Sammlung von Newsfeeds

Woodsafe Research & Development (WRD) has installed Sweden’s most advanced testing equipment to verify the long-term performance of fire-protected wood products.  Source: Timberbiz With the capability to conduct both durability testing according to EN 16755 Method B and fire classification via SBI (Single Burning Item), WRD is setting an entirely new standard for what a fire lab for fire-treated wood can deliver in Sweden. Woodsafe R&D is currently the only company in Sweden capable of performing large-scale aging processes on panels up to six meters in length. The new testing facility developed specifically for WRD’s needs under the technical leadership of Dr Lazaros Tsantaridis enables full-scale testing of both durability and fire classification in one single controlled environment. “This is a huge leap forward for the entire industry. We can now simulate several years of weather exposure in just a few weeks and immediately evaluate whether the fire protection still meets requirements such as Euroclass B. No other operator in Sweden and likely not in all of Europe has this combined capability,” said Dr Tsantaridis, Head of Research at Woodsafe R&D. The core of this new initiative is a custom-built test rig for EN 16755 Method B – a European standard for testing the long-term durability of fire protection. Samples of fire-treated wood are subjected to cycles of moisture, heat, UV light, and drying that together simulate several years of outdoor exposure. The fire-retardant properties of the material are then analysed – has the agent leached out, lost effectiveness, or does it still meet high standards? “It’s precisely this ability to combine accelerated aging with direct SBI fire testing that makes our investment unique. It allows us to verify both the durability of the protection and ensure the wood product still achieves the desired fire class,” Dr Tsantaridis said. SBI testing (EN 13823) involves evaluating the fire behaviour of materials in a controlled corner setup. This method forms the basis of the Euroclass system – the fire classification system used throughout Europe. By combining SBI with durability testing under EN 16755, WRD can offer a complete picture of a material’s actual fire protection performance over time. “For architects, builders, and developers, this means no longer having to guess about long-term performance. We can now provide clear answers on whether a fire-protected wood product stands the test of time and back it up with data,” said Thomas Bengtsson, CEO of Woodsafe Timber Protection AB.

In recent years, wildfires ravaging Thailand’s watershed forests have not only devastated natural resources but have also inevitably impacted the economy and public health, causing escalating economic losses year after year. Source: Nation Thailand In response, Thailand has introduced the “Payment for Ecosystem Services” (PES) mechanism as a new tool for sustainable natural resource management. Buntoon Srethasirote, Director of the Good Governance for Social Development and Environment Institute, explained that the current focus on carbon credits often leads society to view forests solely as carbon sinks. In reality, forests are vital sources of food, clean water, and fresh air. Thus, there should be a mechanism that encourages beneficiaries of these ecosystem services to contribute to their conservation. PES is an economic concept where beneficiaries of environmental conservation pay or provide resources to those who maintain ecosystems. This contrasts with the carbon market approach, where polluters pay for their emissions. PES also addresses structural challenges in Thailand, such as limited government resources and bureaucratic hurdles that delay proactive conservation efforts. Local communities play a crucial role as “ecosystem service providers” who deeply understand their land and have lived in harmony with forests for generations. Scientific tools can help resolve longstanding land use conflicts, demonstrating that sustainable human-forest coexistence is achievable. For instance, while annual wildfires plague most of Doi Suthep, the area around Ban Pong Nuea has been fire-free for five years. This success is due to villagers engaging in controlled burns to manage dry leaf litter, organising patrols, installing surveillance cameras, and developing “wet forests” to retain moisture. Although these measures carry costs, they are far more economical than firefighting expenditures, highlighting the need for financial mechanisms to support these local conservation efforts. Under PES, companies emitting carbon could fund reforestation projects, bottled water companies could support farmers to avoid contaminating water sources, and urban areas could finance green restoration projects to mitigate flood risks. Weerasak Kowsurat, Chair of the Targeted Research Program on Reducing Northern Thailand’s Haze Crisis for the National Research Council of Thailand, said that scientifically measurable forest restoration efforts are advancing through the use of remote sensing technology for closer monitoring. This will strengthen private sector and civil society support for conservation. Recently, a research team visited Ban Mae Sa Noi in Pong Yaeng Subdistrict, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, to study a successful community initiative led by Hmong leaders within Doi Suthep–Pui National Park. Collaborating with 13 neighbouring villages, they have restored watershed forests and managed wildfires effectively by planting over 30 native species, boosting biodiversity to nearly 100 species. Using both modern technology and traditional community regulations to prevent fires, the project aims to expand with PES-based support, ensuring that those maintaining ecosystems are fairly compensated for the benefits extended to urban populations across the country.

After years of careful design and preparation, ESA’s Earth Explorer Biomass satellite was launched yesterday aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Source: Timberbiz This groundbreaking mission will offer unprecedented insights into the state and evolution of the world’s forests. By mapping the woody material in Earth’s forests, this revolutionary satellite will play a crucial role in deepening our understanding of how forests influence the global carbon cycle. “This new mission will advance our ability to quantify forest carbon stocks and fluxes, which is key to understanding and assessing the impacts of climate change,” ESA’s Biomass Project Manager, Michael Fehringer, said. Biomass carries the first P-band synthetic aperture radar ever flown in space, a powerful instrument with a 70 cm wavelength capable of penetrating cloud cover and dense forest canopies to provide detailed information on forest biomass, which is essentially the woody material, forest height and structure. Its data will significantly improve our understanding of carbon storage, forest health and how these ecosystems are changing over time. Biomass will also be able to measure paleo aquifers in desert regions to find new water sources in arid regions as well as contribute to observations of ice sheet dynamics, subsurface geology and forest topography. Biomass’ P-band radar will see through the forest canopy to the ground, improving current Digital Elevation Models in densely forested areas and provide a completely new view of the Earth’s surface. In addition to measuring forest biomass, the radar can also be used to map subsurface geology in arid regions, study ice sheet structures, and reveal forest floor topography. The mission exemplifies the essence of an Earth Explorer – research missions developed under ESA’s FutureEO program that pioneer innovative space technologies while tackling fundamental scientific questions to enhance our understanding of Earth’s complex systems.

Gisborne District Council in New Zealand has reached a major milestone with the introduction of new standard forestry consent conditions, developed after more than a year of collaboration and consultation with industry stakeholders. Source: Timberbiz The new conditions, which respond directly to the Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use, represent a significant step forward in advancing sustainable land management in the region. Council Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher Swann says the conditions strike a careful balance between enabling the forestry sector and protecting the environment. “These conditions are an important step toward providing certainty to the forestry sector and meeting our environmental obligations. “This marks a key moment in our commitment to a more sustainable future for Tairāwhiti.” The conditions represent council’s interim position and will guide decision making on forestry resource consent applications on a case-to-case basis. They form part of a wider programme of work, with council continuing to develop a more integrated and holistic approach through its forestry plan change. Council will also remain responsive to emerging scientific data and insights, ensuring our approach continues to evolve in line with the latest environmental research and best practice. Ms Thatcher Swann acknowledged the constructive partnership with the forestry sector in shaping the new conditions. “Both Council and the forestry industry have dedicated significant time and effort to develop these new consent conditions,” she said. “This collaboration has resulted in meaningful progress toward finding common ground and setting a clear path forward.” While some differing views remain, Council is confident that these new consent conditions provide a solid foundation for ongoing collaboration. “Our goal is to continue improving and working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for both the environment and the local economy,” Ms Swann said. https://www.gdc.govt.nz/property/resource-consent/forestry-consents

As the national voice for forest services businesses the Australian Forest Contractors Association believes in the right of everyone to go about their work lawfully and return home safely. This includes freedom from threats, intimidation, vandalism and violence in any form. Source: Timberbiz Unfortunately, we are seeing protester disruption of forest worksites and operations is an increasing issue in many areas across the country. This causes incredible stress for business owners and workers, as well as lost time, production and income. Social media means harassment can extend from the forest to the home. In December 2023 a forestry crew arrived at work in southern Tasmania to find a group of activists on the scene including one who was perched on a platform hoisted up a 20m high cable logging machine. Subsequently one of the workers was accused, charged, convicted and sentenced for cutting a rope, a claim which was denied. The conviction and sentence are being appealed in the Supreme Court of Tasmania. The appeal is based on a legal principle that people can take reasonable action in defence of their own and their employer’s real property. Workers have a right to undertake lawful activities. This is an important principle to bring to the fore. But legal processes like this are expensive, with costs expected to run up to $20,000. Senior counsel has been retained for the case and highly respected Tasmanian barrister Chris Gunson SC has been briefed. In support of one of our own AFCA is planning to undertake fundraising at its mid-year dinner on Wednesday 14 May at the Twin Towns Conference and Events Centre, Tweed Heads. Donations of items to include in a silent auction are welcome and appreciated.