Oxford Forestry Institute Annual Report 1999

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SEVENTY-FIFTH
ANNUAL REPORT
1999

Oxford Forestry Institute
Department of Plant Sciences
University of Oxford
2000

RESEARCH
    Ecology and Silviculture
    Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement
    Forest Biodiversity and Plant Systematics
    Forest Biotechnology
    Forest Policy and Management

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
    Ecophysiology
    Biometrics and Inventory
    Cultural Ecology

EDUCATION
    BA in Biological Sciences
    MSc in Forestry and its Relation to Land Use
    Post-Experience Training Courses
    Research Students
    Further Information on Education

RESEARCH SUPPORT, LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES
    Herbarium and Xylarium
    CABI-OFI Forestry Information Service
    INSPIRE: Species Information Database
    BRAHMS: Taxonomic Information System
    PROSPECT: The Wood Database
    Database of Weeds and Invasive Plant Species

EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES - INSTITUTIONAL
    DFID Enabling Agreement
    British Council Higher Education Link Scheme
    Priority Forestry Problems in the SADC Region
    Tropical Forest Resource Group

STAFF PUBLICATIONS

OFI PUBLICATIONS CATALOGUE

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACIAR - Australian Centre for Agricultural Research
AFLP - Amplified fragment length polymorphism
ANU - Australian National University
ATROFI-UK - Archive of Tropical Forestry Information
BBSRC - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
BHIP - British Hardwoods Improvement Programme
BIOME - The Medical, Health and Life Sciences Hub of the Resource Discovery Network
BRAHMS - Botanical Research And Herbarium Management System
CABI - CAB International
CAMCORE - Central American and Mexico Coniferous Resources Cooperative
CARPE - Central African Regional Programme for the Environment
CATIE - Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Enzeñanza
CDM - Clean development mechanism
CD-ROM - Compact disc read-only memory
CFE - Community forest enterprise
CIAT - Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical
CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora
CONSEFORH - Projecto de Conservación y Mejoramiento de Recursos Forestales
cpDNA - Chloroplast DNA
DFID - Department for International Development
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid
DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
EMBRAPA - Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária
EU - European Union
FC - Forestry Commission
FHO - The Oxford University Daubeny Herbarium
FHOw - The Oxford Forestry Institute Xylarium
FRIM - Forest Research Institute of Malaysia
FRP - Forestry Research Programme (of DFID's Renewable Natural Resources Programme)
FSC - Forest Stewardship Council
GFIS - Global Forest Information System
GIS - Geographic Information System
HRI - Horticulture Research International
HTTP - Hypertext transfer protocol
IAN - Instituto Agronomico do Norte
IAWA - International Association of Wood Anatomists
IIED - International Institute for Environment and Development
INF - Irati National Forest
INSPIRE - INteractive SPecies Information REtrieval
IPGRI - International Plant Genetic Resources Institute
ISSN - International standard serial number
IT - Information technology
ITS - Internal transcribed spacer
IUCN - World Conservation Union
IUFRO - International Union of Forestry Research Organizations
KARI - Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
KEP - Kepong Herbarium, Malaysia
MAPR - Mayagüez Herbarium, University of Puerto Rico
MG - Museu Paraense Emîlio Goeldi - Herbarium in Belem, Para, Brazil
MSc - Master of Science
mtDNA - Mitochondrial DNA
MUSICA - mapping software
NERC - Natural Environment Research Council
NGO - Non governmental organization
OFI - Oxford Forestry Institute
OXF - The Oxford University Fielding-Druce Herbarium
PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
PROSPECT - Programmed Retrieval Of Species by the Property and End-use Classification of their Timbers
RAPD - Random amplified polymorphic DNA
RBG - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
RFLP - Restricted fragment length polymorphism
SADC - Southern African Development Cooperation
SCRI - Scottish Crops Research Institute
SERBO - Sociedad para el Estudio de los Recursos Bióticos de Oaxaca, Mexico
SISTEM+ - Species Information, Seed, Trials and Environment data Management
SPRIG - South Pacific Regional Initiative on Forest Genetic Resources
SSR - Simple sequence repeats
SSSI - Site of special scientific interest
TFP - Tropical Forestry Papers
TFRG - Tropical Forest Resource Group
TREE CABWeb - service providing Internet access to the three CABI forestry journals
TREECD - CABI compact disc of Forestry Abstracts, Forest Products Abstracts, and Agroforestry Abstracts
TREMA - Tree Management and Mapping
UK - United Kingdom
UKWAS - UK Woodland Assurance Scheme
URL - Universal resource locator for Internet
USA - United States of America
WWF - World Wildlife Fund
WWW - World Wide Web

HIGHLIGHTS

In the Highlights of the Annual Report for 1998 we gave considerable detail about the internal review of forestry undertaken by the Department of Plant Sciences in preparation for an external Review Panel commissioned by the University's General Board. A distinguished panel was appointed, chaired by Professor Clive Ellory (Head of Department of Physiology), and met twice during 1999. They interviewed representatives of all groups in the Institute and conducted extensive correspondence with other organizations and individuals to seek views on the future of forestry in Oxford. The recommendations of the Review Panel were extremely positive, largely confirming the views of the previous internal review.

Equally encouraging was the fact that during 1999 the MSc course "Forestry and its Relation to Land Use", along with the undergraduate BA degree in Biology and the MSc in Biology, received the maximum score of 24 out of 24 in the quinquennial teaching quality review exercise carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Congratulations are due to all staff of the Departments of Plant Sciences and Zoology who contributed to the teaching of these courses.

At the individual level, former and present Departmental staff received prestigious awards. The International Association for Plant Taxonomy awarded the Engler Silver Medal to two former members of the Oxford Forestry Institute, the late Dr Brian Styles and Mr Aljos Farjon (now at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) for their outstanding monograph on the genus Pinus (Pinaceae) in the Flora Neotropica Series published by the New York Botanical Garden. This work reflected over 20 years of dedicated exploration, sampling and identification of the complex group of pines in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and is a major contribution to our understanding of the distribution and nomenclature of these species.

After winning the prestigious 1998 Prix Agustin-Pyramus de Candolle awarded by the Société de Physique et D'Histoire Naturelle in Geneva, Dr Colin Hughes won a second international prize, the 1999 Jesse M. Greenman Award from Missouri Botanical Garden, for his taxonomic monograph of Leucaena (Syst. Bot. Monogr. 1998. 55: 1-244). There continued to be brisk demand for both the monograph and the accompanying Genetic Resources Handbook (OFI Tropical Forestry Paper No.37)

The Department of Plant Sciences is one of the largest, most wide-ranging and highly reputed plant departments in the UK; it conducts path-breaking research in a wide range of topics. One of the forestry lecturers, Dr Malcolm Campbell, leads a group studying the molecular genetic controls of wood properties. Between July 11-16, he organized 'Forest Biotechnology 1999'; this conference was a joint meeting between IUFRO Working Party 2.04.06 for the Molecular Biology of Forest Trees and the International Wood Biotechnology Symposium. Some 200 scientists from 20 different countries participated in the conference which provided a forum for discourse on recent progress in the relatively fast-moving field of forest biotechnology. A major outcome of the conference was the development of a position statement on the genetic modification of forest trees.

I am very sorry to record the untimely death of Dr Ray Pearce who had been a popular demonstrator and researcher in the Institute for some seven years before taking up a post at Birmingham University.

During 1999 a number of staff took up new career posts. Dr Jo Chamberlain and Mr Alan Pottinger (Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement Group) joined the Green College Centre for Natural Resources and Development. Michele Walker resigned from the library staff, where she had been exemplary as Technical Services Librarian, to become Librarian at the European School of Management in Oxford. Dr Daniel Perazza left the Forest Biotechnology Group to take up a position in the Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques, Grenoble. Dr (now Professor) Alan Grafen rejoined the Zoology Department. We all wish these colleagues every success in their new posts and I wish to thank all remaining staff for their continued outstanding research and teaching. Further details of individual activities are shown in this annual report.

Professor Jeffery Burley
Director

STAFF AND ASSOCIATES

Oxford Forestry Institute
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford

Departmental staff financed by the University and directly concerned with the Oxford Forestry Institute

Director
Prof J. BURLEY, CBE

Director's Secretary
Miss E.A. PEARCE

University Lecturers
   Dr N. D. BROWN
   Dr M.M. CAMPBELL
   Dr A. GRAFEN (to July 1999)
   Dr P.S. SAVILL
   Mr P.J. STEWART
   Mr F.B. THOMPSON

Departmental Lecturer
Dr S.N. PRYOR

Curator of the Oxford University Herbaria
Dr S.A. HARRIS

Departmental Computer Manager
Dr C.I. GOODWIN-BAILEY

Head of Library Services
Mr R.A. MILLS

Administrative Staff
   Miss E.A. STEDMAN, Administrator
   Mrs D. BEASLEY
   Mrs J. GRANT
   Mrs S.M. HARDAKER
   Mr C. HAWES

Technical Staff
   Mr B.J. KEMP, Head
   Mr I.D. GOURLAY
   Mr R.H. GREENAWAY
   Miss S.K. MARNER
   Mrs A.M. STRUGNELL
   Mrs C.M. SURMAN
   Mrs R. WISE

Reception Staff
Mrs P. CULL
Mrs S. HASTINGS

Secretarial Staff
Mrs S. JACKSON
Mrs C. STYLES

OFI staff financed externally

Deputy Director
Mr H.L. WRIGHT

Research Staff (externally-funded)

DFID-funded projects
   Dr R.D. BARNES
   Dr D.H. BOSHIER
   Dr J.R. CHAMBERLAIN (to April 1999)
   Mr J. CORDERO-SALVADO
   Mr T. EVANS
   Mr C.W. FAGG
   Mr D.L. FILER
   Mr J. GORDON
   Ms J. HAWORTH
   Dr W. HAWTHORNE
   Dr J.D. HUBERT
   Dr C.E. HUGHES
   Dr S.B. JENNINGS
   Mr A.J. POTTINGER (to June 1999)
   Mrs J.P. SMITH
   Ms J.L. STEWART

DFID Link Projects
   Dr P.S. BACON
   Ms N. BAKER
   Dr I. GRUNDY (consultant)
   Mr J. JENKS (consultant)

EU-funded project
   Dr D. Lledó Barrena (to April 1999)

BBSRC-funded project
   Dr S. McInnis
   Dr D. Perazza (to September 1999)
   Dr J. Willment

Shell-funded project
   Dr J. Henrot

Library Staff
   Mr S. HALL (to August 1999)
   Miss A. HALL (from September 1999)
   Mrs A.L. LEESON
   Mrs J.B.D. PINFOLD
   Mrs S.M. WALKER (to July 1999)

Technical Staff
   Mr M. BILLINGHAM

Secretarial Staff
   Mrs C.J. BENFIELD

Associate Members

Contributors to forestry teaching and research

Department of Plant Sciences
   Dr S.J. GURR
   Dr R.L. HALL
   Dr S.A. HILL
   Dr R.W. SCOTLAND
   Dr S.C. WATKINSON

Associate Departmental Lecturer
Mr S. BASS

Department of Zoology
Professor C.M. PERRINS
Dr M.R. SPEIGHT

Staff of CAB International
   Mrs R.E. AUSTIN
   Dr K.M. BECKER
   Mrs B. BIGGS
   Mr T.J. GREEN
   Dr A. HANDLEY
   Dr R.E.H. HAYNES
   Ms S. HILL
   Ms G. MYERS
   Ms P. NEENAN
   Mrs G. PETROKOFSKY
   Ms H. PORTER

Professional foresters and scientists available for Institutional consultancies or concerned with DFID activities
   Mr P.G. ADLARD
   Dr D. ALDER
   Mr J.E.M. ARNOLD
   Dr G.C. BODEKER
   Prof E.F. BRUENIG
   Dr S. COBB
   Prof J. EVANS
   Mr P.D. HARDCASTLE
   Mr J. HUDSON
   Dr P.A. HUXLEY
   Mr B.E. JONES
   Prof P.J. KANOWSKI
   Mr J.R. PALMER
   Dr G. PETERKEN
   Dr D.A. POSEY
   Dr M.F. PRICE
   Mr R.J. RICKMAN
   Dr A.W. SPEEDY
   Dr J.W. STEAD
   Mr P.J. WOOD

RESEARCH

Ecology and Silviculture

Academic staff: Dr N.D. Brown, Dr P.S. Savill
Post doctoral research: Dr J. Henrot, Dr J.D. Hubert, Dr S.B. Jennings
Research assistant: Ms K. Plenderleith
Technical staff: Ms A. Sing
Research students: Ms T. Alves, Mr D. Bebber, Mr S. Bhagwat, Ms T. Brncic, Mr T. Evans, Mr L. Fontes, Mr G.E. Hemery

Temperate ecology and silviculture

Genetic improvement of broadleaved trees that will grow in Britain
Project Manager: Dr P.S. Savill

The OFI has been a major participant and contributor to the work of the British Hardwoods Improvement Programme (BHIP) that was originally formed in 1990. This is a loose association of research organizations and private individuals who are anxious to promote the improvement of broadleaved trees in Britain. Of the six species that BHIP is currently working on - ash, oak, walnut cherry, birch, and sweet chestnut - the OFI is leading with three; ash, oak and walnut. This work has been funded by a variety of charities, government organizations, commercial companies and private individuals.

Progress with the improvement of ash was reported in the 1998 annual report.

Genetic improvement of oak (Q. robur and Q. petraea) grown in the UK
Project Managers: Dr P.S. Savill and Dr J.D. Hubert in collaboration with Ms K. Russell and Dr T. Marks (Horticulture Research International, East Malling)

The principal objectives of this project are, through the genetic improvement of oak, to attempt to increase recoverable timber production per hectare and the quality of timber produced. Thereby increasing the economic return on planting oak.

More immediate objectives resulting from the collaboration with Horticulture Research International (HRI) are that the 110 'plus' trees identified by OFI would be conserved ex situ, for possible vegetative propagation of superior clones and future genetic improvement programmes. The 'plus' trees could eventually be compared to their progenies for inheritance studies, including the use of molecular markers for genetic mapping, enabling the use of marker assisted selection to identify individuals with desired characteristics for breeding commercially valuable selections.

Phenotypic selection began in October 1997 and finished in September 1998. Selections were undertaken in the UK, France, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands. A number of different sources of information were used to locate potential sites of good quality oaks.

In total 246 trees were selected in the field, which were reduced to a final selection of 110 on the basis of wood properties. The main criterion for the final selection was the vessel size of the springwood, since large diameter vessels are linked to shake (internal splitting in the timber) and were selected against. One interesting, and unexpected, observation was that trees selected in the Netherlands had significantly larger vessel diameters than oaks in the UK, France or Ireland, and Ireland produced trees with the smallest vessel size. This has potentially important consequences for UK forestry since at present large quantities of seed are imported from the Netherlands annually and these will produce trees with a greater propensity to shake.

The next stage was the collection of acorns from the selected trees and growing them in a nursery. Unfortunately the production of acorns was particularly poor in the autumn of 1998, and only the Netherlands produced quantities worth collecting. In addition, a wet autumn prevented the immediate sowing of the seed since the nursery beds were too wet, which meant that the acorns had to be stored. As a consequence there were severe losses due to the mummification fungus, Ciboria batchiana, and germination rates once the seed was planted were low at 34.4%. The collection of acorns was repeated with more success in the autumn of 1999. At present there is sufficient seed from about 35 trees and a further collection will be undertaken in 2000.

A major part of the work was the collection of scion material for grafting by HRI. This involved revisiting all the selected trees. Some material was of poor quality for grafting not least because 300-year-old oaks only produce very short shoots each year. As a result it was necessary, for some selections, to use graftwood of up to three years of age (the optimum age is one year old shoots) to provide the required length of shoot for grafting.

A third activity was the selection of trial sites. Ideally a good range of sites is needed to cover the climatic and edaphic conditions encountered in locations where oak is grown commercially in the UK and Ireland. This is problematic since at the same time an exclusion zone of at least 100m is needed to reduce pollen contamination from trees that are not part of the trial. Fortunately interest amongst private landowners has been such that, where there have been oaks within that distance, the owners have offered to fell the trees over the period prior to seed production in the trial.

Collaborative work with HRI involved the establishment of an ex situ oak type collection at East Malling, and the development of methods for bulking-up various superior selections for testing. Graftwood from all 110 selections was supplied and at least 10 grafts of each were made with seedling rootstocks. Success of the grafts was very dependent upon the quality of the graftwood available and eventually only 44 of the selections were successfully put into the type collection at HRI East Malling.

Once the trials have been established they will constitute a unique resource which will provide the basis for future work on the genetics of oak. In addition, the project has had an important impact within UK forestry. It has, as part of the British Hardwood Improvement Programme, raised the awareness in the private and the public sectors of the importance of broadleaves as part of commercial forestry at a time when the industry is otherwise suffering a severe downturn.

Funding for this work was provided by the Leverhulme Trust, Dulverton Trust, Scottish Forestry Trust, Coillte Teoranta, Northern Irish Forest Service, Forestry Commission, Woodland Heritage, and Sotterley Farms Ltd.

Walnut (Juglans regia): genetic variation and provenance performance
Researcher: Mr G.E. Hemery (DPhil student)
Supervisors: Dr P.S. Savill, Dr S.A. Harris and Dr S. Head (Northmoor Trust)

The principle objectives of this project are to assess the genetic diversity of the common walnut (Juglans regia) and, in three field trials planted across southern England, to test the performance of the collected provenances and progenies with a view to improving the species' timber producing potential.

During 1999, the genetic variation of the sampled genotypes was assessed using isozyme markers and data analyses are continuing. The performance of the 2200 trees (25 provenances and 375 progenies) planted across the three trial sites in December 1998 was assessed after their first growing season in the field. Survival was excellent (98.9%) despite potentially damaging early spring frosts, which are normally the major limiting factor for growing walnuts. Average height increment during this critical establishment year was over 30cm whilst there was no significant genotype-by-site interaction either for growth parameters or for some phenological characters. Monitoring and assessment of these long-term trials will continue under the supervision of the Northmoor Trust.

The performance, constraints and potential of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in Portugal
Researcher: Mr L. Fontes (DPhil student)
Supervisors: Dr P.S. Savill, Mr H.L. Wright and Dr J. Sales Luis (Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal)

This research project is being carried out collaboratively between OFI and the Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia (Dr M. Tomé, Prof H. Pereira and Prof A. Oliveira), and Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Dr J. Sales Luis). It is funded by the Portuguese Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia.

Progress with this project up to the end of 1999 involved the selection and measurement of sample trees for stem analysis in 20 plots representing the range of sites where the species is commonly grown in Portugal. Site index curves are in the process of being developed from the data.

Later work will include the establishment of some provenance trials using material from the natural range of Douglas fir and Portuguese provenances. Isozyme studies will also be carried out in an attempt to determine where the current Portuguese provenances originate.

The interactions of Khaya anthotheca and Hypsipyla in Mozambique
Researcher: Ms T. Alves (Probationary research student)
Supervisors: Dr P.S. Savill and Dr M.R. Speight (Zoology)

This project, which started in mid 1998, is directed towards investigating ways of growing Khaya anthotheca where damage from the shoot borer Hypsipyla robusta is minimized.

Tropical ecology

The ecology and silviculture of Swietenia macrophylla in the State of Pará, Brazil
Project Managers: Dr N. D. Brown and Dr S. B. Jennings
DFID Project R.6912
01/06/1997 to 31/03/2000

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is amongst the world's most valuable timber species. It is found from Mexico and Central America through to Amazonia. Logging removes approximately 95% of commercial-sized trees, and there may be little or no regeneration afterwards. Mahogany usually fails as a plantation species, principally due to damage from the shoot-borer, Hypsipyla grandella. There are concerns that logging will reduce the genetic variability of the species, and will lead to its commercial extinction. This has resulted in restrictive legislation from the governments of several mahogany producing countries, as well as repeated calls to place mahogany on Appendix II of CITES.

In collaboration with EMBRAPA Amazonia-Oriental, we are currently involved in a three-year, DFID funded research project on the ecology and silviculture of mahogany in the Brazilian state of Pará. We are assessing mahogany populations in several logged and unlogged forests. A combination of experiments and measurement of natural populations is being used to elucidate the conditions required for successful seed germination, seedling establishment and growth. Using the initial results of these components, a silvicultural system to enhance mahogany regeneration is being designed and will be tested on a commercial scale.

Dipterocarp seedling survival in the understorey of a tropical rain forest
Researcher: Mr D. Bebber (DPhil student)
Supervisors: Dr N.D. Brown and Dr M.R. Speight (Zoology)

The last field visit was carried out between February and May 1999. A final census of wild seedlings, and an experiment on the effects of drought stress on herbivory levels, were conducted. Other aspects of the project were concluded. The thesis is now being written up and should be completed by spring 2000.

Sacred groves and forest patches in the Western Ghats of India: implications for biodiversity conservation
Researcher: Mr S. Bhagwat (DPhil student)
Supervisors: Dr N.D. Brown and Dr P.S. Savill

This is a collaborative research project between the OFI and the Forestry College in Ponnampet (South Kodagu), which is affiliated to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India. The project is funded by the US-based charitable trust, the Conservation, Food and Health Foundation of Boston, Massachusetts.

In the face of rampant deforestation on the one hand and the growing international interest in participatory methods of biodiversity conservation on the other, the project proposes to examine:-

The relative effectiveness of the traditional conservation practice in Kodagu in comparison with the conservation areas managed by the Government and the privately managed plantations.
The long-term consequences of fragmentation for three distinct ecological groups of organisms.
The patterns of diversity in woody plants, diurnal birds and macro-fungi in three land uses, namely coffee plantations, reserved forests and sacred groves, along the continuum of human intervention in their management.

Most of the fieldwork for the project was completed between January and October 1999, in the Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district in the State of Karnataka. Analyses of the patterns of diversity that emerge from the collected data are in progress at the OFI.

The preliminary results indicate that:-

Different types of land uses with varying degrees of human intervention exhibit different patterns of diversity in two distinct groups of organisms.
The patterns of diversity in plants and birds do not correlate with each other. Land uses like reserved forests with continuous tree cover seem to have more diversity of woody plants, whereas sacred groves with discontinuous tree cover have more diversity of birds, possibly because of their hospitality to the forest dwellers as well as non-forest birds.
One cannot generalize the term 'biodiversity' based merely on the patterns of diversity in one group of organisms, especially while making any decisions about large-scale conservation at landscape level.

Large terrestrial herbs, gorillas and tropical forest dynamics in the Central African Republic
Researcher: Ms T. Brncic (MSc by Research)
Supervisors: Dr N.D. Brown and Dr D. Harris (Edinburgh University)

Although most species of tropical forest herbs grow and reproduce more readily in sites that receive more light, Megaphrynium macrostachyum (Marantaceae), is unusual because of its occurrence in large monodominant patches, which appear to be capable of delaying tree regeneration in forest gaps. Experimental and descriptive studies of M. macrostachyum and three other closely related morphologically similar herb species, were initiated in the Central African Republic in order to understand the autecology and competitive interactions that control their local patterns of abundance and distribution.

Current field experiments address (i) the growth and reproductive habits of these four species by censusing monthly patterns of leaf, flower and fruit phenology in relation to light environment; (ii) the rate of tree seedling emergence and mortality in artificially defoliated and control plots within M. macrostachyum patches as compared to forest understorey plots; and (iii) seed germination of the four herb species in three light environments. Preliminary results available from the first field season indicate that M. macrostachyum is more dependent on high light environments for growth and reproduction than the other three species. Within patches, cutting of M. macrostachyum leaves stimulated a flush of newly germinated seedlings whereas control plots remained more or less devoid of new seedlings. However, new shoots from underground rhizomes returned vigorously, quickly overshadowing the new seedlings in most sites. Large herbivores may play a role in M. macrostachyum dynamics by occasionally creating areas of disturbance within these patches. The observed growth characters of M. macrostachyum, including fast leaf expansion, large size, and clonal growth, may allow it to take advantage of herbivore disturbance to compete with trees.

Additional experiments will be set up to (i) test where M. macrostachyum patches form by looking for associations between edaphic, slope, and light factors and herb size and abundance; (ii) investigate the hypothesis that patches are gradually formed by the clonal growth of one or a few individuals; (iii) investigate the effects of M. macrostachyum occupation on regeneration in gaps; and (iv) examine possible mechanisms for maintenance of M. macrostachyum monodominance in these patches.

Restoration and revegetation of degraded peat swamp forest in Brunei
Project Managers: Dr N.D. Brown and Dr J. Henrot

The objectives of this project are to compare the use of native and exotic tree species in densely planted stands as a foster community for the restoration of a degraded forest environment. This method is being compared with conventional erosion control technology in order to examine its effectiveness in controlling erosion, ameliorating site conditions and enhancing natural colonization. Over 10,000 seedlings have been planted on a 1.5 km long section of degraded forest in Berakas, Brunei. During 1998 growth and survival of tree seedlings was monitored along with a complete inventory of all woody colonizing species, litter, standing crop and a range of soil parameters. The project has involved the close collaboration of the Brunei Forestry Department and is funded by a grant from Brunei Shell Petroleum. All experimental plots were re-enumerated in April. Dr Brown gave a one-day training workshop to staff from Brunei Shell Petroleum and the Brunei Forestry Department.

Rattan diversity and sustainable management in Lao Peoples' Democratic Republic
Project Managers: Dr N.D. Brown and Dr J. Dransfield (RBG Kew)
Researcher: Mr T. Evans (DPhil student)
Darwin Initiative Project
01/10/1997 to 30/09/2000

The project involves taxonomic and ecological studies aimed at promoting wise management of Lao rattans, with a large element of training for Lao forestry staff. During the second year of the project many collecting trips were made in Laos to gather herbarium specimens as a basis for taxonomic studies and to provide practical training for Lao counterparts. Duplicates were brought to Kew by two of the counterparts and with this material a
taxonomic revision has been largely completed for the species of Laos and surrounding regions. This provides a sound basis for the production of an illustrated field guide, which is now also underway.

Ecological studies continued at the one established field site and were extended to a second. These long-term studies are intended to provide information on rattan growth rates and their seasonality in Laos. They will also be used to test alternative, rapid methods for estimating growth rates which, if effective, would greatly simplify the planning of sustainable harvests. Pilot trials were conducted of a standard technique for estimating population density. In this instance the technique was found to be too time-consuming to deliver useful information and this may be the case generally amongst Lao rattans so alternative approaches need to be considered. In addition to on-the-job training, one Lao counterpart attended a statistical techniques training course in Thailand.

Study tours were made to Yunnan (China) and Thailand to examine herbarium material, meet rattan researchers and observe rattan cultivation. Useful lessons were learnt for the fledgling rattan planting sector in Laos and personal contacts established.

more information

State of knowledge studies on six high-value non-timber forest products of Central Africa
Project Manager: Dr N.D. Brown
Researchers: Ms K. Plenderleith, Ms L. Ainge, Mr E. Tachie-Obeng

This study, funded by WWF US, aims to assess the distribution, taxonomic status, range of uses, contribution to local livelihoods and sustainability of six high-value species, Baillonella toxisperma, Cola accuminata, Cola nitida, Irvingia gabonensis, Irvingia wombolu and Ricinodendron heudelottii.

Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement

Academic staff: Prof J. Burley
Research staff: Dr R.D. Barnes, Dr J.R. Chamberlain, Mr A.J. Pottinger, Ms J.L. Stewart
Research student: Ms Y.M. Malheiros de Oliveira

Germplasm acquisition and evaluation

Genetic evaluation of African Acacia species; phase 2
Project Manager: Dr R.D. Barnes
DFID Project R.6550
01/04/1996 to 31/03/1999

This project continued research into the economic significance of genetic variation in Acacia erioloba, A. karroo, A. nilotica, A. senegal, A. tortilis and Faidherbia albida. The comprehensive seed collections used to establish the trials were assembled under previous projects funded by DFID's Forestry Research Programme at the OFI. Screening trials and the main trials of A. karroo were established in phase 1 of this work under DFID project R.5653. This project included a programme to complete the planting of the main trials of all species in Zimbabwe, socio-economic studies to evaluate the current and potential use of the six species in small-holder agricultural systems in the semi-arid zones of Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, and the production of a methodology to integrate the best genetic material into these systems.

The results of the screening trials were used to decide on the location, composition and design most suitable for the main trials of each species; these had been established for all six species by the end of the project period by which time 52 trials had been established over 18 diverse sites. Soil type and frost were among the main determinants of trial location. There were early indications in the screening trials of large differences in growth rate between provenances of most species and those that were obviously poor performers under some or all conditions were left out of the main trials on the appropriate sites. Wide spacings and single tree plots were used as the best compromise to avoid early competition and, at the same time, encompass enough replications to be able to impose selection and management studies on the experiments in the future. A trials manual has been written which includes full design details of all the trials as well as a protocol for raising the planting stock and designing and establishing the trials. This manual has been produced both to provide all the information that might be required for using them for future research and to provide guidance for trial establishment at other centres.

Studies in natural stands showed that for Acacia erioloba, a parkland of 15 trees per hectare could produce twice as much crude protein and nearly as much metabolizable energy as the average small-holder grain crop in the area. Crude protein percent in the pods and seeds of A. erioloba and A. tortilis were slightly higher than in those of A. nilotica. Assessment of the differences in availability of that protein will be made in a feeding trial project now being funded under DFID's Livestock Production Programme.

There were three phases to the socio-economic team's study of the current and potential uses of acacias in small-holder agricultural systems. These were:- a literature review of the linkages between acacias and livestock systems; community studies of the role of acacias in agro-pastoral systems; and market studies of important acacia products. Although the literature review did suggest that acacia pods were valuable livestock feed, quantitative data on how the pods translate into weight gains and milk production are not yet available. The review also highlighted the complexity of the effects of acacias on grass in the range and showed that most research had been done on commercial farms rather than in communal areas. The conclusion of the community studies was that research should focus on exploring the markets for locally produced gum arabic and pods and stimulating the demand for these products to provide the incentive for enhanced management and planting.

The socio-economic team's conclusion in regard to developing methodologies for introducing new genetic material into small-holder agricultural systems was that it was premature to promote the wide-scale planting of introduced acacias at this stage in the communal lands, firstly, because the genetic evaluation studies have not yet delivered conclusive results on the traits that are of most relevance to farmers and, secondly, efforts to promote planting may encounter resistance from farmers unless long term environmental or indirect benefits can be translated into more direct and immediate benefits.

The establishment of four more centres for acacia network trials in Africa has now passed out of the hands of the project and the OFI and rests with the national and regional institutions to which the seed has been sent. All have received comprehensive sets of provenances of all six species and some trials have already been planted.

The Field Guide to the Acacias of Zimbabwe was published by the end of the project. Although a commercial publisher has been used to produce the book, arrangements were made for about 750 free copies to be distributed to collaborators, appropriate institutions and libraries and to forestry and agricultural extension workers in Zimbabwe. The product has been very favourably received and there is a steady demand for the Field Guide in the bookshops in the region.

An important general objective of this project and its predecessor has been to create a resource of information on and materials of the African acacias that can be used for future research into the genus. The hope has been that this resource would attract funding from international agencies for projects from a wide variety of disciplines. This had started to happen before the end of the project period and substantial funds are now assured for using acacias to restore fertility to degraded land, on-farm evaluation of Acacia species, and livestock feeding trials with acacia pods. The Acacia Trials Manual describes the material resource created by the acacia projects in great detail and it will be available to both national and international scientists who wish to use the resource in which to conduct their research.

African acacias - monographs and manuals
Project Manager: Dr R.D. Barnes
Researcher and botanical artist: Mrs R. Wise
DFID Project R.7275
01/04/1998 to 30/09/2000

The objectives of this project are to publish information and results accumulated in the six DFID FRP projects on the African acacias at the OFI which have progressed from exploration, taxonomy and seed collection to distribution, genetic evaluation and assessment of potential for utilization. Three scientific publications will be produced in the project:- monographs on Faidherbia albida and Acacia senegal (and the gum trade) and a draft conspectus on the African acacias as a whole. These and previous publications will be used as a basis from which to produce a manual for extension workers and farmers on the ecology, uses and culture of the most important acacias in Zimbabwe. Material will be drawn from the draft conspectus to produce other regional and country field guides similar to that produced for the Zimbabwe acacias. This project draws extensively on the expertise of some 15 national and external collaborators who will be co-authors of the various publicati ons.

During 1999, most of the remaining botanical drawings for the African acacias were completed. Progress was made on completing the annotated bibliography for Faidherbia albida and on writing the text for the monograph. The first draft of the Acacia Manual for extension workers was completed and the aim is to have this ready for field testing early in 2000.

Transfer of research results and methods of uptake

Evaluation of selected non-industrial tree species anddevelopment of approaches to facilitate utilization of results
Project Manager: Mr A.J. Pottinger
DFID Project R.6551
01/05/1996 to 31/05/1999

The project was designed to investigate improvements to the current widespread utilization of sub-optimal germplasm in agroforestry programmes, the poor uptake of results from agroforestry tree evaluation programmes, and the lack of availability of seed of superior agroforestry tree provenances.

The research activities included investigating improvements to network management, investigation of uptake pathways for research results and development of guidelines for improvements to seed orchard design.

Results indicated that:-

Network management can be improved by devolving responsibility with collaborators to a regional level.
Uptake pathways for agroforestry tree domestication programmes can be established and impact can be demonstrated.
Genetic structure of the seed producing population and behaviour of pollinating agents needs to be considered in seed orchard design.

In addition to the practical measures required to implement these results, it was suggested that:-

A strategy for agroforestry tree domestication should be compiled by FRP.
Selection of partners to assist in development of uptake pathways should be a priority exercise in agroforestry tree domestication activities.
Impact assessment must be considered and incorporated into tree domestication projects.

Qualitative analysis of agroforestry species for fodder

Investigation of factors affecting the nutritive value of Calliandra calothyrsus leaf as fodder for ruminants
Project Manager: Ms J.L. Stewart
DFID Project R.6549
01/04/1996 to 31/12/2000
Collaborators: CIAT, Colombia; KARI, Embu, Kenya; University of Reading

Calliandra calothyrsus is a tropical leguminous tree which can provide dry season leaf fodder of high nutritive value, even on acid infertile soils. However, it contains high levels of condensed tannins, and the reported feeding value varies widely. Effects of provenance, management and environment on the nutritive value are being investigated, through a combination of feeding trials in Colombia and Kenya and analytical studies, particularly of the tannin chemistry of the leaf, at the University of Reading. The tannins in the leaves of two high-yielding provenances have been shown to differ markedly not only in level but also in chemical structure. The same provenances have also been shown to differ in leaf digestibility, both in vitro and in feeding trials with sheep and goats at CIAT, Colombia, and in Embu, Kenya. Drying of the leaves, however, which has been widely reported to reduce digestibility, has been found to have no significant effect on digestibility, tannin level nor, most importantly, on animal production. Feeding trials in Embu showed no adverse effect of wilting the leaves before feeding them, on either growth rate of lambs or milk production in goats. These studies suggest that it is not essential to feed Calliandra immediately after harvesting, as is widely recommended, and this would give much greater flexibility in the way it is used, particularly in cut-and-carry systems.

Conservation strategy

Investigation of remote sensing for assessing and monitoring the Araucaria forest of Brazil
Researcher: Ms Y.M. Malheiros de Oliveira (DPhil student)
Supervisors: Prof J. Burley, Dr M. Packer (Zoology) and Dr T. Dawson (Environmental Change Institute)
Sponsored by Brazilian Government

The study focussed on an area of the Araucaria forest biome located within the first plateau of Paraná State. It includes the Irati National Forest (INF), the only protected area with Araucaria forest in Paraná State.

The main goal of the study was to determine the relationship between vegetation and satellite remote sensing for assessing and monitoring Araucaria forest and ecosystems associated with the Araucaria forest region. The reflective properties and spectral signatures of the four main forest types in the INF (Araucaria forest, Araucaria angustifolia plantation, Pinus elliottii plantation and Pinus taeda L. plantation) were analysed and characterized by a range of univariate and multivariate techniques.

Forest Biodiversity and Plant Systematics

Academic staff: Dr S.A. Harris
Research staff: Dr L. Lledó Barrena, Dr D.H. Boshier, Mr C.W. Fagg, Mr D.L. Filer, Dr W. Hawthorne, Dr C.E. Hughes
Research assistant: Mr J. Cordero-Salvado
Research students: Mr M. Billingham, Ms S. Vetayasuporn

Patterns of genetic variation in tropical trees

Molecular markers in tropical forestry
Project Manager: Dr S.A. Harris
DFID Project R.7238
01/10/1998 to 28/02/1999

The project had three aims: (i) to identify the types of information that are necessary for the effective dissemination and utilization of molecular information; (ii) to identify the user groups of such information; (iii) to assess the potential value of a manual on the application of molecular marker technologies in tropical trees.

A total of 29 replies were received from the 168 letters sent. Of these 29 replies, 24 organizations had an interestin the use of molecular markers, and of these, 13 used them in their research or management. The most popular marker systems were randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) and allozymes. Most laboratories used a single technique, but if two or more techniques were to be combined then allozymes and RAPDs were the preferred choice.

Of the organizations that used molecular markers, 11 were interested in the application of markers for the study of genetic diversity. Other uses for the markers were much less frequent and included clone identification, systematic studies and marker-aided selection. The majority of organizations were interested in single questions. The numbers of staff employed by each of the organizations in the field of molecular markers varied from 1 to 16, and ranged from PhD level to technicians. Of the organizations, 46.2% had staff with degrees, 84.6% had staff who had learnt via taught courses, and four (30.8%) had staff that had been trained by both degrees and courses. A limited range of, often out-dated, manuals are being used by organizations. Limitations on the use of molecular markers are the result of funding, information, facilities and personnel.

Of those organizations that did not use molecular markers, but had an interest in them, 10 considered that they had some knowledge of molecular markers. The knowledge that was available had been obtained almost equally from courses and reading. Eight of the organizations were interested in using markers to look at genetic diversity. Six organizations stated that they are planning to use molecular markers in the next five years. One organization stated that they were not planning on using molecular markers. Six organizations indicated that they were planning to analyse genetic diversity and in five of these cases it was ranked as the most important application for molecular markers.

Molecular markers were considered to have a useful role in tropical forestry by 27 organizations. Two organizations indicated that molecular markers either had a limited role at the present time or that they were unsure of their role. The reasons for the limited role were associated with the lack of expertise, the difficulty of equipment procurement and the availability of funds.

A total of 21 organizations identified molecular markers as having an important role in understanding diversity and differentiation of tropical trees, whilst nine and six organizations identified mating systems and systematics respectively as important roles for molecular markers. A manual was considered useful as a means of providing standard recipes for non-specialists, and in order to be used for teaching and research purposes, by 26 organizations. Three organizations either questioned the need for a manual or did not have enough experience to provide a considered opinion. Three areas were identified as being particularly important for inclusion within a molecular marker manual, methodology, interpretation and analysis, with a focus on tree-specific problems and case studies.

Techniques that would appear to be of greatest interest for coverage are the DNA-based techniques of RAPDs, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and microsatellites and allozyme analysis. However, the techniques being used may not be the most appropriate for the questions being addressed. The choice of techniques will be governed by two factors, the facilities available and the questions being addressed. Any manual must contain marker systems that have been 'tried-and-tested', are simple to use and generate high quality data quickly. Given the range of interests that most organizations have, the most useful methods of analysis would be those associated with allozymes, polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLPs), RAPDs, AFLPs and microsatellites. The majority of users preferred paper as the medium for a manual and 17 of the organizations expressed an interest in commenting on an early draft of the manual.

The potential end-user community is primarily composed of researchers; few forest managers/decision makers appear to have an idea of the potential of such marker systems. The manual should:- (i) be paper-based and cheap; (ii) be self-contained, exploring methodology, interpretation and analysis of data and 'trouble-shooting'; (iii) contain basic, 'tried-and-tested' techniques; (iv) include detailed discussions of advantages and disadvantages with appropriate references; (v) include worked examples of interpretation and analysis; (vi) include detailed case studies linked to real development situations; (vii) be written for the non-specialist, under the assumption of no previous knowledge and; (viii) be heavily illustrated and referenced.

Reproductive biology and genetic diversity

Genetic diversity and population structure of trees in fragmented dry zone forests of Central America
Project Manager: Dr D.H. Boshier
DFID Project R.6516
01/04/1996 to 31/12/1999

The research combines field and laboratory techniques to investigate four 'marker' tree species (Bombacopsis quinata, Cedrela salvadorensis, Leucaena salvadorensis, Swietenia humilis) in the fragmented tropical dry forests of Central America. The genetic effects of fragmentation on remnant stands and trees are relatively unknown and currently under debate. Whilst fragmentation may reduce populations below critical size and gene flow to levels below that needed to prevent genetic drift, it may also increase or alter patterns of gene flow between remnant populations. Studies, in collaboration with Gemma White and Wayne Powell at SCRI, showed that in both B. quinata and S. humilis, at the degree of separation studied (1-4.5km), fragmentation does not impose a genetic barrier between remnants, but altered and enhanced levels of inter-fragment gene flow over longer distances, facilitated by the ability of pollinators to move between spatially isolated stands of trees. In contrast to other predictions and some studies, both species also showed an increase in seed production with an increasing degree of disturbance. Consequently, even in severely fragmented landscapes, remnant forest patches and trees may be effective and important in conserving genetic diversity. Research with Martin Billingham, concentrating on the implications of such altered patterns of gene flow in B. quinata and S. humilis, along with evidence for inbreeding/outbreeding depression and localized adaptation was completed (see thesis abstract). To communicate the relevance of such research and the use of genetic information in the formulation and implementation of forest tree conservation strategies, a short course was run in Australia (in conjunction with SPRIG and ANU) for participants from a number of South Pacific Islands.

A species monograph on Bombacopsis quinata
Project Manager: Dr D.H. Boshier
DFID Project R.7210
01/08/1998 to 31/01/2000

Bombacopsis quinata has been identified (including farmer participatory processes) throughout Central America, Colombia and Venezuela as a priority species for planting (fence lines and plantations), utilization, conservation and tree improvement. Reforestation by resource poor farmers and commercial companies, has increased demand for both quality seed and information, directly applicable to the management of B. quinata. With Jesus Cordero-Salvado and researchers at CAMCORE, CATIE, and CONSEFORH the project's objective is to enable communication and uptake of results from research on B. quinata to key users through production and distribution of a monograph and sample extension manual in Spanish. The monograph is nearing completion and the extension manual is being printed after revision by extension agencies. Supporting research by CONSEFORH/CATIE has identified social, economic and market factors that influence and limit planting of t his species in a number of countries of Central/South America. The main finding of the work will be summarized in a briefing paper which is currently being revised.

Field Guides

Guide to Plant Field Guides: comparison and development of tropical forest plant guide formats with a handbook to assist future production of field guides
Project Managers: Dr C.E. Hughes and Dr W. Hawthorne
Researcher and botanical artist: Mrs R. Wise
DFID Project R.7367
01/10/1999 to 30/06/2002
In collaboration with the Forestry Department in Ghana, the Forestry Department in Grenada, the Sociedad para el Estudio de Recursos Bióticos de Oaxaca, SERBO in Mexico, and a sister project coordinated by Anna Lawrence, Green College Centre for Natural Resources and Development.

This new research project, funded as part of the DFID Forestry Research Programme to develop and compare tropical forest plant field guide formats started in October and will run for the next three years. There is currently pressure for production of many new identification guides to tropical forest plants, but less understanding of what formats of guide are best for different users. This project is investigating the usability, accuracy, efficiency, and value of different field guide formats for different types of users, through review of existing guide formats, preparation and empirical field testing of carefully designed guide formats, and analysis of resources required to prepare different products. The project aims to produce a Handbook (How to produce useful guides to forest plants in the tropics) which will stimulate and facilitate the production of new and appropriate field guides, as well as provide some actual field guides in the process.

The initial focus of work has been in Grenada with a five-week visit to assess the demands and priorities of likely user groups for tree field guides of different types, identify priority forest areas and species, collect botanical material, and paint and photograph species to provide images for later testing and use in guides.

Mesoamerican (southern Mexico) biological corridor project
Project Managers: Dr D.H. Boshier, Dr C.E. Hughes and Dr W. Hawthorne
Funded by the World Bank

A short assignment was undertaken by David Boshier, Colin Hughes and William Hawthorne during the year to provide a general biological framework for the selection and design of biological corridors planned within the World Bank, Global Environment Facility Mesoamerican (southern Mexico) Biological Corridors Project. The resultant report (Boshier, Hughes and Hawthorne, 1999 - see staff publication listing) reviewed the basis of the biological corridor concept, identified and discussed key biological criteria for corridor selection and design and provided a tool for integrating these criteria with sustainable use values.

Leucaena

Researcher: Dr C.E. Hughes

Research on the systematics of Leucaena has continued during the year with the assembly of a new DNA sequence data set to add to the existing morphological and chloroplast DNA RFLP data sets. Colin Hughes has sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 18-26S nuclear ribosomal DNA in 65 representatives of the Leucaena and Dichrostachys groups and other closely allied genera of the tribe Mimoseae. Initial analysis of the ITS data set indicates moderate sequence alignability, high sequence divergence and good resolution of groups of genera, genera and infrageneric groups within Leucaena. It is hoped that this new data set will help to resolve confusion surrounding sister group relationships of the genera of the Leucaena and Dichrostachys groups and shed further light on species relationships within Leucaena which are complicated by hybridization and polyploidy. Multiple ITS copies have been detected for one of the five known tetraploid species, L. leucocephala, and work to clone these copies is planned.

Successful DPhil theses

Genetic variation in Pinus kesiya
Researcher: Miss S. Vetayasuporn (DPhil student)
Supervisors: Prof J. Burley and Dr S.A. Harris

Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon is native to Southeast Asia where it is used for pulp and timber. Over-exploitation and conversion of forest to cash crop production threaten to deplete the species' genetic diversity. To examine the distribution and dynamics of genetic variation, molecular markers were used to assess diversity and gene flow across its Southeast Asian range. Genetic variation was characterised in three genomes of P. kesiya, the mitochondrial (mtDNA), the chloroplast (cpDNA) and the nuclear (nDNA), using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLPs), simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) respectively. In pines, cpDNA is paternally inherited and mtDNA maternally inherited and can therefore be used to assess pollen and seed migration directly.

MtDNA RFLP analysis showed that all Pinus kesiya populations, except Zokhua (Myanmar), were monomorphic. Some 88% (G_st) of haplotype differentiation was among populations and evidence of low seed flow (0.067, G_st) was found across the natural range of the species. Two groups, based on genetic identities, were recognized, a Thai/Myanmar group and a Vietnamese/Philippine group. CpDNA SSR analysis of two polymorphic loci showed that the Zokhua population had the greatest cpDNA haplotype diversity, whilst the Vietnamese populations were monomorphic. Approximately 46% (R_st) of haplotype differentiation was among populations and evidence of high pollen flow (1.369, R_st) was found. Nuclear RAPD analysis showed lower population differentiation (11%, _st) and higher levels of gene flow (1.943, _st) than organelle genomes as is expected for bi-parentally compared to uni-parentally inherited markers. The low levels of po pulation nDNA differentiation were similar to those reported in other pine species. Contiguous regions appeared to show the greatest nDNA similarity. P. kesiya pollen relative to seed migration was 57.3 (_st and G_st) across the whole Southeast Asian range sampled and 139.4 (_st and G_st) for the mainland distribution, indicating that pollen can migrate over much greater distances than seed. It is known that pines migrated to Southeast Asia during the Quaternary period of the Pleistocene epoch. The Philippine and Vietnamese P. kesiya populations were genetically distinct from other populations surveyed and there is evidence of low gene flow. This pattern may result from population fragmentation and post-glacial re-colonization after southerly migration.

This study has shown the value of molecular techniques in helping to design strategies to conserve genetic diversity of Pinus kesiya within and between populations. Knowledge of pollen and seed migration are also valuable for designing seed orchards, whilst levels of gene diversity are useful for selecting populations for genetic improvement. However, P. kesiya populations from the northern part of the distribution were not sampled and these populations still require genetic evaluation.

Genetic structure, localized adaptation and optimal outcrossing distance in two neotropical tree species
Researcher: Mr M.R. Billingham (DPhil student)
Supervisors: Dr D.H. Boshier and Dr S.A. Harris

The spatial scale of genetic variability is dependent upon the relative strengths and scales over which gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection occur. This study used a combination of laboratory work (allozyme electrophoresis) and field based experiments (reciprocal transplants and controlled pollinations) to examine the scale of genetic structure, gene flow, localized adaptation and optimal outcrossing distance in two neotropical tree species. Bombacopsis quinata and Swietenia humilis were chosen as the study species as they have contrasting dispersal strategies, as B. quinata is bat-pollinated and produces small seeds that are dispersed in 'kapok', whilst S. humilis is insect-pollinated and produces seeds with long wings for wind dispersal.

Despite their different dispersal mechanisms, B. quinata and S. humilis were found to be highly outcrossing (tm> 0.95) and show within population genetic structuring over similar scales (50-60m and 40-80m, respectively). For both species, over 50% of pollinations were from trees within a 200m radius of the maternal tree. Similarly, geographic distance was positively correlated with genetic distance in both species, although among population genetic differentiation was less in B. quinata than S. humilis (Fst=0.044 and 0.173, respectively).

Reciprocal transplant experiments over two spatial scales showed that for S. humilis adaptation occurred over 55km and 400km as the relative fitness of 'home' seedlings was higher than that of 'foreign' seedlings, with the level of adaptation reflecting the geographic (and genetic) separation. In Honduras home seedlings were larger because of increased diameter, whilst in Costa Rica home seedlings were larger due to increased height. Furthermore, there was evidence to suggest that localized adaptation may occur in S. humilis over distances as short as 1km.

Although restricted dispersal and/or selection lead to genetic structuring, no optimal outcrossing distances were observed for either species, with pollination distance having little or no effect on capsule formation and size, as well as germination and growth of the progeny. However, both species were found to be self-incompatible, and the few B. quinata selfed capsules that formed were relatively small and produced progeny with reduced volumes. Only for B. quinata pollinations over 1800km were long distance effects observed, these being manifested in significantly smaller capsules with fewer seed, although no outbreeding depression (germination or growth) was identified.

By comparing the scales of genetic structure, environmental heterogeneity and localized adaptation, the results suggest that the scale of localized adaptation was primarily determined by dispersal distances, rather than the scale over which environmental heterogeneity exists.

Forest Biotechnology

Academic staff: Dr M.M. Campbell
Post doctoral research: Dr D. Perazza, Dr S. McInnis, Dr J. Willment
Research students: Ms A. Collins, Ms H. Jones, Ms L. Juda, Ms L. Newman, Ms L. Rogers
Technical staff: Mrs C.M. Surman

Molecular genetics of tree development

Tree growth and development is of interest from both a biological and an industrial perspective. Our work is focussed on understanding a subset of the molecular mechanisms that underlie tree growth and development. In addition, we use our data to devise strategies for the biotechnological improvement of tree species for industrial end-uses. The major interests of our group include:-

The control of wood formation
Researchers: Ms L. Juda, Dr S. McInnis, Ms L. Newman, Dr P. Perazza, Ms L. Rogers, Dr J. Willment
Sponsor: BBSRC

All land plants produce a woody tissue called xylem. This tissue plays a crucial role in both the physical support of the plant and in the transport of water and solutes throughout the plant body. Furthermore, xylem forms the foundation of the multibillion pound industries involved in the conversion of wood to pulp, paper, timber and energy. Our work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the formation of xylem. These studies are providing important insights into the development of land plants, and are revealing means by which xylem formation could be modified for improved industrial properties.

Our work on wood formation makes use of trees such as eucalyptus, poplar and pine as well as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our work in this area has two foci. In the first, we are investigating the functions of two members of the MYB family of transcription factors, which were identified in differentiating pine xylem. We hypothesize that these two MYB proteins function to regulate aspects of xylem formation. More specifically, our results point to the involvement of these MYB proteins in the regulation of the formation of lignin during xylem formation. Current work is involved in testing hypotheses related to the functions of these MYB proteins, and the regulation of the corresponding genes, using biochemical and genetic approaches.

The second focus of our work on wood formation involves the analysis of mutants with altered accumulation of lignin, an important component of xylem cell walls. Normally, arabidopsis plants accumulate lignin in xylem cells and in the sclerified parenchyma. Based on exciting results obtained by several undergraduate research project students working in our lab, we have been able to identify arabidopsis mutants with altered patterns of lignin accumulation. So far, we have been able to identify three non-allelic mutants that exhibit dramatically altered patterns of lignin accumulation. Current research is focussed on the characterization of these mutants, and the cloning of the genes corresponding to the mutant loci. We anticipate that these results should reveal important insights into the regulation of lignin accumulation.

The control of maturation in trees
Researcher: Ms A. Collins (DPhil student)
Supervisor: Dr M.M. Campbell
Sponsor: Shell International Renewables

Great progress has been made in delineating the mechanisms that underlie events related to maturation, such as the transition to flowering and changes in plant architecture, in herbaceous annual plants. In contrast, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms which control this phase transition in day-neutral, perennial plants like trees. This project is directed toward testing the hypothesis that the function(s) of the genes that control maturation in a daylength-dependent flowering plant, arabidopsis, are conserved in a day-neutral plant, eucalyptus. So far, we have been able to clone and characterize two eucalyptus genes that are orthologous to genes involved in the control of phase transition in herbaceous annual plants such as arabidopsis. These genes encode proteins that are members of the CENTRORADIALIS and TERMINAL FLOWER family of phosphatidylethanolamine binding proteins. We have been able to demonstrate that these eucalyptus genes can function t o affect phase change using molecular genetic experiments. Current work is aimed at fully characterizing these genes and their gene products and at identifying other members of this important family of genes.

The control of growth and form in trees
Researcher: Ms H. Jones (DPhil student)
Supervisor: Dr M.M. Campbell
Sponsors: Shell International Renewables and BBSRC Case Studentship

The activity of meristematic tissues plays a major role in determining the form and rate of growth of all plants. This project is aimed at testing the hypothesis that a subset of the genes shown to be involved in establishing and maintaining vegetative meristems in Arabidopsis thaliana have functional orthologues in eucalypts. We have been able to clone and characterize a eucalyptus gene encoding a member of the KNOTTED and SHOOTMERISTEMLESS family of homeobox proteins. Current work is aimed at testing hypotheses related to the role of this gene in regulating the activity of primary and secondary meristems in eucalyptus. These studies will be an important first step in understanding the role of meristem activity in the control of tree growth and form.

Forest Policy and Management
Academic staff: Dr S.N. Pryor
Research student: Mr M. Markopoulos

Certification

Researcher: Dr S.N. Pryor

Forest certification involves four critical components: standards for sustainable forest management; independent auditing of forest management; a rigorous chain of custody; and consumer recognition through timber product labelling. The concept is now almost universally accepted, but there is still controversy over the details - and in particular control - of the process.

The standards originally produced for the Forest Stewardship Council were transmuted into a new Standard under the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme. Most of the changes were cosmetic, but Simon Pryor contributed new requirements relating to the restoration of plantations on ancient woodland sites.

At the end of the year the UKWAS Standard was finally agreed with all stakeholders, and also endorsed by the Board of the Forest Stewardship Council. The UK thus became the first country in the world to achieve agreement between all stakeholders on FSC-endorsed Certification Standards. The year also provided the acid test of the standards since they were used in several large-scale audits, including Forest Enterprise.

Work continued on several other challenges facing certification, including: facilitating access to certification for smaller forest ownerships; applying the research done last year on the environmental impacts of chemicals used in forestry; seeking consistent interpretation and appropriate improvement of the standard; and working towards harmonization of European standards.

The role of certification in supporting community-based forest enterprise (CFE) in Latin America
Researcher: Mr M. Markopoulos (DPhil student)
Supervisors: Prof J. Burley, Mr S. Bass (IIED) and Dr S.N. Pryor
Funded by DFID/IIED/EU

Certification is a relatively new, voluntary procedure in forestry, designed to link market demands for sustainably produced forest products with producers who can meet such demands. Although interest in certification is high, a great deal of uncertainty surrounds its possible economic, social and environmental impact. A research programme has been initiated to assess the impacts of certification on one particularly vulnerable sector of the global forest industry: small-scale logging enterprises owned and managed by local communities. Access to a niche market in more developed countries for such projects is also often cited as a major benefit of certification. However, achieving and demonstrating sustainable forest management is a major challenge for such projects. Field studies of certified community enterprises in Bolivia, Honduras and Mexico have been completed and a synthesis report is being compiled. In all three countries certification has resulted in only very modest benefit s or market advantage This was due not to a lack of such markets but inability and lack of experience in accessing export markets.

Woodland restoration and recreation
Project Supervisor: Dr S.N. Pryor
Researchers: Mr J. Matthews and Mr T. Curtis (MSc course students)

Nearly half of our ancient semi-natural woodland has, during the second half of the 20th century, been converted to conifer plantations. It is now recognized that many such plantations have not been a silvicultural, commercial or environmental success. As they reach the end of the first rotation there are opportunities for restoration to native species and a more diverse structure.

Some exploratory work was undertaken by Justin Matthews for his MSc dissertation looking at the survival of vascular plant species, especially those associated with ancient woodland, under different plantation crops in Salcy Forest, Northants. The preliminary results suggested somewhat surprisingly that the species diversity under mixed oak/spruce crops was comparable to that under pure oak crops. The methods of converting from plantations to native species were also examined, and the significance of brash treatment on floral diversity and abundance became apparent.

In a complementary dissertation Tom Curtis examined the potential for woodland re-creation using natural colonization rather than planting. The new England Forest Strategy stresses the need to recreate a woodland habitat network, making new woods that adjoin or link existing (ancient) woodland a priority. Natural colonization would be particularly appropriate to such situations and is in keeping with a need to reduce establishment costs and grants, and increase diversity. Tom assessed a number of sites that suggested that given the right conditions such colonization was a relatively rapid and low cost method of creating diverse woodlands.

Protected forest areas
Project Managers: Dr S.N. Pryor and Dr G. Peterken (with temporary assistance from Miss J. Haworth)
Funded by the Forestry Commission and WWF

This study examined the extent of the various types of protected forest in the UK - from National Parks, SSSIs, protective ownership and voluntary measures. It also evaluated the effectiveness of the various protective mechanisms associated with the different protected areas. By considering the protection provided by grant schemes and associated guidelines, this study has given a fresh perspective on what is meant by a protected area. The various types of protected area were allocated to the IUCN categories of Protected Area. This revealed that the UK is very under-represented in the highest 'wilderness and natural reserves' categories. However, by including for the first time areas subject to management agreements a rather more positive picture emerged for some other categories.

Management planning for native woodland
Project Manager: Dr S.N. Pryor
Funded by the Forestry Commission

The Forestry Commission are keen to promote long term management of native woodland, much of which is either neglected or managed with a short-term or narrow perspective. They commissioned Simon Pryor to review existing guidance on management planning and to see whether any generic guidance could be produced. The aim was to incorporate the needs of all relevant initiatives in one planning document, and these included the FC's grants and licences, certification, SSSI legislation and national biodiversity data. Another challenge was to come up with a structure and content that was suitable for a minimalist 'annotated map' plan for a small farm woodland at one extreme and a GIS-based plan for a large and complex site at the other. The experience of having read dozens of management plans produced by MSc students over the years proved to be very useful in this study. The next stage is for the reports to be circulated and reviewed by potential users with a view to eventually producing a 'manual' on management planning in native woodland to accompany a promotional package produced by the FC.

Hardwood timber production forecasting
Project Manager: Dr S.N. Pryor
Researcher: Miss J. Haworth
Funded by the Scottish Forestry Trust

This short contract was awarded to allow Jo Haworth to develop her MSc dissertation on hardwood production forecasting. Despite the high level of broadleaved planting (95% of the new planting in England last year) there is very little attention given to production from the broadleaved woodlands, and the research reviewed existing approaches to hardwood forecasting. The parameters needed to predict yield were appraised, alongside the availability of data. The current FC Inventory of Woods and Trees will dramatically improve the data on species and area, but not the mensuration data. The factors affecting owners' decisions to harvest were analysed, in order to determine which could realistically be included, explicitly or implicitly, in a forecast. A novel approach was explored using the Forestry Commission's database of felling permissions in order to predict felling and thinning yields over the next five years. Recommendations on how this database could be adapted in order to provi de more comprehensive short-term forecasts were produced and these will be discussed with the FC and timber producers.

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Academic staff: Mr P.J. Stewart, Mr F.B. Thompson
Academic-related staff: Mr H.L. Wright
Research staff: Mrs J.P. Smith

Ecophysiology

Academic staff: Mr F.B. Thompson

Work continued on the improvement of the simulation model of solar wood drying kilns, with particular reference to mass transfer i.e. water movement in the liquid and vapour phases. The thermal model can be used for any structure in relation to heat gains and losses by short and long wave radiation, conduction, and free and forced convection. A paper was presented on the thermal model at the 6^th International IUFRO Conference on 'Wood Drying Research and Technology for Sustainable Forestry Beyond 2000' held at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

A small experiment has been started, in collaboration with Spanish colleagues, on five soil types at Bagley Wood to investigate the relationships between simple soil parameters and the growth of four coniferous species.

Further sites are being examined for tree shelter studies; the effect of shelter on the leader growth of 6-year-old Norway Spruce trees was assessed.

Biometrics and Inventory

Project Manager: Mr H.L. Wright

Documentation of UK holdings of growth and yield, inventory and other data from tropical forests
Project Manager: Mr H.L. Wright
DFID Project R.7277
01/11/1998 to 30/04/2000

Considerable amounts of data from static and recurrent inventories and volume table construction are held in UK organizations. Many of these data are no longer available in their country of origin. They form a resource of valuable information on forest dynamics. The project will provide a widely distributed catalogue of these data holdings, including some information on their potential use. If agreed by the data owners, they may be available to other information systems. This project is in collaboration with the Universities of Wales (Bangor) and Reading.

A database (ATROFI-UK) was developed to house this information. A workshop to discuss the whole question of the archiving of data, both policy and practice, will be held in Reading at the end of March 2000. A more detailed account of the project is available at: http://www.atrofi-uk.com

Humid and semi-humid tropical forest yield regulation with minimal data
Project Manager: Mr H.L. Wright
DFID Project R.7278
01/11/1998 to 30/04/2001

In collaboration with Dr D. Alder, the project aims to develop a simple methodology for estimating the potential yield from a tropical moist forest when there are only data available from one point in time and to present this in the form of a manual. Estimation of a valid yield is becoming more important as statements of sustainability are increasingly required; however, in many cases the ideal data on growth rates, mortality and recruitment are not available. This may be especially true in the preparation of community management plans.

During the year a workshop was held at CATIE in Costa Rica attended by invited representatives of government forestry departments, private companies and NGOs from around the world all concerned with this problem. Some eight papers were presented and discussed; these papers will be published and available on the Internet. The overriding conclusion was the similarity of the problem in all the countries and continents represented.

Cultural Ecology

Academic staff: Mr P.J. Stewart

Mr Stewart continued to study the ecology of Hindu society and to prepare material for his ecology book; the essence of the argument was presented in a chapter for a forthcoming book 'Where next? Reflections of the human future', edited by Duncan Poore, former Director of the OFI. Mr Stewart also contributed articles to 'The Companion to African Literatures', edited by Douglas Killam and Ruth Rowe, to be published by James Currey.

EDUCATION

BA in Biological Sciences

The Biological Sciences degree offers a wide choice of options embracing both pure and applied aspects of biology. Candidates take a first year Honour Moderations with courses focussing on cells and genes, organisms and population biology. This provides a broad overview of biology and prepares them for more specialized courses in the second and third years when students specialize to an increasing degree. In addition to courses in evolution and systematics and quantitative methods, they may also choose to follow options in:-

      Animal biology
      Plant and microbial biology
      Environmental biology
      Cell and developmental biology
      The biology of animal and plant disease

Institute staff contribute to most of these options including complete lecture courses in silviculture, tree breeding, forest conservation and forestry for timber production within the environmental biology option.

MSc in Forestry and its Relation to Land Use

The Institute's one-year taught MSc, now in its 27 ^th year, continues to be highly regarded. Major elements of the course are some 20 series of lectures and seminars, an extended essay, a forest management exercise, and a dissertation. Substantial contributions from many visitors and Institute staff who do not have formal University teaching responsibilities ensure that the course maintains its breadth, depth and close contact with research, and that the wide range of students' interests (typified, for example, by the variety of dissertation topics listed) can be addressed satisfactorily. One of the teaching strengths of the OFI is the recent first-hand experience that so many staff have of conditions in other countries, especially in the tropics.

Eighteen students were admitted to the 1999/2000 class. As in previous years, one of the values of the class is the diversity of its membership, in terms of both the subject of first degree and subsequent experience. Some 50% of the students are British, most with first degrees in biological sciences. Those from overseas come from Australia, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Germany, Guyana, India, Italy and Nigeria.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Department for International Development (DFID) were the major sources of financial support for British students following the course, and the European Social Fund could be used to assist other EU students as well. The Hosier Fund and Lloyd Studentship, both associated with Linacre College, were also major contributors in two cases and the Queen's College in one.

1998-99 class
The dissertations submitted were entitled:-

Mr Friedrich Alpers, Green College
Monograph of Pterocarpus angolensis.

Ms Louise Aukland, Linacre College
Possibilities for certification of Teddy Trading wood products for sale by the Body Shop.

Mr Jayesh Bhatia, Queen's College
Enhancing carbon sinks: Kyoto protocol and Indian forestry sector.

Mr Paulo Braga, Linacre College
A survey of the potential for CDM funding for the Brazilian forestry sector.

Mr Tom Curtis, Linacre College
Strategies for maximizing the benefits of new native woodland.

Mr Frederic Duboscq, Linacre College
Value of biomass in charcoal energy in the forest of 'Aquitain' with Pinus pinaster or any chips.

Ms Emilie Flower, Linacre College
The use of trees on farms in Britain.

Ms Ronit Golovaty, Green College
Agroforestry in semi-arid areas.

Mr Godfrey Marshall, St. Cross College
The design and implementation of operational parameters for the implementation of a system of National Protected Areas in Guyana.

Mr Justin Mathews, Linacre College
The use of GIS data on ancient woodland to prioritize areas of restoration.

Mr Pascal Nzokou, Green College
Mahogany timber in trade. Guide key for identification of Mahoganies.

Ms Tanya Ogilvy, Linacre College
Silvicultural techniques of recreating native woodlands in the mountains of Scotland.

Mr Gordon Pfetscher, Linacre College
Masting of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oak (Quercus spp.) in Great Britain.

Mr Steven Speed, Linacre College
Site index curves for Douglas fir in the north of Portugal.

Mr Emmanuel Tachie-Obeng, Linacre College
Framework for CARPE state-of-knowledge studies.

Fifteen of the sixteen members of the 1998/1999 class successfully completed the course.

The Coopers Hill Memorial Prize
This prize, which spans the three-year period ending in 1999, was awarded to Ms Louise Aukland (Linacre College) of the 1998/99 class.

The Jubilee Prize
This prize was also awarded to Ms Louise Aukland (Linacre College).

The Director's Prize for the Best Dissertation
This prize was awarded to Mr Justin Mathews (Linacre College).

1999/2000 class

Ms Elinor Breman
Natural Sciences, Cambridge

Mr Giovanni Cordobo Mosquera
Biology, Colombia

Mr Peter Coventry
Biological Sciences, Oxford

Mr John Dale
Ecology, Edinburgh

Mr Filippo Del Gatto
Forestry, Florence

Mr Daniel Edmonds
Plant Sciences, Durham

Ms Suzanne Enoh
Botany, Jos, Nigeria

Mr John Kinniburgh
Geography, Sydney, Australia

Mr Premysl Macel
Forestry, Mendel, Czech Republic

Mr James Paterson
Rural Environment Studies, Wye, London

Mr Marcel Robischon
Forest Sciences, Freiburg, Germany

Ms Vandana Singh
Political Science, New Delhi, India

Mr Alan Smith
Forestry, Aberdeen

Ms Aoife Smith
Philosophy, Dublin

Mr Kenley Thomas
Forest Products Technology, Bucks College

Ms Rhonda Urlin
Agriculture, Guyana

Mr Hans-Albrecht Wiehler
Forestry Science, Freiburg, Germany

Mr Jake Willis
Geography, Cambridge

Post-Experience Training Courses

Current Methods in Tropical Forestry

The course was directed by Professor J. Burley, coordinated by Dr P.S. Bacon and assisted by Ms N. Baker.

Following the format of previous years, a small group was able to follow the course which included periods spent at Reading University, Silsoe College and the OFI, with trips to most of the TFRG member institutions.

Participants:

Ms Rusta Hangula	Namibia
Mr Dilipkoemar Soedhwa	Suriname
Ms Rut Canton	Spain
Mr Eduardo Rubio	Spain

Trees, Tenure and Farmers

This five-week course was coordinated at Fort Cox College of Agriculture in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The course was coordinated by Dr P.S. Bacon and led by Dr J. Chamberlain and included inputs from Reading University and several South African institutions.

Participants:

Mr D. Hanisi	South Africa
Mr V. Kwindla	South Africa
Mr T. Maliehe	Lesotho
Mr K. Manyuchi	Zimbabwe
Mrs T. Mcanywa	South Africa
Dr P. Nandy	Bangladesh
Dr Q. Islam	Bangladesh

Research Students

Fifteen of the research students registered in the Department of Plant Sciences in 1999 were working within the Institute; their work is described in earlier sections of this report. Two students, Mr M. Billingham and Ms S. Vetayasuporn successfully defended their doctoral theses.

Further Information on Education

Further information about the OFI's educational activities is available from Dr Peter Savill for undergraduate and postgraduate taught and research degrees, and Mrs Jackie Grant for non-degree courses and programmes.

RESEARCH SUPPORT, LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES

Herbarium and Xylarium

Academic staff:Dr S.A. Harris
Technical staff: Mr I.D. Gourlay, Miss S.K. Marner, Mrs A.M. Strugnell

184 researchers visited the collections between October 1998 and September 1999, compared to 84 researchers over a similar period in 1997/1998. Professor Mark Seaward (Bradford University) spent two weeks (in February and May) working on the lichen collections in OXF supported by a grant from the Royal Society. Other parts of the collection that were of interest included: neotropical Ebenaceae; cycads, Aglaia, J. D. Chapman's Nigerian and Malawian collections, Prunus africana, Brachystegia and Sclerocarya. Group visits were made to the collections by the International Diploma Course in Herbarium Techniques at Kew, staff from the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley and the Oxfordshire branch of the Oxford Society. The Rare Plants Group of the Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire have continued to investigate endangered British species. Some 5400 specimen transactions took pla ce this year.

Mercury levels within the Herbaria continue to be routinely monitored and a programme of insect monitoring has been introduced into the herbaria. Sticky insect traps are set on a three month cycle and the insects caught noted. Work on the curation of the spirit and carpological collections is now nearly complete. All of the carpological material (3266 accessions; except Brachystegia) has now been databased and incorporated into the collection. A similar database exists for the whole of the spirit collection (1970 accessions). Databases are currently available within the collection for: the carpological and spirit collections, the family Combretaceae, the genera Aglaia and Dysoxylum, Neotropical pines, the Chapman collections from Mt. Mulanje and the xylarium. The Mt. Mulanje checklist project continues. Efforts have continued in the current year to curate those parts of the collection that are particularly well represented in the Herbaria or where recent taxonomic accounts have been completed. All newly mounted and accessed material is now input into a BRAHMS database. Three special loans from the historic collections were made this year: (i) to the Colonial Williamsberg Foundation, USA, for an exhibition entitled '1699: when Virginia was the Wild West'; (ii) to the Bodleian Library for the exhibition entitled 'The Flora Graeca Story'; and (iii) to the Western Australian Museum in Perth for an exhibition entitled 'Voyage of Discovery'.

The Oxford Forestry Institute Xylarium (FHOw) was established in 1924, with the foundation of the Imperial Forestry Institute. Dr L. Chalk assumed responsibility for the collection and remained in charge of the xylarium until 1963, when Mr J.H. Hughes took over. In 1976 responsibility for the collection was assumed by Prof J. Burley and in 1999 by Dr S.A. Harris.

FHOw contains a mixture of scientifically important and historically interesting materials. For example, scientifically important collections include those of Vigne (Ghana), Anderson (Sarawak), Breteler (Cameroon, Venezuela), Brown (Borneo), Cooper (Liberia), Cooper & Slater (Panama), Cuatrecasas (Columbia) and Krukoff (Brazil, Sumatra). Historically interesting collections include those made by Gamble (India) and Molfino (Argentina) and items collected by Erasmus Darwin (FHOw 12208, Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. Webb) and Richard Spruce (FHOw 3339, Mimusops sp.).

The FHOw card index has now been input into a computer database comprising 29,953 entries, and thus represents the most easily accessible wood collection of its size in the UK. The database indicates that FHOw contains 24,343 wood blocks and 13,100 microscope slides. Of the wood blocks in the collection 7,673 (31.5%) have microscope slides associated with them. 1,635 (5.5%) accessions in the database are from gymnosperms, and the remainder from non-gymnosperms (including palms and tree ferns). 10,678 species, 2,719 genera and 241 families are represented in FHOw, although this does not take into account synonymy and mis-identification. The most frequent families in the collection are Leguminosae (3698 accessions), Dipterocarpaceae (3029 accessions) and Meliaceae (1346 accessions), the most frequent genera are Shorea (1491 accessions), Dipterocarpus (549 accessions) and Diospyros (446 accessions) and the most frequent species are Shorea parvifolia Dyer (72 accessions), Khaya ivorensis A. Chev. (68 accessions) and Shorea bracteolata Dyer (54 accessions). 51 accessions in the xylarium are identified as associated with type material. 44% of the accessions appear to have herbarium specimens associated with them.

Based on geographical regions, 22.1% of the collection is from Malaysia, 20.8% from tropical Africa and 11.9% from South America. 200 countries are represented in the entire database, with 47.3% of accessions coming from the 10 most well-represented countries. 765 collectors have contributed to the xylarium. 25.5% of the accessions have no collector associated with them, whilst 348 (45.5%) collectors have contributed only one accession. The most prolific individual collectors are Krukoff (Brazil and Sumatra), Gamble (India), Vigne (Ghana), Breteler (Venezuela and Cameroon), Molfino (Argentina), Cuatrecasas (Columbia), Cooper (Liberia), Stern and Brizicky (USA) and Anderson (Sarawak), whilst Forest Departments from former British Colonies contributed 7502 (25.1%) accessions.

59.7% of accessions to the xylarium were made during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, with less than 11% of accessions made post-1963. The lack of interest in anatomically-based wood research over the past three decades is reflected by other large xylaria. However, the collection is important since material is available from many different parts of the world, which are now difficult regions in which to recollect. The xylarium contains species which are narrow endemics or are controlled through CITES regulations, thus recollection would be difficult. Furthermore, collecting restrictions are applied by many countries, such that destructive sampling of trees may no longer be possible.

The Xylarium is now treated as part of the Oxford University Herbarium.

CABI-OFI Forestry Information Service

Head, Library & Information Service: Mr R.A. Mills
Special Collections Librarian/Archivist: Mrs A.M. Townsend
Reader Services Librarian: Mrs S.M. Walker (to 31.07.99), Mrs J.B. Pinfold (from 01.09.99)
Technical Services Librarian: Mrs J.B. Pinfold (to 28.02.99)
Library Assistant: Mrs M.C. Evans (to 30.09.99)
Trainee Librarian: Mr S. Hall (to 31.08.99)
Trainee Librarian: Miss F.E. Hall (from 01.09.99)

No resolution to the continuing funding difficulties facing the library was obtained in 1999, with consequent further loss of staff. By the end of the year only 3.5 of the library's 8 full time equivalent posts were filled, and the library was forced to close during August for the first time in its history. Nevertheless, usage continued at a high level, with borrowing showing a 20% increase on 1998. The library was highly commended by the Quality Assurance Agency's Subject Review Report, which described it as 'essential for the support of the MSc in Forestry' and commented 'the recent loss of more than half its staff gives cause for concern, and the reviewers wish to encourage the University and the Department to combine to ensure the future of this major international resource'. The report of the panel reviewing the Oxford Forestry Institute, which was requested to make proposals for realising that goal, was still awaited at the time of writing.

Significant progress was made in collaborative arrangements to enhance reader services. The IUFRO Task Force for the proposed Global Forest Information Service (GFIS) met twice, in Geneva and Oxford, and expects to present a prototype of the service at the IUFRO World Congress in August 2000. A parallel initiative for the UK, BIOME, is now under development at part of the UK 'Resource Discovery Network', launched in November 1999. BIOME will provide a Web-based subject-indexed catalogue of high quality Internet resources covering all aspects of the life sciences. It will offer five separate 'gateways', one of which, co-ordinated by this library, will cover agriculture, forestry and food. Data input has begun and the service will be launched in spring 2000. The database itself is based at the University of Nottingham, and the project is a partnership of the Universities of Nottingham, Reading and Oxford, together with the Natural History Museum and the Biotechnology and Bio logical Sciences Research Council. BIOME will co-operate closely with GFIS and other international initiatives, now emerging all over the world as the need to provide levels of 'bibliographic control' for electronic sources equivalent to those commonplace for many years for printed material, becomes more and more widely recognized.

BIOME and GFIS promise to be good examples of what can be achieved by collaboration across traditional sectoral and geographical boundaries, and clearly represents the way information services will be provided in the future, by pooling resources and expertise to provide what, in the UK, is to be known as the 'distributed national resource' for higher education. IT is of course the key to this advance, but the electronic age shows no signs of producing less print: the problems of preserving and making available printed material remain as great as ever. To include it in the 'distributed resource' much use will be made of digitization, and Oxford University is leading the field in developing standards and methodologies for creating digital substitutes. During 1999 a 'scoping study' covering the entire university revealed over one hundred ongoing or potential digitization projects in Oxford; the study prioritized these and made proposals for a permanent digitization service within the university. Funding permitting, this will become part of the newly restructured Oxford University Libraries in the next year or two. Meanwhile, the digitization of selected forestry materials has been accorded high priority.

For further details of the Forestry Information Service see http://www.plantlib.ox.ac.uk.

INSPIRE: Species Information Database

Support staff: Mrs J.P. Smith

INSPIRE (INteractive SPecies Information REtrieval)

INSPIRE is a computer-based storage and retrieval system for the characteristics, preferences and known potential of tree species. The programme was developed to assist foresters in choosing species suitable for tropical and sub-tropical plantations. It comprises information on species under 21 headings which fall into the following categories:-

     Climate preferences;
     Soil preferences;
     Silviculture;
     Production potential;
     Protection planting;
     Timber density; and
     Utilization.

The INSPIRE package is available for any IBM-compatible microcomputer. The OFI publication Tropical Forestry Papers No.15contains further information not included in the computer system and serves as a reference manual. It incorporates data on taxonomy, natural occurrence, timber features, nursery requirements and principal pests and diseases, and also includes references for each species. This publication is now out of print but is available in photocopied form from the OFI library.

OFI staff assisted CABI staff in preparing bids for financial support for the CD-ROM compendium on over 650 species that subsumed and updated INSPIRE. Several staff contributed items on selected species for the compendium.

BRAHMS: Taxonomic Information System

Project Manager: Mr D.L. Filer

BRAHMS (Botanical Research And Herbarium Management System)

This year, BRAHMS has undergone extensive development and re-structuring, linked to the rapidly looming transfer to Visual FoxPro. The recent system improvements and additions for data editing, extraction and processing are documented on the BRAHMS web site - published in October 1999 (www.brahmsonline.com).

The web site, with text also available in Spanish, summarises key system features and it includes a range of sample projects and recent database products and publications. The BRAHMS software and newly completed reference manual can be freely downloaded along with a series of getting-started exercises in the 'BRAHMS for beginners' tutorial guide.

Also included on the web site are comprehensive monographic data sets for the genera Inga, Leucaena and Pinus. These data sets include detailed nomenclatural information (synonyms, protologues, types, etc.) as well as the fully geo-referenced specimen data, suitable for mapping.

Mapping functions have been more closely integrated with BRAHMS 4.8. Map style (point colours, symbols and size; base map area and other map features) can be set using the new map library and style setting functions which operate on any extracted collection data. The mapping software MUSICA can be downloaded via the web site.

This year, BRAHMS training courses were held at the KEP herbarium in Malaysia and at the Singapore National Botanical Gardens (funded through a FRIM fellowship award); the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama; and the MAPR herbarium in Puerto Rico (funded through the US Fish and Wildlife Service). Additional project linked visits were made to the IAN and MG herbaria in Belém, Pará, Brazil, and Leiden and Wageningen in The Netherlands.

PROSPECT: The Wood Database

Support staff: Mrs J.P. Smith

PROSPECT (Programmed Retrieval Of Species by the Property and End-use Classification of their Timbers)

PROSPECT is a computer database designed to provide information on timber species from all areas of the world which has been developed at the Oxford Forestry Institute over the past 17 years.

For each species the database records taxonomic and distribution details, as well as data on 92 timber properties and 175 end uses, originating from over 1,800 published sources. For each property or end use, up to 20 different sources may be quoted, ensuring any variation in opinion is reflected on screen - essential when dealing with a naturally variable material, where the variation within can be as great as that between species. The majority of data items are linked to their reference sources throughout.

For most of the 1,552 species recorded, a scanned wood surface image is displayed and more than 28,000 common and trade names are included to aid species identification.

PROSPECT has a simple interface using toolbars, check boxes and pull-down menus. A number of methods are provided to search for data based on geographical distribution, taxonomy, wood properties, end-uses and references. More complex searches using multiple properties can be used to evaluate and identify potentially useful species, optionally related to a specific product, or conversely, to evaluate potential end-uses for a particular species. Direct comparisons may also be made between specific properties of any two species.

PROSPECT represents a significant advance in authoritative data provision and evaluation, encouraging the efficient and sustainable utilization of the world's timber resource. The latest version of PROSPECT (version 2.1 for Windows) is now available to purchase on CD-ROM. Further information can be obtained from the OFI and is also accessible at our Web site at: http://www.plants.ox.ac.uk/ofi/prospect or by e-mail at: prospect@plants.ox.ac.uk.

Database of Weeds and Invasive Plant Species

Coordinator: Dr P.S. Bacon
Consultant: Mr N. Waltham

A run-time version copied to CD-ROM of the database was successfully completed during the year and is available for distribution together with a colour manual. There have been enquiries from several countries and substantial interest from the USA. Copies have been distributed to a number of collaborators and extensive reference to the database was made during the 1999 British Crop Protection Council meeting in Brighton (see staff publication listing).

EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES - INSTITUTIONAL

DFID Enabling Agreement

Coordinator: Mrs S.M. Hardaker

The contractual arrangements for the two Resource Centre Schemes since November 1999 have been under the umbrella of a corporate enabling agreement between DFID and the OFI, i.e. having represented to DFID that we have the professional skills, OFI have undertaken to supply the services as and when required. Over the past year requests have come in for Denis Filer to provide support and training on BRAHMS, SISTEM+ and TREMA databases in Brazil and Kenya; for Howard Wright to undertake inventory work in Guyana and David Boshier to visit Brazil as a botany/genetics conservation consultant.

This enabling agreement also supports the Director in his role as President of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations.

British Council Higher Education Link Scheme

Coordinator: Dr P.S. Bacon
Consultants: Dr P.A. Huxley , Ms V. Smith

Link Project with University of Nairobi

The British Council agreed to support funding for this in January and a preliminary field visit was undertaken by the UK team in March and April. This enabled discussion with counterpart staff in Kenya, meetings with international donor organizations and a visit to potential field sites adjacent to Lake Victoria.

A workshop is planned for early 2000 to draft a proposal for donor funding for a project aimed at alleviation of poverty in the Lake Victoria Basin region of Kenya through amelioration of severe climatic events.

Priority Forestry Problems in the SADC Region

Coordinator: Dr P.S. Bacon
Consultant: Mr P.J. Wood
Assistant:Ms N. Baker

This was commissioned by DFID's Forestry Research Programme and followed on from the earlier EU-funded exercise 'Preparation of a Forestry Strategy for SADC'. The objective of the undertaking was to identify researchable constraints in the SADC forestry sector through a process of consultation with stakeholders from SADC countries. Preliminary information was obtained via posted questionnaire and a Web-based questionnaire. A final synthesis was completed following a workshop held in Pretoria in July and attended by 15 participants from 7 SADC countries. The report was accepted by the FRP and presented at an FRP open meeting held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in July.

Tropical Forest Resource Group

Chairman: Professor J. Burley
Secretary: Dr P.S. Bacon
Assistant: Ms N. Baker

Community Forestry Education Project in South Africa

Several consultancy inputs to the project were successfully implemented during the year which saw an 'Outputs to Purposes' review by DFID in March. This was held in east London and attended by the Project Coordinator and the TFRG representative from Silsoe College. The expatriate currently based at Fort Cox College completed his assignment during the year.

Other

The Annual General Meeting of the TFRG was held at CABI in November and the membership voted to retain the President and Secretary at the OFI for another year.

STAFF PUBLICATIONS

Bacon, P.S. (1999). The origins of weeds and invasive species (invited paper). Proceedings of the British Crop Protection Conference, Vol II, 113-119.

Barnes, R.D., Plumptre, R.A., Quilter, T.K., Morris, A.R., Burley, J. and Palmer, E.R. (1999). The use of stem dissection to sample trees of different ages for determining pulping properties of tropical pines. IAWA Journal, Vol. 20(1), 37-43.

Bebber, D. (1999). Spatial autocorrelations. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 14(5), 196.

Boshier, D.H., Hughes, C.E. and Hawthorne, W.D. (1999). Biological criteria for corridor selection and design. Mesoamerican Biological Corridor Project. Report to the Global Environment Facility, World Bank, Washington DC, 55pp.

Brown, N. (1999). Classic in physical geography revisited: The Tropical Rain Forest. Progress in Physical Geography 23(1), 111-114.

Brown, N. (1999). Maintaining biodiversity. Chapter 15 in: Pacione, M. (Ed.) Applied geography: principles and practice. Routledge, London, pp222-235.

Brown, N., Press, M. and Bebber, D. (1999). Growth and survival of dipterocarp seedlings: differences in shade persistence create a special case of dispersal limitation. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London. Series B.354(1391), 1847-1855.

Burley, J. (1999). Collaboration versus competition in forestry research and development. International Forestry Review 1(4), 207-214.

Burley, J. (1999). Global issues affecting forest genetic resources. Focus article in IPGRI Forgen News, March 1999, pp2-4. IPGRI, Rome, Italy.

Burley, J. (1999). Forestry research in the new millennium. Invited editorial, IFS News, Issue 6, September 1999, pp1-3. IFS, Stockholm, Sweden.

Burley, J. (1999). IUFRO, research and information. TREE CABWeb Newsletter, July 1999. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon.

Burley, J. (1999). Challenges to research in forestry and forest products for the new millennium. Technology Letters, Vol.3, No.2, 51-55. Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, UK.

Ewel, J.J., O'Dowd, D.J., Bergelson, J., Daehler, C.C., D'Antonio, C.M., Gomez, L.D, Gordon, D.R., Hobbs, R.J., Holt, A., Hopper, K.R., Hughes, C.E., LaHart, M., Leakey, R.R.B., Lee, W., Loope, L., Lorence, D. Louda, S.M., Lugo, A.E., McEvoy, P.B. Richardson, D.M. and Vitousek, P.M. (1999). Deliberate introductions of non-indigenous organisms: research needs. Bioscience 49, 619-630.

Gourlay, I.D. (1999). Physical properties and anatomical features of Leucaena wood. Journal of Tropical Forest Products 5(2), 171-183.

Gourlay, I.D. (1999). Cork production, wood anatomy of Quercus suber. World of Wood (Journal of the International Wood Collectors Society), Vol.52, No.4, 4-6.

Harris, S.A. (1999). Molecular approaches to assessing plant diversity. In: Plant conservation biotechnology. (Ed. Benson, E.E.). Taylor and Francis Ltd., London, pp11-24.

Harris, S.A. (1999). RAPDs in systematics - a useful methodology? In: Advances in molecular systematics. (Eds. Hollingsworth, P., Bateman, R. and Gornall, R.J.). Taylor and Francis Ltd., London, pp211-228.

Hawkins, J.A., White O.L., Hughes, C.E., Contreras J. J.L. and Mercado R.P. (1999). Investigation and documentation of hybridization between Parkinsonia aculeata and Cercidium praecox (Caesalpinioideae: Leguminosae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 216, 49-68.

Hawthorne, W.D., Filer, D. and Turnbull, D. (1999). Tree date management, mapping, and the development of the TREMA software. International Forestry Review 1, 87-96.

Hubert, J. and Savill, P.S. (1999). Improving oak: the first steps towards a breeding programme. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 93(2), 117-125.

Hughes, C.E. (1999). Taxonomy of Leucaena. In: Shelton, H.M., Gutteridge, R.C., Mullen, B.F. and Bray, R.A. (Eds.). Leucaena - Adaptation, quality and farming systems. Proceedings of a workshop, Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 1998. ACIAR Proceedings 86, pp27-38. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra.

Hughes, C.E. and Jones, R.J. (1999). Environmental hazards of Leucaena. In: Shelton, H.M., Gutteridge, R.C., Mullen, B.F. and Bray, R.A. (Eds.). Leucaena - Adaptation, quality and farming systems. Proceedings of a workshop, Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 1998. ACIAR Proceedings 86, pp61-70 Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra.

Jennings, S.B., Brown, N.D. and Sheil, D. (1999). Assessing forest canopies and understorey illumination; canopy closure, canopy cover and other measures. Forestry 72(1), 59-73.

Päivinen, R., Burley, J., Landis, E., Mills, R., Petrokofsky, G., Reynolds, J., Schuck, A. (1999). Global Forest Information Service - Creating a Common Vision. The Third Session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Forum of Forests (IFF III) Side-Event on 11 May 1999, Geneva. United Nations, 1999.

Savill, P.S., Spencer, R., Roberts, J.E. and Hubert, J.D. (1999). Sixth year results from four ash (Fraxinus excelsior) breeding seedling orchards. Silvae Genetics 48(2), 92-100.

Stockdale, M.C. and Corbett, J.M.S. (1999). Participatory inventory: a field manual written with special reference on Indonesia. OFI Tropical Forestry Paper No. 38. Oxford Forestry Institute, Oxford, UK, 383pp.

Timberlake, J.R., Fagg, C.W. and Barnes, R.D. (1999). Field Guide to the Acacias of Zimbabwe. CBC Publishing, Harare, Zimbabwe, 160pp.

White, G.M., Boshier, D.H., and Powell, W. (1999). Genetic variation within a fragmented population of Swietenia humilis Zucc. Molecular Ecology 8, 1899-1910.

Williams, C.G., Barnes, R.D., and Nyoka, B.I. (1999). Embryonic genetic load for a neotropical conifer, Pinus patula Schiede and Deppe. Journal of Heredity 90(3), 394-398.

OFI PUBLICATIONS CATALOGUE

O.F.I. OCCASIONAL PAPERS
[Issues 1-29 published as C.F.I. OCCASIONAL PAPERS]
ISSN 0141-8181

OP1. A long-term surveillance system for British woodland vegetation, by H.C. Dawkins and D.R.B. Field. 1978. ISBN 0 85074 038 X £7.50 [students £3.75]

OP2. Site index curves for Gmelina arborea Roxb., by A. Greaves. 1978. ISBN 0 85074 043 6 Very limited stocks £2.50 [students £1.25]

OP3. A regional volume table for Gmelina arboreaRoxb., by A. Greaves. 1978. ISBN 0 85074 044 4 Very limited stocks £3.00 [students £1.50]

OP4. Some wood properties of Pinus patula (Schiede and Deppe) from Uganda and techniques developed in studying them, by R.A. Plumptre. 1978. ISBN 0 85074 032 0 Very limited stocks £5.50 [students £2.75]

OP5. Wood density variation in plantation-grown Pinus patula from the Viphya plateau, Malawi, by P.G. Adlard, C. Goodwin-Bailey and S. Austin. 1979. ISBN 0 85074 045 2 £3.00 [students £1.50]

OP6. Pulp and wood densitometric properties of Pinus caribaea from Fiji, by J. Burley and E.R. Palmer. 1979. ISBN 0 85074 046 0 £5.50 [students £2.75]

OP7. Stand density and stem taper in Pinus patula Schiede and Deppe, by P.G. Adlard and K.F. Richardson. 1979. ISBN 0 85074 047 9 Very limited stocks £2.50 [students £1.25]

OP8. Growing stock levels and productivity conclusions from thinning and spacing trials in young Pinus patula stands in Southern Tanzania, by P.G. Adlard. 1980. ISBN 0 85074 048 7 Microfilm only £3.00 [students £1.50]

OP9. Pericopsis elata (Afrormosia), by P. Howland. 1979. ISBN 0 85074 049 5 Limited stocks £3.00 [students £1.50]

OP10. Tropical rain forest silviculture: a research project report, by T.J. Synnott. 1980. ISBN 0 85074 050 9 Microfilm only £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP11. An annotated bibliography of Gilpinia hercyniae (Hartig), European spruce sawfly, by P.H.W. Adams and P.F. Entwistle. 1981. ISBN 0 85074 051 7 £4.00 [students £2.00]

OP12. Review of Pinus patula Mor. and P. oocarpa Schiede international provenance trials, by A. Greaves. 1980. ISBN 0 85074 052 5 Microfilm only £6.50 [students £3.25]

OP13. A second look at Agathis, by M.R. Bowen and T.C. Whitmore. 1980. ISBN 0 85074 053 3 Microfilm only £3.00 [students £1.50]

OP14. Growth and growing space, by P.G. Adlard & J.P. Smith. 1981. ISBN 0 85074 054 1 Microfilm only £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP15. Vegetative propagation of trees in the 1980's, by K.A. Longman. 1980. ISBN 0 85074 055 X Microfilm only £3.50 [students £1.75]

OP16. Problems and opportunities in tropical rain-forest management, by P.E. Neil. 1981. ISBN 0 85074 060 6 Microfilm only £11.00 [students £5.50]

OP17. Fire control in tropical pine forests, by A. Wolffsohn. 1981. ISBN 0 85074 056 8 Microfilm only £7.00 [students £3.50]

OP18. The adoption of agricultural practices for the development of heritable resistance to pests and pathogens in forest crops, by I.A.S. Gibson, J. Burley and M.R. Speight. 1980. ISBN 0 85074 057 6 Limited stocks £3.50 [students £1.75]

OP19. An economic analysis of silvicultural options for broadleaved woodlands. 1982. Volume I, by S.N. Pryor. ISBN 0 85074 041 X £8.50 [students £4.25] Volume II, by R. Lorraine-Smith. ISBN 0 85074 042 8 £8.50 [students £4.25]

OP20. Planning, performance and evaluation of growth and yield studies : proceedings of the meeting of IUFRO Subject Group S4.01, Oxford, September 1979, edited by H.L Wright. 1983. ISBN 0 85074 062 2 Microfilm only £11.00 [students £5.50]

OP21. HP67 and HP97 calculator programs for elementary statistical calculations (also compatible with the HP41-C), by T.J. Wormald. 1982. ISBN 0 85074 037 1 Very limited stocks £8.00 [students £4.00]
Set of magnetic cards for above, available to special order £36.00 [students £18.00]

OP22. A method of selecting agricultural land from production and conversion forests in Indonesia, by M.S. Ross. 1983. ISBN 0 85074 063 0 £6.50 [students £3.25]

OP23. Firewood versus alternatives: domestic fuel in Mexico, by Margaret I. Evans. 1984. ISBN 0 85074 071 7 Limited stocks £6.00 [students £3.00]

OP24. Ash dieback survey, by R.G. Pawsey. 1983. ISBN 0 85074 072 X Very limited stocks £6.00 [students £3.00]

OP25. First observations of ecological surveillance plots on afforested open-cast spoil in South Wales, by H.C. Dawkins with R.L. Hockin and J.D. Power. 1985. ISBN 0 85074 082 7 £5.50 [students £2.75]

OP26. A versatile, low-cost drying kiln for opening pine cones, by A.M.J. Robbins. 1985. ISBN 0 85074 083 5 Limited stocks £5.50 [students £2.75]

OP27. A checklist of the flora of Budongo forest reserve, Uganda, with notes on ecology and phenology, by T.J. Synnott. 1985. ISBN 0 85074 085 1 £7.00 [students £3.50]

OP28. International working group on determination of age and growth rates in tropical trees; address list and subject categories, by J. Burley. 1985. ISBN 0 85074 087 8 Limited stocks £4.00 [students £2.00]

OP29. Strategy and course curriculum for professional forestry eduction in India, by V.C. Patil and J. Burley. 1985. ISBN 0 85074 088 6 £4.00 [students £2.00]

OP30. A forest management study in the broadleaf middle-hill forest of Nepal, by Ian S. Thompson. 1986. ISBN 0 85074 089 4 Limited stocks £5.50 [students £2.75]

OP31. Intra-tree variations of strength properties in plantation grown teak (Tectona grandis L F) and techniques for their systematic sampling, by S.K. Sanwo. 1986. ISBN 0 85074 092 4 £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP32. Silvicultural systems for broadleaved woodland in Britain, by S.N. Pryor and P.S. Savill. 1986. ISBN 0 85074 093 2 £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP33. Biomass and volume tables for Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia auriculiformis and Cassia siamea in the central Bhabar-Terai of Nepal, by Thomas Hawkins. 1987. ISBN 0 85074 096 7 Microfilm only £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP34. National Hardwoods Programme. Report of the seventh meeting, 8 January 1987, edited by P.S. Savill. 1987. ISBN 0 85074 100 9 £5.00 [students £2.50]

OP35. The relative economics of woodland management systems, by K.J. Crockford, M.J. Spilsbury and P.S. Savill. 1987. ISBN 0 85074 101 7 £5.50 [students £2.75]
Computer program on diskette for above, available to special order £10.00 [no discount]

OP36. A survey of tree planting in Somalia, 1925-1985, by M. Roderick Bowen. 1988. ISBN 0 85074 106 8 £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP37. National Hardwoods Programme. Report of the eighth meeting, and second meeting of the Uneven-Aged Silviculture Group, 7 January 1988, edited by P.S. Savill. 1988. ISBN 0 85074 107 6 £6.50 [students £3.25]

OP38. British Association for the Advancement of Science 150th Annual Meeting, Oxford 5-9 September 1988: papers for Section K, Agriculture and Forestry, edited by P.S. Savill. 1988. ISBN 0 85074 108 4 £6.00 [students £3.00]

OP39. Ecological effects of forestry practices in long-established woodland and their implications for nature conservation, by P.L. Mitchell and K.J. Kirby. 1989. ISBN 0 85074 112 2 £11.50 [students £5.75]

OP40. Tree cultivation on private land in Nepal's Middle Hills: an investigation into local knowledge and local needs, by E.J. Carter. 1992. ISBN 0 85074 121 1 £5.00 [students £2.50]

OP41. Report of the 9th Meeting of the National Hardwoods Programme, 2nd October 1991, at the Oxford Forestry Institute, edited by P.S. Savill. 1992. ISBN 0 85074 120 3 £5.00 [students £2.50]

OP42. Problems of public forestry and the socio-economic implications of privatisation, by W.J. Hurditch. 1992. ISBN 0 85074 123 8 £6.00 [students £3.00]

OP43. Local management of trees and woodland resources in Zimbabwe: a tenurial niche approach, by L. Fortmann and C. Nihra. 1992. ISBN 0 85074 127 0 £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP44. Use of hemispherical photographs in forest ecology, by P.L. Mitchell and T.C. Whitmore. 1993. ISBN 0 85074 128 9 £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP45. Utilization of Pinus Patula: an annotated bibliography, by J.A. Wright. 1994. ISBN 0 85074 130 0 £6.00 [students £3.00]

OP46. Pulping and papermaking properties of three tropical pines from provenance trials, by E.R. Palmer, R.A. Plumptre, M.S. O'Brian, T.K. Quilter and J. Slater. 1995 ISBN0 85074 132 7 £5.00 [students £2.50]

OP47. Structure and growth of small enterprises in the forest sector in southern and eastern Africa, by J.E.M. Arnold, C. Liedholm, D. Mead and I.M. Townson. 1994. ISBN 0 85074 131 9 £4.50 [students £2.25]

OP48. Effect of spacing on wood density of Pinus patula and Cupressus lusitanica, by E.R. Palmer, R.A. Plumptre, R.E. Malimbwi, I.D. Gourlay, T.K. Quilter, J. Slater. 1995. ISBN 0 85074 133 5 £4.00 [students £2.00]

OP49. The natural management of tropical forests for timber and non-timber products, by Sarah Laird. 1995. ISBN 0 85074 136 X £5.50 [students £2.25]

OP50. COSSI, a cohort simulation model of forest growth and yield in the Solomon Islands, by D.F.R.P. Burslem, D. Alder and T.C. Whitmore. 1996. ISBN 0 85074 140 8 £5.50 [students £2.25]

OP51. The use of geographical information systems and image processing techniques for the analysis of aerial photographs and vegetation survey data in African dry-woodland research, by R.A. Mather and J.S.M. Moss. 1998. ISBN 085074 150 5 £6.00 [students £3.00]

OP52. Proceedings of a workshop on humid and semi-humid tropical forest yield regulation with minimal data, by H.L. Wright and D. Alder. 2000. ISBN 085074 152 1 £8.00 [students £4.00]

TROPICAL FORESTRY PAPERS
[Issues 1-6 published as Fast Growing Timber Trees of the Lowland Tropics]
ISSN 0141-9668

TFP1. Gmelina arborea, by A.F.A. Lamb. 1968. Reprinted 1973. ISBN 0 85074 011 8 Microfilm only £4.00 [students £2.00]

TFP2. Cedrela odorata, by A.F.A. Lamb. 1968. ISBN 0 85074 012 6 Microfilm only £4.50 [students £2.25]

TFP3. The Araucarias, by O.O. Ntima. 1968. ISBN 0 85074 002 9 Microfilm only £9.00 [students £4.50]

TFP4. Pinus merkusii, by E.N.G. Cooling. 1968. ISBN 0 85074 004 5 Microfilm only £10.50 [students £5.25]

TFP5. Terminalia ivorensis, by A.F.A. Lamb and O.O. Ntima. 1971. ISBN 0 85074 010 X Microfilm only £6.00 [students £3.00]

TFP6. Pinus caribaea, Volume 1, by A.F.A. Lamb. 1973. Reprinted 1978. ISBN 0 85074 015 0 £13.80 [students £6.90]

TFP7. Pinus patula, by T.J. Wormald. 1975. ISBN 0 85074 025 8 £12.60 [students £6.30]

TFP8. An annotated bibliography of genetic variation in Eucalyptus camaldulensis, by K.G. Eldridge. 1975. ISBN 0 85074 023 1 £5.00 [students £2.50]

TFP9. Pinus kesiya, by F.B. Armitage & J. Burley. 1980. ISBN 0 85074 030 4 Microfilm only £12.00 [students £6.00]

TFP10. A manual on species and provenance research with particular reference to the tropics, edited by J. Burley and P.J. Wood. 1976. ISBN 0 85074 016 9 £12.90 [students £6.45]

TFP10A. Special appendices to: A manual on species and provenance research with particular reference to the tropics, edited by J. Burley and P.J. Wood. 1977. ISBN 0 85074 024 X £5.50 [students £2.75]

TFP10/10A. Spanish version Manual sobre investigaciones de especies y procedencias con referencia especial a los tropicos, compilado por J. Burley y P.J. Wood. 1979. ISBN 0 85074 058 4 £15.00 [students £7.50]

TFP11. A first look at Agathis, by T.C. Whitmore. 1977. ISBN 0 85074 018 5 £5.50 [students £2.75]

TFP12. Descriptions of seed sources and collections for provenances of Pinus caribaea, by A. Greaves. 1978. ISBN 0 85074 035 5 £7.00 [students £3.50]

TFP13. Descriptions of seed sources and collections for provenances of Pinus oocarpa, by A. Greaves. 1979. ISBN 0 85074 029 0 £9.50 [students £4.75]

TFP14. A manual of permanent plot procedures for tropical rain forests, by T.J. Synnott. 1979. ISBN 0 85074 031 2 £5.50 [students £2.75] NB. TFP25 is an update of this paper.

TFP15. A guide to species selection for tropical and sub-tropical plantations, by D.B. Webb, P.J. Wood, J.P. Smith and G.S. Henman. 2nd edition, revised. 1984. ISBN 0 85074 068 1 Microfilm only £19.50 [students £9.75] Computer program on diskette for above, available to special order £20.00 [no discount]

TFP16. A philosophy of strategy for breeding tropical forest trees, by G. Namkoong, R.D. Barnes and J. Burley. 1980. ISBN 0 85074 034 7 £5.50 [students £2.75]

TFP17. Pinus caribaea, volume 2. Wood properties, by R. A. Plumptre. 1984. ISBN 0 85074 066 5 £10.00 [students £5.00]

TFP18. Provenance regions for Pinus caribaea Morelet and Pinus oocarpa Schiede within the Republic of Honduras, C.A.: a preliminary delineation, by A.M.J. Robbins and C.E. Hughes. 1983. ISBN 0 85074 067 3 £7.00 [students £3.50]

TFP19. Forestry research in eastern and southern Africa, by J. Burley, F.B. Armitage, R.D. Barnes, G.L. Gibson, P.D. Hardcastle, L. Huguet, R.A. Plumptre, P.J. Wood. 1989. ISBN 0 85074 110 6 £14.70 [students £7.35]

TFP20. A guide to the use of Mexican and Belizean timbers, by R. Echenique-Manrique and R.A. Plumptre. 1990. ISBN 0 85074 115 7 £11.50 [students £5.75]

TFP21. Provenance variation in Pinus caribaea, P. oocarpa and P. patula ssp. tecunumanii, by J.S. Birks and R.D. Barnes. 1990. ISBN 0 85974 116 5 £4.50 [students £2.25]

TFP22. Cordia alliodora: a promising tree for tropical agroforestry, by A. Greaves, P.S. McCarter. 1990. ISBN 0 85074 117 3 £4.50 [students £2.25]

TFP23. Procedures for monitoring tree growth and site change, by P.G. Adlard. 1990. ISBN 0 85074 118 1 £12.30 [students £6.15] Computer program on diskette for above, available to special order £20.00 [no discount]

TFP24. Common property resource management in India, by J.E.M. Arnold and W.C. Stewart. 1991. ISBN 0 85074 119 X £5.50 [students £2.75]

TFP25. Permanent sample plot techniques for mixed tropical forest, by D. Alder, T.J. Synnott. 1992. ISBN 0 85074 122 X £9.00 [students £4.50]

TFP26. Woody biomasss estimation of Central American dry zone species, by J.L. Stewart, A.J. Dunsdon, J.J. Hellin and C.E. Hughes. 1992. ISBN 0 85074 124 6 £7.00 [students £3.50]

TFP27. Patterns of farmer tree growing in eastern Africa: a scocioeconomic analysis, by Katherine Warner. 1993. ISBN 0 85074 126 2 £15.00 [students £7.50]

TFP28. "PROSPECT" for improved use of tropical timbers: a guide to the use of lesser known timbers, by J.P. Smith, R.A. Plumptre, J.D. Brazier, V.T. Burclaff and C.E. Dorey. 1994 ISBN 0 85074 129 7 £15.00 [students £7.50]

TFP29. Ecological profiles of Ghanaian forest trees, by W.D. Hawthorne. 1995. ISBN 0 85074 134 3 £16.50 [students £8.25]

TFP30. Growth modelling for mixed tropical forests, by Denis Alder. ISBN 0 85074 135 1 £13.50 [students £6.75]

TFP31. Forest products and household incomes: a review and annotated bibliography, by I.M. Townson. 1995. ISBN 0 85074 137 8 £15.00 [students £7.50]

TFP32. Acacia karroo: monograph and annotated bibliography, by R.D. Barnes, D.L. Filer and S.J. Milton. 1996. ISBN 0 85074 138 6 £10.00 [students £5.00]

TFP33. Gliricidia sepium: Genetic resources for farmers, edited by J.L. Stewart, G.E. Allison and A.J. Simons. 1996. ISBN 0 85074 139 4 £12.50 [students £6.25]

TFP34. Silvics and wood properties of the common timber tree species on Kolombangara, by D.F.R.P. Burslem and T.C. Whitmore. 1996. ISBN 0 85074 141 6 £10.00 [students £5.00]

TFP35. Acacia erioloba: Monograph and annotated bibliography, by R.D. Barnes, C.W. Fagg and S.J. Milton. 1997. ISBN 0 85074 143 2 £10.00 [students £5.00]

TFP36. Cordia alliodora: Genetics and tree improvement, edited by D.H. Boshier and A.T. Lamb. 1997. ISBN 0 85074 144 0 £12.50 [students £6.25]

TFP36 [Spanish version]. Cordia alliodora: Genetica y mejoramiento de arboles, editado por D.H. Boshier y A.T. Lamb. 1997. ISBN 0 85074 147 0 £12.50 [students £6.25]

TFP37. Leucaena: a genetic resources handbook, by Colin E. Hughes. 1998. ISBN 0 85074 145 9 £20.00 [students £10.00]

TFP37 [Spanish version]. Leucaena: manual de recursos geneticos, por Colin E. Hughes. 1998. ISBN 0 85074 1467 £20.00 [students £10.00]

TFP38. Participatory inventory: a field manual written with special reference to Indonesia, by M.C. Stockdale and J.M.S. Corbett. 1998. ISBN 0 85074 145 9 £25.00 [students £12.50]

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

CP1. Selection and breeding to improve some tropical conifers, edited by J. Burley and D.G. Nikles. (Proc. IUFRO Symposium, Florida, 1971). Volume 1, 1972. ISBN 0 85074 026 6 Microfilm only £19.50 [students £9.75]

CP2. Volume 2, 1973.ISBN 0 85074 027 4 Microfilm only £21.00 [students 10.50]

CP3. Tropical provenance and progeny research and international cooperation, edited by J. Burley and D.G. Nikles. (Proc. Jt. IUFRO Mtg., Kenya). 1973. ISBN 0 85074 022 3 £24.00 [students £12.00]

CP4. Progress and problems of genetic improvement of tropical forest trees, edited by D.G. Nikles, J. Burley and R.D. Barnes. (Proc. Jt. IUFRO Workshop, Brisbane, 1977). 2 volumes, 1978. v1 ISBN 0 85074 019 3 £19.50 [students £9.75] v2 ISBN 0 85074 020 7 £19.50 [students £9.75] set ISBN 0 85074 061 4 £39.00 [students £19.50]

CP5. Provenance and genetic improvement strategeies in tropical forest trees, edited by R.D. Barnes and G.L. Gibson. (Proc. Jt. IUFRO Work Conference, Zimbabwe). 1984. ISBN 0 85074 078 9 £15.00 [students £7.50]

CP6. The future of the tropical rain forest: proceedings of an international conference held in St. Catherine's College, Oxford, England, 27-28 June 1988, organized by Oxford Forestry Institute; edited by Melanie J. McDermott. 1988. ISBN 0 85074 109 2 Microfilm only £3.00 [students £1.50]

CP7. Breeding tropical trees: population structure and genetic improvement; strategies in cloning and seedling forestry. Proceedings of a conference held in Pattaya, Thailand, 28 November - 3 December 1988, by IUFRO Working Parties S2.02-08 Tropical species provenances and breeding and S2.02-09 Eucalypt provenaces and breeding; edited by G.L. Gibson, A.R. Griffin and A.C. Matheson. 1989. ISBN 0 85074 113 0 £20.00 [students £10.00]

CP8. Wise management of tropical forests: proceedings of the Oxford Conference on Tropical Forests 1992; edited by F.R. Miller and K.L. Adam. 1992. ISBN 0 85074 125 4 £15.00 [students £7.50]

CP9. Making forest policy work 1996: conference proceedings of the Oxford Summer Course Programme 1996; edited by K.L. Harris. 1996. ISBN 0 85074 142 4 £10.00 [students £5.00]

MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS

M0. The evergreen forests of Malawi, by J.D. Chapman and F. White. 1970. ISBN 0 85074 008 8 Microfilm only £13.20

M1. The trial of exotic species in the semi-arid zone of Iran, by D.B. Webb. 1974. ISBN 0 85074 069 X Microfilm only £9.00 [students £4.25]

M2. Diseases of forest trees widely planted as exotics in the tropics and southern hemisphere, by I.A.S. Gibson. (Published jointly with CAB). Part I. 1975. ISBN 0 85074 036 3 £3.00 [students £1.50]

M3. Part II. 1978. ISBN 0 85074 028 2 £7.00 [students £3.50]

M4. Guia y clave para seleccionar especies en ensayos forestales de regiones tropicales y subtropicales, por D.B. Webb. 1980. (Published jointly with ODA). ISBN 0 85074 059 2 £10.00 [students £5.00]

M5. Genotype-environmental interaction in Pinus caribaea, by G. Gibson. 1982. ISBN 0 85074 079 7 Microfilm only £10.00 [students £5.00]

M6. Annotated bibliography: biomass estimation, by P.G. Adlard and J.A. Johnson. 1983. ISBN 0 85074 080 0 Microfilm only £5.00 [students £2.50]

M7. A vegetation map of Malesia, by T.C. Whitmore. 1984. (Reprinted from Journal of Biogeography). ISBN 0 85074 081 9 £5.00 [students £2.50]

M8. Forest research: British overseas aid 1976-1982, by R.L. Willan. 1985. (Published for ODA: Overseas Research Publication 27). ISBN 0 85074 084 3 Very limited stocks £2 [no discount]

M9. Terminalia superba: a monograph, by J. Groulez and P.J. Wood. English edition. 1985. (Published jointly with CTFT, from whom the French edition is available). Hardback ISBN 0 85074 094 0 £14.70 [students £7.35]

M10. Paperback ISBN 0 85074 095 9 £8.00 [students £4.00]

M11. Diseases and disorders of pines in the tropics: a field and laboratory manual, by M.H. Ivory. 1987. (Published for ODA: Overseas Research Publication 31). ISBN 0 85074 099 1 £5.00 [no discount]

M12. Tropical Forestry Research 1982-1985. ISBN 0 85074 105 X Limited stocks Free

M13. The effects of fast-growing tree crops on long-term site productivity. Annotated bibliography, by P.G. Adlard and S.F. Wright. 1987. ISBN 0 85074 114 9 Microfilm only £6.00 [students £3.00]

M14. A conspectus of Somali Acacias, by A.S. Hassan and B.T. Styles. 1990. (Published by ODA: Somali Forestry Series; 4). ISBN 0 85954 285 8 £30.00 [no discount]

M15. International cooperation on forestry research and development: Brazil, by A. Paulo M. Galvao. 1991. (Published by EMBRAPA/CNPF, Curitiba: Documentos; 22). Limited stocks £10.00 [no discount]

M16. Forest growth data: capture, retrieval and dissemination. Proceedings of the joint IUFRO Workshop S4.02.03-S4.02.04 held on 3-5 April 1989 at Gembloux, Belgium. 1990. (Published by Faculty of Agriculture, Gembloux, Belgium). ISBN 2-87337-000-9 Limited stocks £10.00 [no discount]

M17. Forest condition in Great Britain 1989-1992. Final report: 8 March 1994. Forestry Commission and European Community Project no. 92.60 UK, by R.A. Mather. Limited stocks £15.00 [no discount]

M18. Silviculture in the tropical rain forest: an historical analysis of success and failure. Annotated abstracts, by C. Dawkins. ISBN 2-87337-000-9 £15.00 [Third World countries £7.30]

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