B.papyrifera to microclimate (1950–2014) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from satellite imagery (Landsat 5 TM (1985–2011) and MODIS (2000–2014)) as a proxy for population health. Growing-season streamflow and precipitation were positively correlated with raw and standardized tree-ring widths and basal area increment increase. Increasing winter and spring temperatures were unfavorable for tree growth, while increasing summer temperatures were favorable in the absence of drought. The strongest predictor for standardized tree rings was the Palmer Drought Severity Index, suggesting that B.papyrifera is highly responsive to a combination of temperature and water availability. The NDVI from the vegetation community was positively correlated with standardized tree-ring growth, indicating the potential of these techniques to be used as a proxy for ex situ monitoring of B.papyrifera. These results aid in forecasting the dynamics of the species in the face of climate variability and change in both remnant populations and across its current distribution in northern latitudes of North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies new wood-based products with considerable potential and attractive markets, including textiles, liquid biofuels, platform chemicals, plastics, and packaging. We apply a mixed-methods review to examine how the position of the forest industry in a given value chain determines the respective production value. An assessment is provided as to the degree to which these emerging wood-based products could compensate for the foreseen decline of graphic paper markets in four major forest industry countries: USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. A 1%-2% market share in selected global markets implies a potential increase in revenues of 18-75 billion euros per annum in the four selected countries by 2030. This corresponds to 10%-43% of the production value of forest industries in 2016 and compares with a projected decline of graphic paper industry revenue of 5.5 billion euros by 2030. The respective impacts on wood use are manifold, as many of the new products utilize by-products as feedstock. The increase in primary wood use, which is almost entirely attributed to construction and to some extent textiles markets, would be in the range of 15-133 million [m.sup.3], corresponding to 2%-21% of the current industrial round-wood use in the selected countries.Key words: bioeconomy, competitiveness, forest industry, new wood-based products, value chain.Cette etude identifie de nouveaux produits a base de bois ayant un grand potentiel de developpement ainsi que des marches attrayants, tels que les textiles, les biocarburants liquides, les produits chimiques porteurs, les plastiques et les emballages. Nous avons utilise une revue des methodes mixtes pour analyser comment la position de l'industrie forestiere dans une chaine de valeur donnee determine la production de valeur pour les produits selectionnes. On presente une evaluation des chances que ces nouveaux produits puissent compenser le declin envisage dans le marche du papier graphique dans quatre principaux pays producteurs de bois: les Etats-Unis, le Canada, la Suede et la Finlande. Une augmentation de 1 a 2 % des parts de marche dans des secteurs precis represente un gain potentiel de revenus de 18 a 75 milliards d'euros par annee d'ici 2030, et ce pour les quatre pays. Cela represente 10 a 43 % de la valeur de la production des industries forestieres en 2016 comparativement a une diminution projetee des revenus de 5,5 milliards d'euros pour l'industrie du papier graphique d'ici 2030. Les impacts respectifs sur l'utilisation du bois sont nombreux, puisque plusieurs de ces nouveaux produits utilisent des sous- produits du bois comme matiere premiere. L'augmentation de l'utilisation primaire du bois, qui est presque entierement attribuable a la construction et jusqu'a un certain point aux marches du textile, representerait 15 a 133 milliards [m.sup.3], ce qui represente 2 a 21 % de l'utilisation actuelle du bois pour la transformation industrielle dans les pays selectionnes. [Traduit par la Redaction]Mots-cles: bioeconomie, competitivite, industrie forestiere, nouveaux produits du bois, chaine de valeur., 1. IntroductionThe 17 global sustainable development goals (United Nations (UN) 2015a) and the Paris climate agreement (UN 2015b) set internationally recognized goals that require transforming towards more sustainable business practices. [...]

Tree detection and canopy area measurement are important and difficult tasks in forest inventory, which are important for understanding forest stand structure. This study utilized remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) aerial photography technology to collect remote sensing images of forests in Xiong County, China, creating a dataset comprising 1200 images of six tree species. Based on this dataset, the paper proposes an optimized model, Att-Mask R-CNN, for canopy detection and segmentation. Att-Mask R-CNN outperforms the original models (Mask R-CNN and MS R-CNN) by achieving 65.29% mean average precision for detection, 80.44% mean intersection over union for segmentation, and 90.67% overall recognition rate for the six tree species. In addition, a pixel statistics method based on segmentation masks is introduced for estimating the vertical projected area of individual tree crowns, and comparisons between the measured and predicted vertical projected area of the crowns of six tree species (100 trees of each class) show an overall goodness-of-fit R2 of 85% and a relative root-mean-square error rRMSE of 12.81%. By using remote sensing images from RPAs and optimizing existing deep learning models, the detection and segmentation of individual tree canopies can be achieved, resulting in a more accurate understanding of forest structure, which provides scientific support for forest management and resource monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Yield tables are used to identify trends in growing space efficiency (GSE) and to relate GSE to self-tolerance and intraspecific competition. The method is useful when data specifically collected for this purpose are not available. Plonski's normal yield tables for jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marshall), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) are used. An exponential volume-age function was partitioned into volume-area and area-age functions. The exponents of these two components form the B/D ratio, which is used to determine the mode of the stand at a given time, e.g., if B/D is <3/2, then the stand is in area occupation mode, and if B/D is >3/2, then the stand is in area exploitation mode. The dominant mode is the one most responsive to availability of growth resources, showing greater acceleration when resources are plentiful and more rapid deceleration when resources are scarce. Jack pine and paper birch are identified as area occupiers, whereas trembling aspen and black spruce are area exploiters and are therfore self-tolerant. Asymmetric competition was deemed to be present for paper birch throughout the life of the stand on site class I and for trembling aspen on all sites prior to senescence. Les tables de production sont utilisées pour identifier les tendances de l'efficacité à utiliser l'espace de croissance (EEC) et pour relier l'EEC à l'auto-tolérance et à la compétition intraspécifique. La méthode est utile lorsque des données spécifiquement récoltées à cette fin ne sont pas disponibles. Les tables normales de production de Plonski pour le pin gris (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), le bouleau à papier (Betula papyrifera Marshall), le peuplier faux-tremble (Populus tremuloides Michx.) et l'épinette noire (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) ont été utilisées. Une fonction exponentielle reliant le volume à l'âge a été séparée en fonctions reliant le volume à la surface et la surface à l'âge. Les exposants de ces deux composantes forment le rapport entre B et D qui est utilisé pour déterminer le mode du peuplement à un temps donné; p. ex. si B/D est plus petit que 3/2, le peuplement est dans un mode d'occupation de la surface et, si B/D est plus grand que 3/2, le peuplement est dans un mode d'exploitation de la surface. Le mode dominant est celui qui réagit le plus à la disponibilité des ressources qui supportent la croissance; il est associé à une plus forte accélération quand les ressources sont abondantes et à une plus forte décélération lorsque les ressources sont rares. Le pin gris et le bouleau à papier sont identifiés comme des occupants de la surface alors que le peuplier faux-tremble et l'épinette noire sont des exploitants et sont, par conséquent, auto-tolérants. Nous avons jugé qu'une compétition asymétrique était présente dans le cas du bouleau à papier tout au long de la vie d'un peuplement établi sur une station de qualité I et, dans le cas du peuplier, sur toutes les stations avant la période de sénescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between forest stand composition in southern interior British Columbia and fluorescent pseudomonad bacteria populations was investigated using seedling bioassays. The objectives of this study were to (i) compare the relative population sizes of fluorescent pseudomonads baited from soils in pure paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), pure Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and mixed stands of the two species and (ii) determine if fluorescent pseudomonads from these soils have inhibitory effects against the root pathogen Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink in vitro. Soil from birch stands supported four times more pseudomonads on seedling baits than soil from Douglas-fir stands, with the mixed stands intermediate. Soil from young stands yielded twice as many rhizosphere pseudomonads as soil from mature stands. Pseudomonad population size was positively correlated with percent cover and density of birch, and negatively correlated with basal area of Douglas-fir, percent cover of Douglas-fir, and carbon/nitrogen ratio of the soil. Greater than 50% of the fluorescent isolates reduced radial growth of A. ostoyae by more than 20% and greater than 90% reduced biomass of the fungus in dual culture tests. Cell-free bacterial culture filtrates added to the growth medium also reduced growth of A. ostoyae. This study provides evidence that paper birch provides a more favorable environment for fluorescent pseudomonads than Douglas-fir and suggests a mechanism by which paper birch can positively influence the susceptibility of managed forest stands to Armillaria root disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the boreal forest, establishment of tree regeneration is tightly linked to both mast years and the availability of adequate germination beds for seedlings. We took advantage of a mast year (2006) in the eastern boreal mixedwood to compare seedling establishment in 2007 and seedling survival 2 and 4 years later on sections of fallen logs and equivalent areas of adjacent forest floor. Several factors that could explain establishment of seedlings on logs were measured, including wood resistance, density, moisture content, and C/N ratio. Our results show that small-seeded species, such as white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), establish preferentially on logs whereas balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), a relatively large-seeded species, establishes more often on the forest floor. Using logistic regressions, we confirmed that the probability of seedling establishment on logs declines with wood resistance, while the survival probability is inversely proportional to stand deciduous basal area. Survival rate was similar for seedlings established on the forest floor and on logs. However, none of the white birch seedlings established on the forest floor in 2007 were alive by 2011. Even following an exceptional mast year, log occurrence in eastern mixedwood stands would not suffice to obtain adequate white spruce stocking levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which altered growth and fine chemistry of Betula papyrifera and Acer saccharum under elevated carbon dioxide. Method of the study; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Precommercial thinning could be a valuable tool for climate change adaptation, as it can promote stand diversity while increasing productivity. Softwood and hardwood stands are usually thinned following different methods, and we lack recommendations for application in mixedwood stands. We evaluated the effects of precommercial thinning on the growth and composition of balsam fir (Abies balsameaL.)–birch stands dominated by paper and yellow birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh. and Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), comparing methods and production objectives (systematic release-softwood, systematic release-mixedwood, crop-tree release-mixedwood, and crop-tree release-hardwood) in Québec (Canada). Precommercial thinning increased tree-level and stand-level growth, especially for both birches. Compared to the non-thinned control, thinning increased tree diameter at breast height annual increments by 60%–107%, with similar results among modalities. Thinning changed initial stand composition, but mixedwood production plots composition was similar to that of the control 15 years after treatment. Promoting diversity is often perceived to be made at the expense of wood production. Our results suggest that we can obtain both increased growth and maintain diversity. Precommercial thinning is currently suggested as an adaptation tool that can foster drought resistance. Based on our study, we suggest it could serve another purpose in climate-adapted forest management, that is, maintaining diversity and thus increasing resilience to disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article refers to the papers selected in 16th International Boreal Forest Research Association Conference on boreal forests that was held in Edmonton, Alberta, from October 8?10, 2013 along with a list of guest editors including Philip Comeau, Susan Conard and Werner Kurz.

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Reports on the measured rates of decomposition at three sites representing the major mixedwood forest types of British Columbia: (i) boreal forests of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), (ii) coastal forests of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.), and (iii) a wet interior forest of Douglas-fir, paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Doug. ex Loud.). Mass loss of litter of each species (both pure and in combination with the other species) that was measured in forests of each species to determine (i) if broadleaf litter decomposed faster than needle litter, (ii) if litter decomposed faster in broadleaf or mixedwood forests than in coniferous forests, and (iii) if mixing with broadleaf hastened decomposition of needle litter; Broadleaf litters that decomposed faster than needles during the first year but, thereafter, decomposed more slowly; Litter that tended to decompose faster in the broadleaf forests than in the coniferous forests; No evidence to indicate that the addition of broadleaf litter hastened decomposition of needle litter; Results that indicate that the mixing of needle litter with broadleaf litter is unlikely to hasten decomposition in mixedwood forests of British Columbia.

Reports on the incubation of forest floor samples from a three tree species (Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.), and paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.)). Rates of N mineralization in the forest floors of Douglas-fir that was significantly greater than either birch or lodgepole pine; Douglas-fir forest floors that also mineralized more N per unit of either N or C than the other species; Nitrogen mineralization rates that were positively correlated with the N concentration of the forest floor; Nitrogen concentration of foliar litter that were poor predictors of N mineralization rates resulting from Douglas-fir litter having the lowest N concentrations in litter but the highest rates of net N mineralization in the forest floor; Nitrogen mineralization in the forest floor that was negatively correlated with the lignin concentration in foliar litter; Douglas-fir litter that had low lignin concentrations, which may allow more of the mineralized N to remain in inorganic forms rather than being bound in humus; Results that suggest that a component of Douglas-fir might improve N availability in coniferous forest floors.

This paper reviews and discusses the main features of biological invasion by plants and the assisted migration theory referencing a critical common factor—belowground ecology. The risk of a plant becoming invasive and the potential failure of assisted migration programs depend on the presence or absence of soil microorganisms that regulate key ecosystem processes and mitigate adverse environmental conditions. This biotic interaction should be considered in the selection of sites for afforestation programs since it is as important as temperature and precipitation regarding conservation decisions, and assisted migration practices in response to climate change. Fungal species should be determined and included in climate change mitigation programs to avoid disease outbreaks and ensure the presence of beneficial mutualistic species in sites selected for assisted migration. Plants considered for assisted migration should pose a low risk of becoming invasive for having establishment difficulties per se. However, the real threat is that they may displace other species, introduce pathogens, or trigger disease outbreaks in introduction sites that nullify assisted migration efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing interest in mixed conifer-broadleaf stands as a way to increase the diversity and productivity of managed forests. This study examined the impacts of varying densities of planted broadleaf trees on conifer performance, total stand productivity, and understory plant cover 20 years after stand establishment. The study took place in the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. It used a randomized complete block design to compare treatments containing low, moderate, or high broadleaf densities added to a constant conifer density. Each block contained a conifer-only plot as a control. Conifers were composed of equal amounts of western hemlock, western redcedar, and Douglas-fir. Broadleaves were composed of either red alder or paper birch. We found that conifer volume was significantly lower in most broadleaf treatments relative to the control, due to lower hemlock and redcedar volumes. Douglas-fir, on the other hand, had a higher volume—albeit not significant—in the broadleaf treatments. There were no significant differences in total stand volume between any of the treatments and the control. Shrub cover was significantly higher in the low and high alder treatments relative to the control, but there were no differences in shrub cover between birch treatments and the control. The results suggest that low alder density provides a good balance of conifer yield and understory development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) epidemic in interior Alaska is leaving large expanses of dead spruce with little spruce regeneration. Many of these areas are habitat for moose(Alces alces). To establish spruce regeneration and improve browse production for moose, paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh), willow (Salix spp.), and three stocktypes (plug+1 bareroot, and 1+0 plugs fromtwo nurseries) of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were planted in freshly cutover areas on Fort Richardson, near Anchorage. Four vegetation-management treatments were compared: broadcast site preparation with herbicides, banded site preparation with herbicides, mechanical scarification, and untreated control. Spruce seedlings had the greatest growth in the broadcast site preparation treatment (p < 0.01). Stocktype was the most important factor in spruce growth, with bareroot transplant seedlings being the tallest and largest 5 years after planting (p < 0.001). In the first 3 years, relative stem volume growth was greater for plug seedlings than for bareroot seedlings (p < 0.001). By year 4, relative growth rates were similar among all stocktypes. Treatment effects for paper birch and willow were confoundedby moose browsing. Results indicate spruce can be regenerated and moose browse enhanced simultaneously in forests in interior Alaska. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1996 we initiated a study to evaluate several techniques for measuring light under broadleaf canopies. Hourly average photosynthetic photon flux density and percent transmittance were measured 1 m above the ground at four points in each of three canopy densities created by a spacing experiment in a 35-year-old paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) dominated stand located near Prince George, B.C. At each point, fisheye photographs were taken and LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer (LAI-2000), spherical densiometer, and competition index (Lorimer'sindex) measurements were made. Percent transmittance measurements onan overcast day (1-h average), transmittance measured over periods of 3 h or longer on a clear day, LAI-2000 diffuse noninterceptance measurements, and gap light index determined from fisheye photographs were strongly correlated with growing season percent transmittance (r2>= 0.96) as was competition index (r2 = 0.928). Concave spherical densiometer measurements and midday percent transmittance measurements on clear days were also well correlated with measured percent transmittance (r2>= 0.89). Estimates of understory light by the LITE model were strongly correlated with growing season percent transmittance. Correlations improved with increasing length of the period simulated (r2 = 0.755 for a point measurement on a clear day; r2 = 0.936 for an entire sunny day;and, r2 = 0.953 for the entire growing season). However, this version of the model underestimated percent transmittance in these spaced birch stands by 34-90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract unavailable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seedlings of four geographically diverse paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) populations native to British Columbia were grown under low and high levels of water and nitrogen in a greenhouse for 3 monthsto examine the relative sensitivity of each population to water and nutrient availability. Nine sequential measurements on height and basal diameter growth were made, and then the seedlings were harvested for final biomass measurements. Under optimal conditions the highest elevation population ceased height growth, while the low-elevation coastal population continued to increase in height under all treatment conditions. Plants of all populations grown under high N conditions grew faster and had larger total biomass and lower root/shoot ratios than plants grown under low N conditions. Relative growth rate was significantly correlated with shoot and foliage biomass, leaf area, and root weight ratio. All populations generally responded more to low N level than to low moisture level in terms of height growth, relative growth rate, total biomass, and root/shoot ratio. This suggests that the populations observed in this study are better adapted to drought than poor soil nutrient availability. Therefore, consideration of sitequality, which includes soil moisture regime and soil nutrient regime, should be a primary concern when allocating birch seed lots in a planting program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]