Platforms and Areas of Focus

Trees are a tremendous source of bio-based products. Cellulose and lignin that make up the wood in trees are only slightly modified when making products such as lumber and paper. Biotechnology can be applied to grow trees that require less energy and chemicals to process into the products our society depends on for sanitary packaging, housing, and communications. Sustainably grown trees also serve as the feedstock for biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, that can ease environmental and security concerns for nations producing it domestically. Biochemicals are made by processing the celluloses in trees with enzymes and bacteria. Polymers made from trees, such as polyhydroxyalkanoate, can help offset the use of non-renewable fossil fuels used to make conventional polymers.

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Biotechnology is a collection of technologies that includes genomics; the study of genes and their function. Beneficial biotechnology uses living cells and biological molecules to solve social or ecological problems without imposing significant harm. Information gathered in these research areas is used in tree breeding techniques that range from classical cross breeding, to clonal propagation, to genetic engineering. The Pine Genome Initiative is a good example of how genomics will guide improvement in forest health and mechanisms to increase the supply of sustainable wood feedstock for biofuel, pulp, and lumber production.

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The field of forest biotechnology is comprised of diverse stakeholders. However, there is growing need for all actors to understand the scientific benefits and risks to society, the environment, and the economy. The IFB organizes meetings where a wide range of perspectives are discussed in an open and science-based format. We consolidate the material generated from those meetings and make it available to the public on our website and in printed media.

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Trees hold cherished places in cultures worldwide. When applying biotechnology to trees, it is critical that society identifies the cultural and ethical issues at stake in an open and global exchange. Society can benefit from biotechnology in forests if there are no significant negative ecological ramifications. It is critical that the benefits and risks to ecological systems are thoroughly addressed. In addition to environmental affects, there are often economic benefits from using forest biotechnology. Healthy working forests provide rural communities with a stable source of income. The revenue generated by forest products is many times higher than the salary paid directly to employees of the industry. This results in a stronger economy for localities that practice sustainable forestry.

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Sustainably grown and harvested trees provide an environmentally responsible source of food, shelter, sanitary products, and communication material for the world. Working forests are one of the most reliable ways to conserve forest land. Societies must work at finding sustainable solutions to keep land forested because the current rate of global deforestation is unprecedented in human history. How can legal and sustainable sources of wood keep pace with a world whose population is nearing 7 billion; increasing by about 150 people per minute? What will happen to land uses if cellulosic ethanol technologies become more available throughout the world? How will carbon taxes and cap-and-trade of carbon emissions affect the value of forests actively sequestering carbon? How will the multitude of competing demands ultimately change future forests? These are questions that the IFB investigates with our partners. There is a growing possibility that biotechnology can safely enhance the quality and quantity of fiber grown for these purposes and thereby reduce the demand for wood from unsustainable sources. Biotechnology can also help reverse the loss of forests; especially those requiring a unique environment destroyed by development. Conserving natural forests, protecting biodiversity, and avoiding deforestation are central goals of the IFB’s focus on stewardship.

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Because of globalization, the spread of disease vectors is increasing dramatically and literally destroying forests. Biotechnology can help rescue and reintroduce trees such as the American chestnut, English elm, and Fraser fir. The IFB has a species protection initiative called Heritage Trees® that has dramatically advanced research at the University of Georgia, and SUNY-ESF to bring back the American chestnut. This species was decimated when a fungus from Asia was accidentally imported to which American chestnut trees had no resistance. There are two efforts to bring back this tree. One is carried out by The American Chestnut Foundation and involves backcrossing with a Chinese chestnut to a purity of 15/16th American chestnut while gaining fungal resistance. The other is a parallel effort led by the IFB and designed to augment other efforts to increase chances of success. The Species Protection Initiative uses carefully selected genes that will impart disease resistance to a pure American chestnut tree. The IFB’s Species Protection Initiative also includes work with partners to understand the implications of climate change on vulnerable tree populations. Thanks to the support of partners like ArborGen, a number of research universities around the world, and forest agencies, there is now a front line against devastating forest species lost to disease, pests, or climate change.

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