There is global evidence of rapid environmental change as the result of climate change and in some cases introduction of invasive species. The environmental changes are often particularly severe to socially, economically, and disadvantaged populations with strong connections to natural resources for cultural, spiritual, economical, and health reasons. This research will bring diverse groups together […]
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Maine is traditionally forest products industry oriented. One way to keep the tradition going is to develop new forest products that can be commercialized and compensate for the declining sectors such as paper industry. With more and more mills closing or re-purposed, the public is anxious to learn if the forest industry is still viable. […]
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Worker health and safety in the forest products industry is important. To date, particulate emissions have not been assessed in the rapidly growing pellet fuel industry. This research will assess particulate emissions that could endanger human health and will result in clear guidelines for state and federal government officials. Additionally, the wood fuel pellet industry […]
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Recent advances in the production of nano-scale materials from renewable forest-based resources provide new opportunities to positively affect the nation’s economy and overcome the shortcomings of other nano-scale materials that require imported rare earth metals, need high energy inputs, and are difficult to scale up. Novel renewable forest-based nanocomposites may enable the development of new […]
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The improved ability to evaluate suitability of Maine wood species for new markets and applications can help provide consistent demand for wood from sustainably managed Maine forests, which in turn will help sustain the economies of rural communities that rely on the forest products industry. The continued viability of a vibrant cluster of forest products […]
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Those most interested in the information produced from this project will be forest managers of approximately 10 million acres of large, privately owned forestland in northern Maine. These managers and landowners provide the raw material that supports Maine’s forest products-based economy, which has an annual 8 billion dollar direct and indirect economic impact on the […]
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Forests and forest products are critical part of Maine’s economy. Maintaining productive forests in the face of climate change and uncertain future conditions requires an understanding of how forests have responded to past disturbances and stresses, including climate extremes. Establishing the link between past stresses and forest productivity is key to devising management strategies that […]
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The highest priority for study at this time involves the impending introduction of the Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Due to limited resources, management activities often need to be deployed differentially to reduce EAB-induced impacts in high-value areas and unique ecosystems. Basket-quality black ash stands are an example of an under-studied, unique ecosystem with high-value […]
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The productivity of forest trees has traditionally been measured by the increase in their trunk wood over time. The result is a near universal trend of decreasing productivity that begins somewhat before the midpoint of a tree’s expected lifespan and becomes stronger as the tree enters an old-growth life-stage. This trend is used by forest […]
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Maine’s forests have reached a stage of unprecedented importance to the state’s residents, but are also experiencing natural (climate change, introduced pests) and anthropogenic (harvesting, air pollution) stresses with no historical precedent. These forests cannot simply be exploited economically for forest products without serious reductions in their ability to sustain all the values society has […]
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