1. FOREST REGENERATION - (R)
a. Tree improvement techniques - Including better storage and handling of pollen and seed, more efficient seed orchards and genetically-defined breeding zones.
b. Understanding conifer variation - Gaining fundamental knowledge of genetic variation patterns for Pacific Northwest tree species, leading to improved seed for specific sites and management regimes.
c. Understanding conifer hormones and juvenility - Leading to more effective vegetative propagation and more rapid juvenile growth.
d. Vegetation management techniques - Improvements leading to better site preparation, establishment and release of conifers.
e. Nursery and planting practices - Advances based on knowledge of seedling physiological cycles and response to environments, permitting more rapid and complete establishment of new plantations.
2. FOREST CULTURE AND PRODUCTIVITY - (S)
a. Understanding symbiosis and tree nutrition - Basic knowledge helpful to low cost maintenance of soil fertility.
b. Thinning and harvesting guidelines - To achieve site-specific yield objectives.
c. Understanding organic decomposition and its role in soil productivity.
d. Predicting site productive capacity - Based on synthesis of soil, vegetation and climate information.
e. Optimizing multiple forest benefits - Including joint production of timber, water, wildlife and recreation.
3. PROTECTING FORESTS AND WATERSHEDS - (P)
a. Protecting forests - From damage by wildlife, insect pests, and disease by developing management techniques and strategies which integrate silvical and ecological objectives.
b. Protecting soils - From damage, erosion, or loss of productivity during timber harvest and road construction in order to maintain site and environmental quality.
c. Protecting streams, water quality, and fish habitat - From damage during timber harvest and road construction in order to maintain the quality of aquatic ecosystems.
4. EVALUATING FOREST USES AND PRACTICES - (E)
a. Evaluating and social aspects of production - Including costs of production, value of information, economic and social consequences of production alternatives, selection of economic optima.
b. Forest resource evaluation and policy - Including supply and demand of forest products, harvest scheduling, market structure analysis, and policy analysis.
c. Measuring forest resources - Including timber growth and yield, forest inventory methods, techniques for measuring forest user preferences.
d. Resolving use conflicts - Including techniques for allocating and scheduling forest uses, and management systems for reducing conflicts.
5. WOOD PROCESSING AND PRODUCT PERFORMANCE - (U)
a. Wood quality - Including the assessment of wood mass production as affected by genetic tree improvement and silviculture knowledge of microscopic structure of wood and composites.
b. Adhesion in plywood and composites - To improve the manufacture of these products as well as lay the groundwork for better adhesive systems.
c. Drying lumber and veneer - Encompassing schedule development, influences on strength properties and the conservation of energy.
d. Machine performance - To determine and analyze production rates and material yield with various machine designs, and develop process control systems.
e. Preservative treatments - To extend the service life of poles, lumber and plywood used in transmission lines, waterfront structures, buildings, railroad beds and boats.
f. Chemicals from wood and bark - Including characterization, extraction, and processing of components such as cellulose and phenolics.
g. Pulping technologies - Mainly for the improvement of strength and for increased yields in pulping and bleaching.
h. Energy production and conservation - By using wood and bark residues as fuel and increasing energy efficiency in processing wood products.
i. Performance of composites and treated products - Including new adhesives and preservative formulations for use in buildings, transmission lines, waterfront structures and railroad beds.
j. Mechanical properties of lumber and composition boards - To reduce potential liability problems, effect more efficient use, introduce new construction components and provide incentives for improved grading methods.
k. Performance of building components - To modify existing construction codes, enhance wood construction and provide computer simulation for comparing new construction systems. Revised 3/17/89