Today's News |
Genome BC Announces Major Forestry Research Initiatives
Monday, September 26, 2011Company Profile | Follow Company
Vancouver, BC, September 26, 2011--(T-Net)--Genome BC announced three major projects that will use our increasing understanding of the genomics of trees -- how they control growth, adaptability, and much more -- to help address substantial challenges in climate change, fuel shortages and dwindling natural resources. The federal government is also recognizing the importance of these issues by designating today as Canada's first National Tree Day, mid-week of National Forest Week.
Canada possesses vast amounts of forests, which provide Canadians with one of their largest renewable resources. Forests are essential for carbon storage, the production of bioenergy, and as a valuable economic resource. The project ‘Harnessing microbial diversity for sustainable use of forest biomass' looks at how microorganisms in soil naturally degrade trees into biofuel feedstocks; ‘SMarTForest: Spruce Marker Technologies for Sustainable Forestry' is aimed at upping healthy wood yield; and, ‘AdapTree: Adaptive portfolio of reforestation stocks for future climates' looks at how to manage tree breeding and growth in the midst of our shifting climate.
The infrastructure already exists in our province to plant and grow hundreds of millions of trees annually. The research being done as part of these three projects will guide decisions on what trees to plant where, and these management changes can then be applied to the existing infrastructure. BC is well situated to adapt our forests to the need for biofuels, the necessity of increasing our forest wood production, and climate change through changes in forest management and seed source decisions.
As our dependence on fossil fuels continues to rise, and traditional fuel sources are depleted, biofuels are becoming an increasingly important new energy source. Scientists are now turning to new technologies and alternative processes to improve economic and conversion efficiencies for biofuels production. ‘Harnessing microbial diversity for sustainable use of forest biomass', led by Drs. Lindsay Eltis and Bill Mohn at the University of British Columbia (UBC), is exploring the microorganisms found in soil that naturally degrade biomass, a key component of biofuels. Unlocking the potential of forest biomass will lead to better forest management practices and improve the economics of lignin-based products.
Forestry is also a hugely important economic resource to our provincial economy and across Canada. The project ‘SMarTForest: Spruce Marker Technologies for Sustainable Forestry' is in partnership with Genome Quebec and led by Dr. Jörg Bohlmann of UBC and Dr. John MacKay of Université Laval. The BC and Quebec research teams bring together a unique pan-Canadian spruce genomics consortium that builds on expertise and traditional strength in these two provinces both in conifer genomics and tree breeding.The research aims to develop marker technologies to identify spruce seedlings that have superior growth and wood properties, or increased insect resistance. As they are identified, these genetic marker systems and biomarkers can be directly applied to Canadian spruce forestry programs, which will result in a significant increase in production.
Climate change threatens the health of our forests, and forest-dependent communities, which will impact BC economically, socially and environmentally. In her project, ‘AdapTree: Adaptive portfolio of reforestation stocks for future climates', Dr. Sally Aitken, also a UBC researcher, is utilizing resources from previous, more traditional forestry projects, and using her genomic knowledge of trees to help address the climate-change induced mismatch between the inherent genetics of trees and the locations where they currently grow. Using genomic analysis coupled with cutting-edge geospatial analysis and climate modeling, Dr. Aitken and her team are looking at the impact of climate change, and how to adapt to it on two of our province's most important trees: lodgepole pine and spruce.
By analyzing the miniscule molecules of the mighty trees that surround us, genomic tools will be used to preserve our existing forests, to safeguard our clean air and enhance natural resources into potential fuel stores.
Genome BC is funding these three projects as a result of Genome Canada's 2010 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition. This competition was targeted towards large-scale research projects focused on the application of genomics research addressing challenges in forestry and the environment. In this competition Genome BC researchers were leaders on eight of 16 projects awarded funding.
About Genome British Columbia:
Genome British Columbia is a catalyst for the life sciences cluster on Canada's West Coast, and manages a cumulative portfolio of over $450M in technology platforms and research projects. Working with governments, academia and industry across sectors such as forestry, fisheries, agriculture, environment, bioenergy, mining and human health, the goal of the organization is to generate social and economic benefits for British Columbia and Canada. www.genomebc.ca
Contact:
Jennifer Boon
Communications Specialist, Genome BC
Cell: 778-327-8374
Email: jboon@genomebc.ca
Other Recent Company News |
|||||||||||||||||||
|