Dr Amanda Matson Scion
Forest Research Awards emphasise a range of challenges in tree science and researchers in fields as diverse as nitrogen movement in forest soils, to the designer of a grapple on a helicopter to collect forest slash from vulnerable slopes, were recognised at the Forest Growers Research Awards at Te Papa in Wellington in October. Source: Timberbiz
The annual awards ceremony is to acknowledge the science and technology contribution made to the forest industry in an increasingly demanding economic and environmental marketplace.
The award winners were:
- Communication and Sector Engagement – Dr Amanda Matson, Scion. Dr Matson’s skill set includes a great ability to communicate the research she’s doing on what’s going on under the ground in a pine forest, particularly the movement of soil nutrients.
- Innovation for Sector Value – Dr Graham Coker, Scion. Dr Coker’s study is using foliar fertiliser applications to see what works to enhance tree growth and when it’s best to apply those nutrients.
- Science of International Quality – The Phenotyping Team from Scion and the University of Canterbury School of Forestry. This large team has been pulling together diverse science areas – such as genetics, remote sensing, computer modelling – to make huge world leading gains in finding, identifying, analysing and using the genetics of individual super-trees trees in Timberlands and Lake Taupo forests.
- Research Participation and Implementation – Hamish McPherson of PF Olsen. Mr McPherson has been recognised for his development work on a helicopter slash grapple which is used to remove forest slash which has fallen near to waterways. This engineering is a significant development in reducing the risks of slash in rivers causing downstream damage.
- Collaboration in a Science Team – Loretta Garratt, Scion. Ms Garratt is the scientist everyone wants on their team according to her colleagues. Her work has varied from productivity trials to measuring nitrogen transfer in forest soils.
- Young Scientist Dr Stuart Fraser, Scion. Dr Fraser is a recent recruit working in New Zealand to combat forest tree diseases, such as the threat of myrtle rust and dothistroma needle blight.
