Research awards reflect challenges in tree science

RESEARCHERS IN FIELDS AS DIVERSE AS NITROGEN MOVEMENT IN forest soils, to the designer of a grapple on a helicopter to collect forest slash from vulnerable slopes, have been recognised at the Forest Growers Research Awards in Wellington.

The annual awards ceremony acknowledges the science and technology contribution made to the forest industry in an increasingly demanding economic and environmental marketplace.

This year, six awards went to recipients for a wide cross-section of projects that are expected to make a positive difference to the industry They included:

• Communication and Sector Engagement went to Dr Amanda Matson, Scion. Amanda’s skill set includes a great ability to communicate the research she’s doing on what’s going on under the ground in a pine forest, particularly the movement of soil nutrients.

• Innovation for Sector Value went to Dr Graham Coker, Scion, for his study using foliar fertiliser applications to see what works to enhance tree growth and when it’s best to apply those nutrients.

• Science of International Quality, which was shared this year by the Phenotyping Team from Scion and the University of Canterbury School of Forestry. This large team has been pulling together diverse science areas, such as genetics, remote sensing, computer modelling, to make huge world-leading gains in finding, identifying, analysing and using the genetics of individual super-trees trees in Timberlands and Lake Taupo forests. The team members are Michael Watt, Jonathan Dash, Grant Pearce, Nathaniel Melia, David Pont, Toby Stovold, Natalie Graham, Ahmed Ismael and Heidi Dungey from Scion, and Justin Morgenroth from UoC.

• Research Participation and Implementation went to Hamish McPherson of PF Olsen. Hamish has been recognised for his development work on a helicopter slash grapple used for removing forest slash that has fallen near to waterways. This engineering is a significant development in reducing the risks of slash in rivers causing downstream damage.

• Collaboration in a Science Team, went to Loretta Garratt, Scion. Loretta is the scientist everyone wants on their team, according to her colleagues. Her work has varied from productivity trails to measuring nitrogen transfer in forest soils.

• Young Scientist, Dr Stuart Fraser, Scion. Stuart is a recent recruit to the Scion team in New Zealand from the UK, working to combat forest tree diseases, such as the threat of Myrtle Rust and Dothistroma needle blight. Dr Fraser was overseas and unable to attend the awards ceremony.

NZL

1: Dr Amanda Matson, left, receives her award from the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Juliet Gerrard. 2: Dr Graham Coker receives his award from the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Juliet Gerrard. 3: The Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Juliet Gerrard, presents the joint award to Dr Michael Watt from Scion, far left and Prof Euan Mason, from the University of Canterbury (centre). 4: PF Olsen’s Hamish McPherson receives his award from the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Juliet Gerrard. 5: Loretta Garratt is presented with her award by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Juliet Gerrard.