ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery
Science Value
Outstanding science recognised at inaugural awards
Science New Zealand 2017 National Awards celebrated 21 Awardees on Thursday 9 November at the Banquet Hall, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. These inaugural Awards recognise outstanding science achievements that help to shape and benefit New Zealand. The Awards demonstrated excellent science working for New Zealand and acknowledge the people behind the work.
New Value
Scion nursery upgrade
Forestry in New Zealand can trace its beginnings back to the tree nurseries of Whakarewarewa (near Rotorua) established after the Mount Tarawera eruption in the late 1800s. In the years that followed, the nursery was home to the first experiments of New Zealand’s young forestry industry. That work went on to set the New Zealand nursery standard for commercial nursery practices and was established as world class.
Colourful timber
Staining or painting timber is the traditional way to add colour to wooden products, but that colour is only surface deep. Any scratching or resurfacing can remove the colourful layer and affect the aesthetic of the wood. The full thickness colour technology developed by Scion fixes colourful dye throughout timber in a range of bright colours.
Assessing clonal tree performance in Māori-owned forests
The forests of Lake Taupō and Lake Rotoaira are unique. Having started as joint ventures with government, the second rotation stands, which are now approaching maturity, are all Maori-owned and governed by the Lake Taupō and Lake Rotoaira Forest Trusts (the trusts).
New Thinking
Is that a plastic wrapper in your snapper?
Scion and fish make an odd combination, but biopolymer scientist Jamie Bridson was part of a team that looked at plastic microparticle ingestion by commercial fish species across the South Pacific.
How will climate change affect plantation forestry in NZ?
New Zealand-grown Pinus radiata will be taller and slimmer in the future according to a new paper¹. While sequestering greater amounts of carbon, the trees will be more exposed to risks from extreme winds and wildfire.
New Science
What good is wood in streams?
Freshwater ecologist Dr Brenda Baillie has completed a two-year study of naturally forming, small debris dams that have an important positive role as habitat for aquatic invertebrates in forested headwater streams.
Getting to the heart of coast redwood durability
Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) has the potential to be a high-value timber crop. Its timber is attractive and its high stability and natural durability make it ideal for outdoor uses. There is strong local and international market for naturally durable timber that does not require chemical preservation or paint for outdoor use. Most of this is supplied from redwood stands grown in the USA, which has a reputation for heartwood resistance to decay.
How eco-friendly are your winter woolies?
Every time a synthetic garment is washed, it sheds thousands of fibres. These tiny fibres escape waste water treatment plant filters and end up in the ocean and along shorelines near waste water release sites. Fabric structure and composition affect fibre release. Studies have found that polyester fleece jackets can shed up to 0.2% of their weight with each wash and as the jackets age they shed even more.
