Forest Genetics & Biotechnology
FER Home : Forest Genetics & Biotechnology
The Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources (FER) supports some of the most respected forest genetics and biotechnology programs in the world. From the molecular control of economically important traits, to conservation of threatened and endangered tree species, to genetic variation in the end product — NC State teams of scientists are working to improve the productivity, adaptability, and quality of the world’s forests. Their work can take them from the pine plantations of eastern North Carolina to Appalachain Christmas tree farms to the Eucalyptus forests of the tropics and beyond.
In recent decades, scientific advances have created a new tool in the fight to preserve our natural resources: forest genetics and biotechnology. The ability to identify and track genetic markers, manipulate biological processes and fine tune growing techniques has taken the selective breeding of tree and other plant species to a whole new level of sophistication. Many of these advancements are the result of research conducted as part of FER's internationally-known forest genetics and biotechnology program. The program's core mission is to discover innovations in basic science that advance the application of molecular genetics to forest trees. This purpose is achieved through on-going research, scientist training and technology transfer initiatives.
As our researchers look inward to examine and manipulate basic molecular and genetic behaviors, they are improving the characteristics of species while making them hardier, more productive and adaptable to new environments. They are also developing new hybrids that combine the best of existing species and lead to new applications for forest and plant products.
What We Do
We work all around the world, using our partnerships with other universities, private companies, governments and non-profit organizations to stretch the scope of our research projects and to take our studies out of the laboratory and into the field where we can test our conclusions and adapt our knowledge into practical applications. For example, we work with timber companies to produce seedlings that are hardier and adaptable to wider growing areas. We conduct studies with our colleagues in the wood, paper and pulp areas of the College of Natural Resources to answer basic questions about how trees grow and the impact on wood product characteristics. We examine how various environmental factors affect the basic biological processes of trees and what can be done to control or mitigate the effect of these factors. Because we are recognized internationally for our expertise in tree breeding, particularly pine species, we are also helping governments and communities around the world set up sustainable forestry systems that balance environmental concerns with economic realities.
Impact
For the forestry industry, our work in this field could not be more important. Identifying links between specific gene markers and desirable traits makes it possible to breed genetically superior trees that lead to improved hardiness, more rapid harvests, higher yields and new end uses for specific species. It also increases our understanding of natural selection and the effects of forest management techniques on productivity and yield. These same innovations have led to changes in the way we raise crops, protect our watersheds, manage wildlife populations and preserve the biodiversity of all ecosystems.
Our forest genetics and biotechnology work has also proved critical to sustaining the economic viability of North Carolina — a state that is home to tens of thousands of agricultural workers and where over 60% of land surface is forested. Forestry and wood industries pump more than $5 billion into North Carolina’s economy each year, while tourism brings over $4 billion in wages and $1 billion in tax revenues into the state anually. All of these areas benefit from the genetic and biotechnology improvements uncovered, taught and encouraged by forest genetics and biotechnology experts in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.
Even more important, by making it economically viable to sustain local forests, our forest genetics and biotechnology activities are helping to preserve the quality of life in North Carolina and beyond. Improving the productivity of forests enhances the natural beauty of popular tourism areas, eliminates green house gasses, improves air and water quality, cleans up the enviroment and helps moderate the climate — all critical advantages lost when rural forests are converted to other uses.
For more information on how FER contributes to the area of forest genetics and biotechnology, please click on the links to the left.
