One of the functions to FAO by its Constitution is to "collect, analyze, interpret, and disseminate" technical information. The Division of Forestry and Forest Products has been repeatedly requested to make information available concerning current research. The situation with regard to the science and art of forestry shows steady improvement, as was demonstrated at the Third World Forestry Congress held in Finland in 1949. The participants were strongly impressed by the recent progress in all fields of forest and forest products research, and by a striking uniformity of views about the basic objectives to be pursued in the years ahead.
UNASYLVA has approached a number of research organizations and individual research workers for current information. These endeavors will continue and the approach will be widened, in co-operation with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, so as to make coverage as complete as possible.
A first installment on research is presented in this issue in a series of articles dealing with such basic fields as the function of forests as regulators of water economy, environment and climate, and forest genetics. Basic in an even wider sense is the article on the application of new statistical thinking to all silvicultural research activities.
The Division of Forestry and Forest Products is fully conscious of the shortcomings and of the great difficulties inherent in this approuch. However, the interest shown has been so great, and the response of institutions and individual research workers consulted has been so encouraging, that it was decided to present information as it became available, rather than to wait and strive for perfection
The information available will be presented in two parallel lines: one by short descriptions of projects undertaken, as furnished by the research institutions themselves; the other by analytical articles covering a whole field of research or a specific problem. This double approuch, it is hoped, will ensure a comprehensive picture.
UNASYLVA has already presented as a regular feature articles dealing with the organization of research in individual countries.* The series now being initiated deals only with the lines of research being pursued.
*Australia, Unasylva Vol. I, No. 3; Canada, Vol. I, No. 1; Finland, Vol. IV, No. 3: Prance, Vol. IV, No. 2; India, Vol. IV, No. 3; New Zealand, Vol. III, No. 2; Sweden, Vol. II, No. 5; United Kingdom, Vol. IV, No. 1; United States of America, Vol. II, No 2.
Sprouts on the watershed have been cut back each year since the original cutting. This is an orientation study to determine the effects of vegetation on stream flow.
Stream control showing the following points: 1. - 12-ft. Cipolletti weir blade. 2. - Large outlet pipe for draining ponding basin. 3. - By-pass for stream while weir basin is being cleaned. 4. - Level wall to kill stream velocity entering ponding basin. 5. - Emergency cutoff wall extending across mountain valley. 6. - Shelter for 90-day automatic stream recorder operated by a float in a well beneath the shelter. The well is
These photographs appear through the courtesy of the U. S. Forest Service.
