What is an emerging tech that has the ability to disrupt the forestry sector in the next 15 years?

XPRIZE

As we look towards the future of the Amazon Rainforest, we should look at the ways that new technologies coming up on the horizon could impact the Amazon and bring about new possibilities.

What is an emerging technology that has the ability to disrupt the forestry industry in the next 15 years?

Share any links, thoughts, ideas, experiences, or examples you might have!

akb

Logging is destructive, even in so called managed forests that employ clear cutting. What if there was a sustainable way? There is: Forest Innovations.

One of the solutions described is the construction of wooden products in situ, so that wood waste is returned to the ecosystem [and the transport impact is reduced as no waste is shipped around the planet]. One technology to do this is a 3D wood printer. Since I wrote the article someone has announced a 3D wood printer - prototype.

Janetlee

We rely too much on forest tree wood products and wood. My studies on Indigenous Knowledge point to using alternatives in both design within reach and supplies/products to use. For example, grasses are faster growing and offer cellulose based products. Bamboo is a fast-growing, strong grass with a wide eco range that can be used instead of wood /forests for paper products, wood products: bamboo flooring, countertops, home building, medicines, roads, furniture, clothing, scaffolding, even bicycles and cars! Bamboo is food, plates cups and even beer. There are many more technologies I have in mind, but bamboo for starters as a natural, highly usable, fast growing/developing, low cost and renewable green product would disrupt forestry industry and forest destruction while creating bio available habitat and product supplies in most any clime - it can be grown worldwide.

Janetlee

Bamboos include some of the fastest-growing plants in the world, due to a unique rhizome-dependent system. Certain species of bamboo can grow 91 cm (36 in) within a 24-hour period, at a rate of almost 4 cm (1.6 in) an hour (a growth around 1 mm every 90 seconds, or 1 inch every 40 minutes). (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo)

Janetlee

"Setting up a bamboo based enterprise would enable ... to help more than 5 million people in India. It would also realise /help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and generate up to 35% more oxygen than an average tree! "
https://matadornetwork.com/change/spotlight-on-social-entrepreneurs-indias-bamboo-house/