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Research and development
Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries is a world leader in tropical and subtropical forest and timber research and provides technology transfer solutions across the fibre value chain. Our research portfolio is focused on key target areas that build a sustainable forestry industry, reflect the needs of local and regional communities and a thriving environment, and stimulate private investment.
Some current research projects underway:
Research focused on results
Solutions for forestry industries
We are positioned to lead profitable primary industries for Queensland, including the state's $2.7 billion forestry and processing industries. By investing in targeted forestry science and prioritising novel research, QPIF aims to deliver the greatest benefit to these industries by contributing to industry innovation and expansion.
QPIF's Forestry research and development (R&D) has attained national and global relevance by developing technologies, systems and products that address market requirements, enhance value chain competitiveness and meet community expectations in environmental management. Strategically-focused R&D is the catalyst for achieving increased forest production and product gains for Queensland's commercial forestry industry.
Effective partnerships
We have mature and ongoing relationships with the timber industry and with Queensland's largest grower, DPI Forestry. We build successful partnerships for joint investments with research and development corporations, cooperative research centres and industry collectives to develop industry-specific solutions for the future.
QPIF's forestry research portfolio is focused on key target areas that build a sustainable forestry industry, reflect the needs of local and regional communities and a thriving environment, and stimulate private investment.
Our key target areas are:
Hardwood plantations in marginal and challenging environments
Using excellent tree improvement technologies for high-value hardwood plantations to increase competitiveness and profitability in challenging environments:
- improved hardwood species and new hybrids
- matching species to forest site
- wood quality traits in improved hardwoods and hybrids.
Softwood and hardwood plantations in traditional environments
Supporting industry capacity to improve productivity in plantations, and the quality and range of fibre and solid wood products:
- improvement of key plantation species with quantitative genetics and biotechnologies
- defining plant responses to environment for optimum growth
- risk management for plantation pests and diseases
- screening tools and decision-support systems for wood quality and plantation management.
Forest-based industries in the tropics
Increase the profitability of tropical and subtropical timbers by expanding the plantation area of high-value species in Australia and Asia, and fostering industry opportunities with indigenous communities:
- high-value plantation species improvement
- wood quality assessment and timber product evaluation
- predictive models for timber durability.
Urban forestry and agroforestry
Increasing investment in forest systems for non-timber products and environmental services:
- wastewater use in commercial plantations
- multi-purpose, environmental plantings
- pest and disease management in urban forestry systems.
Productive forestry in native stands
Developing sound, innovative practices to improve the profitability of private native forests and meet community expectations for environmental sustainability:
- fire prediction and risk management
- native forest management
- integrated production in rural systems in key catchments.
Processing techniques and early-return wood products
Targeting integrated primary and secondary processing and related technologies to develop markets for early-return plantation products:
- development and evaluation of new processing techniques
- drying schedules for key plantation hardwoods
- optimal value from small diameter roundwood.
Adding value and meeting emerging market opportunities with novel and environmentally sustainable products
Using innovative science and technologies to develop new wood products, non-wood products and by-products:
- design and manufacture of high-value products
- value-added processing
- bioactives discovery and application
- wood protection systems.
