Science of Wood Degradation and its Protection

This edited book covers all aspects of wood degradation from its formation and growing in trees to its end usages when it is put into human usage. Wood is an age-old traditional fascinating material with a sensory-rich immersive experience that kindles aesthetics and creativity. The utility, durability, and functionality of wood render it a cosmopolitan material. It constitutes an integral part of human lives from ancient times to modern societies being used by various sectors viz., construction, furniture, panel products, paper and pulp, sports goods, agricultural implements, etc., Wood, being a biological material, is susceptible to degradation both by physical and biological means, and the need to protect the wood and prevent heavy economic losses constitutes a major challenge. Also, wood formed by the trees is the major sinks of carbon and the carbon remains locked-up for the life of the wood, thereby serving as important tool to mitigate the climate change. But the carbon stored in wood returns to the atmosphere when it degrades and will have positive effect on climate change. Hence, wood protection aiming for extending the service life of wood plays a key role in locking the carbon for a longer period in the wood and also substantially reduce the demand and depletion of forest resources. The book focuses on wood as an important natural bio-resource, inventory of wood protection, usage, utilization, preservatives, protection technologies and wood protection from all forms of degradation. Special focus is given on the eco-friendly way of protecting wood and its importance in mitigating climate change. The book is useful for Indian and international readers, who are working in wood domains. It is of interest to wood technologists, teachers, researchers, climate change scientists, capacity builders, and policymakers. It is of immense importance as a guide and study material to the graduate and postgraduate students of wood science in various universities of India and abroad.

Dr. R. Sundararaj, has 35 years of research experience in the field of Protection of wood from bio-deterioration, Forest Entomology, Integrated Pest Management with special reference to sandalwood and Whitefly taxonomy. He obtained M.Sc. (Zoology.) from Madurai Kamaraj University and M.Phil and Ph.D. from University of Madras, Chennai.  Published more than 250 scientific papers in renowned International and Indian journals. He has guided 11 students for Ph.D. degree and three post-doctoral fellows. Dr. R. Sundararaj is Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, London, UK, Fellow of the Entomological Society of India, New Delhi and Fellow of the Applied Zoologists Association of India. Recipient of several awards notably Guru Vandhana Appreciation award from Rotary Bangalore South and Karnataka Civil Defense Corps and Rao Sahib Dr. T.V. Ramakrishna Ayyar Memmorial Award from Dr. B. Vasantharaj David Foundation, Chennai. Presently he is serving as Scientist G and Head, Forest Protection Division of Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, an Institute under the umbrella of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India.