For similar research, scientists usually take samples of driftwood in Iceland, Svalbard or Greenland, but the north of Norway has been quite overlooked in this regard. “There are not as many tribes on the beaches as in other areas. In addition, some beaches are quite difficult to access. You can’t get to the place by car, so you have to go by boat or walk, which is quite difficult with all the equipment we need,” said Tomáš Kolář, a dendrochronologist from the MENDELU Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, adding that there is information about the origin of driftwood in Norway only one publication, but it is over 20 years old and thus many questions remain.
As they did three years ago in Iceland, scientists will determine the type of wood, its age and location. “Of course, we will also be interested in where the wood came from and by what route. It could be wood not only from the east, but also from the west of Russia, theoretically also from Norway. We will also be interested in how much wood has arrived in recent decades. According to the observations of people who live there or go to the cottage there, wood has been decreasing a lot in recent years, which has also been shown to us in Iceland,” said Kolář.
According to him, a key role is played not only by the method of harvesting and transporting timber in Siberia, which was the main source area for timber in Iceland, but also the amount of Arctic ice necessary for the timber to travel thousands of kilometers. “This is currently interesting also with regard to climate change, because shrinking arctic ice very likely leads to less floating wood,” said Kolář.
Together with colleagues in the north of Norway, he took samples from more than 400 strains from 8 different locations along the northern coast. “Since we found some freshly washed logs, and we even know the exact month and year for one, we can also pinpoint the time the wood drifted across the ocean. According to earlier studies and calculations, it is stated that the minimum period is two to three years,” said Kolář.
Norwegians use washed-up logs to make furniture, as construction wood or even for art, but most often as fuel. “In the north of Norway, whoever takes the tribe first or at least somehow marks it belongs to it, which of course applies to the coast, which is owned by the state and is not a protected area,” Kolář added.
Contact for more information: Ing. Tomáš Kolář, Ph.D., phone: 721 208 883, tomas.kolar.und@mendelu.cz, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno.
The research was financed from the Fund for Bilateral Relations – EEA Funds. There were 5 scientists from MENDELU in Norway who work together with Norwegian colleague Paul Eric Aspholm (NIBIO – Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research)
More news
-
Generation Z, meaning people born between 1995 and 2010, wastes food according to their estimates more than the previous generation, a total of 43.4 grams per person per day. This number drops almost by half for young people living with their…2. 10. 2024
-
EU Commission selects HEROES as new European University alliance to boost smart…
The HEROES Alliance unites nine universities of applied sciences across the EU under one common objective: to strengthen the resilience of the regions they are located in through digital innovations. 120,000 students and 14,000 staff spread over 22…4. 7. 2024 -
The student competition MENDELU Boost was won by the project Citymind: AI…
The winner of the first edition of the MENDELU Boost student entrepreneurial competition was the project Citymind, which serves as an AI assistant for cities and municipalities. The second place was awarded to a project focused on identifying hidden…20. 6. 2024 -
The addition of insects can improve the nutritional value of meat products.
Insects are being discussed as a potential protein source for the future. Small larvae contain high amounts of proteins and healthy fats. Compared to other livestock, insect farming also seems to be more environmentally friendly. Therefore,…17. 6. 2024 -
EURAF conference sets the direction for agroforestry in Europe for the coming…
At the international agroforestry conference EURAF 2024, the institutions jointly concluded the Brno Agroforestry Declaration on the implementation of agroforestry in Europe. The Declaration focuses on the knowledge and actions needed in the field…3. 6. 2024 -
The national round of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize was won by a student of…
Tadeáš Fryčák from the Jan Opletal Grammar School in Litovel won the third year of the national round of the global competition Stockholm Junior Water Prize. In his presentation he introduced the Root Tracker software, which he programmed himself.…30. 5. 2024 -
World experts address current challenges of agroforestry at MENDELU
This week, experts from all over the world are meeting at Mendel University in Brno to discuss agroforestry - growing trees together with crop production or livestock breeding. The EURAF 2024 conference deals with both research and practice and is…28. 5. 2024 -
An exceptional figure of our university, Vojtěch Adam, has passed away
With deep sorrow, the university rector received the sad news of the passing of Emeritus Vice-Rector and prominent scientist Prof. RNDr. Vojtěch Adam, Ph.D., who succumbed to a short severe illness yesterday.22. 5. 2024 -
Project SPOT from MENDELU was chosen for the 20 years of EU enlargement article
Project SPOT which is coordinated by Milada Šťastná and also led on behalf of the Faculty of AgriSciences at MENDELU has beed selected for the European Research Executive Agency article dedicated to the 20 years of EU enlargement.3. 5. 2024 -
In the MENDELU Ph.D. talent competition, five students succeeded
The third edition of the MENDELU Ph.D. Talent competition for supplementary talent scholarships for doctoral students has announced its winners. Ten talented students advanced to the second round of the MENDELU Ph.D. Talent competition, where they…2. 4. 2024