Taiwan Forestry Research InstituteTaiwan Forestry Research Institute

The primary missions of the Silviculture Division are to optimize the afforestation technology for economic tree species, cultivate and develop under-forest economic items, collect and utilize of forest tree genetic resources, improve forest tree breeding and biotechnology, and conduct research on forest soil and nutrient cycles. The Silviculture Division consists of three research laboratories: the Afforestation Technology Research Office, the Genetic Breeding and Forest Tree Seed Research Office, and the Soil Research Office. These laboratories are dedicated to achieving sustainable production of timber and other forest products in Taiwan, while enhancing the ecosystem services provided by forests and soil carbon sinks.

Investigating forest regeneration techniques for various types of forests, including plantation forests, natural forests, bamboo forests, coastal forests, and environmental forests, is vital to gain insights into the complex processes involved. This research encompasses the study of natural regeneration, direct seeding, and afforestation methods, as well as an examination of seed ecology, germination, seedling cultivation, vegetative reproduction, afforestation, land preparation, and the impact of vegetation competition. The ultimate goal is to establish flourishing forests and enhance the growth and development of trees. To support reactiveation fallow policy, silviculture technology for Acacia confusa, Eucalyptus spp. are carrying out to meet the requirement of wood material for mushroom industry. The lab offers guidance in planting techniques of greening and beautification processes from Pingtung to Oluanpi highway, and develops regeneration technologies for coastal environmental protection forests.

Dormancy of tree seeds in Taiwan is diverse. We study how to break seed dormancy and promote seed germination to fit national reforestation and afforestation plans in seedling cultivation. The lab also provides seed germination technology to people they need. The forest biotechnology groups study useful genes, such as transferring lignin biosynthesis-inhibiting genes into trees to generate transgenic trees with increased pulp yields and reduced operational costs of pulp mills. Select and breeding varieties with great value of forest products such as Taxus sumatrana to produce anticancer drug, and Schisandra arisanenesis, Cinnamomum osmophloeum, Ficus formosana and Morinda citrifolia to produce health food. The lab also uses tissue cultural methods to cultivate rejuvenated plantlets of economically important tree species, as well as produces valuable secondary metabolites. A further duty of the lab is to manage seed orchards and clonal gardens of forest trees, such as for Taiwan fir (Taiwania cryptomerioides), Luanta-fir (Cunninghamia konishii), and Taiwan incense cedar (Calocedrus formosana). Seed orchard of Acacia confusa and scion garden of Cinnamomum kanehirae were established recently. Superior strains of these species can generate high-quality offspring and clones for afforestation needs.

The lab studies forest soil classification and genesis, describes forest soil characteristics, and builds soil phase maps, in order to manage forest soil. The lab also undertakes the classification and appraisal of forest soils, enabling improvements in national land use programs. Soil phases and soil maps of forestland areas are established to facilitate the management and control of forest soils. The lab also studies the impact of climate change on forest nutrient cycling, the changes of microorganisms and decomposition of organic substances in different layers of forest soils, and the effects of soil fauna on forest carbon and nitrogen cycling and plant compositions. Lastly and most importantly, the lab researches how the forests and different tree species affect the efficiency of carbon dioxide sequestration, and the changes in carbon and nitrogen cycles in forest soils.

The division consists of 12 scientists, 4 technicians, 5 contracted staff and 10 temporary contracted workers. According to the research subjects, there are three research laboratories, including the Spatial Planning Laboratory, the Forest Management Laboratory, and the Social Economics Laboratory.

The forest and the natural environment are undergoing unpredictable changes in response to the threat of climate change, and our division deals with this rapidly changing phenomenon through three dimensions: forest inventory, stand management, and socioeconomic research. In the aspect of forest inventory, we combine the highly developed artificial intelligence programs with machine learning to analyze aerial and remote sensing images to develop a fast and real-time Smart Forestry System. In terms of stand management, we follow the natural forest structure to adjust the traditional afforestation techniques and establish various species parameters through long-term tree species growth database to estimate the forest carbon sink and serve as the basis for forest management plans. From a socioeconomic perspective, forest/forestry need to respond to public expectations and international trends in terms of laws, policies, markets, and culture to meet social needs and reserve adequate forest resources for the next generation. These three studies cover the past, present, and future from the temporal scale, collect data from earth observation to forest plots investigation from the spatial scale, and meet social and intergenerational perspectives with sound forests and the environments. In this way, we would continue to experiment with various possible forest management strategies based on historical data, scientific methods, and field researches.

Recent research subjects of each laboratory are as follows:

Spatial Planning Laboratory

1. Application of aerial and remote sensing and GIS for forest monitoring (e.g. forest health, deforestation, forest fires, etc.).
2. Construct a forest land classification automatic mapping and decision support system with Smart Forestry.
3. Establish a long-term multi-layer aerial and remote sensing image database and develop a dynamic monitoring system for landscape change.
4. Integrate multiple sources forest geospatial layers and build a historical database.
5. Develop AI technology for forest resources inventory and classification.
6. Strategies for planning, monitoring and management of forest landscapes in environmentally sensitive areas for climate change mitigation.
7. Perform the simulations of vegetation and stand change under climate change scenarios.
8. Spatial mapping and dynamic assessment based on species conservation.
9. Estimate carbon sink benefits of forest stocks and forest loss.
10. Forest plots survey, sampling and spatial statistics.

Forest Management Laboratory

1. Develop tending and harvesting techniques of productive plantations.
2. Move from multi-storied plantations to close-to-nature forests in face to the climate crisis.
3. Dynamic monitoring, natural successions and moderate disturbances of natural conifer-broadleaf forests.
4. Frame sustainable forest management and forest ecology practices and management strategies.
5. Study on the establishment and investigation of permanent plots of forest resources.
6. Build growth simulations and volume models of different tree species.
7. Assess forest stand productivity criteria and indicators.
8. Create silviculture techniques and management models to meet ecological and industrial needs.
9. Serve at tree protection, maintenance and health detection.
10. Execute the management and assessment of carbon sequestration in bamboo forests.

Social Economics Laboratory

1. Assess the economic value and social benefits of the Pay for ecosystem service (PES).
2. Measure forest carbon sinks and carbon trading frameworks.
3. Research and evaluation of forestry policy.
4. Trends in the law system and legislation of forest and ecological environment under global climate change.
5. Economic analysis of timber self-sufficiency rate, timber market and industry.
6. Survey about private forests and organize communication networks and cooperation platforms.
7. Community forestry research based on local participation and common property resources management.
8. Research on forest aesthetics, recreation, and related to public opinions and polls.
9. Revitalize, renaissance and development of local forest awareness and wood culture.
10. Analyze the topics and trends in international forest researches and practices.

The Division of Forest Protection, established in 1991 to carry out forest protection related researches, and consisted of laboratories of forest pathology, forest fire, forest entomology, and wildlife which function together to maintain the health and biodiversity of forest ecosystems.

Taiwan boasts extensive forest coverage that nurtures a rich biodiversity. In terms of forestry management, forests are categorized based on topography and management objectives, with the aim to achieve both ecosystem conservation and sustainable utilization. The mission of the Forest Protection Division is to prevent and control forest damage, maintain forest health, and promote the functions and services of the ecosystem. We conduct research on both biological and non-biological factors that contribute to forest degradation and seek methods to improve forest management. Our scope of work includes:

Prevention and research of harmful forest organisms, including pathogens, insect pests, and animal pests.

To achieve diverse forest management goals, tree growth may encounter threats caused by pathogens, insects, birds, and animals. Based on the diagnosed tree damage, we identify the causes and propose prevention and control methods. Furthermore, the impact and prevention strategies of invasive species on the ecosystem are also our topics of research.

1. Monitoring Project for Cycas taitungensis and Aulacaspis yasumatsui (funded by the Forestry Bureau): The 'Taitung Cycas Nature Reserve' was established in 1986 for the in situ conservation of endemic tree species Cycas taitungensis in Taiwan. However, the invasive Aulacaspis yasumatsui was observed in the reserve in 2005. The team visited the site to collect samples, monitoring dynamic changes of both Aulacaspis yasumatsui and its predator populations within the reserve. The data serves as a reference for the Forestry Bureau's prevention and control decisions.
2. Emergency Control Trial of Eucalyptus Gall Wasp (funded by the Forestry Bureau): The Eucalyptus gall wasp (Leptocybe invasa) is a phytophagous gall wasp, and is one of the most serious pests of eucalyptus trees. It causes damage to Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus grandis in Taiwan, leading to slowed growth and even death of the trees. This project aims to develop effective prevention and control methods to minimize losses.
3. Invasive Species Pyrops candelaria: This research focuses on the invasive Lantern-bug Pyrops candelaria and its closely related native species (Pyrops watanabei and Saiva formosana). The study aims to clarify the host plant species, seasonal changes, predator species, all stages (adult, nymph, and egg) of these insects, and to develop prevention and control methods.

Research and promotion of forest protection and health management.

We carry out research on important tree diseases in Taiwan, including the development of molecular diagnostic techniques, research on forest disease ecology and health management, and the development and use of edible and medicinal fungi. Over the years, we have executed related research projects, including the establishment of major forest pest health management techniques, research on the establishment of a tree healthcare system, construction of a risk assessment and information platform for major forest pests, the establishment of rapid PCR detection technology for major tree root rot diseases, research on monitoring and prevention bacterial cancer of trees, research on seed-borne diseases of trees, development, utilization, and genetic conservation of edible and medicinal fungi in forests, and investigations and assessments of forest pathogenic Phytophthora spp. and Pythium spp.. These efforts contribute to the implementation of research and promotion of forest protection.

Management of the Forest Disease Information Center, Tree Medicine Center, and Forest Arthropod Collection of Taiwan.

Over the years, we have amassed a wealth of accomplishments in the fields of tree medicine and forest insect collection. We make these resources available to the public via the Forest Disease Information Center, as well as the Forest Arthropod Collection of Taiwan websites.

1. Maintenance and management of the Forest Disease Information Center (Open a new window) This website provides services related to the prevention, quarantine, and monitoring of forest diseases and pests. It serves as an open portal for the public to consult tree diseases, assisting in diagnosing the cause and providing preventative measures to maintain the health of the forest trees. Additionally, it supports the operations of our Tree Medicine Center, providing a platform for the exchange of information related to tree medicine.
2. Management of the Forest Arthropod Collection of Taiwan, TFRI (Open a new window) We are continuously expanding and preserving forest insect specimen of Taiwan Forest Research Institute. Our aim is to modernize our website services, making them more accessible and user-friendly, thereby facilitating public inquiries about our collections and online special exhibitions. With high-quality specimens and comprehensive information, we cater to a broad audience: researchers, policy-makers, educators, and the general public. Thus, our collections become a valuable resource for both scientific research and educational outreach. In addition, through the digitization project funded by the National Science Council, the Forest Research Institute's insect collection is gradually digitized at a rate of 10,000 high-resolution digital images per year.

Research on forest microorganisms, edible and medicinal fungi, insects, and wildlife.

Forest biodiversity includes a wide variety of life forms, such as microorganisms, fungi, insects, plants, birds, and mammals. Microorganisms and fungi decompose organic matters in forest soil and fallen trees, and it promotes nutrient cycling. Insects assist in plant pollination and decomposition of dead organisms. Birds and mammals regulate insect and other invertebrate populations, disperse seeds, and influence plant distribution. Interactions among forest organisms facilitate forest renewal, mitigate pests and diseases, and maintain biodiversity, thereby sustaining a diverse and sustainable forest ecosystem and services.

Our research on forest organisms encompasses monitoring, ecology, and conservation of fungi, microorganisms, insects, amphibians, birds, and mammals in various environments such as forests, agroforestry, urban forests, streams, lakes, and wetlands.

Research on urban forests and forest disasters.

Facing climate change, urban dwellers can benefit greatly from forests within the city, which serve important ecological functions such as alleviating high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and air pollution. Not only do these urban forests improve the comfort of living environments for city dwellers, but they also strengthen urban socio-ecological resilience. Research on urban forests includes health monitoring and management of urban trees, creation of multilayered forests, green corridor construction, ecological monitoring, community participation, and educational outreach. This research provides natural solutions for sustainable cities as outlined in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, the development of a spatial platform for urban forest health risk management and the advancement of tree health inspection techniques are essential management tools for mitigating pests and diseases and fostering healthy urban forests.

Forest disasters refer to events that cause damage to forest ecosystems due to natural or human-induced factors. These can include disease caused by pathogens or insects, forest fires, typhoon- or heavy rain-induced landslides, and droughts, all of which can alter the forest environment and affect the ecosystem. In the field of forest fire research, we have developed models to predict the risk of forest fires, conducted surveys and mapping of forest fuel loads, and studied the impacts of forest fires on ecological processes and biodiversity.

The main missions of the Forest Ecology Division are to achieve subjects：(1) to understand and record fully the floral diversity in Taiwan and ; and enhance awareness of plant conservation; (2) to develop methods for sustainable use of plant diversity of Taiwan; and finally to provide policymakers with sufficient information and practical suggestions concerning the conservation of biodiversity; (3) to extend the science of botany into research, conservation, education, and leisure through the operation and management of botanical gardens; (4) to conduct research in forest meteorology, hydrological cycle, and water chemistry; (5) to undertake research on forest soil and water conservation.

According to the research themes, the division includes 5 laboratories, i.e., plant taxonomy, vegetation ecology, ethnobotany and public participation, national botanic garden planning and development, forest meteorology, hydrological cycle and water chemistry, forest soil and water studies.

Taxonomy is the foundation of all biodiversity research, and the maintenance and management of a specimen collection provides indispensable evidential basis for taxonomic scholars. By 2021, there were over 530,000 specimens in the herbarium. A database and website on each of the specimen have been developed to allow easy access of the information for scientists in Taiwan and abroad. Researchers in the division also study the systematics, genetic variation, and speciation of various plant families.

Botanical gardens are key sites in efforts to conserve plant biodiversity. The division has managed both the plant displays and tourist services at Taipei Botanical Garden for many years, and has developed a website for the Garden. Furthermore, a natural education laboratory is established to train volunteers and provide interpretive education services and academic research materials to the public, students, and scholars. These efforts help the Botanical Garden to fulfill its functions as a center for conservation, education, and research.

The botanical garden system carries out global plant conservation network. In addition to conducting ex-situ conservation collection, conducting in-situ conservation is also an important task for our team. Ecological surveys of native plants are conducted to understand species composition and their ecology. Afterward, assessments are made of the rarity and endangered status of species, followed by biological investigations and conservation research. To effectively improve the process of plant reintroduction, community participation in ethnobotanical conservation is necessary. This involves linking botanical gardens with community spaces through relevant investigative research and promoting the use of participatory citizen science tools. These efforts are crucial for plant conservation.

For the research of forest meteorology and hydrology, nine experimental watersheds and thirteen forest meteorological observation stations have been set up across the north, central, and south regions of Taiwan. These facilities are responsible for long-term monitoring of weather conditions, rainfall, and streamflow to investigate issues related to the hydrological cycle and water balance, providing valuable insights for forest management. Additionally, due to Taiwan's climatic characteristics with typhoons and heavy rainfall, the chemical composition of stream water varies greatly, with significant loss of silt and nutrient salts from watersheds during the rainy season. Through monitoring the pH of rainfall at six locations, it has been found that acid rain is more severe in northern Taiwan, less so in the high-altitude mountain areas of central Taiwan, and moderate in the hilly regions of central Taiwan. The influence of forest recreational activities on stream water quality has been found to be most closely correlated with the counts of coliform bacteria.

Forest hydrological and soil resources research is necessary due to Taiwan's unique physical and geological conditions. Intensive land use in steep watershed areas has led to severe soil erosion and surface runoff. Accordingly, one of our primary research focuses is to observe and analyze the soil erosion and surface runoff caused by different land uses in the upper watershed areas. We also focus on establishing runoff coefficients and estimating soil erosion rates to provide references for forest management and reservoir operations. Furthermore, our research subjects include the mechanisms of slope collapses, investigations on the stability of forest roads, and the development of simple yet effective methods to reduce soil erosion.

The Division of Forest Products Utilization currently comprises 14 researchers who specialize in the fields of wood physics, wood chemistry, wood fibers pertaining to pulping and papermaking chemistry. Our research scope encompasses various areas, including: wood material property research, wood and bamboo processing research, wood-based composite material research, develop various types of extracts from under-forest economic tree species, integration of plant volatile organic compounds and forest therapy, wood modification and preservation, research and development of technologies for recycling agricultural and forestry residues, production and development of specialty paper and handmade paper, research and development of recycling and carbon reduction technologies for paper and green packaging materials. Our objective is to fully utilize forest products and develop multifunctional forest products to enhance the economic benefits of forest resources and achieve sustainable forest management.

In response to the rapid depletion of global forest resources and the need for environmental protection, the forestry and forest products industry shares a common concern for conserving the Earth's environment and effectively utilizing and developing forest resources. Therefore, we are dedicated to researching and developing new processing technologies for wood materials to enhance product quality and production efficiency, thereby improving product competitiveness. Additionally, we focus on advancing the technology for the recycling and utilization of agricultural and forestry residual materials, aiming to develop green and sustainable resources for the long-term management of forest resources. Furthermore, we are committed to researching under-forest economic tree species and extracting components from woody plants to fully utilize the unique ingredients of forest products and by-products. These are the overall directions and objectives of the research projects undertaken by the Division of Forest Products Utilization.

1. To provide guidance and support to the industry and forestry sector, offering safe, high-quality, and sustainable forest product technologies and certification services to enhance the value of the forest industry.
2. To conduct research and development on diverse utilization of forest products, focusing on the development of conservation, cultural, and modern forest products.
3. To align with agricultural circular economy policies and strengthen research and development efforts on the recycling of wood and bamboo residues, promoting their sustainable utilization.
4. Conducting research to develop sustainable and high-value products such as specialty papers, cellulose-derived products, nanobiomaterials, handmade paper, special extracts from forest products, and innovative paper cultural and creative products. Our goal is to improve product quality and performance while promoting environmental sustainability.
5. To leverage forest industry technologies in alignment with local revitalization policies, introducing new technologies and collaborating with industries to develop transformative products and technologies.

Currently, the self-sufficiency rate of domestic timber in Taiwan is below 1%, with over 99% of timber consumption relying on imports, including plywood, lumber, and timber for furniture production. Due to the diverse origins of commercial timber and the difficulty in identification, as well as the lack of knowledge regarding its physical and mechanical properties, confusion arises in the processing and utilization of domestic timber. In light of this, it is important to conduct further research and investigation into the anatomy, physical characteristics, and strength properties of major commercial timber species in our country. Additionally, the establishment of a comprehensive database is crucial, serving as a reference for the domestic timber processing industry and academic research institutions.

Advanced technologies are applied to develop high-value-added products through the recycling of agricultural and forestry residues. This includes specialty paper, cellulose-derived products, biomass materials, energy development, extraction of special forest products, essential oil extraction, and the production of fragrance paper products combined with forest therapy.

To develop new uses for indigenous plants, including under-forest economic tree species, and enhance the added value of forests, various methods such as solvent extraction, steam distillation, microwave extraction, and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction are employed to extract essential oils and other special extractives from plants. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instruments are used to analyze and confirm their structures. Interdisciplinary research is conducted to study their efficacy and diversification of utilization.

The study focuses on the development and application of nondestructive-testing techniques, including visual inspection, stress wave method, and resistograph, to assess the hazard potential of trees. These techniques provide valuable information for tree management organizations in determining appropriate actions and recommendations. The research aims to identify potential risks and hazards associated with tree failure and collapse in public areas. These hazards include: 1. decayed wood, 2. cracks, 3. root problems, 4. weak branch connections, 5. cankers, 6. poor tree structure, 7. dead branches. These seven factors serve as the foundation for visually inspecting tree hazards. Additionally, the research aims to establish guidelines and criteria for developing tree risk management plans. These guidelines will provide a framework for managing tree-related risks and serve as a reference for creating effective risk management plans.

The development and application of wood composite materials primarily focus on utilizing small-diameter timber from artificial forests and wood residues. By combining them with polymer materials or inorganic materials, value-added products such as wood-plastic composites, wood-cement boards, and 3D printing filaments are developed. Additionally, computer numerical control (CNC) machining techniques are employed to develop digital processing technologies for wood materials. These advancements assist industries in the development of new products and enhance production efficiency.

When using afforestation wood components for retaining walls, it is important to monitor and assess the degradation and strength reduction of the wood materials over time. Non-destructive testing techniques such as visual inspection, stress wave method, and resistograph are employed to understand the changes in degradation and strength reduction of the wood components. By conducting investigations on the existing levels of preservatives and material degradation within the wood cores obtained from the components, it is possible to gain insights into the deterioration of wood materials and make appropriate interventions.

Taiwan is abundant in bamboo resources. In the 1950s and 1960s, the bamboo processing industry in Taiwan flourished. However, since the 1970s, the industry has faced challenges due to the rapid replacement of bamboo with alternative materials, resulting in a decline in competitiveness and the relocation of the industry. This has led to the neglect and underutilization of domestic bamboo resources. In recent years, efforts have been made to promote mechanized harvesting of bamboo and diversify its applications. Research is conducted on technologies such as bamboo charcoal production, heat-treated bamboo, bamboo fuel pellets, and bamboo fiber, aiming to maximize the utilization of bamboo in various industries.

Research and application of forest and plant VOCs involve monitoring the emissions of volatile organic compounds from indigenous tree species in Taiwan and exploring their application in forest carbon management. The research also focuses on studying the role of VOCs as information compounds in the biosphere, the chemical diversity and applications of VOCs, and the development of long-lasting disease control and pest management strategies using biogenic volatile compounds.

Wood durability and resistance to decay and insect pests of afforestation trees in Taiwan are evaluated according to standard methods to establish a natural durability database. This serves as a criterion and reference for wood selection. Additionally, to prolong the service life of wood materials while considering environmental protection, research focuses on the development of environmentally friendly wood preservatives, the application of novel preservatives for establishing local data, and heat treatment of wood.

The emphasis is on the development of new technologies and diversified products in plant fiber pulping and papermaking. This includes wood fiber morphology analysis, analysis of wood chemical composition, production of various specialty papers, preparation of handmade paper, nanobiomaterials, and modification, aiming to develop high-value-added products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The focus is on the continuous development of green products through resource recycling. This includes research on the recycling and circulation of paper, energy-saving processes for green packaging, wet-end chemistry and water management, and biotechnology in pulp and paper manufacturing. The goal is to improve process efficiency, enhance production efficiency, and achieve energy savings and carbon reduction.

The Technical Service Division is the window for experimental research projects and forestry technology consulting services of TFRI. We are responsible for planning, drafting and managing forestry science and technology projects; experimental forest management; innovation incubation, interdisciplinary cooperation and intellectual property rights management of R&D results; as well as computer software and hardware maintenance, information and communication service management and security. In addition, we manage forestry publications and library, and the research data and electronic books for value-added application services and provide the most complete research resource environment for the researchers of TFRI. We also employ various opportunities and measures to promote the contributions of the R&D, enhancing the social responsibility of TFRI and achieving the most effective technical service performance.

1. National Tree Planting Consultation Center: Provides consultation services to government agencies, schools at all levels, and colleges and universities for planting and maintenance.
2. Research Project Management: Compile and evaluate various research projects undertaken by TFRI, commissioned, National Science and Technology Council, or industry-academia cooperation, etc.
3. Experimental Forest Management: Compiling and evaluating experimental forest plans, inspecting operations, forest land ownership inquiries, forestry natural disasters prevention and reporting and other related matters.
4. Information Management: Manage TFRI's official website, social media and research-related application systems, enhance information and communication security and personal data protection, and improve the construction and management system of research data warehouse.
5. R&D Achievement and Innovation Incubation Center Operation Management: The TFRI's scientific research outcome technology authorization and intellectual property rights application management, assist forest owners or agricultural enterprises in developing and incubating related new technologies or new products.
6. Library Management: The library is for forestry professionals, with a long history and a collection about 50,000 books and journals. We are responsible for professional books and journals purchase, collection and automation system management, interlibrary cooperation, rare books preservation and restoration.
7. Science and Technology Promotion: Publish and manage the Taiwan Journal of Forestry Science, Forestry Research Newsletter, Forestry Monograph Series and other publications.
8. Geospatial Information System: Regularly update the cadastral map information of the institute's experimental forest land and geospatial data of research projects, and maintain the experimental forest geographical information cloud system to provide external agencies and the institute's test research use.
9. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight application Management: Assist the institute's UAV flight application, regularly update drone system registrations and licenses.
10. Other related forestry technical service matters.