Wood Resources Research Articles

Effects of wood resource size and decomposition on hyphal outgrowth of a cord-forming basidiomycete, Phanerochaete velutina

To assess the relationship between resource use and hyphal growth in a cord-forming basidiomycete, Phanerochaete velutina, soil microcosm experiments were conducted using wood blocks of three different sizes in three different soil quantities, thereby simulating the different amounts of available nutrients. The highest percentage weight loss was observed in the smallest wood blocks after a 27-d incubation period in soil microcosms, although the percentage weight loss over the 2-month pure culture colonization prior to inoculation was not significantly different among various block sizes. The greatest hyphal outgrowth was also observed in the smallest wood blocks and was positively associated with wood decay. The slopes of the regression lines between hyphal coverage and percentage wood mass loss were identical among different wood sizes, but the slopes between hyphal coverage and absolute wood mass loss were steeper in the smaller wood blocks than that in largest one. These results suggest that the level of intensity of mycelial foraging for new resources in the soil depends on the percentage of the amount of wood resource utilized, and not on the absolute amount of carbon obtained from the wood.

Bundling of cellulose microfibrils in native and polyethylene glycol-containing wood cell walls revealed by small-angle neutron scattering

Wood and other plant-based resources provide abundant, renewable raw materials for a variety of applications. Nevertheless, their utilization would greatly benefit from more efficient and accurate methods to characterize the detailed nanoscale architecture of plant cell walls. Non-invasive techniques such as neutron and X-ray scattering hold a promise for elucidating the hierarchical cell wall structure and any changes in its morphology, but their use is hindered by challenges in interpreting the experimental data. We used small-angle neutron scattering in combination with contrast variation by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to identify the scattering contribution from cellulose microfibril bundles in native wood cell walls. Using this method, mean diameters for the microfibril bundles from 12 to 19 nm were determined, without the necessity of cutting, drying or freezing the cell wall. The packing distance of the individual microfibrils inside the bundles can be obtained from the same data. This finding opens up possibilities for further utilization of small-angle scattering in characterizing the plant cell wall nanostructure and its response to chemical, physical and biological modifications or even in situ treatments. Moreover, our results give new insights into the interaction between PEG and the wood nanostructure, which may be helpful for preservation of archaeological woods.

A comprehensive overview of bamboo scrimber and its new development in China

Bamboo scrimber, a bio-material which is made of bamboo, has been considered as a substitute material in place of wood in China under the situation of increasing contradiction between supply and demand of wood resources. In the last decades, the fabrication technology of bamboo scrimber has been improved, which promotes the applications of this material. Especially in China where the bamboo scrimber was developed originally, blowout-like growth has emerged in related research in the recent 3–5 years. It is urgent to summarize the relevant research and present it to more people who are concerned with the aspects of bamboo scrimber as a bio-material. This paper presents a comprehensive introduction to bamboo scrimber including fabrication, properties, heat treatment, anti-mildew and anti-fungi, surface coating, machining, applications, etc. based on a review of literature from Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science. This work not only establishes fabrication parameters, surface proof technologies and application samples for the industry practice but also summarizes detailed inspection standards, mechanical and thermal properties regarding bamboo scrimber for the reference of scientific research.

A study of dimensional and quality characteristics of sawlogs of the Vologda region

Following the results of 2019, in the Vologda region harvested 16.9 million m3 of roundwood. Active forest utilization, combined with insufficient road construction, has led to the depletion of the forest resource base at an economically accessible distance from the timber enterprises. The purpose of the study is to assess the potential of wood resources and analyses the dimensional and quality characteristics of roundwood utilized as sawlogs at the sawmills of the Vologda region. As a result of the research, the following has been found out: the average diameter of harvested assortments, the parameters of curvature and taper depending on the apical diameter of pine roundwood. The following parameters have been evaluated: the diameter of the log, curvature, and taper of the roundwood. The studies were carried out by the photometric method. The established dimensional and quality characteristics of round timber allow us to conclude that sawmills in the Vologda region involve wood that has not reached the age of ripeness into industrial utilization, as a result of the depletion of the forest resource base near the infrastructure facilities. Termination of logging on leased areas occurs when the average diameter of the harvested raw material decreases to 13 cm.

Modeling the spread of pests and forest fires to assess the quality of plant raw materials in the forestry complex

The Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Siberian region as a whole have the largest reserves of forest resources among the regions of Russia. However, the problem of rational and integrated use of forest resources is becoming more and more urgent. The presence of a large volume of unclaimed wood resources, including in the form of wood damaged by pests and forest fires, requires the development of methods that allow processing such wood using the optimal technology. Such research has been carried out by the scientific laboratory “Deep processing of vegetable raw materials” of the Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology. For information support of such studies, it is necessary to be able to assess the volume of damaged wood based on the forecast of the dynamics of processes affecting wood, taking into account external control influences. The aim of this work is to develop models and algorithms with which this forecast can be carried out. The article discusses the processes of the spread of pests and forest fires as objects of modeling, examples of such processes are considered. A method for describing the dynamics of distributed processes in the language of classical mechanics, as well as an agent-based simulation model of the dynamics and localization of the processes of the spread of insect pests and forest fires, is presented. The work of the model is based on GIS data and is reflected on a map of the real area. The model uses several types of agents that imitate both the process itself and the fight against it.

PRE-TREATMENT AND INVESTIGATION OF WHEAT STRAW AND HEMP SHIVES FOR BINDER-LESS FIBREBOARD PRODUCTION

Wood-based panels (WBP) comprise a considerable part in the output of the European wood industry, GDP, and export. Over 30% of fibreboards and about 50% of other boards used in constructions and carpentry are produced in Europe. Industrially produced WBP contain synthetic adhesives determining mechanical properties and being made from oil are often toxic present health risks. Synthetic adhesives may comprise up to 15 % of the total WBP mass and up to 60 % of the total production costs. Production costs of WBP are important under the circumstances of rising oil prices. Moreover, synthetic bonding agents rather often is a source of emissions of formaldehyde and another problems with advancement of WBP solutions being offered by synthetic adhesives without formaldehyde (polymeric methylene diphenyl di-isocyanate – PMDI), or by natural adhesives from renewables (e.g., tannins or soy flour), or by pre-treatments activating bonding agents contained in the source material. The availability of raw materials for WBP is still another problem under the circumstances of the rate of population growth exceeding the rate of the regeneration of wood resources. Expanding the diversity of raw materials for production of WBP by utilization of agricultural residues containing components like wood is one of the possible solutions. The present study is aimed at development of technology of binder-less fibreboards made of steam-exploded agricultural residues, such as wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.) and industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) shives. Some aspects of the study, like differences in chemical composition, thermal properties of raw and pretreated materials potentially affecting binder-less fibreboard bonding, presented.

Preface

The volume includes articles reflecting the results of scientific research on improving the use, regeneration, conservation and protection of forests, creation of new technologies for the chemical processing of wood biomass and bioenergy, increasing forest productivity through the use of non-timber forest resources, expanding functions and benefits of forest ecosystems, and on the development of forest policy, economics and legislation. The research results obtained were discussed at the V PAN-RUSSIAN SCIENTIFIC - TECHNICAL CONFERENCE - WEBINAR “FORESTS OF RUSSIA: POLICY, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION”, which was held at St. Petersburg State Forest Technical University in the mode of a webinar.The remote way of holding the conference did not reduce the quantity and quality of the presented scientific reports and the productivity of the event itself; moreover, it increased the number of speakers from various regions of Russia. On the days of the conference, the university celebrated two anniversaries: 100 years of the first department of forest economics in Russia, and 90 years of the Faculty of Chemistry and Technology (today known as the Institute for Chemical Processing of Wood Biomass and Technosphere Safety), which is why some of the reports were dedicated to these events. The published articles reflect results of scientific research on the effect of soil quality on forest productivity and survival rate of planting material, improving the technology of growing seedlings and creating forest plantations, and on the impact of agrotechnical and silvicultural measures on forest productivity.The results of studies of the chemical processing of wood and non-wood forest resources to create products used in technology, medicine and agriculture are presented. Forest legislation and forest legal relations in the Russian Federation have been analyzed and ways to improve them proposed.All published articles are of undoubted scientific interest for scientists and forestry experts.I would like to express gratitude to the authors of the published articles and thank the following university staff: Associate Professor S.V. Tereshchenko; Professor A.S. Alekseev, Associate Professor E.N. Kuznetsov; Professor A.N. Chubinsky; Professor D.A. Ponomarev; Associate Professor I.A. Melnichuk; Associate Professor E.G. Khitrov; and Professor V.Yu. Neshataev.Vice-rector for academic research,Candidate of Technical SciencesVasily Gedyo

Relevant phenotypic descriptors of the resonance Norway spruce standing trees for the acoustical quality of wood for musical instruments

Identifying high-grade valuable wood resources by the visible individual traits of trees is a challenge for foresters and a requirement for sustainable resource management. The aim of this study was to identify the most relevant phenotypic descriptors of the acoustic quality of Norway spruce standing timber. Two highly valuable Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands located in the Romanian Carpathians were selected for this purpose. A total of 27 tree, bole, bark, and crown variables and nine variables related to wood structure were statistically checked against the velocities of stress waves measured on standing trees at breast height, and the derived parameters: the radiation, the impedance, and the moduli of elasticity in L and R directions. Principal component analysis was used for exploratory data analysis as well as mixed linear models were involved in explaining these acoustics. There were consistent variations in the measured acoustics from tree to tree, according to the age and social class. Wood acoustical parameters measured in the R direction are better predicted by tree phenotype than the acoustical parameters measured in the L direction. Bark thickness and branch width were the best predictors, while tree ring features were less predictive. At a given age, trees with high velocity had thinner and reddisher bark, thinner branches, and a narrower crown. Trees with high velocity anisotropy had narrower branches and wider sapwood. Furthermore, the phenotypic traits used had a poor explanatory power of the radiation ratio. In conclusion, spruce standing trees from the studied area bring forward certain outside features that enable us the multitrait identification of highly valuable wood for string instruments.

Study on the Effects of Technology Parameters on the Bending Strength of Press Bamboo Powder Plywood

The application of bamboo by-products such as bamboo branches, debris... to recycle and produce bamboo powder plywood, perfectly saves high price natural resource of national wood with artificial wooden boards made from bamboo powder that ensures the reservation of natural source of raw materials and protecting of environment. Plywood that is made from bamboo powder has both economic and environmental benefits. It is an urgent task for providing a new version of material for civil engineering in Vietnam. The paper presents a study of the effect of technological parameters on the bending strength of pressed bamboo pulp plywood in order to enhance the mechanical properties of a new domestic product of construction in Vietnam.

Residents’ Dependency on Forest Resources: A Case Study on Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest of Bangladesh

The only freshwater swamp forest of Bangladesh namely Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest (RFWSF) has a great contribution to the livelihoods of the surrounding local communities. Local communities or residents of the area depend heavily on this biodiversity-rich swamp forest for income, employment, fuelwood, and non-wood forest resources. An exploratory study was carried out in the swamp forest to explore the availability and consumption pattern of various forest resources, and dependency levels of residents on the RFWSF. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from 301 respondents (randomly selected from the residents) of the surrounding nine villages. The study revealed that respondents were dependent largely on the RFWSF for fuelwood, bamboo, cane, murta, ornamental resource, and other raw materials for cottage industries. Among the respondents 27% were involved in the harvesting of fish resources, followed by fuelwood (23%), grass (11%), and fodder (6%) collection. Bamboo was the main source of fuel for 41 % of the respondents and 40% depended on twigs and branches of trees. The findings of the study revealed that residents were highly dependent on the non-wood forest resources of the RFWSF for their livelihoods. Besides, a substantial amount of wood resources was consumed by the residents as fuelwood. Excessive unscientific exploitation of the forest resources disturbed the ecological functions and threatened the wildlife habitats of the RFWSF tremendously. The study recommended raising awareness and capacity building among the forest-dependent residents, proper implementations of forest law, and sustainable management could be the effective pathway for the upliftment of the resident’s condition with ecological rehabilitation in the RFWSF.

Growth, Carbon Storage, and Optimal Rotation in Poplar Plantations: A Case Study on Clone and Planting Spacing Effects

Poplar, as the most widely cultivated fast-growing tree species in the middle latitude plain, provides important wood resources and plays an important role in mitigating climate change. In order to understand the response of growth, biomass production, carbon storage to poplar clones, planting spacings, and their interaction, a field trial was established in 2007. In 2018, we destructively harvested 24 sample trees for biomass measurements and stem analyses. Biomass production and carbon storage for the single tree of three clones enhanced as planting spacing increasing at the age of 13, but both the biomass production and carbon storage of clones NL-895 and NL-95 were higher than the clone NL-797 at the spacings of 6 × 6 m and 5 × 5 m. The average carbon concentration of the tested clones was in the order of stem > branches > leaves, and showed significant variation between different components (p < 0.05). Large spacing stimulated more biomass to be partitioned to the canopy. Based on the prediction values of tree volume growth by established Chapman–Richards models, the quantitative maturity ages of stand volume varied among the investigating plantations, ranging from 14 to 17 years old. Our results suggest that the selecting clones NL-895 and NL-95 with 6 × 6 m spacing would be recommended at similar sites for future poplar silviculture of larger diameter timber production, as well as for carbon sequestration.

Comprehensive profiling and identification of bioactive components from methanolic leaves extract of Juniperus deppeana and its in vitro antidiabetic activity

Juniperus plant species are rich sources of bioactive secondary metabolites and are traditionally used for the treatment of several illnesses, including those related to hyperglycemia and diabetes. The major bioactive compounds identified in certain species of this genus are terpenes and phenolics. Juniperus deppeana Steud. is mainly used as a wood resource and its chemical composition has been partially established. Our goal was to perform a comprehensive profiling of a methanolic extract of leaves of J. deppeana and determine its potential as a source of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Terpene and phenolic compounds were putatively identified based on their accurate mass spectrometric data. Regarding terpenes, we found mainly diterpenes, specifically dehydroabietic acid-like, hinokiol-like, agathic acid-like, and dihydroxyabietatrienoic acid-like compounds. Isopimaric acid was also identified and its identity was confirmed by coelution with an authentic standard via comparing retention time, mass spectrum, and collisional cross section values. For phenolic compounds, we identified mainly compounds with a chemical structure similar to the biflavonoids amentoflavone and bilobetin. Besides, the methanolic extract of J. deppeana leaves show inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 = 85.11 ± 11.91 μg mL−1) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 32.50 ± 3.40 μg mL−1) enzymes, demonstrating a potential alternative for the search of antidiabetic natural products.

South African log resource availability and potential environmental impact of timber construction

We investigated the South African log resource availability and the potential global warming impact of an increasing wood-based residential building market. We have shown that, with the use of wood resources currently exported as chips, as well as planting trees in areas that have been earmarked for afforestation, a sustainable residential building market, where all constructions are wood-based, is possible. However, in the short term, imports of wooden building components might be necessary if rapid growth in woodbased building occurs. Basic modelling analyses show that if the market share of wood-based buildings increases to 20% of new constructions, the embodied energy and global warming potential of the residential building sector could decrease by 4.9%. If all new constructions were wood based, the total embodied energy and global warming potential of the residential building sector could decrease by up to 30%.
 Significance:
 
 A novel finding of this paper is that sufficient local log resource options exist to realise a sustainable all-wood residential construction market in South Africa.
 The likely implications in terms of embodied energy and potential global warming impact of using wood-based materials for residential buildings compared to conventional brick and mortar or reinforced concrete buildings were also analysed and found to be favourable.

РЕСУРСЫ ДРЕВЕСНЫХ РАСТЕНИЙ В БЕРЕЗНЯКЕ ЧЕРНИЧНОМ

The purpose of the work is the assessment of actual resources in myrtillus-type birch forest. The relevance of the research topic follows from the demand for natural resources deposited in the forest fund. Here, almost all the diversity of available resources is self-renewing without human intervention, most of which can be harvested annually. The results of material and monetary assessment of the main types of resources of a particular forest plot are presented using the example of myrtillus-type birch forest. Composition of the stand is: 65B21E8Al3Ols2Elm1Mp; relative density is 0.6; bonitet class — II; total stock of the stand – 344 m3/ha. The reserves of resources available on the forest plot were taken into account on the trial plot 100×50 m. Prices for all types of resources have been used as of 2019. It is shown that the cost of wood in the forest area is about 16% (200840 rubles/ha) of the total cost of all recorded types of resources. In the total volume, wood predominates - more than 36%. The share of industrial wood is slightly less - 34%. The total income from the sale of accounted species of wood resources in myrtillus-type birch forest with clear-cutting may amount to 1.1 million rubles/ha. Revenues from the sale of all types of resources without cutting stands make up more than 391 thousand rubles/ha. If you take into account other types of resources available in this birch forest (medicinal and honey plants, mushrooms and berries), then this amount will increase markedly.

High capacity oil absorbent wood prepared through eco-friendly deep eutectic solvent delignification

Frequent occurrence of oil spill accidents and heavy discharge of oily wastewater lead to serious environmental pollution. The sustainable utilization of natural materials offers non-toxic and renewable methods for oil waste adsorption. A new oil absorbent wood material was therefore developed using the deep eutectic solvent (DES) treatment and subsequently hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) hydrophobic coating. Compared to the conventional chemical approach using NaOH-Na2SO3 and NaClO2, the DES delignification was more favorable towards remaining original wood structures attributing to its dissolving mechanism avoiding chemical hydrolysis. Chemical analysis showed that more residual lignin and hemicellulose remained in the DES-delignified wood compared to those treated by conventional chemical approaches. The specific surface area increased approximately 19-fold from 1.3 to 24.9 m2 g−1 after the DES delignification of wood. The DES-delignified wood exhibited excellent mechanical compressibility, i.e., 97% height retention after 100 compression-releasing cycles at 90% strain, which was beneficial to the oil absorption and squeeze application. The DES-delignified wood was then coated by HDTMS to be endowed superhydrophobic surfaces for oil absorption. The developed wood showed high capacity to absorb various types of oils, recording 37 g−1 for absorbing silicone, which is highly competitive compared to current available materials and techniques. This novel oil absorbent wood can be produced using abundantly available wood resource and is eco-friendly in production due to the employ of re-usable DES. This sustainable novel oil-absorber may be widely applicable for cleaning oily wastewater.

Production of wooden I-beams from angular elements for low-rise housing

Due to the deterioration of the environmental situation, an increasing number of coniferous trees are affected by butt heart rot. For a more sustainable use of resources, one needs to use round assortments with the presence of sound rot for the manufacture of sawn products. I-beams are widely used in low-rise wooden housing construction. High installation speed without the use of heavy equipment and ease of assembly increase the speed and adaptability of building construction. A method for manufacturing I-beams from corner elements obtained as a result of cutting round timber with heart rot is proposed. The elements of the angular cross section are glued together to obtain an I-beam. The strength characteristics of an I-beam glued from angular cross-sectional elements are determined. It was established that the design characteristics of I-beams obtained by the proposed technology withstand operational loads. Values of normative and shear stresses arising upon application of loads do not exceed 50% of the permissible values. The beam deflection does not exceed 80% of the permissible deflection value. The use of round timber with core rot increases wood resources for low-rise housing.

Process and Environmental Benefit of Recycling of Waste Papers

Paper is a fundamental part of most aspects of society; worldwide a total of approximately three hundred million tons of paper are produced each day and approximately 90% of this paper is produced from mature pulp wood. In addition, the demand of paper is expected to increase. Today the finest of paper are produced all over the world. But one dismaying fact is that millions of trees are fell in a day to make paper. Increase demands of paper production and limited wood resources have directed researchers to look for appropriate additional resources of non-wood material (waste papers) for pulp and paper manufacturing. Setting up of handmade paper unit has the capability of recycling waste paper and cotton rags into fine quality handmade paper. Not only does this initiative conserve environmental resources but also helps in providing employment to pupil from the unskilled and marginalized strata of society.

Green-glued engineered products from fast growing Eucalyptus trees: a review

The objectives of the work described in this paper were to present concept processing pathways for manufacturing high value, green-glued finger-jointed Eucalyptus engineered products and review existing research related to these engineered products. Additionally, critical knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in future research were identified. Research on four green-glued Eucalyptus products (green roof trusses, face-laminated beams, edge-laminated planks and panels, and CLT) and some of the processing steps involved, was reviewed. The research review showed that green finger-jointing seems to provide good quality bonds and is suitable for roof truss applications. The finger-jointed lumber has very different properties to existing softwood resources—which will make it more resource-efficient to define new stress grades for this wood resource. An engineered product where green Eucalyptus grandis was finger-jointed and then face-laminated before drying to equilibrium moisture content had much lower levels of checks, splits, and twist than products that were not face-laminated. Additionally, a higher material resistance factor can be used for this resource in comparison to the current value prescribed in the South African national timber design code. Material and processing variables for green edge lamination has been investigated and it has been found that high strength bonds are possible. Face bonding quality of dry Eucalyptus grandis for CLT has also been investigated and it was found that excellent face-bonding quality could be achieved when using a clamping pressure of 0.7 MPa and with no stress relief grooves present. Future research on this resource and product type should include studies on the process economics, process integration and durability treatment of green-glued, engineered Eucalyptus products.

Dead tree branches in urban forests and private gardens are key habitat components for woodpeckers in a city matrix

Populations of saproxylic organisms, i.e. species that are dependent on dead or decaying wood, in urban ecosystems are limited because dead wood is regularly removed for safety and aesthetic reasons. However, depending on management policies and property ownership, a small amount of dead wood debris may be occasionally left in situ during maintenance work. As a result, some wooded habitat patches within an urban matrix might host such organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the importance of three principal habitat types (municipal greenery, private gardens and forest remnants) for woodpecker species richness and abundance in an urban ecosystem and to distinguish the role of dead wood forms available therein (fallen logs, snags and dead tree branches). The breeding assemblage of woodpeckers together with dead wood resources were surveyed in the city of Kraków (southern Poland). Eight woodpecker species were recorded within the urban matrix and 75% of the sample plots were occupied by at least one species. The occurrence of five of the species was positively related to forest remnants or private gardens, whereas the occurrence of three species exhibited no clear relationship with the availability of a specific greenery type. Woodpecker species richness was correlated with the availability of snags in forest remnants and dead tree branches in private gardens, while woodpecker abundance was correlated with the availability of snags and dead tree branches in forest remnants, and dead tree branches and large old trees in private gardens. In conclusion, private gardens and forest remnants are important habitats for woodpeckers in an urban matrix. Dead tree branches, snags and large old trees may constitute an important habitat component for saproxylic organisms in an urban ecosystem and may help to sustain biodiversity in urban areas. An understanding of the habitat requirements of dead-wood dependent species within an urban landscape could be useful in the conservation of local populations of such organisms, for which the preservation of dead wood resources should be included in urban landscape planning and green space management.

Influence of Particle Size on the Properties of Boards Made from Washingtonia Palm Rachis with Citric Acid

The manufacture of technical materials of mineral and synthetic origin currently used for thermal insulation in buildings consumes a large amount of energy and they are not biodegradable. In order to reduce the environmental problems generated by their manufacture, an increasing amount of research is being carried out on the use of renewable and ecological resources. Consequently, the use of plant fibers and natural adhesives in the development of new thermal insulating products is increasing worldwide. Palm trees were used as a replacement for wood in some traditional constructions in places with scarce wood resources. This paper discusses the use of palm pruning waste in the manufacture of particleboards, using citric acid as a natural binder. Five particle sizes of Washingtonia palm rachis were used as the raw material for manufacturing the boards and the citric acid content was set at 10% by weight, in relation to the weight of the rachis particles. Single-layer agglomerated panels were made, applying a pressure of 2.6 MPa and a temperature of 150 °C for 7 min. Twenty panels were produced and their density, thickness swelling, water absorption, modulus of rupture, internal bonding strength and thermal conductivity properties were studied. Smaller particle size resulted in better mechanical properties. The boards had an average thermal conductivity of 0.084 W/m·K, meaning that these boards could be used for thermal insulation in buildings.