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Forests go far beyond British Columbia; they cover 1/3 of the Earth’s land surface. Forestry graduate students learn from a dynamic and diverse group of researchers who educate and communicate how forests and forest products contribute to the well-being of all living things. The health and sustainability of forests and the people who depend on them underlies everything we do.

The Faculty of Forestry is one of the top institutions globally in forest-related education and research. The unique breadth of expertise we possess allows us to integrate new knowledge across many disciplines. Offering both master’s and doctoral programs, our graduate students learn from a dynamic and diverse group of researchers from around the world.

 

Research Facilities

The Forest Sciences Centre is a showcase for construction using Canadian forest products, and was architecturally designed to mimic the landscape of British Columbia: towering trees, mountains, and blue-green waters. The 17,505-square-metre Forest Sciences complex has 11 classrooms, 2 lecture theatres, teaching laboratories, office space, computer labs, study areas, and a cafeteria, and houses the Faculty’s three departments.

Built alongside the Forest Sciences Centre is the 3,730-square-metre Centre for Advanced Wood Processing. It is Canada’s national centre of excellence for education and research related to wood products processing and advanced wood products manufacturing, and works to advance knowledge that fosters job creation, stabilizes forest-dependent communities, encourages increased value recovery, and ensures the sustainable management of Canada’s forests. This building includes two 25-seat classrooms, a machine lab, a simulator lab and a computer lab.

Within the Faculty of Forestry, there are also several research groups. Visit the website of each project to find out more.

Off-campus facilities include two Research Forests: the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge and the Alex Fraser Research Forest near Williams Lake. These are working forests located throughout the province where students and faculty can study in an outdoor setting. Fish and wildlife, silviculture, forest harvesting, forest ecology, forest management, and resources management figure prominently in these field studies.

Research Highlights

UBC Forestry is turning out a new generation of foresters, and faculty are committed to meeting future challenges in forestry through in-depth, cutting edge research. In fact, UBC Forestry receives the highest level of forestry research funding of any forestry faculty in Canada.

In the 2017/2018 fiscal year, members of the Faculty Forestry were awarded a total of over $12 million in research funding. 

Our wide breadth of research includes topics such as tree rings, integrated remote sensing, bioenergy, forest conservation genetics, landscape visualizations, African forest conservation and development, alpine studies, climate change, and advanced wood processing.

Schools / Departments

Department

Graduate Degree Programs

Research Supervisors in Faculty

or browse the list of faculty members in various academic units. You may click each unit to view faculty members appointed in that unit. View the full faculty member directory for more search and filter options.
Name Academic Unit(s) Research Interests
Gergel, Sarah Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences Aboriginal forestry, biodiversity, climate change, communities and livelihoods, conservation, ecology, remote sensing, sustainability
Grayston, Susan Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences Climate change, microbiology, soil science
Grenz, Jennifer Department of Forest Resources Management Forestry sciences
Hagerman, Shannon Marie Department of Forest Resources Management biodiversity, climate change, communities and livelihoods, conservation, forest policy, social science
Hamelin, Richard Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences
Hinch, Scott Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences salmon migrations, salmon ecology, salmon fisheries, fish conservation, land use impacts (e.g. forestry) on fish and habitat, Salmon, conservation, ecology, fish ecology, fisheries management, stream, and riperian ecology
Innes, John Department of Forest Resources Management Other natural sciences; Forestry; Ecology
Jiang, Feng Department of Wood Science bio-based nanomaterials, carbohydrate chemistry, chemistry, sustainability, wood science
Joshi, Jaya Department of Wood Science Biofoundries; biomass; Carbon; Engineering; Enzyme Design; sustainability; Synthetic biology
Kim, Kwang Ho Department of Wood Science Other engineering and technologies; Forest Bioproduction and the BioeconomyTechnology and Innovation; Biomass conversion engineering
Kozak, Robert Antal Department of Wood Science Forest-dependent communities in transition, international development & poverty alleviation, value-added strategies, forest certification & corporate social responsibility, forest sector sustainability & competitiveness, marketing, management & consumer behaviour
Lam, Frank Department of Wood Science timber engineering; structural use of wood products, Engineered wood systems
Lam, Tzeng Yih Department of Forest Resources Management Quantitiative methods in forestry; Forestry management and environment; Statistical theory and modeling; Survey methodology and analysis; Bayesian Filtering; Forest Inventory; Growth and Yield; Sampling Theory; silviculture; Timber; Tree Measurement
Li, Minghao Department of Wood Science Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Building construction engineering; Concrete, cementitious materials and other architectural and construction materials
Loss, Cristiano Department of Wood Science Forestry sciences; Wood; Engineered Wood Solutions; Engineering Wood Design; Hybrid Wood-Based Systems; Industrialised Wood Systems; Seismic Design and Analysis of Timber Structures; Timber Engineering; Wood Building Systems; Wood as Structural Material
LU, JULIET Department of Forest Resources Management, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs Forest ecology; Economic geography; Environmental sociology; conflicts and governance issues around resource extraction and intensive land use; transnational land investments; promotion of monoculture plantations at the expense of more biodiverse systems; private sector sustainable governance initiatives
Mansfield, Shawn Department of Wood Science, Department of Botany plant metabolism, cellulose biosynthesis, lignin biosynthesis, wood formation, wood quality, cell wall biochemistry, tree biotechnology, transgenics, Tree biotechnology
Martin, Tara Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences biodiversity, climate change, climate models, conservation, ecological monitoring, ecology, land-use change, landscape ecology, landscape planning, modelling
Mchale, Melissa Department of Forest Resources Management Trans-disciplinary approaches to studying complex socio-ecological systems, social drivers of ecosystem processes, cities as sustainable ecosystems, carbon dynamics in urban systems, urbanization effects on nutrient cycling, ecosystem services and dis services, consumption culture, urban metabolism, urbanization in the developing world
Meitner, Michael Department of Forest Resources Management forest aesthetics and scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, environmental visualization, geographic information systems, visual perception, agent-based modeling, Public involment in planning, sustainability leadership
Montwe, David Department of Forest Resources Management Forestry sciences; climate change; Drought and climate change; Evaluating silvicultural treatments on timber quality and value; Forest management; Increasing forest resilience to climatic extremes using silvicultural interventions; Long-term resilience; Reducing impacts from forest disturbance agents under climate change; Regeneration; silviculture; Species selection
Moore, Alex Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences, Department of Botany Community ecology (except invasive species ecology); Plant-animal interactions; Global change biology; Ecological restoration (except bioremediation); Applied community and ecosystem ecology; impact of predator-prey interactions on the health and functioning of coastal wetland ecosystems; role of cultural values and knowledge in ecosystem restoration conservation; Global change impacts on coastal environments
Myers-Smith, Isla Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences Ecology (except applications); Arctic; biodiversity; climate change; Community Building; Ecosystems; Environmental communication; tundra ecosystems
Nelson, Harry William Department of Forest Resources Management analyzing natural and environmental resource policy with an emphasis on forestry and in developing new policy options that can help enhance the long run sustainability of Canadian forests and the communities and businesses that rely upon them
Nesbitt, Lorien Department of Forest Resources Management Land use and environmental planning; Environmental justice; urban forestry; Liveable and equitable urban environments; Socio-ecological interactions in cities; climate change; Ecosystem services; Cities

Pages

Graduate Student Stories

Winy Vasquez

Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

Food security in the Amazon: an investigation of the food security and nutrition of the Asháninka peoples living inside the Protected Forest San Matias-San Carlos
Kaitlin Zinn's image

Kaitlyn Zinn

Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

Cumulative effects of recreational catch-and-release, temperature, and infectious agents on Chinook salmon: from marine environments to spawning grounds
Baron Jen's image

Jen Baron

Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

A century of transformation: Fire regime transitions, drivers, and consequences in southeastern British Columbia

Christina Howard

Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

Climate sensitive growth and suitability modeling of Québec tree species

Debbie Pierce

Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

The impact of land rights and deforestation on women in the Colombian Amazon

Leah Rettenbacher

Master of Science in Forestry (MSc)

Heteroecism and autoecism in pine rusts

Kate Peterson

Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

Climate-sensitive forest growth and yield modelling

Sofie McComb

Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

Evaluating cumulative impacts to inform effective conservation decisions in a biodiversity hotspot
All Student Stories

Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Forestry.

 

What determines transfer of carbon from plants to mycorrhizal fungi?
Publication: New Phytologist
UBC Author(s): Jaya Joshi (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 0028646X
Volume: 244
Page Range: 1199-1215
Publication Date: November 2024

View Publication
Effect of local habitat and landscape attributes on bird communities in shade coffee plantations in the Colombian Andes
Publication: Global Ecology and Conservation
UBC Author(s): Peter Arcese (Forest & Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Forestry)
Volume: 55
Publication Date: November 2024

View Publication
Harnessing the synergistic power of lignin-Ecoflex blends for enhanced performance in food packaging
Publication: Chemical Engineering Journal
UBC Author(s): Scott Renneckar (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 13858947
Volume: 499
Publication Date: 1 November 2024

View Publication
When cellulose nanocrystals meet graphene oxide: Structurally enhanced aerogels for efficient solar steam generation and water purification
Publication: Chemical Engineering Journal
UBC Author(s): Feng Jiang (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 13858947
Volume: 499
Publication Date: 1 November 2024

View Publication
Common drivers shaping niche distribution and climate change responses of one hundred tree species
Publication: Journal of Environmental Management
UBC Author(s): Tongli Wang (Forest & Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Forestry), Jeanine Rhemtulla (Forest & Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 03014797
Volume: 370
Publication Date: November 2024

View Publication
A bidirectional domain separation adversarial network based transfer learning method for near-infrared spectra
Publication: Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence
UBC Author(s): Stavros Avramidis (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 09521976
Volume: 137
Publication Date: November 2024

View Publication
Discrimination of tulip cultivars with different floral scents using sensory assessment, electronic nose, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
Publication: Industrial Crops and Products
UBC Author(s): Yousry El-Kassaby (Forest & Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 09266690
Volume: 219
Publication Date: 1 November 2024

View Publication
Deciphering the degradation mechanism of thick graphite anodes in high-energy-density Li-ion batteries by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Publication: Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
UBC Author(s): Kwang Ho Kim (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 1226086X
Volume: 138
Page Range: 424-431
Publication Date: 25 October 2024

View Publication
Equilibrium Moisture Mediated Esterification Reaction to Achieve Over 100% Lignocellulosic Nanofibrils Yield
Publication: Small
UBC Author(s): Feng Jiang (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 16136810
Volume: 20
Publication Date: 24 October 2024

View Publication
MOF-Based Electromagnetic Shields Multiscale Design: Nanoscale Chemistry, Microscale Assembly, and Macroscale Manufacturing
Publication: Advanced Functional Materials
UBC Author(s): Feng Jiang (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 1616301X
Volume: 34
Publication Date: 22 October 2024

View Publication
Direct Ink Writing 3D Printing Elastomeric Polyurethane Aided by Cellulose Nanofibrils
Publication: ACS Nano
UBC Author(s): Feng Jiang (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 19360851
Volume: 18
Page Range: 28142-28153
Publication Date: 15 October 2024

View Publication
Bi-anionic polyurethane-assisted thiol-polyamide resins reinforced and toughened high-temperature soybean meal-based wood adhesives
Publication: Industrial Crops and Products
UBC Author(s): Chunping Dai (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 09266690
Volume: 218
Publication Date: 15 October 2024

View Publication
Predicting the structural behaviour and failure mechanism of hybrid steel-grout connectors for cross-laminated timber panels using high-fidelity finite-elements modelling
Publication: Construction and Building Materials
UBC Author(s): Cristiano Loss (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 09500618
Volume: 447
Publication Date: 11 October 2024

View Publication
Identification of key gene networks controlling organic acid and sugar metabolism during star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) development
Publication: BMC plant biology
UBC Author(s): Yousry El-Kassaby (Forest & Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Forestry)
Volume: 24
Page Range: 943
Publication Date: 10 October 2024

View Publication
Survive, revive, and thrive: The impact of COVID-19 on global park visitation
Publication: Science of the Total Environment
UBC Author(s): John Innes (Forest Resources Management / Faculty of Forestry), Guangyu Wang (Forest Resources Management / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 00489697
Volume: 946
Publication Date: 10 October 2024

View Publication
A taxonomy of concurrent upward flame spread models and sources of uncertainty
Publication: International Journal of Thermal Sciences
UBC Author(s): Felix Wiesner (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 12900729
Volume: 204
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Periodate oxidation-mediated nanocelluloses: Preparation, functionalization, structural design, and applications
Publication: Carbohydrate Polymers
UBC Author(s): Feng Jiang (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 01448617
Volume: 341
Publication Date: 1 October 2024

View Publication
Altitudinal Influences on Soil Microbial Diversity and Community Assembly in Topsoil and Subsoil Layers: Insights from the Jinsha River Basin, Southwest China
Publication: Forests
UBC Author(s): Tongli Wang (Forest & Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Forestry)
Volume: 15
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
The genetic architecture of repeated local adaptation to climate in distantly related plants
Publication: Nature Ecology and Evolution
UBC Author(s): Sally Aitken (Forest & Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Forestry)
Volume: 8
Page Range: 1933-1947
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Synthesis of biosurfactants from polyethylene waste via an integrated chemical and biological process
Publication: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
UBC Author(s): Kwang Ho Kim (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
Volume: 12
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Understanding the role of people's preferences and perceptions in the analysis of residential energy transition: A meta-analysis
Publication: Energy for Sustainable Development
UBC Author(s): Hisham Zerriffi (Forest Resources Management / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 09730826
Volume: 82
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Phenology varies with phylogeny but not by trophic level with climate change
Publication: Nature Ecology and Evolution
UBC Author(s): Elizabeth Wolkovich (Forest & Conservation Sciences / Faculty of Forestry)
Volume: 8
Page Range: 1889-1896
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Deactivation of chromated copper arsenate as a catalyst in smouldering of wood
Publication: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
UBC Author(s): Felix Wiesner (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 01652370
Volume: 183
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Distinguishing the Impacts and Gradient Effects of Climate Change and Human Activities on Vegetation Cover in the Weihe River Basin, China
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
UBC Author(s): Guangyu Wang (Forest Resources Management / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 21698953
Volume: 129
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication
Seismic loss assessment of direct-DBD platform-type cross-laminated timber shear wall systems using FEMA P-58 methodology
Publication: Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering
UBC Author(s): Cristiano Loss (Department of Wood Science / Faculty of Forestry)
ISSN: 1570761X
Volume: 22
Page Range: 6379-6417
Publication Date: October 2024

View Publication

Pages

Recent Thesis Submissions

Doctoral Citations

A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
Year Citation Program
2023 Dr. Ahmadvand developed a robust optimization model that minimizes the costs and GHGs of forest biomass supply chain for production of syngas to replace natural gas at BC Kraft pulp mills. She also presented an optimal pricing scheme to make the investment in renewable fuels such as syngas more appealing to the pulp and paper industry. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Johnson produced functional particles and biodegradable packaging from a polymer called xylan (pronounced as XY-lan) from grass cell walls. She showed that the structure and composition of xylans influences their performance in bio-based materials. Her work represents a step towards a more sustainable, resource-efficient world. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Van der Merwe investigated the impact of Pinus patula plantation growing environments on wood properties, product recovery and quality. This work will assist forest growers to match forests to specific plywood and lumber production facilities to improve product recovery and quality. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Arora developed mathematical models for scheduling of forest harvesting activities. These models can be used by forest companies. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Degner showed how natural hybrids between spruce species are closely adapted to climate. He also modeled how hybrids might have differed in the past and how they may need to change in the future. This research helps us understand how hybridization influences evolution, and will help land managers better match planted forests to future climates. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Nitoslawski's research explored the role of technology in urban forestry, and tested new ways to collect data on urban ecosystems. This work revealed nuanced relationships between people, nature, and technology, informing both research and practice as we tackle critical environmental issues in this digital age. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Nepal's work provides unique information on overstory spatial patterns of tree vigor and regeneration in reference conditions, and highlights differences in spatial patterns of overstory conditions between reference and contemporary forests. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Curtis examined the history of agriculture in the Alberni-Clayoquot region and provincial legislation related to supporting food production in British Columbia. Her work highlights the importance of farmer-government relations and the consequences of underlying values within our food system. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Super studied soil refugia, experimental warming and nitrogen deposition, and pH and climate effects on ecosystem plant and microbial biodiversity. Tree seedling microbiome predictability changed with refugia, warming increased plant growth, clear-cutting impacted biodiversity predictability, and community diversity increased with higher pH. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)
2023 Dr. Sutherland researched historical changes in the ecosystem services provided by forests of BC. His work advanced theory and methods for studying coupled social-ecological systems and moves forward an understanding of ecosystem services as part of dynamic systems. His work also leaves a legacy of data showing ecosystem services change in BC. Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

Pages

 

Notes from the Field: Volume 4

UBC Forestry's "Notes from the Field" series highlights the work of different community forests in collaboration with the British Columbia Community Forests Association. The post Notes from the Field: Volume 4 appeared first on UBC Faculty of Forestry.

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UBC Forestry at COP29: Advancing Quality and Integrity in Forestry Climate Solutions

PhD student Chunyu Pan and Dr. Guangyu Wang are joining a UBC delegation attending COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Chunyu talks with us about the event they are hosting and nature-based strategies for climate solutions. The post UBC Forestry at COP29: Advancing Quality and Integrity in Forestry Climate...

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In The Spotlight: Dana-Lyn Mackenzie

Dana-Lyn Mackenzie joins the Faculty of Forestry as Senior Manager for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity. This is a shared position with the Faculties of Applied Science and Land and Food Systems, where Dana-Lyn has already served in this role for several years.  Dana-Lyn (born Wilson)...

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Notes from the Field: Volume 3

UBC Forestry's "Notes from the Field" series highlights the work of different community forests in collaboration with the British Columbia Community Forests Association. The post Notes from the Field: Volume 3 appeared first on UBC Faculty of Forestry.

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Forest Access Directed Study Course in Term 2

Forest Access is a directed study course that provides students with the knowledge and decision-making framework to conceptualize, design and manage secondary transportation infrastructure projects in a natural resource context. This course is intended for students in the forestry and forest...

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Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Urban Forest Accessibility – Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) (Deadline: November 30)

Job Post: UBC Forestry is seeking a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Urban Forest Accessibility - Assistant Professor. Apply now. The post Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Urban Forest Accessibility – Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) (Deadline: November 30) appeared first on UBC...

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