International efforts to protect forests have been given a boost by a unique information initiative headed by a University of Ulster scientist.

Leading a four-year project compiling research by 100 European scientists, Coleraine-based researcher Dr Keith Day has co-edited a landmark publication providing essential information aimed at saving trees from bark-devouring insects, some of which transmit virulent fungi such as Dutch elm disease.

"The result is that forest research organisations in Europe now have a consolidated, state-of-the-art single volume in which they will find all the most recent data from Europe’s top specialists,” Dr Day said. “This is a major advance on what we had before - scientific research which was disparate, often unconnected and in 21 languages.

“Protecting our natural resources is what this research is about," added Dr Day who wrote several chapters of the new book and co-edited it with Professor Francois Lieutier, of the University of Orleans.

Government policy-makers, forestry managers, commercial timber interests and ecological researchers across the world are likely to draw on the book’s information and its suggestions for further research into management. Dr Day said the aim should be economically effective pest management that maintains the traditional forest ecosystem.

The book, ‘Bark and Wood Boring Insects in Living Trees’ is published by Kluwer Academic Publishers. The project was funded by the European Commission.

(MB/SP)