Economic analysis

The projects goals are (1) to increase forest land productivity through improved tree growth and, (2) to augment the value of plantations through increased log quality tree and tree diameter. The economic impacts arising from the application of research results will be evaluated from society’s point of view and industrial’ point of view. The economic impacts refer mainly to the creation of jobs, wages, added value and economic impacts for government. We will use an input-output closed model to measure the economic impacts. The model helps consider all the spin-off impacts produced by the production of forest products. By entering information anticipated genetic gains into the model, we will measure the effects of increased productivity and quality. Furthermore, it is anticipated that quality improvements will enable the production of baskets of products with higher added value. The genetic gains in tree diameter will allow industry to extract higher value products from each log. Simulations of diameter growth will be carried out based upon hypotheses derived from genetic studies. The simulations are linked to a distribution of products matrix that allocates product value to each log. With simulations based upon the height-diameter relationship, we will carry out an analysis of sensitivity in order to measure the impact of a marginal change in log diameter on product value.

The general objective of this section is to evaluate social and economic impacts associated to the knowledge transfert to industries and their implementation.

Environmental issues and Social acceptance

Initially, we will identify the context factors which influence social acceptability linked to the application of our research results. We then plan to document the positive and negative impacts resulting from the use of our results. We will then develop accessible communication tools in lay language for dissemination to diverse stakeholders and to the general public. To identify relevant environmental and social issues, we plan to use the extensive body of existing literature and as well as targeted perception studies that have already been carried out. The issues will be documented and analysed in the context of our research results using objective criteria, emphasizing the potential risks and advantages.

To further extend the economic impact analysis and to justify the application of the research results, an integrated approach will be proposed, including economic, policy and social perspectives. We aim to obtain a more holistic understanding of the socio-economic importance of the genetic improvement.

The general objective of this section is to ensure a comprehension of the issues related to forest genomic by targeted publics and stakeholders and to define the influence on the political system.