Wood science research works in Russia are carried out in some institutes of Russian Academy of Sciences, industry institutes and universities.
The development of wood science research is hampered by an absence of a special institute, national or regional wood-science journals. That’s why the papers are published in forest or biological journals and they are little-known for international wood-scientists.
Since 1968 the research is coordinated by the Regional Coordinating Council on Wood Science – a non-governmental organization which works under International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS) since 1991. The Regional Coordinating Council on Wood Science arranges annual sessions, organizes international Symposia on “Wood structure, properties and quality” and provides scientific communication of wood scientists. In collaboration with “Lesexpert” company it holds the Register of wood and related sciences’ experts.
The review of the most interesting recent research made in different Russian research centers is presented. They are basic research of wood structure and properties and investigations related to forest-management and wood-processing.
Rather more detailed description is done for the wood science research in the Republic of Karelia. They were focused on studying a feedstock for pulp and paper industry, properties of wood from pine forests growing on drained peatlands, preservation of historic timber structures. The development of the Karelian birch–type (Betula pendula var.carelica) abnormalities was investigated.
The just announced reformation of the Russian Academy of Sciences will obviously change the structure and objectives for wood science research works.
Keywords: wood science, Russia, Karelia, Regional Coordinating Council on Wood Science
Authors
Kozlov V.
Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russia
Login to download the PDF