Forestry Commission Research Articles

The Charcoal Iron Industry and Pennsylvania Forestry

ABSTRACT Pennsylvania was a pioneer in the forestry conservation movement, as one of the earliest states to develop forestry legislation, a forestry commission, state forestry reservations, and a forestry association. There are well-known early forestry leaders, like Gifford Pinchot, first chief of the US Forest Service, and Joseph T. Rothrock, the father of Pennsylvania forestry. However, much of the early foundation of the forestry movement in the state is not readily recognized. Bernhard Fernow, third chief of the federal Division of Forestry, had Pennsylvania roots. John Birkinbine, a founder and president of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association (for nearly a quarter-century), quietly provided much of the leadership for the early forestry movement. Surprisingly, Pennsylvania’s charcoal iron industry had connections to all four of these forestry leaders. Charcoal production in the state is sometimes associated with forest devastation, but a deeper look shows it is more closely associated with forest conservation.

Actions to improve energy efficiency on the example of selected historic buildings in Poland in the context of European Union guidelines

The article presents, in the context of the guidelines of the "Long-Term Strategy for Renovation of Buildings" valid until 2050, examples of renovations of historic buildings carried out in Poland in 2018-2021, which serve as public facilities. They were designed and constructed in a manner consistent with the guidelines for the transformation of a climate-neutral economy, which stem from Article 2a of Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of May 19, 2010. The purpose of the article is a comparative analysis of selected Polish examples of revaluation of public buildings from the point of view of the Architecture of these objects. These are: the Wagner Villa in Kostrzyn on Oder, the railway station in Białystok, the Teodor Sixt Villa in Bielsko-Biała, the office building of the Forestry Commission in Elbląg, the building of the Savings Bank in Ropczyce and the former granary in Żukowo. Also cited are the current financial tools available and the basic measures needed to ensure high energy efficiency and low-carbon performance of public buildings in the run up to 2050.

Forest Fire Prediction: A Spatial Machine Learning and Neural Network Approach

The study of forest fire prediction holds significant environmental and scientific importance, particularly in regions like South Carolina (SC) with a high incidence rate of forest fires. Despite the limited existing research on forest fires in this area, the application of machine learning and neural network techniques presents an opportunity to enhance forest fire prevention and control efforts. Utilizing data of forest fire from the SC Forestry Commission for the year 2023, prediction models were developed incorporating various factors such as meteorology, terrain, vegetation, and infrastructure—key drivers of forest fires in SC. Feature importance analysis was employed to construct the final fire prediction model using different machine learning and neural network approaches including Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Correlation coefficients analysis was employed to construct the final fire hazard map using a correlation test. The evaluation of predictive performance based on accuracy scores revealed that the DT model achieved the highest accuracy of 90.58%, surpassing other models. However, based on the kernel density map of the fire data from 2000 to 2023, the correlation test gave the better fire hazard map compared to any other machine learning or neural network approach that utilized feature importance. Nonetheless, all models achieved prediction accuracies exceeding 80%. This finding directed us to the approach based on the correlation coefficients rather than to those just based on feature importance. The overlap between fire locations and carbon hotspots provided the immediate need to mitigate the carbon loss due to fire in those locations. These results serve as a valuable resource for forest fire prediction in SC, demonstrating the efficacy of the correlation test, providing a theoretical foundation and data support for future forestry applications in the region, and showing the outperforming capability of this method compared to other approaches based on feature importance and the importance to prioritize areas to mitigate the climate change impact based upon fire prediction.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Impact on Soil and Agriculture: Evidence from Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Ghana

The gold mining industry in Ghana has made a substantial contribution to the country's economic growth by generating diverse employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, in mining communities. This has the potential to mitigate poverty and improve the quality of life for individuals and households in rural areas, where climate change is having a disproportionate impact on small-scale farmers. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that this sector has also resulted in detrimental environmental impacts. A total 150 key informants in Upper Denkyira East Municipality, comprising representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forestry Commission, the Mineral Commission, and other stakeholders, were interviewed using standardize questionnaire to ascertain the impact of mining on the soil, agriculture and the environment. The study also employed inductively coupled plasma to assess the concentration of heavy metals in soils at a small-scale mining site. The soil analyses indicated high concentrations of heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic, nickel, zinc, and iron. The Weighted Average Index, which was used to assess the impact of mining, revealed that communities face challenges such as deforestation, low crop yields, water pollution, land tenure issues, and a high cost of living. The study's analyses of measures to address small scale mining challenges revealed that alternative livelihood, law enforcement, training and support, and access to mining concessions were perceived as suitable for addressing artisanal and small scale mining. The study concluded that stricter mining regulations, promoting sustainable mining practices, and providing comprehensive training to miners on environmental protection and land reclamation can help mitigate the negative impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining. Additionally, supporting alternative means of livelihood for mining communities, such as agriculture or eco-tourism, can reduce reliance on mining and promote sustainable development.

Analyzing the dynamics influencing artisanal and small‐scale mining in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Ghana

AbstractThe gold mining sector in Ghana has significantly contributed to the nation's economic expansion by creating various employment prospects, both directly and indirectly, within mining communities. However, it is important to acknowledge that this industry has also had adverse environmental consequences. A sample size of 330 individuals, comprising small‐scale miners and farmers, was randomly selected from 10 mining communities within the Upper Denkyira Municipality to examine factors influencing artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) operations. Furthermore, 150 key informants, comprising representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forestry Commission, the Mineral Commission, and other stakeholders, were also interviewed to ascertain the impact of mining on the environment. The research employed a logic regression model, the weighted average index (WAI), and X‐ray fluorescence as a method for the study data analysis. The study determined that low income, the impact of climate change on agriculture, and the high demand for gold exhibit a significant chance of influencing ASM. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that ASM have immeasurably contributed to water pollution, food security, and the loss of biodiversity in the municipality. Additionally, water resources, which serve as sources of potable water for drinking and irrigation, are heavily contaminated with arsenic, mercury, lead, copper, and nickel. The study concluded that implementing stricter regulations on mining practices, promoting sustainable mining methodologies, and providing comprehensive training to miners on environmental protection and land rehabilitation can help mitigate the negative impacts of ASM. Additionally, supporting alternative means of livelihood for mining communities, such as agriculture or ecotourism, can reduce the reliance on mining and promote sustainable development.

Factors influencing the growth and yield of grains of paradise: extra income for farmers

The Forestry Commission of Ghana has adopted forest plantations as a strategy to ensure landscape restoration, enhance environmental quality and develop a sustainable resource base to satisfy future timber demands. Modified Taungya System (MTS) is a co-management system between the Forestry Commission and smallholder farmer that allows inter-cropping of timber and food crops. Practitioners and farmers observed decline in NTFPs from the wild, which in recent times have become a threat to source of livelihood that often contributes significantly to household incomes. NTFPs were introduced in MTS to engage farmers to protect the forest from wildfire and decreased theft incidences. However, farmers had to leave these lands because their crops were not doing well during canopy closure. Grains of Paradise amongst others were found to do well under shade but the best silvicultural practice to apply is indefinite. This study was undertaking to research and determine the best condition (tree stand spacing and percentage of shade) suitable for Grains of Paradise cultivation. Primary data were collected from the field. The results shows that Grains of Paradise can grow well and produce high yield under tree stands with a planting distance of 4 x 4m and a shade cover of 86% and. The Production of GoP should be introduced to other MTS farmers and interested farmers throughout the country as an alternative livelihood.

Towards more inclusive community landscape governance: Drivers and assessment indicators in northern Ghana

Community-based approaches to landscape governance are considered more legitimate, equitable, and inclusive ways to manage natural resources and more effective in achieving conservation and livelihood goals than centralised and top-down approaches. In Ghana, the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission devolved decision-making authority over natural resources through the Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) governance system. While there is a growing body of literature on the CREMA governance model, few studies have examined the inclusiveness of its decision-making processes. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying the drivers that hinder or foster the inclusiveness of community governance in the Western Wildlife Corridor of northern Ghana and developing a set of inclusivity assessment indicators. Based on data collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations, we found that several stakeholder groups remain at the margins of the CREMA governance system and feel excluded, particularly Fulani herders, women, and youth. Based on our findings and the literature, we present a set of assessment indicators for inclusive CREMA governance. However, these indicators are unlikely to be fully met because of persisting socio-cultural barriers and power asymmetries. We argue that measures such as capacity building, empowering marginalised social groups, promoting their participation in decision-making, and a bottom-up approach towards creating CREMAs are needed to improve the inclusiveness of CREMA governance. Beyond the CREMAs, the inclusivity indicators developed in this study have broad applicability to environmental and landscape governance.

The Regulation of Legal Responsibility: Illegal Logging Perpetrators in Indonesia and Nigeria

The study aims to analyze the offenders of illegal logging in Indonesia and Nigeria from its legal liability regulations. The study employed an socio-legal approach involving literary analyses on legal materials used─the statutory regulations, scientific journals and other pertinent documents. The results shows that legal responsibility for illegal logging perpetrators in Indonesia are under the Law on Forestry, the Law on Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, and the Law on Cipta Kerja. In Nigeria, it is governed by several states, such as the Edo State Forestry (Amendment) Law 2002; Cross River State Forestry Commission Law 2010; and Taraba State Forestry Law 2010. Finally, the legal responsibility for illegal logging has been established in both countries. Accordingly, the indonesian government is suggested to disseminate the latest laws and regulations, so that the public and corporations are aware of them. Meanwhile, Nigerian government is expected to immediately issue nationwide legislation on illegal logging, so that law enforcement is not relied solely on the requirements of each state

Pyrosociality

Abstract Pyrosociality is a framework for theorizing the simultaneous production of forests and fires while discerning who is powerful and who is vulnerable in multispecies encounters mediated by fire. This article reviews literature about fire science and situates academic dialogue about the ecological consequences of social processes within real-world goings-on in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pyrosocial theory draws from posthumanism, science and technology studies, and feminist anthropology to assess fire management. Qualitative data from properties managed by the Nantahala- Pisgah National Forests, North Carolina Forest Service, and South Carolina Forestry Commission ground pyrosocial theory in shifting ideas and practices related to excluding, suppressing, fostering, and igniting fires. When centering fire, what facts, truths, complexities, and subtleties come to light? The pyrosocial approach reveals pyropower, or individual variabilities and structural hierarchies related to controlling or influencing more-than-human communities. Focusing on power and vulnerability within habitats co-constructed by multispecies agents and biophysical forces accentuates meaningful relationships.

The perception of the locals on the impact of climate variability on non-timber forest products in Ghana

All biological products obtained from forests other than timber are considered non-timber forest products (NTFPs). NTFPs production levels in Ghana are affected by climate change. Over the past years, NTFPs have adversely affected by prolonged droughts and short rainfall in Ghana. In rural areas, where NTFP enhance livelihoods for rural dwellers, this adversely affects their food security. This study aimed to determine how rural dwellers in Ghana perceive the impact of annual variability in rainfall and temperature on their non-timber forest products. To better understand how residents perceive climate change's effect on NTFPs, 732 residents were interviewed. Household information and perceptions regarding changes to the availability of NTFP (snails, mushrooms, honey, etc.) were recorded using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. As a result of the sharp rise in temperature and the decline in rainfall, combined with a prolonged drought, there has been a decline in the production levels of NTFPS in the forest areas of the country. The respondents reported a decline in the production levels of honey, snails, and mushrooms, as well as income generated. It is imperative that the Ghana government, through the Ghana forestry commission, educate rural dwellers about the importance of NTFP sustainable use and implement afforestation programs to help regenerate degraded forest areas that threaten some of the organisms required for the production of NTFPs. Embarking on afforestation programs will help improve the climatic conditions supporting the production of NTFPs.

The Adoption of Strategies to Reduce Deforestation from Tobacco Production: A Case of Smallholder Farmers in Headlands Area of Makoni District

Smallholder tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe have not yet fully adopted the strategies to reduce deforestation as recommended by tobacco contracting companies and government agencies such as the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe (FCZ) and Environmental Management Agency (EMA). The majority of them continue to use wood fuel for curing, leading to high rates of deforestation. This study focused on assessing the factors influencing the adoption of strategies to reduce the rate of deforestation from tobacco production, including gum plantations and coal for tobacco curing in the Makoni district's Headlands area. The target population was tobacco farmers in the study area, and the sample size was 320. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Based on the results, the factors that were significant in influencing farmers to adopt were the farmer's age, farming experience, agricultural training, education level and occupation. The study recommends that government agencies, including the FCZ, enforce the implementation of afforestation events like tree planting day across the country to help protect the environment from deforestation.

Spatial predictions of tree density and tree height across Mexico forests using ensemble learning and forest inventory data.

The National Forestry Commission of Mexico continuously monitors forest structure within the country's continental territory by the implementation of the National Forest and Soils Inventory (INFyS). Due to the challenges involved in collecting data exclusively from field surveys, there are spatial information gaps for important forest attributes. This can produce bias or increase uncertainty when generating estimates required to support forest management decisions. Our objective is to predict the spatial distribution of tree height and tree density in all Mexican forests. We performed wall-to-wall spatial predictions of both attributes in 1-km grids, using ensemble machine learning across each forest type in Mexico. Predictor variables include remote sensing imagery and other geospatial data (e.g., mean precipitation, surface temperature, canopy cover). Training data is from the 2009 to 2014 cycle (n > 26,000 sampling plots). Spatial cross validation suggested that the model had a better performance when predicting tree height r 2 = .35 [.12, .51] (mean [min, max]) than for tree density r 2 = .23 [.05, .42]. The best predictive performance when mapping tree height was for broadleaf and coniferous-broadleaf forests (model explained ~50% of variance). The best predictive performance when mapping tree density was for tropical forest (model explained ~40% of variance). Although most forests had relatively low uncertainty for tree height predictions, e.g., values <60%, arid and semiarid ecosystems had high uncertainty, e.g., values >80%. Uncertainty values for tree density predictions were >80% in most forests. The applied open science approach we present is easily replicable and scalable, thus it is helpful to assist in the decision-making and future of the National Forest and Soils Inventory. This work highlights the need for analytical tools that help us exploit the full potential of the Mexican forest inventory datasets.

Land use and land cover changes implications on biodiversity in the Owabi catchment of Atwima Nwabiagya North District, Ghana

This paper examined land use and land cover (LULC) change and implications to biodiversity in the Owabi catchment of Atwima Nwabiagya North District in Ghana from 1991 to 2021 using remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS), with participatory methods such as interviews and questionnaires with a sample size of 200 participants. The use of supervised classification with maximum likelihood algorithm in QGIS was employed to generate LULC maps of 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021. Molusce Plugin in QGIS was applied to predict probabilities of LULC changes in 10 years (2021–2031). The results showed that high-density forest has disappeared from 1991 to 2021 while built-up has increased and remained the most dominant LULC from 2011 to 2021. There is a continual decline in the number of plant and animal species in and around the Owabi catchment. This can be attributed to the decline of high-density forests and increased built-up in the study area through human actions. The study identified the influence of human activities as the key forces of LULC change to biodiversity loss. This problem stemmed from the taste for housing and trading activities in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area which has resulted in an increasing demand for settlement because of its closeness to Kumasi and its environs. The study recommends that stringent preventive measures should be developed and enforced by various stakeholders including the Forestry Commission, Ghana Water Company Limited, Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the District/Municipal Assemblies to safeguard the forest from human activities. This recommendation will help these agencies to keep abreast with changes in LULC in the various communities and factors such as changes during the planning of the communities.

Biodiversity and the Recreational Value of Green Infrastructure in England

Green infrastructure refers to connected corridors of greenspaces within and beyond urban areas. It provides sustainable ecosystem goods and services for people and wildlife, enhancing their wellbeing and protecting them against climatic extremes. However, the exact contributing factors to the betterment of green infrastructure are not systematically examined at a national level. This study aims to identify what helps improve biodiversity and the recreational value of green infrastructure. The study uses hotspot analysis, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and geographically weighted regression (GWR) to understand the spatial patterns of the relevant variables and outcomes. Findings suggest that high wildlife species richness was reported in Forestry Commission woodlands and country parks, whilst doorstep greens and village greens returned poor species richness. The recreational value of greenspace was affected the most by certain types of greenspace (e.g., woodlands) as well as the percentage of urban cover. They indicate that biodiversity is generally high in areas away from urban centres, while access to greenspace in an urban space brings us high recreational value. These results indicate that green infrastructure is a complex system that requires the right balance between different priorities and services.

The effects of the synergy of community and government management practices on forest reserves in Ghana: the case of Mpameso forest

ABSTRACT There is increasing evidence of the high deforestation rate of Ghana’s forest reserves as a result of non-proper management. This study focused on deepening the understanding of the prospects and challenges in the management of the Mpameso Forest Reserve in Ghana. Based on a qualitative study, major stakeholders such as traditional heads, community members, and members of the forestry department were interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results show that respondents were aware of the relevance of the forest reserve. Though there is a collaborative effort between the forestry commission, the chiefs, and the communities, challenges such as a lack of collaboration between chiefs and the forestry department in the district, and encroachment by community members, among other factors, affected the sustainability of the forest reserve.. The study recommends an alternative livelihood should be provided, consideration for the creation of an ecotourism park, and intensification of the enforcement of laws protecting the forest reserve and its sanctions.

Analysis of ecological health status of the Muni Lagoon: Evidence from heavy metal content in its water and fish samples

AbstractThe study examined the ecological health status of the Muni lagoon amidst increasing development in and around its catchment using a concentration of heavy metals in its water and fish samples as a proxy. Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) laboratory analysis was employed to determine heavy metals (cadmium [Cd], lead [Pb], iron [Fe], manganese [Mn] and zinc) present in water and fish samples within the Muni Lagoon. The study revealed that the Muni Lagoon and feeder rivers were polluted with heavy metals (Fe = 0.453, Cd = 0.201, Mn = 0.105 and Pb = 0.024) comparing their concentrations with the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Water Resources Commission (WRC) limit. Fish within the lagoon were found to pose no harm to consumers as traces of heavy metal concentrations were below the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations/World Health Organisation maximum permissible limit. The study further revealed that the application of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and domestic waste as well as unregulated gutter channels were the major source of heavy metals. A paired sample t‐test showed a statistically significant difference between the wet and dry season's concentrations of cadmium and lead. For cadmium, the t‐test found t(5) = −7.265; p = .001 between the wet season's concentration and the dry season's concentration and for lead, the t‐test found t(5) = 5.061, p = .004 between the wet and dry season concentrations in the lagoon. It is therefore recommended that the Forestry Commission, Municipal Assembly and the local leaders should collaborate in regulating activities occurring in and around the catchment of the lagoon.

Analysis of planting practices and post‐planting stewardship intention of participants of Arbor Day

Arbor Day (World Tree Planting Day) is an action to help replace dwindling tree cover globally. However, millions of the seedlings planted do not survive because of low regard for best planting practices and post‐planting maintenance activities. This study focused on the planting practices of Arbor Day participants at the Muni‐Pomadze Ramsar Site in Ghana and how that influenced their perception about seedling survival rate and their stewardship intention. The study used electronic questionnaire to solicit information from 229 participants (university students) at a 2021 Arbor Day planting event organized by the Forestry Commission and the Department of Geography Education, University of Education, Winneba. The study found four components of planting practices influenced perceptions including assessment of seedling quality, soil characteristics, surrounding environmental characteristics and planting operation. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that the academic year of participants influenced planting practices specifically planting operations with a post hoc test indicating respondents in academic year 1 observed better planting operations than third year students. A generalized linear model showed that respondents who planted seedlings within areas with good surrounding characteristics (enough spacing between successive seedlings and trees) perceived seedlings survival rate to be higher. Respondents who planted more seedlings were likely to provide time and money for post‐Arbor Day tree monitoring and maintenance. The findings also suggest that organizers of Arbor Day tree planting exercises should educate participants on proper planting practices and organize days for monitoring and maintenance of planted trees to improve participant perceptions and on‐going involvement.

Relevance of Trees and Forests to Sustainable Development: Perspectives of Key Rural Actors in Selected Communities, Ghana

Abstract In consonance with the universal quest for sustainable development, the United Nations (UN) declared 17 global goals in 2015 known as the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Scholarly literature has highlighted the relevance of trees and forests (TFs) to this quest from various perspectives. However, the perspectives appear elitist, as they tend to exclude those of some seemingly ordinary but actually crucial actors whose activities directly affect the growth, health, and population of TFs, namely small-scale farmers, chainsaw operators, and artisanal miners operating particularly in rural areas in developing countries. The study examined the excluded perspectives of the said actors in selected rural comminutes in Ghana on the relevance of TFs to SD. The study was guided by the SDGs in its data collection, analysis, and reporting approach. Focus group discussions were held with the farmers and miners, while in-depth interviews were held with the chainsaw operators. The actors‘ perspectives generally indicated that TFs were relevant to seven, not relevant to six, and somehow relevant to four of the 17 SDGs. Although the actors saw TFs as important for SD, they (actors) were not favourably disposed to tree-planting for purposes of land restoration because they saw TFs as renewable resources with natural regenerative capacity. Stronger advocacy and more intensive sensitization by the central and local governments, forestry commission, and other pro-environmental organisations, institutions, and agencies on the importance of growing, nurturing, and conserving TFS for SD are recommended. Furthermore, the government should enforce regulations to stop the destruction of TFs by the actors to ensure a sustainable green environment for sustainable development.

Conservation perspectives and perception of bats as reservoirs of zoonotic diseases in Ghana

ABSTRACT Bats perform various ecological and socio-economic functions but are also associated with the transmission of zoonotic diseases. This study investigated how awareness of bats as vectors of diseases has influenced their conservation in Ghana. Data were drawn from focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and questionnaire administration from five selected Ghanaian communities. The results showed that the level of awareness of bats as vectors of zoonotic diseases was high among the respondents but this did not change people’s attitudes toward bats and what they used the bats for. Another important finding was that unsustainable harvests of bats for food and other uses was just as much a conservation threat as associating bats with zoonoses. Because of how vulnerable bats are, findings from this study suggest that the Ghana Forestry Commission should strengthen legislation against the hunting of bats, commercialization of bat bushmeat, and destruction of bats’ habitats.

An Experiment in Denmark to Infect Wounded Sitka Spruce with the Rotstop Isolate of Phlebiopsis gigantea, and Its Implications for the Control of Heterobasidion annosum in Britain.

The formulation of a Finnish isolate of the saprotrophic wood-rotting fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea into the biocontrol agent (BCA) Rotstop, which is used to prevent infection of Norway spruce stumps by aerial basidiospores of H. annosum, has led to its application to more than 200,000 ha of forest in Scandinavia and North Europe. The success of this treatment opens the possibility of introducing the Rotstop strain into Britain for use on Sitka spruce stumps, which at present (2022) are lacking adequate prophylactic treatment. However, Rotstop is probably non-native to Britain and to North America (the ancestral home of this spruce), and we do not know if this xylem-decaying BCA can invade standing trees. In this paper, we describe a trial into this issue conducted for the U.K. Forestry Commission in Denmark, in a country where both Rotstop and Sitka spruce have been naturalised. It was preliminary to further stump treatment trials, and is relevant to long-term issues surrounding stump treatment in Britain. Inoculations into 44-year-old standing Sitka spruce with 20 mm wooden Scots pine plugs pre-colonised with Rotstop resulted in decay of the S1, S2, S3 and middle lamellae of sapwood above and below the wounds after 11–18 months. In contrast, infection of sapwood occurred in only one of 39 wounds on the same trees challenged with oidial spore inoculants adpressed to undamaged xylem sapwood during the same period. While the results suggest that release of Rotstop into the productive stands of Sitka spruce in Britain would be unlikely to cause long-term commercial losses to wounded trees, the work highlights issues relating to the assessment of risk associated with the introduction of non-native BCAs within the forest environment.