Pest management 
Growth and yield projection 
Multi-resource interactions 
Taxation/investment analysis 
Wood protection 
Composite wood products 
Many of these developments were intended to 
provide a competitive advantage to the region, but 
the advantage is soon lost as other regions adopt 
the generic aspects of the technology or otherwise 
increase their commitment to technology develop- 
ment and adoption. Thus, there must be a continual 
commitment to the pursuit and development of new 
ideas. 
The results of research on the impact of forest 
practices on water quality in Arkansas, Texas, and 
Florida have formed the basis for critical regulatory 
decisions. Credible data and a well-informed work- 
force are essential to maintain or enhance the pub- 
lic trust. 
When public funds are involved, there is an obli- 
gation to return the benefits to the public domain. 
Therefore, it is appropriate that we find that the fruits 
of technology are widely dispersed among 
landowners, communities, consumers, and corpo- 
rate stockholders, as well as the citizenry who col- 
lectively own public lands. For example, any buyer 
now has access to genetically improved seedlings 
for reforestation, and every category of forest 
landowner gets some benefit from the use-value 
system of taxation. Pressure-treated southern pine 
lumber is extending the life of residential, industrial, 
and commercial structures. Nor are the benefits of 
research and education confined to economic gain. 
In addition to more productive sites and more useful 
products, we see gains in soil conservation and 
water quality. Wildlife populations thrive. A better 
understanding of the overall forest ecosystem is 
resulting in more knowledgable resource man- 
agers. 
Goals for Research, Education, and 
Technology Transfer 
The rapid urbanization of the South portends an 
escalating conflict between economic and environ- 
mental interests. The South's traditional advantages 
of desirable species, favorable growing and har- 
vesting conditions, and an understanding public 
38 
are currently being challenged by dissatisfaction 
with product quality, competition from new products 
developed elsewhere, monetary and fiscal policies, 
and increased wood and fiber supplies in the Third 
World Nations. By the end of the century, the South 
will no longer be able to boast of being the most 
prolific woodbasket in the world. Its position as a 
low-cost wood producer is already threatened by 
Brazil and Chile. This situation presents a challenge 
that can best be met by region-specific technology. 
| have outlined several ways in which technol- 
ogy can help us meet the challenge: 
1. By reducing production costs, 
By increasing returns to landowners (through 
improved yields, multiple revenue sources, 
and economic analyses), 
3. By conserving resources (through protection 
from fire, pests, and atmospheric pollutants; 
through soil retention and clean water), 
4. __ By resolving public policy concerns, 
5. By improving product quality and expanding 
existing markets, 
6. — By introducing new products based on unique 
properties of southern resource, and 
7. By developing human expertise (in degree 
programs, continuing education, and profes- 
sional training). 
Our Capability To Address Goals 
Although our collective capability exceeds that 
available for the third forest, some of the organiza- 
tions that perform research, education, and technol- 
ogy transfer functions have experienced reductions 
which are diminishing their effectiveness. 
Research staffing for the USDA Forest Service 
and forest-products industry reached its peak in 
1981 (fig. 1). Although staffing of forestry programs 
in southern universities increased slightly to an all- 
time high in 1984, it too shows a pattern of decline 
in scientist years. The pattern of decreasing num- 
bers of scientists is contrary to our present needs. 
When most of the obvious opportunities for gains 
have already been exploited, an increase in re- 
search intensity and investment seems prudent. A 
particularly insidious aspect of this trend is the diffi- 
culty in employing scientists skilled in the emerging 
technologies. 
