Qualidade da madeira de Pinus taeda L. de procedência da África do Sul

Devido ao vigoroso crescimento e por sua importância econômica na produção de madeira serrada e fabricação de papel, a espécie Pinus taeda tem sido muito estudada. As árvores de procedência da África do Sul, oriundas de plantios da empresa Klabin S.A.,apresentam diferenças dendrológicas com relação à procedência norte-americana. Isto motivou o estudo de suas características anatômicas já que havia a possibilidade de detecção de diferenças na composição da madeira. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade da madeira de Pinus taeda dessa procedência visando o melhor desempenho no processo industrial de fabricação de papel. Foram coletadas 15 árvores, separadas em três classes diamétricas, de plantios com 25 anos de idade localizados no município de Alfredo Wagner, Estado de Santa Catarina. Foram determinadas a massa específica básica e a porcentagem de lenho tardio ao longo do fuste. A madeira foi descrita anatomicamente e foram mensuradas as dimensões dos traqueóides. Com estes dados fez-se o cálculo de índices estimativos de qualidade do papel. A partir das mesmas árvores foi obtida polpa celulósica pelo processo kraft e foram feitas folhas de papel para a determinação de suas características físico-mecânicas. Como resultado dessa pesquisa foi constatado o decréscimo ao longo do fuste da massa específica básica da madeira e da porcentagem de lenho tardio, não havendo diferença estatística significativa entre os valores das classes diamétricas. Algumas características morfológicas dos traqueóides, como os diâmetros interno e externo, apresentaram um comportamento bastante variável. As demais características apresentaram as tendências já esperadas para madeira de coníferas. Verificou-se uma grande variabilidade das relações entre as dimensões dos traqueóides. A polpa e o papel apresentaram rendimentos e propriedades adequados para a madeira de coníferas. O papel produzido com a madeira de costaneira mostrou-se mais resistente ao rasgo. Entretanto, a madeira de topo obteve melhores resultados com relação às demais propriedades. Apesar da pequena homogeneidade na madeira de Pinus taeda de procedência da África do Sul, esta madeira apresenta potencial para a produção de pape

How does management affect soil C sequestration and greenhouse gas fluxes in boreal and temperate forests? : A review

Acknowledgements This review has been supported by the grant Holistic management practices, modelling and monitoring for European forest soils – HoliSoils (EU Horizon 2020 Grant Agreement No 101000289) and the Academy of Finland Fellow project (330136, B. Adamczyk). In addition to the HoliSoils consortium partners, Dr. Abramoff contributed on this study and her work was supported by the United States Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the United States Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Qualidade da madeira de Pinus taeda L. de procedência da África do Sul

Devido ao vigoroso crescimento e por sua importância econômica na produção de madeira serrada e fabricação de papel, a espécie Pinus taeda tem sido muito estudada. As árvores de procedência da África do Sul, oriundas de plantios da empresa Klabin S.A.,apresentam diferenças dendrológicas com relação à procedência norte-americana. Isto motivou o estudo de suas características anatômicas já que havia a possibilidade de detecção de diferenças na composição da madeira. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade da madeira de Pinus taeda dessa procedência visando o melhor desempenho no processo industrial de fabricação de papel. Foram coletadas 15 árvores, separadas em três classes diamétricas, de plantios com 25 anos de idade localizados no município de Alfredo Wagner, Estado de Santa Catarina. Foram determinadas a massa específica básica e a porcentagem de lenho tardio ao longo do fuste. A madeira foi descrita anatomicamente e foram mensuradas as dimensões dos traqueóides. Com estes dados fez-se o cálculo de índices estimativos de qualidade do papel. A partir das mesmas árvores foi obtida polpa celulósica pelo processo kraft e foram feitas folhas de papel para a determinação de suas características físico-mecânicas. Como resultado dessa pesquisa foi constatado o decréscimo ao longo do fuste da massa específica básica da madeira e da porcentagem de lenho tardio, não havendo diferença estatística significativa entre os valores das classes diamétricas. Algumas características morfológicas dos traqueóides, como os diâmetros interno e externo, apresentaram um comportamento bastante variável. As demais características apresentaram as tendências já esperadas para madeira de coníferas. Verificou-se uma grande variabilidade das relações entre as dimensões dos traqueóides. A polpa e o papel apresentaram rendimentos e propriedades adequados para a madeira de coníferas. O papel produzido com a madeira de costaneira mostrou-se mais resistente ao rasgo. Entretanto, a madeira de topo obteve melhores resultados com relação às demais propriedades. Apesar da pequena homogeneidade na madeira de Pinus taeda de procedência da África do Sul, esta madeira apresenta potencial para a produção de pape

Restoration of the hardwood forest : a profitability approach

En Amérique du Nord, la préférence pour la récolte des arbres vigoureux et de gros diamètre a amené les forêts feuillues à un état d’appauvrissement. Ces forêts sont composées de grandes quantités de tiges de faible qualité et d’essences moins prisées par l’industrie. Conséquemment, le secteur forestier doit composer avec une grande quantité de matière première de faible qualité, ce qui entraîne une augmentation des coûts d’opération et cause la production des forts volumes de résidus qui doivent être valorisés. Cette situation force l’industrie à rechercher des solutions pour l’utilisation de grandes quantités de bois de faible qualité abondamment disponibles en forêt afin d’augmenter la rentabilité de ses opérations. Une option serait de miser sur les produits de haute valeur ajoutée qui pourraient être extraits à partir des résidus des scieries. Ces produits incluent les extraits de bouleau jaune (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), lesquels ont du potentiel pour l’utilisation dans les industries nutraceutique, cosméceutique et pharmaceutique. Les produits de haute valeur ajoutée, intégrés dans l’industrie des produits traditionnels, peuvent augmenter la rentabilité de la chaîne de valeur, surtout si les résidus sont utilisés comme matière première. Afin de comprendre le potentiel et les limites de cette approche, cette étude a évalué les facteurs qui influencent la valeur monétaire de sciage, proposant ensuite une utilisation alternative pour le bois de faible qualité et l’écorce provenant des forêts feuillues de la province de Québec au Canada. Cette étude a été structurée en trois parties : l’évaluation de la relation entre la valeur monétaire des sciages et les caractéristiques du peuplement, de la station et du climat; l’évaluation de la relation entre la quantité d’extraits de bois et d’écorce du bouleau jaune et des caractéristiques des arbres et; l’évaluation de l’inclusion d’un produit à haute valeur ajoutée dans la chaîne de création valeur. Dans la première partie, la valeur monétaire des sciages du bouleau jaune et de l’érable à sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.) a été utilisée comme indicateur de la qualité du peuplement. Les résultats ont démontré que des patrons géographiques de variation de la valeur monétaire des sciages existaient à travers la province. Cette variation pourrait être attribuée en partie aux caractéristiques du peuplement, de la station et du climat local. Même s’il persiste de l’incertitude quant à l’effet de l’historique d’aménagement forestier, on croit que la production d’arbres de haute qualité devrait être priorisée aux endroits où la valeur monétaire des bois sur pied est la plus grande. Dans la deuxième partie, les analyses réalisées pour quantifier les extraits du bois et de l’écorce ont fourni une compréhension plus approfondie du potentiel du bouleau jaune pour les produits non traditionnels à haute valeur ajoutée. Dans la troisième partie, la rentabilité d’une coupe de jardinage a été évaluée, en plus du profit potentiel de production de la bétuline et l’inclusion de cet extrait dans la chaîne de valeur du bois. Dans certains cas, la coupe de jardinage a été très peu rentable, surtout lorsqu’appliquée dans les peuplements qui étaient composés des grandes quantités de tiges de faible qualité. Dans de tels cas, les produits à haute valeur ajoutée, comme la bétuline, pourraient augmenter les profits et, par le fait même, ajouter de la valeur à la ressource forestière. La diversification des produits est une approche qui pourrait être envisagée par l’industrie forestière pour augmenter sa résilience et promouvoir une sylviculture respectant les règles de l’art.The historical preference for harvesting vigorous and large-diameter trees from stands in North America resulted in a forest mainly composed of poor-quality stems of less valuable species that present lower growth potential. As a result, the forestry sector has to work with large quantities of low-quality raw material, increasing operation costs and producing large amounts of residues. This situation forces the industry to find solutions to use the abundant quantity of low-quality wood available in forest stands to increase profits. One option is the high value-added products that could be extracted from sawmill residues. These products include yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) extracts that have the potential to be used in the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical industries. The enhanced products, when integrated with the traditional products industry, could increase profit of the wood value chain, especially if residues are used as raw material. In order to better understand the potential and limitations of this option, this study assessed the factors that influence lumber value, and proposed an alternative use for the abundant low-value wood and bark available in the province of Quebec, Canada. Structured in three parts, this work first studied the relationship between stand, site and climatic variables and stand quality, using lumber value recovery (LVR) of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and yellow birch as surrogate variable. In the second part, the relationship between extracts content in wood and bark of yellow birch trees with selected tree characteristics was assessed. This allowed a better understanding of the potential of yellow birch extracts as a high-value added product. In the third and final part, the potential impact of integrating a high-value added product to the processing of traditional wood products was evaluated. For this, the profitability of a selection cut was analysed, the potential financial gain of producing betulin extract was assessed, and finally, the inclusion of betulin extracts in a hardwood chain was evaluated. Results from the ensemble of this thesis show that variations in LVR could be attributed to in part to stand, site and climatic conditions. Although it remains uncertain as to what extent the variability of LVR might result from past management practices or from inherent site characteristics, we believe that efforts to produce high-quality lumber should be prioritized in sites where LVR is predicted to be the highest. In addition, simulations showed that tested selection cuts in some cases generated very little profit, especially when forest stands were composed of great quantities of low-quality stems. In this situation, the production of high value-added products, such as betulin extracts, could be an interesting alternative to increase profits, contributing to add value to the existing forest resource. The product diversification is a pathway that could be explored by the forest industry to improve its resilience and promote a more efficient use of the resources

Assessing the potential impact of a biorefinery product from sawmill residues on the profitability of a hardwood value chain

Due to the high amount of low-quality hardwoods harvested during selection cuts, the forest industry has been facing a decline in profit margins. One possible solution for utilizing the low-quality raw material is the production of extracts. The objective of this work was to estimate to which extent the inclusion of betulin in the traditional wood products portfolio could extend the profitability of a hardwood value chain. The profitability of a selection cut was assessed from the sawmill perspective, followed by the evaluation of the potential financial gain of producing betulin. Finally, the inclusion of betulin in a value chain was assessed. Results showed that the profitability of selection cuts was very low in some forest stands. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that, among selected costs and revenues, profit was more sensitive to variations in coproducts value. If a fraction of coproducts volume was used to extract betulin, it would be sufficient to generate enough revenues to offset the total costs. However, a major constraint was the small size of the current betulin market, with annual sales not exceeding 1000 kg. Despite that, results demonstrate the potentially strong contribution of high value-added extracts to the profitability of the forest value chain.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Wood-Based Products in the Circular Bioeconomy: Status and Opportunities towards Environmental Sustainability

The circular bioeconomy offers solutions to curb the effects of climate change by focusing on the use of renewable, biological resources to produce food, energy, materials, and services. The substitution of fossil products by wood-based products can help avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of products. However, it is important to understand the potential impacts of large-scale material substitution at the market level. This study aimed to assess the role of selected wood-based products in the circular bioeconomy, the possible changes in their markets, and investigate which elements could ensure the environmental sustainability of these products. The demand for graphic paper has declined over the last 15 years, while the demand for packaging has increased. Cross-laminated timber and man-made cellulosic fibres have seen their global consumption increase over the last decade. While there are benefits associated with the substitution of non-renewable materials by wood-based products, there is still limited understanding of the substitution effects at market-, country- and global level. Some factors enabling the further uptake of wood-based products include initiatives that stimulate technological change, incentives to produce or consume less fossil-based and more bio-based alternatives, and the promotion and marketing of wood-based products as viable alternatives to non-renewable materials

Wood-Based Products in the Circular Bioeconomy: Status and Opportunities towards Environmental Sustainability

The circular bioeconomy offers solutions to curb the effects of climate change by focusing on the use of renewable, biological resources to produce food, energy, materials, and services. The substitution of fossil products by wood-based products can help avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of products. However, it is important to understand the potential impacts of large-scale material substitution at the market level. This study aimed to assess the role of selected wood-based products in the circular bioeconomy, the possible changes in their markets, and investigate which elements could ensure the environmental sustainability of these products. The demand for graphic paper has declined over the last 15 years, while the demand for packaging has increased. Cross-laminated timber and man-made cellulosic fibres have seen their global consumption increase over the last decade. While there are benefits associated with the substitution of non-renewable materials by wood-based products, there is still limited understanding of the substitution effects at market-, country- and global level. Some factors enabling the further uptake of wood-based products include initiatives that stimulate technological change, incentives to produce or consume less fossil-based and more bio-based alternatives, and the promotion and marketing of wood-based products as viable alternatives to non-renewable materials

Characterizing wood density–climate relationships along the stem in black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) using a combination of boosted regression trees and mixed-effects models.

The relationships between climate and wood density components, i.e. minimum, maximum and average ring density, have been characterized mainly at breast height, while little information is available for other stem heights. This work aimed to (1) identify the significant climate variables related to ring density components in black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and (2) assess whether their effects vary significantly along the stem. Densitometric data were obtained from 68 black spruce trees from northwestern Ontario, Canada. Six discs along the stem, from stump to base of the live crown, were sampled. For each sample height and density component, we first developed mixed-effects models using ring width and cambial age as predictors. Monthly climate variables were later integrated into the models. The candidate climate variables were pre-selected using the boosted regression trees method. In addition to observed density–climate relationships, a significant effect of sample height was found. Findings revealed that the relationships were similar in nature but varied in strength and timing along the stem. The wood density variation showed delayed sensitivities to some climate variables among sampling heights. Such delayed responses may be caused by the axial progression of water requirement and of hormonal and photosynthetic allocation along the stem throughout the growing season

Forest Bioeconomy in Brazil: Potential Innovative Products from the Forest Sector

The forest sector plays an important role in the circular bioeconomy due to its focus on renewable materials that can substitute fossil or greenhouse gas emissions-intensive materials, store carbon in bio-based products and provide ecosystem services. This study investigates the state of the bioeconomy in Brazil and its forest industry. Specifically, this study presents some examples of novel wood-based products being developed or manufactured in Brazil and discusses possible opportunities for the development of the country’s forest sector. The pulp and paper industry plays an important role in the forest sector. It has also been showing advancements in the development of cascading uses of wood invalue-added products, such as nanocrystalline cellulose, wood-based textile fibers, lignin-based products, and chemical derivatives from tall oil. Product and business diversification through the integration of the pulp and paper industry to biorefineries could provide new opportunities. Moreover, biochemicals derived from non-wood forest products, such as resin and tannins could promote diversification and competitiveness of the Brazilian forest industry. Although some engineered wood products are still a novelty in Brazil, the market for such products will likely expand in the future following the global trends in wood construction

Genetic influence on components of wood density variation in white spruce

Conifer breeding programmes are increasingly selecting for wood quality in addition to growth so to ensure a sufficient flow of high-quality fibre from future forest plantations. As wood density is one of the most frequently used indicators of wood quality, there is a growing interest to consider this trait in selection, and thus enhance the properties of end-use products from planted trees. However, wood density varies at different scales within trees, with pith-to-bark patterns and year-to-year fluctuations representing two important sources of variation. From both physiological and end-use points of view, it is desirable to produce stems with limited pith-to-bark and year-to-year wood density variation. In the present study, we assessed patterns of pith-to-bark and yearto-year variation in 2196 wood density patterns and evaluated the genetic control of traits characterizing this variation. The experimental data came from a 15-year-old white spruce genetic trial representing 93 full-sib families replicated in two contrasting environments in Quebec, Canada. To separate pith-to-bark from year-toyear variation, non-linear models were developed to describe pith-to-bark patterns of variation in the mean ring density (MRD) of individual trees as well as for latewood density (LWD) and latewood proportion. We observed that pith-to-bark variation was more under genetic control than year-to-year variation, for which only LWD and proportion of latewood width to overall ring width reached moderate genetic control. Little genotype-byenvironment interaction was observed although wood density patterns differed significantly between sites. The present approach could help identify trees or families that tend to have limited pith-to-bark and year-to-year variation in wood density as part of tree genetic improvement programmes to provide future trees with more uniform and desirable wood attributes