As evidence of an ongoing decline in forestry research, the National Research Council formed a Committee on National Capacity in Forestry Research.  The Committee’s report was completed in 2002 and approved by the National Academy of Sciences for publication and distribution.  The following statements have been quoted from that report:

“In brief, this report suggests that our current forestry research capacity is neither adequate now, nor poised for success in the coming years.  This report identifies significant declines in real research capacity, fragmented cooperation and poor communication among the principal providers and users of forestry research, inadequate support of both foundation and emerging disciplines, and little strategic planning to address future forestry research needs.”

“The forestry research sector is indeed at a crossroads.  If left unchanged, its future will entail a steady erosion of intellectual and institutional capacity, and dwindling capacity and impact.  Alternatively, forestry research could renew its commitment to innovation, cooperation, relevance, and extension in order to prosper and enhance the practice of forestry in this century.  This latter vision will require levels of cooperation, support, real exchange of financial and technical support, and stakeholder support that do not currently exist.”

The report is available from the National Academy Press in Washington, D.C. as International Standard Book Number 0-309-08456-3 and contains 144 pages.download report here

Justification:

Why do we need the Forest Biometrics Research Institute (FBRI)?

• USDA Experiment Stations have ceased to provide relevant biometrics tools (such as cruise compilers, site index curves, volume equations, growth models and planning models).
• No other independent professional organization is providing a reference point for yield potentials, volume estimators, methods of determining sustainability, or validation of appropriate biometrics principles for certification, appraisal or valuation.
• No other organization is providing new research to meet the demands for biometrics tools and silvicultural regimes in an increasingly environmental and politically regulated industry.
• No other organization provides service and software tools to the forest industry for inventory, growth, silviculture, economics and planning that is backed by independent research and peer-reviewed publications in the public sector.
• No other structure exists in any Company, University or USDA Experiment Station that is ready or planning to take on these needs, now or anytime in the future.