Hydrocarbon farming
Landsat monitoring of tropical forest cover
New three-year study in Honduras
The global carbon cycle, CO2 and climate
Coconuts into chemicals
Researchers at the University of Arizona are concentrating the search for plants that produce hydrocarbons on the gopher weed, a rangy, dark green plant with long, spear-shaped leaves that grows wild from Texas to California. There are predictions that oil from the plant, Euphorbia lathyris, could be put on the market for $20 a barrel within the next 10 to 15 years.
Global environment monitoring system pilot project on tropical forest cover monitoring-Benin, Cameroon and Togo. Project implementation: methodology, results and conclusions. FAO, Rome, 1980. Softcover. 94 p. 6 maps.
To understand the nature of tropical forests it is necessary to know where they are, how big they are and how they are changing. One of the newer, but relatively untried ways of getting such information is through the use of Landsat imagery. The present volume is the result of an application of Landsat imagery together with aerial reconnaissance, photography and ground surveys in Benin, Cameroon and Togo between August 1975 and February 1 979.
The study is mentioned favourably in a major recent multi-agency report by the US Government as a major step forward in tropical forest inventories (see Unasylva, Vol. 31, No. 126, 1979, p. 44). However, several qualifications are made concerning the survey's ultimate accuracy. The accuracy of the maps which are included is variable, their level of accuracy could not be quantitatively assessed, and only a limited number of qualified, experienced personnel were available to interpret the un-enhanced Landsat imagery.
The report is divided into sections on project implementation, vegetation mapping using Landsat imagery, investigation of past changes in the forest cover, and forest cover monitoring. There is also an introduction, a summary of conclusions and recommendations, and numerous appendixes and figures in addition to the impressive and colourful maps.
The UK's Overseas Development Administration, in conjunction with the National School of Forest Sciences in Honduras, has made a grant of £70 000 for a researcher to study the ecology of three pine species in Honduras which have importance throughout Latin America.
Of particular concern is acquiring seeds to be used for reforestation, but the researcher, Tony Wolffsohn, will also look at the most cost-effective system of forest management to encourage the successful regeneration and restocking of the three valuable local pines. One is Pinus oocarpa, called "ocote" locally, which has long fibres and is ideal for pulping, furniture and construction. The other two to be studied are Pinus caribaea and Pinus pseudostrobus.
Carbon dioxide effects research and assessment programme: a comprehensive plan for carbon dioxide effects research and assessment, Part I: The global carbon cycle and climatic effects of increasing carbon dioxide. A report prepared by the Carbon Dioxide and Climate Division, Office of Health and Environmental Research, US Dept of Energy. Available from NTIS, US Dept of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, USA. $9.00.
This is the first part of a three-part study. It focuses on the consequences of CO2 concentrations and presents guidelines for research.
The Philippines plans to use coconut products for chemical production and a fast-growing tree for power plant fuel. More than 800 products can be derived from coconut oil, including methyl coconate and fractionated coca alcohols. The source of fuel for power plants will be the fast-growing Leucaena leucocephala, or ipil-ipil tree as it is locally named.
